October 10 by Kevin Pate / WBHF Sports The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes won their opening-round matchup in the 2023 Class 5A state playoffs blanking the Centennial Knights at Weinman Stadium, 40-0. Cartersville did most of its damage in the first half. On its second drive, Khristian Lando scored and converted a 2-point conversion to give Cartersville an early 8-0. On the Canes' next scoring drive, Jamauri Brice scored on a 48-yard touchdown reception throw by Nate Russell. Cartersville then recovered a fumble on the kickoff and scored three plays later on a 1-yard score by Russell. Centennial struggled in the contest to put together drives against the stingy Cartersville defense. On a second-quarter drive, the ball got past the Knights’ quarterback, who kicked it out of the end zone for a safety. Ryan Johnson capped the first quarter scoring with a field goal, as Cartersville took a 27-0 lead into the half. The third quarter was played at a quick pace but Cartersville got on the scoreboard again with Brady Marchese scoring on another 48-yard touchdown pass from Russell. Ja’caiden Leonard added a late touchdown run in the fourth quarter to put the finishing touch on the game. Cartersville (11-0) will host the second round next week and will play Eastside, a 38-14 winner Friday night over Chapel Hill.

Adairsville and Gilmer traded heavyweight blows throughout the evening Friday night but it was the visiting Bobcats who escaped the Class 3A first-round battle with a 35-28 playoff win. Jamarian Pullum scored all four touchdowns for Adairsville with runs of 4-, 5-, 8-, and 18-yards. He also added a two-point conversion run. Gilmer received the opening kickoff but failed to score, eventually punting the ball to Adairsville. Pullum scored a 4-yard rushing touchdown, though Adairsville missed the PAT but held a 6-0 advantage. On the subsequent kickoff, Gilmer executed a fantastic return, positioning themselves inside the 10-yard line. They scored an 8-yard rushing touchdown by Wyatt Stokes, seizing a 7-6 lead late in the first quarter. Despite a strong initial possession, Adairsville struggled on their second attempt, resulting in a stalled drive. Meanwhile, Gilmer capitalized, scoring on an 8-yard run by Hunter Britain early in the second quarter. The Bobcats followed that score with a 69-yard rushing touchdown by Isaac Rellinger to build a 21-6 lead late in the second quarter, extending their lead to 21-6 with 9:15 remaining in the half. Adairsville, in need of a touchdown, managed to score just before halftime. Pullum’s 5-yard rushing touchdown and a successful two-point conversion narrowed the score to 21-14 with less than a minute remaining before intermission. After receiving the second-half kickoff, Adairsville aimed to regain momentum, achieving an 8-yard rushing touchdown by Pullum. The Tigers’ seven-play, 48-yard touchdown drive tied the score at 21-21. Gilmer swiftly responded, scoring on a 60-yard rushing touchdown by Peyton Chancey with 6:21 left in the third quarter. The scoring sprint reclaimed a 28-21 lead for the Bobcats. The Tigers answered with another Pullum touchdown run. His 18-yard rushing touchdown pulled Adairsville even at 28-all with 3:35 left in the third. Early in the fourth quarter, Gilmer embarked on a time-consuming, 91-yard drive. The eight-minute march culminated with a 1-yard run by Douglas Callihan. The 14-play drive gave Gilmer a 35-28 advantage with just 2:35 remaining in the game. Adairsville had one final opportunity to score and potentially win the game. Unfortunately, the Tigers made a crucial mistake, throwing an interception as Gilmer regained possession and ran out the clock to secure the victory. Despite the playoff exit, Adairsville concluded a phenomenal season with an 8-3 record and a region championship. GAME SCORING SUMMARY: 1st Qtr: AHS - (6:11) - 9 plays, 50 yds...4 yd TD run by Jamarian Pullum, Souders PAT blocked (6-0) GHS - (2:21) -- 7 plays, 58 yards...8 yd TD run by Wyatt Stokes (Noah Turner PAT good)...GHS 7-6 2nd Qtr: GHS (9:15) -- 9 plays, 57 yards...8-yd TD run by Hunter Britain [PAT good] 14-6 (57.6) -- 6 plays, 83 yards... 69-yard TD run by Isaac Rellinger [PAT good] 21-6 AHS: (25.9) -- 6 plays, 52 yards....5-yard TD run by Jamarian Pullum [Pullum 2pt Conv good] 21-14 GHS leads 3rd Qtr: AHS (6:39) -- 7 plays, 48 yards...8-yard TD run by Jamarian Pullum [PAT good] 21-21 GHS (6:21) -- 1 play, 60 yards....60-yard TD run by Peyton Chancey [PAT good] 28-21 AHS (3:35) -- 8 plays, 40 yards...18-yard TD run by Jamarian Pullum [PAT Good] 28-28 4th Qtr: Adairsville marched to the Bobcat 9-yard line before turning the ball over on downs after a missed pass from Braxton Elrod to Tre Winters. GHS (2:35) -- 14 plays, 91 yards...1 yd TD run by Douglas Callihan [PAT Good] 35-28 ~~ Kevin Pate / WBHF Sports and Larry Gardner contributed to this report.

