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November 19, 2025 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com The Woodland Wildcats’ swim team defeated Gilmer, Cass, and Pickens on Tuesday evening to win a quad meet hosted at Adairsville High School. Woodland scored 221 points, followed by Gilmer (107), Cass (97), and Pickens (91). Local event winners: Woodland boys 200-yard medley relay — Grant Davenport, Hayden Alexander, Joel McSwain, Jac Williams — 2:07.52 Woodland boys 200-yard freestyle relay — Grant Davenport, Hayden Alexander, Jac Williams, Joel McSwain — 1:55.62 Woodland girls 200-yard medley relay — Madysen Grano, Peighton Young, Emily Guin, Kailyn Black — 2:16.25 Cass girls 200-yard freestyle relay — Krishma Acharya, Carson Brannon, Adyson Doolittle, Anniston Duckett — 2:02.77 Woodland girls 400-yard freestyle relay — Sarah Reyes, Brianna Morris, Kimberlin Smith, Brooklyn Bechtold — 5:32.36 Madysen Grano — Woodland —200-yard individual medley — 3:03.17 Anniston Duckett — Cass — 100-yard butterfly — 1:09.54 Emily Guin — Woodland — 100-yard freestyle — 1:06.50 Krishma Acharya — Cass — 500-yard freestyle — 7:37.20 Anniston Duckett — Cass — 100-yard backstroke — 1:15.06 Peighton Young — Woodland — 100-yard breaststroke — 1:30.66 Grant Davenport — Woodland — 50-yard freestyle — 26.11 Joel McSwain — Woodland — 500-yard freestyle — 6:16.36 Hayden Alexander — Woodland — 100-yard breaststroke — 1:18.64

November 18, 2025 David Coleman (left) won the 2025 Cartersville Country Club Senior Championship on November 15-16. Steve Stewart was the tournament's net champion. David Coleman carded rounds of 70-72 (2-under par) on November 15-16 to edge Chad Branton by one shot to win the 2025 Cartersville Country Club Senior Championship. Coleman made birdies on two of the final three holes to seal the title. Steve Stewart, who won the net tournament title, placed third overall. David Baker, who finished second in the net division, and Charles Wilson tied for fourth place.

November 18, 2025 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Three former quarterbacks from Cartersville High School delivered impressive performances this past week, showcasing the impact of local athletes in professional and college sports nationwide. Trevor Lawrence guided the Jacksonville Jaguars to a 35-6 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers. Carlos Del Rio-Wilson accumulated over 400 yards of offense in a win against Georgia State, while Jake Parker had a six-touchdown day to lead Cumberland University (TN) to a triumph over Faulkner University (AL). Moreover, former Canes' wide receiver Devonte Ross caught two touchdown passes in Penn State's victory over Michigan State. NFL TREVOR LAWRENCE — Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL, 5th-year pro; Clemson; Cartersville HS) …completed 14 of 22 pass attempts for 153 yards and one touchdown with one interception this past Sunday as Jacksonville beat the visiting Los Angeles Chargers 35-6. Lawrence also had nine rushing yards on five attempts with one touchdown. The Jaguars (6-4) play at the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. FOOTBALL JOHNATHAN CLINE — East Tennessee State University (R-So., Cartersville HS) … saw action with the Buccaneers’ offensive line that helped produce 638 yards of total offense in a 52-35 win last Saturday at Western Carolina University. ETSU (6-5, 4-3 Southern Conference) hosts The Citadel on Saturday. Carlos Del Rio-Wilson CARLOS DEL RIO-WILSON — Marshall University (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … completed 22 of 27 passes for 321 yards and three touchdowns this past Saturday in a 30-18 home win over Georgia State University. He also had 97 rushing yards on 17 attempts. The Thundering Herd (5-5, 3-3 Sun Belt Conference) visits Appalachian State on Saturday. KADEN ELLIS — Appalachian State University (Fr., Cass HS) … made his first collegiate appearance this past Saturday in a 58-10 home loss to 21st-ranked James Madison University. The Mountaineers (4-6, 1-5 Sun Belt