The third time taking the lead was the charm Friday night for the Adairsville Tigers as they won at LaFayette, 43-14. Twice in the first half, the Tigers took one touchdown leads only to have the host Ramblers tie the score. But the second half was a different story with the Adairsville defense shutting out LaFayette while the Tigers’ offense posted four more touchdowns. Courtney Slocum capped Adairsville’s first scoring drive with a six-yard run to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead with 6:59 remaining in the opening quarter. Emanuel Lopez booted the first of his PAT kicks. Following an Adairsville special teams mistake, the Ramblers’ marched 43 yards to tie the score. Jamario Clements, who rushed for 41 yards on the drive, scored on a 21-yard touchdown run with 0:30 left in the opening period. Midway through the second quarter, Adairsville grabbed a 14-7 lead with a Conner Crunkelton 39-yard scoring pass to Dylan Matthews, but LaFayette would knot the score again before the intermission. An Adairsville fumble inside their own 10-yard line on their next possession set up the Ramblers’ score. Clements crossed the goal line on a one-yard plunge to complete an eight-yard drive with 0:32 remaining in the half. That sent the teams to the locker room tied 14-14. The second half was dominated by the Tigers. Adairsville took the opening drive of the half and scored. Crunkelton culminated the drive with a nine-yard keeper with 7:28 left in the third quarter. The PAT kick was blocked, but the Tigers held a 20-14 advantage. A bad snap during a punt on the next LaFayette possession more than made up for the missed PAT. The LaFayette punter fell on the ball in the end zone giving Adairsville a 22-14 lead with 6:43 remaining in the third period. The Tigers increased their lead to 29-14 later in the period. Crunkelton connected with Slocum for a 73-yard strike with 1:03 left in the third. Defensive star Tokyo Gordon set up the next Adairsville score with an interception on the next to last play of the third quarter. Jamaury Johnson capped that Tigers’ possession and scoring drive with a three-yard run. It gave Adairsville a 36-14 lead with 10:02 left in the game. Johnson added to the Adairsville lead later in the final period scoring on a short, two-yard run that capped a 90-yard scoring drive. The time-consuming drive gave the Tigers 29-unanswered points in the second half and a 43-14 advantage with 3:40 remaining. The loss drops LaFayette to 2-3 overall and 2-1 in Region 6-AAA. Adairsville (3-1, 2-0) travels to Ringgold next Friday. The game will be the Johnny’s NY Style Pizza - Bartow County Game of the Week via BartowSportsZone.com.

The Adairsville Tigers took their region playoff, best-of-three series with Rockmart the distance Friday night but came up short in the rubber game at Rockmart, 5-2. Adairsville took a 2-0 lead in the top of the fourth but the host Yellow Jackets answered with two in their half of the fourth, two runs in the fifth, and an insurance run in the sixth inning for their three-run victory. Emilee Register (7 IP, 2R, 1ER, 6H, 3BB, 4K) earned the pitching win for Rockmart with a complete game effort. Victoria O’Neal (5 IP, 3R, 2ER, 5H, 4BB, 6K) and Taylor Rhoades (1 IP, 2R, 0ER, 1H, 1K) split the pitching duties for Adairsville. Alexis Teems led the Yellow Jackets’ offense with three hits including a pair of doubles. Gracey Arnold had two RBIs. O’Neal had two hits for the Tigers. Megan Gregory (RBI), McKenzie Pullum, Alyssa Jarrett, and Sadye Johnson had one hit each. Alissa Winters was credited with one RBI. Rockmart advances in the region playoffs and qualifies for the state playoffs as one of the top four teams from Region 6-AAA. Adairsville finishes the season with a 14-11 mark.

