September 27, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Cartersville Country Club members R.B. Clyburn and Lee Bowman both played in the 2026 U.S.G.A. Mid-Amateur Championship this weekend at Sand Valley Resort in Nekoosa, Wisconsin, but neither qualified for the 64-player match play portion, which begins Monday. Two hundred sixty-four players aged 25 and over qualified for the Championship and played 36 holes of stroke play on Saturday and Sunday on two courses — The Lido and Sand Valley. Clyburn tied for 90th with rounds of 75-72. Bowman shot 77-74 and tied for 151st. Bobby Massa of Dallas, Texas, was the stroke play medalist with rounds of 64-69 (9-under). The match play rounds begin Monday with the top 64 players and continue through Thursday.

September 26, 2026 Scott Barkley / CanesAthletics.com Quarterback Harris Turner (3) barks out a call at the line against Villa Rica on Sept. 25. Photo by Russell Andrews Harris Turner completed 13 of 14 passes for 226 yards and four touchdowns as Cartersville overwhelmed Villa Rica with 58 first-half points in a 58-0 homecoming win at Weinman Stadium. The Canes scored in all facets, adding a 45-yard Cooper Melvin pick-six and Jordan Akins special teams safety to seven offensive possessions that ended with a touchdown. Jaden Navarrez connected on all eight extra-point attempts. The offense totaled 454 yards, 175 on the ground and 279 through the air. The win improves the top-ranked Canes to 5-0 and 1-0 in Region 7, with a scoring average of 51.6 a game while giving up only 5.4 per contest. That kind of success could lead a team to rest on its laurels. It hasn’t been the case, said head coach Conor Foster. “We didn’t start as fast last time out, so we had a little bit of a chip on our shoulder,” he said. “The kids played hard and prepared well, so it was a lot of fun. It was a big night, with the Go Gold emphasis and it being homecoming, so I’m really proud of them staying focused.” Cartersville travels to rival Cass next Friday, Oct. 2, for its biggest test of the season in a battle of unbeatens. The Colonels, 6-0 and ranked fifth in 5A by MaxPreps, won their second region game on Friday with a 42-21 victory at Woodland. “We’ll be focused,” said Foster. On Friday, 10 Canes receivers caught at least one pass, led by Madoxx Davis’ 75 yards on five receptions, three of which went for scores. Kaiden Kent had three catches for 52 yards and a score. Brayden Doss was the leading rusher at 89 yards on five carries and one touchdown. Tyon Coe only had three carries, but two went to the end zone as he finished with 46 yards. Cartersville’s defense continued its season-long dominance, holding Villa Rica to only 48 first-half yards and 126 for the game. The Wildcats’ leading rusher, Emmanuel Ajayi, began the night averaging 140 yards per game, but finished with 43. The shutout was the Canes’ third of the season. Quarterbacks Turner and Doss had plenty of time to find receivers. And when they didn’t throw, it was typically because of the massive hole opened up by their line for a big gainer on the ground. “[The offensive line] has been getting better every week,” said Foster. “They work hard, and they’re humble. They also have to go against our defense in practice, so iron sharpens iron and they make each other better.” Left guard Jorian Bailey is the only returner from last year’s senior-heavy line. “We’ve been progressing ever since the summer and preparing every week,” he said. “It’s all about getting better. We work on our steps every day. That’s Coach Mac’s favorite thing – steps. Show up. Dominate. Execute the job. “We’ll dial in,” he added about the game with Cass. “The goal is a state championship, but you need to worry about what’s in front of you.” Coach Mac is Shane McPherson, whose 20 of 21 years as a coach have focused on the offensive line. “Jorian is our leader up front,” he said. “He’s a three-year starter and has gone from just hoping to survive to easily being the best we have.” Villa Rica attempted to catch Cartersville off guard with an onside pooch kick to start the game, but instead, Noah Kearney’s fair catch started the offense at the Canes' 36-yard line. Five plays later, Coe took a handoff up the middle and kept his feet for a 28-yard touchdown. An 18-yard run by Doss helped set up Coe’s seven-yard punisher of a run to end the next drive and make the score 14-0 with 6:22 left in the first quarter. On Cartersville’s third possession, Turner connected with KT Blackwell for 14 yards and Lance Tippett for 28 more. Then, from 21 yards out, the junior dropped a beauty between the corner and safety in the back left corner of the end zone for Davis and a 21-0 lead. The Wildcats got their second first down of the night on the next drive, but after Grayson Warmack collected his second tackle for a loss to set up a second-and-long, Melvin snatched an errant pass at the Villa Rica 45 and took it to the house for a 28-0 advantage with 41 seconds left in the first quarter. After forcing another Wildcat punt, the Canes covered 78 yards in four plays to score again. Doss carried three times, including a 56-yarder down to the 19. His seven-yard run stretched the lead to 35-0. Cartersville’s next possession ended with Turner stepping up in the pocket from the 25 and finding a wide-open Kent for the score. Villa Rica’s ensuing drive finished with Akins’ tackle on the punter in the end zone as he attempted to pick up a fumbled low snap. The Canes’ final two scores of the half – and the night – came from drives all on Turner’s arm. Starting at his own 36, Turner found Davis for nine yards before turning to Cole Crawford for 12. A bubble screen back to Davis ended with the four-star receiver jetting across the field for a 44-yard touchdown. The final score needed two plays to go 43 yards. After a Turner-to-Coe screen pass that covered 38 yards, Turner rolled right before finding Davis for the final four and a 58-0 lead with a minute to play in the half.

