All four local football teams are in action again this Friday night with only Cartersville playing outside of its region. The Hurricanes face a road test at Class 7A unbeaten Cherokee in Canton. The hosting Warriors have started their season 4-0. Adairsville hosts Haralson County in a key Region 6-AAA contest. The Tigers won their region opener last week at Coahulla Creek, but this will be the Rebels first region game. Woodland will look to rebound from back-to-back losses as the Wildcats travel to region foe Paulding County and Cass will be hosting Villa Rica in a Region 7-AAAAA tilt. HARALSON COUNTY REBELS (2-0, 0-0) at ADAIRSVILLE TIGERS (2-1, 1-0) ​​The Adairsville Tigers have won two straight with wins over Cass and Coahulla Creek and have opened the 2019 Region 6-AAA season 1-0. They now play seven more consecutive weeks within the region since their bye week in the region schedule is the final week of the season. Haralson County has cruised in two road wins to open the season. The Rebels won at Gordon Central 28-10 and overwhelmed Armuchee 59-0. This will be Haralson’s Region 6-AAA opener. Adairsville head coach Eric Bishop is 43-27 in his seventh season — all at Adairsville. The Tigers made the state playoffs six of seven seasons between 2011 and 2017. Haralson County head coach Scott Peavey is in the third season of his second tenure at the helm of the Rebels. Peavey was previously the head coach at Haralson in the 2002 through 2004 seasons when he was 4-26. He is now in the third season since his return and guided the Rebels to the state playoffs last season with an 8-win season. In total, Peavey is 16-37 in his sixth season with the Rebels. He was head coach at three Alabama schools between Haralson County stints. He was 46-34 (2009-2015) at Madison County (AL) in seven seasons, 6-5 at Asheville (AL) in 2005, and 16-16 in three seasons (1999-2001) at Walter Welborn (AL). Adairsville leads the all-time series with Haralson County, 5-2. Series: 2018 — Haralson 51, Adairsville 28 2017 — Adairsville 32, Haralson 0 2016 — Adairsville 42, Haralson 10 1983 — Adairsville 33, Haralson 0 1982 — Adairsville 27, Haralson 6 1981 — Haralson 49, Adairsville 25 1980 — Adairsville 20, Haralson 7 Projections: CalPreps — Adairsville by 4 Massey — Haralson by 1 Maxwell — Adairsville by 9 CARTERSVILLE HURRICANES (3-0) at CHEROKEE WARRIORS (4-0) ​​The Class AAAA top-ranked Purple Hurricanes have blown out two straight opponents at Weinman Stadium heading into this matchup with Class AAAAAAA Cherokee. Cartersville opened the season with a 14-13 win at Class AAAAAA Allatoona before trouncing Luella 47-0 and McNair 51-0. The 3-0 start has extended the Canes’ regular season win streak to 51 games. The last time Cartersville lost a regular season was in 2014 — a 27-26 loss at North Cobb. The streak is even more impressive when you consider the Hurricanes were also unbeaten in the regular season the two seasons prior to the start of the current streak. That means Cartersville has won 71 of their last 72 regular season games dating back to 2012. The Hurricanes have won seven consecutive region championships and won back-to-back state titles in 2015-16 and were state runner-up last season. Canes head coach Conor Foster, who was defensive coordinator under previous head coach Joey King, is in his first-ever head coaching role. Cherokee head coach Josh Shaw has the Warriors’ program on a definite upswing. Cherokee is unbeaten through four games following a trip to the state playoffs last season out of Region 4-AAAAAAA. Since 2002, the Warriors have made the state playoffs eight times. Three of those trips have been under Shaw who is 33-45 in his eighth season as a head coach — all at Cherokee. The Warriors have wins this season over North Forsyth (29-14), Sequoyah (14-0), North Hall (24-7), and Kennesaw Mountain (38-0) and have not had a bye week yet. This is Cherokee’s final non-region game before playing five region games over the final seven weeks of the regular season. Cartersville leads the all-time series with Cherokee, 6-2-1. Series: 2018 — Cartersville 28, Cherokee 10 1971 — Tied 0-0 1970 — Cartersville 33, Cherokee 13 1969 — Cartersville 27, Cherokee 7 1968 — Cherokee 27, Cartersville 6 1961 — Cartersville 8, Cherokee 7 1960 — Cartersville 14, Cherokee 12 1957 — Cherokee 13, Cartersville 0 1956 — Cartersville 7, Cherokee 6 Projections: CalPreps — Cartersville by 2 Massey — Cartersville by 18 Maxwell —Cartersville by 19 Broadcast: Cartersville games may be heard on WBHF-Cartersville (100.3FM / AM1450) Also available at wbhfradio.org or on the TuneIn app, search WBHF. Pregame coverage begins live at 6 p.m. with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. Matt Santini, Don Startup, Josh Brock, and Jack Howell with the broadcast. VILLA RICA WILDCATS (1-2, 0-1) at CASS COLONELS (2-1, 1-0) The Colonels’ defense has been up to the task all season, allowing just over nine points per game and only a single touchdown the past two weeks in wins over Forsyth Central and Woodland. It was the Cass offense that found its footing last week, however, in their 36-7 “two-day” win at Woodland to open the 2019 Region 7-AAAAA schedule. The “two-day” reference comes as result of the suspension of the game on Friday night with 2:04 remaining in the third quarter due to lightning strikes in the vicinity. Cass led 24-7 with 14 minutes remaining and added two more touchdowns in Saturday’s resumption for a 36-7 victory. Tanayce Calhoun ran for two touchdowns. Zay Jackson and David Gbadie each ran for a score and Logan Nelson connected with Santino Jones for a 77-yard scoring strike in Cass’ win. The scoring production was a pleasant arrival since the offense effectively had only one touchdown in its first two games. Cass lost 14-7 to Adairsville in the Colonels’ opener and although Nelson scored on a 1-yard keeper, the score was set up by a punt return to the one yard line. In a 15-7 win over Forsyth Central, Mark Perdue returned a fumble recovery 80 yards for a touchdown and the other score was a 50-yard touchdown pass from Nelson to Jones. While the Colonels enter this week’s game on an upswing, Villa Rica has lost two straight. The Wildcats started the season with a 44-7 rout of Campbell in new head coach Christian Hunnicutt’s debut. They have followed with a 26-14 loss to M.L. King and a 23-2 loss last week to 3rd-ranked Carrollton. This week’s game at Cass will be Villa Rica’s first road game of the year. Hunnicutt is in his fourth season as a head coach and at his third school. He was 4-6 at East Jackson in 2016. At Grayson the past two seasons, his teams were 20-5 with two state playoff appearances including a Region 8-AAAAAAA title last year. Colonels’ head coach Bobby Hughes is 64-78 in his 14th season at three different programs. Hughes is 17-36 in his sixth year as the head coach at Cass. He was previously the program’s defensive coordinator. He was 42-17 in five seasons at Macon County with a pair of region titles between 2003 and 2007. He also had a three year stint at Howard in Macon where he was 5-25. Villa Rica leads the all-time series with Cass, 10-3. Series: 2018 — Villa Rica 16, Cass 3 2017 — Villa Rica 42, Cass 7 2016 — Villa Rica 23, Cass 17 2007 — Villa Rica 21, Cass 12 2006 — Cass 7, Villa Rica 3 2003 — Villa Rica 35, Cass 7 2002 — Villa Rica 21, Cass 14 1987 — Villa Rica 31, Cass 14 1986 — Villa Rica 32, Cass 6 1963 — Cass 40, Villa Rica 0 1962 — Cass 14, Villa Rica 0 1961 — Villa Rica 33, Cass 6 1960 — Villa Rica 20, Cass 0 Projections: CalPreps — Villa Rica by 21 Massey — Villa Rica by 6 Maxwell — Villa Rica by 6 Broadcast: This is the Johnny's NY Style Pizza Bartow County Game of the Week. The broadcast is available via BartowSportsZone.com. Use the green, 'Listen Live' button at the top of this page beginning at 6 p.m. for live pre-game coverage. You may also use this link to reach the broadcast --https://www.meridix.com/channel/?liveid=bartowsportszone#/schedule/156460. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. Charles Wilson and Brad Stephens with the broadcast. WOODLAND WILDCATS (1-2, 0-1) at PAULDING COUNTY PATRIOTS (1-2, 0-1) The Patriots have started the season with losses in two of their first three. Paulding County lost to North Paulding 56-24 at home to start the year. The won at Kennesaw Mountain 48-13 but then fell at Hiram 28-15 last week to start Region 7-AAAAA play. Paulding County head coach Van Spence is 11-23 in his fourth season with the Patriots, but did make the state playoffs in 2017 before falling to Buford in the first round and finishing 5-6. Woodland started the season with a 35-7 home rout of Southeast Whitfield, but have now lost two straight — 34-28 at East Hall and 36-7 last week at home to Cass. Wildcats’ head coach Tony Plott is in his fifth year leading the Woodland program after a long presence at the school as an assistant and a coordinator. His teams are 9-34. Paulding County leads the all-time series with Woodland, 8-5. Series: 2018 — Woodland 26, Paulding 21 2017 — Paulding 35, Woodland 34 2016 — Paulding 35, Woodland 21 2013 — Woodland 22, Paulding 14 2012 — Woodland 28, Paulding 27 2009 — Woodland 39, Paulding 38 2008 — Woodland 48, Paulding 21 2005 — Paulding 23, Woodland 20 2004 — Paulding 22, Woodland 18 2003 — Paulding 23, Woodland 13 2002 — Paulding 24, Woodland 6 2001 — Paulding 22, Woodland 15 2000 — Paulding 34, Woodland 10 Projections: CalPreps — Paulding by 26 Massey — Paulding by 18 Maxwell — Paulding by 22 -- series data from GHSFH

Woodland softball scored five times in the top of the fourth inning Monday night at Kell to build a 7-2 lead on their way to a 10-5 Region 7-AAAAA win over the Longhorns. Lainey Baker earned the complete-game pitching win scattering eight hits and four walks. She struck out seven. Morgan Cooper and Kendyl Hardin homered back-to-back to begin the fourth inning for Woodland. Hardin also had an RBI double in the contest. Morgan Bailey (RBI), Allyssa Motes (RBI), Hannah Miller, Cassie Jones, Kailey Baker, and Bella Carnes contributed one hit apiece. The loss drops Kell to 9-11 overall and 4-8 in region play. Woodland (10-10, 7-4) hosts Cass Tuesday and travels to Villa Rica Thursday. Both games are 5:55 p.m. starts.

Local golfer Chad Branton was eliminated Monday in the opening round of match play at the U.S.G.A. Mid-Amateur Championship at Colorado Golf Club in Aurora, Colorado. Branton lost 2-up to Jimmy Chestnut of Royal Oak, Michigan. Photo: USGA Chad Branton (left) shakes hands with Jimmy Chestnut following their match Monday at the USGA Mid-Amateur Championship at Colorado Golf Club in Aurora, Colorado. Branton made his way into the Round of 64 by shooting even par in stroke play portion of the championship on Saturday and Sunday. In Monday’s match, the two players matched birdies on the opening hole and both made bogey on the 508-yard par-4 fourth. They exchanged birdies on No. 6 and No. 7 and after both made par at No. 8, the match remained tied. Chestnut went 1-up on No. 9 with a par, but Branton won holes 11 and 12 to take his only lead of the day. Chestnut won No. 13 with a par and birdied the par-4 14th to regain the lead at 1-up. Chestnut went 2-up with a birdie on the par-5 16th, but Branton stayed alive by winning the par-3 17th with a par. Chestnut then closed out the match by winning No. 18 with a par. Chestnut advances to the Round of 32 where he will meet Joseph Deraney in a match scheduled for 8:10 a.m. MDT. Branton shot 68-74 during stroke play Saturday and Sunday at CommonGround Golf Course and Colorado Golf Club and was seeded 22nd heading into match play.

