December 6, 2025 Jair Flores won the 113-pound weight division, and four other wrestlers placed for Cartersville on Saturday at the North Atlanta High School Atlanta Invitational. Flores was 4-0 on the day, winning the title.  PJ Richards (175 pounds, 3-2) placed fourth. Fite Casey (106, 3-2) was fifth, while Peter Cepeda (165, 1-3) and GianCarlo Rivadeneyra (285, 2-3) finished sixth. Andrea De Leon Pozuelos (130, 3-1) finished as runner-up in her weight division at the Girls’ Atlanta Invitational. Delilah Ramirez (145, 1-3) finished sixth for Cartersville. Next for the Canes is the Smoky Mountain Duals on Friday and Saturday in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

December 6, 2025 Cass wrestling finished third on Saturday at the 19-team Creekview Invitational in Cherokee County.   The host Grizzlies won the tournament with 194.5 points, followed by South Effingham (174), Cass (170), Woodstock (145), and Rockmart (144.5) to round out the top five. Cass had nine of eleven competitors to earn podium spots, including three runner-up, four third-place, one fourth-place, and one sixth-place finish. Rowdy Duck (144 pounds, 3-1), Luka Jenson (150, 3-1), and Codey Dean (215, 3-1) finished second. Brandon Lalbehari (106, 3-1), Hayden Trimm (120, 3-1), David Jewell (157, 4-1), and Ethan Harrington (175, 4-1) placed third. John Abernathy (285, 4-2) finished fourth, and Mason Tompkins (190) advanced to the tournament semifinals before withdrawing with a medical forfeit to place sixth. Next for Cass is the Smoky Mountain Duals in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, on Friday and Saturday.

December 5, 2025 Cartersville senior golfer, Chad Branton, carded rounds of 71-71-67 (7-under par) this past Wednesday through Friday to win the 2025 Dixie Amateur Senior Invitational at Eagle Trace Golf Club in Coral Springs, Florida. Branton finished three shots ahead of runner-up John Wright of Fairhope, Alabama, and five shots clear of Savannah’s Mike Combs. Rick Stimmel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was fourth at 1-under par, with Allen Peake of Macon and Scott Stevens of Encinitas, California, tying for fifth at even par. Branton’s title earns him additional points in the Senior World Amateur Golf Rankings.

December 5, 2025 The Woodland Wildcats and the Excel Christian Academy girls’ and boys’ basketball teams earned home wins on Thursday. WOODLAND BOYS 54, PEPPERELL 47 Amir Heath scored 19 points, including 13 in the first half, Thursday night as Woodland defeated the visiting Pepperell Dragons 54-47. Landon Dougherty posted 13 points for the Wildcats. Jonathan Hart and Solomon James added seven and six points, respectively. Antonio Barton scored 13 points to lead Pepperell (1-3). Woodland (5-2) visits Cass on Tuesday. PEPPERELL 55, WOODLAND GIRLS 18 Despite a strong second quarter by the Lady Cats, visiting Pepperell pulled away in the second half to defeat the Woodland girls, 55-18. Woodland trailed 9-0 after the opening eight minutes, but narrowed the deficit to 22-15 at halftime. The Lady Cats were limited to only three points in the second half. Hannah Smith led Pepperell (5-0) with 18 points, and Sarah Harris added 12. Woodland (3-4) opens Region 7-4A play on Tuesday at Cass at 6 p.m. EXCEL CHRISTIAN BOYS 97, PRAISE ACADEMY 61 Three Eagles scored in double figures in the first three quarters Thursday night to lead the Excel Christian Academy boys in a 97-61 win over Praise Academy of Powder Springs. Karden Wingard scored 17 points for ECA, followed by Mason McKinney with 16 and Mier Bell with 15. Daniel Foote scored 18 points for Praise Academy (1-1). Hunter Ivey added 11. Excel (6-3, 1-0 GAPPS 1-A, Region 1) visits Rockmart on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and hosts a region game with Oakwood Christian on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. EXCEL CHRISTIAN GIRLS 37, PRAISE ACADEMY 29 The Lady Eagles won for the first time this season on Thursday night at home, defeating region-foe Praise Academy 37-29. The loss left the visiting Lady Lions winless in their first two games. The Excel girls (1-5, 1-0 GAPPS 1-A, Region 1) host Oakwood Christian on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

