What’s ugly and looks like someone backed into your car and didn’t leave a note? That would be the season opening win for the Gilmer Bobcats over the Fannin Rebels.

Friday night coach Zach Grage was looking for his first career win as a head coach. Also he was looking for a big win for the Bobcat fans over the school rival Fannin Rebels. He got both, but it would not come easy as the Rebels were determined not to let it happen.

The season opener came with alot of hype. The Bobcats were going to roll into town, wrap up a big win and go home. Not so fast. Bobcat fans got a little shock with the first quarter being all Rebels. Junior Rebel quarterback Brad Davis went to work showing the Bobcats that he could pass from the pocket and on the run. The Rebels quickly put up two touchdowns and an extra point to end the first quarter 13-0 over the Bobcats.

The Bobcats found the end zone in the second quarter as so did the Rebels. As the first half came to a close the the Rebels would go into the locker room up 19-7 over the Bobcats. Fannin Rebel fans looked as though they were enjoying the half a little more than the Bobcat fans.

It was now time to see if the coaches could keep calm during the storm. Early in the second half the Bobcats found themselves 1st and goal on the Fannin three yard line. Fannin defense rejected the Bobcats from getting into their end zone. The Gilmer stands became very quiet. Many feeling if we can’t get in from the three how will we get into the end zone.

It would not take long for Russell Cochran to strike for a 32 yard rushing touch down. The momentum had now swung the Bobcats way. With a Drew Dyer interception and a Thaddeus Bowers 23 yard touchdown catch, 3:24 to play in the third quarter the Bobcats were back in this game. Late in the third quarter Chandler Sutton would cut off a Davis pass for another interception. The Bobcats would end the quarter finding themselves up 22-19 and starting the fourth quarter in great field position. Best of all they had finally kept Fannin off the scoreboard in the third quarter.

As the fourth quarter opened it now looked all Gilmer as Fannin was starting to show fatigue.  Russell Cochran’s two yard rushing touchdown would be the last time the Bobcats would find the endzone. With the extra point and 11:25 to play in the game the Bobcat defense would be forced to protect a 29-19 lead.

The Rebels were determined not to go easy. They were looking for the opening home game win and especially against their rivals. It was not time to test the Bobcats preseason conditioning against the fast paced quarterback scrambling offense of the Rebels.

Rebels would score on a 40 yard touchdown run. This would bring them to within three to make the score 29-26 with 7:53 to play. This would be the final score of the game but far from the end of the excitement.  Fannin Rebels quarterback Brad Davis was not ready to give up. He was driving his team down the field. Forth and three from the nineteen yard line with 2:22 to play Davis found a receiver on the five yard line. The receiver dropped the ball. The Bobcats would take over on the nineteen yard line. The Fannin defense was determined to give their offense one last chance. Fannin with the ball on the Gilmer forty one yard line, twenty one seconds left on the clock Lucas Bramlett found his way into the Fannin backfield to sack Davis. Game over!

At the end of the game coach Grage was honest with the team telling them it was a win but it was ugly, It beat the alternative. The coaches remained calm at all times and the players never gave up. Grage revealed he can coach when being behind and the Bobcats showed they will not give up so it should make for an exciting football season.

This is a team you are going to want to come out and watch play. You can do that this week as the Bobcats take on the Dawson Tigers at home Friday night 7:30pm.

Oh by the way AAA get ready, the Fannin Rebels may surprise you this year.

Gilmer Bobcat Stat Highlights

Tyler Buntin 11/21 161 yds. 2 tds.

Russell Cochran 34 carries for 206 yds. 2 tds.

Thaddeus Bowers 8 receptions 116 yds. 2 tds.

Nobel Zuschlag 11 tackles

Lucas Bramlett 11  tackles 1 sack

Shane Bowman 4 tackles 1 sack
Greg Engler was ejected from the game because he swung at a Fannin player and will miss the next game against Dawson.