The Amateur High School Bass Anglers had their September tournament Saturday on Lake Weiss in Alabama out of Leesburg Landing. The event drew 33 boats with young anglers catching 71 fish with a total weight of 103.65 pounds. The top five in the senior division: 1. Carter Rice and Cazwell Smith (both of Cartersville High) with 10.67 pounds - also had big fish (5.98 lbs.) 2. Peyton Ray & Elijah Morris (both of Cartersville High) 3. Jackson Burchett (Sonoraville High) and Will Muse (Calhoun High) 4. Seth Martin & Jesse Martin (both of Cass High) 5. Tripp Morgan & Taylor Mullins (both of Gordon Central Middle) The junior division included 17 boats with 24 fish caught at a total weight of 39.77 pounds. The top five in the junior division: 1. Brody Spann & Carson Matthews (7.14 lbs. - also had big fish with 4.06 lbs.) (both of Rockmart Middle) 2. Wes Taylor & Rex Richardson (both of Calhoun Middle) 3. Charlie Ward & Konner Peek - (both of Cedartown Middle) 4. Connor Whitlock & Dalton Mealer (both of Adairsville Middle) 5. Avery Riseden (Cass Middle) & Dyllan Baldwin (Adairsville Middle) The next tournament is October 12 out of Doll Mountain on Carters Lake. PHOTOS: Clockwise from top left -- The opening meeting to start the day; Elijah Morris; Hunter Nation; and Dalton Mealor.

Former Cartersville High School pitcher Sam Howard picked up his first Major League Baseball win Sunday as the Colorado Rockies defeated the San Diego Padres. Howard closed out the fifth inning without damage and worked a shutout sixth inning to be in line for the victory. The Rockies went on to complete a home sweep of the Padres with Sunday’s 10-5 win. Also on the professional level, former Adairsville High star Vic Beasley played a role in the Atlanta Falcons’ win Sunday night over the Philadelphia Eagles. Beasley recorded a sack in the Eagles’ final drive of the night that was thwarted deep in Falcons’ territory. In college football, Trevor Lawrence had another record-setting day as Clemson won at Syracuse. Elsewhere, former Hurricane Bryce Wilkins got his first start on the offensive line for Reinhardt while Bradley Kirk and former Adairsville standout Chris Blackston led Shorter and West Georgia in tackles Saturday. Local athletes also made marks with their college teams in cross country, on volleyball courts, and on the soccer pitch this week. MLB SAM HOWARD — Colorado Rockies (6th yr. pro; LHP; Georgia Southern; Cartersville HS)… picked up his first Major League win Sunday as the Rockies completed a home sweep of the San Diego Padres. Howard was entered in the fifth inning with one out and worked through the sixth inning without allowing a run or hit. He struck out two. Howard also made a pair of brief appearances earlier in the week. Thursday in Denver against the St. Louis Cardinals, Howard was entered with two outs in the eighth inning and struck out the Cards’ leadoff-hitting outfielder Dexter Fowler during a Rockies’ 10-3 loss. Saturday against the Padres, Howard walked second baseman Greg Garcia — the only batter he faced in the eighth inning. The walk loaded the bases and Garcia eventually came around to score in a five-run inning by the Padres. The Rockies held on, however, for an 11-10 win. Colorado is 65-85 and 31.5 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League’s West Division with less than two weeks remaining. NFL VIC BEASLEY — Atlanta Falcons (5th yr. pro; OLB; Clemson; Adairsville HS)… came up with a huge sack of Eagles’ quarterback Carson Wentz in the fourth quarter when Philiadelphia was attempting to rally for a win. On a third and ten, Beasley chased down Wentz and dropped him for a four-yard loss and sack at the Philadelphia 43 yard line. The Eagles hit a long pass on the next play, but the Falcons eventually stopped Philadelphia on a fourth down play at the Atlanta 16 yard line. Atlanta (1-1) travels to Indianapolis to take on the Colts Sunday. COLLEGE FOOTBALL TERRY BERDIN — Reinhardt University (So., SL, Cartersville HS)… had two rushing attempts for a total of 21 yards including a long run of 17 yards. He also caught a pass that went for 42 yards as the NAIA 10th-ranked Eagles won at Campbellsville University (KY) 28-0. RU (3-0) travels to West Palm Beach Saturday to take on Keiser University. CHRIS BLACKSTON — University of West Georgia (Sr., DB, Adairsville HS)… led the 14th-ranked Wolves in total tackles with nine Saturday in UWG’s 24-14 win at Limestone in Gaffney, South Carolina. Blackston also broke up two passes and had one quarterback hurry. West Georgia (2-0) hosts Albany State Saturday night in Carrollton. BRYCE BURGESS — Reinhardt University (So., RB, Adairsville HS)… had two carries for 24 yards including an 18 yard run as the Eagles won at Campbellsville University (KY) 28-0. Reinhardt (3-0) plays at Keiser University Saturday in West Palm Beach, FL. MARCUS CHILDERS — Northern Illinois University (R-Jr., QB, Adairsville HS)… completed 3-of-five passes for 28 yards and rushed twice for four yards in the Huskies’ 44-8 loss at Nebraska. NIU (1-2) has a week off before traveling to Vanderbilt September 28. JONATHAN CRUZ — UNC-Charlotte (So., PK, Cartersville HS)… made a 53-yard field goal on the final play of the first half and booted six of his eight kickoffs for touchbacks as the 49ers routed visiting UMass 52-17. Charlotte (2-1) plays at No. 1-ranked Clemson Saturday night. KURTIS FEANNY — Lenoir-Rhyne University (So., OL, Woodland HS)… was part of a Bears’ offense that accumulated 354 yards to beat Virginia Union Saturday 28-11 in Richmond. 9th-ranked Lenior-Rhyne (2-0) entertains Newberry Saturday to open South Atlantic Conference play. DYLAN FORMAN -- Shorter University (Fr., TE, Woodland HS)... was listed on the Hawks participation list and saw action in Saturday’s Gulf South Conference 42-14 loss to University of West Florida. Shorter (0-2) travels to Fort Valley State this Saturday afternoon. MILLER FORRISTALL — University of Alabama (R-Jr., TE, Cartersville HS)… had one catch for seven yards Saturday in the 2nd-ranked Crimson Tide’s 47-23 win at South Carolina. Forristall now has three receptions on the season for 40 yards. Alabama (3-0, 1-0 SEC) hosts Southern Miss Saturday. HUNTER HARDIN — Point University (Jr., OL, Woodland HS)… a starter for the Skyhawks on the offensive line in their 27-6 loss Saturday to NAIA 19th-ranked Southeastern University. Point (0-3) plays at St. Thomas University this Saturday. GRANT HARRIS — Victor Valley CC (So., LB, Cartersville HS)… had five tackles, four solo, and one tackle for loss in the Rams’ 37-5 loss to Chaffey College. VVC (1-1) hosts Southwestern CC Saturday night. BRADY JERNIGAN — Maryville (TN) College (Sr., DL, Woodland HS)… made two tackles including one for loss Saturday in the Scots’ 27-22 loss at Centre College (KY). Maryville (0-2) host Hanover