September 8, 2023 Cartersville volleyball won a best-of-five match at Paulding County Thursday night in three straight sets while Cass picked up a regular season win at Adairsville. The Hurricanes, now 13-8 on the season, dominated the Lady Patriots — 25-9, 25-9, and 25-13 for a non-region win. Freshman Holly Dufrene had 12 kills for Cartersville. Addison Marisko and Ailee England followed with 10 and nine kills, respectively. Katelyn Shook contributed six service aces and Sydney Seigler had five aces. Aubree Barrett totaled 36 assists. Cartersville plays in a tournament at Sonoraville on Saturday, opening with Kell, LaFayette, and Sonoraville in pool play. CASS SPLITS ROAD MATCHES The Lady Colonels split a pair of matches Thursday at Adairsville High School. Cass outlasted the host Tigers 25-21 and 25-19 for a victory but lost to Sonoraville 25-10 and 25-17. Jordyn Hartline and Addie Pearson had four kills each for the Tigers. Pearson also added seven assists and nine digs. Adairsville also dropped a 25-23 and 25-21 decision to the Phoenix. Cara Harp finished with six aces for the Tigers in the Sonoraville match. Hartline added six kills and seven digs. Sherry Wells added seven digs. Adairsville (3-8) hosts Gordon Lee and Allatoona on Tuesday. Cass (3-15-1) entertains top-ten-ranked Dalton and Hiram Tuesday in Region 7-5A matches.

September 7, 2023 Woodland and Cartersville won region games Thursday night while Cass and Adairsville dropped league contests. WOODLAND 9, HIRAM 0 The Wildcats utilized a big fifth inning Thursday night to coast to a 9-0 Region 7-5A win at Hiram. Ashlynn Baines (3 IP, 0R, 0H, 2BB, 4K), Peyton Dorn (2 IP, 0R, 1H, 1K), and Haley Collum (1 IP, 0R, 1H, 2K) combined in the circle for the Lady Cats’ shutout. Four Woodland starters had two hits each. Jordan Hammonds (two RBIs), Kamryn Smith (double, RBI), Collum (RBI), and Mackenzie Araya (RBI) paced the 6th-ranked Wildcats. The loss dropped Hiram to 4-8 overall and 1-5 in region play. Woodland (11-4, 4-3) plays Rockmart and Hillgrove Friday night in Cobb County. CARTERSVILLE 15, DALTON 4 The Lady Canes pounded out 15 hits in just five innings Thursday night to power past Dalton, 15-4. Allana Williams paced the Cartersville offense with three hits including a homer and four RBIs. Zoie Shiflett (RBI) also had three hits including a pair of doubles. Jordan Bishop (triple), Addi Burns (three RBIs), Erin McCrary (two RBIs), and LaKiaya Banks (double, 2 RBIs) all added two hits. Reese Dumas contributed one hit and one RBI. Shiflett (5 IP, 4R, 2ER, 8H, 8K) picked up the pitching victory for the Hurricanes. After the loss, Dalton fell to 2-8 overall and 2-5 in Region 7-5A. Cartersville (10-4, 7-0), ranked 8th in Class 5A, continues to lead the region standings. The Lady Canes have a non-region home game Monday with Sonoraville at 5:30 p.m. and will host Woodland on Tuesday and Cass on Thursday. CALHOUN 7, CASS 6 The Lady Colonels rallied from behind and took a brief 6-5 lead at Calhoun Thursday night before falling to the 9th-ranked Yellow Jackets, 7-6. Calhoun’s Layla Baker hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning that scored the game's deciding run. Darianna Sosa (double, RBI) and Braelyn Franklin had two hits each for the Colonels. Harlee Thomason hit a two-run home run for Cass in the fourth inning. Cayce Brown (two RBIs) had the other Cass base hit. Reese Howard drove in one run. Emma Gibson (6 IP, 7ER, 9H, 4BB, 2K) was tagged with the pitching loss for the Lady Colonels. Calhoun improved to 9-6-1 overall and 6-1 in Region 7-5A. Cass (4-11, 1-6) returns to region action Tuesday at home against Hiram. LAKEVIEW-FORT OGLETHORPE 8, ADAIRSVILLE 1 Thursday evening, the Warriors built a 7-0 lead through the first three innings and defeated visiting Adairsville, 8-1. The Tigers managed just four hits — all singles by Alissa Winters, Ashlyn Carlton, Taylor Evans, and Riley Mounger. Chelsea Bates (3 IP, 7R, 3ER, 5H, 4BB) suffered the pitching loss for Adairsville. Jordan Clay (2 IP, 1ER, 1H, 3BB, 2K) also pitched for the Tigers. Adairsville (2-10, 1-5) travels to Region 6-AAA co-leader Gordon Lee on Tuesday.

