Minor league baseball season wound down to a close this past holiday weekend with former Cartersville High School players Sam Howard and Connor Justus wrapping up their summer schedules. Anthony Seigler's 2018 campaign came to a close two weeks back when he was shut down due to a reported concussion. In collegiate cross country, three former Bartow County athletes made season opening appearances while several local soccer athletes contributed with their college teams. NOTE: The college football update for Bartow County players was published separately this week at this LINK. PRO BASEBALL SAM HOWARD — Albuquerque Isotopes (5th yr. pro; LHP; Triple-A Pacific Coast League; Colorado Rockies' organization; Georgia Southern; Cartersville HS)... Howard had two starts for the Isotopes in the final eight days of the regular season, going six innings in each outing. In a home game no-decision against Reno on Aug. 27, Howard struck out six while allowing only one earned run on six hits and three walks. Saturday, he allowed only two runs on four hits and did not walk a batter, but he suffered the loss. He fanned four on Saturday. Howard finished the 2018 season with a 3-8 mark and a 5.06 ERA in 22 games (21 starts). His lone non-start was a scoreless, one-inning appearance with the MLB Rockies in June that was also his major league debut. In 21 starts for Albuquerque, he struck out 80 and walked 34 in 96 innings. Opponents hit .285 against him. Albuquerque (63-77) finished last in the Pacific Coast League’s Pacific Southern Division. CONNOR JUSTUS -- Mobile BayBears (3rd yr. pro; SS; Double-A Southern League; L.A. Angels organization; Georgia Tech; Cartersville HS)... In six games this past week, Justus was 3-for-18 (.167) with a walk and two RBI. He split time this season between the Advanced Class A Inland Empire 66ers and Mobile, playing 77 of his 124 games at the Double-A level. He finished the season with a combined 93 hits in 423 at bats, while slashing .220/.339/.312. He hit six home runs, drove in 47 runs and drew 64 walks. Defensively, Justus has maintained a .978 fielding percentage in 982 1/3 innings and 480 total chances with 22 errors. He has been part of 68 double plays. The BayBears (67-70) finished third overall in the Southern League’s South Division behind playoff qualifiers Biloxi and Pensacola. CROSS COUNTRY SPENCER FIELDS -- Rhodes College (Sr., Kingston, GA; Darlington HS)... placed 17th out of 172 runners in a season-opening meet in Memphis. The senior finished third on his team, helping Rhodes College finish fifth overall in the 18-team event. Fields completed the 4-mile race in 20 minutes, 52.21 seconds. JAISON MORNING -- Valdosta State University (Sr., Cass HS)... took eighth-place in the VSU Border Clash men's 7.25k on Friday. He paced the Valdosta State team, which finished third overall, and crossed the finish line in 24 minutes, 40 seconds — ahead of 71 others racers. LINDSAY SCIFERS -- University of South Alabama (Fr., Woodland HS)... finished fifth in her first collegiate race. Scifers narrowly missed out on fourth place and barely beat out a teammate for a top-five spot in Saturday's dual with Mobile. Scifers finished the 5k course in 20 minutes, 14 seconds. SOCCER KATELYNN HARBEKE -- Life University (Sr., Cass HS)... assisted on both goals for the Eagles in a 2-0 victory over Bryan (Tennessee) College last Tuesday. Harbeke also had a shot on goal in the win. She also started Life's 1-0 loss Saturday to Truett McConnell and 1-0 win Monday over West Virginia University Institute of Technology. EMILY COLLUM -- Georgia Southwestern University (Fr., Adairsville HS)... started and played 72 minutes in her first collegiate game Saturday. However, Georgia Southwestern suffered a 4-0 loss to Emmanuel College in said game. MARISSA MOWRY -- Anderson University (Fr., Cartersville HS)... saw action in both of Anderson's games last week. She came off the bench to play 20 minutes in her first college game and played 10 minutes in the second game. Both ended in 2-0 losses — the first to Georgia College and the second to North Georgia. ANTHONY ROBLEDO -- Reinhardt University (Fr., Cass HS)... played in one of Reinhardt's three games to open the season last week. He didn't see the field in a 2-0 win over Martin Methodist (Tennessee) and 0-0 draw against Cumberland (Tennessee). He played 5 minutes, 48 seconds in a 2-0 victory against SCAD-Savannah on Tuesday.

