October 13, 2026 Scott Barkley / CanesAthletics.com Presley Crabbe, left, and Zoie Shiflett have been dominant forces in the circle for Cartersville softball in recent years. Photos by Russell Andrews When the Cartersville High softball team takes the field at Dellinger Park this Wednesday, they will start the playoffs with the strongest 1-2 pitching combo in school history. Senior Zoie Shiflett’s .79 ERA is 15th in the nation. She has struck out 93 batters this season while giving up only nine walks. Teams are hitting .155 against the Coastal Carolina signee, who is 11-2 this year. Opponents don’t see a break when Presley Crabbe enters the circle. The junior’s .53 ERA ranks her 10th in the country. Out of 302 batters she's faced, 132 struck out. A walk up to the plate means a batting average is about to drop, as hitters are only .142 against her. Crabbe’s ridiculous stat of the season is that she has as many walks (14) as wins, with no losses. Both will pitch this Wednesday, Oct. 14, against Ware County in a three-game series. Game 1 starts at 1 p.m., Game 2 is scheduled for 3 p.m., and Game 3, if necessary, will take place on Thursday. Shiflett is expected to take the first game. But no matter who steps forward, the other will be her biggest cheerleader and competitor at the same time, a formula for success. “They feed off each other,” said head coach Glen Woodard. “They know exactly how good the other is. In the dugout, Presley is Zoie’s number one fan, and the same goes when Presley’s pitching. They know that if one can come in and give four hard innings, the other can come in for three hard innings and we can shut out anybody. Getting into the playoffs, that’s the mentality we’re going to have to have.” The duo’s dominance peaked on Aug. 27 and Sept. 1, when Crabbe, then Shiflett, pitched back-to-back perfect games. In interviews with both earlier this season, they stressed the importance of staying focused on the task at hand and not getting caught up in game pressure. “If you think about it too much, you’re going to mess yourself up eventually,” said Crabbe. “I’m focusing on the next pitch.” “I concentrate on giving 100 percent every single pitch,” Shiflett added. “If I’m throwing a no-hitter or a perfect game, I don’t think about it. It’s about the next batter.” Shiflett has been a double-threat as a pitcher and hitter for the Lady Canes since her freshman year. She broke the school home run record on Sept. 15 while slinging a one-hitter against Cass. This season, she leads the team in batting average (.450), home runs (13), RBIs (38), and slugging percentage (1.013). This season continues the Canes softball program's upward swing. Five years ago, the team was finishing its second straight year with single-digit wins. The team improved steadily over the next two seasons before a 24-7 campaign in 2024. The Lady Canes went 30-6 last season. A 3-1 win over Cass on Oct. 8 set their record at 26-2, a new regular-season win mark in CHS history. “Zoie stepped in as a freshman and put her mark on this program, pitching-wise, and has never slowed down,” said Woodard. “Presley has just been dominant in the circle.” Shiflett and Crabbe know the team’s success comes from more than two players. “Obviously, you want to get a strikeout, but I also trust my defense,” said Crabbe. “We both know they have our back. I also have worked a lot with our catcher in travel ball, so we’re familiar with calling pitches. I’ve also gotten better at mixing up pitches instead of relying on just one.” Athletic ability aside, the team carries a significant intangible into the postseason. “We get along and work well as a team,” said Shiflett. “There’s no drama or anything like that. We know we can trust each other on the field and at the plate. It’s really helped us get to where we are right now.” “I agree,” echoed Crabbe. “There’s a really big trust factor. We can turn around and look at anyone on the field and know that. Even the ones in the dugout cheer on those on the field. We work really well as a group and are proud of each other.” “We all are focused on winning state,” Shiflett said. “We’ve gotten to the Elite Eight two out of the last three years, and we want to meet that goal.”

