Fannin County Rebels @ Union County Panthers

By: Ryan Cobbett

The Panthers came away with a big upset in their rivalry game against the Rebels winning this one 14-7. Fannin led the game at the half as they shut down the Union offense, but the script flipped, and it was all Union in the second half as it was their turn to pitch the shutout and they finished the game on 14 unanswered points. Despite out gaining the Panthers on offense, the Rebels failed to mount a productive drive in the second half resulting in the upset.

Team Notes

After a quiet first half, Junior QB Caiden Tanner connected with WR Jensen Goble for a touchdown while RB Connor Schuknecht added the Panthers’ other touchdown on the ground with a 2-yard TD run. Tanner played well against the tough Rebels defense as he walked away with a 66.7% Completion % and an outstanding 110.9 QB Rating. The ground game never got going as the Panthers averaged just 1.4 YPC on 28 attempts. The defense was the bright spot of the team’s performance Friday as the held the Rebels to 220 yards. Sam Page, Gage Barnes, and Kooper Ashcraft combined for 33 total tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 6 TFLs while Wilson Walker added 7 total tackles, 2 TFL and one INT.

As for Fannin County, QB Corbin Davenport was the only positive on the offensive side of the ball as he had 145 of the 220 yards for the Rebels and added the only Rebel TD with a 9-yard run in the second quarter. Davenport also added a 75-yard kick return to his stats on Friday night. Despite giving up the lead later in the game, the defense should not hang their head too low as they held the Panthers to just 190 yards and completely shut down their run game (40 yards). Seniors Logan Long and Cade Sands and Sophomore Cooper Born were in the backfield a lot as they combined for 10 of the Rebels 13 TFLs in this one.

Look Ahead

As they look to involve the run game a bit more to open things up for Tanner, the Panthers will host the Lumpkin County Indians (1-0) who are coming off a huge 61-7 win over Riverside Military Academy. The Rebels will look to get their season back on track as they collide with the Gilmer County Bobcats (1-0).