The Georgia High School Association placed its 466 member schools into regions Thursday afternoon. Schools have one week to appeal for a lateral transfer to a region in the same classification. Appeals will be heard Nov. 18. When approved by the executive committee, the class and region alignments become official effective during the 2022-23 academic year. Class 7A Region 1 Camden County Colquitt County Lowndes Richmond Hill Valdosta Region 2 Campbell Carrollton East Coweta Osborne Pebblebrook Westlake Region 3 Harrison Hillgrove Marietta McEachern North Paulding Region 4 Archer Brookwood Grayson Newton Parkview South Gwinnett Region 5 Cherokee Kennesaw Mountain North Cobb Walton Wheeler Region 6 Denmark Forsyth Central Lambert Milton South Forsyth West Forsyth Region 7 Berkmar Duluth Meadowcreek Norcross North Gwinnett Peachtree Ridge Region 8 Buford Central Gwinnett Collins Hill Dacula Discovery Mill Creek Mountain View Class 6A Region 1 Houston County Lee County Northside, Warner Robins Thomas County Central Tift County Veterans Region 2 Brunswick Effingham County Evans Glynn Academy Grovetown Lakeside, Evans South Effingham Region 3 Alcovy Forest Park Jonesboro Lovejoy Morrow Mundy’s Mill Rockdale County Woodward Academy Region 4 Dunwoody Lakeside, DeKalb Marist North Atlanta Riverwood South Cobb St. Pius X Region 5 Alexander Douglas County East Paulding Hughes New Manchester Newnan Paulding County South Paulding Region 6 Allatoona Creekview Etowah River Ridge Rome Sequoyah Woodstock Region 7 Alpharetta Blessed Trinity Innovation Academy* Johns Creek Lassiter Pope Roswell Sprayberry Region 8 Apalachee Gainesville Habersham Central Jackson County Lanier North Forsyth Shiloh Class 5A Region 1 Bradwell Institute Coffee Greenbrier Jenkins Statesboro Ware County Region 2 Dutchtown Eagle’s Landing Jones County Locust Grove Ola Union Grove Warner Robins Region 3 Drew Harris County McIntosh Northgate Northside, Columbus Region 4 Arabia Mountain Chamblee Cross Keys Decatur Lithonia M. L. King Tucker Region 5 Banneker Chapel Hill Creekside Jackson, Atlanta Lithia Springs Mays Midtown Tri-Cities Region 6 Cambridge Centennial Chattahoochee Greater Atlanta Christian Kell North Springs Northview Region 7 Calhoun Cartersville Cass Dalton Hiram Villa Rica Woodland, Cartersville Region 8 Clarke Central Eastside Flowery Branch Heritage, Conyers Jefferson Loganville Winder-Barrow Class 4A Region 1 Bainbridge Cairo Hardaway Shaw Westover Region 2 Baldwin Griffin Howard Perry Spalding West Laurens Westside, Macon Region 3 Benedictine Burke County Islands New Hampstead Southeast Bulloch Wayne County Region 4 Fayette County Hapeville LaGrange North Clayton Riverdale Starr’s Mill Trinity Christian Troup County Whitewater Region 5 Hampton Lovett Luella McDonough Mt. Zion, Jonesboro Pace Academy Stockbridge Woodland, Stockbridge Region 6 Clarkston Druid Hills Holy Innocents’ Miller Grove Seckinger Southwest DeKalb Stephenson Stone Mountain Westminster Region 7 Cedartown Central, Carroll Heritage, Catoosa Northwest Whitfield Sonoraville Southeast Whitfield Region 8 Cedar Shoals Cherokee Bluff Chestatee East Forsyth East Hall Johnson, Gainesville Madison County North Hall North Oconee Walnut Grove Class 3A Region 1 Crisp County Dougherty Monroe Sumter County Thomasville Region 2 Carver, Columbus Columbus Jordan Kendrick Mary Persons Peach County Pike County Spencer Upson-Lee Region 3 Appling County Liberty County Long County Pierce County Tattnall County Vidalia Region 4 Beach Groves Johnson, Savannah Savannah Windsor Forest Woodville-Tompkins* Region 5 Carver, Atlanta Cedar Grove Douglass, Atlanta Jackson Salem Sandy Creek Region 6 Adairsville Bremen Coahulla Creek LaFayette Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe Murray County North Murray Ridgeland Ringgold Region 7 Dawson County Franklin County Gilmer Hart County Lumpkin County Pickens Stephens County West Hall White County Region 8 Cross Creek Harlem Hephzibah Monroe Area Morgan County Oconee County Richmond Academy Westside, Augusta Class 2A Region 1 Bacon County Berrien Brantley County Cook Fitzgerald Jeff Davis Worth County Region 2 Bleckley County Central, Macon Dodge County East Laurens Lamar County Northeast