The Adairsville Tigers split a Region 6-AAA playoff doubleheader Thursday night at Rockmart, forcing a third game in the series. Adairsville won the first game 4-2 before dropping the nightcap, 6-3. In non-region play, Cass beat visiting Haralson County and Woodland lost a home game to Lassiter. TIGERS SPLIT REGION PLAYOFF DOUBLEHEADER Adairsville won Thursday’s opener 4-2 behind a strong pitching performance by Victoria O’Neal. The Tigers trailed 2-0 through three innings, but posted three runs in the fourth and added an insurance in the top of the seventh inning. O’Neal (7 IP, 2ER, 3H, 2BB, 7K) picked up the pitching victory for the Tigers. Sadye Johnson led the Adairsville offense with three hits. Alyssa Jarrett (RBI), Chloe Souders, and O’Neal added one hit each. ROCKMART 6, ADAIRSVILLE 3 Third-seeded Rockmart trailed 2-1 after one inning in Game 2 Thursday night, but scored single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to take a 3-2 lead. The Jackets then added three more in the top of the seventh on their way to a series-knotting 6-3 victory. Adairsville took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first on a triple by Sadye Johnson, a fielder’s choice off a bunt by Chloe Souders, and an RBI double by Victoria O’Neal. The Tigers final run scored in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI single by Johnson. The doubleheader split creates a Game 3 Friday at 5 p.m. at Rockmart. CASS 8, HARALSON COUNTY 4 Cass softball beat visiting Haralson County 8-4 Thursday night in non-region action at the Cass Athletic Complex. The Colonels led 3-2 through five innings and extended their lead to 8-2 in the sixth. The visiting Rebels scored twice in the seventh for the 8-4 final score. Rachael Lee (7 IP, 4R, 3ER, 9H, 4BB, 2K) was the winning pitcher for Cass. Ansley Hight had a big night at the plate. Hight doubled, tripled, and homered with three RBIs. Lee (double, 3 RBIs), Kimberly Allen (RBI), and Kendyl Hardin both added two hits apiece. Alexis Woods, Haley Smith, and Kelly Young added one hit each. Eryn Lee drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. Cass improved to 16-11 and will be a 3-seed in the Class 5A state playoffs. LASSITER 7, WOODLAND 0 A trio of Lassiter pitchers blanked Woodland Thursday night to complete a two-game sweep of the non-region, home-and-home series between the Trojans and Wildcats. Lassiter won Wednesday’s game 8-0 in Marietta. Lassiter took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a solo home run and the game stayed at that score until the final frame. In the top of the seventh, the visiting Trojans scored six times on a walk and five hits that included two doubles, a triple, and a two-run home run. Lassiter (8-6) out hit Woodland 10 to five in the contest. Dylynn Motes had two hits for the Wildcats including a double. Michiah Hicks finished with two hits and Ansley Evans added a hit. Woodland (19-9) and the 2-seed in Region 7-AAAAA closes out the regular season Tuesday at home against region-leading Calhoun.

Cass/Cartersville Cross Country Invitational at Dellinger Park Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020 TEAM SCORES Girls Varsity 1 — Woodland — 39 2 — Cartersville — 40 3 — Pope — 62 Boys Varsity 1 — Cartersville — 30 2 — Woodland — 37 3 — Pope — 55 4 — Roswell — 122 5 — Cass — 152 GIRLS VARSITY INDIVIDUAL RESULTS: BOYS VARSITY INDIVIDUAL RESULTS:

Woodland lost a non-region game at Class 6A Lassiter Wednesday evening 8-0 in five innings. The host Trojans scored twice in the first inning, added a run in the third, and finished the game by scoring five times in the bottom of the fifth inning. Lassiter pitcher Ellie Kean limited Woodland to only three hits and a walk in five frames. Kean fanned nine. Lainey Baker suffered the loss in the circle for the Wildcats allowing seven earned runs on ten hits. She struck out five. Cassie Jones relieved Baker in the fifth and gave up a run on two hits. Sydney Carter had three hits including a pair of doubles and three RBIs to pace the Trojans’ offense. Kean added a triple and had two hits. Michiah Hicks had a triple for Woodland. Ansley Evans and Baker added one hit apiece. The loss drops Woodland to 19-8 on the season. Lassiter improved to 7-6. The two teams are scheduled to play again Thursday at Woodland with first pitch at 6 p.m.

The Woodland High School football game at Union County, scheduled for this Friday, October 9 has been canceled due to COVID concerns according to a report today by Georgia High School Football Daily. Bartow Sports Zone will provide any additional information when it becomes available. We have reached out to Woodland A.D. John Howard for a statement. The Wildcats’ game vs. Chamblee scheduled for last Friday was also canceled.

Adairsville volleyball celebrated its senior night Tuesday with a three set sweep of visiting Morris Innovative 25-7, 25-19, and 25-8. Annie McCormick totaled 11 aces and 12 assists in the victory. Lexie Childers finished with 10 assists. Hannah Hollingsworth had nine kills. Richlyn Blair contributed six kills and a pair of assists. Kaylee Jordan and Autumn Henderson added six kills and five kills, respectively. The Tigers (13-23) open play in the Region 6-AAA tournament next Thursday at Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe. Cartersville volleyball won a Region 7-AAAAA match with Hiram Tuesday night in straight sets, 25-15 and 25-23. Ailee England had six kills, three aces, and three digs in the Canes’ win. Layne Condra finished with 10 digs and an ace. Mia Nicklas contributed five aces and two kills. London Moultrie totaled seven kills. Macey Vaughn added 14 assists. Cartersville (22-13-1) will face Cass Thursday, October 15 at 5:30 p.m. in the Region 7-AAAAA tournament at Calhoun. Cass (3-23-1) volleyball celebrated its senior night with a home region victory over Hiram. The Lady Colonels defeated the Hornets 25-21, 28-26.

