April 25, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com For the first time in 20 years, the Cartersville Purple Hurricanes boys soccer team secured a road victory in the Georgia High School Association state playoffs, defeating the host Drew Titans of Riverdale 3-2 in overtime Friday night in a Class AAAA first-round matchup. Drew jumped out to an early lead, scoring within the first five minutes of the game. Cartersville responded in the 20th minute when Rhett Jacobs was fouled in the box, drawing a penalty kick. Brayden Alonso stepped up and calmly converted the spot kick to even the score at 1-1. The Titans regained the advantage just five minutes later. A long ball slipped past the Hurricanes’ defense to an open striker, who made no mistake in finishing to put Drew back in front 2-1. Cartersville refused to go away. With just three minutes left in the first half, Abraham Zavala Grande headed home the first goal of his high school career off a corner kick delivered by Jacobs, leveling the match at 2-2 heading into halftime. The second half remained tightly contested, even after Zavala Grande received a red card, forcing the Hurricanes to play a man down for the final 30 minutes of regulation. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Cartersville’s defense held firm, and the game remained deadlocked at 2-2 through the end of regulation. In the first overtime period, the Hurricanes found the decisive moment. Joy Toure received a perfectly weighted through ball from Alonso and raced in on a breakaway, slotting the ball past the Drew goalkeeper to give Cartersville a 3-2 lead. The Purple Hurricanes then showed their resilience, digging in defensively for the remainder of overtime to protect the lead and run out the clock for the hard-fought victory. Drew’s season came to an end with a final record of 13-4. Cartersville improved to 11-7 and advances to the second round, where it will travel to Walnut Grove. The Warriors (16-3) earned their spot in the next round with a 3-0 shutout victory over Ware County in the first round.

April 24, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com The Adairsville Tigers overpowered the host Douglass Astros on Friday in Atlanta to sweep their first-round Class 3A state playoff series in two straight games. Adairsville claimed victory in the first game with a 15-0 win in six innings and ousted the Astros 12-2 in five innings in the second game to clinch the best-of-three series. Starting pitcher Hudson Parr struck out ten and scattered two hits without allowing a walk to earn the victory in Game 1. Tyler Parker struck out two in closing out a scoreless sixth inning. In Game 2, the Tigers established a 10-0 advantage during the first three innings, while pitchers McCayden Hufstetler and Evan Hardin worked together to restrict Douglass to only two unearned runs—one per pitcher—across three hits and four walks. Hufstetler struck out seven batters. Both pitchers issued two walks each. Adairsville had 17 hits in the doubleheader, led by Harrison Cole with three, including one home run, one double, and three RBI. Brody Varner (four RBI), Hayden Miller (double, two RBI), and Parr (triple, sacrifice fly, four RBI) each contributed two hits. Hunter Dudley (RBI), Huck Garlin (RBI), David Sutton (RBI), Matthew Cook, Westin Barfield, Braden Slocumb, Parker (RBI), and Hardin each added one hit. The season ended for Douglass with a 14-8 record. The Tigers (20-11) advance to the Sweet Sixteen round of the Class AAA state playoffs and will play at Pickens on Thursday in Jasper. The Dragons (29-3) swept Cairo on Friday, 10-0 and 13-1.