The local high school football region standings and results for the week ending September 1. REGION 6-AAA Last Week's Scores Calhoun 52, Therrell 6 Haralson Co. 35, Armuchee 0 North Murray 44, Model 7 Darlington 20, Sonoraville 0 SE Whitfield 9, Coahulla Creek 6 Friday’s games: Lakeview-FO at Murray Co.; Sonoraville at Calhoun; Coahulla Creek at Adairsville; North Murray at Adairsville REGION 5-AAAA Last Week's Scores Cartersville 55, Luella 3 Sandy Creek 38, Hampton 7 Troup 47, Columbus 14 Mundy’s Mill 24, Central-Carroll 21 Callaway 14, LaGrange 0 Friday’s games: Troup at Harris Co.; Bremen at Cedartown; McNair at Cartersville; LaGrange at Hampton REGION 7-AAAAA Last Week's Scores Carrollton 35, Riverdale 6 Forsyth Central 24, Cass 12 Hiram 30, South Paulding 12 Kell 29, Lassiter 3 North Paulding 31, East Paulding 29 Woodland 55, East Hall 6 Friday’s games: Hiram at Paulding Co.; Rome at Kell; Woodland at Cass; Villa Rica at Carrollton

While a few programs opened their 2018 college football seasons a week earlier, this past week saw most teams across the nation play their season openers. As a result, many of the football 'Athletes Beyond Bartow' hit the gridiron this past weekend with their college teams for their first games of the 2018 campaign. QUADRE ALLEN — Tusculum College (Sr., DB, Woodland HS)… saw action in the Pioneers’ 13-3 loss to visiting North Greenville last Thursday. Tusculum (0-1) plays at Shorter this Saturday. DEANDRE APPLIN — Georgia State University (Sr., DB, Adairsville HS)… started at safety and had one tackle and an interception in the Panthers’ 24-20 home win last Thursday over FCS 5th-ranked Kennesaw State. Applin returned his second quarter pick 12 yards to the KSU 37 yard line. It set up the Panthers’ second touchdown to tie the game 14-14. GSU (1-0) travels to Raleigh, NC to take on North Carolina State this Saturday. CHRIS BLACKSTON — University of West Georgia (Jr., DB, Adairsville HS)… started at free safety and finished with five tackles, including one for a three-yard loss as the NCAA D2 25th-ranked Wolves beat visiting Catawba 34-3. Blackston was also credited with one quarterback hurry. UWG (1-0) plays at Limestone this Saturday afternoon. DALEN CURTIS — Brevard College (Soph., FB, Cartersville HS)… converted from the offensive line to fullback this season, Curtis had an eight yard reception in the Tornados’ 34-13 loss at Davidson. Brevard (0-1) has a week off before hosting Allen University September 15. MARCUS CHILDERS — Northern Illinois University (R-Soph., QB, Adairsville HS)… the Huskies’ starter at quarterback was 14-for-25 passing for 105 yards and a touchdown during NIU’s season opening 33-7 loss Saturday at Iowa. Childers threw one interception and was sacked five times. He rushed ten times for 15 net yards and even caught one pass for five yards. Northern Illinois (0-1) plays its home opener this Saturday against Utah. XAVIOR COAXUM — LaGrange College (Soph., DB, Cartersville HS)… the Panthers’ starter at free safety, Coaxum had seven tackles Saturday in a 34-28 loss at Birmingham Southern. LaGrange (0-1) will entertain visiting Berry College this Saturday night at Callaway Stadium. JONATHAN CRUZ — UNC-Charlotte (Fr., PK, Cartersville HS)… connected on a pair of first half field goals and made four PAT kicks in his collegiate debut as the 49er’s beat visiting Fordham 34-10. Cruz did miss a 27-yard field goal attempt in the final seconds of the first half. His seven kickoffs averaged 60 yards with three touchbacks. UNCC (1-0) will host Appalachian State this Saturday night. JORDAN FERGUSON — Middle Tennessee State University (Soph., DL, Cartersville HS)… saw action in three quarters of the Blue Raiders’ 35-7 loss Saturday night at Vanderbilt. MTSU (0-1) hosts Tennessee-Martin this Saturday night. MILLER FORRISTALL — University of Alabama (R-Soph., TE, Cartersville HS)… saw action in the top-ranked Crimson Tide’s opening 51-14 victory Saturday night over Louisville in Orlando. Alabama (1-0) hosts Arkansas State this Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa. GABE GRIDLEY — Angelo State University (Jr.,P, Cartersville HS)… had six punts for a 38.5 yard average including a long kick of 49 yards and five punts downed inside the 20 yard line as the Rams won Saturday at Western Oregon 24-17. ASU (1-0) travels to Abilene Christian University this Saturday night. HUNTER HARDIN — Point University (Soph., OL, Woodland HS)… saw action in the second half of the Skyhawks’ 48-7 loss at Stetson Saturday. Hardin was also on the PAT team for Point’s extra point. PU (0-2) hosts Edward Waters College this Saturday afternoon. KALIN HEATH — University of West Georgia (Jr., RB, Cartersville HS)… in his first action as a member of the NCAA D2 19th-ranked Wolves, Heath, a transfer from UAB who was previously red-shirted at Kansas State, finished with seven yards on four, fourth quarter carries. He picked up eight yards on his first attempt, but later had a two-yard loss in the same series. West Georgia routed Catawba 34-3 to start the season 1-0 and will travel to Limestone University this Saturday. SEAN HOLTON — Davidson College (Soph., DB, Cartersville HS)… recorded two tackles as the Wildcats defeated visiting Brevard College Saturday, 34-13. Davidson (1-0) plays host to Chowan this Saturday night. LUCAS JOHNSON — Georgia State University (Sr., OL, Cass HS)… started at right tackle last Thursday in the Panthers’ 24-20 home win over Kennesaw State. Johnson was part of an offensive unit that gained 315 total yards (128 rushing on 38 attempts / 187 passing on 28 attempts). GSU (1-0) plays this Saturday at N.C. State. EMMANUEL JONES — Colorado State University (Soph., LB, Woodland HS)… had three tackles Friday night as the Rams lost to rival Colorado in Denver, 45-13. CSU (0-2) hosts Arkansas this Saturday evening. BRADLEY KIRK — Shorter University (Fr., DB, Cartersville HS)… a starter in the Hawks’ defensive backfield, Kirk was credited with six tackles and a forced fumble in his collegiate debut. Unfortunately, Shorter suffered a 66-9 loss at Samford. The Hawks (0-1) will host Tusculum College this Saturday afternoon at Barron Stadium in Rome. TREVOR LAWRENCE — Clemson University (Fr., QB, Cartersville HS)… sharing time with starter Kelly Bryant, Lawrence finished 9-for-15 or 137 yards and three touchdowns with a long connection of 42 yards as the Tigers blasted Furman 48-7. The true freshman also had three rushes for one net yard in his collegiate debut. His scoring plays included a second quarter, six-yard TD pass to Diondre Overton; a third quarter 15-yard TD pass to Justyn Ross; and a fourth quarter 9-yard TD pass to Braden Galloway. Second-ranked Clemson (1-0) hits the road this Saturday for an inter-conference matchup at Texas A&M. DARIAN POELLNITZ — Miles College (Fr., DL, Cartersville HS)… was credited with one solo tackle Saturday in the Golden Bears’ 37-0 loss at Alabama A&M. Miles (0-1) travels to Livingston, AL Thursday night to face NCAA D2 17th-ranked University of West Alabama. MARK QUATTLEBAUM — UNC-Charlotte (R-Sr., SL, Cartersville HS)… started as the 49ers slot receiver and punt returner in a 34-10 opening day win over visiting Fordham. Quattlebaum was targeted only once as a receiver and had a one-yard rush in the game. He also had an 18-yard punt return along with a pair of fair catches and one lost fumble in the return game. Charlotte (1-0) hosts Appalachian State this Saturday night. SEVEN RICHARDS — Jacksonville University (Fr., OL, Cass HS)… saw his first-ever collegiate action in the Dolphins’ season opening 63-14 victory over St. Augustine’s. Jacksonville rushed for 424 yards and passed for another 120 in their win. The Dolphins (1-0) travel north to Macon, GA this Saturday to challenge Mercer. JOHN SCIFERS — University of West Georgia (R-Soph., PK, Woodland HS)… missed a 32-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter of last Thursday’s 34-3 win over Catawba. 19th-ranked UWG (1-0) travels to Limestone College this Saturday afternoon. MACLAND SHAY — New Mexico Highlands University (Fr., DB, Cass HS)… saw action in the Cowboys’ 45-31 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference win over Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. Highlands (1-0) hosts Adams State University this Saturday afternoon in another conference game. HIRAM VELEZ — University of West Florida (R-Sr., WR, Adairsville HS)… saw playing time in the NCAA D2 2nd-ranked Argonauts’ 19-9 win at home over No. 22 Carson-Newman last Thursday. UWF (1-0) travels to Wichita Falls, TX this Saturday night to play 11th-ranked Midwestern State. BRANDON WADE — Ellsworth CC (Soph., DL, Cartersville HS)… had three tackles, including two for loss, but the Panthers lost 17-10 to Highland Community CC Saturday in Iowa Falls, IA. Ellsworth (0-2) hosts Garden City CC next Saturday afternoon. JAKE WALKER — Furman University (Soph., TE, Cartersville resident, Darlington HS)… started at tight end for the FCS 21st-ranked Paladins, but was not targeted in the Furman passing game during a 48-7 loss to 2nd-ranked Clemson. Furman (0-1) plays at FCS 13th-ranked Elon this Saturday.