September 6, 2023 Cartersville scored five runs in the bottom of the fourth Wednesday evening to pull away and defeat Northwest Whitfield, 8-0 in six innings. Zoie Shiflett collected the pitching win by working all six innings in the circle. She scattered four hits, did not issue a walk, and fanned six. Shiflett (triple, three RBIs), Reese Dumas (two RBIs), and Jordan Bishop (triple, RBI) had two hits each to help lead the Canes’ offense. LaKiaya Banks (RBI), Layne Callan, and Erin McCrary added one hit each. Addi Burns contributed one RBI. The Bruins slipped to 6-11 with their loss. Cartersville (9-4, 6-0 Region 7-5A) return to region play Thursday at Dalton. First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ADAIRSVILLE 15, RIDGELAND 3 The Lady Tigers scored six times in the third and seventh innings Wednesday night at Ridgeland to pull away from the host Panthers for a 15-3 Region 6-AAA win. Adairsville built a 9-1 lead through 3-½ innings and were never really threatened. A dozen different Tigers had at least one hit each in the victory. Naxyria Roberts (double, RBI), Riley Mounger, Ashlyn Carlton, and Alissa Winters (RBI) led the Adairsville offense with two hits each. Kyndel Hembree (RBI), Chelsea Bates (RBI), Madison Baker (RBI), Gabi Becerra (double, 2 RBIs), Ashlynn Durden, Taylor Evans, Brie Patterson (RBI), and Lily Roberts added one hit apiece. McKenzie Pullam and Annabelle Mitchell produced one RBI each. Bates (3 IP, 3R, 2ER, 5H, 4BB, 3K), Jordan Clay (2 IP, 0R, 1H, 0BB, 1K), and Baker (2 IP, 0R, 0H, 1BB, 2K) shared the pitching duties. Ridgeland falls to 5-5 on the season and 1-3 in Region 6-AAA. Adairsville (2-9, 1-4) visits Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

September 5, 2023 Woodland volleyball split matches Tuesday night in Summerville defeating Gaylesville (Alabama) 25-15, 25-16 but falling to host Chattooga, 25-22 and 25-16. Anastyn Jones had 10 kills and six digs for the Lady Cats. Megan Schultz totaled eight kills, six aces, and six digs. Kendall Condon contributed 26 assists, seven aces, and seven digs. Bailey Motes finished with nine kills and Lili Womack had 16 digs. Woodland plays at Haralson County on Thursday.

