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August 23, 2025 The Cass Colonels (1-1) delivered a commanding performance Friday night, scoring on every possession to crush the Model Blue Devils (0-2) 55-14 in a high school football showdown that showcased the brilliance of Mississippi State commit Brodie McWhorter. McWhorter was nearly unstoppable, throwing for just under 300 yards and four touchdowns while adding a rushing score. His precision, poise, and the offensive line’s protection set the tone early, as Cass built an insurmountable 42-7 lead by halftime, leading to a running-clock second half. The Colonels struck first with 5:54 left in the first quarter when McWhorter capped an 8-play, 59-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown keeper on a read-option play, scampering untouched into the end zone. Anthony Quijado’s extra point made it 7-0. Moments later, an interception by Naz Fleurine handed Cass the ball back, and McWhorter wasted no time, firing a 9-yard touchdown pass to Kennesaw State commit, Chase Tatum, with 5:16 remaining in the quarter. That pushed the lead to 14-0. Cass kept the pressure on as Jerome Sanders powered in a 1-yard touchdown run, set up by his own 32-yard burst earlier in the six-play, 63-yard drive. The Colonels led 21-0 by the end of the first quarter. The second quarter was all Cass, with McWhorter orchestrating a methodical 15-play, 76-yard drive that chewed up six minutes and ended with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Jah Anderson, making it 28-0 with 5:01 left in the half. McWhorter then showcased his arm strength, launching a 76-yard touchdown bomb to Anderson that traveled over 50 yards in the air, completing a one-play drive in mere seconds to push the score to 35-0 with 2:43 remaining. After a Model three-and-out, McWhorter connected with Elijah Slocum on a 63-yard touchdown pass, catch, and scamper, capping a two-play drive that gave Cass a 42-0 lead with 1:20 left in the half. Model managed to get on the board just before halftime, as T.J. Walker led an efficient eight-play, 66-yard drive, hitting Chadon Woodley for a 17-yard touchdown pass on the final play of the half. The Blue Devils’ extra point made it 42-7 at the break. With the game well in hand, the second half was played with a running clock. Cass freshman quarterback Noah Rogers took over for McWhorter in the third quarter and promptly led a seven-play, 60-yard drive, finishing it with a 5-yard touchdown run. Gideon Ramirez’s PAT extended the lead to 49-7 with 7:26 left in the quarter. Model responded with a six-play, 53-yard drive, culminating in a 10-yard touchdown pass from Walker to Rance Cunningham as the third quarter expired. The PAT brought the score to 49-14. In the fourth quarter, Cass finished off the victory with a methodical drive, as Rogers connected with Richard Fullwood for a 7-yard touchdown pass. The PAT attempt failed, setting the final score at 55-14. "We played fast and physical with zero discipline, my guess is 15-plus penalties, which is unacceptable, and that falls on me and this coaching staff. I can promise you we will be more disciplined starting Monday," said Cass head coach Steve Gates on Saturday morning. "Brodie was highly efficient in the passing game, and our RBs ran hard. The offensive line played physical and gave the QBs time to run through their progression. But again, way too many penalties, we had two TDs called back for holding, totally unacceptable," Gates added. The Colonels' head coach continued his concerns from the contest. "The defense has to play more under control. It seems like we’re going for the social media big hit rather than making the tackle." "We got a lot of young guys reps, which will hopefully help with the JV season starting next week," he concluded. The Colonels will look to carry this momentum into their next matchup at Adairsville on Friday, while Model aims to rebound at Coosa.

