Western Carolina junior middle blocker, Katie O'Connor, who played at Cartersville High School, continues to perform as one of the top contributors for the Catamounts. Meanwhile, five soccer athletes and four cross country runners with local ties continue to contribute to their collegiate programs at a variety of colleges and universities across the country. EDITORS NOTE: The football 'Athletes Beyond Bartow' feature this week will be published separately. VOLLEYBALL KATIE O’CONNOR — Western Carolina University (Jr., MB, Cartersville HS) . . . six kills and seven blocks in a five set, home win over Mercer October 14 plus ten kills, a dig, and five blocks in a four set, home loss to East Tennessee State University October 15. O'Connor leads WCU in blocks and is third on the roster in points by kill and total points. The Catamounts (8-13, 3-5 Southern Conference) take to the road for conference matches Friday and Saturday (Oct. 21-22) at Samford and Wofford. SOCCER MADISON BENNETT — North Greenville University (Fr., Defender, Woodland HS) . . . (photo left) saw 22 minutes of action in the Crusaders 4-0 loss October 12 at Belmont Abbey and entered for 9 minutes in a 1-0 home loss to Mount Olive October 15. Bennett has seen action in 12 games this season with four starts. North Greenville (2-10-1, 0-8-1 Conference Carolinas) plays at Southern Wesleyan University Saturday, October 22. MALLARY HEDDEN — Armstrong State University (Jr., Midfielder/Defender, Cass HS) . . . played 40 minutes in the Pirates 4-0 win at Lander University October 12 and 11 minutes in a 1-0 win at Clayton State October 15. ASU (9-1-1, 6-0-1 Peach Belt Conference) is currently tied with University of North Georgia for second in the conference, only two points behind Columbus State. The Pirates play Georgia College Monday (Oct. 17) in a match rescheduled due to Hurricane Matthew, then host Flagler College Wednesday and University of West Georgia on Saturday, October 22. EMILY MOORE — Charleston Southern University (Sr., Defender, Woodland HS) . . . (photo right) took a pair of shots, including one shot on goal in a 3-2 loss at Presbyterian College October 12 and was a starter at defender in a 3-1 home loss to High Point Universitiy on October 15. The Buccaneers (6-7, 2-3 Big South Conference) plays conference games at Gardner-Webb on Wednesday, at Winthrop Thursday, and at Longwood on Saturday, October 22. HALEY PITTMAN — Life University (Fr., F, Adairsville HS) . . . was a starter at forward for the Running Eagles in their 4-1 Mid-South Conference victory at University of Pikeville October 14. With the win, Life (2-9, 1-4 MSC) hosts University of the Cumberlands October 18 and travels to Auburn University at Montgomery on Friday, October 21. CODY WEST — Duquesne University (R-Jr., Defender, Cass HS) . . . played all 183 minutes as the Dukes lost 5-0 at Fordham University October 12, but edged Virginia Commonwealth University 1-0 in overtime October 15. Duquesne (7-3-3, 2-1-1 Atlantic 10 Conference) hosts conference opponent George Mason Wednesday (October 19) and travels to Philadelphia to take on Saint Joseph’s October 22. CROSS COUNTRY BREE COLE — Jacksonville State University (Fr., Cartersville HS) . . . placed 91st, fourth for her team (26:42), at the Berry Vikings 6K Invitational in Rome last Saturday as the Gamecocks finished sixth of 19 teams. JSU runs next on October 29 at the Ohio Valley Conference Championship in Nashville, TN hosted by Belmont University. SPENCER FIELDS — Rhodes College (Soph., Darlington School / Kingston resident) . . . (photo left) earned a top 25 finish with a time of 24:15 in the 8K Rowan Inter-Regional Border Battle in Glassboro, NJ last Saturday. The Lynx placed 11th of 43 teams in the championship race. Next for Rhodes is the Southern Athletic Association Championships in Clinton, Mississippi. SAVANNAH HARDIN — Young Harris College (Soph., Cass HS) . . . ran third for her team (27:38) and 111th overall at the 6K Berry College Invitational Saturday (Oct. 15) at the Clara Bowl Cross Country Course. The Mountain Lions return to action Saturday (Oct. 22) at the Peach Belt Conference Championship in Milledgeville, GA hosted by Georgia College. ROGER HERRERA — Reinhardt University (Sr., Cartersville HS) . . . finished 52nd overall of 133 runners and seventh for his team as the Eagles placed second of 17 teams at the 8K Hood College XC Open in Frederick, MD. Reinhardt competes next on Saturday (Oct. 22) in Hardeeville, SC at the Sand Shark Invitational hosted by University of South Carolina-Beaufort. Did we miss someone this week? Please let Bartow Sports Zone know by using our 'Contact' link at the top menu or email: bartowsportszone@comcast.net.

