BLUE RIDGE — Fannin County football has not reached the state playoffs since 2010 -- but the Rebels could almost taste the end of that streak in 2015, and they aim to feast in 2016.
Fannin headed into the final month of the 2015 campaign at 4-3, needing just one win to get back to the playoffs. Instead, a double overtime loss to West Hall sparked a three-game losing streak that fizzled a promising season. In fact, the Rebels dropped the finale to Franklin County on a last-minute touchdown.
With 11 returning starters, and a slew of lettermen offensive linemen, coach Jim Pavao said things are looking positive as they prepare to open against nearby rival Gilmer.
"We had a tough finish to last year, but I feel we're a program on the rise," Pavao said. "The main goal for us is to figure out how to get that one more win. One win each of the last two seasons and we're in the playoffs. Getting tougher mentally has been a focus for us."
Offense should not be a problem for the Rebels, who averaged 32 points a contest behind rising senior quarterback Brad Davis (2,287, 16 TDs) and senior receiver Cooper Earles (80 receptions, 1,002 yards, 7 TDs). They also will be boosted by a veteran offensive line.
"I think the (offensive) line is definitely the strength of the team coming into the season," Pavao said. "We definitely feel like we'll be able to score some points."
The one question on the offense lies in finding replacements in the backfield for graduated starters Jack Roper and Dakota Archie, who took 90 percent of the handoffs in 2015. Senior Logan Ledford and juniors Brett Galloway and Jonah Henry should battle for the top spot.
The defense, which allowed 29.6 ppg in 2015, may still be a work-in-progress with just four returning starters -- all linebackers -- in seniors Andrew Pavao, Jeffrey Whitemire, Christian Cornillaud, and sophomore Hunter Gray. Yet junior defensive end Ben Collins could have a breakout year on the line.
FANNIN COUNTY: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Rebels
- TEAM COLORS: Blue and Gray
- CURRENT REGION: 7-AAA
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Jim Pavao, third season, 8-12
- 2015 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 4-6
- KEY LOSSES: RB Dakota Archie, OL Tyler Jones, LB Jerod Petty, RB/DB/P Jack Roper, DB Dylan Frank, DL Daniel Kinser, S Dominik Leben, P Jack Roper
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Spread -- The Rebels like to use four receivers and an up-tempo style but will run the ball for clock control when able.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 7 returning starters -- Sr. QB Brad Davis, Sr. WR Cooper Earls, Sr. OL River Dixon, Sr. OL Dillon Breedlove, Sr. OL Hunter Davis, Jr. C Bradley Flowers, Sr. TE Jacob Reece
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 3-4 -- Fannin likes to attack in their scheme and create turnovers, displaying the style that won Pavao acclaim as Gainesville's defensive coordinator in its 2012 state title season.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 4 returning starters -- Sr. LB Andrew Pavao, Sr. LB Jeffrey Whitemire, Sr. LB Christian Cornillaud, So. LB Hunter Gray, Jr. DE Ben Collins
- SPECIAL TEAMS: PK/P Sr. Bryan Carranza, KO/P Sr. Brandon Carranza, Sr. KR/PR Cooper Earles
- STRENGTH: Offensive line/quarterback -- Fannin's trenches should be strong with eight lettermen returning from last year, led by Dixon, Breedlove, and Hunter Davis to provide protection for QB Davis, who can be prolific.
- QUESTION: Depth -- Overall depth could be an issue, especially in the defensive secondary and at the safety position. Also, the Rebels are looking for someone to pick up the load at running back with the graduation of Archie and Roper, who handled more than 90 percent of the carries in 2015.
- KEY GAMES: The opener against Gilmer could set the tone (Aug. 19, away). The Rebels have lost five straight to their mountain rivals. The last time they beat the Bobcats was in 2010 when they last went to the playoffs. The Region 7-AAA opener at home against North Hall is a key game for both teams in what is expected to be a very tight region race. With a road game at Greater Atlanta Christian to follow the next week, a win is crucial to avoid a potentially tough start.
- TRENDING: The numbers have been increasing for the Rebels and they have narrowly missed out on the playoffs each of the last two years since Pavao's arrival. With Brad Davis under center they are still a team no one can take lightly. But, with a lot of senior starters back for 2016, this could be a critical year for the program as it tries to make that jump into the upper tier teams of the region. The Rebels have shown recently that they can elevate to consistent postseason squad, reaching state three times during the 2006-2010 span and posting winning records in each of those seasons -- prior to that Fannin had reached the postseason just three times.
2016 SCHEDULE
Aug. 19 at Gilmer
Sept. 2 vs. Ringgold
Sept. 9 vs. Chestatee
Sept. 16 at Andrews (N.C.)
Sept. 23 vs. *North Hall
Sept. 30 at *Greater Atlanta Christian
Oct. 14 vs. *Dawson County
Oct. 21 at *Lumpkin County
Oct. 28 vs. *Union County
Nov. 4 at *East Hall
*- Indicates region game
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
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