Rutland Southwest Toombs County Region 3 Aquinas Butler Davidson Fine Arts* Glenn Hills Johnson, Augusta* Josey Laney Savannah Arts Academy* Technical Career Magnet* Region 4 Jasper County Jefferson County Putnam County Social Circle Swainsboro Thomson Washington County Region 5 Callaway Haralson County Heard County Rockmart Temple Region 6 B.E.S.T Academy Columbia Coretta Scott King Academy* Elite Scholars Academy* KIPP Atlanta Collegiate McNair Redan South Atlanta Therrell Towers Washington Region 7 Chattooga Coosa Dade County Dalton Academy Gordon Central Model Pepperell Region 8 Banks County Barrow* East Jackson Elbert County Fannin County Oglethorpe County Rabun County Union County Class A Private Region 1 Brookstone Heritage, Newnan St. Anne-Pacelli Region 2 Eagle’s Landing Christian Greenforest Christian* Landmark Christian Our Lady of Mercy* Southwest Atlanta Christian* W. D. Mohammed* Whitefield Academy Region 3 Calvary Day School Savannah Christian Savannah Country Day St. Vincent’s Academy* Region 4 Atlanta International* Brandon Hall* Galloway* Mount Vernon Mt. Pisgah Christian Providence Christian Weber School* Wesleyan Region 5 Hebron Christian Academy Lakeview Academy Loganville Christian November 11, 2021, 2:40 pm Pinecrest Academy* Riverside Military Tallulah Falls* Region 6 Atlanta Jewish Academy* Ben Franklin Academy* Fellowship Christian King’s Ridge Mt. Bethel Christian* Paideia* St. Francis Walker Region 7 Christian Heritage Darlington Excel Christian* Mt. Paran Christian North Cobb Christian Region 8 Athens Academy Athens Christian Prince Avenue Christian Class A Public Region 1 Baconton Baker County* Calhoun County* Early County Miller County Mitchell County Pataula Charter Pelham Quitman County* Randolph-Clay Seminole County Southwest Georgia STEM Terrell County Region 2 Atkinson County Brooks County Charlton County Clinch County Echols County* Irwin County Lanier County Turner County Region 3 Bryan County Claxton Emanuel County Institute Jenkins County McIntosh County Academy Metter Portal Savannah Classical Academy* Savannah Early College* Screven County Steam Academy* Region 4 Dooly County Dublin Hawkinsville Johnson County Montgomery County Telfair County Treutlen Wheeler County Wilcox County Region 5 Central, Talbotton Chattahoochee County Furlow Charter* Greenville Macon County Manchester Marion County Rainey-McCullers* Schley County Stewart County* Taylor County Webster County* Region 6 Armuchee Atlanta Classical* Bowdon DeKalb School of the Arts* Drew Charter School* Fulton Leadership Academy* Georgia School for Deaf* Gordon Lee Mt. Zion, Carroll Stilwell Arts* Trion Region 7 ACE Charter Crawford County Georgia Academy for Blind* Georgia Military College Glascock County GSIC* Hancock Central Twiggs County Wilkinson County Region 8 Commerce Georgia Fugees Academy* Greene County Lake Oconee Academy* Lincoln County Taliaferro County* Towns County Warren County Washington-Wilkes Woody Gap* * does not play football

While the final stats don't jump off the page, Cartersville High graduate Trevor Lawrence showed plenty of gumption in returning from an ankle injury to help Jacksonville close out a huge upset of Buffalo. Lawrence tied his season low in passing yards, posted his second-fewest completions and didn't play 100% of the snaps for the first time as a professional. Even still, the rookie's ability to play through the injury, after a brief trip to the locker room, should only solidify Lawrence's standing among his teammates. Jacksonville — which has already doubled its win total from 2020, knocked off one of the AFC's top teams — and now, the Jaguars will look for their first division win since Week 1 of last year when they travel next week to the Indianapolis Colts, whom they defeated in that game by a 27-20 final score. PRO FOOTBALL Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars; Cartersville) — Lawrence completed 15 of 26 passes for 118 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions, in a 9-6 victory over Buffalo Sunday at home. For the first time all season, the former Clemson star didn't take every snap for the Jaguars. Even though he left after having his ankle stepped on during the first half, Lawrence returned