December 4, 2025 Woodland wrestling celebrated its 2025-26 seniors and defeated Rockmart in a home match Wednesday night, 61-4. The Wildcats honored senior wrestlers Aiden Buchanan, Noah Cates, Nathan Cates, Owen Jones, Amari Kinamore, Paul Lanier, and Briggs Taff in brief ceremonies. Bout results for the Wildcats: 106- Cayden Bagley won by tech fall 18-0 113- Nick Weathersbee won by decision 10-9 120- Bryton Glynn lost by major decision 7-18 126- Adrian Zapata won by tech fall 19-3 132- Joshua Palmore won by decision 7-4 138- Noah Cates won by fall in 1:18 144- Aiden Buchanan won by decision 11-10 150- Nathan Cates won by fall in 3:57 157- Elijah Mullinax won by decision 3-0 165- Skylar Carr won by fall in 0:49 175- Paul Lanier won by forfeit  190- Owen Jones won by fall in 2:50 215- John Gill won by forfeit 285- William Thomas won by decision 7-3 Woodland will return to the mats on December 13 at the Al Miller Duals in Cleveland, Tennessee.

December 4, 2025 The Cass swim team finished third in the combined team scores on Tuesday as the Colonels hosted a quad meet at the Adairsville High School swim facility. Coahulla Creek won the meet, with Dawson County second and Hiram fourth. Top performances for Cass: First place Anniston Duckett — 100-yard butterfly — 1:06.49 Anniston Duckett — 100-yard backstroke — 1:14.03 Second place Girls 200-yard medley relay — Charlie Dovie, Carson Brannon, Anniston Duckett, Adyson Doolittle — 2:29.47 Girls 200-yard freestyle relay — Carson Brannon, Jersi Best, Adyson Doolittle, Anniston Duckett — 2:11.14 Third place Booker Gearhart — 100-yard backstroke — 1:24.59 Alex Mendoza — 100-yard breaststroke — 1:33.80 Boys 200-yard medley relay — Booker Gearhart, Alex Mendoza, James Wilson, Hayden Barlow — 2:24.74 Boys 200-yard freestyle relay — Booker Gearhart, James Wilson, Hayden Barlow, Alex Mendoza — 2:06.29