October 10 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com The Cass Colonels opened the Class 5A state playoffs with a second straight win over a region champion by knocking off the 6th-ranked Kell Longhorns Friday night in Marietta, 28-14. Cass won at 4th-ranked Jefferson last year in the opening round and repeated the feat by forcing multiple turnovers, a safety, and limiting the Longhorns to only one touchdown until just over one minute was remaining in the game. Kell was the highest-scoring team in Class 5A going into the playoffs. Senior running back Devin Henderson rushed for a first-quarter touchdown and sophomore quarterback, Brodie McWhorter, added three more rushing touchdowns as Cass built a 28-7 lead by the end of the third quarter. Kell’s Josh Langefels had a short touchdown run that put the Longhorns ahead 7-6 with 5:04 left in the first quarter but Cass responded with 15 points in the second quarter to lead 21-7 at halftime. Quinterrius Gipson scored the Longhorns' final points with a 25-yard run with only 1:18 remaining in the game. Cass received the opening kickoff and following a nice return to the 40-yard line, the Colonels drove 60 yards in just five plays to take a 6-0 lead with 9:36 to go in the opening quarter. A long pass from McWhorter to Sacovie White put Cass in scoring position and Devin Henderson finished off the drive with a short, 2-yard run. The Colonels’ PAT kick was blocked. Kell then scored on its opening possession. The Longhorns marched 75 yards in 11 plays and culminated the drive with Langefels’ run. The extra point kick by Colin Mitchell had Kell on top, 7-6, with 5:04 to go in the first quarter. Consecutive scoring drives by the Colonels put them back up for good. McWhorter finished off a 70-yard touchdown drive that took 10 plays and 4 minutes off the clock. Key runs by Devin Henderson were included in the drive and the touchdown run by McWhorter was a 13-yarder. A two-point conversion attempt failed but Cass held a 12-7 lead with 7:17 left in the second quarter. On the next Cass possession, the Colonels covered 61 yards in just three plays and scored on McWhorter’s 23-yard scamper. A pass interference penalty and a personal foul penalty on the Longhorns aided the quick Cass score. Austin McArthur booted the PAT giving the Colonels a 19-7 lead with 4:13 remaining in the first half. Kell was pinned deep on the ensuing kickoff and committed another penalty to start from their own 13-yard line. Longhorn quarterback Bryce Clavon was not ready for an errant snap that bounced into the Kell end zone. Gipson recovered for Kell in the end zone resulting in a Cass safety and a 21-7 Colonels lead with 2:23 left in the second quarter. The two teams traded possessions for most of the second half but the Colonels put together one of their best drives of the season in the back half of the third quarter. Kell’s second-half offense was also hampered by an injury to their star quarterback, Bryce Clavon, in the third quarter. He was tackled on a scramble play midway through the period and did not return. Starting at their own 9-yard line with 5:24 left in the third period, Cass marched the length of the field and scored on a 6-yard keeper by McWhorter on the final play of the quarter. McArthur’s PAT kick gave the Colonels a 28-7 lead heading into the final 12 minutes. The Cass defense kept the Longhorns in check for most of the fourth quarter and the offense methodically chewed away at the game clock to melt away the win. JaKai Baldwin had a fumble recovery and an interception for the Colonels’ defense. Devin Henderson picked off a pass in the third quarter. Josh Love also had an interception. Kell, who was the Region 6-5A champion, has its season end with a 9-2 record. Cass (6-5) will be on the road again next Friday in a rematch of last year’s second-round tilt at Mays. The Raiders beat Loganville in the first round, 65-7. BartowSportsZone.com will have the playoff broadcast. Watch for announcements coming during the week.

November 9, 2023 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Following a series of appeals heard today by the Georgia High School Association's Reclassification Committee, the preliminary release of new regions for Class AAA has been released. Schools will have an opportunity to appeal to their geographic placement and request a lateral movement to another region. Adairsville has been placed in a new Region 7-AAA that will include Calhoun, Heritage-Catoosa, LaFayette, Northwest Whitfield, and Ridgeland.

November 9, 2023 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Following appeals heard by the Georgia High School Association's reclassification committee on Thursday, the organization has released its preliminary placement of schools into new regions in Class 4A for the 2024-26 cycle. Schools will have an opportunity to appeal for lateral movement before these become final. Dalton and Allatoona were originally assigned to Class AAAAA but won appeals on Thursday to be moved down to Class AAAA. Those schools were then assigned to a new Region 7-AAAA that will also include Cartersville, Cass, Cedartown, Hiram, Southeast Whitfield, and Woodland.