October 12, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Bartow County athletes continued to make their mark at the collegiate and professional levels this past week, highlighted by Trevor Lawrence’s two-touchdown passing performance in the Jacksonville Jaguars’ win over Philadelphia. NFL Former Cartersville High QB Trevor Lawrence threw two TD passes in the Jags' 19-17 win over Philadelphia. TREVOR LAWRENCE — Jacksonville Jaguars (6th-yr. NFL; Clemson; Cartersville HS) . . . completed 24 of 39 passes for two touchdowns with one interception Sunday as the Jaguars beat the Philadelphia Eagles on a last-second field goal 19-17 in London. The 27-year-old quarterback also rushed for 25 yards on three attempts. Jacksonville (4-1) remains in London this week to play the Houston Texans on Sunday in Wembley Stadium. FOOTBALL CARLOS DEL RIO-WILSON — Marshall University (R-Sr., Cartersville HS) … completed two of six passes for 37 yards and threw three interceptions this past Saturday in a 27-21 home loss to Coastal Carolina. He also rushed for nine yards on four attempts. The Thundering Herd (3-3, 0-2 Sun Belt Conference) hosts South Alabama on Tuesday, October 20. JD DeROCHE — University of the Cumberlands (So., Cass HS) … made nine tackles, including one tackle for a loss in the Patriots’ 33-26 home loss to 13th-ranked Campbellsville University (KY) this past Saturday. Cumberlands (4-2, 0-1 Mid-South Conference) visits Bethel University (TN) on Saturday afternoon. KADEN ELLIS — Appalachian State University (So., Cass HS) … made one tackle assist and was credited with one-half sack in the Mountaineers’ 10-3 home loss to Old Dominion University this past Saturday. App State (3-2, 0-1 Sun Belt Conference) plays at Coastal Carolina on Friday night. TOKYO GORDON — Sam Houston State University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … the Bearkats’ linebacker saw action, but did not have a stat line in a 35-3 loss last Thursday at Liberty University. SHSU (1-4, 0-1 Conference USA) hosts Western Kentucky on Wednesday night. DEVIN HENDERSON — Appalachian State University (Jr., Cass HS) … made five tackles and intercepted one pass in the Mountaineers’ 10-3 home loss this past Saturday to Old Dominion University. App State (3-2, 0-1 Sun Belt Conference) visits Coastal Carolina on Friday night. KEVIN HENDERSON — Appalachian State University (Jr., Cass HS) … the Mountaineers’ linebacker saw action but did not record a stat line in a 10-3 home loss to Old Dominion University this past Saturday. Appalachian State (3-2, 0-1 Sun Belt Conference) plays at Coastal Carolina on Friday night. BRAYLON HILL — Kentucky Wesleyan College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … participated but did not record a stat line in a 33-7 home loss to Lake Erie College (OH). The Panthers (0-6, 0-4 Great Midwestern Athletic Conference) visit Ohio Dominican University on Saturday. SHADRE HURST — University of Houston (5th Yr., Cartersville HS) … a starter on the Cougars’ offensive line that helped produce 475 yards of offense this past Saturday in a 35-16 victory at Kansas State. Twentieth-ranked Houston (5-1, 2-1 Big 12 Conference) hosts Oklahoma State on Saturday night. KHRISTIAN LANDO — Jacksonville State University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … had two rushing attempts for no yards last Wednesday night in a 27-26 road win at Kennesaw State University. The Gamecocks (4-2, 2-0 Conference USA) host Florida International University on Tuesday night (Oct. 13). TRENTON MAHAFFEY — Anderson University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … a starting offensive lineman for the Trojans’ unit that helped produce 245 total yards in a 29-13 loss at Carson-Newman University (TN) this past Saturday. Anderson (4-3, 3-2 South Atlantic Conference) hosts Catawba College (NC) on Saturday afternoon. ZAY NALLS — Anderson University (So., Adairsville HS) … made one solo tackle this past Saturday in a 29-13 loss at Carson-Newman University (TN). The Trojans (4-3, 3-2 South Atlantic Conference) welcome Catawba College (NC) for a conference game on Saturday. JAKE PARKER — Cumberland University (R-Sr., Cartersville HS) … completed 5 of 9 passes for 98 yards and one touchdown, and rushed for eight yards on four attempts this past Sunday in a 62-0 win at Andrew College (GA). The Phoenix (4-2, 0-1 Mid-South Conference) travels to 13th-ranked Campbellsville University (KY) on Saturday afternoon. CHRIS ROPER — Dartmouth College (Sr., Adairsville HS) … rushed for 23 yards on eight carries this past Saturday in the Big Green’s 28-7 loss at Yale. Dartmouth (1-3, 1-1 Ivy League) hosts Merrimack College on Saturday afternoon. STEPHEN ROWSER — Morehouse College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … returned an interception 25 yards, broke up one pass, and added one sack for a seven-yard loss this past Sunday in a 34-23 home win over Savannah State University. The Maroon Tigers (3-4, 3-3 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) travel to Washington, D.C. to play Howard University on Saturday afternoon. BRAXTON RYAN — Kentucky Wesleyan College (So., Adairsville HS) … started on the Panthers’ offensive line that helped produce 261 total yards in a 33-7 home loss to Lake Erie College (OH). KWC (0-6, 0-4 Great Midwest Athletic Conference) visits Ohio Dominican University