College (IN) Saturday. JACOREY JOHNS — Wake Forest University (R-Fr., LB, Cartersville HS)… had five total tackles, two solo, Friday night in the Demon Deacons’ 28-14 home victory over North Carolina. WFU (3-0) hosts Elon this Saturday for their annual homecoming game. BRADLEY KIRK — Shorter University (So., DB, Cartersville HS)… a starter in the Hawks’ defensive backfield, Kirk led his team in tackles Saturday with 10, seven solo. He now has 14 tackles through the first two games. Shorter lost 42-14 to visiting West Florida Saturday in their Gulf South Conference opener and step back out of conference this Saturday at Fort Valley State. TREVOR LAWRENCE — Clemson University (So., QB, Cartersville HS)… set a new career high in passing yards in Saturday’s 41-6 win at Syracuse. Lawrence completed 22-of-39 passes for 395 yards and three touchdowns. The quarterback also rushed for 42 yards and found the end zone in the second quarter for his third rushing touchdown of the season. The 300-yard passing total was his first this season and the sixth of his career. In Saturday’s game, Lawrence became the 13th player in Clemson history to reach the 4,000-yard career mark of total offense and only the 10th player in Tigers’ history to reach 4,000 passing yards. He now has the sixth most touchdown passes in school history. The 87-yard touchdown pass to Amari Rodgers in the third quarter was the longest in Lawrence’s career. The two also connected for a 16-yard first quarter touchdown and Lawrence found Frank Ladson Jr. for a 7-yard score early in the fourth quarter. Top-ranked Clemson (3-0) hosts Charlotte Saturday night. JACOB POTTER — Kennesaw State University (So., LS, Adairsville HS)… snapped all the extra points and the Owls’ one punt in their 42-7 win Saturday at Alabama State. KSU (2-1) plays at Missouri State this Saturday afternoon. JOHN SCIFERS — University of West Georgia (R-Jr., P/PK, Woodland HS)… punted six times Saturday for a 36.3 yard average in the 14th-ranked Wolves’ 24-14 win at Limestone. His longest punt went for 44 yards. UWG (2-0) hosts Albany State Saturday night. AVERY SHOWELL — Georgia Tech (R-So., DB, Cartersville HS)… had one solo tackle in the third quarter of the Yellow Jackets’ 27-24 home, overtime loss Saturday to The Citadel. Georgia Tech (1-2) has a bye week before traveling to Philadelphia to take on the Temple Owls September 28. JAKE WALKER — Furman University (Jr., TE, Cartersville resident, Darlington HS)… saw playing time in the Paladins’ 24-17 loss Saturday at Virginia Tech. Furman (1-2) begins Southern Conference play at home Saturday against Mercer. BRYCE WILKINS — Reinhardt University (So., OL, Cartersville HS)… made his first start Saturday at left guard in the Eagles’ 28-0 win at Campbellsville University (KY). He was also credited for a tackle in the second quarter on a seven-yard pass completion by Campbellsville. NAIA 10th-ranked Reinhardt (3-0) makes the trip to West Palm Beach Saturday to take on Keiser University. CROSS COUNTRY PARKER BREEDLOVE — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cartersville HS)… ran 58th overall of 101 competitors Saturday at the University of North Georgia Cross Country Invitational in Oakwood. Breedlove covered the 8k course (4.97 miles) in 31:36. Breedlove was seventh among his teammates. As a team the Eagles placed fifth out of a dozen schools. The race was won by West Alabama by one point over Emmanuel College. Reinhardt competes this Friday at the Wingfoot XC Classic at Sam Smith Park in Cartersville. CHEYENNE SPINKS — University of North Georgia (Fr., Woodland HS)… finished 11th individually in 20:00 and was the fifth scoring runner for the Nighthawks as they won the 7th Annual 5k UNG Cross Country Invitational Saturday. UNG finished seven points ahead of SCAD Atlanta with University of the South placing third. North Georgia runs Friday night in the Wingfoot XC Classic at Sam Smith Park in Cartersville. VOLLEYBALL NEDU EVANS — Augusta University (Fr., MH, Cartersville HS)… the Lady Jags had a trio of straight set wins over the weekend, defeating Albany State Friday and King University (TN) and Emmanuel College Saturday. Augusta (5-2) hosts Belmont Abbey Tuesday, at West Alabama Friday, before entertaining University of Montevallo and Southern Arkansas University Saturday. (Note: Individual stats were not available but will be added when they become available.) GRACE HUNTER — Brewton-Parker College (Fr., S/RS, Cartersville HS)… led her team with 13 kills, hitting 0.417 with just 3 attacking errors in the game Saturday as the Lady Barons earned their first win of the year and their first conference win in years, defeating Middle Georgia State. BPC (1-9, 1-0) plays at Agnes Scott Wednesday night before traveling to play Keiser University and Florida College in Temple Terrace, Florida. Saturday they travel to Lakeland, Florida to face Southeastern University. SOCCER EMILY COLLUM — Georgia Southwestern State University (So., F, Adairsville HS)… took two shots, one shot on goal and played 20 minutes in the Hurricanes’ 5-2 loss at Middle Georgia State last Tuesday. She did not take a shot, but saw 35 minutes of playing time Saturday in a 2-1 loss to Spring Hill College. Georgia Southwestern (1-2) hosts Southern Wesleyan Wednesday night and head to Rome Saturday for an evening match at Shorter University. HAVYN ISAAC — Georgia Military College (Fr., GK, Adairsville HS)… saw 30 minutes of action off the bench in net Friday in the Bulldogs’ 6-0 blanking of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. She had one save. GMC (2-2-1, 2-1-1 GCAA) hosts another conference match Friday against South Georgia State CC. KURT MOORE — Birmingham Southern College (Sr., GK, Euharlee resident, Darlington HS)… picked up a pair of wins in net this weekend as the Panthers won 4-2 Friday at LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas and edged East Texas Baptist University 3-2 in overtime Sunday. Moore started and went the distance in both wins making three saves at LeTourneau and six at East Texas Baptist. BSC (3-2-1) hosts Belhaven University this Saturday night. MARISSA MOWRY — Anderson University (So., M, Cartersville HS)… started and played 71 minutes in the Lady Spartans’ 2-1 win last Wednesday night over USC-Aiken. Anderson (1-1) entertains Newberry Wednesday in both teams’ South Atlantic Conference opener. The Spartans travel to Wingate for a conference match Saturday evening. COURTNEY RHEA — Berry College (So., MF, Cartersville HS)… played the final eight minutes of the opening half in the Vikings’ 3-2 home win last Wednesday over Huntingdon College. She also entered in the 63rd minute of Sunday’s 7-2 win at Agnes Scott and had a shot on goal. Berry (5-1) plays at Covenant College Tuesday night and travels to Belhaven University Saturday afternoon.