September 5, 2023 Cartersville softball posted eight runs in the first two innings Tuesday night and eased to a 10-4 home win over the visiting Hiram Hornets. The Lady Canes, ranked 8th in Class 5A, out hit Hiram eleven to five. Addi Burns had three hits and one RBI to pace the Hurricanes’ offense. Jordan Bishop followed with two hits including one triple. Erin McCrary (two RBIs), Zannah Key, LaKiaya Banks, Allana Williams (RBI), Layne Callan (RBI), and Taryn Bradley added one hit apiece for Cartersville. Kennedy Stevens (5.2 IP, 4R, 3ER, 5H, 6BB, 5K) and Zoie Shiflett (1.1 IP, 0R, 0H, 0BB, 2K) split the pitching duties for the Canes. The loss leaves Hiram with a 4-6 record overall and 1-5 mark in Region 7-5A. Cartersville (8-4, 6-0) will host Northwest Whitfield Wednesday in a non-region game at 5 p.m. before visiting Dalton for a region matchup Thursday at 5:30 p.m. CALHOUN 6, WOODLAND 5 Calhoun took advantage of a wild pitch in the bottom of the seventh inning Tuesday night to snatch a walk-off, home win over Woodland 6-5. The Yellow Jackets led 5-0 after three innings before Woodland tied the game at 5-all over the next two frames. Following a scoreless sixth inning for both teams, 9th-ranked Calhoun got a double from Jordan Baker who later moved to third base on a wild pitch and scored on a second wild pitch in the inning. Breanna Baker had two hits for Calhoun including a home run and three RBIs. Sydney Bullard also had two hits. Elizabeth Hartsfield had two hits for Woodland including one double and one RBI. Kamryn Smith also finished with two hits including a double. Alana Carnes (RBI), Bailey Ryan (RBI), Jordan Hammonds (double), Karmen Zeferino (RBI), and Peyton Dorn added one hit apiece. Haley Collum (2 IP, 4ER, 6H, 0BB, 3K) and Dorn (4 IP, 2ER, 2H, 0BB, 4K) split time in the pitching circle for the Lady Cats. The Yellow Jackets improved to 8-5-1 overall and 5-1 in Region 7-5A. Woodland, who entered the week ranked No. 6 in Class 5A, slipped to 10-4 overall and 3-3 in region play. The Lady Cats visit Hiram Thursday with first pitch scheduled for 5:30 p.m. DALTON 7, CASS 4 Dalton took a 7-0 lead through four innings Tuesday night and held off Cass over the final three frames to win on the Colonels’ home field, 7-4. The Catamounts scored their seven runs on just two hits. Dalton took advantage of six walks and three Cass errors. KK Evans had three hits including a triple and four RBIs for the Colonels. Bailey York, who took the pitching loss (7 IP, 7R, 1ER, 2H, 6BB, 5K), followed with a pair of hits. Autumn Smith, Payton Mize, Darianna Sosa, and Braelyn Franklin added one hit each for the Lady Colonels. Dalton improved to 2-7 overall and 2-4 in Region 7-5A. Cass (4-10, 1-5) visits 9th-ranked Calhoun Thursday for a 5:30 p.m. start.

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. Gabi Becerra is the August 2023 Elite Athlete of the Month representing Adairsville High School. A senior on the Tigers’ softball and soccer teams, she is the daughter of Julio and Tangela Becerra. She plays third base and shortstop for the softball team and currently carries a .417 batting average with ten hits, three doubles, one triple, one home run, nine RBIs, and two stolen bases. “Gabi is an absolute leader on the AHS Softball team. Gabi leads the team in batting average and hits. She has been clutch with hits for the team this season. She always has a positive attitude and is a role model for the younger girls on the team. Gabi works hard on the field and off the field to be a great student-athlete.” Becerra has a 3.9 grade point average. The Auguest 2023 Elite Athlete of the Month for Woodland High School is Alana Carnes. A junior playing second base on the Lady Cats’ softball team, Carnes has a .591 batting average including three doubles, three triples, and 14 RBIs. “Alana is a very determined player,” said Woodland softball coach Todd Eubanks. “Once she sets her mind on something she will work at it until it is accomplished. She is a true team leader.” She has a 3.9 grade point average and is the daughter of Carey and Vanessa Carnes. Cartersville High School’s Elite Athlete of the Month for August 2023 is Ailee England. An outside hitter and defensive specialist on the Hurricanes’ volleyball team, England is a senior and the captain of the 2023 team. England leads the Canes in kills with 129. She also