April 24, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Freshman defender Sofia Mayorga moves upfield April 23 in the Lady Canes' playoff loss to Pace Academy. RANDY PARKER / THE DAILY TRIBUNE NEWS On Thursday night, both the Woodland Lady Cats and the Cartersville Lady Canes were defeated in their Class 4A first-round state playoff games. JACKSON-ATLANTA 5, WOODLAND 1 The Woodland Lady Wildcats fell 5-1 to the Maynard Jackson-Atlanta Lady Jaguars on Thursday night in Atlanta, bringing their season to a close in the Class AAAA state playoffs. Jackson-Atlanta struck quickly, scoring twice in the opening minutes of the first half. The first goal came on a free kick after a handball just outside the box created an open look, and the Jaguars followed with another goal shortly after to take an early 2-0 lead. Woodland settled in after the quick start and put together a solid stretch of play, but the Jaguars extended their advantage to 3-0 on a counter-attack before halftime. The Lady Wildcats showed improvement in the second half, creating offensive opportunities, but Jackson-Atlanta again capitalized on a counterattack to push the lead to 4-0. Woodland broke through to cut the deficit to 4-1 when Ansley Burns finished a crossing pass from Sammy Espinosa. However, the Jaguars added a final goal in the closing five minutes, taking advantage of a Woodland turnover to seal the 5-1 victory. Woodland head coach James Thomas reflected on the season following the loss. “Overall, it was a good season,” Thomas said. “We will lose four seniors, three of whom were starters, so we will have some holes to fill, but we’re looking forward to another good year.” The Lady Wildcats conclude the season with an 8-9 record, while Jackson-Atlanta improves to 10-6 and will travel to North Oconee next Thursday for the Sweet Sixteen round of the Class AAAA state playoffs. PACE ACADEMY 7, CARTERSVILLE 0 Senior midfielder Mallory Nicklas looks for an open pass April 23 in the Lady Canes' home playoff loss to Pace Academy. RANDY PARKER / THE DAILY TRIBUNE NEWS The Cartersville Lady Canes saw their season come to an end with a 7-0 loss to the visiting Pace Academy Lady Knights Thursday night in the first round of the Class AAAA state playoffs at Weinman Stadium. Despite the loss, Cartersville head coach MaryBeth Popham emphasized the bigger picture following the match. “It wasn’t the outcome we were hoping for, but I’m proud of our girls,” Popham said. “They’ve had a tremendous season, and they battled to the final whistle. I’m grateful for the hard work, heart, and resilience they’ve shown all season. They grew as athletes, as teammates, and as young women, and that’s something a scoreboard can’t measure.” The loss closes the season for the Lady Canes at 10-8. Pace Academy improved to 10-8 and will travel to Perry next Thursday to compete in the Sweet Sixteen round of the state playoffs.

April 23, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Ellie Kate Jones, coach Kimberly Mostellar, and Emerie Elrod at the GHSA State Preliminary Meet in Buford on Wednesday. Senior Emerie Elrod and freshman Ellie Kate Jones from Cartersville High School's varsity gymnastics team competed in the Georgia High School Association State Preliminary Meet on Wednesday, April 22, in Buford, facing some of the leading athletes in the A–4A classification. Among 32 vault competitors, Elrod showcased a strong performance, securing 11th place overall with a score of 8.725. Just behind, Jones achieved 12th place with an 8.700, marking an impressive display for the Lady Canes at the state level. Cartersville head coach Kimberly Mosteller noted that the meet marked the conclusion of Elrod’s standout high school career. “Emerie has been a steady leader. She leaves a lasting impact on the program, highlighted by her consistent performances at the state level and her role in the team’s success.” With Jones among those expected to return, Mosteller expressed optimism about the future. “We plan to build on this year’s accomplishments with a mix of experienced athletes and newcomers.”

April 22, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Nate Russell collected the Game 1 pitching win on Wednesday as the Hurricanes swept their first-round state playoff series against the M.L. King Lions. Dominant pitching and plenty of offensive production lifted the Cartersville Purple Hurricanes to a Class AAA state playoff first-round sweep of the M.L. King Lions on Wednesday at Richard Bell Field. The Canes secured the best-of-three playoff series with victories of 11-0 and 15-0. In Game 1, starting pitcher Nate Russell and reliever Collier Jordan limited the Lions to only one hit and two walks. The duo combined for twelve strikeouts. Cartersville scored two runs in the first and second innings, added a run in the third, and posted six runs in the fourth. Brayden Logan led the offense with two doubles and two RBI. Cole Crawford (double, two RBI), Cooper Reynolds (sac fly, two RBI), David Vargas (sac fly, RBI), Nolan Elrod (double, RBI), Clint Hosea (double, RBI), Harris Turner (double, RBI), and Gianni Gandy (double, RBI) each added one hit. In Game 2, Elrod started on the mound, struck out nine, and allowed just one hit. Wyatt Earwood struck out two to close out a scoreless sixth inning. The Canes led 5-0 through three innings, added two runs in the fifth, and put the game away with an eight-run sixth inning. Crawford paced the Canes’ bats with three hits, including a home run and four RBI. Vargas (double, RBI) and Logan (double) followed with two hits each. Elrod (two RBI), Reynolds (double, two RBI), Kent Gresham (double, RBI), and Hosea each added one hit. M.L. King finished the year with a 14-10 record. Cartersville (25-7) will host the Ware County/Walnut Grove series winner in the Sweet Sixteen round. The best-of-three series will begin with a doubleheader on April 29.