Local golfer Chad Branton shot 68-74 in the stroke play portion of the U.S.G.A.’s Mid-Amateur Championship Saturday and Sunday in Aurora, Colorado to qualify for the match play portion of the tournament that begins Monday. The stroke play portion included 264 competitors who played 18 holes each at CommonGround Golf Course and Colorado Golf Club. Only the top 64 players from stroke play qualify for Monday’s first round of match play. Over 4,750 players entered the national championship tournament for qualifying at 65 different sites around the country. Branton qualified for the event in Colorado by placing in the top five of 134 players at Pinetree Country Club in Kennesaw back in August. The U.S. Mid-Am is open to any amateur golfer who has reached their 25th birthday as of Sept. 14 and whose Handicap Index does not exceed 3.4. Branton’s 142, even par, weekend total tied for 13th in the stroke play segment. He begins the Round of 64 in match play Monday at 11 a.m. MDT as the No. 21 seed. He squares off in his 18-hole match against No. 44 seed Jimmy Chestnut of Royal Oak, Michigan. The surviving field of 64 players will complete the first round of match play Monday. The second and third rounds are scheduled for Tuesday. Wednesday is scheduled for the quarterfinals and semifinals with the 36-hole championship match set for Thursday. All match play round will be held at the par-72, 7,561-yard Colorado Golf Club.

Local youth football summaries from games played Saturday, September 14. Bartow County Recreation Department games were played at Adairsville High School and the Bartow County Panthers youth program had games in Sharpsburg and Acworth. Saturday, September 14 at Adairsville High School 8U CASS BLUE 35, ADAIRSVILLE TIGERS 0 William Nachsheim rushed for 104 yards and had three touchdown runs Jaylen Thompson ran for 108 yards and two touchdowns in the Cass Blue win. Nachsheim’s scoring runs were from 35-, 26-, and 20-yards. He added one PAT run. Thompson scored on runs from 60- and 40-yards out and added a pair of PAT runs. Kylan Davis, who had six tackles, made a tackle in the Tigers’ end zone for a safety. Calvin Simon and Knox Gunter added five tackles each for Cass Blue. Aiden White had 17 yards rushing for the Tigers. Gray Chancey finished with six yards passing and nine yards rushing for Adairsville. The Tigers’ defense was led by Garret Easley with three tackles. 10U CASS BLUE 21, ADAIRSVILLE TIGERS 7 Tyler Glunt of Cass Blue rushed for 78 yards including touchdowns of 45- and 25-yards. He also added one PAT run. Giovanni Banks added 14 yards rushing on a scoring run and added a 2-point conversion kick. Jackson Jarrett rushed for 56 yards for Adairsville. Kam Hosey contributed 19 yards rushing and Isaiah Craig scored the Tigers’ touchdown on a four-yard run. Craig also added a PAT run. Demontre Cochran and Jacobian Sturgis led the Cass Blue defense with seven tackles each. Glunt and Banks had four and two tackles, respectively for Cass. Braxton Elron had three tackles for the Tigers. Kam Hosey added two tackles. 12U PEPPERELL DRAGONS 22, ADAIRSVILLE TIGERS 0 Julius Jones rushed for 31 yards and Westin Crisp totaled 26 yards rushing for Adairsville. On defense, Jones had five tackles, Brad Barton contributed four, and Crisp had two tackles. NORTHWEST GEORGIA YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE Saturday, September 14 8U at Sharpsburg SHARPSBURG STALLIONS 20, BARTOW COUNTY PANTHERS 12 The Panthers’ Gary Douglas rushed for 100 yards on seven carries and scored on touchdown runs of 20 and 30 yards, but Bartow County came up short at the Sharpsburg Stallions Saturday, 20-12. Bartow took a 6-0 lead on an eight-play drive to start the game, but trailed 13-6 at halftime. The Bartow defense got a three-and-out to start the second half and scored on the ensuing possession to narrow the margin to 13-12, but would get no closer. Sharpsburg added a fourth quarter touchdown following an interception that was returned to the Panthers’ 15-yard line. The Stallions cashed in the drive with 2:25 remaining in the game. “It was a tough game,” said Panthers’ coach LaShon Darby. “We had some injuries and were playing a little short-handed. That forced some kids into playing out of position, but they still gave themselves a chance to win.” Karsin Darby led the Bartow defense with ten tackles. Douglas finished with seven stops and Joziah Upshaw added five tackles. The 8U Bartow County Panthers are 1-2 and will play the Ross Longhorns in their next NWGYFL game Saturday at 10 a.m. at Woodland High School. 