Blue Ridge, GA- The Fannin County Rebels look like they are in for another successful season in 2023 under the tutelage of Head Coach Chad Cheatham, who is currently 9 wins away from the all-time wins record at Fannin County High School. While the Rebels may look inexperienced on paper heading into the new season, they have a ton of talent and look to set the pace for the next wave of Fannin County football…

What do the computers think of the Rebels 2023 season? Let’s break down some win-total projections and do a game-by-game analysis of the upcoming season; including a look at the key departures from last year’s team and key returners for 2023, plus a “make or break” game that will set the team either above or below their projected win total.

Over/Under: 8.5 wins

Wins: Gilmer, at Pickens, at Murphy, Gordon Central, Model, at North Murray, Murray County, Haralson County

Losses: at Rockmart

Make or Break: Season opener vs Union County

Key Departures: Corbin Davenport (DB/WR), Andrew Waldrep (LB), Bryson Holloway (RB), Carson Collis (DB/WR), Cade Sands (LB), Logan Long (OL/DL), Jeremy Tammen (OL/DL), Jack Kantner (K)

Key Returners: Elijah Weaver (QB/WR), Lawson Sullivan (QB/WR), Brayden Taylor (WR/DB), Cooper Born (LB), Carson Callihan (RB/LB), Case Holloway (DE), Jacob Dye (OL/DL)

The Blue and Silver Rebels may look young on paper, but they have some great talent returning in 2023. While you can never replace a kid like Corbin Davenport and his presence will surely be missed under the lights, the Rebels have some guys that are looking to become household names when they get their chance to shine. Whether it’s Elijah Weaver or Lawson Sullivan under center come game 1, the one who is not getting reps at QB will likely be one of the Rebel’s top targets in the passing game at wide receiver. Jacob Dye and Case Holloway will look to fill the shoes of Longan Long and Jeremy Tammen on the line for Fannin County, and rising Junior Brayden Taylor could be the Player of The Year in all of North Georgia. If Fannin County is able to put all of the pieces together and find a vocal leader in the locker room, the Rebels should make another strong run to the postseason. It will be interesting to watch the offense in the early games and see how well they mesh as first year Offensive Coordinator Wade Woodall takes over the play-calling duties for the Rebs.

Fannin will start off their season with one of the most anticipated games of the year in North Georgia and the game that will “Make or Break” their win total in 2023 as the Union County Panthers come to town on August 18th. Last year, the Panthers were able to hold on in the final seconds and take a 14-7 victory over the Rebels in Blairsville, but the Fannin will be looking for revenge in the “Border War” as the Panthers come to town in game 1. That week one matchup could tell the tale for the Rebels season early as they have another rivalry matchup vs Gilmer in week two, and while they are favored to win that one, going into that game without a clear mind could be the difference in an 0-2 start and a 2-0 start to 2023.

After the Gilmer game, the Rebels head out on the road to face off against another HWY 515 rival in Pickens County. While Pickens may be the home team in this matchup, I am picking Fannin to take this one based solely on the talent of their Linebacking core alone. I think the combination of Cooper Born, Carson Callihan, CJ Reece, and Baylor Twiggs over the middle should slow down a lot of what Pickens is going to want to do through the air. Next up for Fannin will be another road test, this time across state lines vs the Murphy Bulldogs from North Carolina. Considering the way last years game went and looking at what the Dogs lost talent-wise to graduation, the Rebels should roll on in this game as they head into region play the following week.

Speaking of Region play, I think the toughness of the Rebels non-region schedule should ultimately help them come crunch time. They should have no problem at home vs Gordon Central, and I think they get revenge vs Model this year at home also. Last years shutout loss to the Blue Devils was very uncharacteristic of Fannin County, and this matchup will be circled in the locker room for sure. Fannin just looks like they matchup on paper better this year than they did last year vs Model, and that homefield advantage they have this year is going to be huge.

Fannin and North Murray lit up the scoreboard last year in Blue Ridge, but with most of North Murrays fire power on the offensive side of the ball gone to graduation, the Rebels should be able to grind out a win in Chatsworth this year.

Obviously, the toughest team the Rebels are going to face in region play is going to be Rockmart, and with that game being in Rockmart this year, I have to give the nod to the Yellow Jackets. But, who knows- A lot can happen by October 27th.