Region standings for local high school football teams in Bartow County.

Region 7-AAAAA leader, Calhoun, swept a doubleheader at Cass Tuesday night with a pair of five-inning wins — 9-1 and 15-1. Calhoun’s Maggie McBrayer (5 IP, 4H, 1BB, 5K) earned the Yellow Jackets’ pitching win in the opener. Molly Banks had two hits including a home run. Macy Brown also homered for Calhoun. Ansley Hight (double, home run) and Rachael Lee had two hits apiece for the Colonels. Lee (5 IP, 9R, 6ER, 9H, 1BB) suffered the pitching loss. In the nightcap, McBrayer (1 IP, 0R, 1H, 1BB, 2K) and Sydney Terry (4 IP, 1ER, 3H, 5K) shared the pitching duties for the Yellow Jackets. Calhoun scored 10 runs in the first two frames and added on in each of the next three innings. Paris Kirby hit a three-run homer for the Yellow Jackets. Jordan Blair had three hits and four RBIs. Alexis Woods tripled in the loss for Cass. Eryn Lee, Haley Smith, and Kelly Young had base hits. Kylee Hembree (5 IP, 15R, 8ER, 10H, 5BB, 1K) was the losing pitcher in Game 2. Calhoun improved to 17-7 overall and 12-0 in Region 7-AAAAA. Cass (15-11, 9-6) will finish as the No. 3-seed in the region. The Colonels will host Haralson County Thursday in a non-region game at 5:30 p.m. at the Cass Athletic Complex.

-- contributed by Nicholas Sullivan, The Daily Tribune News Trevor Lawrence needs no validation at this point in his collegiate career. The junior quarterback accomplished more than most players could dream to achieve over his first two seasons at Clemson. And yet, the former Cartersville High star looks set to make a run at something that has thus far eluded him — the Heisman Trophy. One of the most famous awards in all of sports, the Heisman has long been considered the highest individual honor for a college football player. Lawrence certainly wouldn’t trade any of his team success for an individual honor, but this year, it’s quite possible that both could be attained. Clemson sits atop the AP poll — ahead of Alabama and Georgia, which face off in two weeks — and looks set to make another run at a College Football Playoff appearance. While Lawrence could wind up taking home several awards, including the Heisman, by the time the season ends. He made his latest case with a solid showing against one of the better teams in the ACC, finishing 25-for-38 passing for 329 yards and three touchdowns versus Virginia. Elsewhere, JaCorey Johns posted great numbers for Wake Forest in its first win over the season. Meanwhile, Vic Beasley Jr.’s second outing with Tennessee got delayed due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the organization. PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL Vic Beasley Jr. (Tennessee Titans, Adairsville) — The Titans were forced into taking their bye week early after a COVID-19 outbreak — which affected several players and other team personnel — pushed back their scheduled meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tennessee could return to the field against Buffalo Sunday at home. COLLEGE FOOTBALL Isaiah Chaney (Wake Forest R-Fr., Cartersville) — Chaney contributed one solo tackle and one assist in a 66-14 blowout win over Campbell in Wake’s only non-conference game of the season. The Demon Deacons (1-2) will now have an open date before hosting Virginia (Oct. 17) and Virginia Tech (Oct. 24) in successive weeks. Jonathan Cruz (Charlotte Jr., Cartersville) — Cruz drilled both of his extra-point attempts, but he finished just 1-for-3 on field-goal tries. The misses proved costly, as Charlotte fell 21-17 Saturday at Florida Atlantic. The 49ers (0-2, 0-1 Conference USA) will attempt to bounce back this weekend, when they travel to North Texas. Jordan Ferguson (Middle Tennessee State R-Jr., Cartersville) — Ferguson recorded 1 1/2 sacks and finished with three total tackles, but MTSU came up short again, falling 20-17 Saturday to Western Kentucky. The Blue Raiders will look to break a four-game losing streak to begin the season, with a trip to Florida International this weekend. Miller Forristall (Alabama R-Sr., Cartersville) — After hauling in one catch for 34 yards in the season opener at Missouri, Forristall hauled in a pair of receptions for 23 yards in a 52-24 victory over Texas A&M. The second-ranked team in the country, Alabama will travel to Ole Miss this week ahead of an Oct. 17 showdown with No. 3 Georgia. JaCorey Johns (Wake Forest R-So., Cartersville) — Johns had a monster game in the rout of Campbell. He paced the Demon Deacons defense with seven tackles (five solo), three tackles for loss and one sack — all of which either led the team or was tied for the team lead. Trevor Lawrence (Clemson Jr., Cartersville) — The presumptive top pick in the 2021 NFL draft, Lawrence continues to put together a strong Heisman campaign in the early stages of the season. His latest contribution came in the form of another three-touchdown effort against an ACC foe. Things didn’t come quite as easily versus Virginia, which fell to Clemson in last year’s conference championship game, as they did against Wake Forest and Citadel, but Lawrence still put up stellar numbers. The 6-foot-6, 220-pounder passed for 329 yards and rushed for 36. All three of his touchdowns came through the air, as Lawrence completed 25 of 38 passes. Top-ranked Clemson will have a marquee matchup this week, when it hosts No. 7 Miami.