Bartow County Parks & Recreation Department Youth Football results Saturday, October 15 10U BARTOW PACKERS 42, BARTOW COLTS 0 Jamarian Pullum scored three times and Jakevian Harris scored twice to help lead the Packers to a wide margin victory. Pullum rushed for a pair of touchdowns and returned an interception for another score. Harris also ran for a pair of touchdowns and Adrian Harris, Jr. added a 50 yard touchdown run for the Packers. Richard Houston was credited with a top performance on both offense and defense for the Colts. 10U BARTOW STEELERS 18, BARTOW FALCONS 6 Logan Woody scored on runs of 60 and 12 yards for the Steelers. Jamauri Brice added a five yard touchdown run for the victors. Jonathan Gough scored on a 60 yard run for the Falcons. Youth football results are provided by the Cartersville Parks & Recreation Department and the Bartow County Parks & Recreation Department. They are sponsored on Bartow Sports Zone by CiCi's Pizza of Cartersville in the Cherokee Place Shopping Center.

Bartow County Parks & Recreation Department Youth Football results Saturday, October 15 8U BARTOW FALCONS 31, BARTOW BEARS 14 Kyron McClendon and Joshua Love scored two touchdowns apiece to help lead the Falcons to a 17-point win. Brody Varner also connected with James Lee for a five-yard touchdown pass for the Falcons. The Bears were led by Julius Jones and Jakez Baldwin who scored one touchdown each. 8U BARTOW STEELERS 18, BARTOW COLTS 14 Joseph Thorne ran for touchdowns from 2 and 35 yards to help lead the Steelers. Micah Pittman added a 30 yard scamper. The Colts touchdowns were recorded by Demarcus Ballenger and Jaiden Daise. 8U BARTOW RAIDERS 38, BARTOW PACKERS 14 Jamar Wilson ran for five touchdowns as the Raiders defeated the Packers. All touchdown runs, Wilson scored from 8, 40, 60, 50, and 20 yards out. James Morris III also added a 20 yard touchdown run for the Raiders. Brad Barton, Jr., scored a pair of touchdowns for the Packers. Barton found the end zone on a 50 yard rush and a 50 yard fumble recovery and return for a score. Youth football results are provided by the Cartersville Parks & Recreation Department and the Bartow County Parks & Recreation Department. They are sponsored on Bartow Sports Zone by CiCi's Pizza of Cartersville in the Cherokee Place Shopping Center.

The Woodland Middle School cross country teams won the overall state championship for girls and boys teams combined last Saturday at the Georgia Middle School Cross Country Championships in Cochran. The Cartersville boys also had an impressive run, placing second out of 22 teams in the Medium School Boys Championship with an average time of 12:15. The Woodland girls placed second out of 24 teams with an average time of 13:46 in the Large School Girls Championship, while the boys placed fourth out of 25 teams in the Large School Boys Championship with an average time of 12:22 in the two-mile run. For the complete story, please visit Jason Greenberg's story in The Daily Tribune News.