9U at Acworth Halbrooks Field BARTOW COUNTY PANTHERS 26, ACWORTH WARRIORS 14 Currently ranked No. 8 in Georgia by D1 Nation Football, the 9U Bartow County Panthers won at the Acworth Warriors Saturday, 26-14. The Panthers took a 26-0 lead into the fourth quarter before Acworth returned a kickoff for a touchdown and added another score in the game’s final minute. Javious Davis recovered an Acworth fumble at the Warriors’ own one yard line to set up Bartow’s first score. Quarterback Trace Hawkins put the first points on the board with a one-yard sneak for the only points of the first half. On the Panthers’ first play of the second half, Cooper Melvin connected with Lance Tippett for a 33-yard touchdown pass and a 13-0 Bartow lead. On their first possession of the fourth quarter, Bartow County made it 20-0 on a one-yard keeper again by Hawkins. The score was set up by a 20-yard pass reception from Hawkins to Kaiden Kent. The final Bartow touchdown and a 26-0 lead came on a 7-yard pass from Hawkins to Melvin. The Warriors returned the ensuing kickoff and scored their final points with only 30 seconds remaining in the game. Hawkins finished 10-for-17 passing for 103 yards and one touchdown. He added 20 yards rushing on five attempts and two touchdowns. Melvin was 1-for-2 passing for 33 yards and a score. Kent rushed for 41 yards on six carries and caught three passes for 35 yards. J’Tayvious Whatley carried six times for 22 yards. Kayden Blackwell caught two passes for 18 yards. Tippett had the 33 yard touchdown reception from Melvin and Davis caught one pass for five yards. Nathan Woods was also credited as the offensive lineman of the game for the Panthers. On defense, Bartow County forced four fumbles. Two were recovered by Whatley who added five tackles. Davis — who had four tackles —and Melvin — with three tackles — recovered the other Acworth fumbles. Solomon James contributed five tackles for the Panthers’ defense. Hawkins made four tackles. Kent, Tippett, and Isaiah Moreno contributed three tackles each. Tristin Hall made a pair of stops, while Chris McClendon, Chris Parker, and Jahari Whatley added one tackle apiece. The 9U Panthers (2-0) return to the gridiron Saturday at 12 noon against the Ross Elite Longhorns (3-0) at Woodland High School. 10U at Sharpsburg BARTOW COUNTY PANTHERS 20, SHARPSBURG STALLIONS 6 The 10U Bartow County Panthers won their second straight to start the 2019 NWGYFL schedule, winning at Sharpsburg in Coweta County Saturday 20-6. The 10U Panthers’ touchdowns came on a three-yard run by Lawson Weeks, a 10-yard run by Demarcus Ballenger, and a 40-yard pass from Grayson Warmack to Jeremy Dent. Warmack and Weeks converted two of the Panthers’ three extra point attempts. Jake Orton finished with 80 yards rushing behind solid offensive line play. Jorian Bailey and Orton were credited for their outstanding defensive performances. Both had multiple tackles for loss. 10U Bartow County is 2-0 and hosts the North Georgia Cowboys at 2 p.m. Saturday at Woodland High School. Information for the youth football updates provided by the Cartersville Parks and Recreation Department, the Bartow County Parks and Recreation Department, and the Bartow County Panthers youth football program. The updates are sponsored on Bartow Sports Zone by Cici's - Beyond Pizza in the Cherokee Place Shopping Center in Cartersville.

Local golfer Chad Branton of Cartersville shot a 2-under-par 68 Saturday in the opening round at the United States Golf Association Mid-Amateur Championship being conducted at the Colorado Golf Club and CommonGround Golf Course in neighboring Parker and Aurora, Colorado. Branton played the par-70, 7,470-yard CommonGround Golf Course Saturday. He will play the par-72, 7,561-yard Colorado Golf Club Sunday seeking to earn a spot in the tournament’s match play rounds that begin Monday. All match play rounds will be held at Colorado Golf Club. Saturday’s first round began with 264 competitors who qualified in August at 65 different sites around the country. 4,751 players entered August qualifying. The U.S. Mid-Am is open to any amateur golfer who has reached their 25th birthday as of Sept. 14 and whose Handicap Index does not exceed 3.4. The Cartersville native earned his spot in the championship in Colorado through qualifying at Pinetree Country Club in Kennesaw where he finished fifth with a 2-under-par 70. The field of 134 players at Pinetree were competing for six spots in Colorado. Branton’s 2-under-par total Saturday has him in a four-way tie for tenth place. Robbie Ziegler and Marc Engellenner are tied for the lead at 5-under-par. Ziegler played the Colorado Golf Club while Engellenner played his Saturday round at CommonGround. Hole No. 2 at Colorado Golf Club Branton started on No. 10 Saturday at CommonGround and made the turn after making a pair of birdies and two bogies. On his final nine, he made one bogie and three birdies. Sunday, Branton will tee off at 8:17 a.m. MDT and will begin on Hole No. 1 at Colorado Golf Club. Following Sunday’s round, the field will be narrowed to the top 64 players. The remaining field of 64 will be paired for match play starting Monday. On Tuesday, the second and third rounds (Round of 32 and Round of 16) will be played. Wednesday is scheduled for the quarterfinals and semifinals with the 36-hole championship match set for Thursday.