The Woodland girls and boys cross country teams ran to third place finishes Saturday at the Alexander Invitational in Douglasville while the Cartersville teams competed in Oakville, Alabama at the Jesse Owens Classic. The Cartersville girls finished fifth in the Silver Division. The Cartersville boys placed 12th in the Gold Division. ________ The Woodland boys finished third in the Class 4A-5A competition behind winner Northgate and runner-up Harris County. There were 17 teams and 120 runners in the division. Jordan Robertson of Northgate won the individual 5K race in 16:24. Woodland’s top five were: Tyler Jones (8th, 17:06), McKinley Chappell (9th, 17:18), John Forsyth (18th, 17:50), Patrick Bollwerk (22nd, 18:02), and Justin Parker (25th, 18:05). The Woodland girls placed third in the Class 4A-5A division competing without their top runner Rylee Evans. The Lady Cats finished behind Woodward Academy and Chamblee. Evans competed in the Championship division race unattached. Jenna Hutchins of Science Hill (TN) was the overall champion in 16:40. Evans placed 22nd of 241 runners in 18:33. Woodland’s Danielle Thayer led the Wildcats in the 4A-5A division race. She placed 19th of 101 runners. Thayer was followed by teammates Erin Bollwerk (20th, 22:03), Megan Schultz (21st, 22:06), Olivia Berry (40th, 23:00), and Emma Segars (51st, 23:28). The Cartersville boys competed in the Gold 5K run and placed 12th of 36 schools in the division won by Huntsville (AL). Ethan Strand of Vestavia Hills (AL) was the individual champion in 15:02. Bill Archer led the Canes with a 56th place finish in 16:45. He was followed by teammates Sam Peters (65th, 16:51), Colin McCann (74th, 17:00), Levi Booth (84th, 17:09), and Sidney Stegall (86th, 17:10). The Cartersville girls placed fifth in the 25-team Silver Division. The race was won by Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet (TN) with Brokktie Frogge of that same school winning the individual race in 19:43. The top five finishers for Cartersville were: Elizabeth Nelson (14th, 20:38), McKinsey Spinks (23rd, 20:58), Trinity Atkins (39th, 21:41), Meredith Gaines (40th, 21:46), and Samantha Herrera (68th, 22:52). Woodland and Cartersville will compete Tuesday in the Cass/Cartersville Invitational at Dellinger Park.

From The Daily Tribune News --- The seemingly inevitable finally happened Friday, when a football game involving a Bartow County team was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. Woodland had its home game against Chamblee called off by the visitors just hours before kickoff. The non-region contest was canceled "at the discretion of the opposing team due to COVID-19 concerns," per an email from Alisha Evans, Bartow County School System's communications director. It was later clarified by the district that Chamblee canceled the game due a positive test at Woodland. "Due to privacy laws, specific information, such as the identity of those affected by COVID-19, cannot be released by the Bartow County School System," the district's email to The Daily Tribune News stated. The email also noted that pre-sale tickets for Friday's game would be refunded in 2-3 business days and that homecoming activities, which were set to take place Friday, would now be rescheduled for Oct. 23, when Woodland hosts county rival Cass. Local teams had been fairly lucky to avoid any cancellations through the first four weeks of the season, and everything seemed on track in Week 5 before Friday's announcement. Chamblee hasn't played any games this season, as schools in DeKalb County had delayed the start of their athletic events until Thursday. Meanwhile, Woodland sits at 3-0, with Friday's game is considered a no-contest as opposed to a forfeit. According to the school's athletic director, John Howard, the Wildcats' schedule remains unchanged moving forward. That means Woodland plans to return to the field next Friday at Union County. Having already held its first bye week, the Wildcats were scheduled to play seven times in seven weeks, starting with the Chamblee game. In a text message, Howard stated that Woodland could look to fill its final scheduled open date — Nov. 20 — with a 10th game "if there are no more cancellations."