April 22, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com The Adairsville boys’ track and field team finished third, and the Lady Tigers were sixth on Monday at the Region 7-AAA Championships hosted by Calhoun High School. Heritage-Catoosa won the girls’ team title, followed by Calhoun and Gilmer. The Calhoun boys won the region championship with 210 points, followed by Heritage-Catoosa (155.33) and Adairsville (86) in the seven-team field. The top four placers in each event advanced to the Class AAA State Sectionals at Jefferson High School on Saturday, May 2. Sectional qualifiers for Adairsville: First place Cameron Jocelyn — 110-meter hurdles — 16.16 Cameron Jocelyn — 300-meter hurdles — 43.89 Second place Brayce-Lynn Reynolds — Shot put — 34-9 Torron Hale — 400-meter dash — 51.00 Boys 4x400-meter relay — Aaron Souders, Cameron Jocelyn, Beau Hollimon, Cedric Nash — 3:42.27 Third place Cedric Nash — Triple jump — 40-3.25 Torron Hale — 200-meter dash — 22.81 Girls 4x800-meter relay — Madison Marin, Fernanda Singer, Bella Smith, Kinzie Griffin —11:28.39 Boys 4x800-meter relay — Aaron Souders, Beau Hollimon, Michael Stanley, Luke Farmer — 9:28.69 Fourth place Cedric Nash — High jump — 5-10 Cadence Caudill — Discus throw — 86-11 Torron Hale — 100-meter dash — 11.11 Aaron Souders — 800-meter run — 2:11.33 Boys 4x200-meter relay — Aaron Souders, Aiden White, Jayvian Carson, Bentley Bagley — 1:36.50 Boys 4x100-meter relay — Bentley Bagley, Jayvian Carson, Michael Stanley, Aiden White —47.35

April 22, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Cartersville High School junior golfer Bodie Brumlow carded a 4-under par 68 on Monday at the U.S. Open Local Qualifying held at Druid Hills Golf Club, and has advanced to the Final Stage qualifying. The 126th U.S. Open will be held at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York, on June 18-21, 2026. Brumlow, a University of Georgia commit, was one of seven professional and amateur players to advance from a field of 132 golfers at Druid Hills. Professional Chris Petefish of Cumming was the medalist with a 6-under par 66 on the par-72, 6,947-yard layout. Brumlow tied fellow amateurs Clark Akers (Nashville, Tennessee) and Harris Barth (Atlanta) with 68s. Professionals Steve Kibare (Canton), Jimmy Paradise (Tampa, Florida), and JP Griffin (Buford) also advanced. Final-stage qualifying will take place on May 18, May 25, and primarily on June 8 at various U.S. locations, including Hawks Ridge Golf Club in Ball Ground.

April 22, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Georgia Highlands College softball won both games of a conference doubleheader on Tuesday at Carol Brown Field in Cartersville against South Georgia State. The Chargers won the first game 4-1 and outlasted the Hawks in the second game, 8-7. Single runs in the first, second, third, and fifth innings overcame an early 1-0 deficit for the first GHC win. A walk-off run on a passed ball lifted the Chargers to an extra-inning victory in Game 2. Pitcher Emily Ferro (7 IP, 1ER, 4H, 2BB, 8K) fanned eight and limited South Georgia State to a single run in the opener. Haley Curtis (8 IP, 7R, 5ER, 11H, 4BB, 2K) went the distance in the circle to collect the pitching victory in Game 2. Emmalee Freeman (double, three RBI), Emma Darrow (triple, RBI), and Mary Catherine Kimball (double, RBI) led the GHC offense with three hits in the doubleheader. Athens Hudson (RBI), Ahmani Green (triple, double), Lily Branch, and Ferro had two hits. CeCe Williams (triple, RBI), Anslee Logan (sac fly, two RBI), and Gracie Azpeitia (two RBI) each added one hit. Georgia Highlands (24-15, 13-6 GCAA) plays a three-game series on Friday and Saturday at South Georgia State (9-17, 5-11).