August 23, 2025 By Scott Barkley CanesAthletics.com Brady Marchese stretches for a 40-yard touchdown to open the game against Rockmart on Aug. 22. Nate Russell's first half against Rockmart Friday night went about as well as a quarterback could want. With the Canes leading 39-7, the senior went into the locker room with 185 yards and more than twice as many touchdowns (5) as incompletions (2). A running clock in the second half allowed Russell only a single drive in the eventual 39-14 win. That one finished with two throws he would like to have back – high ones to Brady Marchese on a slant and Braylon Hill down the sideline. Both would’ve gone for scores. “We had a really good game plan coming in,” he said. “I felt really calm and relaxed. We were excited for this game because it’s an old rival.” Both teams came in ranked, Cartersville at No. 5 in 4A and Rockmart No. 2 in 2A. Each also had a big win last week after the Canes took out Columbia 44-0 and the Yellow Jackets pounded Cedartown 56-7 after losing to their rival last year. Canes' game captains vs. Rockmart With tensions high, even a 30-minute lightning delay did little to quell a chippy first half.  “If you don’t keep your emotions in check, everything goes to crap,” said Russell. “So we had to try and make sure we’re worried about our guys and not the outside noise.” Lightning had also disrupted practices this week and affected preparation, said head coach Conor Foster. Whatever the case, there is room for improvement despite a 25-point win.  “It’s two communities that love their teams and respect this rivalry,” head coach Conor Foster said afterwards. “Our kids were amped up. Our coaches were amped up. This means the world to us, and sometimes those things are going to happen. “We played good, but there is also a little bit of a bad taste in our mouth because we know we left some opportunities on both sides of the ball.” The game opened with Rockmart recovering a fumbled Cartersville kickoff return that had gone deep into Yellow Jacket territory. After a three-and-out, Reed Ezell returned the punt to Rockmart’s side of the field. Three plays later, Marchese caught up to a Russell bomb at the goal line for a 40-yard strike and 6-0 lead after Ramsey Rowell’s kick clanged off the right upright.  Rockmart answered with a drive aided by a personal foul against the Canes that moved the ball to near midfield before the game was delayed due to lightning.  On the first play back, the Canes’ defense tallied a two-yard loss on an end-around by the Yellow Jackets. Grayson Villar followed by jarring the ball loose from Rockmart quarterback Tucker Parson for a big loss that forced a punt. The junior tackle’s fourth-down stick for a four-yard loss also ended the Yellow Jackets’ next drive. “I felt like that changed the tone,” said Villar, whose helmet had been ripped off in an earlier scuffle. “As a leader on this team, I want to be able to keep my composure and make sure all the other guys keep theirs as well. You can’t chirp back because you have to play for something more than that. “We’re looking at playing 15 weeks, and you don’t want to get kicked out of a game. That’s not something you want, so we need to keep our heads.” The Canes took every opportunity in the second quarter, scoring five times to knock the game out of reach. Two drives lasted one play, with the longest taking three snaps.  After the defense’s fourth down stop, Russell hit Marchese for seven yards to cross midfield. Tripp Chatmon then took the handoff and darted through the middle, stepping out of tackles for a 46-yard score and 12-0 lead after a two-point attempt failed.  The defense set up the next drive as Kaiden Kent picked up a fumble and darted to the Rockmart 23. On first down, Russell looked left to a wide-open Davis Waddel for the touchdown and 20-0 advantage after Rowell’s kick with 5:51 remaining in the half.  Starting from their own 36 on the next possession, Russell connected with Marchese again for 20 yards to cross midfield. A Cole Crawford reception added six more yards, before Russell rainbowed a touch pass down the right sideline to a streaking Hill into the end zone for a 26-0 lead.  The defense held again, with Ezell tacking on a 26-yard punt return for good measure to the Rockmart 19. Russell looked to Madoxx Davis this time on a quick screen as the speedster raced back to the middle and into the end zone to push the advantage to 32-0 after the point-after kick missed.  Rockmart scored on its first play after receiving the ball, a 65-yard bomb down the middle with a minute to play. But a Davis 48-yard kickoff return set the Canes up on the Yellow Jacket 27.  On second down, Russell delivered a quick throw to Chatmon. A crushing pancake block by Davis along the sideline sprung the sophomore for the touchdown and 39-7 lead after Rowell’s kick.  Hill finished with 55 yards on the ground on only five carries and was one of four Canes whose lone reception of the night went for a score. Marchese, the Georgia commit, hauled in three catches for 67 yards and a touchdown. Official stats will be added to MaxPreps .  “Our guys are elite,” said Russell, “Tripp and Braylon both had an outstanding night. I wish I could get everyone more touches. Our O-line had a freak night as well. I think I hit the ground twice, and both of them were my fault, so I can’t thank them enough.” Cartersville (2-0) returns to Weinman Stadium next Friday, Aug. 29, to face Hapeville Charter. Kickoff is at 7:30. Photos: Russell Andrews, Sports Furnace Athletics Clockwise from top left: (30) Reed Ezell -- (3) Brayden Logan, (25) Kylen Pope, and (24) Grayson Warmack presnap on defense -- (95) Ramsey Rowell with the kick --- Braylon Hill (5) hits the hole created by (55) Jorian Bailey.