December 3, 2025 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Former Cartersville High School and current Jacksonville quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, leads the Jaguars this week in a pivotal NFL showdown with the Indianapolis Colts. The two teams are currently tied for the lead in the AFC South. NFL TREVOR LAWRENCE — Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL, 5th-year pro; Clemson; Cartersville HS)  … completed 16 of 27 pass attempts for 229 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions this past Sunday in the Jaguars’ 25-3 win in Nashville over the Tennessee Titans. Lawrence also had three rush attempts for 25 yards and ran for a two-point conversion. The Titans kicked a first-quarter field goal, but the Jags responded with 25 unanswered points. Jacksonville (8-4) shares the AFC South division lead with the Indianapolis Colts, with the Houston Texans one game back at 7-5. The Jaguars host the Colts on Sunday. FOOTBALL CARLOS DEL RIO-WILSON — Marshall University (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … in a battle for bowl eligibility this past Saturday, completed 9 of 16 pass attempts for 136 yards and added two rushing yards during a 24-19 home loss to Georgia Southern University. The Thundering Herd finished 5-7 overall and 3-5 in the Sun Belt Conference. KAIL ELLIS — Auburn University (Fr., Cass HS) … was part of an offensive line rotation that helped produce 411 total yards, including 152 rushing yards in a 27-20 home loss to Alabama this past Saturday. Ellis, who saw action in eight games this season and made multiple starts, was the youngest college football FBS participant at 17 years old after leaving high school one year early. Auburn finished the year 5-7 overall and 1-7 in the Southeastern Conference. MYLES FORRISTALL — Georgia Tech (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … did not have a stat line, but saw special teams action in the Yellow Jackets’ 16-9 loss this past Saturday to Georgia in Atlanta. Georgia Tech (9-3, 6-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) awaits its bowl assignment after missing the ACC championship game. TOKYO GORDON — Sam Houston State University (Jr., Adairsville HS) … a linebacker, Gordon did not have a stat line but saw action this past Saturday in a 56-16 home loss to Florida International University.  He finished the 2025 season with 19 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack. The Bearkats finished 2-10 overall and 1-7 in Conference USA. SHADRE HURST — Tulane University (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … a starting offensive lineman for the Green Wave that produced 463 yards of total offense in a 27-0 home win this past Saturday over Charlotte. Tulane (10-2, 7-1 American Athletic Conference) hosts North Texas in the conference title game on Saturday where they can secure a College Football Playoff spot with a win. KHRISTIAN LANDO — Jacksonville State University (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … had one carry for one yard this past Saturday in the Gamecocks’ 37-34 home win over Western Kentucky. The victory advanced Jax State (8-4, 7-1 Conference USA) to the conference title game on Saturday where they will host Kennesaw State. TYLER MARTIN — Berry College (Sr., Cass HS) … the Second Team all-conference offensive lineman helped the Vikings produce 315 total yards this past Saturday in an 18-14 NCAA Division III home playoff win over LaGrange College. The Vikings (10-1, 7-0 Southern Athletic Conference) have won eight straight and host conference-foe Trinity University (TX) in the national quarterfinals this Saturday. SAM PHILLIPS — University of Iowa (Sr., Cartersville HS) … caught two passes for 12 yards last Friday in the 23rd-ranked Hawkeyes’ 40-16 win at Nebraska. Phillips has 16 receptions this season for 261 yards. Iowa (8-4, 6-3 Big Ten) awaits its bowl selection. DEVONTE ROSS — Penn State University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … had two receptions for 29 yards this past Saturday in the Nittany Lions’ 40-36 win at Rutgers. Ross finished the regular season with 28 catches for 417 yards and five touchdowns. He added eight punt returns for 71 yards. Penn State (6-6, 3-6 Big Ten) won its final three games to become bowl eligible. MALACHI TOLIVER — University of Georgia (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … was part of an offensive line rotation at center that helped produce 260 total yards, including 190 on the ground, in a 16-9 win over Georgia Tech this past Saturday in Atlanta. The 3rd-ranked Bulldogs (11-1, 7-1 Southeastern Conference) play Alabama on Saturday in the SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. SACOVIE WHITE-HELTON — University of Georgia (R-Fr., Cass HS) … saw action and had a 15-yard punt return this past Saturday in the Bulldogs’ 16-9 win over Georgia Tech. Third-ranked Georgia (11-1, 7-1 Southeastern Conference) faces Alabama on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the SEC title game. IAN WILLIAMS — University of Memphis (Fr., Cass HS) … saw action on special teams but did not have a stat line this past Saturday in a 28-17 home loss to Navy.  Williams has appeared in all 12 games for the Tigers this season. Memphis (8-4, 4-4 American Athletic Conference) lost its last three games and awaits its bowl assignment. BASKETBALL NA’YEL CAMPER — Reinhardt University (So., Cartersville HS) … made a start, but played only five minutes in a 70-51 win this past Saturday at Life University. Camper had one rebound and one assist. The Lady Eagles (5-4, 3-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference) visit Bryan College (TN) on Wednesday and Columbia College (SC) on Saturday. CLAIRE DAVIS — University of North Florida (Sr., Cass HS) … had one rebound in a 61-57 home win last Friday over Bethune-Cookman. The Ospreys (3-4) also defeated Campbell University on Saturday to win the North Florida Invitational. UNF visits Georgia Southern on Thursday and UNC-Asheville on Saturday. JA’KA’YAH DRAUGHN — Brewton Parker Christian University (So., Cartersville HS) … scored four points with six rebounds and one assist this past Saturday in an 82-73 loss at College of Coastal Georgia. The Barons (0-8, 0-1 Southern States Athletic Conference) host College of Coastal Georgia on Thursday and play at Point University on Saturday. HALEY JOHNSON — Reinhardt University (Sr., Cass HS) … totaled six points with seven rebounds, four assists, and one steal in wins November 25 at home over Truett McConnell University and this past Saturday at Life University. The Eagles (5-4, 3-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference) make trips to Bryan College (TN) on Wednesday and Columbia College (SC) on Saturday. KEARA McDANIEL — Toccoa Falls College (Sr., Cass HS) … scored three points and grabbed three rebounds last Thursday in a 77-36 loss at Johnson & Wales University (SC). The Screamin’ Eagles (2-9) play at Clinton College (SC) on Tuesday, Lees-McRae College (NC) on Wednesday, and Regent University (VA) on Saturday. T.J. PRINTUP — Tusculum University (Jr., Adairsville HS) … totaled 17 points with six rebounds, three assists, and two steals as the Pioneers lost at Newberry University last Thursday (93-61) and defeated visiting Coker College on Saturday (70-68). Tusculum (3-3, 1-1 South Atlantic Conference) hosts The Crown College (TN) on Tuesday and Wingate University (NC) on Saturday. LONDAISHA SMITH — Reinhardt University (Sr., Cass HS) … scored 13 points with 12 rebounds, two assists, and one steal on November 25 during a 61-43 home win over Truett McConnell University. Smith followed with 14 points, seven rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one blocked shot on Saturday in a 70-51 win at Life University. Reinhardt (5-4, 3-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference) visits Bryan College (TN) on Wednesday and Columbia College (SC) on Saturay. ALISSA WINTERS — Turett McConnell University (So., Adairsville HS) …  scored seven points with two rebounds, one steal, and one assist on November 25 during a 61-43 loss at Reinhardt University. TMU (1-6, 0-4 Appalachian Athletic Conference) plays at Brenau University on Wednesday and entertains Union Commonwealth University (KY) on Saturday.