The Cass Colonels added to a lead they held when their game with Woodland was suspended Friday night and finished a defeat of the Wildcats Saturday night 36-7. Friday night, Cass led 17-0 at halftime and was ahead 24-7 when the game was suspended for a final time that evening and carried over to Saturday’s 7 p.m. start. The game was suspended several times earlier in the evening due to lightning strikes in the area and was haulted with 2:04 remaining in the third quarter to be resumed on Saturday. Saturday night’s action started with a Cass kickoff and a Woodland three-and-out. The Colonels then struck for a 77-yard touchdown pass from Logan Nelson to Santino Jones on their first play from scrimmage. A failed extra point left Cass with a 30-7 lead early in the fourth quarter. Mark Perdue recovered a fumble and returned it to the eight yard line to set up the game's final score. David Gbadie punched it in for the Colonels for their 36-7 final score. Tanayce Calhoun (above photo by TCPics) led the Colonels in rushing with 124 yards of their team total of 227 yards. Zay Jackson added 71 yards rushing on just three carries. Calhoun scored the Colonels’ first touchdown Friday night on an 18-yard run with 7:57 remaining in the opening quarter. He also had a 19-yard run in the drive and his first scoring run capped a 67-yard drive that took seven plays. Kaleb Speights, who converted all three of his PAT kicks Friday night, made the score 7-0. The Cass offense drove to Woodland’s 2-yard line at the end of the first quarter, but stalled due to a pair of penalties and settled for a Speights 27-yard field goal for a 10-0 advantage with 11:48 to go in the first half. Late in the half, Cass drove 80 yards on five plays for their third touchdown. Zay Jackson scored on a 33-yard scamper with 1:39 left in the half as the Colonels took a 17-0 lead to the locker room. Jackson also had a 26-yard run in the drive. David Gbadie and Calhoun had 10- and 12-yard rushes in the drive. After an extended halftime due to the first lightning delays, Woodland took the second half kickoff and drove 75 yards in nine plays to narrow the Cass lead to 17-7. Hunter Flynt caught a 47-yard pass from Wildcats’ quarterback Johnathan Thomas and DeMarcus Williams (photo) capped off the drive by powering in from the 2-yard line. Kevin Moreno added the extra point kick. Williams led the Woodland rushing attack with 64 yards. After Cass was stopped near midfield, punter Isai Romero barely got a punt away that pinned Woodland at the 6-yard line. From there, the Colonels defense limited the Wildcats to only one yard in the next three downs. Woodland’s punt from their own end zone traveled only 15 yards and set up the next Cass score by Calhoun — a 22-yard dash for a 24-7 Colonels’ lead. With Cass preparing for the ensuing kickoff, officials cleared the field again for a lightning strike at almost 11 p.m. and after another lengthy delay until just after midnight, postponed the resumption until Saturday night. The loss drops Woodland to 1-2 overall and 0-1 in Region 7-AAAAA. The Wildcats travel to Paulding County Friday. Cass (2-1, 1-0) will host Villa Rica this Friday.

The Cartersville girls had three runners place in the top five Saturday to win the Wire2Wire Invitational at Dellinger Park. The Lady Canes finished with 46 team points to finish ahead of Rockmart (60), Sprayberry (61), Gordon Lee (73), and Cass (85). Gracie O’Neal of Gordon Lee won the girls individual title in 19:19. Cartersville’s McKinsey Spinks was second in the race of 27 competitors in 22:25. Other Cartersville Lady Canes included Trinity Atkins (4th, 23:57), Alice Terry (5th, 24:27), Monica Ngugi (13th, 26:32), and Samantha Herrera (22nd, 27:49). Freshman Ashton Johnson led Cass with a ninth place finish in 25:37. Teammates Aislyn Leckwald (23rd, 27:51), Melanie Armstead (26th, 38:04), and Angel Williamson (27th, 38:04) followed. The Cartersville boys had a team win with 38 points. The Hurricanes, who did not run their regular lineup, were followed by Gordon Lee (69), Sprayberry (75), Cass (79), Adairsville (104), and Rockmart (124). Jake Lee of Gordon Lee won the boys individual race in 18:12. The field consisted of 37 competitors. Bryce Richards (4th, 18:50), Matthew Wilson (5th, 18:56), and Banks Wilson (6th, 18:58) finished in the top ten to lead the Canes. Other Cartersville runners were Paul Hyman (11th, 19:31), Carson Gage (12th, 19:32), Jackson Brennan (14th, 19:45), and Colin Grinage (15th, 20:01). For Cass, Andrew Glaze finished third in 18:48. He was followed by teammates Bryce Kresho (13th, 19:41), Prem Patel (16th, 20:01), Jake Wright (22nd, 20:17), Andrew Rampey (25th, 20:48), Matthew Rampey (29th, 21:22), and Tyler McKnight (32nd, 21:59). Adairsville’s runners included: Cooper Brown (17th, 20:05), Andy Barnett (23rd, 20:22), Alex Juarez (31st, 21:40), and Elijah Padjett (33rd, 22:12). WOODLAND GIRLS 2ND, WILDCATS 6TH AT MUSTANG STAMPEDE McKenna Trapheagen won the 4th annual Big Peach Mustang Stampede 5k at Allatoona Creek Park Saturday and teammate Rylee Evans was second overall as the Woodland Lady Cats finished runner-up to Allatoona in a race that included 17 teams. The Buccaneers had three runners in the top eight and all five scoring runners in the top 22 for 58 points. Woodland finished with 99, Rome was third with 129, and Alpharetta placed fourth with 131 points. Trapheagen finished in 18:26 to top a field of 117 runners. Evans completed the course in 19:30. Danielle Thayer (26th, 21:34), Marlee Bowles (27th, 21:36), and Emma Segars (44th, 22:16) rounded out the scoring for the Lady Cats. The Woodland boys placed sixth of 17 teams. Newnan edged Roswell and Alpharetta for the title with 69 points. Roswell finished with 70 and Alpharetta 73. Rome (126) and Allatoona (172) rounded out the top five. The Wildcats were led by Tyler Jones (24th, 17:53), Dylan Stermer (32nd, 17:41), Patrick Bollwerk (35th, 17:53), John Forsyth (40th, 17:56), McKinley Chappell (61st, 18:28), Ian Van Order (74th, 18:56), and Kameron Chappell (75th, 18:57).