September 26, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com The Woodland girls finished seventh of 20 teams to lead local squads at the 23rd annual Darlington Cross Country Festival. The Adairsville girls placed 16th, and the Tigers finished 23rd of 28 teams in the 5K boys’ race. Pace Academy won the girls’ and boys’ team titles. Cass’ Booker Gearhart (15th, 18:14) had the top individual finish among local runners competing individually. The Lady Cats were led by Alison Snead (16th, 21:25). Rylee Maxwell (22nd, 21:39), Tatum Currier (30th, 22:24), Isabel McCafferty (73rd, 24:47), and Ariel Salter-Bigger (118th, 27:12) followed for Woodland. Fernanda Singer (51st, 23:42) led the Adairsville girls. Reese Fuller (69th, 24:22), Tara Heatherly (93rd, 25:52), Bella Smith (99th, 26:10), and Kelsie Crosby (103rd, 26:20) also ran for the Lady Tigers. Cass had three girls entered individually, led by Annabel Leon (87th, 25:33), Alejand Cuesta Llorento (88th, 25:39), and Charley Doyle (90th, 25:43) Top runners for the Adairsville boys included Jaxon Stanfield (84th, 20:33), Aaron Souders (105th, 20:49), Jackson Steele (113th, 21:06), Chris Chao (154th, 22:31), and Aiden Viktora (160th, 23:05). Adairsville returns to action on Thursday in LaFayette at the Rambler XC Invitational. Woodland will run Saturday in Douglasville at the Alexander Invitational. Cass is off until the Sam Smith Showdown at Sundown in Cartersville on October 21.

September 26, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Cass receiver Jeremy Barrett reaches the end zone in the Colonels' 42-21 win on Friday at Woodland. PHOTO: Randy Parker / The Daily Tribune News The Cass Colonels remained unbeaten Friday night, overcoming a strong second-half challenge from Woodland before pulling away for a 42-21 victory at Wildcats Stadium. Cass, ranked No. 7 in Class 5A, improved to 6-0 overall and 2-0 in Region 7-5A. The Colonels never trailed and defeated Woodland for the eighth straight time, improving to 17-6 all-time against the Wildcats. Woodland, which dropped to 2-3 overall and 0-1 in region play, had the first opportunity to score. Solomon James returned the opening kickoff to near midfield, and the Wildcats drove to the Cass 21-yard line before missing a 38-yard field goal. After the teams exchanged short drives and punts, Cass broke through with 10:42 remaining in the second quarter. The Colonels drove 43 yards in four plays, with Noah Rogers finding Jeremy Barrett for a 24-yard touchdown pass in the left flat. Barrett sidestepped the first defender and raced to the end zone. Anthony Diaz added the extra point for a 7-0 Cass lead. Cass then created another scoring opportunity when Xzavion Turner intercepted a pass near the goal line and returned it 41 yards to the Colonels' 42-yard line with just over six minutes remaining in the half. Cass converted the turnover into another touchdown. Rogers capped a 58-yard, 12-play drive with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Jah Abdullah-Kortey with 1:06 left before halftime. Diaz's PAT gave the Colonels a 14-0 advantage at the break. Woodland's Peyton Young (28) makes a tackle vs. Cass. PHOTO: Randy Parker / The Daily Tribune News Woodland answered immediately after halftime. Cass went three-and-out on its opening possession of the second half, and James needed only one offensive snap to give the Wildcats life. With 9:32 remaining in the third quarter, James broke loose for a 61-yard touchdown run. Chad Waller's PAT cut the Cass lead to 14-7. The Colonels responded with a 67-yard drive that consumed 12 plays and included a fourth-down conversion. Rogers connected with Abdullah-Kortey on a pass into the red zone before Kalil Charles scored on a 1-yard run with 4:46 remaining in the quarter. Diaz's kick made it 21-7. Woodland answered again. The Wildcats drove 62 yards in seven plays, with James carrying three times for 37 yards. But James was injured on a 12-yard run that gave Woodland a first down at the Cass 14-yard line. He was carted from the field with a severe ankle injury. Woodland QB Sam Ray looks downfield vs. Cass on Sept. 25. PHOTO: Randy Parker / The Daily Tribune News Woodland finished the drive with Sam Ray's 14-yard touchdown pass to Clayton McArdle, cutting the deficit to 21-14 with 3:03 left in the third quarter. Cass appeared to answer immediately when Barrett returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown, but a penalty brought the ball back to midfield. The Colonels needed six plays to reach the end zone anyway. The drive featured five running plays and a 29-yard pass from Rogers to Barrett before Charles scored his second 1-yard touchdown of the night. Diaz's PAT pushed the Cass lead to 28-14 with 34 seconds remaining in the third. Woodland went three-and-out on its next possession, punting on the first play of the fourth quarter. Cass took over at the Wildcats' 32-yard line and needed only two plays to extend its lead. Rogers connected with King Lloyd for 26 yards, and Charles followed with a 6-yard touchdown run. Diaz's kick made it 35-14 with 10:30 remaining. Woodland continued to battle. The Wildcats marched 71 yards in 10 plays on their next possession, relying heavily on the running game. Nine of the plays were runs by Hayden Collins and Mitchell Sheppard, with Sheppard gaining 20 and 14 yards. Collins finished the drive with a 6-yard touchdown run, and Waller's PAT cut the margin to 35-21 with 5:54 remaining. Woodland attempted an onside kick, but Lloyd recovered for Cass at the Wildcats' 49-yard line. On the very next play, Rogers put the game away. The Cass sophomore quarterback took the snap and started to his right before cutting toward the left sideline and outracing the Woodland defense for a 49-yard touchdown run. Diaz added the PAT for a 42-21 lead with 5:43 remaining. Woodland picked up two first downs on its next possession but was stopped on downs when the Colonels recorded a sack at the Wildcats' 42-yard line with just under three minutes remaining. Cass' second-unit offense later fumbled, giving Woodland one final possession at its own 40-yard line. The Wildcats reached the Cass 6-yard line on a final-play pass from Ray to McArdle, but time expired before Woodland could score again. Rogers completed 14 of 17 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 42 yards on four attempts and scored once on the ground. Barrett caught eight passes for 99 yards and a touchdown, while Lloyd had four receptions for 65 yards. Abdullah-Kortey added three catches for 36 yards and a touchdown. Charles rushed for 82 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries. Kalel Charles added 27 yards on six attempts. For Woodland, James finished with 176 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries before leaving with his ankle injury. Sheppard rushed for 37 yards on five attempts, while Collins had 21 yards and a touchdown on six carries. Ray completed 9 of 23 passes for 126 yards, one touchdown and one interception. McArdle caught five passes for 74 yards and a touchdown. Trevor Mann had two receptions for 23 yards, while Braylen Collum caught two passes for 16 yards. Cass will return home Friday for one of the area's most anticipated matchups, hosting top-ranked Cartersville at Cochran Stadium. The Hurricanes enter the game 5-0 overall and 1-0 in Region 7-5A. Woodland travels to Villa Rica, which enters at 4-2 overall and 0-2 in region play. ~~ Stuart Morse contributed to this report.