December 3, 2025 Scott Barkley / CanesAthletics.com Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Canes' sophomore, Brayden King, handles the ball against a River Ridge defender Tuesday night at The Storm Center. Wyatt Thomason celebrated his birthday with 18 points to go with nine rebounds and seven assists as the Cartersville boys ran away from River Ridge at the Storm Center Tuesday night, 88-52. A 31-6 run by the Canes bridging the halves gave them a 66-32 lead, capped by Thomason’s steal and assist to Nas Bennett on the breakaway.  Bennett, who committed to King University in Bristol, Tenn., last week, finished with 15 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Neither he nor Thomason played in the fourth quarter.  Kyron McClendon led all scorers with 20 points to go with three assists and two steals. Brayden King finished with 12 points – all on threes – while Shakai Taylor had ten points and James Lee finished with eight. As a team, the Hurricanes hit 14 from deep. A 14-6 run that included threes by Thomason, McClendon, and back-to-back shots from King gave Cartersville a 49-32 lead. The Canes came out of the locker room and promptly went on a 17-0 tear to put the score at 80-44 going into the final period.  Christian Farmer and Jack Johnson led the Knights (1-3) with nine and eight points, respectively. The Canes (2-0) will play Dalton next Tuesday, Dec. 9, following the Lady Canes’ game at 6.  ADAIRSVILLE GIRLS 44, DARLINGTON 25 The Lady Tigers earned their first win of the season on Tuesday night in Rome with a 44-25 victory at Darlington. Adairsville led 12-3 after the opening eight minutes and built a 22-13 lead at the intermission. The Lady Tigers extended that lead to 35-15 by the end of the third quarter. Lily Roberts led Adairsville with 11 points. Samantha Gough and Savannah Viktora followed with nine and six, respectively. Elle Howren and Addison Hightower led Darlington (1-3) with seven points each. The Lady Tigers host their Region 7-3A opener on Friday at 7 p.m. against Gilmer. NORTH PAULDING 69, ADAIRSVILLE BOYS 46 The Tigers managed only 14 points in the first half Tuesday night and lost at North Paulding, 69-46. The host Wolfpack improved to 2-3 on the season. Eli Pearson scored 22 points for Adairsville. Drew Nida added eight. Adairsville (0-4) hosts Gilmer in a Region 7-3A matchup on Friday night. WOODLAND BOYS 54, RIDGELAND 37 Amir Heath led the way with 12 points, while Caiden Moore scored 10 and Jonathan Hart added nine, as the Wildcats beat visiting Ridgeland on Tuesday, 54-37. The Wildcats led 28-13 at halftime and maintained that lead throughout the second half. Micah Carpenter led Ridgeland (3-2) with 10 points. Woodland (4-2) hosts Pepperell on Thursday in a 6:30 p.m. start. RIDGELAND 60, WOODLAND GIRLS 7 The unbeaten Ridgeland girls (6-0) led 26-7 at halftime and won at Woodland Tuesday night, 60-7.  The Lady Cats (3-3) host Pepperell on Thursday at 5 p.m. EXCEL CHRISTIAN BOYS 74, CHATTOOGA 66 The Eagles avenged a loss earlier in the season by winning 74-66 Tuesday night at Chattooga in Summerville. The Indians beat Excel 69-65 on November 14.ECA led 19-17 after one quarter, 42-34 at halftime, and 60-48 after three quarters en route to an eight-point win. DJ Etchison led Chattooga (1-2) with 22 points. Koi Dodd scored 19, and Tra Lester added 15 for the Indians. Excel Christian (5-3) had five players reach double-digit scoring, including Jamar Gatson (16), TJ Hulbert (14), Mason McKinney (11), Mier Bell (10), and Damir McBride (10). Chattooga won the girls’ game, 53-12, dropping the Excel girls to 0-5 on the season. The Eagles host Praise Academy on Thursday in a doubleheader — the girls’ game tips at 6 p.m.