The Woodland girls cross country team dominated the 20-team field Saturday as they hosted the 12th annual Run at the Rock on the Woodland High School campus. McKenna Trapheagen (19:02) won the 5k race and was followed by teammates Carli Clymer (2nd, 19:55), Angela Cochran (3rd, 20:12), Baylee Evans (4th, 20:17), Rylee Evans (6th, 20:26), and Cheyenne Spinks (8th, 21:10). Erica Boatner (18th, 22:52) rounded out the scoring varsity roster for the Lady Cats. Erica Boatner (20th, 22:52) and Marlee Bowles (22nd, 23:16) gave Woodland eight runners in the top 22. River Ridge ran second in the girls race, followed by third place Kennesaw Mountain. Rome and Paulding County rounded out the top five teams. The Cartersville girls finished 11th and Cass was 19th. Genry Apor (22:16) ran 13th overall and led the Lady Canes. Trista Kelly (59th, 25:07), Vanna Beach (60th, 25:08), Jocelyn Blanchette (92nd, 26:22), Bella Spencer (99th, 27:04), Trinity Atkins (124th, 29:20), Naomi Wade (131st, 30:10), and Caroline Fahey (144th, 31:38) rounded out the Cartersville varsity runners. For Cass, Olivia Flynn ran 58th overall in 25:02. Morgan Tompkins (129th, 30:06), McKinzie Tompkins (153rd, 34:27), Stassija Banks (164th, 37:56), and Jordan Danna (165th, 38:48) competed for the Lady Colonels. The Cartersville boys cross country team finished third and Woodland was fifth Saturday in the 22-team field of the Woodland High School Run at the Rock. Kennesaw Mountain won the meet narrowly over North Cobb. Alex Dyck (16:32) of Wheeler won the boys’ race while his teammate Daniel Reis (17:01) was runner-up. Cartersville was led by Max Florence (16th, 17:53). He was followed by Bill Archer (19th, 18:00), Alex Rios (24th, 18:23), Parker Breedlove (29th, 18:34), Colin McCann (37th, 18:48), Clay Ross (59th, 19:33), Matthew Wilson (60th, 19:34), Banks Wilson (67th, 19:39), Levi Booth (69th, 19:41), and Zac Seijo (111th, 20:49) in the 193-runner field. Woodland had three runners in the top twenty-one finishers. Austin Parker was the top finishers for the Wildcats in 17:58 at 17th place. He was followed by John Shropshire (18th, 17:58), Dylan Stermer (21st, 18:09), Reece Mitchell (47th, 19:10), John Forsyth (48th, 19:13), Kobe Cochran (54th, 19:28), Patrick Bollwerk (63rd, 19:35), Ian Van Order (64th, 19:37), McKinley Chappell (68th, 19:40), Pierre Brunet (82nd, 20:03), and Gabe Shephard (192nd, 26:05). Prem Patel (76th, 19:55) led the Cass individual runners. Bryce Kresho (110th, 20:47), Logan Van Stinj (167th, 23:18), and Craigory Chatman (171st, 23:30) also competed for the Colonels. Next for Woodland and Cartersville is the Carrollton Orthopedic Invitational Saturday at Carrollton High School. -- results provided by Georgia Milesplit

Woodland softball captured the 2018 Bartow County Softball Championship Tournament Saturday afternoon at Hamilton Crossing Park with an 11-3, five-inning defeat of Cartersville in the title game. Caroline Higdon (photo right) paced the Lady Cats at the plate with a 3-for-4 performance that included a first inning, two-run home run and five RBI. Sarah Baynard (5 IP, 3R, 0ER, 6H, 2BB, 1K) went the distance in the circle for Woodland to earn the pitching victory. Woodland, who topped Adairsville in Friday’s semifinals, opened with three runs in the first inning and four more in the second to take an early 7-0 lead. Cartersville narrowed the margin to 7-3 in the top of the third inning, but the Lady Cats scored four more times in the next two frames for the eight-run win. Cio Seigler finished with two hits for the Lady Canes. Hope Short had a double and one RBI. Presley Edwards contributed a hit and two RBI. AnnaKate McElhaney and Lauren McElhaney added one hit apiece for Cartersville. Jordan Duck had two hits for Woodland. Morgan Cooper (double), Hannah Miller (double), Allyssa Motes (2 RBI), Kendyl Hardin (RBI), and Ansley Evans contributed the other Lady Cats’ hits. With the loss, Cartersville is now 7-7 overall. The Lady Canes (3-3 in Region 5-AAAA) play at Cedartown Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. and will host Central-Carroll Thursday. Both games are league contests. Woodland (10-5, 4-2) returns to Region 7-AAAAA action Wednesday at 5:55 p.m. at Hiram and will host Paulding County Thursday. Photo courtesy TC Pics Photography. ADAIRSVILLE 9, CASS 4 Adairsville and Cass softball traded the lead Saturday in the third place game of the 2018 Bartow County Championship Tournament, but it was the Lady Tigers who ultimately pulled away for a 9-4 win at Hamilton Crossing Park. Adairsville led 3-1 through two innings before the Lady Colonels struck for three runs in the third to take a temporary 4-3 lead. The Lady Tigers responded with four runs in the third inning and two more in the fourth for their five-run win. Natalie Burrow (3 IP, 4ER, 5H, 2K) and Victoria O’Neal (4 IP, 0R, 3H, 7K) split the pitching duties for the Tigers with Burrow picking up the victory. Cass also utilized a pair of hurlers, Rachael Lee (3 IP, 7R, 3ER, 7H, 5BB, 1K) and Kylee Hembree (3 IP, 2ER, 5H, 2K). Sadye Johnson paced Adairsville with three hits including a double and two RBI. Bree Wilson added two hits including a third inning, two-run home run. Taylor Rhoades also had two hits including a double and one RBI. Havyn Isaac, Sierra Tanner (triple), and Burrow contributed one hit and one RBI each. Chloe Souders and O’Neal also finished with one of the Tigers twelve hits. Saydee Najarro posted two hits and two RBI for Cass. Brylie Sanford also had a pair of hits. Haley Smith contributed a double and two RBI for the Colonels. Kaila Carson, Hollie Elrod, and Lee added one hit apiece. Adairsville, who won the Bartow tournament last season, improved to 3-14 with the victory and will return to Region 6-AAA action Thursday at Sonoraville. Cass (2-10, 2-4) has road games in Region 7-AAAAA Wednesday at 5:55 p.m. at East Paulding and Thursday at Carrollton.

