Clear Creek’s offense roared up and down the field like a race car versus the Fannin County Rebels.
The CCMS Bobcats ran through, over and around Rebel defenders, and the eighth-grade game was decided shortly after it started. Clear Creek scored on every offensive possession and added a defensive touchdown for a 46-8 win.
The seventh-graders had their way with Fannin as well. The Cats built a three touchdown advantage before the Rebels’ last second score saw CCMS come out on top, 24-6.
“The biggest surprise of the night was how well we did in the first game (eighth grade). The next surprise was that we were able to do what we did in the seventh-grade game,” said head coach Willie Dodaro. “If you asked me before the game, I’d say it might be a rocky start for the seventh grade, and they really showed us some things.
“I’m really proud of how the kids came out ready to play, and the coaching staff did a nice job putting the game plan together. For the coaches and players, it was well done. At the same time, the players know the rest of the schedule is going to be a little more intense, and we’re going to have to tackle and block better. We need to improve every week if we want to get to where we need to be.”
Eighth grade
CCMS only ran 20 offensive plays as the line and receivers made blocks while running backs Douglas Callihan, Mason West, Peyton Chancey and quarterback Jase McCollum took care of the rest.
Both teams had four possessions in the first half. The Rebels were forced to punt twice, and their other two drives ended with fumbles that were recovered by Bobcats Chaz Curtis and Blake Becker.
Fannin’s first fumble came on its second play. CCMS took over at the Rebels’ 17, and West carried twice for a touchdown and added the conversion for an 8-0 lead after two minutes of play. The Cats’ next drive needed just one play as Chancey burst through the middle of Fannin’s defense for a 64-yard gallop.
CCMS was quickly ahead 16-0 after Chancey’s two-point run. West and Chancey swapped carries to start the next drive. Callihan was then unleashed, and he ran over a defender on his 24-yard jaunt into the end zone to cap the four play, 36-yard series.
Chancey added another conversion as the Cats’ lead swelled to 24-0 in the final minute of the first quarter. Clear Creek’s next drive was its longest at nine plays and 64 yards. It culminated with an 11-yard pass from McCollum to Chancey, who added the 2-point conversion for a 32-0 halftime lead.
A running clock was used in the second half. After a failed Rebel onside kick, CCMS needed four plays to cover 50 yards, and Chancey ran the final 34 as the Cats led, 38-0.
Chancey was not finished as he had a defensive play to add to his highlight reel. On third down, he blitzed from his middle linebacker spot and stripped the ball from the Rebel runner and broke two tackles en route to a 38-yard return for his fourth touchdown.
Ahead 46-0 at the end of the third, Dodaro put reserves in the game. Fannin was finally able to gain some positive traction and scored on a 45-yard run.
Seventh grade
The Bobcats came out strong in the opening half and scored on both possessions. Fabian Lopez took the ball away from Fannin’s running back on its first drive to set up the CCMS offense at the Rebels’43.
Fullback Madden Hopkins battered the middle of Fannin’s defense as quarterback A.J. Callihan and halfback Ryan Rellinger hit the edge. The drive concluded on the fourth play when Rellinger took an 18-yard sweep around the right side for a touchdown. Callihan completed a pass on the conversion to Zane Davis for an 8-0 lead with 1:41 left in the opening quarter.
FCMS put a 12-play drive together next, but it stalled at Clear Creek’s 25 as Bobcats Rellinger and Hunter Newhart teamed up to make the tackle on fourth down.
The Cats’ second possession spanned 66 yards and needed eight plays to reach pay dirt. Halfback McCoy Sutton added his name to the stat sheet with a 9-yard run, but it was Hopkins who continually punished the middle of the Rebels’ defense with first down runs. Hopkins scored on a 2-yard dive and added the conversion for a 16-0 CCMS halftime lead.
FCMS had plenty of chances in the second half, but the Clear Creek defense held strong. Fannin recovered an onside kick to start the half, but turned the ball over on downs after 11 plays. CCMS promptly fumbled the ball back to FCMS.
With prime starting position at the Cats’ 21, the Rebels were not even able to gain a first down as Newhart was there again to make the stop on fourth down.
The CCMS offense responded with a lightning quick score. Rellinger took a toss around the left side and raced 85 yards for a touchdown. After he added the conversion, CCMS led 24-0 with 5:36 to play.
FCMS cashed in on its next drive, but also milked nearly all of the clock in the process. The Rebels scored on a 1-yard run on fourth and goal.
The 14-play series covered 63 yards, and while FCMS recovered the ensuing onside kick, 10 seconds was hardly enough time as the Bobcats won.
Clear Creek traveled to White County at press deadline.