On a cool Saturday morning in Blue Ridge youth football enthusiasts were entertained to a routing rowdy Rebels uprising, as the 11U team beat the Bobcats of Gilmer, 41-6, in a game that was never in doubt.After Gilmer returned the opening kickoff to the Bobcat 43 yard line, the Rebels defense allowed only six yards before forcing a turnover on downs at the Gilmer 49.

On second and ten, Michael Pelligrino, took a handoff on the left side and raced 24 yards down to the Gilmer 24. On the next play Pelligrino broke one tackle on his way to a 24 yard touchdown run. With 7:50 left in the first quarter, the Rebels led 7-0.

The ensuing drive saw the Rebels’ defense force another turnover on downs at the Gilmer 41. Another two play drive ended with Pelligrino in the end zone, this time on a 35 yard scamper, after a failed extra point attempt, the Rebels led 13-0 as the quarter closed.
The Bobcats took over on the Gilmer 28 yard line. CJ Scriker completed a 31 yard pass to Alex Snelgrove, moving the Gilmer offense into Fannin territory for the first time, at the 40 yard line; however, the Rebels’ defense forced a loss of seven yards over the next four plays putting the Fannin offense at the 47.

After the Fannin offense gained ten yards, a fumble recovered by the Bobcats gave Gilmer possession. Seven plays later, Fannin took over on the Fannin 40.

After another big run from Pellingrino, Luke Holloway completed a 24 yard pass to Gabe Willis for a touchdown and a 20-0 lead, after a successful extra point. The Rebel remained up 20-0 at half time.

The Rebels returned the second half kickoff to the Fannin 49. After a two yard carry by Carson Beavers, Pelligrino pulled off he hat trick, with a 47 yard touchdown run, for his third of the day. After a Holloway scored the extra point Fannin led 27-0.

An interception from Holloway cut the next Gilmer drive short, and gave Fannin field position at the Rebels 40, after a 14 yard return. Power back, Miles Johnson, rumbled the Rebels forward for seven yards, before Pelligrino took the ball down to the Gilmer 22.

After Holloway connected with Beavers for a 17 yard gain that gave Fannin first and goal at the three, Johnson scored on a three yard plunge, and Fannin led 35-0 going into the fourth.

The “Cats” got on the board late in the fourth when Scriker broke free for a 54 yard touchdown run. The Rebels responded with a 61 yard touchdown run from Pelligrino that put the nail in the coffin.

Article by
Mac Wright