The Gilmer High School Bobcats varsity football team ended an eight year losing streak to the Fannin High School Rebels with a dramatic 29-21 win at Fannin County High School. The win was sealed when free safety, Colt Henderson intercepted Fannin quarterback Trevor Stone on fourth and 12. The Bobcats were down early as Fannin’s quarterback, Trevor Stone, scored on a one yard sneak to take a 7-0 lead after the extra point kick by Taylor Brodowsky with just under six minutes left in the first quarter. Henderson, who was active on both sides of the ball all night, scored Gilmer’s first touch down with a one yard plunge of his own, with just over 11 minutes left in the first half. The subsequent extra point attempt was missed by Gilmer’s Eric Chavez, leaving the Bobcats down 7-6.

The Rebels running game came roaring right back, as Blake Henry scored on a 46 yard scamper that put Fannin up 14-6. Great Gilmer field position came as a result of a failed Fannin onside kick. On second and five from the Gilmer 40, Drew Morgan busted out for a 37 yard run that gave Gilmer the ball at the Fannin 27 yard line. Cameron Kephart scored the Bobcats’ second touchdown with a “rumbling, bumbling,” multiple tackle breaking, 18 yard run. After a failed two point conversion the Bobcats were down 14-12. The score remained the same throughout the half.

Gilmer’s first lead of the game came on the first drive of the second half. After Connor Webber caught a 61 yard bomb that gave the Bobcats the ball at the Fannin five yard line, Henderson punched it in from one yard out. Chavez’s extra point put the Bobcats up 19-14. The lead was short lived, as Fannin’s Peyton Satterfield took the ensuing kick off 90 yards for a touchdown. After the Rebels’ extra point, Fannin led by two, 21-19. It was the last Rebels score of the game.

The Bobcats’ defense rose up on the next two Fannin possessions. Gilmer’s Austin Cole recovered a Fannin fumble on the Rebels’ 44 yard line. A short drive later, Johnie Flakes scored on first and goal from the Fannin three yard line. The Bobcats led by four, 26-21, with just over two minutes left in the third quarter. On the next Fannin possession, Cole recovered another Fannin fumble at the Fannin 34. Lopez’s final field goal proved to be the nail in the Rebels’ coffin.

The two teams traded possessions, and Fannin had the ball driving to the Gilmer 41 yard line, but Fannin was finished by Henderson’s interception of Trevor Stone on fourth and 12. The Bobcats ran the clock out, as the Fannin faithful began making their exit.

Highlights of Gilmer’s Win Over Fannin Courtesy of ETC TV3 from Fetch on Vimeo.