December 1, 2025 The Adairsville Tigers boys’ basketball team lost a 71-34 decision to Dalton on Saturday afternoon at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Brooks Rutledge scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds to lead the Tigers. Eli Pearson finished with seven points and three boards. Dredyn Bautista scored six points with two rebounds, and Barrett Fuller collected six rebounds and added four points. The Tigers (0-3) visit North Paulding for another non-region game on Tuesday, host Gilmer on Friday, and Rome on Saturday.

November 30, 2025 Scott Barkley / CanesAthletics.com Cartersville's Cooper Melvin wraps up Kell running back Moonie Gipson. Photo: CanesAthletics.com Cartersville answered an opening-drive touchdown by Kell with one of their own to tie the game, but from there it was all Longhorns as the Canes’ season ended with a 48-21 loss on Nov. 28. With the ball at their own 47 and down 7-0, Brady Marchese took in a Nate Russell pass on a short crossing route. The packed visitors’ stands of purple and gold erupted when Marchese shrugged off a would-be tackler near midfield and sprinted for the 53-yard score two-and-a-half minutes into the game. Brady Marchese goes high to haul in a pass vs. Kell / FOCUSED ON THE FIELD PHOTO Kell would score 27 unanswered points, though. Cartersville got as close as the Longhorn 35 on a shanked punt, but would go backwards five yards on the possession before punting themselves.  A short touchdown run and a 40-yard field goal by Kell pushed the lead to 17-7. The score remained until the Longhorns added 17 more points in the final 2:38 of the first half, significantly shifting the momentum.  Nate Russell looks downfield for an open receiver vs. Kell in the state quarterfinals. RANDY PARKER / DTN It began after a Kylen Pope sack placed Kell in a third-and-28 from their own 38. On the next play, Grayson Villar had Kell quarterback Kaleb Narcisse in his arms when Narcisse flipped the ball to running back Moonie Gipson, who then ran 62 yards for the score.  The Canes’ Tyon Coe, fighting for extra yards on the ensuing kickoff return, was stripped of the ball. Moments later, a 14-yard touchdown pass pushed the difference to 31-7.  On the Canes’ next drive, Russell looked for Marchese deep down the sideline, but was picked off with 38 seconds left at the Kell 24. A Longhorn run on first down put Kell at the Canes’ 32. After some shots to the end zone and a run by Narcisse, a 35-yard field goal on the final play of the half made the score 34-7. Cartersville’s offense continued to struggle, going three-and-out to open the second half. Kell responded with a 77-yard drive, highlighted by a 35-yard reception by Gipson and a 36-yard run for the score by Jacob Carroll for the 41-7 lead with 7:31 to play in the third quarter.  Grayson Villar (13) takes Kell QB Kaleb Narcisse to the turf. RANDY PARKER / DTN Gipson, a 4-star junior and the 8th-ranked running back in the nation with offers from Alabama, Oklahoma, Michigan, and others, finished with 158 yards rushing and 116 receiving for 274 all-purpose yards.  Russell connected with Marchese for a 30-yard touchdown in the third quarter to make the difference 41-14. After a Kell touchdown, Cartersville’s Athens Davenport ended the scoring with a 45-yard fumble return for the 48-21 final.  Russell was sacked three times and threw two interceptions on the evening as the offense finished with 132 total yards and only six on the ground.  Cole Crawford led the Cartersville defense with 13 tackles, ten of them solo. Reed Ezell followed with 10 tackles, nine solo.  The Canes entered the game No. 2 against the fifth-ranked Longhorns. Cartersville finishes its 12-1 season with a 7-4A region championship. Kell (11-2) will face top-ranked Creekside in the semifinals next week. Photos: Randy Parker / The Daily Tribune News