August 23, 2025 GHCChargers.com Georgia Highlands College officially opened its varsity volleyball era Friday night in front of a lively and supportive crowd. The Chargers showed grit and energy in both matches of their season-opening tri-match, but ultimately fell to Andrew College and Cleveland State Community College. The night began with a conference showdown against Andrew College. Vanessa Johnson (Cartersville HS) powered the attack with team-highs in kills and blocks. At the same time, Jasmin Gomez (Cartersville HS) and Emma Goodson (Rockmart HS) anchored the back row with strong defensive play. The Chargers traded points and momentum with the Tigers throughout the match, but dropped the sets 25-21, 25-17, and 25-21. In the nightcap, GHC squared off with Cleveland State from Tennessee. The Chargers battled hard in the opening set before falling 25-17, but the Cougars found their rhythm and closed out the match with 25-7 and 25-8 wins. Despite the setbacks, the Chargers’ first night of varsity competition was filled with energy, promise, and flashes of the team’s potential. Head coach and players alike praised the crowd’s enthusiasm, which helped set the tone for a new chapter of GHC athletics. The Chargers return to action next weekend at the Wallace State Invitational in Hanceville, Alabama, where they’ll face host Wallace State, Lawson State, Coastal Alabama, and a rematch with Cleveland State.

August 23, 2025 Ezequiel Carter makes a successful run against the Dragons. ADAIRSVILLE, GA — The Adairsville Tigers battled the Pepperell Dragons in a non-region high school football matchup Friday night, but a series of turnovers and an unusual play in the fourth quarter led to a 31-17 defeat for the Tigers. Despite a valiant effort, Adairsville couldn’t overcome Pepperell’s late surge, dropping the game in front of a passionate home crowd. The game started with a setback for Adairsville as quarterback Braxton Elrod fumbled on the Tigers’ first possession, giving Pepperell the ball at the AHS 36-yard line. The Dragons capitalized in the second quarter with a 9-play, 36-yard drive, culminating in a 12-yard touchdown pass from Moss Tant to Sam Ross. Spencer Baker’s PAT made it 7-0. Adairsville quickly responded when running back Ezequiel Carter powered through for a 1-yard touchdown run following a rapid 2-play, 70-yard drive. Souders’ PAT leveled the score at 7-7 with 10:31 left in the half. Carter set up his own touchdown with a 69-yard run on the first play. The Tigers’ defense later made an impact in the period by stopping two Pepperell scoring threats. Colt Sanford intercepted Tant at the Adairsville 21-yard line at the 9:22 mark, and Micah Pittman picked off another pass at the 18 with 4:51 remaining in the half. Adairsville gained some momentum before halftime with a 9-play, 82-yard march. Elrod connected with Sanford for a 21-yard touchdown pass, putting the Tigers ahead 14-7. Pepperell responded, however, with a 31-yard field goal by Baker that reduced the deficit to 14-10 at halftime. In the third quarter, Adairsville extended its lead with a 42-yard field goal from Souders, making it 17-10. Pepperell’s Tant fumbled at the AHS 1-yard line, squandering a scoring opportunity, but the Dragons clawed back with a 2-yard touchdown run by Tant. A blocked PAT by the Tigers’ Westin Crisp kept the score at 17-16. The fourth quarter proved decisive, and an unusual play at 5:48 shifted the game's momentum. Adairsville blocked Pepperell’s 26-yard field goal attempt, but the Dragons recovered the ball past the line to gain and were awarded a first down. On the following play, Sam Ross tossed a 7-yard touchdown and completed a two-point conversion, putting Pepperell ahead 24-17. The Dragons secured the victory on their subsequent possession with a 9-play, 41-yard drive, culminating in Ross’s 1-yard touchdown run, and Baker’s PAT extended the lead to 31-17.  Adairsville’s final chance ended when Elrod was intercepted by Tucker Glenn at the Pepperell 1-yard line, allowing the Dragons to run out the clock. Pepperell evened its season mark at 1-1. The Tigers (0-2) look to rebound next week as they host Cass, aiming to get back in the win column. ~~ Larry Gardner contributed to this report. Photos: Randy Parker, DTN Clockwise starting top left: Braxton Elrod is set to throw as Hunter Gilley (52) and Taylor Duncan (53) protect. -- Elrod (5) hands off to Carter -- Torron Hale (14) carries for Tigers' yardage. -- Ezequiel Carter (28) breaks away for a nice run.