September 25, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com The Cartersville Lady Canes secured the only local high school softball win on Thursday, defeating Dalton in Region 7-5A. Adairsville fell to visiting Ridgeland in a Region 7-4A game, while Woodland and Cass lost non-region games in Mableton and Atlanta. CARTERSVILLE 6, DALTON 1 Presley Crabbe struck out eleven and tossed a seven-inning one-hitter Thursday at Dalton to help lead the Lady Canes to their 15th Region 7-5A victory. Cartersville led 4-0 through three innings and tacked on two insurance runs in the sixth. Dalton scored an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh. Izzy Tummins (home run, double, two RBI) led Cartersville with two hits. Allana Williams (home run, two RBI), LaKiaya Banks (double), Sam Porter (double), Taryn Bradley, Sam Porter, Avaree Sellers, Sam Evans, and Addi Lu Black each contributed one hit. Dalton dropped to 3-17 overall and 0-13 in region play. Cartersville (22-2, 15-0) visits Allatoona on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. RIDGELAND 6, ADAIRSVILLE 3 Ridgeland softball outhit Adairsville 12 to 5 and scored four runs in the sixth and seventh innings Thursday night for a come-from-behind 6-3 win on the Lady Tigers’ diamond. Adairsville held leads of 2-1 after two frames and 3-2 through five, but failed to hold on. Paislee Rooks pitched the distance for the Tigers. She allowed six earned runs on twelve hits and one walk while striking out seven. Hynleigh Statham led the Adairsville offense with two hits, including a double. Chloe Hill (sac fly, two RBI), Lillianne Gunter, and Rooks each added one hit. The Lady Panthers improved to 18-5 overall and 10-3 in Region 7-4A. Adairsville (16-9, 8-5) hosts Cedartown on Friday at 4:30 p.m. and travels to Northwest Whitfield on Tuesday for a 5:30 p.m. start. WHITEFIELD ACADEMY 14, WOODLAND 6 The Lady Cats struggled to keep up with the Whitefield Academy offense Thursday night in Mableton, falling 14-6 to the Wolfpack. Whitefield Academy peppered the Wildcats with 16 hits and scored two or more runs in all five of their offensive frames. Woodland had eight players with one hit each, including Sonny Hicks (three RBI), Bella Kuykendall, Lillian Hollis, Bailey Ryan (RBI), Charlotte Petersen, Gracie Korb (RBI), Jarah Thorne, and Hayley Ledford. Kuykendall (4.1 IP, 13R, 7ER, 14H, 1BB, 1K) took the pitching loss. Rilynn DeBoard (0.0 IP, 1ER, 2H, 1BB) also pitched for the Lady Cats. Whitefield Academy improved to 16-4. Woodland (7-17, 3-11 Region 7-5A) hosts Dalton on Tuesday at 5:55 p.m. MOUNT VERNON 1, CASS 0 The Lady Colonels outhit the host Mustangs seven to two on Thursday evening in Atlanta, but failed to score in a 1-0 loss at Mount Vernon. The Mustangs scored the game’s only run in the bottom of the third inning on a single, a two-out stolen base, and a two-out RBI single. Cass hurler, Kylie Gentry, suffered the tough-luck loss in the circle. She yielded only one run on two hits and three walks while fanning nine. MJ McFarlane drove in three runs on three hits to lead the Lady Colonels’ offense. Shyia Woods, Rilyn Caspari, Kharmyn Collum, and Gentry each added one hit. Mount Vernon improved to 15-4. Cass (12-9, 8-6 Region 7-5A) plays at Calhoun on Monday in another non-region contest and returns to region play on Tuesday night at home against Cedartown.