has 21 aces and 69 digs so far this season. “Ailee is a very talented hitter,” noted Cartersville volleyball coach Abbey Rogers. “She swings with power from the front and back row. Her experience has given her a high volleyball IQ that allows her to make smart decisions on the court.” The daughter of Jon and Amanda England, Ailee is a 4.0 student and has been awarded the Georgia Certificate of Merit from the University of Georgia. Darianna Sosa is the Elite Athlete of the Month representing Cass High School for August 2023. She is the daughter of Sebastian and Brenda Sosa and a three-sport athlete. Sosa currently leads the Cass softball team in hitting with a .441 batting average that includes six RBIs, two home runs, and an OPS of 1.248. “She has a 3.9 grade point average and is an outstanding representative of the Colonels both on the field and in the classroom,” said Cass softball coach Taylor Washington. Editors Note: Photos and bios are supplied to Bartow Sports Zone and WBHF by the respective schools and their 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

This week's report includes updates on 30 local athletes in a variety of sports across the country. The Minor League Baseball Double-A schedules have reached the final two weeks. The NFL has wrapped up the preseason and gets the regular season kicked off this week. College football is now underway and the update also includes locals in collegiate cross country and soccer. MiLB MASON BARNETT — Northwest Arkansas Naturals (KC Royals Double-A affiliate; 2nd-yr. pro; Auburn; Cartersville HS) … earned a pitching win last Friday with a five-inning performance at the Springfield Cardinals. He allowed a pair of earned runs on four hits and two walks. The righty had six strikeouts. Barnett improved to 5-7 on the season in 21 starts at High Class A and Double-A. The 22-year-old has a 2.97 ERA and 125 strikeouts in 106 innings pitched in 2023. The Naturals (27-28 / 3rd place - Texas League North Division second half) have two weeks remaining in the regular season. They are 56-68 overall. Northwest Arkansas plays a six-game series this week at the Frisco Rough Riders. ANTHONY SEIGLER — Somerset Patriots (NY Yankees Double-A affiliate; 6th-yr. pro; Cartersville HS) … in four starts this past week, Seigler was 2-for-11 with a homer, five walks, one RBI, and one stolen base. The 24-year-old has a .165 batting average this season with four home runs and 24 RBIs in 188 official at-bats. The Patriots (76-49) have clinched an Eastern League playoff berth. Somerset hosts a six-game series this week with Erie. NFL MILLER FORRISTALL — Cleveland Browns (NFL; 3rd-yr. pro; TE; Alabama; Cartersville HS) … Following a second stint with the Cleveland Browns during the preseason, the tight end was released on August 27. MANNY JONES — Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL; 2nd-yr. pro; DE; Colorado State; Woodland HS) ... Following the preseason with Pittsburgh, Jones was waived by the Steelers on August 28. TREVOR LAWRENCE — Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL; 3rd-yr. pro; QB; Clemson; Cartersville HS) … appeared in two of three preseason games for the Jaguars completing 13 of 16 passes for 128 yards and one touchdown. He did throw one interception in the preseason opener at Dallas. The 2021 draft overall No. 1 pick and 23-year-old will look to lead Jacksonville back to the playoffs when the regular season opens Sunday at the Indianapolis Colts. PRO GOLF JASON BOHN — PGA Tour Champions (Acworth resident; Cartersville Country Club member) … earned his third best check of the 2023 season and his third Top 25 finish August 25-27 with a T16 finish at The Ally Challenge played at the par-72, 7,085-yard Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club in Grand Blanc, Michigan. The senior tour rookie fired rounds of 70-70-69 (7-under-par) and collected just over $33,100 in his twelfth event. Next on the Champions Tour schedule is the Ascension Charity Classic in St. Louis on September 8-10. COLLEGE FOOTBALL KOLBE BENHAM — Marist College (So., Cartersville HS) … made three total tackles including one solo in the Red Foxes’ 49-7 loss Saturday at Georgetown in Washington, D.C. Marist (0-1) hosts Davidson for their home opener September 16. HAYDEN CAGLE — Berry College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … was a