and battled through the injury, playing 90% of the snaps. Jacksonville (2-6) hits the road Sunday to face AFC South rival Indianapolis. COLLEGE FOOTBALL Terry Berdin (Reinhardt Jr., Cartersville) — Berdin found the end zone for the second straight week. He carried the ball once for 4 yards and caught an 8-yard scoring pass for a 27-7 lead just before halftime in an eventual 47-7 rout of Union (Kentucky) Saturday at home. Bryce Burgess (Reinhardt Jr., Cartersville) — Burgess lost 7 yards on his only rushing attempt in the blowout win over Union. Trey Creamer (Charlotte R-Sr., Cartersville) — Creamer recorded two tackles (one solo) and broke up three passes, as Charlotte rallied back to stun Rice 31-24 in overtime Saturday at home. Jonathan Cruz (Charlotte Sr., Cartersville) — Cruz helped kickstart the 49ers' comeback with a 32-yard field goal with 4:09 left in the fourth quarter to pull Charlotte within 24-17. His only other FG try got blocked in the first quarter, but Cruz managed to convert all four of his PATs and sent all five of kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks. Jordan Ferguson (Middle Tennessee State R-Jr., Cartersville) — Ferguson finished with four tackles (one solo) and 0.5 tackles for loss in a 48-21 loss Saturday at Western Kentucky. Dylan Forman (Shorter R-So., Woodland) — Forman landed on the participation report during Shorter's 38-7 rout of Erskine Saturday at Barron Stadium in Rome. Jonah Gambill (Memphis So., Cartersville) — Gambill appeared in his fifth game this season when Memphis knocked off then-No. 23 SMU, 28-25, Saturday at home. Zay Jackson (Missouri Baptist Fr., Cass) — Jackson managed one tackle in a 28-22 comeback home win over Judson Saturday in St. Louis. Manny Jones (Colorado State Grad Student, Woodland) — The starting defensive lineman recorded two tackles, one solo, in a 31-17 road loss Saturday at Wyoming. Titus Jones (Colorado State R-So., Woodland) — The younger of the Jones brothers saw action but didn't record any stats in the defeat. Bradley Kirk (Shorter Sr., Cartersville) — Kirk saw time but compiled no stats in the Hawks' home finale. La'Kwayme Jupiter (N.C. Wesleyan Fr., Cartersville) — Jupiter assisted on a tackle during a 19-10 victory over Southern Virginia Saturday at home. J.P. Perry (Berry So., Cass) — Perry contributed one tackle in a 45-14 win Saturday at Rhodes College in Memphis. Jacob Potter (Kennesaw State Sr., Adairsville) — Potter, once again, featured in his hugely impactful long snapper role during KSU's 45-21 triumph against Robert Morris Saturday on the road. John Scifers (Incarnate Word Grad Student, Woodland) — In a 55-52 shootout win Saturday at home against then-No. 6 ranked Southeastern Louisiana, Scifers racked up nine kickoffs, including three touchbacks and one kick out of bounds for UIW, which rose to 17th with the win. Courtney Slocum (Mars Hill Fr., Adairsville) — Slocum landed on the participation report during Mars Hill's 20-7 win against Tusculum Saturday at home. Matthew Surrett (Olivet Nazarene So., Cartersville) — Surrett started at center and helped ONU produce 579 offensive yards in a dominant 41-14 win over Trinity International Saturday at home. Brandon Wade (West Florida R-So., Cartersville) — Wade saw time on the field but didn't record any stats during a 47-7 rout Saturday at West Alabama. Bryce Wilkins (Reinhardt So., Cartersville) — Wilkins and his pals up front helped Reinhardt put up 437 offensive yards, as the Eagles scored 47 unanswered points to improve to 8-2 on the year. CROSS COUNTRY Bill Archer (Montevallo Fr., Cartersville) — Competing in the NCAA D-II South Region championship, Archer (36:24.13) came in seventh on his team and placed 95th overall out of 134 runners Saturday in St. Leo, Florida. Montevallo came in eighth out of 18 teams. SOCCER Russell Shealy (Syracuse R-Jr., Cartersville native) — The starting goalkeeper for 10th-seeded Syracuse, Shealy recorded one save in a 1-0 double-overtime loss last Wednesday at No. 7 seed North Carolina in the ACC Tournament. UNC's lone goal came on a penalty kick. Syracuse finished the season 8-8-2 overall. SWIMMING Grayson Breedlove (Lenoir-Rhyne So., Cartersville) — Breedlove competed in six events — five individual and one team — during the Guilford College Invite Saturday at the Greensboro Aquatic Center. Her best showing came in the 100-yard backstroke where she finished 20th. Mallory Cook (Montevallo Fr., Adairsville) — Cook competed in three events during a duel with Birmingham Southern Saturday at home. She finished fifth in the 100-yard butterfly, seventh in the 200-yard butterfly and eighth in the 100-yard freestyle. WRESTLING Jaxon Smith (Maryland Fr., Woodland) — Competing in the 197-pound division, Smith placed fourth in the Clarion Open Sunday in Clarion, Pennsylvania. Smith earned 5-2 and 10-1 wins in the round of 16 and quarterfinals, respectively. He fell by a 10-3 margin in the semifinals before a no-contest loss to similarly named teammate Jaron Smith in the third-place match. -- Report provided by Nicholas Sullivan, The Daily Tribune News

The first round pairings for local teams in the GHSA State Playoffs are set. The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes (9-0), ranked No. 1 in Class AAAAA, will host Lithonia (4-6) in the opening round at Weinman Stadium while the other two local qualifying teams -- Cass and Adairsville -- must go on the road. The Adairsville Tigers (8-2) are a No. 3-seed in Class AAA and will travel to Watkinsville to take on the Oconee County Warriors (9-1). The Cass Colonels (5-5) are the No. 4-seed from Region 7-AAAAA and must travel to 8th-ranked St. Pius X Friday night in DeKalb County. The Golden Lions (8-2) were the champions of Region 5-AAAAA. CLASS AAAAA STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKET CLASS AAA STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKET

The Woodland girls placed fifth and the Woodland boys were ninth Saturday at the GHSA Class 5A Cross Country State Championships at Carrollton High School. The Cartersville boys finished 12th of 31 teams and the Cartersville girls were 18th of 31 competing teams. St. Pius X won the girls team championship with 36 points. The Golden Lions were followed by Blessed Trinity (81), Midtown (112), Decatur (118), and then Woodland (218). Northview, McIntosh, Greenbrier, Whitewater, and Union Grove rounded out the top ten teams. Grace Von Biberstein of St. Pius X won the individual title (18:56.64) with 212 runners competing in the Class 5A girls championship. Rylee Evans led the Lady Cats with a 20th place finish in 20:39. She was followed by teammates Emma Segars (28th, 21:01), Olivia Berry (35th, 21:27), Danielle Thayer (60th, 22:07), Miranda Pelow (79th, 22:37), Erin Bollwerk (135th, 23:50), and Erica Boatner (172nd, 25:55). McKinsey Spinks was the top finishers for the Lady Canes with a 54th place finish in 21:57. She was followed by fellow Cartersville runners Trinity Atkins (89th, 22:54), Anna Grace Boone (107th, 23:20), Samantha Herrera (129th, 23:39), Meredith Gaines (133rd, 23:46), Kaylana Pennington-Brook (145th, 24:16), and Elizabeth Nelson (150th, 24:31). In the Class 5A boys championship, Decatur won the team crown with 46 points. St. Pius X (77), Blessed Trinity (97), Starr’s Mill (139), Harris County (177), McIntosh (254), Northgate (258), and Midtown (268) finished ahead of the Wildcats (322). Chamblee (327) was 10th with Woodward Academy (340) in 11th place and Cartersville (348) in 12th place. Decatur’s Christian Gonzalez won the individual boys Class 5A title, covering the 5K course in 15:56.91. The boys race included 219 competitors. Tyler Jones paced the Wildcats with a 22nd place finish in 17:23. The remainder of Woodland’s finishers included McKinley Chappell (49th, 17:50), Drew Thayer (70th, 18:15), Kain Tanturri (95th, 18:37), Andy Forsyth (101st, 18:43), John Forsyth (118th, 18:59), and Kameron Chappell (152nd, 19:32). Sam Peters was the top runner for Cartersville finishing in 45th place with a time of 17:47. The other Hurricanes included Malachi Vosburgh (52nd, 17:55), Cainen Crowder (72nd, 18:16), Levi Booth (75th, 18:18), Paul Hyman (120th, 18:59), Barrett Stepp (130th, 19:12), and Mitchell Hayden (154th, 19:38). In the Class AAA boys championship race Friday, Adairsville High School was represented by individual qualifier Griffin Bozeman. The Tigers’ freshman placed 56th of 218 runners in 19:05.