The 2023 Region 7-AAAAA coaches have released their All-Region selections with the three local teams in that region well represented. Cartersville head coach Conor Foster was selected Coach of the Year and Cass had three players -- Devin Henderson, Kaden Ellis, and Sacovie White -- to receive Player of the Year honors. 2023 Region 7-AAAAA Football All-Region Selections Co-player of the year: RB Adriel Hernandez, Dalton Co-player of the year: DB Devin Henderson, Cass Defensive player of the year: DL Kaden Ellis, Cass Offensive player of the year: TE Emaree Winston, Calhoun Special teams player of the year: PK Oliver Castaneda, Hiram All-purpose player of the year: WR/DB Sacovie White, Cass Coach of the year: Conor Foster, Cartersville First-team offense QB - Trey Townsend, Calhoun, Sr. QB - Brodie McWhorter, Cass, So. RB - Caden Williams, Calhoun, Sr. RB - Kristian Lando, Cartersville, Sr. RB - Kaden Hamilton, Hiram, Jr. WR - Jamari Brice, Cartersville, Jr. WR - Bubba Tanner, Dalton, Sr. WR - Chase Tyler, Hiram, Sr. TE - Jeffson Locke, Dalton, Sr. TE - Walter Matthews, Hiram, Sr. OL - Malachai Toliver, Cartersville, Sr. OL - Langston Hogg, Cartersville, So. OL - Bear McWhorter, Cass, So. OL - Stryker Woods, Dalton, Sr. OL - Clinton Richard, Hiram, Sr. OL - Jameson Riggs, Hiram, Sr. OL - Samuel Carlsen, Woodland (Cartersville), Sr. K - Ryan Johnson, Cartersville, Sr. First-team defense DL - Kristyane Gregory, Calhoun, Sr. DL - Taye Cochran, Cartersville, Sr. DL - Deontae Pettway, Hiram, Sr. DL - Keylan McCarty, Cartersville, Sr. DL - Kwadrus Wilson, Woodland (Cartersville), Sr. ILB - Connor Brasfield, Cartersville, Sr. ILB - Christian Smith, Calhoun, Sr. ILB - Jason Gyebi, Hiram, Jr. OLB/SS - Isaac Green, Calhoun, Sr. OLB/SS - Kevin Henderson, Cass, Sr. OLB/SS - Richard Houston, Cartersville, Sr. OLB/SS - Isiah Swan, Hiram, Sr. DB - Cohen Chadwick, Calhoun, Sr. DB - Turner Abernathy, Cartersville, Sr. DB - Andy Atagana, Dalton, Sr. DB - Zach Wiggins, Woodland (Cartersville), Sr. P - Nick Miranda, Woodland (Cartersville), Jr. Second-team offense QB - Ethan Long, Dalton, Jr. QB - Ryan Strickland, Hiram, Sr. RB - Jay Walker, Woodland (Cartersville), Sr. RB - Justin Beasley, Calhoun, So. WR - Kendrix London, Dalton, Jr. WR - RJ Storey, Dalton, Sr. TE - Chase Tatum, Cass, So. TE - Bannon Phelan, Dalton, Sr. OL - Christian Bell, Calhoun, Sr. OL - Luke Surrett, Cartersville, Sr. OL - Peyton Starling, Dalton, Sr. OL - Andrew Medina, Cartersville, Sr. OL - Kail Ellis, Cass, So. OL - Jayden Malone, Cass, Sr. OL - Riley Souther, Dalton, Sr. K - Adrien Gongora, Dalton, Sr. Second-team defense DL - Tay McKibbins, Cass, Jr. DL - Steven Dumas, Woodland (Cartersville), Sr. DL - Sager Quin, Calhoun, So. DL - Kaleb Dupree, Woodland (Cartersville), Jr. ILB - Alec Upshaw, Calhoun, So. ILB - Luke McBride, Cartersville, Sr. ILB - Jeremiah Deroche, Cass, Jr. OLB/SS - Mason Tompkins, Cass, Sr. OLB/SS - Cole Crawford, Cartersville, Fr. OLB/SS - Dylan Carver, Woodland (Cartersville), Sr. DB - Makadan Griffin, Calhoun, Jr. DB - Willie Brown, Hiram, Sr. DB - Jakai Baldwin, Cass, Jr. DB - Keve Porter, Woodland (Cartersville), Jr. Source: Georgia High School Football Daily

November 8, 2023 Following Tuesday's GHSA Reclassification meeting by the Georgia High School Association in Thomaston, Adairsville was moved from the smallest school in Class 4A to one of the larger schools in Class AAA for the 2024-26 cycle. Adairsville had been placed in Class 4A in the original listing. Still, after a number of schools across the state decided to play up in classification, Adairsville was moved back down into Class AAA. Cass, Cartersville, and Woodland will all remain in Class 4A and will likely be assigned to the same region once the geographic placements are completed. Other schools likely to be considered for the local 4A region include Kell, Hiram, Southeast Whitfield, Cedartown, and Central-Carroll. A region placement for Adairsville could possibly include any combination of Calhoun, Ridgeland, LaFayette, Heritage-Catoosa, Pickens, Sandy Creek, Gilmer, and Northwest Whitfield. LINK TO THE FINAL CLASSIFICATION DOCUMENT: https://www.ghsa.net/sites/default/files/documents/executive-committee/AAReclassification_2024-26_11-7-23cx.pdf

November 6, 2023 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com This week’s edition of ‘Athletes Beyond Bartow’ includes updates on 18 local collegiate athletes from college football, cross country, volleyball, and soccer across the country. COLLEGE FOOTBALL KOLBE BENHAM — Marist College (R-So., Cartersville HS) … saw action in the Red Foxes’ secondary but did not record a stat line as his team dropped a 10-3 conference game to visiting Drake this past Saturday. Marist (4-5, 4-3 Pioneer Football League) plays at Dayton this Saturday afternoon. HAYDEN CAGLE — Berry College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … an offensive lineman and a starter, Cagle was part of a Vikings’ offense that piled up 531 total yards in a 53-6 conference win this past Saturday at Birmingham-Southern College. Berry (8-1, 6-1 Southern Athletic Association) hosts Rhodes College this Saturday afternoon. ISAIAH CHANEY — Wake Forest University (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … saw action