starter on the Vikings’ offensive line that helped roll out 424 total yards in a 67-34 home win Saturday over Huntingdon College. Berry (1-0) visits LaGrange College on Saturday night. JOHNATHAN CLINE — University of Central Florida (Fr., Cartersville HS) … was listed as a participant for the Knights in their season-opening 56-6 win Thursday night over visiting Kent State. UCF (1-0) travels to Boise State on September 9. CARLOS DEL RIO-WILSON — Syracuse University (R-So., Cartersville HS) … was 10-for-13 passing for 149 yards and three touchdowns coming off the bench Saturday as the Orange beat visiting Colgate 65-0. Syracuse (1-0) hosts Western Michigan on Saturday afternoon. COLLIN FLETCHER — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … was targeted twice as a receiver catching one pass for 10 yards. He also rushed for a successful two-point conversion in the Eagles’ 36-3 Thursday night win over Faulkner (Ala.) University. Reinhardt (1-0) entertains Southeastern University (North Carolina) on September 9. JONAH GAMBILL — University of Memphis (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … started on the offensive line for the Tigers as they produced 551 yards of total offense in 56-14 win over visiting Bethune-Cookman. Memphis (1-0) travels to Arkansas State on Saturday night. TYWUN GORDON — College of the Sequoias (R-So., Adairsville HS) … was listed as a participant but did not have a stat line in the Giants’ 23-20 home loss to Butte College (California). Sequoias (0-1) plays at San Mateo College on Saturday afternoon. SHADRE HURST — Tulane University (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … was listed as a participant but did not have a stat line in the Green Wave’s 37-17 home win Saturday night over South Alabama. Tulane (1-0) entertains Ole Miss on Saturday afternoon. TYLER MARTIN — Berry College (So., Cass HS) … saw action in the Vikings’ 67-34 home win over Huntingdon College. Berry (1-0) visits LaGrange College on Saturday night. JAKE PARKER — Hutchinson (KS) CC (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … was 2-for-4 passing for 15 yards in a backup role on August 26 as the Blue Dragons won their season-opener at Navarro College (Texas), 42-6. The NJCAA No. 1-ranked Dragons also beat visiting Ellsworth CC this past Saturday 72-7. Parker was 11-for-18 passing for 84 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 33 yards on five attempts. Hutchinson (2-0) travels to 2nd-ranked Iowa Central CC this Saturday. J.P. PERRY — Berry College (Sr., Cass HS) … saw action but did not record a tackle in the Vikings’ 67-34 home win over Huntingdon College. Berry (1-0) visits LaGrange College on Saturday night. SAM PHILLIPS — UT-Chattanooga (R-So., Cartersville HS) … had four receptions for 54 yards including a long reception of 24 yards and an 8-yard touchdown in the Mocs’ 41-27 loss at North Alabama. Chattanooga (0-1) entertains Kennesaw State Saturday night. DEVONTE ROSS --- Troy University (So., Cartersville HS) ... had one third quarter reception that was good for a 13-yard touchdown and gave the Trojans a 34-20 lead at the time in an eventual 48-30 home win last Saturday over Stephen F. Austin. Troy (1-0) visits Kansas State this Saturday. EVAN SLOCUM — Wake Forest University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … made a start at defensive back and had one tackle in the Deacons’ 37-17 win Thursday night (Aug. 31) over Elon. Wake Forest (1-0) hosts Vanderbilt on September 9. DREW WILSON — Illinois College (Jr., Adairsville HS) … The linebacker saw action but had no stat line in the Blueboys’ 31-0 home win Saturday night over Millikin University. Illinois College (1-0) hosts Lake Forest College on Saturday afternoon. CROSS COUNTRY BILL ARCHER — University of Montevallo (Jr., Cartersville HS) … finished 38th (16:22) of 200 runners last Friday at the Jacksonville State University Foothills 5K Invitational at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Alabama. The Falcons finished fourth in the 28-team race. UM hosts the Falcon Classic on Friday, September 15. RYLEE EVANS — Western Kentucky University (So., Woodland HS) … finished 59th last Friday at the Belmont Opener in Nashville. The HIlltoppers placed seventh of 12 teams. Western Kentucky will host the WKU Invitational on Friday, September 15. EMMA SEGARS — Georgia College (Fr., Woodland HS) … ran to a 56th place finish in 16:14 at the Jacksonville State University Foothills 4K Invitational last Friday. The race included 200 runners. The Bobcats finished 10th of 27 teams. Georgia College runs at the Julius Johnson Invitational at Mercer on Saturday, September 16. DREW THAYER — University of Montevallo (Fr., Woodland HS) … finished 89th (17:10) last Friday at the Jacksonville State University Foothills Invitational 5K. UM hosts the Falcon Classic on Friday, September 15. VOLLEYBALL VANESSA JOHNSON — Truett-McConnell University (So., Cartersville HS) … saw action in one set during a 3-0 home win over St. Andrews (North Carolina) Saturday night as the Bears (4-4) finished 3-1 hosting the TMU Invitational. Truett-McConnell hosts Reinhardt Thursday night to open Appalachian Athletic Conference play. MADELYN ORTON — LaGrange College (So., Cartersville resident, Cornerstone Prep) … totaled one service ace, one kill, and 14 digs in four set losses Friday and Saturday at Fort Valley State University and Oglethorpe University. The Panthers (0-2) host Wesleyan College on Tuesday and travel to Birmingham-Southern College on Thursday. MEREDITH ORTON — LaGrange College (So., Cartersville resident, Cornerstone Prep) … had eight kills and 17 digs in a four-set loss at Fort Valley State University last Friday then contributed six kills and 16 digs in a four-set loss Saturday at Oglethorpe University. LaGrange (0-2) hosts Wesleyan College on Tuesday and travels to Birmingham-Southern College on Thursday. MARIA PILIPOSYANS — Reinhardt University (So., Cass HS) …. totaled 10 kills, two digs, and three blocks as the Eagles went 2-1 August 25-26 in matches at Life University in Marietta. Reinhardt lost to Life in four sets, beat Keiser University in four sets, and swept three straight sets with Lindsey Wilson College. This past weekend the Eagles won four straight matches over Ave Maria (FL), Southeastern University, William Carey (MS), and Point University. Piliposyans had 19 kills and eight blocks. The Eagles (7-1) play at Truett-McConnell Thursday and host Columbia (South Carolina) and Faulkner (Alabama) on Saturday. SOCCER ABBIE CRAIG — Reinhardt University (So., Cartersville HS) … came off the bench and played 29 minutes in an 8-0 loss on August 22 to William Carey (Mississippi) played in Montgomery. She then started and was on the pitch for 59 minutes in a 1-0 loss at the University of Cumberlands (Kentucky) on August 26. This past Saturday, she came off the bench for 30 minutes of action in a 1-0 loss at SCAD Savannah. The Eagles (0-3) play Keiser University on Monday in Savannah and have their conference opener on Saturday at St. Andrews University (North Carolina). BRADY CRAIG — Reinhardt University (So., Cartersville HS) … The defender played all 90 minutes in the Eagles’ 2-1 home win on August 26 at home over Point University and in a pair of scoreless ties Wednesday at Life University and Saturday at home against Cumberland (Tennessee) University. RU (1-0-3) opens AAC play Saturday at St. Andrews University (North Carolina).

September 3, 2023 The Woodland girls finished third and the Woodland boys were fourth Saturday at the 17th Run at the Rock 5K hosted by the Wildcats on their campus. Hillgrove girls and boys won the varsity races and had the two individual winners also. Joseph Brooks won the boys’ race in 17:06 and Adelaide Ellis was the girls’ winner in 20:56. The boys’ race included 122 runners. The girls’ race had 98 runners. Behind the Hillgrove girls, The King’s Academy finished second followed by Woodland, River Ridge, and North Cobb to round out the top five of 11 participating teams. Following the Hillgrove boys, Duluth was second with River Ridge, Woodland, and East Paulding rounding out the top five. Cass placed 10th in the 14-team field. Top local finishers: Woodland girls: Miranda Pelow (6th, 22:18) Olivia Berry (7th, 22:27) Addison Brown (18th, 23:22) Abby George (25th, 23:55) Autumn Lottner (31st, 24:23) Woodland boys: Landon McSwain (2nd, 17:22) Andy Forsyth (11th, 18:07) Knox Koontz (33rd, 19:11) Connor Smith (51st, 20:00) Will Parker (57th, 20:19) Cass boys: Critton Gearhart (15th, 18:17) Adam Brush (62nd, 20:28) Sawyer Foy (64th, 20:36) Next on the Woodland and Cass schedules will be the Wire2Wire XC Invitational on September 16 hosted by Cartersville High School.