on Saturday. COLTON SANFORD — Centre College (Fr., Adairsville HS) … made one tackle this past Saturday night in the Colonels’ 28-13 loss at Millsaps College (MS). Centre (1-4, 0-2 Southern Athletic Association) welcomes Rhodes College (TN) on Saturday afternoon. LUKE SURRETT — University of Richmond (Jr., Cartersville HS) … a starter at guard on the Spiders’ offensive line that helped produce 204 yards in a 20-14 home loss to Fordham University. Richmond (5-2, 3-1 Patriot League) has a bye week before hosting Colgate on October 24. SACOVIE WHITE-HELTON — University of Georgia (Jr., Cass HS) … had one pass reception for two yards, one rush for two yards, one punt return for two yards, and one kick return for 16 yards as the No. 1-ranked Bulldogs won at 6th-ranked Alabama this past Saturday night. Georgia (6-0, 4-0 Southeastern Conference) hosts Auburn on Saturday afternoon. IAN WILLIAMS — University of Arkansas (So., Cass HS) … saw action but did not record a stat line Saturday in the Razorbacks’ 24-17 home loss to 15th-ranked Tennessee. Arkansas (2-4, 0-3 Southeastern Conference) visits Vanderbilt on Saturday night. VOLLEYBALL AILEE ENGLAND — Berry College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … saw action in 10 sets across three matches in Atlanta this past weekend as the Vikings defeated Rhodes College (TN), Millsaps College (MS), and host Oglethorpe University. England totaled six aces, six digs, four kills, and one assist. Eleventh-ranked Berry (15-3, 8-1 Southern Athletic Association) plays Southwestern University (TX), Trinity University (TX), and host Centre College (KY) on Friday and Saturday. RILEY HUFF — Jacksonville State University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … the Gamecocks’ middle blocker saw action, but did not have a stat line in a 21-25, 11-25, 13-25 loss this past Saturday to visiting Western Kentucky. JSU (3-15, 0-6 Conference USA) travels to Las Cruces this weekend for Friday and Saturday conference matches at New Mexico State. CROSS COUNTRY DANIELLE THAYER — Augusta University (Sr., Woodland HS) … finished 110th (19:32) of 221 runners as the Jaguars finished fourth at the Queens University of Charlotte Royals Challenge. The University of Charleston (WV) won the women’s 5K race. Next for Augusta is the University of Alabama-Huntsville Invitational on October 24. RIFLE LUCY EVANS — Morehead State University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … finished eighth in air rifle (588, 41 centers) and 16th in smallbore (564, 17 centers) as the Eagles won at Jacksonville State University, 4695-4677, this past Saturday. Morehead State (3-0) travels to Murray State University (KY) on Saturday. SOCCER BRIONNA CARVER — Johnson University (Fr., Woodland HS) … started at outside back and took one shot in 35 minutes of action during a 4-1 loss last Wednesday at Milligan University (TN). She also logged 14 minutes of pitch time last Friday in a 4-1 loss at Columbia International University (SC). The Royals (3-10, 0-7 Appalachian Athletic Conference) host Reinhardt University on Wednesday. HUNTER LIMBAUGH — LaGrange College (Fr., Woodland HS) … the Panthers’ defender started, played 82 minutes, and took one shot last Thursday in a 4-3 home loss to Pensacola Christian College. LaGrange (6-5, 1-1 Collegiate Conference of the South) hosts Huntingdon College on Wednesday night and Covenant College on Saturday afternoon. ELIZABETH MORGAN — Thomas University (So., Woodland HS) … started at forward, logged 75 minutes, and took one shot on goal last Wednesday in a 3-2 win at Middle Georgia State University. This week, the NightHawks (5-4-2, 3-3-1) host Brewton-Parker Christian University on Monday, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College on Thursday, and Wesleyan College on Saturday. MACI NICKLAS — Truett McConnell University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … came off the Bears’ bench for nine minutes last Wednesday in a 4-0 home win over Brenau University (GA). TMU (11-1-1, 8-0) Appalachian Athletic Conference) visits Columbia International University on Wednesday. HALEY SKLBA — Point University (So., Cass HS) … the Skyhawks’ defender logged 15 minutes in an 8-0 loss last Thursday at William Carey University (MS), and played 11 minutes last Saturday in a 6-0 loss at Xavier University (LA). Point (7-6-1, 4-4-1 Southern States Athletic Conference) travels to Faulkner University (AL) on Thursday night and visits the University of Mobile (AL) on Saturday afternoon. GOLF ANDREW LUTJENS — Georgia College & State University (So., Cartersville HS) … shot 76-78 (10-over) and tied for 69th individually as the Bobcats finished eighth of 14 teams on October 5-6 at the Georgia Southwestern Hurricane Invitational held at Doublegate Country Club in Albany, Georgia. GCSU's next event is the Patriot Fall Classic on Monday and Tuesday (Oct. 19-20) at Patriot Golf Club at Grand Harbor, South Carolina. CHRISTINA SURCEY — Lipscomb University (Jr., Cartersville resident; North Cobb Christian) … carded rounds of 74-75 (5-over) and tied for 41st place individually as the Bisons finished 15th of 17 teams on October 5-6 at the Mississippi State-hosted Ally Invitational held in West Point, Mississippi. Lipscomb hosts The Robbie Invitational on Monday and Tuesday (Oct. 12-13) at Temple Hills Country Club in Franklin, Tennessee.