Conference) host Marshall University on Saturday. MYLES FORRISTALL — Georgia Tech (R-So., Cartersville HS) … the Yellow Jackets’ linebacker saw action, but did not have a stat line in Tech’s 36-34 win at Boston College. Georgia Tech (9-1, 6-1 Atlantic Coast Conference), ranked No. 15,  hosts Pittsburgh on Saturday night. TOKYO GORDON — Sam Houston State University (Jr., Adairsville HS) … the Bearkats’ linebacker made one tackle this past Saturday in a 26-23 home win over Delaware. SHSU (2-8, 1-5 Conference USA) visits Middle Tennessee on Saturday. DEVIN HENDERSON — Liberty University (R-Fr., Cass HS) … made four solo tackles this past Saturday in a 34-27 loss at Florida International University. The Flames (4-6, 3-3 Conference USA) play at Louisiana Tech on Saturday. KEVIN HENDERSON — University of Findlay (So., Cass HS) … made seven tackles (five solo), including one tackle for a loss, but the Oilers lost for the first time this season to Tiffin University 23-21. Findlay finished the regular season with a 10-1 mark and is ranked No. 12 in the final NCAA D-II coaches poll prior to the playoffs. SHADRE HURST — Tulane University (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … a starter on the Green Wave’s offensive line that helped produce 403 yards of total offense in a 35-24 home victory over Florida Atlantic Universitiy last Saturday. Tulane (8-2, 5-1 American Athletic Conference) plays at Tulane on Saturday. KHRISTIAN LANDO — Jacksonville State University (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … saw action but did not have a stat line in the Gamecocks’ 35-26 home win last Saturday over Kennesaw State University. Jax State (7-3, 6-0 Conference USA) travels to Miami to face Florida International University on Saturday. TYLER MARTIN — Berry College (Sr., Cass HS) … a starter on the Vikings’ offensive line that helped produce 499 yards of total offense this past Saturday during a 49-7 win at Southwestern University (TX). 17th-ranked Berry (9-1, 7-0) won the Southern Athletic Association’s conference title and will begin the NCAA D-III playoffs on Saturday, November 29, against Saturday’s LaGrange College/Framingham State winner. Jake Parker JAKE PARKER — Cumberland University (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … accounted for 216 yards and six touchdowns last Saturday in a 72-14 home win over Faulkner University (AL). Parker completed 10 of 16 pass attempts for 111 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed 15 times for 103 yards and four touchdowns. The Phoenix finished the regular season with a 7-4 record and were 3-3 in the Mid-South Conference. SAM PHILLIPS — University of Iowa (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … started at wide receiver and was targeted, but did not have a stat line in the Hawkeyes’ 26-21 loss at 17th-ranked Southern California last Saturday. Iowa (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) hosts Michigan State on Saturday. DEVONTE ROSS — Penn State University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … made two receptions, both for touchdowns, in the Nittany Lions’ 28-10 win last Saturday at Michigan State. His catch and run of 75 yards was good for a touchdown in the second quarter that gave Penn State a 14-10 lead. He also caught a 4-yard touchdown throw in the fourth quarter for a 21-10 advantage. The Nittany Lions (4-6, 1-6 Big Ten) host Nebraska on Saturday night. BRAXTON RYAN — Kentucky Wesleyan College (Fr., Adairsville HS) … a starter on the Panthers’ offensive line that helped produce 243 yards of total offense in a 14-11 loss to Thomas More University. KWC finished the season 0-11 overall and 0-9 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. MALACHI TOLIVER — University of Georgia (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … saw action on the Bulldogs’ offensive line that helped produce 357 yards of total offense in last Saturday night’s 35-10 home win over Texas. The 4th-ranked Bulldogs (9-1, 7-1 Southeastern Conference) host Charlotte on Saturday. SACOVIE WHITE-HELTON — University of Georgia (R-Fr., Cass HS) … saw action but did not have a stat line in Georgia’s 35-10 home win last Saturday over Texas. Georgia (9-1, 7-1 Southeastern Conference) hosts Charlotte on Saturday afternoon. IAN WILLIAMS — University of Memphis (Fr., Cass HS) … made one tackle this past Saturday in the Tigers’ 31-27 loss at East Carolina. Memphis (8-3, 4-3 American Athletic Conference) hosts Navy on November 27. VOLLEYBALL AILEE ENGLAND — Berry College (So., Cartersville HS) … had six aces, four digs, and one assist as the Vikings won three straight-set matches in Atlanta over Rhodes College, Southwestern University (TX), and 8th-ranked Trinity University (TX) last Thursday through Saturday to capture the Southern Athletic Association conference title. Berry heads to the NCAA D-III Regionals to face Washington and Lee University in the first round in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on Thursday. MEREDITH ORTON — LaGrange College (Sr., Cartersville resident, Cornerstone Prep Academy) … appeared in five sets and recorded one dig as the Lady Panthers defeated Huntingdon College (AL), but lost to top-seeded Asbury University (KY) last week in the Collegiate Conference of the South tournament.  The season ended for LaGrange with a 13-20 record. WRESTLING BRYCE KRESHO — Franklin & Marshall College (Sr., Cass HS) … lost his bout at 141 pounds as the Diplomats defeated Long Island University 27-11 this past Saturday. Next for Franklin & Marshal is the Keystone Classic on Sunday, hosted by Penn University. KRIECG ROE — Lindsey Wilson College (Fr., Cass HS) … lost two bouts at 174 pounds to opponents from Grand View College (IA) and Campbellsville University (KY) this past Saturday at the Grand View Open in Des Moines. The Blue Raiders will wrestle at Life University on Saturday in the Lucha Open. JAXON SMITH — University of Maryland (R-Sr., Woodland HS) … the All-American defeated his opponents at 184 pounds as the Terrapins defeated Gardner-Webb and The Citadel this past Saturday at the Throwdown on the Yorktown in Charleston, South Carolina. Maryland heads to Baltimore to wrestle at Morgan State on Friday. ANETRA WITHERSPOON — Life University (So., Cartersville HS) … won her bout at 207 pounds as the Runnin’ Eagles defeated Indiana Tech 30-12 this past Saturday. On Sunday, Witherspoon went 2-3 and placed sixth at the Presbyterian College Blue Hose Challenge in Clinton, South Carolina. Life returns to the mats on December 5-6 at the Patriot Duals in Williamsburg, Kentucky. BASKETBALL NA’YEL CAMPER — Reinhardt University (So., Cartersville HS) … in three starts last week, totaled 12 points with six rebounds and one blocked shot during a 79-62 win over Tennessee Wesleyan and road losses at Lindsey Wilson College (KY) and Campbellsville University (KY). The Eagles (2-4, 1-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference) visit Alabama-Huntsville on Wednesday and Spartanburg Methodist on Saturday. SE’NAI CAMPER — Montreat College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … scored 13 points with five boards, three assists, and one steal last week in an 81-74 win at Union Commonwealth University (KY). Montreat (3-3) plays at Columbia International University on Wednesday and hosts the University of Pikeville on Saturday. CLAIRE DAVIS — University of North Florida (Sr., Cass HS) … scored five points with two rebounds on November 12 in a 77-54 loss at Tulane. Davis saw action at South Alabama, but had no stat line last Friday in an 83-46 loss.  