The Adairsville Tigers raced to a 35-3 lead in the first half and went on to defeat visiting Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe Friday night in Tiger Valley, 42-3. Adairsville opened the scoring with 6:41 remaining in the first quarter opting for a “big man” touchdown run by offensive lineman Dustin Willis from the 1-yard line. A 47-yard pass from quarterback Jonathan Gough to Evan Sanders set up the scoring play. Arthur Leffler made the first of six PAT kicks for a 7-0 lead for the Tigers. A nice screen pass play from Gough to Chris Roper set up a series of runs by Eli Agnew and Gough to the 1-yard line on Adairsville’s next scoring drive. Agnew finished off the drive with a 1-yard plunge with 4:31 remaining in the opening period. After LFO got on the scoreboard with a 38-yard field goal, the Tigers answered with a 45-yard touchdown run by Agnew three plays later and Adairsville led 21-3 with 1:05 left in the first quarter. Gough connected with Chris Copeland late in the second quarter for a 13-yard touchdown pass. The scoring play put Adairsville up 28-3 with just 3:36 remaining in the half. Just over a minute later, Roper picked off an LFO pass and returned it 37-yards for a touchdown and a 35-3 lead at halftime. With a running clock in the second half, Ethan Blome added the only additional score for the Tigers with a 4-yard touchdown run with 3:47 left in the game. Agnew finished with 98 yards on nine carries, putting him over 900 for the season. He also finished the regular season with 15 rushing touchdowns. Gough finished the night 7-for-8 passing for 92 yards and added 54 rushing yards. Adairsville (8-2) is the No. 3-seed from Region 6-AAA and travels to Region 8-AAA runner-up Oconee County (9-1) next Friday in the opening round of the state playoffs.

Reinhardt sophomore offensive lineman Bryce Wilkins continues to help lead the Eagles to a top ten ranked season along with local teammates Terry Berdin and Bryce Burgess. Reinhardt had a blowout win last weekend and is currently ranked No. 8 in the nation in NAIA. NFL TREVOR LAWRENCE — Jacksonville Jaguars (Rookie season, Cartersville HS) … the Jaguars avoided a shutout by the Seattle Seahawks Sunday when Lawrence connected with Jamal Agnew on a 9-yard touchdown pass with 1:49 remaining. The fourth-and-five play was part of a 32-for-53 day for the former Clemson QB in a 31-7 loss. He totaled 238 yards and was picked off once. The signal caller also added 11 rushing yards on three attempts. Jacksonville (1-6) hosts the Buffalo Bills this Sunday at 1 p.m. COLLEGE FOOTBALL TERRY BERDIN — Reinhardt University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … had a pair of rushing attempts for six yards including a 4-yard touchdown run in the second quarter as the NAIA 8th-ranked Eagles routed St. Andrews University in Laurinburg, North Carolina, 63-18, last Saturday. Reinhardt (7-2, 4-0 Mid-South Conference) hosts Union College (Kentucky) Saturday afternoon. CHRIS BLACKSTON — University of West Georgia (Sr., Adairsville HS)… had one solo tackle Saturday in the 3rd-ranked Wolves 36-34 loss at No. 2 Valdosta State. UWG (7-2, 5-2 Gulf South Conference) wraps up the regular season in two weeks at home against Delta State. BRYCE BURGESS — Reinhardt University (Jr., Adairsville HS)… finished with five carries for 26 yards and one touchdown in the Eagles’ blowout win at St. Andrews Saturday. Burgess scored on an 8-yard run in the fourth quarter to cap a 61-yard drive. 8th-ranked Reinhardt (7-2, 4-0 Mid-South Conference) entertains conference-foe Union College (Kentucky) Saturday afternoon. ISAIAH CHANEY — Wake Forest University (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … made his third appearance of the season this past Saturday for the Deacons, but did not record any stats. 