October 11, 2026 Scott Barkley / CanesAthletics.com Cartersville's Brayden Doss gets by a defender in the Canes' game at Cedartown Oct. 9. Photo: Randy Parker / The Daily Tribune News Well before the first rain bands of Isaias passed through Cedartown’s Bulldog Stadium Friday night, Cartersville’s Purple Hurricanes had already made their presence felt, outgaining the hosts 315 yards in the first half and building a 45-0 lead en route to a 52-8 win. As the teams headed to the locker room, Harris Turner had 115 yards on 11-of-14 passes and three touchdowns. Tyon Coe had scored two touchdowns on five carries for 84 yards. Brayden Doss followed Coe on the ground with three carries for 76 yards and a touchdown, while adding another through the air on his only throw of the night. A running clock in the second half limited the Canes to two drives. The first netted Coe two more yards on two carries, while the other featured backups and gained zero yards. Cartersville's Tyon Coe outruns a defender as he dashes to the end zone for a touchdown in the Canes' game at Cedartown Oct. 9. Photo: Randy Parker / The Daily Tribune News Thanks to a ball-hawking defense, Cartersville still scored on Chance Brown’s third-quarter pick-six, pushing the lead to 52-0. It was the third takeaway of the night for the Canes. Early in the second quarter, with his team up 28-0, Cooper Melvin’s one-handed interception and return set up Jayden Nevarez’s 20-yard field goal. Athens Davenport’s fumble recovery on Cedartown’s next play from scrimmage set up a five-play drive that culminated in CJ McClendon’s lineman-aided scrum across the goal line from three yards out. Cedartown pushed the ball into the end zone in the final minute of the game before adding a two-point conversion, ending a 15-quarter streak by the Canes' defense of denying teams the end zone. Cartersville Head Coach Conor Foster signals to his defense on the field during the Canes' game at Cedartown Oct. 9. Photo: Randy Parker / The Daily Tribune News Coe’s 20-yard run off right tackle started the scoring on the Canes’ first drive. The next possession began with a 14-yard run by McClendon, followed by throws from Turner to Madoxx Davis and Lance Tippett. Doss came in, softened the defense with a 21-yard run, then dropped back at the Cedartown 20 and found Tippett wide open on the right side of the end zone, giving the Canes a 14-0 lead after Nevarez’s extra point. Long touchdown runs by Coe (39 yards) and Doss (45) padded the lead to 28-0. On Cartersville’s final drive of the half, Turner alternated between Kaiden Kent and Davis on four straight passes. His 19-yard middle-of-the-field throw to Davis made the score 45-0. Cartersville improves to 7-0 on the year and 3-0 in region play. Cedartown falls to 5-2 and 2-1. The Purple Hurricanes return to Weinman Stadium this Friday to welcome Allatoona. The Buccaneers improved to 2-5 on the season Friday, beating Villa Rica 39-19.

October 11, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com The Cartersville boys’ cross country team finished second, and the Lady Canes finished fourth on Saturday in the Varsity Division at the Pickens & Grinnin’ Invitational at Roper Park in Jasper. The Hurricanes, with five runners in the top twenty, finished runner-up to Campbell in the division, which included 18 teams and 151 runners. Ethan Empie led the Cartersville boys with an individual third-place finish in 16:24. He was followed by Carson Robinson (7th, 16:38), Ben Russell (9th, 17:00), Malachi Weir (16th, 17:28), Tripp Chitwood (22nd, 17:44), Knox Matthews (38th, 18:17), and Jonnathan Carrera-Rios (50th, 18:38). The Lady Canes trailed only Tallulah Falls, Riverwood Charter, and Fideles Christian in the 16-team Varsity Division that included 125 runners. Sofia Burns (9th, 21:19) led Cartersville with a top-ten finish. She was followed by teammates Sydney Burris (12th, 21:25), Kyla Poole (21st, 22:14), Jordan Hathaway (34th, 22:40), Ella Daniell (38th, 23:05), Elana Mitchell (70th, 24:50), and Adalin Empie (80th, 25:29). West Forsyth won the 18-team Championship Boys Division with a team average of 16:29, and the West Forsyth girls won the 18-team Championship Girls Division with a team average of 19:54. Up next for Cartersville is the Showdown at Sundown, held at Sam Smith Park in Cartersville on Wednesday, October 21. That course will also host the Region 7-5A and GHSA 5A Sectional 2 race on Saturday, October 31.