The four local fast pitch softball programs battled in a pair of semifinal games Friday night at Hamilton Crossing Park as the 2018 Bartow County Championship Tournament got underway. Cartersville blanked Cass 8-0 in the early matchup and Woodland topped Adairsville 6-1 in the nightcap. CARTERSVILLE 8, CASS 0 Colbi Ballard tossed a five-inning, complete-game, one-hitter Friday night as Cartersville blanked Cass 8-0 in a semifinal game of the Bartow County Championship Tournament at Hamilton Crossing Park. Ballard fanned nine and walked only two. The lone Cass hit was a fourth inning single by Eryn Lee. Meanwhile, the Lady Canes scored in each inning as they totaled nine hits and took advantage of five Cass errors. Lauren McElhaney had three hits and scored twice to pace Cartersville. Cio Seigler, Hope Short, AnnaKate McElhaney (RBI), Ballard (RBI), Presley Edwards (RBI), and Emma Frothingham (RBI) contributed one hit apiece. Kylee Hembree (2 IP, 5R, 2ER, 7H, 2BB, 1K) was saddled with the Cass pitching loss. Rachael Lee (2.1 IP, 2ER, 2H, 2BB, 1K) pitched in relief. Cass (2-9) will face Adairsville Saturday at 11 a.m. in a consolation game. Cartersville (7-6) will play Woodland in Saturday’s championship game at 1 p.m.. Both games will be played at Woodland High School. WOODLAND 6, ADAIRSVILLE 1 Woodland broke on top Friday night with two first inning runs on their way to a 6-1 victory over Adairsville in a semifinal game of the Bartow County Softball Championship Tournament played at Hamilton Crossing Park. Adairsville answered with a run in the bottom of the first inning, but would not manage another run. Woodland went ahead 4-1 in the fourth inning and added single runs in the sixth and seventh innings. The Lady Cats out hit Adairsville 10 to six. Sarah Baynard (7 IP, 1ER, 6H, 1BB, 3K) collected the pitching win for Woodland with a complete-game effort. Victoria O’Neal (6 IP, 5R, 3ER, 9H, 1BB, 6K) took the pitching loss for Adairsville. Taylor Rhoades (1 IP, 1ER, 1H) also worked an inning in the circle. Sadye Johnson, Natalie Burrow, and Breeana Wilson had two hits each for the Tigers. Bella Carnes led Woodland with three hits including a double and three RBI. Ansley Evans and Morgan Cooper contributed a pair of hits each. Jordan Duck, Hannah Miller, and Kendyl Hardin had the other Lady Cats’ hits. Adairsville (2-14) will face Cass Saturday in a consolation game at Woodland High School at 11 a.m. Woodland (9-5) will host Cartersville for the 2018 Bartow County Championship Tournament title at 1 p.m.

Both Cartersville and Woodland cruised to easy victories Friday night while Cass suffered a road loss at Forsyth Central. Tee Webb threw for six touchdowns and ran for one to lead Cartersville. Jimmy Davis and Quentin Burgs combined for five of Woodland's touchdowns as those two local teams posted 55 points each. WEBB’S SEVEN TDs PACE HURRICANES Tee Webb tossed six touchdown passes and ran for one as the Cartersville Purple Hurricanes tamed the visiting Luella Lions 55-3 Friday night at Weinman Stadium. Cartersville cruised to a 34-0 lead in the first quarter and added 21 more before the intermission. Luella kicked a third quarter touchdown to get on the scoreboard. The Hurricanes sat the starters in the second half and a running clock after halftime helped close out the contest. Webb (photo) connected with Kaleb Chatman on a 48-yarder to open Cartersville’s scoring. He followed that with a scoring toss to Marcus Gary and a second touchdown pass to Chatman to go ahead 20-0. Webb rushed rushed for a late first quarter score and hooked up with Gary for a fourth TD pass to put the Canes on top, 34-0. In the second quarter, Gary added a 4-yard rushing touchdown, while Webb hit Harrison Allen for a 39-yard scoring pass and Amari Orr on another to give Cartersville a 55-0 advantage at the break. The Cartersville defense was stingy, holding Luella to just -18 yards in the first half, while the Cartersville offense surpassed 330 yards. Cartersville is now 2-0 on the season and will host McNair next week at 7:30 p.m. Luella fell to 0-2. WOODLAND DOMINATES VIKINGS, 55-6 The Woodland Wildcats dominated visiting East Hall Friday night at Wildcats’ Stadium, 55-6. Woodland raced to a 42-0 first half lead and enjoyed a mercy-rule, running clock in the second half of their non-region win. Jimmy Davis (photo left) scored three rushing touchdowns and Quentin Burgs (photo right) scored two to pace the Wildcats’ offense. Demarcus Williams and Jakob Foss added touchdown scampers and Seth Johnson scored for Woodland on a 56-yard pick-six. Titus Jones threw for a two-point conversion and ran for one. Woodland placekicker, Ronny Ramirez, made three of five PAT attempts. East Hall’s score came late in the third quarter. Zander Mann connected with Kylan Curry for a 29-yard touchdown play that made the score 48-6 at the time. East Hall dropped to 0-3 on the season with the one-sided loss. Woodland (2-0) opens Region 7-AAAAA competition next Friday at Cass. Woodland photos courtesy TCPics Photography - Susan & Travis Cochran FORSYTH CENTRAL 24, CASS 12 Cass fell behind 17-0 in the first half at Forsyth Central Friday night and was unable to overcome the deficit in a 24-12 non-region loss. Forsyth Central kicked a first quarter field goal and took advantage of a pair of Cass turnovers to build their first half lead. Cass fumbled a punt on its own 11-yard line, which allowed Forsyth Central quarterback Ryan Vanuum to score from 9 yards out. Then the Colonels’ quarterback, Rett Moore, was intercepted with a return to inside the Cass 5-yard line. Vanuum followed with his second touchdown run. This time from four yards out. Cass narrowed the Forsyth Central lead to 17-6 in the third quarter with a 22-yard touchdown pass from Moore to Jacquez Fountain, but Devran Orson’s four-yard TD run pushed the Bulldogs’ lead back to 24-6 in the fourth quarter. The Colonels added a touchdown with 2:12 remaining on an 8-yard run by Moore, but that would be as close as they would get. Forsyth Central improved to 2-0 on the season. Cass (1-1) will host Woodland next Friday.

