October 11, 2025 Woodland offensive line The Hiram Hornets (4-4, 3-1 Region 7-4A) secured a convincing 42-7 victory over the Woodland Wildcats (0-7, 0-4 Region 7-4A) on Friday, October 10, at Hornet Stadium. Hiram's balanced offensive attack and opportunistic defense outplayed Woodland, earning a decisive win in Region 7-4A play. The Hornets struck early in the first quarter with 4:16 remaining when quarterback Caleb Carmichael connected with Adarius Anderson for a 22-yard touchdown pass. Joshua Corvera's PAT kick gave Hiram a 7-0 lead.  Just over a minute later, Anderson capitalized on a Woodland fumble, scooping it up and racing 32 yards for another touchdown, though the PAT kick failed, making it 13-0.  As the first quarter expired, running back Dylan Maina broke free for a 33-yard touchdown run, but another missed PAT kept the score at 19-0. Hiram continued to pile on in the second quarter.  With 6:54 left, Corvera drilled a 41-yard field goal, extending the lead to 22-0.  Late in the half, Carmichael threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Sean Shead with 35 seconds remaining, though the extra point attempt failed, sending the teams to halftime with Hiram leading 28-0. The third quarter saw Hiram's reserves make an impact.  At 6:59, backup quarterback Jordan Thomas scored on a 3-yard run, followed by a successful Corvera PAT, pushing the score to 35-0. Later, with 2:29 left in the quarter, Thomas launched a 54-yard touchdown pass to Braylon McAfee, and another successful PAT made it 42-0. With the game well in hand, the fourth quarter was played with a running clock.  Woodland avoided a shutout when sophomore running back Solomon James punched in a 2-yard touchdown run with 2:34 remaining, followed by a successful PAT, finalizing the score at 42-7. Hiram's victory keeps them competitive in Region 7-4A as they prepare to face Allatoona on the road next Friday. Meanwhile, Woodland, still searching for their first win, will look to rebound when it hosts Southeast Whitfield on Friday night. ~~ Stuart Morse contributed to this report.

October 10, 2025 Scott Barkley, CanesAthletics.com After dispatching Woodland on Tuesday, Oct. 7, by a cumulative score of 75-12 across three games, the Canes volleyball team also swept Dalton on Thursday in the 4A Region 7 tournament. It didn't come without the Lady Catamounts making things interesting in the third set, though. The 3-0 win sets up a Saturday, noon match with the host team, Allatoona. The Lady Bucs ( 34-9) handed Cartersville (39-6) a loss on Sept. 4 in a closely-contested match, 19-25, 25-21, 15-13. All-Region honors were presented on Tuesday. Jacksonville State commit Rylie Huff was named Co-Player of the Year and First Team All-Region. Jada Zimmerman, Amara Ejike, and Kenzie Wilkie were also named to the First Team. Aubree Barrett, Holly Dufrene, and Emma Wall received Second Team honors, and Blakely Morris was named Honorable Mention. CHS won the first and second games against Dalton by 25-12 and 25-13 scores, respectively, pulling away after the Catamounts had closed the gap to 14-11 and 13-8. They appeared to be on the way to a similar win after Ejieke's kill made the score 11-9, and the Lady Canes built a 20-14 advantage. Dalton clawed their way back, though, to 23-20 before Zimmerman's kill finished the match, 25-22. "I think we did pretty good," said Zimmerman, who has committed to Eastern Florida State College. "We could have done better. We need to work on our blocking a little bit more, and our defense and hitter-setter connection. We were off a little bit in that last game." Huff, who leads the team in blocks, said she and the team need to do some work. "We did alright in the first set, but then we kind of just lost energy and were going through the motions. I didn't hit as well as I usually do. We'll work on it in practice tomorrow, watch film, and just make sure we're locked in and ready for Saturday." "There was low energy," said Canes head coach Kyle Lundberg. "It was just one of those days." During such times last season, it wasn't uncommon for Lundberg to call a timeout not to talk strategy, but to order a set of burpees for those on the court to refocus. It added a layer of toughness that squad took to the state championship game. Only once, at a tournament in Charleston, has it happened this year. There is a reason burpees have had the rare appearance, and it also has to do with toughness. "They haven't been retired," said Lundberg. "I just haven't been calling as many timeouts this year. I want them to build that grit on their own. They don't need a timeout to get out of a bad run. They're strong enough to face it."