August 21, 2025 Cass libero Andrea Vergara WOODLAND WINS THIRD STRAIGHT The Woodland Lady Cats won a pair of home volleyball matches last night, defeating Chattooga 25-8, 25-12, and Pepperell 25-19, 25-17.  Woodland improved to 3-5 on the season. The Lady Cats will participate in an invitational tournament at Rockmart on Saturday. ADAIRSVILLE EARNS SPLIT WITH RIDGELAND AND LAFAYETTE Adairsville volleyball split two home matches on Thursday, defeating Ridgeland 25-20, 25-21, but falling to LaFayette 14-25 and 3-25. Up next for the Lady Tigers will be home matches against Temple and Chattooga on Tuesday, starting at 5 p.m. CASS WINS FIRST SETS, BUT FALLS TO ROCKMART AND HEARD COUNTY The Cass Lady Colonels won their first sets of the season on Thursday at Rockmart, but lost both matches in three sets. Cass won the first set with Rockmart 25-22, but dropped the following two sets 18-25 and 3-15. The Lady Colonels then won the opening set with Heard County 25-14 before losing 9-25 and 11-15 in the final two sets. Cass (0-8) will play in the Rockmart Invitational on Saturday. NOTE: Cartersville had matches on Thursday at Blessed Trinity against the host Titans and Marietta. Those results will be added when available.

August 21, 2025 Lily Powell The Lady Colonels scored in each of their four offensive frames and out-hit host Dalton 13 to four Thursday evening in a 13-1, four-inning victory over the Lady Catamounts. Cass scored seven runs in the top of the first inning and added on in each of the following frames. Dalton’s lone run crossed in the bottom of the second inning, and the Lady Catamounts committed five defensive miscues. Lily Powell collected the pitching victory for Cass, covering the final three innings. She allowed one earned run on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts. Kylie Gentry pitched the opening frame for the Lady Colonels and did not allow a run on one hit, no walks, and one strikeout. KK Evans led the Cass offense with three hits and had one RBI. Harlee Thomason (double, RBI), Molli Morrow (double, two RBI), Lindsey Chubb (double, two RBI), and Autumn Smith produced two hits. Bailey York (RBI) and Gentry added one hit each. Dalton remained winless at 0-6 overall and 0-4 in Region 7-4A. Cass (6-4, 4-2) plays at Woodland on Tuesday and hosts Cartersville next Thursday. Both games are slated for 5:30 p.m. starts. ADAIRSVILLE AND GILMER GAME SUSPENDED Thursday’s game at Adairsville with the visiting Gilmer Lady Bobcats was suspended in the sixth inning with the score tied 4-4. The game will be resumed at a later date. CARTERSVILLE AND WOODLAND RAINED OUT The Cartersville Lady Canes game at Cedartown and the Woodland Lady Cats home game with Allatoona were both postponed due to rain and field conditions.

