Subregion showdown
Union vs. Fannin tight through three
By JARED PUTNAM

Taylor Neely makes a flying tackle during punt coverage. Neely later caught a touchdown pass.

The Panthers battled the Fannin County Rebels Friday night, falling 43-7 in the first subregion action of the season. The matchup pitted the Panthers against a senior stocked Rebels squad in a contest where the score does not tell the full tale of the game.

"We had preached to the kids all week about how big they were," said Head Coach Todd Peugh. "Going into the season I felt like Fannin was probably going to be the best team in our subregion. They're really a good football team."

The two teams were locked in a 0-0 stalemate at the end of the first quarter, with neither club able to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

The Rebels found their way into the end zone twice in the second quarter, taking a 14 point advantage into the break.

"The first half I really thought we played as physical as we have all year," said Coach Peugh. "We did good things on defense."

In the third quarter freshman quarterback Kolt Owenby connected with Taylor Neely on a touchdown pass that brought the score to 21-7.

Cody Adams makes the reception.

"Taylor did a good job at receiver and he's done a good job at tight end too. He's probably the most experienced receiver we have. We had a really good drive. [Kolt] made two or three really good plays."

The Rebels brought the ball back down on the following drive, scoring just before the third quarter ended. "At the point it was 29-7," said Coach Peugh, who said that the team did not want to simply run out the clock. "I don't want to send the message to the kids that we're not even going to try. We gave ourselves a shot to be in the game and it just didn't happen."

This week the team hopes to have fullback Chris Tanner back, and possibly receiver Austin Collins. The Panthers take on the Dawson County Tigers in the second home game of the season. Although Dawson has been bitten by the injury bug this season, the matchup poses a challenge for the Panthers against a pass heavy offense.

"We have to play well no matter who we play," said the coach. "We're getting effort. I have felt like the last two weeks haven't been due to the effort. The coaches really want to see these kids succeed."

Quarterback Kody Owenby hands the ball off. Taylor Neely reaches through the hands of the Rebels defender to haul in the touchdown reception.