October 8, 2025 Cartersville defeated Woodland, and Allatoona eliminated Cass Tuesday night in the opening round of the Region 7-4A championship tournament at Allatoona High School. Both Cartersville and Allatoona — the top two seeds — won in straight sets. In the region semifinals on Thursday evening, host Allatoona will face Southeast Whitfield, and Cartersville plays Dalton.

October 8, 2025 The Adairsville softball team concluded its 2025 season Wednesday evening with a one-sided road win at Sprayberry. Ashlyn Carlton produced three hits, including two doubles, a sacrifice fly, and one home run, as the Lady Tigers peppered the Yellow Jackets with 10 hits in five innings. Carlton was also the winning pitcher for Adairsville, working all five frames. She allowed just one hit and one walk, while striking out five. Sprayberry’s lone run was unearned. Ansley Powell had two hits, including one triple and one RBI. Alivia Joslin also had two hits, including one double. Cadey Evans (double, two RBI), Annabelle Mitchell (two RBI), and Lily Roberts (double, RBI) chipped in one hit each. Sprayberry finished the year with a 5-21 mark. Adairsville finished 15-15 overall and was 5-13 in Region 7-3A.

October 7, 2025 The Cass and Cartersville softball teams concluded their 2025 regular season slates on Tuesday and will begin the Class 4A state playoffs next Monday. CASS 11, DALTON 3 The Lady Colonels wrapped up the regular season Tuesday evening with an 11-3 road victory at Dalton. Cass led 8-0 through the first 3-½ innings before Dalton scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth on a walk, two singles, and a Lady Colonels’ error. Cass responded with three runs of their own in the next half inning, and pitcher Kylie Gentry retired the side in the bottom of the fifth to end the game. Gentry scattered three hits and two walks to earn the pitching win. She fanned ten and only one of Dalton’s three runs was earned. Bailey York (double, RBI) had three hits for the Lady Colonels. Harlee Thomason (sac fly, double, RBI), KK Evans (RBI), and Gentry (RBI) produced two hits. Molli Morrow (RBI) and Autumn Smith added one hit. Dalton finished the season with a 3-20 mark and 3-18 in region play. Cass (18-8, 15-6) will be on the road for a first-round state playoff series next Monday (DH) and Tuesday, if necessary, at Pace Academy in Atlanta. CEDARTOWN 4, CARTERSVILLE 1 The Lady Canes fell 4-1 Tuesday evening in their final regular season game at Cedartown. The host Bulldogs scored three runs in the bottom of the first, including a two-run homer, for their early advantage. They added a run in the fourth, and Cartersville scored in the sixth on a Kennedy Crenshaw RBI single.  Presley Crabbe took the tough-luck pitching loss for the Canes without allowing an earned run. She yielded five hits and one walk while striking out eight. Kinsey Woodard and Crenshaw had two hits for Cartersville. Addi Burns and Miley Jo Williams added one hit. Cedartown (17-10, 16-5) will be Region 7-4A’s No. 3 seed in next week’s state playoffs. Cartersville (25-5, 18-3) won the Region 7-4A title and will host either Martin Luther King or Forest Park in their best-of-three first-round series that begins on Monday.