but did not record a stat line in the Deacons’ 24-21 loss last Thursday night at Duke. Wake Forest (4-5, 1-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) seeks to snap a two-game skid Saturday at N.C. State. CARLOS DEL RIO-WILSON — Syracuse University (R-So., Cartersville HS) … in a start at quarterback last Friday night, he rushed 12 times for 67 yards and one touchdown and was 7-for-17 passing for 37 yards but with four interceptions in a 17-10 home loss to Boston College. The Orange (4-5, 0-5 ACC) will try to snap a five-game losing streak this Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium when they play Pittsburgh. COLLIN FLETCHER — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … had three receptions this past Saturday for 112 yards and one touchdown as the Eagles won 56-0 at Kentucky Christian University. NAIA 21st-ranked Reinhardt (7-2, 5-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference) hosts Bluefield University (Virginia) this Saturday afternoon. SHADRE HURST — Tulane University (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … a starter on the 20th-ranked Green Wave’s offensive line, Hurst was part of a unit that produced 368 total yards in a 13-10 victory this past Saturday at East Carolina. Tulane (8-1, 5-0 American Athletic Conference) has now won seven straight heading into Saturday’s home game against Tulsa. JAKE PARKER — Hutchinson Community College (So., Cartersville HS) … was 2-for-5 passing for 32 yards including one touchdown and one interception this past Saturday as the top-ranked Blue Dragons won 42-8 at Independence CC. Hutchinson (9-0, 6-0 Kansas Jayhawks Community College Conference) hosts 2nd-ranked Iowa Western CC this Saturday afternoon. SAM PHILLIPS — UT-Chattanooga (R-So., Cartersville HS) … had three receptions this past Saturday for 42 yards in a 17-14 home loss to FCS 2nd-ranked Furman. Phillips now has 50 receptions on the season for 520 yards and four touchdowns. The Mocs (7-3, 6-2 Southern Conference) has a bye week before playing at 8th-ranked Alabama. DEVONTE ROSS — Troy University (So., Cartersville HS) … caught three passes for 37 yards and had one rushing attempt for two yards last Thursday as the Trojans beat visiting South Alabama 28-10 for their sixth-straight win. Troy (7-2, 4-1 Sun Belt Conference) plays at Louisiana-Monroe this Saturday afternoon. COURTNEY SLOCUM — Mars Hill University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … made three tackles and was credited with a forced fumble but the Lions lost this past Saturday at Tusculum University, 29-27. Mars Hill (7-2, 6-2 South Atlantic Conference) hosts Newberry for Slocum’s Senior Recognition Day this Saturday. EVAN SLOCUM — Wake Forest University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … made three tackles from his defensive back position in the Demon Deacons’ 24-21 loss last Thursday at Duke. Slocum has 21 tackles and one interception through the first eight games. Wake Forest (4-5, 1-5 ACC) visits N.C. State this Saturday afternoon. JASHAUN BROWN-WHATLEY — Berry College (Fr., Cass HS) … the wide receiver saw action this past Saturday but did not have a state line in the Vikings’ 53-6 rout at Birmingham-Southern College. 21st-ranked Berry (7-1, 5-1 Southern Athletic Association) completes its regular season slate this Saturday at home against Rhodes College. CROSS COUNTRY DREW THAYER — University of Montevallo (Fr., Woodland HS) … ran 88th (34:32) of 119 competitors as the Falcons ran 12th of 16 teams this past Saturday and hosted the NCAA D2 South Regional 10K. EMMA SEGARS — Georgia College (Fr., Woodland HS) … ran 94th (25:04) of 164 competitors as the Bobcats finished 13th of 25 teams at the 6K NCAA D2 Southeast Regional hosted by the University of North Georgia. VOLLEYBALL MADELYN ORTON — LaGrange College (So., Rydal resident; Cornerstone Prep) … totaled five digs last Tuesday (Oct. 28) as the Panthers lost to Maryville College (Tennessee) and beat Agnes Scott College. LaGrange (4-20, 3-13) opens the Collegiate Conference of the South tournament Tuesday against Huntingdon College in Montgomery. MEREDITH ORTON — LaGrange College (So., Rydal resident; Cornerstone Prep) … totaled 10 kills, eight digs, and two blocks as the Panthers split matches with Maryville College (Tennessee) and Agnes Scott College last Tuesday (Oct. 28). LaGrange (4-20, 3-13) opens the Collegiate Conference of the South tournament Tuesday against Huntingdon College in Montgomery. MARIA PILIPOSYANS — Reinhardt University (So., Cass HS) … started two of the Eagles’ three matches last week and totaled five kills, three digs, and four blocks as RU beat University of Pikeville but lost to Milligan and Montreat in four sets. Reinhardt (21-7, 14-6 Appalachian Athletic Conference) is the No. 4 seed and plays Truett McConnell University Friday in the first round of the AAC Championship Tournament. SOCCER BRADY CRAIG — Reinhardt University (So., Cartersville HS) … played all 110 minutes and had a shot on goal but the Eagles had their season come to an end this past Friday with a 1-0 overtime loss at Milligan in the opening round of the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament. Craig, a defender, started all 19 games as Reinhardt finished the year 9-5-5.