Charles Wilson / Bartow Sports Zone Liberty University signee, Devin Henderson, scored five touchdowns in the first half Saturday night as the Cass Colonels routed host Charles Drew High School of Region 3-AAAAA, 50-7. Henderson had four rushing touchdowns and caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Brodie McWhorter in the first half while Cass built a 43-0 lead by halftime. The Colonels had six possessions in the opening half and scored on each. Meanwhile, the Cass defense limited the Titans to negative yardage in the first half. McWhorter also connected with University of Georgia signee, Sacovie White, for a first half touchdown. Henderson’s scoring runs were from 45-yards, 1-yard, 8-yards, and 1-yard. His 17-yard touchdown reception was the game’s first score. White’s touchdown catch was a 15-yard play in the second quarter. Cass also added a safety early in the game when a bad snap on a Drew punt attempt sailed into the end zone and was recovered by the Titans’ punter. In a running clock second half, the Cass reserve unit drove 78 yards on five plays for a third quarter touchdown. Braylon Hill sprinted 47 yards for the touchdown. Sophomore kicker Austin McArthur converted six of seven PAT attempts. Drew’s touchdown came on the ensuing kickoff after Cass took a 50-0 lead. J.T. Todd returned the kick 88 yards for the Titans. The loss dropped Drew to 0-2 on the season. Cass (1-2) will host Adairsville Friday at Cochran Stadium in a 7:30 p.m. start.

Senior running back Khristian Lando ran for three touchdowns in the first half Friday night as the Cartersville Purple Hurricanes defeated the visiting Allatoona Buccaneers at Weinman Stadium, 37-0. Lando’s first touchdown was a two-yard dive that gave the Canes a 7-0 lead with 5:06 remaining in the first quarter. He then scored twice in ten seconds putting Cartersville up 35-0 at the intermission. With 0:35 to go before the break, Lando scored on a 3-yard plunge. Following a Bucs turnover, he added his third scoring run from five yards out with 0:25 left in the half. The two other first half touchdowns for the Hurricanes came on a Richard Houston 2-yard run with 10:56 to go in the second quarter and a 29-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Nate Russell to Ja’Mauri Brice at the 6:53 mark of the second period. The only second half scoring was a Cartersville safety with 4:06 remaining in the third quarter. A bad snap by Allatoona on a punt attempt led to the safety. Allatoona falls to 0-3 on the season with the loss. Cartersville (3-0) hosts Columbia next Friday (Sept. 8) at 7:30 p.m. MODEL 27, WOODLAND 21 The Model Blue Devils scored 21 unanswered points in the second half Friday night leading to a 27-21 non-region win over the visiting Woodland Wildcats. Woodland led 14-6 at halftime after trailing 6-0 in the early going. Model’s Amir Pinkard stripped the football and ran it in for a touchdown from the nine yard line on a punt play. Pinkard was able to wrestle the ball away on the Wildcats’ punt reception, but the Blue Devils’ PAT attempt failed leaving Model with a 6-0 lead with 4:25 to go in the first quarter. Woodland tied the score at 6-all on a Devin Teasley 2-yard run with 7:30 left in the half. The Wildcats’ PAT attempt failed. Four minutes later, Woodland quarterback Brelace Williams connected with Jamarion Walker on a 13-yard touchdown pass. Teasley followed with a two-point conversion run giving the Wildcats an eight point lead at the break. Woodland extended the lead to 21-6 early in the third quarter when Teasley scored on a 3-yard run. This time Nick Miranda’s PAT kick was good. Model responded with their next two possessions to knot the score. Gage McWhorter punched in a 1-yard run to cap off an 80-yard drive for the Blue Devils with 4:38 left in the third period. Pinkard had a key 39-yard reception during the drive. A successful PAT kick made the score 21-13. A turnover then set up a 20-yard touchdown pass from Model’s Keith Sprayberry to Pinkard. That was followed by a two-point conversion pass reception by Jeremias Heard to tie the game at 21-all with 3:08 to play in the third quarter. Model captured the lead for good midway through the fourth quarter. The Blue Devils’ go-ahead scoring drive was capped with a 3-yard run by Collin Watson with just over 7 minutes remaining. The PAT attempt was blocked leaving the score at 27-21. Both teams had