September 23, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Cartersville volleyball won twice at Woodland on Tuesday night, defeating the host Lady Cats 3-0 (25-10, 25-11, 25-7) in a Region 7-5A match and topping East Paulding (25-15, 25-11) in two straight sets. The wins lifted the Lady Canes to 30-3 overall and 5-0 in region play. Woodland slipped to 7-20 overall and 2-3 in region action. Woodland plays at Pickens on Thursday and will take on host Allatoona and Pebblebrook on Tuesday. Cartersville hosts North Cobb and region foe Villa Rica on Tuesday starting at 5 p.m. LADY TIGERS DROP ROAD REGION MATCHES Adairsville volleyball fell to host Northwest Whitfield and Calhoun on Tuesday in Region 7-4A matches. The Tigers lost 25-23, 25-19 to the host Bruins and also lost in two straight sets to Calhoun. Adairsville hosts Coosa and Gordon Central on Thursday at 5 p.m. and will play Southeast Whitfield and host Heritage-Catoosa on Tuesday at 5 p.m. in Ringgold. CASS LOSES TWO AT VILLA RICA The Lady Colonels lost to host Villa Rica (25-17, 25-11, 25-17) in a Region 7-5A contest and lost 25-11, 25-20 to Alexander on Tuesday night, remaining winless on the season. Cass (0-25, 0-5) plays at Paulding County on Thursday and hosts Dalton and Cherokee on Tuesday, starting at 5 p.m.

September 22, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Cartersville softball defeated Villa Rica to remain undefeated in Region 7-5A action on Tuesday night, and Adairsville outlasted Southeast Whitfield on the road, 3-2. Cass dropped a region contest at Allatoona, and Woodland fell at home to Cedartown. CARTERSVILLE 3, VILLA RICA 0 Kennedy Crenshaw drives in two early runs in the Lady Canes' 3-0 win Tuesday over Villa Rica. Photo: Russell Andrews / Sports Furnace Photography The Lady Canes plated two runs in the bottom of the first inning, and pitcher Zoie Shiflett tossed a two-hit shutout Tuesday night as Cartersville blanked visiting Villa Rica 3-0. Shiflett pitched effectively, striking out nine and walking just one, helping lead the Cartersville offense with two hits. Kennedy Crenshaw, who had two RBIs, and Izzy Tummins, with one RBI, also contributed two hits each. Sam Porter added a hit for the Hurricanes. The loss dropped Villa Rica to 12-10 overall and 8-5 in Region 7-5A. Cartersville (21-2, 14-0) visits Dalton on Thursday for a 5:30 p.m. first pitch. Izzy Tummins and Avery Sellers celebrate after scoring early runs; Zoie Shiflett struck out nine and tossed a shutout. Photos: Russell Andrews / Sports Furnace Photography ADAIRSVILLE 3, SOUTHEAST WHITFIELD 2 The Lady Tigers scored three runs early and held on to win 3-2 Tuesday night at Southeast Whitfield. Chloe Hill pitched all seven innings for Adairsville to collect the win. She scattered four hits and five walks while striking out six. Hill also led at the plate with three hits. Sydney Satterfield contributed two hits, including a double and a triple. Madison Brookshire (two RBI), Ansley Powell, and Lillianne Gunter each added one hit. The loss dropped the Lady Raiders to 3-20 overall and 0-11 in Region 7-4A. Adairsville (16-8, 7-4) hosts Ridgeland on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and Cedartown on Friday at 4:30 p.m. ALLATOONA 5, CASS 2 The Lady Colonels had more hits than the Lady Buccaneers Tuesday night, but Allatoona pushed across four runs in the fourth and fifth innings to break open a 1-1 game and defeat visiting Cass, 5-2. Abagail Nails (3.1 IP, 3R, 2ER, 1H, 4BB, 5K) suffered the pitching loss for Cass. Kylie Gentry (2.2 IP, 2ER, 2H, 2BB, 1K) pitched in relief. Lindsey Chubb (double, RBI), Gentry (RBI), and MJ McFarlane each had two hits for Cass. Kharmyn Collum (double) added one hit. Allatoona improved to 11-9 overall and 8-7 in Region 7-5A. Cass (12-8, 8-6) visits Mount Vernon on Thursday and Calhoun on Monday for non-region games. CEDARTOWN 10, WOODLAND 2 The visiting Bulldogs scored at least one run in each of their six offensive frames Tuesday night to win at Woodland 10-2. Cedartown outhit Woodland 15 to 3. The Bulldogs led 3-0 through two innings, 6-2 through four, and scored four more unanswered runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Bella Kuykendall (5 IP, 9ER, 13H, 2BB) was the losing pitcher for the Lady Cats. Rilynn DeBoard (1 IP, 1R, 0ER, 2H) also pitched. Sonny Hicks (RBI), Charlotte Petersen, and Kuykendall (RBI) each had one hit for the Wildcats. Cedartown improved to 9-11 overall and 4-6 in Region 7-5A. Woodland (7-14, 3-9) hosts Hiram on Wednesday at 5:55 p.m. and visits Whitefield Academy on Thursday for a 5:30 p.m. start.