Five local high school cross country teams including 36 individual runners competed Friday and Saturday (Nov. 3-4) in Carrollton at the 2023 GHSA State Championships. The Cartersville boys finished 14th in Class 5A while the Woodland boys were 16th of 32 teams on Friday. In the girls' Class 5A championship on Friday, the Woodland girls finished 18th and the Cartersville girls placed 25th of 31 teams. The Adairsville boys in Saturday’s Class AAA finals finished 21st of 29 teams. Qualifying as an individual in Class AAA, Adairsville’s Callie Viktora finished 13th of 179 runners. Her time of 21:19 was just over a minute behind individual champion Weezie Moore of Wesleyan School. Wesleyan also won the girls team title in AAA. Chattahoochee High School won the boys Class 5A team title followed by Jefferson, Clarke Central, Cambridge, and Greenbrier. Jacob Pullen of Maynard Jackson High School was the individual champion in 15:58. The 5A boys 5K race included 222 runners. Barrett Stepp led the Cartersville boys team with a 38th place individual finish in 17:07. He was followed by fellow Canes Kaleb Lanier (57th, 17:25), Hayden Mitchell (61st, 17:28), Carson Robinson (88th, 17:54), Tripp Chitwood (116th, 18:18), Ben Russell (135th, 18:47), and Micah Sanders (138th, 18:49). Woodland’s Landon McSwain paced the Wildcats with a 32nd place finish in 17:01. Teammates Andy Forsyth (47th, 17:15), Juan Mendoza (55th, 17:23), Knox Koontz (130th, 18:41), Connor Smith (180th, 19:32), Will Parker (183rd, 19:40), and James Morris (188th, 19:51) followed. Decatur won the 31-team Class 5A girls championship ahead of McIntosh, Northview, Chattahoochee, and Cambridge. Sanam Rangaraj of Cambridge won the individual title in Class 5A with a 5K time of 18:36. Miranda Pelow led the Lady Cats of Woodland with a 67th place finish in 21:55. She was followed by teammates Olivia Berry (77th, 22:10), Abby George (112th, 22:57), Addison Brown (118th, 23:15), Autumn Lottner (134th, 24:04), Lily Hiott (135th, 24:04), and Sophia St. James (174th, 25:46). Kimberly Guerra led the Cartersville girls with a 92nd place finish in 22:30. Teammates Jordan Hathaway (137th, 24:06), Hadley Finnemore (151st, 24:38), Vivi Vest (152nd, 24:38), Meredith Gaines (160th, 25:10), Ella Sabaka (163rd, 25:20), and Helen Learning (198th, 27:50) followed. The Class AAA boys championship was won by Oconee County followed by Lumpkin County and Hebron Christian. Oconee’s Cooper Timberman won the individual title with a 15:50 time. Griffin Bozeman placed 26th individually in 18:03 to lead the Adairsville boys. He was followed by Michael Spinks (98th, 19:57), Dutch Hernandez (123rd, 20:32), Aaron Souders (129th, 20:46), Cody Teer (180th, 22:53), Chris Pelchat (193rd, 25:58) and Lucas Henry (195th, 36:41).