Woodland volleyball was swept by two opponents Thursday night in matches at Allatoona. The Lady Cats fell to Sonoraville 25-16 and 25-9, before losing to the host Lady Buccaneers, 25-14 and 25-12. Sonoraville improved to a 9-5 record. Allatoona moved to 11-6. The two losses dropped Woodland to 8-8 on the season. They play Villa Rica and Paulding County in their first area matches Tuesday at Villa Rica.

The visiting Rome Wolves actually took an early 1-0 lead Thursday evening at Woodland and the game was tied 2-2 heading to the bottom of the fifth inning, but the Lady Cats took a 3-2 lead in the fifth and added three more runs in the sixth for a 6-2 Region 7-AAAAA win. Woodland pounded out a dozen hits and took advantage of four Rome miscues, while Lady Cats’ pitchers Madi Bentley and Lainey Baker limited the Wolves to only four hits and four walks. Baker (3.1 IP, 0R, 1H, 1BB, 5K) picked up the win in relief of Bentley (3.2 IP, 2ER, 3H, 3BB, 1K). Caroline Higdon (RBI) and Jordan Duck (2 RBI) both had three hits to pace Woodland. Ansley Evans had a pair of hits. Bella Carnes and Morgan Bailey both finished with a walk, one hit ,and one RBI apiece. Hannah Miller and Morgan Cooper both contributed a base hit. Kendyl Hardin added one RBI with a sixth inning sacrifice fly. Rome falls to 3-12 overall and 0-7 in Region 7-AAAAA. Woodland (8-5, 4-2) will face Adairsville Friday at 5 p.m. in the semifinal round of the Bartow County Championship Tournament at Hamilton Crossing Park. The tournament continues Saturday at Woodland with a third place game at 11 a.m. and championship game at 1 p.m. CASS 14, PAULDING COUNTY 2 Every time Paulding County scored a run Thursday evening, the Lady Colonels answered with seven of their own in a 14-2 Cass softball win at the Cass Athletic Complex. The visiting Lady Patriots scored single runs in the first and third innings, but both times Cass scored seven runs in their half of the frame for a four-inning, mercy-rule win. The Lady Colonels will take it. They had dropped seven straight games entering the contest and picked up their second region victory. Kylee Hembree (4 IP, 2R, 1ER, 3H, 1BB, 2K) went the distance in the circle and was the winning pitcher for Cass. She also paced the Colonels at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance that included a pair of doubles and four RBI. Hailie Owens followed with two hits and four RBI. Saydee Najarro finished with two hits. Rachael Lee contributed a double and one RBI. Jaden Musacchio added the other Cass hit. Maggie Collum, Haley Smith, and Kimberly Allen each drove in one run. Eryn Lee walked twice and stole two bases. Allen, Collum, Smith, and Keturah Redding also swiped a base. Paulding County now has a 3-9 overall record and is 1-5 in region play. Cass (2-8, 2-4 in Region 7-AAAAA) plays Cartersville Friday at 7 p.m. in the semifinal round of the Bartow County Championship Tournament at Hamilton Crossing Park. The tournament continues Saturday at Woodland with a third place game at 11 a.m. and the finals at 1 p.m.