October 10, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com (L-R) Chad Branton, Billy Mitchell, and Bob Royak won the 2026 Golfweek Senior International Senior Invitational at Cartersville Country Club. Photo courtesy: Golfweek Magazine Cartersville Country Club senior golfer Chad Branton finished tied for second individually and was on the 2026 Team Georgia North 1 squad that won the team title this past Thursday and Friday at the Golfweek International Senior Invitational. Branton, 57, shot 76-70-66 (212, 4-under) and tied with Kevin VandenBerg (Pulaski, New York) for individual runner-up. Tony Wise of Georgetown, Kentucky, won the individual title, carding rounds of 67-72-67 (206, 10-under) on the 6,900-yard, par-72 layout. Wise opened with a 5-under 67 to take a one-shot lead and maintained his advantage with an even-par 72 in the second round. He then matched his opening 67 in the final round to secure the title. Branton made the biggest move among the leaders, climbing eight places to finish at 6-under 66. Stephen Nichols of Lansing, Michigan, finished fourth at 2-under (72-74-68), while Sean McQueary (Springfield, Missouri) and Jon Lindstrom (Denver, Colorado) tied for fifth at 1-under par. The tournament opened with 18 holes on Thursday, with the remaining 36 played the following day due to anticipated weather from Hurricane Isaias. Team Georgia North 1 came from behind to claim the three-man team title on a tiebreaker. The team, Branton, Bob Royak (Alpharetta), and Billy Mitchell (Atlanta), finished tied with Team Kentucky but won the championship with the best third-player total. Team Arkansas was third, winning a tiebreaker over New York and Michigan. The team competition used a three-count-two format, with the two lowest scores from each three-player team counting toward the daily total. The local Cartersville Country Club team of David Coleman, Mike Heffner, and Scotty Scott finished 17th of 30 teams in the International field, which included teams from multiple U.S. states, England, Scotland, and Denmark.

October 10, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Adairsville’s defense delivered a dominant performance Friday night, limiting Heritage-Catoosa to minus-25 rushing yards, including quarterback sacks, as the Tigers earned a 24-6 Region 7-4A victory over the Generals at Jeff Sims Field in Ringgold. The Tigers limited Heritage to a six-yard gain on its longest scrimmage play and held the Generals to just two first downs in their final four second-half possessions. Adairsville improved to 5-2 overall and 1-1 in Region 7-4A. Heritage-Catoosa fell to 3-4 overall and 1-1 in the region. “I’m super proud of our players and coaches,” Tigers head coach Jon Cudd said Saturday morning. “We had talked about the fact that we were going to have to throw the ball at some point down the stretch to win a game. I felt like we certainly did that. A lot of guys stepped up and made plays whose names haven’t been called much this year.” The Tigers took a 7-0 lead on the first play of the second quarter when Braxton Elrod connected with Evan Hardin on a 32-yard touchdown pass. The score capped a 79-yard drive that began late in the first quarter and featured 22- and 9-yard runs by Elrod and an 11-yard gain by Jake Barszcz. Alex Ochoa added the extra point with 11:51 remaining in the half. Heritage answered with a four-play, 66-yard scoring drive. Caden Hight completed a 20-yard pass to Brayden Stoker before throwing a 53-yard touchdown pass to Cohen Fletcher. The Generals missed the extra point, leaving Adairsville up 7-6 with 10:08 remaining in the second quarter. The Tigers controlled the ball for much of the rest of the half, putting together a 73-yard drive over 22 plays. Elrod completed a 19-yard pass to Jayvian Carson and a 14-yard pass to Isaac Garlin, and added 13- and 19-yard runs. The drive ended with 12 seconds remaining in the half when Ochoa converted a 31-yard field goal, giving Adairsville a 10-6 lead at the break. Both teams opened the second half with three-and-out possessions before the Tigers put together another scoring drive. Adairsville covered 58 yards in five plays, with key receptions