The Ospreys (1-3) play at Georgia on Thursday. JA’KA’YAH DRAUGHN — Brewton Parker Christian University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … totaled 37 points with five rebounds, five steals, four assists, and one blocked shot last Friday and Saturday in losses to 6th-ranked Freed-Hardeman (TN) and Xavier (LA) in Marietta. The Barons (0-6) play at Life University on Saturday. ANSLEY GRIFFIN — North Carolina Wesleyan (So., Cartersville HS) … totaled five points, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal in a 69-60 home victory over Averett University (VA) and a 65-50 loss to Lynchburg State University (VA) this past Saturday and Sunday. Wesleyan (1-2) visits Roanoke College (VA) on Saturday. HALEY JOHNSON — Reinhardt University (Sr., Cass HS) … totaled 14 points, six rebounds, one blocked shot, and one assist in three games with the Lady Eagles last week, Reinhardt beat Tennessee Wesleyan 79-62 on November 12 before losing 68-50 at Lindsey Wilson College (KY) and 63-50 at Campbellsville University (KY) over the weekend. The Eagles (2-4, 1-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference) visit Alabama-Huntsville on Wednesday and Spartanburg Methodist on Saturday. KEARA McDANIEL — Toccoa Falls College (Sr., Cass HS) … totaled 13 points, six steals, five rebounds, and three assists in losses on November 11 and last Saturday to Columbia International University at home and at Cumberland University (TN). The Screamin’ Eagles (2-6) play at Erskine College on Wednesday, host Clinton College (SC) on Thursday, and visit Newberry University (SC) on Friday. T.J. PRINTUP — Tusculum University (Jr., Adairsville HS) … made starts Friday at home and Saturday on the road. Printup scored 13 points with 12 rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and one steal in a 97-72 home win over Clayton State. He scored 17 points with five rebounds, five steals, two assists, and three blocked shots in a 75-68 loss at Chowan University. The Pioneers (1-1) visit North Greenville University on Tuesday and host Trevecca Nazarene (TN) on Saturday. MEGAN SCHULTZ — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (So., Woodland HS) … scored three points and grabbed two rebounds this past Saturday in a 93-53 loss at Georgia Gwinnett College. The Fillies (1-3) play at Thomas University on Saturday and host College of Coastal Georgia on Monday. LONDAISHA SMITH — Reinhardt University (Sr., Cass HS) … in three starts last week, totaled 22 points, 13 rebounds, six steals, three assists, and three blocked shots in a win at Union Commonwealth University (KY) and losses at Lindsey Wilson College (KY) and Campbellsville University (KY). Reinhardt (2-4, 1-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference) visits Alabama-Huntsville on Wednesday and Spartanburg Methodist on Saturday. ALISSA WINTERS — Truett McConnell University (So., Adairsville HS) … totaled six points, two rebounds, and one blocked shot in losses on November 12 and this past Saturday to Bryan College (TN) and Johnson University (TN). The Bears (1-4) host Tennessee Wesleyan University on Wednesday. NOTE:  Readers are encouraged to notify us at BartowSportsZone.com  if we missed a contribution during each week.

November 16, 2025 Woodland and Cass wrestling teams competed on Saturday at the Lassiter High School Trojan Invitational in Marietta, with limited lineups.  The Wildcats earned a runner-up finish, and the Colonels placed ninth in the 19-school event. Buford won the team title ahead of Woodland, Jefferson, Creekview, and Walton. Woodland had two weight class winners, two runners-up, and one third-place winner. Caden Bagley went 4-0 at 106 pounds, and John Gill was 3-0 to win the 215-pound bracket. Skyler Carr (3-1, 165) and Owen Jones (3-1, 190) finished second in their divisions. Adrian Zapata (4-1, 132) placed third for the Wildcats. The top placer for Cass was Rowdy Duck (4-1, 144). He won his third-place bout by medical forfeit over Woodland’s Dylan Couey. The Cartersville wrestlers competed Saturday at the Raja Bryan Memorial Invitational hosted by Ola High School in McDonough.  Top placers for the Hurricanes were Jair Flores and Fite Casey. Flores placed third in the 113-pound division. Casey was fourth in the 106-pound weight class. Peter Cepeda lost his opening bout, but finished 4-1 in the 165-pound division. For the Lady Canes, Sofia De Leon Pozuelos was runner-up in the 130-pound division.  Cartersville will wrestle at Sequoyah High School on Friday and Saturday. Woodland will compete at the Allatoona High School Blackbeard Duals.