Elite Stone Supply, in conjunction with WBHF and Bartow Sports Zone, presents the ELITE ATHLETES OF THE MONTH. Each month, local high schools are provided opportunity to name an Elite Athlete of the Month and present the information on their honoree through Bartow Sports Zone and on 100.3FM and AM1450, WBHF in Cartersville. Recipients for August 2018: Colbi Ballard, Cartersville HS Justice Carter, Woodland HS Paige Cone, Adairsville HS Madison Philpott, Cass HS The Elite Athlete of the Month for August representing Cartersville High School is senior fast pitch softball hurler, Colbi Ballard. The daughter of Dennis and April Ballard, Colbi also plays in the outfield for the Lady Canes. Through the first dozen games this season, Ballard has a 4-4 recrod in six starts and nine pitching appearances. She has worked 44 and 2/3 innings in the circle with a 3.76 ERA. At the plate, she has a .382 batting average with four extra base hits including one home run and 12 RBI. “Colbi continues to grow as a leader on and off the field,” said Lady Canes’ head coach Shannon Suarez. “She is leading the team offensively and in the pitching circle. She is a great competitor and teammate. She unselfishly puts the team’s needs first and for that, she is most deserving of this recognition.” Ballard is an Honor Roll student taking A.P. and Honors courses. She is also a Beta Club member. She plans to attend college and continue her softball playing career. Justice Carter is the Woodland High School Elite Athlete of the Month for August. The son of Nundall Carter, Justice also plays basketball and runs track for the Wildcats. In Woodland’s opening night win at Southeast Whitfield, the senior paced the Wildcats’ offense with 221 yards rushing on 22 carries. He also scored a pair of touchdowns. Always a leader on and off the field, Carter carries a 3.9 GPA in the classroom and wants to pursue a degree in Business Management while playing college football. Paige Cone is the Elite Athlete for the month of August representing Adairsville High School. A junior on the Tigers’ competition cheer squad and basketball cheer squad, Cone also competes with the Adairsville track and field team in the Spring. The daughter of Chad and Honie Cone, Paige is a backspot with the competition team and one of the team’s captains. Cone is recognized for her consistent hard work and leadership with her teammates. She is also a tremendous help to the coaching staff and is respected by everyone. “Paige is one that you can always rely on to get the job done, no matter what it is,” said Adairsville cheer coach Kaylie Noe. “Since she joined us last year from Cass, she decided she was going to work hard to earn her spot on the team and she did just that. She stepped up her tumbling, stunting, and jump skills tremendously. She is a great cheerleader and we are blessed to have her.” Cone is active in her church at Freedom Worship Center and is a Dual Enrollment student at Georgia Highlands College. She is also taking Honors/A.P. classes at the high school with a 3.9 GPA. She earned the Scholar Athlete award for competition cheer and basketball cheer. Cone has a desire to stay local with her college selection. Ideally she will attend Kennesaw State University to pursue a career in Law or Math. The August Elite Athlete of the Month for Cass High School is Madison Philpott. Currently a junior, Philpott has participated with the Lady Colonels volleyball program for four years and with the varsity for the past three seasons. She was a starter for the JV team in her eighth grade year. Elected team captain this season, Philpott is the daughter of Roy and Jennifer Philpott. She attends the BCCCA where she is a member of Skills USA. Additionally, she serves as a Cass High School Ambassador representing Cass High during events at the school. “Madison is a true representative of the values we want to emulate here at Cass High,” said Cass head coach Alan Potter. “She is a very kind person who goes out of her way to help others. On the court she is a consistent player. Her position as setter requires her to be a take charge person who is involved in almost every play on the court. Madison manages to be this strong player while being a friend to everyone on the team, a help to other players, and the type of player a coach can always count on. Madison has a don’t quit attitude and plays hard both in practice and during matches.” Editors Note: Photos and bios are supplied to Bartow Sports Zone and WBHF by the respective schools and their athletic departments. Elite Stone Supply, LLC is the monthly sponsor. Athletes receive a plaque along with recognition during a radio feature on WBHF.

The Woodland Lady Cats went on the road Tuesday night and picked up an important Region 7-AAAAA victory behind the strong pitching of Sarah Baynard and a pair of home runs by Hannah Miller and Kendyl Hardin. In other action, Adairsville lost its eighth-straight Region 6-AAA game at North Murray and Cass lost its seventh-consecutive game in a home loss to Hiram. BAYNARD BLANKS VILLA RICA; MILLER, HARDIN HOMER Sarah Baynard (photo) tossed a complete game shutout while Hannah Miller hit a grand slam and Kendyl Hardin hit a three-run homer as visiting Woodland blanked Villa Rica 8-0 Tuesday night in a Region 7-AAAAA contest. Baynard went all seven innings and needed only 86 pitches to scatter seven hits. She fanned four and did not walk a batter. Ansley Evans had three hits in the Lady Cats’ 15-hit assault. Miller, Hardin, Morgan Cooper, Caroline Higdon, and Bella Carnes each contributed two hits. Morgan Bailey and Jordan Duck also added one hit. Villa Rica is not 5-5 overall and 3-3 in region action. Woodland (7-5, 3-2) hosts Rome Thursday at 5:55 p.m. before facing