13th-ranked Wake Forest (8-0, 5-0 ACC) stayed unbeaten with a 45-7 blowout win over Duke. The Deacons travel to North Carolina this Saturday at noon. TREY CREAMER — UNC Charlotte (R-Sr., Cartersville HS)… made two tackles and broke up one pass in last Saturday’s 45-13 loss at Western Kentucky. The 49ers (4-4, 2-2 C-USA) host Rice Saturday afternoon for Homecoming. JONATHAN CRUZ — UNC Charlotte (Sr., Cartersville HS)… made a career long 56-yard field goal, a 37-yard field goal, and his only PAT attempt Saturday in the 49ers 45-13 loss at Western Kentucky. He added three touchbacks on four kickoffs. Charlotte (4-4, 2-2 Conference USA) entertains Rice Saturday in another conference matchup. JORDAN FERGUSON — Middle Tennessee State University (R-Jr., Cartersville HS)… the Cartersville High graduate who prepped at St. Francis High School in Milton made a season-high eight tackles Saturday in the Blue Raiders’ 35-10 home win over Southern Miss. His performance included three tackles, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and one quarterback hurry. MTSU (4-4, 2-2 C-USA) plays at Western Kentucky this Saturday afternoon. ZAY JACKSON — Missouri Baptist University (Fr., Cass HS) … the Spartans’ free safety made three tackles in a 21-14 loss this past Saturday at Trinity International University. Missouri Baptist (3-6, 0-5 Mid-States Football Association) has a home game this Saturday afternoon against Judson University. MANNY JONES — Colorado State University (Grad Student, Woodland HS) … had five total tackles and ran his season total to 30 tackles in a 28-19 home loss to Boise State Saturday night. The Rams (3-5, 2-2 Mountain West) travel to play Wyoming this Saturday afternoon. TITUS JONES — Colorado State University (R-So., Woodland HS) … made a second quarter tackle on kickoff team coverage Saturday during the Rams’ home loss to Boise State. CSU (3-5, 2-2 Mountain West) plays at the Wyoming Cowboys this Saturday afternoon. JACOB POTTER — Kennesaw State University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … snapped for field goals, extra points, and punts in KSU’s 34-30 Big South Conference win over Gardner-Webb University. KSU (7-1, 4-0) is ranked No. 10 in the latest FCS coaches poll and will play at Robert Morris this Saturday afternoon. JOHN SCIFERS — University Incarnate Word (Grad Student, Woodland HS) … had eight kickoffs, three for touchbacks, in the Cardinals’ 49-21 home win over Houston Baptist. UIW (6-2, 4-1 Southland Conference) hosts 9th-ranked Southeastern Louisiana this Saturday afternoon. EVAN SLOCUM — Wake Forest University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … saw action but recorded no stats in the 13th-ranked Deamon Deacons’ 45-7 Homecoming win over Duke. WFU (8-0, 5-0 ACC) makes the short trip to Chapel Hill this Saturday to play the North Carolina Tar Heels. COURTNEY SLOCUM — Mars Hill University (Fr., Adairsville HS) … was a participant but did not record any stats in the Lions’ 31-14 victory over Catawba. MHU (6-2, 4-1 South Atlantic Conference) travels to Carson-Newman University Saturday. BRYCE WILKINS — Reinhardt University (So., Cartersville HS)… the Eagles’ starting guard was part of an offensive unit that posted 575 total yards and nine touchdowns in a 63-18 blowout win at St. Andrews (North Carolina). 8th-ranked Reinhardt (7-2, 4-0 Mid-South Conference) has a home game Saturday against Union College (Kentucky). CROSS COUNTRY McKENNA TRAPHEAGEN — Georgia Tech (Fr., Woodland HS) … finished 110th overall at the ACC Championships last Friday hosted by Notre Dame on the Burke Golf Course. Her time of 22:53.1 did not earn team points as the Yellow Jackets placed eighth of 15 teams in the 6K race. SOCCER COURTNEY RHEA — Berry College (Sr., Cartersville HS) … came off the bench for just over seven minutes of action in Saturday’s 4-1 Southern Athletic Association conference tournament win over visiting Millsaps College. The Vikings (11-5) travel to Memphis Friday to take on tournament 2-seed Rhodes College in the tournament semifinals. RUSSELL SHEALY — Syracuse University (R-Jr., Cartersville native, Darlington HS) … started in net and made two saves, but the Orange fell at Wake Forest last Friday, 2-0. Syracuse (8-7-2, 2-5-1 ACC) is the No. 10-seed in the ACC Tournament that begins Wednesday night for the Orange at No. 7-seed North Carolina. SWIMMING HARPER POWELL — Florida Tech (Fr., Adairsville HS) … placed seventh in the 50-yard freestyle, seventh in the 100-yard freestyle, and was on the sixth place 200-yard medley relay team as the Panthers lost to Saint Leo University and Lynn University Friday in their home opener in Melbourne. The next meet for Florida Tech is Saturday, November 13 at home against Keiser University.