additional fourth quarter possessions, but Model hung on for a six-point victory. Model (2-0) hosts Trion on September 15. Woodland (1-2) will entertain Pepperell next Friday (Sept. 8) in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. RABUN COUNTY 35, ADAIRSVILLE 20 Adairsville quarterback Jonathan Gough rushed for three touchdowns Friday night but the Tigers lost a 35-20 decision to the visiting Rabun County Wildcats. Gough had two of his scoring runs in the first half. The first — a 14-yarder — gave the Tigers a 7-0 lead and capped a 7-play, 87-yard drive. The second Gough TD came with less than two minutes remaining in the second quarter to make the score 14-14 at halftime. The Tigers’ possession came after a Tamarius Wilkey interception to halt a Rabun County drive. This time Gough punched in a 4-yard run to finish off an 85-yard, 14-play journey. Cooper Souders added the Tigers’ PATs. The Wildcats' two scores in the first half were a 6-yard pass from Ty Truelove to Noah English and a 70-yard Truelove to Willie Goodwyn completion to tie the score just before the intermission. After traded three-and-out drives by both the Wildcats and the Tigers to start the third quarter, Rabun County Head Coach Mike Davis resorted to some trickery. Truelove threw to Reid Giles, who then threw a 69-yard strike to a streaking Goodwyn, who was all alone on the sideline. Goodwyn raced the distance to put the Wildcats up by a score of 21-14 and the gadget resulted in the only scoring play of the third quarter. Gough added his third touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. His 4-yard keeper culminated a 48-yard, 7-play drive but the Tigers missed the PAT kick leaving the score 21-20. After the Wildcats went ahead 28-20 on a 7-yard run by Giles, the Tigers put together one more serious scoring threat. Adairsville drove deep into Rabun territory with less than two minutes remaining in the game, but an interception at the goal line by the Wildcats’ Paul Picciotti ended the Tigers’ threat. Rabun County added a final touchdown just seconds later on an 87-yard pass from Trulove to Goodwyn for a 35-20 final score. The Wildcats improved to 2-1 with their victory and will host Heard County on September 15. Adairsville (1-1) visits Cass next Friday (Sept. 8) in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. ~~ Charles Wilson, Larry Gardner, Matt Santini, and David Archer, Jr. contributed to this report.

In two very close decisions Thursday night at North Paulding High School, the Cartersville volleyball team fell to Class 7A opponents North Paulding and Kennesaw Mountain in three sets. In both matches, the Lady Canes won the second set but fell in the opening set and final set. In the opener, North Paulding won the first set 25-18 before Cartersville took the second set 25-22. The Wolfpack squeezed out the deciding set 17-15. Ailee England (photo) had a dozen kills for Cartersville. Addison Marisko finished with nine kills and four blocks. Mckenzie Wilkie contributed 13 digs and three aces while Aubree Barrett totaled 25 assists. In the Canes’ second match, Kennesaw Mountain edged Cartersville 26-24 in the opening set but Cartersville won the middle set 25-21. The Mustangs pulled out the win in the deciding set, 15-13. Marisko had 10 kills for Cartersville and England finished with eight kills. Holly Dufrene finished with six kills. Wilkie totaled 14 digs. Sydney Seigler contributed eight digs. Barrett finished with 13 assists and Tennessee Abernathy had 11 assists. Cartersville (12-8) returns to action Thursday (Sept. 7) at Paulding County. WOODLAND DROPS HOME MATCH WITH TEMPLE Woodland volleyball dropped a 2-0 decision to Temple Thursday night — 25-17 and 25-20. The loss drops the Lady Cats to 4-10 on the season.

The Cartersville boys team finished first out of ten teams Thursday at the Front Runner 5 Star Meet at Heritage High School in Ringgold. The Canes were led by senior Malachi Vosburgh who won the individual race in 16:10. Junior Barrett Stepp finished ninth in 17:47. Adairsville’s Callie Viktora ran to a 6th-place finish Thursday night in the girls' meet at Heritage. The 5K girls race included 97 runners. Adairsville did not field a full team for the race. The Cartersville girls team finished 5th of 10 teams at the same meet. The Lady Canes were led by freshman Kylie Ham in 17th place and sophomore Vivi Vest in 21st place.