October 7, 2025 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Former Cartersville High and Clemson star quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, helped the Jacksonville Jaguars keep pace with the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South this past Monday night with a key win over the visiting Kansas City Chiefs. Lawrence passed for one touchdown and ran for two more in a 31-28 victory. Jacksonville and Indianapolis lead the AFC South with 4-1 marks. NFL TREVOR LAWRENCE — Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL, 5th-year pro; Clemson; Cartersville HS) … completed 18 of 25 pass attempts for 221 yards and one touchdown Monday night as the Jaguars edged the visiting Kansas City Chiefs 31-28. Lawrence threw one interception, but also rushed for 54 yards and two touchdowns on 10 attempts. Jacksonville (4-1) hosts the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday afternoon. FOOTBALL JOHNATHAN CLINE — East Tennessee State University (R-So., Cartersville HS) … part of an offensive line rotation that helped produce 362 total yards in a 31-22 loss at Furman this past Saturday. ETSU (2-4, 0-2 Southern Conference) hosts VMI on Saturday. JD DEROCHE — University of the Cumberlands (Fr., Cass HS) … had one tackle Sept. 27 in a 27-14 win at Warner University (FL). The Patriots lost 49-34 at 12th-ranked Campbellsville University (KY) this past Saturday. UC (3-2, 0-1 Mid-South Conference) visits 7th-ranked Lindsey Wilson University (KY) on Saturday. TOKYO GORDON — Sam Houston State University (Jr., Adairsville HS) … saw action but did not have a stat line in the Bearkats' 37-10 loss last Thursday night at New Mexico State. Sam Houston State (0-5, 0-2 Conference USA) hosts Jacksonville State on Thursday night. DEVIN HENDERSON — University of Findlay (So, Cass HS) … made five tackles, including two for losses totaling 10 yards as the 21st-ranked Oilers won 31-10 this past Saturday at Walsh University. Findlay (5-0, 3-0 Great Midwest Athletic Conference) hosts Hillsdale College on Saturday afternoon. Tyler Martin / Berry College TYLER MARTIN — Berry College (Sr., Cass HS) … a starter on the Vikings’ offensive line that helped produce 572 yards of total offense in a 54-14 home win over Rhodes College. Berry (3-1, 1-0 Southern Athletic Association) hosts Trinity University (TX) on Saturday night. CHRIS ROPER — Dartmouth College (Jr., Adairsville HS) … saw action this past Saturday in a 36-24 loss to Penn at Franklin Field in Philadelphia. The Big Green (2-1, 0-1 Ivy League) plays at Yale on Saturday afternoon. DEVONTE ROSS — Penn State University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … was targeted twice but did not have a reception this past Saturday in the Nittany Lions’ 42-37 loss at UCLA. With the loss, Penn State fell out of the AP Top 25 after being ranked No. 2 in the preseason. The Nittany Lions (3-2, 0-2 Big Ten) host Northwestern on Saturday. Stephen Rowser / Morehouse College STEPHEN ROWSER — Morehouse College (So., Cartersville HS) … made 10 tackles (seven solo), including three tackles for loss totaling 23 yards in the Maroon Tigers’ 27-20 win over Tuskegee University this past Saturday night in Montgomery. Rowser had two sacks and forced one fumble. Morehouse (1-4, 1-2 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association) visits Central State University (OH) on Saturday. SACOVIE WHITE-HELTON — University of Georgia (R-Fr., Cass HS) … saw action but was not targeted in the Bulldogs’ 35-14 home win this past Saturday over Kentucky. The 10th-ranked Bulldogs play at Auburn on Saturday night. IAN WILLIAMS — University of Memphis (Fr., Cass HS) … was a participant, but did not have a stat line in the Tigers’ 45-7 home win this past Saturday night over Tulsa. Twenty-third-ranked Memphis has a bye week before visiting UAB on October 18.  