Playing without starting quarterback Jonathan Gough Friday night, the Adairsville Tigers overcame three, first-half turnovers and relied almost entirely on their running game to win at Coahulla Creek, 28-21. Following a scoreless opening period, the host Colts built a 14-0 lead in the second quarter on a pair of short touchdown runs by quarterback Chase Ward. The first score capped a nine-play, 55-yard drive with 4:00 left in the first half. The second touchdown came after an Adairsville fumble inside their own five-yard line with 1:11 before the intermission. Noah Matthews returned the ensuing kickoff 75 yards for the Tigers to make the score 14-7 at halftime. Cooper Souders, who made two of three PAT attempts on the night, booted the extra point. Coahulla Creek attempted an onside kickoff to begin the second half but the Tigers recovered at the Colts’ 47-yard line. Adairsville then manufactured a seven-play, 53-yard scoring drive that was completed with a 5-yard scoring plunge by Tamarius Wilkey. The touchdown run knotted the score at 14-14 with 9:07 remaining in the third quarter. The Tigers attempted and recovered an onside kickoff of their own with the ensuing kick. Starting at their own 49-yard line, Adairsville drove 51 yards in six plays to take their first lead with 8:01 to go in the third period. Ethan Blome had a key 20-yard run in the drive and Pullum finished it with a 1-yard Wildcat run. The PAT kick failed, however, leaving the Tigers with a 20-14 lead. Coahulla Creek marched back down the field on their next possession. Danny Lidy had a long, 57-yard run that ultimately led to his 4-yard touchdown effort with 5:41 remaining in the third quarter. The Colts’ successful PAT kick gave the home team a 21-20 lead. Adairsville answered right away, however, and took the lead for good with their next possession. Jamarian Pullum sprinted for a 55-yard touchdown to cap a three-play, 60-yard scoring drive with 0:34 left in the quarter. He followed up with a two-point conversion run giving the Tigers a 28-21 lead. Both teams traded possessions throughout the fourth quarter but the Tigers’ defense stopped the Colts’ final possession near midfield in the final minute and held on for a 28-21 victory. Coupled with Ringgold’s 21-7 win over Gordon Lee, the Coahulla Creek loss eliminated the Colts (5-5, 4-3) from the playoffs. Adairsville (8-2, 7-0) had already clinched the Region 6-AAA title going into the game. The Tigers will host a first-round playoff game next Friday night.

Elite Stone Supply, in conjunction with WBHF and Bartow Sports Zone, presents the ELITE ATHLETES OF THE MONTH. Each month, local high schools are provided the opportunity to name an Elite Athlete of the Month from their varsity programs and present the information on their honoree through Bartow Sports Zone and on 100.3FM and AM1450, WBHF in Cartersville. The October 2023 Elite Athlete of the Month representing Cass High School is Ja’Kai Baldwin. A 6-0, 175-pound junior, Baldwin is a two-year starter at cornerback for the Colonels football team and a member of the Cass basketball team. “His ability to cover man-to-man is very natural and his desire to continue to grow his football IQ makes him a huge attribute for his team. He loves to compete and rarely takes a rep off at practice. He often slides over to the scout team to take reps against the first-team offense. Guys with D-I ability seldom want to take reps on the scout team but Ja’Kai’s work ethic, desire to compete, and love of the game challenge our best players and help to make our team better. He brings energy to every practice and makes the work fun with his infectious attitude. He embodies our belief in “Practice Makes Permanent.” ~~ Cass football head coach Steve Gates. He is the son of Brianna Prater and the late Elgin Baldwin. The Cartersville High School Elite Athlete of the Month for October 2023 is Karley Garrison. She is a senior and a member of the Purple Hurricanes’ varsity competition cheer team, football cheer team, game day cheer team, and varsity gymnastics team. “Karley is an exceptional athlete who has left an unforgettable mark on our cheer program,” noted Cartersville coaches Breanna Johnson and Cissi Adams. “Her versatility and skill set are truly remarkable. She consistently delivers exceptional performances in each area of cheerleading. Her dedication to the sport, coupled with her positive attitude, motivates her teammates to push their limits and strive for excellence — all qualities we value in our student-athletes.” The daughter of Rodney and Tara Garrison, she is a four-year Triathlete Award winner and a member of Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta, and the National Honor Society. Already a dual-enrollment student, Garrison plans to attend Kennesaw State University and earn a degree in nursing. Jonathan Gough is the Adairsville High School Elite Athlete of the Month for October 2023. He is the starting quarterback for the Tigers football team and a member of the Adairsville track and field team. Gough has been a Player of the Week ten times over the last three seasons and leads Region 6-AAA in almost every statistical category this season. He is a three-year starter and was the region’s First Team All-Region Quarterback in 2022. A senior with a 3.7 GPA in the