Adairsville Friday at Hamilton Crossing Park at 5 p.m. in the Bartow County Championship Tournament. The tournament will conclude Saturday at Woodland with a third place game at 11 a.m. followed by a championship game at 1 p.m. Cass will play Cartersville in the other semifinal Friday at 7 p.m. at Hamilton Crossing Park. LADY TIGERS COME UP SHORT AT NORTH MURRAY Adairsville softball came up short at North Murray Tuesday evening 6-2 in a Region 6-AAA contest. The Mountaineers took a 2-0 lead through two inning before Adairsville narrowed the margin to 2-1 in the top of the third. North Murray then scored three times in their half of the third to take a 5-1 lead and made it 6-1 in the fifth before holding on for their four-run victory. Talli Burgess (7 IP, 2R, 1ER, 5H, 2BB, 9K) picked up the pitching win for North Murray with a complete-game effort. McKinley Fields and Jodi Evans combined for four hits and five RBI for the Lady Mountaineers. Fields’ two hits were a double and a triple. Victoria O’Neal (2.1 IP, 4ER, 5H, 1BB, 2K) was the starting pitcher for the Tigers and was tagged with the loss. Taylor Rhoades (3.2 IP, 2R, 1ER, 3H, 0BB, 1K) worked the final frames. The Lady Tigers had five hits in the contest. Sadye Johnson doubled. Chloe Souders had a hit and one RBI. Cortni Jacobs, Natalie Burrow, and Sierra Tanner had the other Adairsville base hits. The Mountaineers improved to 9-6 overall and 4-5 in region action with their win. Adairsville (2-13, 1-8) faces Woodland Friday at Hamilton Crossing Park in the Bartow County Softball Championship Tournament. The tourney third place and championship games are Saturday at Woodland. LADY COLONELS SUFFER SEVENTH STRAIGHT LOSS Cass softball lost its seventh in a row Tuesday night, falling to visiting Hiram 13-3 in the Region 7-AAAAA game. The Lady Colonels led 3-1 through three innings, but Hiram scored a dozen runs over the final four innings for a 10-run victory. Cass committed six errors in the game, making seven of Hiram’s runs unearned. Kylee Hembree started in the circle for the Lady Colonels and took the pitching loss. Haley Owens worked the final 2 and 2/3 innings. Six different Cass players had one hit each. Jaden Musacchio doubled. Kelly Young tripled. Eryn Lee, Kelly Young, Kylee Hembree (RBI), Haley Owens (RBI), and Saydee Najarro had the other Cass base hits. Cass stole seven bases, led by Lee with three and Kaila Carson with two. Owens and Kelly Young also swiped a base. Hiram improved to 7-2-1 overall and 4-2 in region games. Cass (1-8, 1-4) hosts Paulding County in another region contest Thursday at 5:55 p.m. and will play Cartersville Friday at Hamilton Crossing Park in the Bartow County Championship Tournament semifinals at 7 p.m. The third place game and championship game will be played Saturday at Woodland starting at 11 a.m.

All the local volleyball teams in action swept their respective opponents Tuesday night with Cass defeating Armuchee, Cartersville topping Bremen and Villa Rica, and Woodland taking care of Hiram and Rockmart. LADY COLONELS SWEEP THREE SETS WITH ARMUCHEE Cass volleyball defeated Armuchee in three straight sets Tuesday night winning 25-21, 25-11, and 25-18. Harmony Carr finished the match with five aces. Alexis Ware totaled five aces and five kills, while Blaire Waters contributed a pair of aces and six kills. Coach Alan Potter also noted the play of setter Madison Philpott who had an outstanding match. The loss dropped Armuchee to 6-6 on the year. Cass (2-6) hosts an Area match next Tuesday against Kell and East Paulding at 5:30 p.m. CARTERSVILLE SWEEPS BREMEN AND VILLA RICA The Lady Canes swept to a pair of straight set victories Tuesday night over Villa Rica and host Bremen. Cartersville topped Bremen 25-8 and 25-13 and defeated Villa Rica 25-12 and 25-20. “Bremen played us really close in our home match with them,” said Cartersville coach Dutch Cothran. “We needed three sets to beat them. I felt like going in (tonight), it was going to be a hard-fought battle on their court. We took control early, and never really let up. We’ve made a few personnel changes and started doing some things differently on defense, and the girls responded well. We’re not where we need to be, but I definitely feel better after our performance tonight,” noted Cothran. Nedu Evans had 19 kills against the Blue Devils. Grace Hunter contributed 41 assists and three aces. Anna Mathis had 10 digs and three aces. In the Canes’ win over Villa Rica, Evans had 16 kills. Hunter totaled 39 assists and Mathis was credited with eight digs and three aces. “I was really impressed with our team effort tonight,” Cothran continued. “We were able to have fun and enjoy some success. I feel like Nedu was the most dominant I’ve seen her all year. She had a lot of back row kills, and very few back row errors. Halle Matthews also had several kills tonight, and was solid in the middle.” Cartersville (6-9) travels to Cedartown next Tuesday to play the Bulldogs and Central-Carroll in the Lady Canes’ first region match. WOODLAND SPIKES HIRAM, ROCKMART IN STRAIGHT SETS Hosting a tri-match, Woodland volleyball swept to straight set victories Tuesday evening over Hiram and Rockmart. The Lady Cats defeated Hiram 27-25 and 25-12 before taking care of Rockmart 25-13 and 25-22. Caroline Gore totaled 13 kills, four digs, and three aces in the doubleheader. Macy Vaughn finished the night with 21 assists and three digs. Emmaline Payne contributed seven digs, eight aces, and a pair of kills. Noelle Dickey had four kills, three aces, and six digs against Rockmart and Grace Webb was credited with four blocks and five kills in the matches. Woodland (8-6) travels to Allatoona Thursday for matches with the Buccaneers and Sonoraville starting at 6 p.m.