September 22, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com This week's report includes updates on more than 40 local professional and collegiate athletes from action across the country. NFL TREVOR LAWRENCE — Jacksonville Jaguars (6th-yr. NFL; Clemson; Cartersville HS) . . . completed 17-of-29 passes on Sunday for 189 yards and one interception in the Jaguars’ 20-13 loss to the Denver Broncos. He rushed for six yards on two attempts and was sacked twice for 16 yards. Jacksonville led 10-3 at halftime and 13-6 after three quarters, but was shut out in the fourth quarter. The Jags (1-1) lead the AFC South, where the Titans, Texans, and Colts have all started 0-2. Jacksonville hosts the New England Patriots on Sunday afternoon. MLB / MiLB MASON BARNETT — MLB Athletics (5th-year pro; Auburn; Cartersville HS) … recalled to the Major League team last Friday and made a 3-1/3 inning start at the Cleveland Guardians. The 25-year-old allowed three earned runs on seven hits and four walks. He struck out four and received no decision in an eventual 5-3 loss. In MLB games this season, Barnett is 1-4 in 19 appearances with a 7.16 ERA. He has two saves and 42 strikeouts in 44 innings. The Athletics began the week at 61-95 and in fourth place in the American League West. They host the Angels and Astros this week. LOGAN MARTIN — Sacramento River Cats (San Francisco Giants Triple-A affiliate; Kentucky; Cartersville HS) … made a 2-2/3 innings relief appearance last Friday and received no decision in an eventual 6-4 home loss to the Reno Aces. Barnett did not allow a run or a hit, but walked four and struck out one. Sacramento finished the season 79-68. The River Cats were 37-38 in the second half. ANTHONY SEIGLER — Boston Red Sox (9th-year pro; Cartersville HS) … was placed on the 10-day injured list on September 13 with right wrist inflammation. The Red Sox began the week having clinched a post-season berth, holding the No. 2 Wild Card spot in the American League with an 84-72 record. PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS JASON BOHN — 34-year pro; Acworth resident; Cartersville CC member; University of Alabama … shot 76-70-74 and tied for 47th this past weekend at the PURE Insurance Championship held at Pebble Beach Golf Club and Spyglass Hill Golf Course in Pebble Beach, California. Entering this week, Bohn, 53, is 86th in the Schwab Cup points race, with three regular-season events remaining. The top 72 players make the playoffs that begin with the Stifel Charity Classic on October 23-25. JOE DURANT — 40-year pro; Pensacola Beach resident; Cartersville CC member; Huntingdon College … shot 73-74 and failed to qualify for the final round this past weekend at the PURE Insurance Championship held at Pebble Beach Golf Club and Spyglass Hill Golf Course in Pebble Beach, California. Durant, 61, entered this week in 78th place in the Schwab Cup points race. FOOTBALL CARLOS DEL RIO-WILSON — Marshall University (R-Sr., Cartersville HS) … completed 16 of 25 passes for 176 yards and one touchdown this past Saturday in a 30-24 home win over Missouri State. He also rushed for 73 yards and one touchdown on 16 attempts. The Thundering Herd (2-1) host Gardner-Webb on Saturday afternoon. J.D. DeROCHE — University of the Cumberlands (So., Cass HS) … made eight tackles (two solo), including one tackle for a four-yard loss last Saturday in a 38-17 win at Rio Grande University (OH). The Patriots (4-0) play at 2nd-ranked Keiser University (FL) on Saturday afternoon. TOKYO GORDON — Sam Houston State University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … made two tackles this past Saturday in the Bearkats’ 59-0 home win over Nichols University (LA). Sam Houston (1-2) visits 11th-ranked Texas Tech on Saturday. LANDEN HEATH — Riverside City College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … appeared in games September 5 and 12 for the Tigers at linebacker and has one tackle. Riverside CC is 4-0 and plays at Palomar CC on Saturday. DEVIN HENDERSON — Appalachian State University (Jr., Cass HS) … made eight tackles from his defensive back position in the Mountaineers’ 26-21 home win Saturday over UNC-Charlotte. App State (3-0) plays at NC State on Saturday night. KEVIN HENDERSON — Appalachian State University (Jr., Cass HS) … saw action at linebacker, but did not have a stat line in the Mountaineers’ 26-21 home win Saturday over UNC-Charlotte. App State (3-0) makes the trip to Raleigh on Saturday night to challenge NC State. BRAYLON HILL — Kentucky Wesleyan College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … had one rushing attempt for two yards, caught one pass for eight yards, and returned one kick 20 yards last Saturday in a 64-0 home loss to the University of Findlay. Wesleyan (0-3, 0-1 Great Midwest Conference) hosts Tiffin University on Saturday. SHADRE HURST — University of Houston (5th-year; Cartersville HS) … a starter on the Cougars’ offensive line that helped produce 458 total yards in a 28-26 home loss to Texas Tech last Friday night. The Cougars (2-1, 0-1 Big 12 Conference) play at Georgia Southern University on Saturday afternoon. BRAXTON KITCHENS — Georgia State University (So., Cartersville HS) … has long snapped against North Carolina A&T and UCF on September 4 and 19 for the Panthers. Georgia State is 2-1 and hosts Northern Illinois on Saturday afternoon. KHRISTIAN LANDO — Jacksonville State University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … had one rushing attempt for 14 yards last Saturday in the Gamecocks’ 31-27 home win over Georgia Southern. Jax State is 2-2 and hosting Middle Tennessee on Saturday night. TRENTON MAHAFFEY — Anderson University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … was part of an offensive line rotation that helped produce 253 total yards last Saturday in a 14-7 win at Tusculum University (TN). The Trojans (3-1) host Lenoir-Rhyne University on Saturday afternoon. BRADY MARCHESE — Auburn University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … was a participant last Saturday against Florida in a 44-39 loss, but did not have a stat line. The Tigers (2-1, 0-1 Southeastern Conference) host Vanderbilt on Saturday afternoon. BEAR McWHORTER — Auburn University (Fr., Cass HS) … was a participant at center on September 12 in the Tigers’ 43-8 win over Southern Miss. Auburn (2-1, 0-1 Southeastern Conference) welcomes Vanderbilt for a conference game on Saturday. ZAY NALLS — Anderson University (So., Adairsville HS) … was a participant but did not have a stat line this past Saturday in the Trojans’ 14-7 win at Tusculum University (TN). Anderson (3-1, 2-0 South Atlantic Conference) hosts Lenoir-Rhyne University on Saturday afternoon. JAKE PARKER — Cumberland University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … completed 5-of-9 passes for 43 yards and one interception. He also rushed for 36 yards on six attempts in a 49-21 home win over the University