classroom, he is the son of Terry and Erin Gough. “Jonathan is one of the hardest working players I have been around in 23 years of coaching,” said Tigers’ Offensive Coordinator Pat Konen. “He consistently works on improving his skill set. He is never satisfied with his performance, accolades, or abilities. He is always seeking to improve. He makes others around him better and is like having a coach on the field.” Gough plans to attend college, major in business, and continue his football career at the next level. The October 2023 Elite Athlete of the Month for Woodland High School is Jamarion “Jay” Walker. A senior running back and defensive back on the Wildcats football team, Walker is also a member of Woodland’s basketball and track and field teams. “Jamarion has been a pivotal force for our football team in October,” said Wildcats head coach Brandon Haywood. “Jay demonstrates remarkable performance and has exhibited a well-rounded approach on the field against some formidable opponents.” Walker had 25 rushing attempts for 169 yards yielding a 6.76 yards per carry average. He coupled those numbers with 20 pass receptions for 306 yards and one touchdown — averaging 15.3 yards per catch. He amassed 475 yards in a three-game stretch. Walker, the son of Margo and Donald Ard, plans to continue playing football at the collegiate level and pursue a degree in Marine Biology. Editors Note: Photos and bios are supplied to Bartow Sports Zone and WBHF by the respective schools and athletic departments. Elite Stone Supply Co., LLC is the monthly sponsor. Athletes receive a plaque along with recognition during a radio feature on WBHF. #EliteAthletesoftheMonth #Cass #Cartersville #Woodland #Adairsville #highschool

October 30, 2023 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Athletes Beyond Bartow is a weekly report covering the pro and collegiate athletes from Bartow County. This week’s updates include the contributions of 23 local athletes across the country. NFL TREVOR LAWRENCE — Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL; 3rd-yr. pro; QB; Clemson; Cartersville HS) … was 24-for-32 passing for 292 yards and one touchdown in the Jaguars’ 20-10 win this past Sunday at the Pittsburgh Steelers. He added a 10-yard rushing play but also threw a second-quarter interception. Jacksonville (6-2) has a bye week before hosting the San Francisco 49ers on November 12. COLLEGE FOOTBALL KOLBE BENHAM — Marist College (R-So., Cartersville HS) … saw action in the defensive secondary for an eighth straight game this season but did not have a stat line in the Red Foxes’ 49-14 loss at St. Thomas (Minnesota). Benham has 14 total tackles this season. Marist (4-4, 4-2 Pioneer Football League) hosts Drake for Homecoming this Saturday. HAYDEN CAGLE — Berry College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … started at center and contributed to a unit that generated 516 yards of total offense in a 53-6 home conference win over Hendrix College (Arkansas). The NCAA D-III 24th-ranked Vikings (7-1, 5-1 Southern Athletic Association) visit Birmingham-Southern College this Saturday. COLLIN FLETCHER — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … had just one catch this past Saturday but it was good for a 73-yard touchdown in the second quarter as the Eagles beat visiting Union College (Kentucky) 45-10 in Waleska. Fletcher now has 281 receiving yards and three touchdowns in his freshman campaign for the NAIA 21st-ranked Eagles. Reinhardt (6-2, 4-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference) visits Kentucky Christian this Saturday. TYWUN GORDON — College of the Sequoias (So., Adairsville HS) … had one assisted tackle this past Saturday in the Giants’ 35-16 win at Sacramento City CC. College of Sequoias (4-4, 1-2 Valley Conference) hosts Modesto CC this Saturday. SHADRE HURST — Tulane University (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … as a starter on the Green Wave’s offensive line, Hurst was part of a unit that produced 457 total yards in a 30-28 victory at Rice. Tulane (7-1, 4-0 American Athletic Conference), ranked No. 22, carries a six-game winning streak to East Carolina on Saturday. TYLER MARTIN — Berry College (So., Cass HS) … saw action with the Vikings’ offense that compiled over 500 yards of total offense this past Saturday in a 53-6 home win over conference-foe Hendrix College (Arkansas). Berry (7-1, 5-1 Southern Athletic Association) makes the trip to Birmingham-Southern College this Saturday. J.P. PERRY — Berry College (Sr., Cass HS) … the defensive lineman saw action this past Saturday in the Vikings’ 53-6 home victory over Hendrix College (Arkansas). 