GOLF BRODY TIDWELL — Georgia State University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … carded rounds of 70-79-73 (6-over par) and tied for 51st as the Panthers finished eighth of fifteen teams at the East Carolina University Ironwood Classic September 28-29. The event was played at the 7,120-yard, par 72 Ironwood Golf and Country Club in Greenville. Georgia State will play in the Pinetree Intercollegiate in Kennesaw on October 13-14. SOCCER ABBEY CRAIG — Reinhardt University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … a starting defender for the Lady Eagles, Craig was on the pitch for all 180 minutes of home wins last Wednesday (Oct. 1) and Saturday over conference rivals Tennessee Wesleyan (1-0) and Columbia (SC) College (4-0). Reinhardt (5-3-2, 5-1-2 Appalachian Athletic Conference) hosts Johnson University (TN) on Wednesday before traveling to Union Commonwealth (KY) for a match on Saturday.  Libby Morgan / Shorter University LIBBY MORGAN — Shorter University (Fr., Woodland HS) … started at forward and logged 66 minutes of pitch time in the Lady Hawks’ scoreless draw with Emmanuel University this past Saturday in Rome. Shorter (1-5-1, 0-4-1 Conference Carolinas) hosts Erskine College on Tuesday before traveling to play at North Greenville University on Saturday. HALEY SKLBA — Point University (Fr., Cass HS) … a reserve defender last Wednesday (Oct. 1) in the Skyhawks’ 9-0 win at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Sklba logged 22 minutes of pitch time. Point (8-3-1, 3-1 Southern States Athletic Conference) visits the University of Tennessee Southern on Thursday and hosts Blue Mountain Christian University (MS) on Saturday. VOLLEYBALL Ailee England / Berry College AILEE ENGLAND — Berry College (So., Cartersville HS) … saw action in 10 sets as the Vikings defeated Covenant College and Oglethorpe University, but lost to East Texas Baptist this past Friday and Saturday at home. Across the three matches, England recorded two kills, two aces, and seven digs. Berry (15-3, 6-1 Southern Athletic Association) plays at Millsaps College (MS) on Saturday and at Rhodes College in Memphis on Sunday. MADELYN ORTON — LaGrange College (Sr., Cartersville resident, Cornerstone Prep Academy) … the defensive specialist saw action in one set of the Panthers’ 25-15, 25-10, 25-22 straight sets victory at Piedmont University this past Saturday. LaGrange also dropped a five-set match with Covenant College on Saturday. The Lady Panthers (6-14, 4-2 Collegiate Conference of the South) will host Maryville College (TN) and Agnes Scott College on Saturday. MEREDITH ORTON — LaGrange College (Sr., Cartersville resident, Cornerstone Prep Academy) … recorded two kills, one dig, and one block this past Saturday in a five-set loss to Covenant College at Piedmont University in Demorest. LaGrange also had a straight-sets win over the host Lions on Saturday. The Lady Panthers (6-14, 4-2 Collegiate Conference of the South) will host Maryville College (TN) and Agnes Scott College on Saturday. CROSS COUNTRY McKINLEY CHAPPELL — Berry College (Sr., Woodland HS) … finished ninth overall (26:58) and helped the Vikings win their home meet 8K on Saturday over seven other collegiate teams, including Morehouse College and Faulkner University (AL). Next on the schedule for Berry is the Roanoke Inter-Regional Border Battle on October 18 in Salem, Virginia.