by Hardin, Matthew Cook and Hale setting up Elrod’s two-yard touchdown run with 6:32 remaining in the third quarter. Ochoa’s extra point extended the lead to 17-6. The game’s decisive sequence followed the ensuing kickoff. Heritage returned the ball to its own 48-yard line, but on the Generals’ first offensive play, Barszcz intercepted a pass and returned it 51 yards for a touchdown. Ochoa’s kick pushed the Tigers’ lead to 24-6 with 6:17 left in the third quarter. Heritage managed only two more first downs in its final four possessions as the Adairsville defense continued to shut down the Generals’ offense. The Tigers’ next three possessions ended with two punts and an interception. Adairsville then took over with 4:51 remaining and handed the ball to Carson for seven consecutive plays, running out the clock at the Heritage 4-yard line. Coach Cudd commented on the Tigers’ defense. “Those guys executed the game plan about as well as we could’ve hoped. The back-end coverage was solid, except for that one play, and the pass rush was relentless. This is exactly what we needed after last week’s game (vs. Northwest Whitfield), and hopefully it will be the game to get us back on track.” Elrod completed 13 of 23 passes for 164 yards and one touchdown, with one interception. The Tigers’ quarterback also rushed for 70 yards on 15 attempts. Carson rushed for 55 yards on 10 carries and caught two passes for 24 yards. Torron Hale finished with five receptions for 63 yards and one score, and Barszcz added 24 yards on six carries. For Heritage, Hight went 8-for-23 for 131 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Fletcher caught three balls for 55 yards and a score. Stoker caught three passes for 46 yards. Both teams have a bye week before returning to action October 23. Adairsville will begin a three-game home stretch to close the regular season, hosting Southeast Whitfield on October 23, Ridgeland on October 30, and Calhoun on November 6. Heritage-Catoosa returns from its bye to play Calhoun on October 23.

October 9, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Zoie Shiflett (0.79 pitching ERA, .450 batting average, and 13 home runs) will lead the Lady Canes into the state playoffs beginning on Wednesday, October 14. Three local high school softball teams qualified for their respective 2026 state playoffs, with Cartersville preparing to host a best-of-three series in the Class 5A first round starting Wednesday. Cass will start the Class 5A state playoffs on the road, and Adairsville will do the same in Class 4A. The Lady Canes (26-2) are the No. 2 seed in Class 5A and will host No. 31 Ware County (13-15). The best-of-three series will begin with a doubleheader on Wednesday. If a third game is needed, it will be played on Thursday. The Lady Colonels (15-11) are the No. 24 seed in Class 5A. Cass starts a best-of-three series on Wednesday at No. 9 Southwest DeKalb (20-2). Adairsville (19-11) is the No. 19 seed in Class 4A and will begin a best-of-three series against No. 15 Mary Persons (19-10) in Forsyth. Adairsville's Chloe Hill has been a leader for the Tigers in the circle and at the plate. Three other teams from Region 7-5A earned state playoff spots, but all will play first-round series on the road. Villa Rica (17-12) is seeded 19th. Cedartown (15-15) is 23rd, and Allatoona (11-13) is 29th. Woodland missed the playoffs and was ranked 40th. Other Region 7-4A playoff teams include No. 6 Heritage-Catoosa (19-4), No. 8 Ridgeland (23-6), No. 29 Calhoun (10-15), and No. 30 Northwest Whitfield (13-17). Cass' Kylie Gentry has been solid in the circle and at the plate for the Lady Colonels in 2026. The top 32 teams in each classification in the GHSA Postseason Rankings qualify for the state playoffs. Only the region champions are guaranteed a spot in the 32-team playoffs. The PSR determines the remaining spots and measures each team’s winning percentage, its opponents’ winning percentage, and its opponents' opponents’ winning percentage. The second round is scheduled to be hosted by the higher seed on October 21-22. Second-round series winners advance to an eight-team double-elimination tournament in Columbus on October 28-31.