November 16, 2025 The Cartersville High swim team placed third, and Woodland was fifth on Saturday at the Harrison Lovestrong Invitational at the Cobb Aquatic Center. The host Hoyas won the event title. Starrs Mill was second, and Mount Paran Christian placed fourth. Top Three performances by local swimmers by event: Second Place Grayson Paradis, Cartersville — Boys 50 Freestyle — 24.48 Grayson Paradis, Cartersville — Boys 500 Freestyle — 5:34.52 Third Place Will Galland, Cartersville — Boys 200 Freestyle — 1:53.78  Will Galland, Cartersville — Boys 100 Freestyle — 51.19 Sofia Burns, Cartersville — Girls 200 Freestyle — 2:24.85 Cartersville — Boys 200 Freestyle Relay — Grayson Paradis, Nate Rives, Luke Gibson, and Will Galland — 1:40.84

November 16, 2025 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Two amateur golfers and members at Cartersville Country Club finished in the top ten of the 2025 C. Layne Williams Invitational on Friday and Saturday at Cherokee Town & Country Club and Bobby Jones Golf Course in Atlanta. The Georgia State Golf Association event wraps up the 2025 calendar. R.B. Clyburn of Cartersville and Lee Bowman of Marietta finished sixth and seventh in the field that included the top point earners for player of the year in ten different categories. Men and women from various age divisions competed in 36 holes of individual stroke play from a range of tee distances. Clyburn shot 2-under par, and Bowman was 1-under par. Doug Hanzel of Savannah and the Super Senior Men Division won the tournament at 8-under par. Bob Royak (Alpharetta, Senior Men) and Loralie Cowart (Douglasville, Women) tied for second place in the limited field of 40 players. Mary Miller (Savannah, Women) and Morgan Ellison (Peachtree City, Mid-Am Women) tied for fourth place at 5-under par.

November 15, 2025 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Cass QB Brodie McWhorter tosses a pass to Kalil Charles in the Colonels' 21-12 first-round playoff win over Mays on November 14. WILLIAM BRAMLETT / DTN On a crisp, clear night with temperatures dipping into the upper 40s at Doug Cochran Stadium on the Cass High School campus, the Cass Colonels made school history by hosting their first-ever state playoff game in the Georgia High School Association Class 4A first round.  The No. 10-ranked Colonels delivered an early lead, and then held off a late rally from the Mays Raiders to secure a 21-12 victory and punch their ticket to the second round. This marked the third time in the last four years that Cass and Mays have met in the playoffs, with both programs earning their fifth consecutive postseason berth.  Cass defensive linemen Adrian Dye and Tremon Buckner take down a Mays ball carrier. WILLIAM BRAMLETT / DTN The game stayed scoreless for the first 23 minutes, but Cass exploded for two touchdowns in the final 48 seconds of the first half to take a 14-0 halftime lead. The Colonels extended their advantage to 21-0 with a third-quarter score before Mays mounted a fourth-quarter comeback that fell short. Cass fumbled the opening kickoff at their own 20-yard line, but the defense held firm, forcing Mays to miss a 31-yard field goal attempt wide left. The Colonels then drove from their 20 to the Mays' 33 on their first series, only for quarterback Brodie McWhorter to throw an interception. Both teams traded one more possession in a scoreless first quarter. Mays managed three second-quarter drives that ended in two punts and an interception. Cass capitalized late in the half. Jah Abdullah-Kortey stiff-arms a Mays defender after his catch. With 48 seconds left in the second quarter, McWhorter connected with Jah Abdulla-Kortey on a 30-yard touchdown pass to cap a 41-yard, four-play drive that took 1:33 off the clock. Anthony Quijada's PAT made it 7-0. Josh Love's interception set up Cass's next score.  On the final play of the half, McWhorter hit offensive tackle Bear McWhorter—lined up as an eligible receiver to his left—on a 7-yard touchdown pass. Receivers blocked downfield as Bear scored untouched. The drive was ignited by McWhorter's 51-yard completion to Elijah Slocum, moving Cass from their 42 to the Raiders' 7. Quijada's kick sent the Colonels into halftime up 14-0. Bear McWhorter caught a 7-yard touchdown pass in the Colonels' playoff win over Mays. Mays opened the second half with a drive to the Cass 36 but came away empty.  