October 6, 2025 The Cass Lady Colonels snapped a three-game losing streak Monday night with an extra-inning road victory at Chattooga. In other local action, Cartersville dropped a 9-7 decision to Class 6A Harrison, and Woodland lost both games of a doubleheader with Allatoona. HARRISON 9, CARTERSVILLE 7 The Class 4A 3rd-ranked Lady Canes were edged by visiting Harrison Monday night in a non-region game that saw the two teams combine for 23 hits. Harrison is ranked No. 9 in Class 6A. The lead changed hands three times in the early innings, with the Hoyas taking control with a five-run top of the fourth inning. Harrison (23-4) led 3-2 after one inning before Cartersville built a 7-3 advantage in the bottom of the third. The Lady Hoyas regained the lead in the fourth and added a run in the top of the seventh. Zoie Shiflett (5 IP, 8ER, 8H, 1BB, 3K) made the pitching start and was tagged with the loss. Izzy Tummins (2 IP, 1R, 0ER, 3H, 1BB, 1K) retired the final six outs in the circle for Cartersville. LaKiaya Banks (home run, two RBI) and Kinsey Woodard (two doubles, one RBI), and Shiflett (RBI) had three hits to lead the Lady Canes’ offense. Addi Burns (RBI), Sophia Harper (double), and Kennedy Crenshaw added one hit. Taryn Bradley (sac fly) contributed one RBI. Cartersville (25-3, 18-2) has clinched the region title and a No. 1 seed in the Class 4A state playoffs. The Lady Canes finish the regular season on Tuesday with a final region game at Cedartown. CASS 8, CHATTOOGA 6 (8 inn.) The Cass Lady Colonels won a back-and-forth non-region tussle at Chattooga on Monday night in an extra inning, 8-6. Cass scored twice in the top of the third to tie the game, and added three runs in the fourth to take a 5-3 lead. The Lady Colonels extended their lead to 6-3 in the top of the sixth, but the host Lady Indians pushed across three runs in the bottom of the seventh to send the game to an eighth frame. Cass scored two runs in the top of the eighth and kept Chattooga off the board in the bottom of the inning to claim a road win and snap a three-game skid. Bailey York (8 IP, 6R, 5ER, 9H, 6BB, 8K) collected the pitching win for Cass. Lindsey Chubb and Kylie Gentry led the Lady Colonels’ bats with three hits and two RBI. Harlee Thomason produced two hits. MJ McFarlane (RBI), KK Evans (RBI), Molli Morrow, and Shyia Woods added one hit. The loss dropped Chattooga to 11-9 on the season. Cass (17-8, 14-6) has clinched a state playoff berth in Class 4A, and will wrap up regular season play on Tuesday with a region game at Dalton. GAME 1: ALLATOONA 15, WOODLAND 10 GAME 2: ALLATOONA 17, WOODLAND 9 Woodland softball lost both games of a doubleheader Monday night, falling to visiting Allatoona 15-10 and 17-9. Evelyne Tucker (5.1 IP, 14R, 11ER, 13H, 7BB, 1K) and Bella Kuykenall (6.2 IP, 18R, 13ER, 15H, 5BB, 3K) split the pitching duties for the Lady Cats. Ashlyn Baines had five hits in the doubleheader for Woodland, including one double and two RBI. Bailey Ryan followed with four hits and four RBI. Kamryn Smith contributed three hits, including one double and one RBI. Gracie Korb had two doubles and two RBI. Bailey Gerstner also had two hits with three RBI. Kylee Poston (two RBI) and Charlotte Peterson (RBI) added one hit. Hayley Ledford contributed one RBI for the Lady Wildcats. Allatoona improved to 16-5 overall and 16-5 in Region 7-4A. Woodland finished the year with an 11-16 overall record. The Lady Cats were 8-13 in region play.

October 6, 2025 Adairsville volleyball's 2025 season came to an end Monday night with a first-round Region 7-AAA tournament loss to Ridgeland in a match played at Heritage-Catoosa. The Lady Tigers won the opening set 25-22, but narrowly lost the final two sets 23-25 and 16-18. Alexis Scott had six kills, three blocks, five digs, and two aces. Myka Colston finished with 12 kills, one block, and five digs. Sadie Browlow contributed 10 digs and three aces. Nadelyn Dodson supplied 20 digs. Ella Steward totaled three blocks and three digs. Rihanna Crittenden added two kills and three blocks. Adairsville finished the season with a 10-29 record.