August 20, 2025 Woodland volleyball won all three sets of a home match with Gordon Central on Tuesday evening. The Lady Cats won each tightly contested set by scores of 25-17, 25-22, and 25-23. Gordon Central remained winless at 0-7. Woodland moved to 1-5 on the season and will host Chattooga and Pepperell on Thursday at 5 p.m. CARTERSVILLE VOLLEYBALL TAKES FIRST LOSS OF THE SEASON The Cartersville Lady Canes defeated Holy Innocents Episcopal on Tuesday in straight sets, but lost a tough three-set match to host Mount Paran Christian. Cartersville (10-1) beat Holy Innocents 25-17 and 25-17.  The Lady Canes then won the opening set with Mount Paran 25-20 before falling in the final two sets, 25-17 and 15-11. In the win over Holy Innocents, Riley Huff and Amara Ejieke led the offensive charge with six kills each, supported by Holly Dufrene with five and Jada Zimmerman with four. Adelynn England contributed two aces, while Huff anchored the net with five blocks, followed closely by Blakely Morris with four. On defense, McKenzie Wilkie led with 10 digs, and Emma Wall orchestrated the offense with 12 assists. The Lady Canes recorded 18 hitting errors in the loss to Mount Paran. Despite the setback, Holly Dufrene led the attack with 11 kills, Wilkie held down the back row with 13 digs, and Wall continued to set the pace with 15 assists. Mount Paran improved to 6-2 on the season. Holy Innocents is now 6-4. Cartersville heads to Blessed Trinity on Thursday and will also face Marietta.

August 19, 2025 Adairsville volleyball fell to Sonoraville Tuesday evening, 25-13 and 25-20, but defeated Cass 25-12 and 25-16. Alexis Scott, Ansley Mims, and Myka Colston combined for seven kills for Adairsville against Sonoraville. Teaghan Myers contributed eight assists, and Nadelyn Dodson had 14 digs. In the Lady Tigers’ win over Cass, Mims, Scott, and Savannah Viktora had three kills. Myers produced three assists. Scott, Alexa Wynn, Myers, and Dodson combined for ten digs. Sonoraville (10-4) also had a win over Cass. Adairsville (4-8) hosts LaFayette and Ridgeland for region matches on Thursday. Cass (0-6) travels to Rockmart on Thursday and will also face Heard County.

August 19, 2025 The Allatoona Lady Buccaneers kept their 2025 season and region record unblemished Tuesday evening with a 5-0 home win over the Cass Lady Colonels. Allatoona (5-0, 5-0) scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning and added two more in the fifth, while Bucs’ pitchers Aubrey Moore and Sophie Makurak combined to toss a shutout and struck out eight. Kylie Gentry (6 IP, 5R, 4ER, 7H, 3BB, 7K) worked all six innings in the pitching circle for the Colonels. Hailey Gaddis (two RBi), Samantha Chilvers, and Moore (RBI) led the Allatoona offense with two hits. Shyia Woods (double), Lindsey Chubb, MJ McFarlane, and Gentry had one hit for Cass. Cass (5-4, 3-2) travels to Dalton on Thursday for a 5:30 p.m. first pitch. GILMER 8, ADAIRSVILLE 6 The host Bobcats broke open a close game with a five-run fourth inning Tuesday night on their way to an 8-6 victory over Adairsville in Ellijay. Gilmer led 3-2 through three innings and their fourth inning outburst made the score 8-2. The Lady Tigers rallied for two runs in the sixth and seventh innings, but it wasn’t enough. Maddie Baggett (3 IP, 3ER, 4H, 1BB, 1K), Chloe Hill (0.1 IP, 5R, 1ER, 3H, 1BB, 1K0, and Ashlyn Carlton (2.2 IP, 0R, 2H, 0BB, 2K) shared the pitching duties for the Tigers. Carlton led the offense with three hits, including one double and two RBI. Ashlynn Durden had two hits, including one double and one RBI. Lillianne Gunter (RBI), Ansley Powell (triple), Cadey Evans, and Alivia Joslin added one hit. Gilmer improved to 6-4 overall and 2-2 in Region 7-AAA. Adairsville (3-4, 1-3) hosts Gilmer on Thursday.