April 22, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com The Cartersville High School boys’ track and field team won its second consecutive Region 7-AAAA championship, and the Lady Canes placed third on Tuesday at Dalton High School. Allatoona won the girls’ title with 208.5 points, followed by Hiram (117), Cartersville (116), and Woodland (81). The Cass girls were sixth (68) in the eight-team field. The Cartersville boys scored 210 points, followed by Allatoona (169), Cedartown (79), and Woodland (72). The Cass boys were seventh (38). The top four placers in each event at the region meet advanced to the Sectional Meet at North Oconee High School on May 2. Local state sectional qualifiers: FIRST PLACE Cyler Williams — Woodland — High jump — 5-2 Xavier Lowe — Cartersville — High jump — 6-8 Laney Saunders — Cartersville — Pole vault — 10-6 Adrian Dye — Cass — Discus throw — 163-8 Adrian Dye — Cass — Shot put — 53-3.50 Laney Saunders — Cartersville — 100-meter hurdles — 17.13 Madoxx Davis — Cartersville — 100-meter dash — 10.79 Ethan Empie — Cartersville — 3200-meter run — 10:10.26 Actavious Thompson — Cartersville — 400-meter dash — 48.63 Laney Saunders — Cartersville — 300-meter hurdles — 48.70 Actavious Thompson — Cartersville — 200-meter dash — 22.08 Ethan Empie — Cartersville — 1600-meter run — 4:34.16 Cartersville boys — 4x200-meter relay — Bryson Everett, Madoxx Davis, Tyon Coe, Zion Ayeni — 1:28.25 Cartersville boys — 4x100-meter relay — Bryson Everett, Brayden Doss, Madoxx Davis, Tyon Coe — 42.60 SECOND PLACE Rowe Gentry — Woodland — High jump — 5-0 Landon Dougherty — Woodland — High jump — 6-4 Actavious Thompson — Cartersville — Long jump — 21-6.50 Laila Webb — Cass — Triple jump — 33.1.50 Actavious Thompson — Cartersville — Triple jump — 43-11 Carder Brock — Cartersville — Discus throw — 99-8 Thoreau Lipscomb — Cartersville — Discus throw — 145-0 Allana Williams — Cartersville — Shot put — 35-6 Thoreau Lipscomb — Cartersville — Shot put — 52-6 Sydney Burris — Cartersville — 3200-meter run — 12:22.47 Kamerynn Easterling — Cass — 400-meter dash — 1:02.11 Rowen Lee — Woodland — 400-meter dash — 50.48 Bryson Everett — Cartersville — 200-meter dash — 22.38 Woodland girls — 4x800-meter relay — Allison Snead, Addison Brown, Jette Julius, Rylee Maxwell — 10.50.60 Cartersville boys — 4x800-meter relay — Tripp Chitwood, Daylen Lawson, Ben Russell, Adynn Phillips — 8:36.84 Cartersville boys — 4x400-meter relay — Braylon Hill, Kaiden Kent, Kayden Blackwell, Hayden Empie — 3:26.64 THIRD PLACE Anizah Taylor — Cass — High jump — 5-0 Anthony Banks — Cass — Long jump — 20-10.75 Kaleb Dennis — Woodland — Triple jump — 41-11.50 Allana Williams — Cartersville — Discus throw — 96-3 Carder Brock — Cartersville — Shot put — 35-1 Tyon Coe — Cartersville — 100-meter dash — 11.00 Rylee Maxwell — Woodland — 3200-meter run — 12:23.32 Braylon Hill — Cartersville — 400-meter dash — 50.90 Thomas Smith — Cartersville — 300-meter hurdles — 40.87 Kylie Ham — Cartersville — 800-meter run — 2:29.96 Carson Robinson — Cartersville — 800-meter run — 1:59.17 Madoxx Davis — Cartersville — 200-meter dash — 22.58 Cartersville girls — 4x800-meter relay — Genevieve Alessandro, Sydney Burris, Riley Mahan, Vivi Vest — 11:23.32 Cass girls — 4x200-meter relay — Chloe Dye, Kamerynn Easterline, Anizah Taylor, Javia Woodard — 1:50.76 Cartersville girls — 4x400-meter relay — Novella Berlus, Kylie Ham, Leyla Booth, Ruth Chavez — 4:24.89 FOURTH PLACE Kenneth Wilkey — Cartersville — High jump — 6-2 Christian Henderson — Woodland — Pole vault — 10-6 Jette Julius — Woodland — Long jump — 15-1.50 Jackson Montgomery — Cartersville — Long jump — 20-6.50 Ryan Womack — Woodland — Triple jump — 41.3.25 Henry Abernathy — Cartersville — Discus throw — 139-2 Nakayla Evans — Cass — Shot put — 34-2 Sailor DeHart — Woodland — 100-meter hurdles — 17.71 Allison Snead — Woodland — 3200-meter run — 12:24.99 Landon Dougherty — Woodland — 300-meter hurdles — 40.90 Rylee Maxwell — Woodland — 800-meter run — 2:35.50 Sydney Burris — Cartersville — 1600-meter run — 5:48.33 Woodland girls — 4x200-meter relay — Madysen Grano, Andrea de Leon Pozuelos, Cyler Williams, Kirae Grayson — 1:51.78 Cass girls — 4x100-meter relay — Nakayla Evans, Anizah Taylor, Shakiyah Ware, Laila Webb — 51.79 Woodland boys — 4x400-meter relay — Raylen Johnson, Cameron Broome, Dakota Keane, Rowen Lee — 3:38.30

