Citizen photo/ Glenn Harbison: Fannin County Rebels Casen Bailey and Reed Holloway team up against a Murphy Bulldog receiver at the seven-on-seven camp at Fannin County High School last week. Taking part besides Fannin County, Copper Basin and Murphy high schools was McMinn Central High School.

By: Glenn Harbison/ glenn@fanninbasincitizen.com

Rebels Head Coach David Nichols was pleased with what he saw last Thursday morning, June 11, during a seven-on-seven workout at the Fannin County High School football stadium.

The Rebels hosted the four-team event that included Copper Basin, Murphy and McMinn Central high schools.

Nichols, in his first year as the head coach, said the Rebels were true to his philosophy, “start fast and finish strong.”

The team “came out with a lot of compassion and energy, ready to play the game,” Nichols said.

Then they had some troubles as the morning wore on. But “they didn’t allow some adversity to shut them down,” Nichols said. They kept playing hard and came back at the end for a strong finish.

“I was very pleased,” Nichols said of the team effort.

What has impressed Nichols even more is “how close our players are. They enjoy each other and really support each other. That’s what makes it so much fun,” he said. This plays an important role as they are asked to buy into Nichols’ system.

The Rebels currently have a 61-man roster as they prepare for the 2026 football season that will see them move into Region 7AA. The names of most of the teams in that region will be familiar to Fannin County sports fans; Christian Heritage, Dade County, Gordon Lee, Gordon Central, and Chattooga. The unfamiliar new opponent will be Lakeview Fort Oglethorpe