October 4, 2025 The Cartersville girls cross country team ran to a 40th-place finish Saturday in the Championship Division of the Alexander/Asics Invitational in Fairburn. The Lady Canes were led by Sofia Burns, who finished 137th in 19:47. She was followed by teammates Sydney Burris (193rd, 20:29), Zoe McCurry (208th, 20:35), Hadley Finnemore (290th, 21:47), and Adalin Empie (303rd, 22:00). The Woodland girls were 21st of 46 teams in the Red Division. The Lady Cats were led by Allison Snead (11th, 19:57), Rylee Maxwell (37th, 20:52), Addison Brown (108th, 22:05), Jette Julius (177th, 23:21), Lily Hiott (252nd, 24:42), and Sierra Woodie (258th, 24:59). The Cartersville boys finished seventh of 38 teams in the Red Division and were led by Carson Robinson (17th, 16:36), Ben Russell (57th, 17:19), Ethan Empie (61st, 17:20), Knox Matthews (90th, 17:38), Malachi Weir (111th, 17:50), and Kaleb Lanier (113th, 17:50). The Woodland boys finished third of 29 teams in the Black Division. Jonathan Ringwell placed 4th in 16:46. He was followed by teammates Isaac James Morris (21st, 17:46), Conner Cruz (41st, 18:19), Charlie Hennington (46th, 18:23), and Logan Marr (57th, 18:35). In other cross-country action last week, Cass had individual runners compete at the Dade County Invitational in Trenton on Thursday. Nicholas Robinson (1st, 18:53), Booker Gearhart (2nd, 18:57), and Adam Brush (3rd, 19:00) took the top three spots in the boys’ race. Karishma Archarya (2nd, 25:01) and Irelynn Wilmott (25th, 37:46) competed in the girls’ race. Adairsville ran last Tuesday, Sept. 30 in the Grove Level Stampede in Dalton. Bella Smith (8th of 129, 23:10) and Fernanda Singer (46th, 26:22) represented Adairsville in the girls’ race. The Tigers finished 21st of 22 teams, led by Aaron Souders (49th of 193, 20:12), Canyon East (89th, 21:50), Luke Farmer (116th, 23:29), Charlie Potter (125th, 23:58), and Victor Singer (137th, 25:03). Adairsville will run in the Fast Break Challenge in Ringgold on October 21. Next on the schedule for Cartersville, Woodland, and Cass is the GHSA Sectional at Sam Smith Park in Cartersville on November 1.

October 5, 2025 Local senior amateur golfer Chad Branton fired rounds of 71-66-75 (212, 4-under) and finished third October 1-3 at the 2025 Golden Isles Senior Invitational. Branton, the 2024 champion, finished behind Michael Standard and Dan McManus, who were nine under and eight under, respectively.  The Golden Isles Senior Invitational was held on the 6,450-yard, par-72 course at Brunswick Country Club. FRAZIER LEADS LOCALS AT GSGA MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP Local amateur golfer Laine Frazier of Adairsville tied for 41st place, October 3-5, in the 2025 Georgia State Golf Association Mid-Amateur Championship held at Dalton Golf & Country Club. Frazier shot 78-74-75 (227, +11) on the 7,059-yard, par 72 course.  Hayes Brown of Atlanta won the title in a playoff over Andy Blanton of Thomasville. The two completed the 54-hole tournament at 2-under par, one shot ahead of four players, including Matt Hughes, Ben Kishigan, Stephen Behr, and Nate Gahman.  Two other Cartersville players, R.B. Clyburn and Josh Mauldin, qualified for the championship but failed to make the 36-hole cut. The GSGA Mid-Amateur Championship is conducted each year for Georgia amateur golfers 25 years and older.