October 8, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Both teams were strong in the circle on Thursday, but Cartersville outdueled Cass 3-1 in their regular-season finale. Cass led 1-0 until Cartersville’s Zoie Shiflett singled home a tying run in the third. LaKiaya Banks homered in the fifth to give Cartersville a 2-1 lead, and Taryn Bradley and Sophia Harper hit back-to-back triples in the sixth to plate the Canes’ third run. Shiflett earned the pitching win for the Lady Canes. She allowed three hits and one unearned run over seven innings, striking out five and walking none. Cass pitcher Kylie Gentry took the loss for the Lady Colonels. She went seven innings, allowing three runs on ten hits, striking out five and walking two. Banks led all hitters. The Cartersville shortstop had four hits, including a solo homer and a double. Harper (triple, RBI) and Bradley (triple) each had two hits for the Hurricanes. Shiflett (RBI) and Carder Brock each added a hit. Shyia Woods, Kharmyn Collum, and Maci Walker each had one hit for Cass. Lindsey Chubb contributed the Colonels’ RBI. Cartersville finished the regular season 26-2 and 18-0 in Region 7-5A. The Lady Canes entered Thursday night’s game ranked No. 2 in the GHSA Class 5A Postseason Rankings. Cass finished 15-11 and 10-8. The Lady Colonels entered the game ranked 24th in the PSR. The top 32 teams will advance to the state playoffs that begin next Wednesday. The top 16 teams will host a first-round, best-of-three series. VILLA RICA 8, WOODLAND 0 Two Villa Rica pitchers combined on a one-hitter Thursday night to blank visiting Woodland, 8-0. Villa Rica led 2-0 through three innings, then added two runs in the fourth, three in the fifth, and a run in the sixth to finish the game. Sonny Hicks had the lone Woodland base hit. Villa Rica finished the regular season 17-12 and went 12-6 in Region 7-5A. The purple-and-gold Wildcats entered Thursday ranked 19th in the GHSA PSR. Woodland finished 8-21 and 4-14. The navy-and-cardinal Wildcats will miss the playoffs.

October 7, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Cartersville pitcher Presley Crabbe Lady Canes’ pitcher Presley Crabbe struck out five and tossed a complete-game shutout Wednesday as Cartersville blanked Kell at Dellinger Park, 3-0. Kennedy Crenshaw’s groundout RBI gave Cartersville a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth, and Zoie Shiflett’s two-run home run in the sixth made the score 3-0. Crabbe scattered five hits and did not issue a walk to earn the pitching victory. LaKiaya Banks had two hits, including a double, and was on base for Shiflett’s homer. Carder Brock had the other Lady Canes’ base hit. The Longhorns fell to 13-10. Cartersville (25-2, 17-0) wraps up the regular season on Thursday with a region game at Cass at 5:55 p.m. SOUTH PAULDING 2, ADAIRSVILLE 1 South Paulding’s Addison Hudec singled home a walk-off run in the bottom of the seventh inning Wednesday evening to defeat visiting Adairsville, 2-1, in a non-region contest. The Lady Tigers scored first on an RBI single by Madison Brookshire in the top of the first inning. The Spartans tied it 1-1 with an RBI double by Brooklyn Barron in the third, and it stayed tied until the final frame. Chloe Hill (6.1 IP, 2ER, 11H, 4BB, 3K) suffered the pitching loss for the Tigers. Lillianne Gunter, Sydney Satterfield, McKenzly Atkins, Hill, and Brookshire each had one hit for Adairsville. The Spartans improved to 17-8. Adairsville (19-11) will await the final GHSA Postseason Rankings numbers for its state playoffs matchup. As of Wednesday night, the Lady Tigers were 17th and had secured a state playoff berth.

October 7, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Adelynn England Photo: Russell Andrews / Sports Furnace Photography Cartersville volleyball split two matches in Atlanta on Tuesday night, defeating Midtown (25-10, 25-15), but falling to host Westminster in a best-of-five contest (20-25, 25-22, 23-25, 19-25). In the win over Midtown, Amara Ejieke recorded seven kills, four digs, and two aces. Adelynn England finished with seven kills, 11 digs, and two blocks. Holly Dufrene tallied five kills and four blocks. McKenzie Wilkie contributed 12 digs, four aces, and one assist. Emma Wall had 12 assists and two digs, while Brooke Belarmino added nine assists, three digs, and one ace. Amara Ejieke. Photo: Russell Andrews / Sports Furnace Photography In the four-set loss to Westminster, Ejieke recorded 18 kills, 20 digs, one block, and one assist. England produced 12 kills, nine digs, two blocks, and one ace. Dufrene had nine kills, four blocks, and two digs. Wilkie contributed 12 digs, eight assists, and two aces. Wall totaled 25 assists, seven digs, and two aces. Belarmino had 11 digs, 14 assists, and one ace. Blakely Morris finished with four kills, three blocks, and two digs, while Kinsey Wiggins added four kills and three blocks. The Lady Canes (34-5) will host the Hurricane Havoc tournament on Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. with Northwest Whitfield, North Oconee, Woodward Academy, and Cherokee. Entering Saturday’s play, Cartersville is No. 3 in the GHSA Postseason Rankings, trailing only Marist and Blessed Trinity. The top 32 teams in Class 5A will begin the Class 5A state playoffs on October 17. LADY TIGERS TOP PANTHERS, AWAIT POST-SEASON ASSIGNMENT Adairsville volleyball defeated Ridgeland 25-16, 27-25 on Tuesday evening in a Region 7-4A match and now awaits the final GHSA Postseason Rankings to see if they qualify for the Class 4A state playoffs. Sadie Brownlow recorded five kills, five aces, eight digs, and one block. Teaghan Myers tallied 14 assists, nine digs, four aces, and one kill. Alexis Scott added four kills and one dig. Blaire Fuller had three kills. Kinzie Griffin finished with two kills, and Nadelyn Dodson totaled 20 digs and two assists. With no region tournament this year, the Lady Tigers (13-22) await the final Class 4A Postseason Rankings to learn whether they make the state playoffs. Each region has until Tuesday (Oct. 13) to finalize its season results. As of Wednesday night, Adairsville is 28th in Class 4A with private schools removed. The top 32 teams earn a spot in the state playoffs, which begin October 17.