of Pikeville (KY). The Phoenix (2-1) host Florida Memorial University on Saturday afternoon. BRAXTON RYAN — Kentucky Wesleyan College (So., Adairsville HS) … was a starter on the KWC offensive line that helped produce 141 total yards in a 64-0 home loss to the University of Findlay last Saturday. The Panthers (0-3, 0-1 Great Midwest Conference) host Tiffin University on Saturday. LUKE SURRETT — University of Richmond (Jr., Cartersville HS) … was a starter on the Spiders’ offensive line that helped produce 487 yards of total offense in a 24-21 home win over Georgetown University last Saturday. Richmond (3-1, 2-0 Patriot League) welcomes Furman on Saturday afternoon. CHASE TATUM — Kennesaw State University (Fr., Cass HS) … the Owls’ reserve tight end saw action in a 42-9 loss last Saturday night at Tennessee, but did not have a stat line. KSU (1-2) plays at Arkansas State on Saturday night. DAViS WADDELL — Western Carolina University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … the reserve tight end was targeted for one pass in the fourth quarter last Saturday in the Catamounts’ 58-14 home win over Presbyterian College. Western Carolina (2-2) plays at East Tennessee State on Saturday afternoon to begin their Southern Conference slate. SACOVIE WHITE-HELTON — University of Georgia (Jr., Cass HS) … caught four passes for 27 yards last Saturday in the 2nd-ranked Bulldogs’ 45-17 SEC win at Arkansas. Georgia (3-0, 1-0) welcomes Oklahoma for another conference tilt on Saturday afternoon. IAN WILLIAMS — University of Arkansas (So., Cass HS) … the transfer defensive back from Memphis saw his first action as a Razorback last Saturday in a 45-17 home loss to Georgia, but did not have a stat line. Arkansas (1-2, 0-1 Southeastern Conference) hosts Tulsa on Saturday night. GOLF ANDREW LUTJENS — Georgia College & State University (So., Cartersville HS) … carded rounds of 70-73-76 (3-over) and tied for 47th individually as the Bobcats finished fourth as a team September 14-15 at the 18-team Savannah Lakes Invitational held on the 7,032-yard, par 72 Monticello Golf Club in McCormick, South Carolina. USC-Aiken won the team title with the University of North Georgia runner-up and Wingate University third. GCSU plays in the Lake Lanier Collegiate Classic in Dahlonega on Monday and Tuesday, September 21-22. GRIFFIN WOODALL — Toccoa Falls College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … shot 75-76-94 and finished 62nd individually as the Screaming Eagles finished 11th of 13 teams September 14-15 at the FireHawk Fall Invitational held at Canebrake Golf Club in Athens, Alabama. The University of the Cumberlands won the tournament, followed by Tennessee-Southern and Faulkner. Toccoa Falls is scheduled for the Bob Jones University Classic in Anderson, South Carolina, on Monday and Tuesday, September 21-22. SOCCER BRIONNA CARVER — Johnson University (Fr., Woodland HS) … played 64 minutes in a 2-0 loss at the University of Pikeville (KY) on September 16 and 18 minutes during an 8-1 home loss to Tennessee Wesleyan this past Saturday. The Royals (2-4, 0-2 Appalachian Athletic Conference) play at Union Commonwealth (KY) on Wednesday and at Brenau University (GA) on Saturday. HUNTER LIMBAUGH — LaGrange College (Fr., Woodland HS) … made a start, played 84 minutes, and took one shot in the Panthers’ 4-1 home win Sunday over U.S. Sports Academy. LaGrange (4-2) visits Sewanee (University of the South) on Wednesday and will host Warren Wilson College (NC) on Sunday. ELIZABETH MORGAN — Thomas University (So., Woodland HS) … the NightHawks’ forward saw 64 minutes of pitch time off the bench last Thursday in a 5-0 home loss to Life University. She also played 20 minutes in a 1-1 home tie on Saturday against Dalton State (GA). Thomas (1-3-2, 0-2-1 Southern States Athletic Conference) visits the University of Mobile (AL) on Thursday night and Faulkner University (AL) on Saturday afternoon. MACI NICKLAS — Truett-McConnell University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … played 12 minutes off the Bears’ bench on September 16 in a 5-0 win over Columbia College (SC). TMU (4-1-1, 2-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference) visits Tennessee Wesleyan on Wednesday afternoon and hosts Union Commonwealth University on Saturday. MALLORY NICKLAS — Northeastern State University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … the midfielder saw brief minutes in the RiverHawks’ 2-1 win at Northwest Missouri State last Friday and a 1-0 loss on Sunday at Missouri Western. Northeastern (5-2-1, 1-1 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association) welcomes Pittsburg State University (KS) on Friday night and Emporia State University (KS) on Sunday afternoon. MIGUEL PINEDA — University of North Georgia (Fr., Woodland HS) … the Nighthawks’ goalkeeper faced nine shots with one save and allowed two goals on September 16 in a 2-2 draw at Clayton State University (GA). UNG (5-0-4, 1-0-3 Peach Belt Conference) hosts Georgia Southwestern University on Wednesday night and Middle Georgia State on Saturday afternoon. HALEY SKLBA — Point University (So., Cass HS) … logged 37 minutes and took one shot on goal last Friday in the Skyhawks’ 11-0 home win over Andrew College. Point (5-3, 2-1 Southern States Athletic Conference) travels to Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College on Thursday afternoon and visits Wesleyan University (GA) on Saturday. VOLLEYBALL AILEE ENGLAND — Berry College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … saw action in 10 sets this past weekend and totaled six kills, five aces, and seven digs as the Vikings won home matches over Oglethorpe University, Emory University, and Randolph-Macon College (VA). RILEY HUFF — Jacksonville State University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … has seen action in three sets for the Gamecocks this season in matches against Southern University, the University of Southern Mississippi, and Alabama. She has totaled one block and one kill. Jax State (3-9) plays at Delaware on Friday and Saturday. CROSS COUNTRY ADDISON BROWN — Truett McConnell University (Fr., Woodland HS) … finished 45th (24:19) as the Bears finished fourth of seven teams at the Johnson Classic at Berea College (KY). Centre College won the meet. The next meet for the Bears is the Louisville Cross Country Classic on October 3. TYLER JONES — University of West Georgia (Sr., Woodland HS) … finished 260th (27:37) as the Wolves placed 26th of 29 teams at the Huntsville Southern 8K Showcase this past Friday. UWG competes on Friday at the Tryon Invitational in Mill Spring, North Carolina. WILL PARKER — Truett McConnell University (So., Woodland HS) … finished 47th (31:54) as the Bears finished fourth of seven teams at the Johnson Classic hosted by Berea College (KY) and won by Centre College (KY). The next meet for the Bears is the Louisville Cross Country Classic on October 3.