24th-ranked Berry (7-1, 5-1 Southern Athletic Association) plays at Birmingham-Southern College this Saturday. SAM PHILLIPS — UT-Chattanooga (R-So., Cartersville HS) … Phillips, who has 47 receptions this season, was limited to just one catch for two yards this past Saturday in a 24-23 win at VMI. The Mocs (7-2, 6-1 Southern Conference), currently ranked 15th in D-I FCS, will host Furman in a SoCon matchup this Saturday afternoon. DEVONTE ROSS — Troy University (So., Cartersville HS) … had a pair of pass receptions for 16 yards and added one kick return of 20 yards as the Trojans won 31-13 this past Saturday at Texas State. Through the first eight games, Ross has 22 catches for 243 yards and two touchdowns. He has five kickoff returns for a 21-yard average and one punt return of three yards. Troy (6-2, 3-1 Sun Belt Conference) hosts South Alabama Thursday night on ESPN2. COURTNEY SLOCUM — Mars Hill University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … had a pair of tackles bringing his season total to eleven as the Lions beat visiting Virginia-Wise this past Saturday 49-24. Mars Hill (7-1, 6-1 South Atlantic Conference) travels to Tusculum on Saturday. EVAN SLOCUM — Wake Forest University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … a defensive starter, Slocum had a pair of solo tackles this past Saturday in a 41-16 home loss to 4th-ranked Florida State. He has 18 tackles on the season. The Demon Deacons (4-4, 1-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) host Duke on Thursday night in a game to be televised by ESPN. JaSHAUN BROWN-WHATLEY — Berry College (Fr., Cass HS) … saw his first collegiate action this past Saturday in the Vikings’ 53-6 home conference win over Hendrix College (Arkansas). Ranked 24th in D3, Berry (7-1, 5-1 Southern Athletic Association) plays at Birmingham-Southern College this Saturday. VOLLEYBALL MADELYN ORTON — LaGrange College (So., Rydal resident; Cornerstone Prep) … made two starts and saw action in 10 sets this past week as the Panthers went 1-3. LaGrange lost to Huntingdon, Fort Valley State, and Maryville College (Tennessee) before defeating Agnes Scott College in straight sets on Saturday. Orton contributed six digs in those four matches. LaGrange (4-20, 3-13 Collegiate Conference of the South) hosts Point University on Tuesday. MEREDITH ORTON — LaGrange College (So., Rydal resident; Cornerstone Prep) … in four matches this past week, Orton totaled 19 kills, 10 digs, three blocks, and two aces while the Panthers lost to Huntingdon, Fort Valley State, and Maryville College (Tennessee) but beat Agnes Scott College. LaGrange (4-20, 3-13 Collegiate Conference of the South) hosts Point University on Tuesday. MARIA PILIPOSYANS — Reinhardt University (So., Cass HS) … in a home win over Brenau University last Tuesday and a loss to Milligan on Friday, the Eagles’ middle hitter totaled eight kills, six blocks, and four digs. Reinhardt (21-6, 14-5 Appalachian Athletic Conference) closes out its regular season slate Tuesday at Montreat College (North Carolina). SOCCER ABBEY CRAIG — Reinhardt University (So., Cartersville HS) … started at forward and saw 52 minutes of pitch time this past Saturday in a 4-0 win at Union College (Kentucky). The Lady Eagles completed their regular season schedule with a 12-5-1 record and were 12-1-1 in Appalachian Athletic Conference play. Reinhardt is the No. 3 seed for the AAC tournament and will host Columbia College on Saturday in their first post-season match. BRADY CRAIG — Reinhardt University (So., Cartersville HS) … in three starts where he logged all 90 minutes in each contest as a defender, the Eagles lost last Wednesday to visiting Tennessee Wesleyan 3-1, played Truett-McConnell University to a 1-1 draw, and fell at Union College on Sunday, 5-0. Reinhardt (9-4-5, 7-4-2) opens the AAC Championship Tournament this Friday as the No. 8 seed. The Eagles play at the top-seeded Milligan University Buffaloes. TENNIS EMILY SURCEY — Samford University (Jr., Cass HS) … suffered a pair of singles losses to her opponents from Tulane and Nebraska this past weekend at the University of Alabama Fall Invitational. Surcey and doubles partner Margaret Jaraczewski also lost twice at the event, falling to pairs from Clemson and UAB. The Bulldogs will return to the Spring portion of their schedule on January 20 at Mississippi State. GOLF BUCK BRUMLOW — University of Georgia (Jr., Cartersville HS) … carded rounds of 68-70-69 (207, 6-under-par) as the Bulldogs finished sixth of 20 teams last Thursday through Saturday at the Ka’anapali Classic Collegiate. Brumlow tied for 24th in the 120-player field. The 54-hole event was held on the par-71, 6,700-yard Ka’anapali Golf Course in Lahaina, Hawaii. Georgia shot 31-under-par as a team as East Tennessee State and Oklahoma tied atop the leaderboard at 42-under-par. It was the final Fall event for Georgia who will return to action February 11-13 at the Puerto Rico Classic in San Juan. ANDERSON McCARY — Birmingham-Southern College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … shot 95-99 last Monday and Tuesday at the Chick-fil-A Collegiate Invitational held at Stonebridge Golf Club in Rome. BSC finished last in the 20-team field. BRODY TIDWELL — Georgia State University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … participating as an individual at the Pinetree Intercollegiate hosted by Kennesaw State, Tidwell tied for 24th of 58 players after firing rounds of 74-75-79 (12-over-par) on the par-72, 7,080-yard Pinetree Country Club course. SWIMMING HARPER POWELL — Florida Tech (Jr., Adairsville HS) … in a 174-87 loss at Lynn University this past weekend, Powell was a member of the third place 200-yard freestyle team (1:40.76); the fourth place 200-yard medley team (1:52.80); and finished sixth (1:06.03) in the 100-yard backstroke and seventh (1:00.55) in the 100-yard freestyle. The next meet for FIT is a tri-match at Indian River State with Keiser University on November 8.