The Dawson County High School Tigers football team, visited the Fannin County High School Rebels on homecoming night. The Tigers emerged victorious with a 35-30 come from behind win in front of a raucous Rebel crowd. Blake Henry and Sally Ann Jones were named the new homecoming king and queen for the Rebels during the half time ceremony.The Rebels began the game on defense, and were able to force a punt on the Dawson’s first possession. After Peyton Satterfield fair caught the ball on the Fannin 16 yard line, the Rebels drove the ball 86 yards to score the game’s first touchdown; a 34 yard bomb, on fourth and six, from quarterback, Trevor Stone, to Satterfield. After a successful extra point kick, the Rebels led 7-0 with 3:18 left in the first quarter.

On the ensuing possession, the Tigers began with excellent field position, the Fannin 49, due to an unsuccessful on sides kick off attempt. The Tigers had success through the air; however, Dawon tied the game after a rushing touchdown from Zack Martin with 11:50 left in the first half.

Fannin Fumble Recovery
(Photo by LT Melton)

Homecoming King, Henry, returned the kick off 30 yards to the Dawson 48 yard line. After three straight running plays the Rebels were facing a fourth and four, when the punt team came on to the field. Fannin fooled the Tigers, and fullback, Jordan Gray, caught a 42 yard touchdown pass. The Rebels led 14-7 with 9:36 left in the half.

The Tigers came roaring back. Aided by an out of bounds on the kickoff, and personal foul facemask penalty, Dawson’s Bruce Clark caught a touchdown pass with 7:56 left in the game. The game was tied 14-14 after the successful point after attempt.

The Rebels recovered a Dawson onsides kick, giving Fannin good field position on its own 46. Five plays later, Gray scored his second touchdown of the day, when he rumbled up the middle for 15 yards. With 6:10 left in the first half, Fannin led 21-14.

The Tigers moved the ball successfully to the Fannin two yard line; however, Jason Burnett forced a fumble that was recovered by Henry. Fannin moved the ball to the Dawson 48; however, Stone’s hail mary attempt was picked off, effectively ending the half.

Incomplete Pass
(Photo by LT Melton)

Henry returned the second half opening kick off to the Fannin 41 yard line. On second and five from the Rebel 46, Satterfield took the pitch from Stone and the Rebel rumbled 47 yard down to the Dawson five yard line. Henry punched it in two plays later. With 10:01 left in the third, Fannin led 28-14.

Dawson scored on the next drive with a 37 yard bomb that made the score 28-21, after the point after, with 6:15 left in the game. The quarter ended with the score the same.

The fourth quarter opened with a punt by Stone that put the Tigers deep in Dawson territory at its own four yard line. However, Dawson was able to go the full 96 yards, eventually tying the game with a 15 yard touchdown pass.

Despite, great field position on the ensuing drive, thanks to Henry’s returning the ball to the Dawson 36, Fannin failed to pick up a fourth down conversion and the Tigers took over on the Dawson 33.

Dawson eventually scored on yet another touchdown pass, and the Rebels were facing the first Fannin deficit of the game, 35-28 with 1:43 left in the game.

With 54.5 left in the game, Stone was picked off on the Dawson two yard line. The Tigers proceeded with three straight quarterback sneaks, and took a safety, making the score 35-30, in order to kick off with eight seconds left. Stone’s Hail Mary attempt, with 3.3, seconds left in the game fell short and the game was decided.