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. Autumn Henderson has been selected as the October 2021 Elite Athlete of the Month for Adairsville High School. A standout on the Lady Tigers’ volleyball and basketball teams, the senior is the daughter of Dwayne and Alycia Henderson. Henderson was recently named All Area Honorable Mention for volleyball. "Autumn is a leader on and off the court. She is a hard worker and pushes her teammates while encouraging at the same time,” commented Kayleigh Martin, Adairsville head volleyball coach. Henderson has a 4.0 grade point average and is a collegiate dual enrollment student. She plans to major in Psychology and play college volleyball. The October 2021 Elite Athlete of the Month representing Woodland High School is Michiah Hicks. A senior outfielder on the Lady Cats’ softball team, Michiah helped pace the team’s offense all season and was even more productive in the post season as Woodland placed fourth in the Class AAAAA state tournament. The daughter of Starr and Gus Hicks, Michiah hit for a .688 average in the playoffs including a pair of doubles, a triple, 10 RBIs, and scored four runs. Hicks is committed to continue her academic and athletic career at Albany State University. The Cass High School October Elite Athlete of the Month is Tyler Martin. A senior offensive lineman for the Colonels’ football team, Martin has made his mark at Cass High School as a fantastic representative of the program both on and off the field. Noted for his hard working attitude and leading with his actions and words, Martin has been an anchor at right tackle for a Colonels offense that has averaged more than 325 yards per game. Cass Football will also be making its first state playoff appearance in 15 years. Tyler is the son of Matt and Kristen Martin. McKinsey Spinks is the October Elite Athlete of the Month for Cartersville High School. A member of the Lady Canes’ cross country and track and field teams, the senior is the top runner this season for the XC Canes. Spinks has medaled several times during the season and helped lead Cartersville to several top three team finishes — including the local Wire2Wire Invitational and the Region 7-5A Championships at Woodland. “McKinsey is a very dedicated runner and teammate,” noted Cartersville XC head coach Dillon Byrd. “She consistently pushes herself at practice, always completes her workouts with a smile, never complains, and looks to make herself better both on and off the course. In addition, she has also been a leader on our team by making sure her teammates stretch, warm up and cooldown at practices and races.” Outside of school running, Spinks has completed four half marathons; qualified for the USATF Jr. Olympics in cross country; and plans to begin training for her first marathon following the cross country season. She has served on the FCA Bartow Student Council for the past two years and is currently interning at Cross Point City Church. The senior is the daughter of Travis and Sherry Spinks. She plans to pursue a degree in communications at Georgia Highlands College, continue her internship at Cross Point City Church, and enter the ministry. 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

The state playoff run for the Woodland Lady Cats softball team came to an end Saturday afternoon with a 6-0 loss to Loganville at the Olympic Softball Complex in Columbus. Woodland finished the Class 5A Elite Eight State Tournament 2-2 and finished the 2021 season with a 19-15-2 mark and a fourth place finish. The playoff run by Woodland included best-of-three series sweeps over St. Pius X and Wayne County to reach the Elite Eight in Columbus. The Wildcats lost their tournament opener Thursday night to defending state champ Starr’s Mill, 4-0, then bounced back Friday to defeat Calhoun (5-4) and Jones County (11-0) to reach the tournament’s Final Four. Loganville scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning and added two more in the fifth to secure their win. Woodland was limited to only two hits in the loss. One hit each by Cassie Jones and Michiah Hicks. Loganville (30-7) reaches the Final Three along with Northside-Columbus and Starr’s Mill.

Quarterback Jake Parker had a pair of first half touchdown passes and running back Malachi Jefferies punched in a 2-yard run late in the third quarter as No. 1-ranked Cartersville held off Calhoun 21-14 to finish the regular season undefeated and won the 2021 Region 7-AAAAA championship. The Hurricanes led 14-0 at halftime with running back Amari White hauling in a 16-yard touchdown pass with 2:51 left in the first quarter and Jacob Ray receiving a 41-yard strike from Parker with just 0:18 remaining in the second quarter. Calhoun scored at the 9:25 mark of the third quarter on a 3-yard run by Caden Williams to cut the Cartersville lead in half (14-7), but the Canes responded with 1:38 remaining in the period on Jefferies' plunge. The Yellow Jackets converted a fourth down play with 5:32 left in the game and turned it into a 76-yard touchdown pass from Christian Lewis to the speedy Cole Speer, but got no closer. The Cartersville offensive line and backs White and Jefferies closed out the contest with a final possession, taking a knee in the final minute inside the Calhoun red zone. Calhoun (8-2, 4-1) will host a state playoff game in two weeks as the Region 7-AAAAA runner-up. Cartersville (9-0, 5-0) will host the No. 4-seed from Region 5-AAAAA at Weinman Stadium November 12.

Blessed Trinity started fast and rolled up 34 first half points Friday night at Cochran Stadium as the 10th-ranked Titans defeated Cass 34-13. A pair of long touchdown runs by Justice Haynes had Blessed Trinity up 14-0 just one play into the second quarter. Haynes, one of the most highly recruited junior running backs in the country, raced 74 yards on the Titans’ second offensive play to give the visitors a 7-0 lead with 6:26 left in the first quarter. After another Cass possession was stopped, Haynes capped a 76-yard drive with a 50-yard touchdown run at the 11:51 mark of the second period. The next three Blessed Trinity touchdowns involved quarterback J.C. French. A 17-yard scoring pass from French to Evan Caldwell made the score 21-0 with 4:55 left in the first half. Then following an interception return by Matthew McCaffrey to the Cass 5-yard line, French connected with fullback Talence Maina for a 5-yard touchdown pass with 3:08 left in the half. The Titans got the ball one last time late in the half and capitalized. After moving his team down the field in the final seconds of the half, French turned a scramble play into a 13-yard touchdown run with just 0:10 left in the second quarter that sent the Titans to the locker room with a 34-0 lead. Playing the entire second half with a running clock, Cass scored twice. The Colonels drove 67 yards in six plays for their first touchdown. T.J. Green, normally a defensive lineman, took a handoff and powered his way into the end zone from the one yard line. The PAT kick was blocked, but Cass was on the scoreboard trailing 34-6. The final scoring play was a “scoop and score” by Cass linebacker Ian Lowe. A bad snap exchange by the Titans in the red zone was picked up by Lowe who raced up the left sideline for a touchdown. Juan Parajito made the extra point for a 34-13 final. Blessed Trinity finished the regular season 6-4 overall and 3-2 in Region 7-AAAAA. The Titans will be the No. 3-seed from the region in the state playoffs November 12. Cass (5-5, 2-3) will be the region’s No. 4-seed and will play at the Region 5-AAAAA champion in the first round. Decatur and St. Pius X square off next Friday to determine that region’s title. Blessed Trinity will travel to the Decatur/St. Pius X loser.