The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes passed what was arguably their toughest test of the 2016 regular season in Region 5-AAAA Friday night with a win a Sandy Creek. As a result, the Canes continue a solid hold on the No. 1 spot in the latest release of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Top Ten rankings. Trevor Lawrence threw for three touchdowns and Trey Creamer ran for two more as the top-ranked Cartersville Purple Hurricanes won their 23rd straight game and improved to 8-0 this season with 35-21 win in Tyrone. Lawrence had first half touchdown throws to E.J. Turner (6-yards), Avery Showell (13-yards), and JKobe Orr (18-yards) to take a 21-14 lead at halftime. Creamer extended the Canes lead to 28-14 with a 14-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter. A 51-yard pass play from Lawrence to Turner preceded the scoring run as the Canes went 65 yards in two plays. Creamer, who recently committed to Minnesota, added a nine-yard rushing touchdown with 2:58 remaining in the third quarter to put the Cane ahead 35-14. Lawrence was 19-of-31 passing for 248 yards and three touchdowns. Creamer rushed for 56 yards and two scores on 12 carries. Sandy Creek fell to 4-3 overall and 1-2 in Region 5-AAAA with the loss. Cartersville (8-0, 4-0) travels to Chapel Hill (2-3-1, 0-2) next Friday. ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION TOP TEN RANKINGS Class AAAAAAA Rank (Previous Rank) (Season Record) 1. (1) Roswell (7-0) 2. (2) Mill Creek (8-0) 3. (3) Grayson (6-1) 4. (4) McEachern (6-1) 5. (5) Norcross (7-0) 6. (6) Lowndes (7-1) 7. (7) Colquitt County (4-4) 8. (9) Parkview (5-2) 9. (10) North Cobb (5-2) 10. (NR) Brookwood (5-2) Out: No. 8 Lassiter (5-2) Class AAAAAA 1. (2) Valdosta (6-1) 2. (3) Northside, Warner Robins (7-1) 3. (4) Harrison (7-0) 4. (1) Lee County (6-1) 5. (5) Dalton (7-0) 6. (6) Tucker (6-1) 7. (7) Mays (6-1) 8. (8) Alexander (7-0) 9. (10) Glynn Academy (6-1) 10. Coffee (5-2) Out: No. 9 Houston County (6-2) Class AAAAA 1. (1) Buford (6-1) 2. (2) Stockbridge (7-0) 3. (3) Kell (6-1) 4. (4) Rome (5-2) 5. (5) Carrollton (6-1) 6. (6) Ware County (3-3) 7. (7) Grady (6-1) 8. (9) Arabia Mountain (6-1) 9. (10) Woodland, Stockbridge (6-2) 10. (NR) Loganville (6-1) Out: No. 8 Thomas County Central (5-3) Class AAAA 1. (1) Cartersville (8-0) 2. (2) Thomson (7-0) 3. (3) Woodward Academy (7-1) 4. (4) Jefferson (6-1) 5. (5) Cairo (6-1) 6. (6) Blessed Trinity (6-2) 7. (7) Mary Persons (5-2) 8. (8) Burke County (6-1) 9. (9) Ridgeland (6-0) 10. (10) Marist (5-2) Class AAA 1. (1) Greater Atlanta Christian (7-1) 2. (2) Peach County (6-1) 3. (3) Westminster (5-2) 4. (5) Calhoun (5-2) 5. (6) Lovett (5-2) 6. (7) Crisp County (7-0) 7. (9) Cedar Grove (5-2) 8. (8) Liberty County (6-1) 9. (4) Pace Academy (4-3) 10. (NR) Pierce County (5-2) Out: No. 10 Appling County (4-2) Class AA 1. (1) Benedictine (7-0) 2. (2) Fitzgerald (6-1) 3. (3) Jefferson County (8-0) 4. (4) Callaway (7-0) 5. (5) Rabun County (6-0) 6. (6) Brooks County (6-1) 7. (7) Vidalia (5-2) 8. (8) Screven County (6-1) 9. (10) Pepperell (5-1) 10. (9) Heard County (5-2) Class A (private) 1. (1) Eagle’s Landing Christian (7-0) 2. (2) Wesleyan (6-1) 3. (3) Landmark Christian (7-0) 4. (4) Prince Avenue Christian (8-0) 5. (5) Calvary Day (5-0) 6. (6) Fellowship Christian (7-0) 7. (7) Athens Academy (7-0) 8. (10) Tattnall Square (7-0) 9. (8) Mount Paran Christian (6-1) 10. (9) Darlington (6-2) Class A (public) 1. (1) Clinch County (6-1) 2. (2) Macon County (5-2) 3. (3) Emanuel County Institute (7-0) 4. (4) Manchester (8-0) 5. (5) Mount Zion (7-0) 6. (6) Twiggs County (5-2) 7. (7) Lincoln County (5-1-1) 8. (9) McIntosh County Academy (4-1) 9. (8) Bowdon (5-3) 10. (10) Commerce (5-2)