Late in the third, Cass put together a 14-play, 61-yard march that consumed 6:35. A fake punt from the Colonels' 47 resulted in a 13-yard run by Eli Simmons, setting up sophomore running back Kalil Charles' 2-yard touchdown plunge with 33 seconds remaining. Quijada's PAT pushed the lead to 21-0. The Raiders responded immediately, driving 65 yards in four plays. Quarterback Jaquavious Hill connected on four straight passes, including a 40-yard touchdown to Stepeney Lee with 11:45 left in the fourth. The PAT failed, leaving it 21-6. Cass turned the ball over on downs at their 45 and punted from their 30 on their next two possessions.  Cass defenders John Abernathy, Zach Stiles, Josh Love, and Adrian Dye take down a Raiders' ball carrier. WILLIAM BRAMLETT / DTN Mays added a late score on a 55-yard, eight-play drive, highlighted by a 23-yard pass and a 21-yard scramble by Hill. Hill found D’Andre Hennix for a 20-yard touchdown with 1:23 remaining. A two-point pass failed, making it 21-12. Mays recovered an onside kick, but the Cass defense sealed the win. The Colonels' defense was stifling against the run, limiting Mays to just five rushing yards on 19 attempts.  Mays was flagged 13 times for 162 yards, while Cass drew six penalties for 75 yards. Hill completed 15 of 31 passes for 234 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Hennix hauled in three catches for 40 yards and a score. McWhorter went 14 of 20 for 171 yards, two touchdowns, and one pick. Slocum led receivers with seven grabs for 93 yards, while Abdulla-Kortey added five for 65 yards and a touchdown. Charles rushed 26 times for 90 yards and a score, plus one catch for 16 yards. The loss ended Mays' season at 5-6. Cass (9-2) advances to face No. 4 Benedictine Military (8-2) in Savannah on Friday, November 21.

November 15, 2025 The Cartersville Lady Canes opened their 2025-26 basketball season on Saturday afternoon with a dominant 65-28 win over Carver-Columbus at the Carrollton High School Girls Night Out Invitational. Cartersville led 32-11 by halftime and cruised in the second half for a 37-point victory. Columbus State signee Kaytlyn Arnold led the Lady Canes with 21 points. Bayley Stanley contributed 13 points and five steals. Trinity Montgomery scored eight and grabbed 11 rebounds, while Zoe McCurry and Kaelyn Agee added six points in the win. Cartersville (1-0) plays at Carrollton on Tuesday at 6 p.m. CHATTAHOOCHEE 70, EXCEL CHRISTIAN BOYS 68 The Eagles battled from an early deficit, but came up just a bit short Saturday in a matchup at the Wood Elite Classic hosted by Cherokee High School in Canton. Chattahoochee led 25-12 after one quarter and 41-28 at halftime, before the Eagles narrowed their deficit to 51-48 by the end of the third quarter. The Cougars held on in the final period for a two-point win. Chattahoochee (1-3) had four players to score in double digits, led by Josh Coleman’s 18. Damir McBride led ECA with 20 points. Mier Bell scored 17 in the loss.  Excel (1-2) visits Cornerstone Prep Academy on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

November 15, 2025 The Cartersville High School competition cheerleading team won the Georgia High School Association’s 2025 Class 4A state championship on Friday at the Macon Centreplex. The victory marked a second-straight state title for the program, which finished ahead of runner-up Central-Carroll. Cambridge was third, and Union Grove placed fourth. The Purple Hurricanes’ state championship capped off a season where Cartersville won its seventh-consecutive region championship and won the State Sectional. The 2025 team includes: Ava Barnes, Keely Blalock, Averie Brotherton, Kendra Caldwell, Emerie Elrod, Makenzie Fletcher, Georgia Graves, McKenzie Ham, Addie Harris, Callie Hastings, Presley Ledford, Charleigh Lowry, Claire Pogue, Laney Saunders, Kyndal Shook, and Kalee Wyatt.