Three local teams were busy on the softball diamond Saturday as Cass and Woodland wrapped up competition at the Score International Tournament in Chattanooga and Cartersville hosted a Region 5-AAAA doubleheader with LaGrange. CASS SPLITS TWO GAMES SATURDAY Cass softball split a pair of games Saturday at the Score International Invitational Tournament in Chattanooga to finish 1-3 in the event. Cass defeated St. Pius X 15-11, but lost to Calhoun 11-7. The Lady Colonels pounded out 17 hits, scored in every inning, and led 13-3 at one point before holding on for a 15-11 win over St. Pius X. Cass led 7-2 through two innings and built a 13-3 lead in the top of the fourth, but the Lions didn’t go away. St. Pius scored four runs in each of their next two frames. Cass added a pair of insurance runs in the top of the fifth. Alexis Woods finished with four hits and two RBI for Cass. Kelly Young had three hits. Rachael Lee contributed a pair of hits including a double, a sacrifice fly, and two RBI. Eryn Lee and Kimberly both also had two hits including a double and one RBI apiece. Ansley Hight (RBI), Kylee Hembree, Saydee Najarro, and Hailie Owens added one hit each. Madison Sheppard drove in one run. Rachael Lee (3.2 IP, 7ER, 11H, 2K) was the starting and winning pitcher for Cass. Hembree (0.1 IP, 2BB) and Macenzie Dougharty (1 IP, 4R, 1ER, 4H, 1K) both pitched in relief. Calhoun led Cass the entire way, but the two teams traded runs in almost every inning as the Yellow Jackets won 11-7. Calhoun led 5-2 after one inning and 8-5 after two frames. The Jackets then pushed their lead to 11-5 in the fourth and Cass answered with two runs of their own but could get no closer. Malysha Winston, Sydney Terry, and Erin Barnes combined for six hits and five RBI for the Yellow Jackets. One of the Winston hits was a home run. Macenzie Dougharty (5 IP, 11R, 5ER, 10H, 2BB) was the losing pitcher for the Colonels. Ansley Hight led Cass with three hits including a double and two RBI. Saydee Najarro finished with two hits. Kylee Hembree contributed a hit and two RBI while Alexis Woods, Kelly Young, and Kimberly Allen added the other Colonel base hits. Cass (10-11, 5-6 in Region 7-AAAAA) plays at Woodland Tuesday at 5:55 p.m. and will host Hiram Thursday. WOODLAND DROPS TWO The Lady Cats lost a pair of games Saturday at the Score International Invitational in Chattanooga. Woodland lost 10-4 to Ringgold and 6-4 to Wesleyan. Ringgold led 5-3 through four innings and added four more runs over the next two innings for their victory. Woodland added a run in the seventh for the 10-4 final score. Tigers’ pitcher XXXXX Thomas scattered four hits and worked around seven walks to earn the win in the circle. She struck out two. Bella Carnes had two hits for Woodland. Morgan Bailey and Kendyl Hardin added one hit each. Cassie Jones (7 IP, 10R, 8ER, 13H, 3BB, 2K) took the pitching loss for the Lady Cats. In the loss to Wesleyan, the Lady Cats fell behind 6-0 in the fifth inning before posting four runs combined in the fifth and sixth innings. Allyssa Motes had two hits including a double and two RBI for the Wildcats. Kailey Baker also had two hits including a double and one RBI. Brianna Hill, Hannah Miller, Morgan Cooper, Ansley Evans, Bailey, and Carnes added the other base hits. Hope Schultz (5 IP, 6R, 5ER, 9H, 1BB, 4K) suffered the pitching loss for the Lady Cats in a start. Lainey Baker (2 IP, 0R, 1BB, 4K) pitched in relief. Woodland (9-10, 6-4 Region 7-AAAAA) returns to region play Monday at Kell and will host Cass Tuesday. Both games are 5:55 p.m. starts. LAGRANGE SWEEPS CANES Visiting LaGrange took a pair of Region 5-AAAA games over Cartersville Saturday by identical 5-0 final scores. Grangers pitcher Camden Smith was the story of the day for LaGrange. She tossed a pair of complete game shutouts allowing only two hits in the first game and five hits in the second game. Smith struck out eleven and did not walk a batter in either contest. In the opener, LaGrange scored two runs in the first, two in the third, and another run in the sixth inning. In Game 2 playing as the home team, the Lady Grangers scored five times in the bottom of the first inning. Campbell Rogers and Hope Short had the only Cartersville base hits in the first game. McKinley Chada was saddled with the pitching loss for the Canes. Chada had two hits for the Hurricanes in the second game. Rogers, Lauren McElhaney, and Mikey Lewis had the other Caretersville hits. Ava Perkins (0.0 IP, 2ER, 0H, 1BB) started in the circle for Cartersville and was tagged with the loss without retiring a batter. Kiley Arnold (6 IP, 3R, 2ER, 6H, 3BB, 2K) pitched the rest of the way. LaGrange improved to 17-8 overall and 7-3 in region play. Cartersville (10-11, 5-6) returns to the diamond Tuesday at home to wrap up their Region 5-AAAA regular season slate against Chapel Hill.

Local youth football summaries from games played Thursday, September 12 Thursday, September 12 10U at Old Cass HS (Grassdale Road) CASS SILVER 12, WOODLAND WILDCATS 6 Devin Ware scored both Cass Silver touchdowns on runs of 12- and 25-yards. Brody Gayton scored for the Wildcats on a 12-yard run. Jeremiah Sturdivant had three tackles for Cass Silver. Connor Cobin finished with five tackles for Woodland. 8U at Dellinger Park CARTERSVILLE HURRICANES (Canty) 24, ADAIRSVILLE TIGERS 12 Hurricanes (Canty) got a pair of 40-yard touchdown runs from Cayden Bagley and Luke Gaines; a long scoring run by Jeremy McDaniel; and a 12-yard scoring run by Jeremy McDaniel. Kelson Newman gave the Tigers an early lead with an 11-yard touchdown run and scored in the third quarter on an 18-yard run. Xavier Ramsey and Gaines were the top defensive players for Hurricanes (Canty). Gray Chancey had a big defensive night for Adairsville. 12U at Sonoraville Rec GORDON COUNTY STORM 33, CASS COLONELS 14 The Cass scoring plays came on a pair of Paul Lanier to Kyron McClendon touchdown passes. The combo connected on a 53-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter and a 21-yarder in the fourth period. Lanier also added a 2-point conversion kick. Lanier finished wtih 110 yards passing and 91 rushing yards. McClendon had all 110 receiving yards and added 27 yards rushing. Cayden Aleman, Kenny Brown, Raymond Wilburn, Lanier, and McClendon were credited for their defensive efforts. Information for the youth football updates is provided by the Cartersville Parks and Recreation Department, the Bartow County Parks and Recreation Department, and the Bartow County Panthers youth football program. The updates are sponsored on Bartow Sports Zone by Cici's - Beyond Pizza in the Cherokee Place Shopping Center in Cartersville.