PHOTOS: Cartersville's Robby Earick (center photo) was the wire-to-wire winner of the 2016 boys Bartow County Cross Country Championship. The Lady Canes (left) and Hurricanes (right) were the 2016 team champions. Although the No. 1-ranked Woodland girls team held out its top five runners in preparation for a weekend race, the annual Bartow County Cross Country Championships were still highly competitive last Thursday with Cartersville and Woodland challenging for the titles. It was the Cartersville girls and boys teams, however, that won the 2016 Bartow championships. Cartersville won the girls race 25-30 and the Canes' boys took four of the top five spots to win that race. According to David Bishop, who assists with the race, the course at Cass High School was adjusted last minute and was not properly measured. It led to a shortened course with times that were faster than typical 5K races and therefore not comparable. Although Woodland held out its top five girls, the Lady Cats second team ran very well and narrowly lost to the Lady Canes. MacKenzie Stephenson of the Lady Cats won the girls race with Lady Canes' runners claiming the next three spots. Vanna Beach, Kayla Carpenter, and Abby Forristall placed second through fourth. Krystinn Dabbs finished sixth for Cartersville and Caroline Fahey was tenth. Cartersville coach David Matherne gave credit to both girls teams. "Their second group of girls are strong, so we had to run well." In the boys race, Cartersville's Robby Earick and Andy Sims finished one-two to lead the Canes to a team victory. Woodland placed second and Adairsville third. Cass and Excel Christian Academy each had varsity runners in the boys race. Jonathan Holloway of Woodland placed third individually with Jacob Busek and Will Pruitt of Cartersville completing the boys' top five. William Matherne of Cartersville placed tenth to round out the Canes' scoring lineup. In related news from the meet, Matherne said the name on the trophy for future Bartow County Championships will be changed to "The Bishop" in honor of former Cass coach David Bishop. “He is really an ambassador for our sport and has been for decades," noted Matherne of the now retired Bishop. “He has cheered on kids from all the schools for years, provided T-shirts for the winning teams, and simply provided a lot of support for the sport."

The first round of the 2016 Bartow-Gordon Middle School Athletic Association football playoffs were completed Saturday at Cartersville High School's Weinman Stadium. Each of the higher seeded teams won their first round game and advanced to the BGMSAA semi-finals next Thursday. Super Saturday Quarter-Finals October 15, 2016 at Cartersville High School (1S) Cartersville 43, (4N) Adairsville 0 (2N) Red Bud 28, (3S) South Central 20 (1N) Calhoun 29, (4S) Woodland 0 (2S) Cass 20, (3N) Ashworth 6 Semi-finals / Thursday, October 20 (2N) Red Bud at (1S) Cartersville (2S) Cass at (1N) Calhoun Championship Game / Thursday, October 27 at higher seed

The Class AAAAA top-ranked Woodland girls cross country team placed sixth of 20 teams Saturday at the Nike/Fleet Feet Coach Wood Invitational hosted by Mill Creek High School at Gainesville College. The Lady Eagles of Milton took the championship by two points over South Forsyth. Lovett, Harrison, and Walton completed the top five girls teams. Serena Tripodi of Lovett won the 5K race in 18:11.37. Woodland was led by freshmen Angela Cochran and Carli Clymer who ran 11th and 12th in the field of 174 runners in 19:24 and 19:29, respectively. McKenna Trapheagen (40th, 20:34), Lindsay Scifers (69th, 21:11), and Casey Bolan (88th, 21:45) rounded out the top five scoring positions for the Lady Cats. Woodland will host the Region 7-AAAAA Championship October 26 at 4:30pm.