September 19, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Cass High School football overcame a fast start by Villa Rica and a second-half comeback attempt by the Wildcats to remain unbeaten Friday night. The No. 7-ranked Colonels scored the final 10 points of the game to defeat Villa Rica 31-21 at Sam McIntyre Stadium in the Region 7-5A opener for both teams. Cass improved to 5-0, while Villa Rica fell to 4-1. The two teams entered the game unbeaten and combined for more than 485 yards of offense in the first half, but the second half became a defensive battle — particularly for the Cass run defense. Unofficially, Villa Rica's rushing attack was held to minus-2 yards in the second half well into the fourth quarter. The Wildcats struck first, putting together an 80-yard drive that covered five plays. Emmanuel Ajayi scored on a 10-yard run with 5:55 remaining in the first quarter, and Carlos Velez kicked the extra point to give Villa Rica a 7-0 lead. Cass answered in the second quarter. With 10:37 remaining in the half, the Colonels drove 64 yards in six plays before Noah Rogers connected with Jah Abdullah-Kortey for a 42-yard touchdown. Anthony Diaz added the extra point to tie it 7-7. Cass took the lead just 2:49 later after its defense stopped Villa Rica on downs at the Wildcats' 40-yard line. The Colonels needed only three plays to find the end zone, with Rogers throwing a 25-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Barrett. Diaz's kick gave Cass a 14-7 advantage. Villa Rica threatened to answer, driving to the Cass 26-yard line before attempting a 33-yard field goal with 5:04 remaining in the half. Cass defensive lineman Trevon Buckner partially blocked the kick, however, and the attempt fell well short. The Colonels then drove 80 yards in five plays, extending their lead to 21-7 with 1:40 remaining when Rogers again found Barrett, this time for a 39-yard touchdown. Diaz added the extra point. Villa Rica responded before halftime. Following a short kickoff and a good return, the Wildcats drove 62 yards in five plays. Blaine Brown capped the drive with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Ajayi in the back right corner of the end zone. Velez's kick made it 21-14 at halftime. The Wildcats tied the game in the third quarter when Tamaj Beasley intercepted a long Rogers pass and returned it 61 yards for a touchdown. Velez's extra point made it 21-21 with 8:42 remaining in the quarter. Cass head coach Steve Gates responded to the pick-6. "I’ve said all along, he’s (Rogers) is gonna make mistakes; as long as he learns from them, that’s what matters. I loved the way he responded the rest of the game; that shows me he’s maturing and playing the next play." Cass regained the lead later in the period. The Colonels drove 58 yards in 10 plays, relying heavily on Kalil and Kalel Charles, before settling for Diaz's 24-yard field goal from the right hash with 4:18 remaining in the third quarter. Cass also had a third-quarter drive halted by a fumble from Kalel Charles at the Villa Rica 20-yard line. Holden Hoopingarner also intercepted a pass for the Colonels' defense during the quarter. The Colonels then put together the game's decisive drive. With 1:59 remaining in the fourth quarter, Cass completed a 55-yard, nine-play drive consisting entirely of runs by the Charles twins. Kalil Charles finished the drive with a 6-yard touchdown run. The drive consumed 4:59 from the game clock, and Diaz's extra point gave Cass a 31-21 lead. Gates shared some sideline atmosphere on Saturday evening talking about that drive. "I heard our offensive line coach, Coach G, challenge our front five just before that drive. He told them, 'This game is on us!' and they responded. The guys up front imposed their will for nine straight plays," Gates added. Villa Rica mounted one final threat, reaching the edge of the Cass red zone. The Wildcats' comeback effort ended when Xzaveon Turner made a leaping interception at the goal line. Gates talked about his defense. "Our defense is playing with an all-time energy and effort level right now. They are fun to watch as a football fan." Brown completed 11 of 18 passes for 166 yards and one touchdown for Villa Rica while throwing two interceptions. Ajayi rushed for 126 yards on 14 carries with one touchdown and caught three passes for 22 yards and another score. Josiah Walker caught two passes for 71 yards, while Kyeth Howard had four receptions for 43 yards. For the Colonels, Rogers was 10-for-17 passing for 185 yards and three touchdowns. Kalil Charles carried 24 times for 108 yards and one touchdown. Kalel Charles totaled 72 yards rushing on 10 attempts. Jahill Abdullah-Kortey, in his first game back from injury, caught two passes for 42 yards and one touchdown, and Jeremy Barrett had three receptions for 89 yards and two touchdowns. Cass linebacker Eli Simmons had 17 tackles, including 13 solo tackles. Cass will make the cross-town trip to Woodland on Friday for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. "Woodland is scoring a ton of points," said Gates as he looked to the next game. "It was just a matter of time before Coach Scott got that program on track. It will be a physical game, I can guarantee that!" Villa Rica will travel to Cartersville on Friday for a 7:30 p.m. game.