November 29, 2025 The Cass Colonels wrestling team finished third on November 26 at the Gauntlet in Gray, hosted by Jones County High School. The Colonels, still competing without a full lineup, had eight of nine wrestlers place in the tournament. Luka Jensen (150 pounds), David Jewell (157), and Ethan Harrington (175) won their respective weight divisions. Brandon Lalbehari (106), Hayden Trimm (126), Codey Dean (215), and John Abernathy (285) placed second. Justus Fife (132) earned a fourth-place finish. Adairsville wrestling finished 13th of 17 teams at the Ringgold Invitational on November 22.  David Coon went 2-1 and finished runner-up in the 175-pound division. Jarrett Chriswell went 5-1 in the 157-pound weight class to place third.

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com In conjunction with WBHF and Bartow Sports Zone, Elite Stone Supply presents the ELITE ATHLETES OF THE MONTH. Each month, local high schools select an Elite Athlete of the Month from their varsity programs and share the information about their honoree through Bartow Sports Zone and on 100.3 FM and AM 1450, WBHF in Cartersville. Nazaire Fleurine is the November 2025 Elite Athlete of the Month representing Cass High School. A senior linebacker and wide receiver on the Colonels’ football team, Fleurine was recently named the Region 7-4A Defensive Player of the Year. In earning the honor, he put together one of the state’s most impressive defensive seasons with 61-½ tackles, including 30 solo, 10-½ for loss, two sacks, four interceptions, four pass break-ups, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, two defensive touchdowns, and one safety. “Naz embodies the spirit of this award with excellence, consistency, and character,” noted Cass assistant athletic director Bobby Hughes. “Beyond the numbers, he’s a leader, a worker, and an example every program hopes to have. The way he carries himself and pushes others around him makes him special.” Emma Grace Gilbert is the November Elite Athlete of the Month for Adairsville High School. The daughter of Brad and Allison Gilbert, Emma Grace is a senior and three-year member of the Tigers’ competition and sideline cheer team. “Emma Grace has led with skill, mentorship, and consistently has a positive attitude both on and off the mat,” said Adairsville cheerleading coach Katie Forsyth. “She pours into our younger athletes and serves as an outstanding role model. She brings a rare level of mental toughness, allowing her to excel in high-pressure moments and anchor the team when it matters most.” The Woodland High School Elite Athlete of the Month for November is Joel McSwain. A senior captain and third-year member of the Tigers’ swimming team, he is the son of Christie Duvall. McSwain swims all strokes, but his primary focus is on long distance. “Joel has been a valued member of our team for the past three years,” said coach Rebecca Beard-Arndt. “In that time, he has distinguished himself not only through his athletic performance but also through his growth as a leader. Where he once looked to others for guidance, he has now become the example his teammates strive to follow. I look forward to watching his continued development this season and seeing how his energy and commitment elevate the entire team.” McSwain is an Honor Roll student, and he started his own company this past summer called “Jumpin' Joel’s Inflatables.” Nate Russell is the Cartersville High School Elite Athlete of the Month for November 2025. A senior member of the Canes’ football and baseball teams, he is the son of Erik and Caroline Russell. He is the starting quarterback on the football team and a starting pitcher on the baseball team. Russell has enjoyed a fantastic senior campaign as the starting signal-caller for the 12-0 Purple Hurricanes, leading into Thanksgiving weekend’s state quarterfinal matchup with the Kell Longhorns in Marietta. He has completed 124 of 163 pass attempts in 2025 (.761%) for 2,575 yards and 36 touchdowns, despite playing in only 28 of 48 quarters. He has also thrown only one interception this season. "Nate is a fantastic competitor, teammate, and young man. His leadership and maturity have been instrumental in our success this season and throughout his career. Whether he is on the mound or taking a snap, Nate has proven that he is an elite competitor who consistently wins big games. Most of all, I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to coach Nate and see his growth as a leader on our team and in our school,” commented Canes’ quarterback coach Brent Rickman. After graduation, Russell will attend Georgia Southern University on a baseball scholarship. Editor's Note: The respective schools and athletic departments supply Bartow Sports Zone and WBHF with photos and bios. Elite Stone Supply Co., LLC is the monthly sponsor. Athletes receive a plaque and recognition during a WBHF radio feature. #EliteAthletesoftheMonth #Cass #Cartersville #Woodland #Adairsville #highschool