Football 2012: Fannin Co. hopes to show 2011 was exception

BLUE RIDGE -- Standing at 4-3 and needing perhaps just one win to make the playoffs a year ago, injuries hit several key players, prompting an 0-3 finish that kept Fannin County football out of the postseason.

First year coach Greg Chambers, a 16-year assistant with the Rebels, is hoping for a better finish in 2012. But it won’t easy as Fannin County is now in Region 7-AAA, which features perennial powerhouses Buford and North Hall, along with White County, a playoff team in 2010, and Banks County, which has won 14 games the past two seasons.

“We are in a very tough region and for us the key will be staying healthy,” Chambers said. “Last year, we lost our quarterback and running back in back-to-back games and just never recovered. This year we feel if we stay healthy we can be right in the mix. Buford and North Hall are the favorites, but I think it’s wide open after that.”

The Rebels feature a multiple offense behind returning junior quarterback Trevor Stone and junior running back Peyton Satterfield. They have talent at the skill positions but will have to replace three starters off the line from last year. Seniors Blake Callihan and Heath Davenport will anchor the line.

On defense the Rebels will be led by a solid linebacking corps, again featuring Callihan and Davenport, along with juniors Jordan Gray and Noah O’Neal. Chambers said his defense should be good enough to keep the Rebels in most games.

“The biggest question we have is our offensive line. We lost three real good players so that’s the biggest area to address,” Chambers said. “We think Satterfield can be real good and Stone is another year experienced. We have talent at wide receiver so we can throw the ball.

“But I really like our defense, if everyone stays healthy. We have some talented younger players that should contribute, but they just need game experience. We were competitive the entire year last year, and I expect our defense to give us a chance.”

As of publication time Chambers said they were still working to find a replacement for last year’s kicker, Taylor Brodowsky.

The season for the Rebels could again come down to the final weeks. They finish at home against what is expected to be a strong Dawson County team and East Hall, which is has improved in each of the last two seasons.

“There won’t be any easy games but knowing we have those last two at home is huge,” Chambers said. “The last couple of spots could be between those three, not to mention White County, so we just want to make sure we are in the running when we get to that point.”

FANNIN COUNTY: NEED TO KNOW

MASCOT: Rebels

TEAM COLORS: Blue and Grey

CURRENT REGION: 7-AAA

HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Greg Chambers, first full season, replaced Clark Drennan mid-season in 2011

2011 RECORD/ ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 4-6

KEY LOSSES: PK Taylor Brodowsky, RB Blake Henry, OL/DL A.J. Resendiz, OL/DL Travis Thigpin, OL/DL Phillip Doss

OFFENSIVE STYLE: Multiple -- the Rebels start a talented quarterback and running back and will look to work both the run and pass.

KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: Jr. QB Trevor Stone, Jr. RB Peyton Satterfield, Jr. FB Jordan Gray, Jr. WR Noah O’Neal, Sr. OL Blake Callihan, SR. OL Heath Davenport

DEFENSIVE STYLE: 50 – Fannin will rely on its linebackers to fly around and make plays.

KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: Sr. LB Blake Callihan, Sr. DE Sean Callihan, SR LB Heath Davenport, Jr. LB Jordan Gray, Jr. FS Peyton Satterfield, Jr. LB Noah O’Neal

SPECIAL TEAMS: No starters named as of publication time

STRENGTH: Experience at skill positions, linebacker -- Fannin knows it has leaders and athletes in key positions.

QUESTION: Offensive line and secondary -- the Rebels will be learning on the fly at these spots.

KEY GAMES: As with most teams in Region 7-AAA, the Rebels may be playing for second place with the addition of powerhouse Buford. The Rebels are expecting to be in contention and it may come down to their final two region games against Dawson County and East Hall, both at home. They have tough road games at North Hall and Buford.

TRENDING: The Rebels suffered their first losing season since 2005 following the resignation of Clark Drennan midseason in 2011. But Fannin was 4-3 heading into the final two subregion games with a shot at the playoffs. Chambers is focused on getting back to the Rebels winning ways.

2012 SCHEDULE
Aug. 24 vs. Murphy, N.C.
Aug. 31 at Gilmer
Sept. 7 at Union County
Sept. 14 vs. White County
Sept. 28 vs. At West Hall
Oct. 12 at North Hall
Oct. 19 vs. Banks County
Oct. 26 at Buford
Nov. 2 vs. Dawson County
Nov. 9 vs. East Hall