GAINESVILLE — Chestatee struggled to match Fannin County's energy in a 34-30 loss at War Eagle Stadium on a homecoming Friday night.
The Rebels' (4-1) win evened the series against Chestatee (1-3), 4-4.
"We didn't play with a lot of energy and effort tonight," Chestatee coach Shaun Conley said. "That's what we preach all the time. It got us a little bit, tonight."
Fannin running back Cason Owensby led the Rebels with 11 carries for 140 yards and two touchdowns.
"They didn't do anything offensively or defensively that we weren't expecting, we just didn't match their energy and effort," Conley said.
After stalemating each other in the first quarter, the Rebels and War Eagles traded scores in the second quarter.
The Rebels scored first but missed the extra, then Chestatee answered a minute later off a 61-yard Christian Charles touchdown run. The extra point left the War Eagles on top, 7-6.
But Fannin's Luke Halloway connected with Cohutta Hyde on a 50-yard strike two minutes later and a successful two-point try pushed Fannin ahead 14-7 with 4:15 to go.
Chestatee marched down the field on its next drive with Charles hitting Caleb Carter to tie the game, 14-14.
Fannin, however, big-played the War Eagles for the second time when Owensby sprinted 64 yards for the Rebel score and the lead, 21-14.
The War Eagles responded to Conley's halftime speech, scoring two touchdowns in the third quarter and holding Fannin scoreless. Chestatee led 27-21 at the end of the third quarter.
The fourth quarter was much different as Fannin scored twice, including the go-ahead score on a 58-yard pass from Halloway to Hyde with 1:48 left.
"They just made plays when they need to tonight," Conley said. "It seemed like we had them third down all night and couldn't get them off the field."
Charles was 12-20 with 134 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed seven times for 58 yards and a score.
Chestatee will open Region 7-4A play at Denmark on Friday. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