November 15, 2025 Scott Barkley / CanesAthletics.com Brady Marchese had three touchdown receptions in the Canes' first-round playoff win over Jackson-Atlanta. A three-week layover since the last time CHS played showed no signs of rust. If anything, to head coach Conor Foster, his team’s dominating 53-0 opening-round playoff win only displayed what they are.  “Our kids handled the time off like pros,” said Foster. “We went through it last year, and we have a mature team. They were really focused the last couple of weeks, and I’m really, really proud of the work they put in. We had some great practices, so it wasn’t a surprise to me.  “You can’t afford to make excuses for not being ready in the playoffs, and our kids didn’t make any tonight.” CHS started the rout on their first play from scrimmage, as Braylon Hill exploded through the middle for a 68-yard touchdown. With the Canes lined up for the extra point try in a swinging gate formation, Maddox Davis caught the ball from long snapper Cole Crawford and ran in for two points and an 8-0 lead 16 seconds into the game. Seven Canes’ first-half possessions brought seven touchdowns. Bryson Everett’s 45-yard catch late in the game from Harris Turner set up Jaden Navarrez’s 25-yard field goal for the final score.  Brady Marchese got a hat trick, as all three of his receptions from Nate Russell went for scores. Hill found the end zone again on an 11-yard run late in the first quarter to make the difference 29-0. With Russell done for the night, Turner stepped up in the pocket on fourth down and dropped his best throw of the season past a defender and into Holden Hoopingarner’s arms. The 34-yard score on the final play from scrimmage in the first half for the 50-0 lead.  The highlight of the evening came midway through the first quarter. It looked like a torn meniscus during practice in Week Zero ended Jackson Montgomery’s senior season before it started. However, the Canes' sideline erupted with Montgomery’s 17-yard catch in the end zone that brought the lead to 22-0. He would add another ten-yard grab over the middle later.  Braylon Hill races for big yardage in the Purple Hurricanes' 53-0 first-round win over Jackson-Atlanta. “This meant so much to me,” Montgomery said. “I thank the Lord for this opportunity. I didn’t think I’d make it back on the field, but, God willing, I worked hard in physical therapy, and my team was always there to encourage me. I appreciate them so much. They helped keep my mindset focused on getting back. I was going to get back out there with my guys." “I’m just blessed to be out there and do that under the lights in the playoffs. I love Cartersville.” “That was a big, emotional catch for everybody,” said Foster. “He’s a guy we weren’t sure we were going to have back this year, so it was a blessing to have that opportunity.” The Jaguars’ deepest field position came after a punt bounced off a Cartersville player and gave Jackson the ball at the Canes’ 28. Hoopingarner ended the threat on the next play, though, with an interception return from the 15 to the Cartersville 32. The visitors got as far as the Canes’ 34 in the first half, but were turned away two plays later on fourth down. “Credit to their coaching staff. They threw a lot of different looks at us we hadn’t seen,” Foster said, “But our kids adjusted.” “We knew they could do a lot of different things,” said linebacker Brayden Logan. “We thought they would run the ball more, and they came out early with some quick [passes]. But we defended that well and stayed sound. We just need to stay healthy and consistent and play with the same tenacity we’ve had the last 11 games.” Logan entered the game leading the team in tackles with 54. He and Cole Crawford, who was recently named an Under Armour Next All-American , are the latest in a strong line of CHS middle linebackers.  “We work well together,” said Logan. “Sometimes he’s got to calm me down, and I’ve got to calm him down. But we’ve had a lot of good seniors in front of us, like Conor Brasfield and Luke McBride. Coach [Dawson] Mitchell also knows how to keep us under control.” Logan and Kaiden Kent’s five tackles apiece paced the defense, with freshman Athens Davenport just behind with four. Logan, PJ Richards, Grayson Villar, Jared Cooley, and Adam Fernandes all had tackles for losses. Villar and Elijah Peeks each recorded a sack for the Canes. CHS also recorded two turnovers on Hoopingarner’s interception and Thomas Smith’s fumble recovery.  The Canes piled up 454 total yards of offense, 327 of that through the air. Nary a pass found the ground, as Russell (11-for-11, 236, 4 TDs) and Harris (6-for-6, 91, and a score) were perfect for identical 177.1 quarterback rankings. Marchese led with 88 yards receiving. Hill only needed two carries for his team-leading 68 rushing yards to go with a 12-yard reception.  His reputation as a deep threat is well-deserved, but Marchese’s first two scores showed his physicality as well. On the Canes’ second possession from 23 yards out, the Georgia commit took Russell’s pass near the 12 and was hit just inside the 10 before dragging the defender the rest of the way into the end zone.  His most impressive catch came early in the second quarter from the Jackson 19. Lined up on the right side, Marchese cut in on the snap and had to reach behind himself to snag Russell’s throw. He then pirouetted, regained his footing, and hit the gas to run through tackles and in for the score.  Davis continued making the ridiculous look routine with his two catches for 76 yards. The first came on a spinning, one-handed museum piece near the sideline for 33 yards on the Canes’ second drive, followed by a 43-yarder on the next possession. Davis wasn’t in position for the catch, but timed his jump to elevate over the defender. Two plays later, Montgomery’s catch and Ramsey Rowell, who was 6-for-6 on PATs, made he score 22-0.  The Canes will face Warner-Robins, who moved to 7-4 in their 28-14 opening-round win over Eastside, next Friday in Weinman Stadium.

November 15, 2025 The Excel Christian Academy boys basketball team held leads through the first three quarters Friday night, but visiting Chattooga outscored the Eagles 19-12 in the final quarter to escape with a 69-65 victory. DJ Etchison scored 29 points and Kai Dodd added 16 to lead the Indians (1-0). Mason McKinney led Excel with 15 points. Mier Bell finished with 10. TJ Hubert, Karden Wingard, and Jayden Jinks scored nine for the Eagles. Excel Christian (1-2) plays Chattahoochee on Saturday at noon at Cherokee High School in the Wood Elite Classic.

November 13, 2025 The Cass High School basketball teams both lost their season and home openers on Thursday night to South Paulding. The Lady Colonels were edged 44-43, and the Colonels lost 75-39. The Cass girls led for much of the first three quarters, but the visiting Lady Spartans outscored the Lady Colonels 14-10 in the fourth quarter to squeeze out a one-point win. Cass led 23-9 after the opening eight minutes, but South Paulding narrowed the margin to 27-24 at halftime and 33-30 at the end of the third quarter. Ari McElrath led South Paulding (1-1) with 20 points. Lindsey Henry added 17. Cadie Paez scored 19 points for Cass. Nakayla Evans finished with 10 points, and Anizah Taylor contributed eight. The South Paulding boys raced to a 31-4 lead in the first quarter and pulled away for an eventual 36-point road win. The Spartans (1-0) had four players score in double figures, including Tanner Pitts (17), Ethan Moore (16), Josiah Azu (15), and PJ Rosser (14). Isaiah Moreno led Cass with 14 points. Derris Reece added seven for the Colonels. Both Cass teams visit Sonoraville next Tuesday, with the girls’ game set to tip at 6 p.m.