August 19, 2025 Dalton Henson Dalton Henson, a former Reinhardt University golfer and current assistant professional at Cartersville Country Club, finished tied for 33rd on Monday at the Georgia PGA Assistants’ Championship held at Augusta Country Club. Henson shot an opening round 80, but bounced back with a closing 73 to move up ten spots and earn 153 points in the 2025 Player of the Year race. Fifty-nine PGA assistant professionals competed on the par-72, 7,060-yard Donald Ross course in Augusta.

August 19, 2025 ALLATOONA 5, CARTERSVILLE 3 The Lady Canes suffered their first loss of the season Monday at the Allatoona Lady Buccaneers, 5-3. Allatoona posted a single run in the bottom of the first for an early lead, then both teams scored three runs in the third. The Bucs added an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh. Zoie Shiflett (6 IP, 5R, 1ER, 4H, 2BB, 6K) was charged with the pitching loss, despite allowing only one earned run. LaKiaya Banks had two hits, including one double for Cartersville. Sam Porter had one double, and Shiflett added one hit with one RBI. Allatoona remained undefeated at 5-0 overall and 4-0 in Region 7-4A. Cartersville (7-1, 3-1) hosts Hiram on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. and visits Cedartown on Thursday for a 6:30 p.m. first pitch. LAFAYETTE 9, ADAIRSVILLE 0 The visiting Lady Ramblers scored five runs in the top of the first inning and did not look. back in a 9-0 win at Adairsville on Monday in five innings. LaFayette out-hit the Lady Tigers 12 to 2. Cadey Evans and Lillianne Gunter had the Adairsville base hits. Ashlyn Carlton (1.2 IP, 7R, 4ER, 6H, 1BB) and Chloe Hill (3.1 IP, 2ER, 6H, 1BB) shared the Lady Tigers’ pitching duties. LaFayette improved to 5-2 overall and 3-0 in Region 7-AAA. Adairsville (3-3, 1-2) visits Gilmer on Tuesday and hosts the Bobcats on Thursday.

August 17, 2025 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com MLB Anthony Seigler ANTHONY SEIGLER — Milwaukee Brewers (Major League Baseball; 8th-year pro; Cartersville HS) … appeared in four games last week for the first-place Brewers — two each against the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds — and was 2-for-6 at the plate with three walks, scoring three runs. A utility player for Milwaukee, Seigler has appeared in 18 games at third base, one at first base, and one at catcher since joining the MLB club from Triple-A Nashville at the beginning of July. The Brewers began the week with a 78-45 record and an 8-game lead over the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central. MiLB MASON BARNETT — Las Vegas Aviators (Oakland A’s Triple-A affiliate; 4th-year pro; Auburn; Cartersville HS) … made a 3-⅔ innings start last Friday at home against the Tacoma Rainiers and received no decision in an eventual 10-9 win for the Aviators. The 24-year-old righty allowed six earned runs on five hits and four walks, but Las Vegas rallied for six runs in the eighth and ninth innings for a come-from-behind win. Barnett is 6-2 this season in 24 appearances and 22 starts. He has 121 strikeouts in 114 innings with a 5.92 ERA. Las Vegas (68-51 overall) began the week 18-25 in the Pacific Coast League’s second half schedule. The Aviators won the first half and have already clinched a postseason berth. Las Vegas has a six-game series this week at the Albuquerque Isotopes. LOGAN MARTIN — Quad Cities River Bandits (Kansas City Royals High-Class A affiliate; 3rd-year pro; Kentucky; Cartersville HS) … made a 2-⅔ innings start last Saturday at the Cedar Rapids Kernels with no decision in an eventual 4-1 loss. The 24-year-old right-handed pitcher did not allow a run or walk and struck out two in his 20th start. Martin is 8-4 on the season with 70 strikeouts in 84 innings. He has a 3.75 ERA. Quad Cities (63-51 overall) began the week with a 24-24 mark in the Midwest League’s second half standings, trailing Beloit by 2-½ games. The River Bandits host a six-game series this week with the Great Lakes Loons.