April 21, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com The Adairsville High School girls soccer team delivered a commanding performance Tuesday night at home, shutting out the visiting Douglass-Atlanta Astros 10-0 in a first-round Class AAA playoff matchup. Adairsville’s midfielders and strikers completely controlled possession throughout the contest, preventing the Astros from registering a single shot on goal. The Lady Tigers jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first half, which was shortened to 20 minutes due to the lopsided scoreline. Ella Edwards got the scoring started early, finding the net in the 4th minute off an assist from Alexa Damer. Edwards added another goal just a minute later in the 5th minute, this time assisted by Addi Jerauld. She completed her hat trick in the 9th minute with her third goal of the night, again set up by Damer. Alexa Damer then scored in the 10th minute off a feed from Braylynn Martin. Martin got on the scoreboard herself in the 12th minute, assisted by Sam Gough. Damer added her second goal of the match in the 13th minute with an assist from Martin, and Alivia Joslin capped the first-half barrage with a goal in the 14th minute, assisted by Gough. In the second half, Ryleigh Parker scored in the 24th minute off an assist from Carly Edwards. Sam Gough notched a goal in the 32nd minute, assisted by Piper Tordrup, and Alexa Damer finished the scoring with her third goal of the game in the 33rd minute, again set up by Tordrup. The victory improved Adairsville’s record to 16-2 and sent the Lady Tigers into the Class AAA Sweet Sixteen. Adairsville will host Johnson-Gainesville (12-5) next Tuesday night. The Knights advanced with a 10-0 first-round win over Mt. Zion-Jonesboro on Tuesday. Douglass-Atlanta’s season came to an end with a 10-5 record.

April 21, 2026 Staff report The Cartersville High School boys golf team wrapped up its 2026 regular season on a high note, claiming second place at the two-day Billy Peek Invitational. The Canes once again finished runner-up to Harrison. Sophomore Reid Henson led the way for Cartersville, posting an impressive 4-under par total over the two days and earning a spot on the all-tournament team. Seniors Carsen Stanfield and Carter Rice provided strong support, with Stanfield finishing at even par and Rice at 1-over for the tournament. Junior Bodie Brumlow was unavailable for the first round as he competed in a U.S. Open qualifying event. He returned for the second round and fired an even-par 72. Of note, senior Carsen Stanfield, who will continue his golf career at the University of South Carolina Upstate, was awarded the annual Billy Peek Scholarship worth $1,500. With the regular season complete, the Cartersville boys and girls golf teams now turn their attention to the postseason. The area tournament is set for Monday at the Governor’s Towne Club in Acworth.

April 21, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com The Georgia Highlands Chargers continued their successful regular-season run through the GCAA schedule on Tuesday with an 11-5 win at the Andrew College Tigers in Cuthbert. The Chargers, who have already secured the conference regular-season title, broke a 3-3 tie by scoring six runs in the top of the sixth inning. GHC then added insurance runs in the eighth and ninth. Starting pitcher David McKechnie (4 IP, 1ER, 2H, 4BB, 1K) was one of six pitchers utilized by Georgia Highlands. Dozier Swain (1 IP, 2R, 1ER, 1H, 1BB), Evan Doss (1.2 IP, 2ER, 4H, 1K), Jackson Scali (0.1 IP), Jack Burns (1 IP, 0R, 1H, 1BB, 1K), and Braxton Wade (1 IP, 0R, 1H, 2K) each worked short stints on the mound. Aidan Larkin (home run, two RBI), Hayden Miller (double, sac fly, two RBI), Caden Marcos (solo home run), Andrew Bishop (double), and Mason Moore each contributed two hits in the victory. Emiliano Dominguez (three RBI), Carson Page (RBI), and Kenton Collier (RBI) each added one hit. The loss dropped Andrew College to 17-27 overall and 8-15 in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association.  Georgia Highlands (40-11, 20-4) visits East Georgia State on Thursday at 3 p.m.