September 20, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com The Cartersville boys’ cross country team finished 14th of 28 teams in the Championship Division on Saturday at the 2026 Wingfoot XC Classic held at Sam Smith Park and hosted by the Atlanta Track Club. In all, 221 high school teams competed across multiple divisions, with races for middle school teams and open divisions as well. Carson Dobur of Northgate (15:30.30) won the boys’ individual title in the Championship Division. The race included 193 runners. Richmond Hill won the boys’ Championship Division title, followed by Denmark, Lakeside-DeKalb, Westminster, and Marietta. Cartersville was led by Carson Robinson (31st, 16:32). He was followed by teammates Ethan Empie (34th, 16:34), Ben Russell (102nd, 17:36), Malachi Weir (105th, 17:39), Tripp Chitwood (114th, 17:48), Knox Matthews (154th, 18:15), and Brock Morris (163rd, 18:23). The Lady Canes competed in the Division 1A race and finished 12th of 32 teams. Walton won the 1A team race that included 221 runners. Lakeside-Evans, River Bluff (SC), Woodstock, and North Atlanta followed. Kylie Ham (41st, 21:33) was the top-placing individual for the Cartersville girls. Sofia Burns (45th, 21:36), Sydney Burris (54th, 21:49), Kyla Poole (98th, 22:47), Ella Daniel (125th, 23:27), Jordan Hathaway (135th, 23:44), and Adalin Empie (199th, 26:17). The Woodland girls’ team was 22nd in the 1A race. The Lady Cats were led by Allison Snead (37th, 21:23), Rylee Maxwell (40th, 23:31), Tatum Currier (110th, 23:02), Isabel McCafferty (169th, 24:52), and Ariel Salter-Bigger (216th, 28:26). The Woodland boys’ team finished 28th of 34 teams in the Division 1A race. Walton won Division 1A, followed by River Bluff (SC), Jackson-Atlanta, Campbell, and South Forsyth. Runners for the Wildcats included Charlie Hennington (79th, 18:09), Julian Medina (125th, 18:42), Logan Marr (132nd, 18:49), Anderson Bridges (19:47), Zane Beavers (20:29), Grant Davenport (20:45), Logan Smith (21:57), Darin Jimenez (22:10), Mason Ezell (22:24), Abram Holt (22:28), Aaron Yandow (22:44), Andy Parker (23:03), Brayden Clark (23:48), Forrest Stein (24:02), Jerry Blackmon (25:16), Armando Sanchez (30:39), and Malachi Rico (33:27). The Cass girls had three competitors in the Division B race, and the Cass boys had two participants. Annabel Leon (25:42), Charley Doyle (25:44), Karishma Archarya (28:06), Mario Corpus (22:51), and Jose Martinez (23:28) represented the Colonels. Up next for Woodland and Cass is the Darlington XC Festival in Rome on Saturday. Cartersville runs next at the Wendy’s Invitational in Charlotte, North Carolina, on October 3.

September 20, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com After three scoreless innings and a brief 1-0 lead for Calhoun in the middle of the fourth inning on Saturday at the Cass Athletic Complex, the Lady Colonels scored nine unanswered runs to beat the Yellow Jackets 9-1 in six innings. Abagail Nails pitched four innings for the Lady Colonels, allowing one unearned run on one hit and one walk while striking out 11. Kylie Gentry earned the win with two shutout innings of relief, scattering two hits and two walks while striking out four. The Lady Colonels tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth, then scored four runs in each of the next two frames to close out the win. Nails and Gentry also led Cass at the plate with three hits apiece. Nails’ hits included a triple. Gentry’s hits included a double and three RBI. Rilyn Caspari (two RBI) and Addy Bauder (RBI) each contributed two hits. Kharmyn Collum (RBI) and Natalie Hughes added one hit each. Lindsey Chubb drove in one run. The loss dropped Calhoun to 7-11. Cass (12-7, 8-5 Region 7-5A) will visit Allatoona for a region game on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

September 20, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com The Cartersville Lady Canes’ volleyball team won three home matches Friday in the Storm Center, topping Ringgold (25-12, 25-14), Union Grove (25-9, 25-13), and Westlake (straight sets, scores not available at the time of this release). Cartersville (28-3, 4-0 Region 7-5A) plays at Woodland on Tuesday and will also face East Paulding. Adairsville volleyball lost at Sonoraville on Thursday, 25-15, 25-17. Blaire Fuller had five kills for the Lady Tigers in their loss. Nadelyn Dodson had 10 digs, and Teaghan Myers contributed 13 assists. The Lady Tigers (8-13, 1-4 Region 7-4A) have region matches in Tunnel Hill on Tuesday against Cahoun and host Northwest Whitfield.