October 4, 2025 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com  The Cartersville defense wraps up Cass ball carrier Kalil Charles during the rivalry game between Cass and Cartersville Oct. 3. Randy Parker/DTN The No. 3-ranked Cartersville Purple Hurricanes delivered a commanding performance Friday night at Doug Cochran Stadium, defeating the No. 10-ranked Cass Colonels 56-28 in a Region 7-4A showdown. The Hurricanes’ high-octane offense, led by quarterback Nate Russell, scored touchdowns on eight of their first nine possessions, building a 35-14 halftime lead and cruising to victory with a running clock in the fourth quarter. Despite an early setback when Cass’s Demarcus Balanger picked off Russell’s first pass, the Cartersville quarterback rebounded impressively from his first interception of the season. Russell completed 9 of 16 passes for 187 yards and four touchdowns while adding 42 yards and a touchdown on three rushing attempts. Cartersville head coach Conor Foster signals to his defense on the field in the Canes' game at Cass Oct. 3. Randy Parker / DTN The Hurricanes struck first with a lightning-fast four-play, 61-yard drive, capped by Russell’s 12-yard touchdown pass to Braylon Hill at 6:13 in the first quarter. Ramsey Rowell’s extra point gave Cartersville a 7-0 lead.  Late in the first, Russell connected with tight end Cole Crawford for a 13-yard touchdown, finishing a nine-play, 59-yard drive to make it 14-0. Cass struggled to gain traction, pinned inside their own 10-yard line after a kickoff. A three-and-out and a short punt handed Cartersville excellent field position at the Colonels’ 29. Three plays later, Braylon Hill scored on an 8-yard run early in the second quarter, pushing the lead to 21-0. The Colonels responded with a 10-play, 75-yard drive, sparked by three completions from quarterback Brodie McWhorter to Elijah Slocum for 46 yards. Kalil Charles finished the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run, and Anthony Quijada’s PAT made it 21-7.  Cass quarterback Brodie McWhorter drops back to pass during the Colonels' home game against Cartersville Oct. 3. Randy Parker / DTN Cartersville answered immediately with a 10-play, 58-yard drive, highlighted by Tripp Chatmon’s 27-yard run and capped by Russell’s 9-yard touchdown scamper, extending the lead to 28-7. Cass fought back with a quick three-play drive, as McWhorter found Jah Abdullah-Kortay for a 65-yard touchdown pass, cutting the deficit to 28-14. But Cartersville’s two-minute drill proved devastating, with Russell hitting Kaiden Kent for an 18-yard touchdown pass with 13 seconds left in the half, sending the Hurricanes into the break up 35-14. The third quarter saw Cartersville’s offense extend the Canes’ advantage. On the second play of the half, Russell connected with Madoxx Davis for a 63-yard touchdown pass, making it 42-14.  Another poor Cass kickoff return and a three-and-out gave Cartersville a short field at the Colonels’ 12, where Chatmon scored on an 8-yard run. Following a Cass punt, Tyon Coe broke free for a 54-yard touchdown run on a single-play drive, pushing the score to 56-14. Cartersville's Braylon Hill pulls in a touchdown pass in the Canes' game at Cass Oct. 3. Randy Parker / DTN Cass managed a 75-yard, five-play drive, with McWhorter and Abdullah-Kortay connecting for a 46-yard touchdown pass, but the deficit for the Colonels was too significant.  The fourth quarter, played with a running clock, saw Cartersville’s Melvin intercept a pass in the end zone to halt a Cass drive, before the Colonels added a late score with 25 seconds remaining. McWhorter found Slocum for a 10-yard touchdown pass, finalizing the score at 56-28. Cartersville’s balanced attack featured three different running backs and four different receivers scoring. Tyon Coe rushed for 73 yards and a touchdown on six carries for Cartersville. Tripp Chatmon had 62 yards and a score on eight attempts. Braylon Hill carried five times for 33 yards and one rushing touchdown, and P.J. Richards added 25 rushing yards on six attempts.  Madoxx Davis had two receptions for the Hurricanes for 72 yards and one touchdown. Cole Crawford caught two passes for 31 yards and a score. Cooper Melvin caught two balls for 53 yards. Kaiden Kent caught an 18-yard touchdown. Brady Marchese hauled in a 13-yard reception, and Hill caught two passes for 12 yards and a touchdown. Cass kick returner Kalel Charles looks for daylight vs. Cartersville Oct. 3. Randy Parker / DTN McWhorter completed 21 of 32 pass attempts for 306 yards and three touchdowns for Cass. He threw one interception. Slocum hauled in 14 passes for 159 yards and one touchdown. Abdullah-Kortay had four receptions for 131 yards and two scores. Chase Tatum caught two balls for 10 yards, while Zeke Helton and Jeremy Barrett had one catch each for eight and six yards, respectively. Kalil Charles, who entered the game as the state’s leading rusher in Class 4A, was limited to 51 yards on 16 carries. Cartersville (7-0, 3-0) hosts Allatoona on Friday. Cass (6-2, 3-1) enters a bye week before traveling to Dalton on October 17.