October 6, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com LaKiaya Banks (2) and Taryn Bradley (below) both homered and drove in three runs in Tuesday's win over Woodland. Photo: Russell Andrews / Sports Furnace Photography LaKiaya Banks and Taryn Bradley both homered and drove in three runs on three hits, and Zoie Shiflett tossed a four-inning, two-hit shutout, lifting No. 1-ranked Cartersville to a 12-0 win Tuesday evening over Woodland at Dellinger Park. Cartersville led 1-0 through two innings, then added eight runs in the third and three more in the fourth. Shiflett struck out four and allowed only one walk. Allana Williams (RBI) and Shiflett (double) contributed two hits for the Lady Canes. Izzy Tummins (RBI), Sam Porter (RBI), and Carder Brock each added one hit. Bella Kuykendall (2.2 IP, 9R, 6ER, 10H, 1BB, 1K), Rilynn DeBoard (0.1 IP, 2ER, 2H, 2BB), and Evelyne Tucker (0.1 IP, 1ER, 1H, 2BB, 1K) each pitched for Woodland. Taryn Bradley homered Tuesday vs. Woodland. Photo: Randy Parker / The Daily Tribune News Lillian Hollis and Gracie Korb had the only hits for the Lady Cats. Woodland (8-20, 4-12) completes the regular season on Thursday at Villa Rica at 5:55 p.m. Cartersville (24-2, 16-0) was ranked No. 2 in the GHSA’s Postseason Rankings entering Tuesday’s game and No. 1 in the ScoreAtlanta poll. The Lady Canes host Kell in a non-region game on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. and finish the regular season on Thursday at Cass at 5:55 p.m. CASS 3, DALTON 2 Pitcher Lily Powell struck out six, and Cass out-hit visiting Dalton nine to one, but the Lady Colonels had to battle from behind to scratch out a 3-2 home win over the Catamounts Tuesday night. Cass trailed 1-0 through the first 4-1/2 innings before pushing across a tying run in the bottom of the fifth and two more in the sixth. Dalton added an unearned run in the seventh, but three straight groundouts ended the Catamounts’ rally. Powell gave up two runs (one earned) on one hit and four walks, working all seven innings in the circle. Shyia Woods and Maci Walker each had two hits for Cass, including one double each. Natalie Hughes (RBI), Kylie Gentry (RBI), MJ McFarlane (double, RBI), Kharmyn Collum (double), and Lindsey Chubb each contributed one hit for the Colonels. The loss dropped Dalton to 3-19 overall and 0-15 in Region 7-5A. Cass (14-10, 9-7), ranked No. 23 in the GHSA’s Postseason Rankings entering Tuesday’s game, hosts top-ranked Cartersville to wrap up regular season play on Thursday at 5:55 p.m. The top 32 teams will make the Class 5A state playoffs.

October 5, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Woodland made a late rally on Monday night to send the game into extra innings, but Whitefield Academy scored five runs in the top of the eighth, resulting in a 10-5 loss for the Lady Cats. Whitefield Academy led 5-3 when Woodland rallied in the bottom of the seventh to tie it up on an RBI double by Lillian Hollis and an RBI triple by Bailey Ryan. The visiting Wolfpack answered, taking advantage of two errors and four hits to score five runs in the extra frame to win the game. Evelyne Tucker (8 IP, 10R, 4ER, 13H, 1BB, 3K) pitched the entire game for Woodland. Ryan (triple, two RBI), Hollis (double, RBI), and Jarah Thorne (double) each had two hits and drove in two runs for the Lady Cats. Sis Pirkle (RBI), Sonny Hicks (RBI), Kylee Poston, and Gracie Korb each added one hit. Vivienne Hearn, Hayley Brannon, and Caroline Dickey combined for eight hits and four RBIs for the Wolfpack (18-6). Woodland (8-19, 4-12 Region 7-5A) plays at Cartersville on Tuesday at 5:55 p.m. and at Villa Rica on Thursday at 5:55 p.m.