CARTERSVILLE 35, SANDY CREEK 21 Trevor Lawrence threw for three touchdowns and Trey Creamer ran for two more as the top-ranked Cartersville Purple Hurricanes won their 23rd straight game and improved to 8-0 this season with 35-21 win Friday night at Sandy Creek. Lawrence had first half touchdown throws to E.J. Turner (6-yards), Avery Showell (13-yards), and JKobe Orr (18-yards) to take a 21-14 lead at halftime. Creamer extended the Canes lead to 28-14 with a 14-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter. A 51-yard pass play from Lawrence to Turner preceded the scoring run as the Canes went 65 yards in two plays. Creamer, who recently committed to Minnesota, added a nine-yard rushing touchdown with 2:58 remaining in the third quarter to put the Cane ahead 35-14. Lawrence was 19-of-31 passing for 248 yards and three touchdowns. Creamer rushed for 56 yards and two scores on 12 carries. Sandy Creek fell to 4-3 overall and 1-2 in Region 5-AAAA with the loss. Cartersville (8-0, 4-0) travels to Chapel Hill (2-3-1, 0-2) next Friday. SONORAVILLE 35, ADAIRSVILLE 0 The visiting Sonoraville Phoenix shutout Adairsville Friday night in a 6-AAA South sub-region battle, 35-0. Sonoraville limited Adairsville to only 59 yards of offense in the first half while the Phoenix rolled up 161 yards. Sonoraville quarterback, Patrick Moore, scored a pair of first half touchdowns on runs of 19 and 15 yards. Tristan Key — who also scored two rushing touchdowns in the game — scored on a one-yard run in the second quarter and a three-yard run in the third period. Matthew Vincent added the final Sonoraville touchdown with a 5 yard run with 9:28 remaining in the game. Sonoraville improved to 6-2 overall and is now 3-0 in sub-region play. The Phoenix will host Calhoun next week with an opportunity to play for the regular season sub-region title. Adairsville (2-5, 0-2) travels to Bremen (3-3, 1-1) next Friday and will host Haralson County the following week. The Tigers must win at least one of those two games to qualify for a meaningful Region 6-AAA cross-over, home playoff game on November 4. ROME 42, CASS 7 Fourth-ranked Rome overpowered Cass Friday, 42-7, to hand the Colonels their third straight loss after a 3-1 start. Wolves’ quarterback Knox Kadum ran for a touchdown and threw two touchdown passes to Tyrish Martin to help lead Rome. Jalynn Sykes added a pair of rushing touchdowns and Xavier Roberts had a scoring run as the Wolves cruised to a 42-0 lead. Cass, whose offense was staggered by the loss of running back Derrick Maxwell to a first half injury, scored in the final minute of the game on a 33-yard pass play from Brett Gaddy to Ian Whittington for a 42-7 final score. Rome improved to 5-2 overall and 4-1 in Region 7-AAAAA. Cass (3-4, 2-3) hosts Paulding County (3-4, 2-3) next Friday. EAST PAULDING 28, WOODLAND 15 East Paulding scored 21 points early, then held off the Woodland Wildcats for a 28-15 victory in Region 7-AAAAA. Woodland narrowed the score at the intermission to 21-8 with a 14-play, 77-yard drive capped by Justice Carter touchdown reception with only six ticks remaining in the first half. Brody Williams ran in a two-point conversion. After East Paulding went up 28-8, Carter scored again for the Wildcats on a 10-yard run to narrow the margin to 28-15. Woodland drove to the red zone one more time, but failed on a fourth-and-nine at the Raiders’ 20-yard line. With the victory, East Paulding won for the second week in a row after an 0-5 start. Woodland (0-8, 0-6 in 7-AAAAA) does not play next week, but will travel to Kell (6-1, 5-0) on October 28.

Youth football results for Thursday, October 13 from both the Cartersville Parks & Recreation Department and the Bartow County Parks & Recreation Department. Bartow County Parks & Recreation Department Youth Football Thursday, October 13 8U BARTOW RAIDERS 28, BARTOW BEARS 19 Jamar Wilson of the Raiders had touchdown runs of 30, 10, and 60 yards in the victory. Wilson also added a 60 yard interception return for a touchdown. The Bears were led by Jakez Baldwin’s two touchdown runs of 25 and 20 yards. Julius Jones also had a 60 yard sprint for a touchdown. 8U BARTOW COLTS 26, BARTOW PACKERS 0 Three different Colts galloped for touchdowns runs and Christian Teasley scooped up a fumble recovery and returned it 30 yards for a score in the shutout victory. Landon Lamb scored on an eight yard run, Demarcus Ballenger scooted 20 yards for a score, and Jaiden Daise scored on a fifteen yard run. Cartersville Parks & Recreation Department Youth Football Thursday, October 13 10U CANES WHITE 42, CANES SILVER 42 (tie) Cedric McClinic ran for six touchdowns, including a kickoff return of 50 yards, for Canes White. His scoring dashes came from 60, 42, 32, 41, and 41 yards. McClinic also added three two-point conversion runs. Meanwhile, Canes Silver matched the scoring barrage with four touchdown runs by Christian Wood and two by Jake Johnson. Wood scored on runs of 3, 20, 3, and 31 yards. Johnson’s touchdown runs were from 10 and 4 yards out. Canes Silver also converted on each touchdown with a one-point PAT. 10U CANES BLACK 20, CANES GOLD 13 Isaac Cunningham ran a kickoff back 53 yards for a touchdown and scored on a 40 yard run with an extra point to help lead Canes Black. Lee Camp also scored on a 14 yard reception and added an extra point. Canes Gold scored touchdowns on a 50 yard run by Trevor Harris and a 6 yard run by Kristian Lando. Youth football reports are provided by CPRD and BCRD and are sponsored on Bartow Sports Zone by CiCi's Pizza of Cartersville at Cherokee Place.

Cartersville volleyball defeated visiting Hephzibah Thursday night in the first round of the Class AAAA state playoffs in The Storm Center. The Lady Canes won in straight sets by wide margins, 25-3, 25-5, and 25-7. Cartersville (29-16) will host their second round match against Northside-Columbus next Tuesday. Northside-Columbus defeated Heritage-Catoosa Thursday night in the first round, three sets to one.

An October update from the Cartersville Parks & Recreation Department.