October 4, 2025 In an intense back-and-forth Region 7-AAAA showdown, the Allatoona Buccaneers outlasted the Woodland Wildcats, securing a 49-35 victory on Friday night, powered by a dominant performance from Bucs’ running back Ethan Corpus. The game was a tale of two halves, with the teams knotted at 21-21 at halftime after a frenetic first half.  Allatoona struck first with 7:00 left in the first quarter when quarterback Jacob Wan connected with Myles Davis for a 34-yard touchdown pass, capping a quick 46-yard drive.  Woodland responded swiftly, as quarterback Sammy Ray orchestrated an 80-yard drive, hitting Preston Sorrells for a touchdown to tie it at 7-7 following Hunter Limbaugh’s PAT kick. Corpus then broke free for a 51-yard touchdown run, putting Allatoona back on top, 14-7.  Woodland answered again, with Solomon James capping a 76-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown run to close the first quarter. The second quarter saw more fireworks.  After a Woodland punt and a crucial interception by Wildcats’ Jonathan Hart at their own 2-yard line, Allatoona capitalized on a short field, with Corpus scoring on a 36-yard run to make it 21-14.  Woodland refused to back down, as Ray found Sorrells for a 28-yard touchdown pass with 1:14 left in the half, tying the game at 21-21. The second half opened with both teams trading blows on the first five possessions. Allatoona took the lead with Corpus’ 5-yard touchdown run, aided by a 49-yard pass from Wan to Kyle Downey. Woodland countered with a 14-yard touchdown run by James, knotting the score at 28-28.  Allatoona then unleashed a trick play, as a double handoff from Wan to Corpus to Davis resulted in a 64-yard touchdown scamper, putting the Buccaneers ahead 35-28.  Woodland responded with a 39-yard swing pass from Ray to James, tying it at 35-35. But Corpus stole the show with an 80-yard touchdown run up the middle, giving Allatoona a 42-35 lead to close the third quarter. The fourth quarter saw Allatoona take the game’s first and only two-score lead.  Starting at midfield, Corpus powered through with four straight carries, including a 32-yard run and a 2-yard touchdown plunge, extending the lead to 49-35 with 7:26 remaining.  Woodland’s offense, despite a fumble recovery by Michael Berry on a punt return, couldn’t capitalize, turning the ball over on downs three times in the final frame. Allatoona effectively milked the clock to seal the win. Corpus was the star, rushing for 327 yards and five touchdowns on 21 carries. For Woodland, Ray and James led a valiant effort, with James scoring twice and Ray connecting with Sorrells and others for key plays, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Allatoona’s relentless attack. James rushed for 210 yards on 26 attempts, including two touchdowns for the Wildcats. He also caught six passes for 95 yards and one score. Ray completed 21 of 33 passes for 344 yards and three touchdowns. Sorrells caught six passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Jarrett hauled in five balls for 38 yards, while McArdle had two receptions for 51 yards. Woodland head coach Andy Scott was pleased with the growth his team showed, despite the loss. “I’m really proud of our kids and their ability to play four quarters against a very good Allatoona team. The kids gave themselves a chance to win in the fourth quarter. I’m super proud of the performance by our offense, which rolled up over 500 yards of total offense." Allatoona (3-4, 2-1) heads to face third-ranked Cartersville next Friday at 7:30 p.m., while Woodland (0-6, 0-3) travels to Hiram for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff, still seeking their first win.