The Rebels of Fannin County High School and the Indians of Lumpkin County faced off on a stormy last Friday. After being delayed and starting nearly an hour late, the intense battle began and would end with the Indians on top 34-20.The Indians got the ball to start the game but some big hits by Jerod Petty and crew led to a short drive before a punt.

Brad Davis took over for the Rebels, completing a 52 yard pass to Hunter O’Neal. Cooper Earls followed, catching a pass inside the one yard line to set up a Cody Jacobs rushing TD with 7:34 in the first.

Following the quick 7-0 start, the Rebels fired up defense and held the Indians again, but both teams’ drives went four and out and ended quickly.

This gave the ball to the Indians on the Lumpkin 19 where the quarterback beat everyone to the edge and raced 81 yard to tie the game with 1:15 in the first.

Fannin recovered a fumble and attempted a field goal with seconds to go in the first, but the kick went wide left.

Earls and Tyler Beaver got a drive going in the second quarter picking two 15+ yard gains. After a Indians sack, a squib kick put the Lumpkins’ backs on the goal line, starting at the offensive drive at the five yard line.

The Indians pushed the ball down to score a 37 yard field goal with just seconds remaining in the half for a halftime score of 10-7 in Lumpkin’s favor.

After a slow start to the second half, the Indians put another field goal on the board to make the score 13-7 with 6 minutes left in the third. The defenses of both teams took over, with the score remaining the same throughout the remainder of the quarter.

Lumpkin came out to start the fourth with a short TD, making the score 20-7. It was after this touchdown that the Rebels had a scare, as Cody McPeek had to receive medical attention on the sidelines.

The Rebels took a knee to send thoughts up for McPeek and get their game faces on for the last 10 minutes of the game.

Some quick passes moved the ball up setting up a Petty 57 yard run. Beaver finished the drill, punching the ball in to cut the lead to 20-13 with 8 minutes remaining.

The defense held the Indians and with six minutes to go in the game the Rebels got the ball, down by four.

Fannin pushed the ball to mid field when the Indians picked up a 16 yard sack. Jacobs picked up the 3rd and 26 off of a strike from Davis. The Indians held the Rebels offense in check, forcing them a fourth and ten from the 23. Davis’ pass was picked off in the end zone.

The Indians took over with four minutes left in the game. Lumpkin scored on a 75 yard TD run to go up 27-13 with three minutes left.

Lumpkin added one more quick TD, making the score 34-13 with one minute left in the game.

On the ensuing kickoff Beaver took the ball down to the five yard line on a 85 yard return. Daniel Lange found the end zone for the Rebels for the final score of 34-20 in Lumpkin’s favor.