Adairsville’s Eli Agnew ran for three touchdowns and Chris Roper and Jonathan Gough added two touchdown runs each as the Tigers secured the Region 6-AAA No. 3-seed for the state playoffs Friday night at North Murray, 47-18. Roper gave the Tigers an early 6-0 lead with a 71-yard touchdown run. He added a 9-yarder late in the half as Adairsville took a 33-11 lead at halftime. Jonathan Gough scored the Tigers’ second touchdown for a 12-8 lead and added a 3-yard scoring run with less than two minutes remaining in the first half. The host Mountaineers scored on a 36-yard touchdown pass and a two point conversion from Seth Griffin to Judson Petty with 7:38 to go in the first quarter. It was North Murray’s only lead of the game at 8-6. Agnew scored on a 5-yard run to put the Tigers back in the lead. The senior’s scoring run was set up by a long run by Roper. Owen Hannah connected on a 28-yard field goal for North Murray midway through the second quarter. The kick narrowed Adairsville’s lead to 19-11 at the time. Adairsville added two second half touchdowns on 4-yard runs by Agnew. North Murray added a late touchdown to round out the scoring. Adairsville (7-2, 5-2) will host Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe (1-8, 1-7) next Friday to close out the regular season. The Tigers will finish third in the region standings behind Ringgold and Rockmart. Those two teams — both unbeaten in region play — square off next Friday to determine the region title. North Murray can secure the region’s No. 4-seed with a win next Friday at LaFayette.

With their backs to the wall and facing elimination in both games Friday, the Woodland softball team defeated Calhoun and Jones County to reach the Class AAAAA Final Four on Saturday at the Columbus South Commons Olympic Softball Park. Playing in the loser’s bracket of the double-elimination tournament, Woodland edged region-foe Calhoun 5-4 Friday afternoon and pounded Jones County 11-0 Friday night. Woodland lost in the opening round Thursday night, falling to Starr's Mill 4-0. Woodland senior pitcher Lainey Baker worked all twelve innings of the Lady Cats' two wins Friday. In the victory over Calhoun, she allowed just three earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out 13. Woodland scored all five of its runs in the first three innings including a solo home run by Dylynn Motes that gave the Lady Cats a 5-2 advantage. Michiah Hicks had two hits to launch the Wildcats’ offense. Alana Carnes had an RBI hit and Cassie Jones had a two-RBI double in the second inning as Woodland built a 4-1 lead. Jordan Hammonds had the other Lady Cats base hit. Espee Reyes hit a pair of home runs for Calhoun. Her first in the bottom of the opening inning tied the score 1-1. Her second homer narrowed Woodland’s lead to 5-3 in the bottom of the sixth inning. Emma Rogers had two doubles and one RBI for Calhoun. Macy Brown had an RBI hit for the Yellow Jackets who had their season end with a 21-15 record. WOODLAND 11, JONES COUNTY 0 The Wildcats eliminated last year’s state runner-up 11-0 behind another brilliant pitching performance by Lainey Baker. The senior hurler limited the Greyhounds to just one single in the bottom of the fourth inning. Michiah Hicks had four hits including a triple and four RBIs to lead the Lady Cats’ attack. Jessica Ryan followed with two hits and also added one RBI. Cassie Jones (RBI), Dylynn Motes (double, RBI), Cambrie Carrington (RBI), Peyton Dorn (RBI), Bitsy Hartsfield (RBI), Alana Carnes, and Jordan Hammonds all added one hit each. Jones County had its season end with a 23-7 record. Woodland (19-14-2) returns to the diamond Saturday morning at 11 a.m. to face Loganville in a third consecutive elimination game. The survivor plays again at 1 p.m. against the Starr’s Mill/Northside-Columbus loser. The championship round is scheduled for 3 p.m. with the “if necessary” game set for 5 p.m.