The old coaching adage “take ‘em one at a time” always holds value. With outcomes so unpredictable, there are plenty of reasons to never look ahead on your schedule. Take care of the current opponent each week and the bigger picture will ultimately take care of itself. Of course that is all true, but it is also human nature to look ahead. Mathematicians like Loren Maxwell of the Maxwell Ratings and Projections have even developed formulas using game results data in an effort to be predictive. Maxwell’s ratings are a regular feature in the sports pages of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He has also been a regularly featured guest on the local Bartow Sports Zone radio show on WBHF in Cartersville. Maxwell’s ratings and projections focus on Georgia High School Association football, but there are similar ratings systems for college and pro sports including the systems of Jeff Sagarin in USA Today, the New York Times, Anderson-Hester, Kenneth Massey and many more. Even the NCAA has its own power index and ESPN analysts readily refer to their own predictive ratings systems. With the 2016 high school regular season just beyond the midway point, let’s look at Maxwell’s ratings and playoff projections for the local regions. If Maxwell’s projections are perfect (and even he would tell you they are never perfect), then three of the four local teams will reach post-season play. As regular season results continue to roll in, these numbers will change. It is always fun, however, to peek into a potential crystal ball. Below is a list of teams in each of the regions that include local teams along with their current win-loss record and the odds of each team qualifying for the state playoffs per Maxwell ratings and projections. The odds of the current region leaders advancing to the state finals in the Georgia Dome and winning a state title are also listed. Keep in mind, each team’s remaining regular season schedule is considered. Additionally, Region 6-AAA is sub-divided and has a cross-over play-in game to determine its region champion and playoff qualifiers. REGION 7-AAAAA Team . . . . . . . . . .Record . . . . Playoff Odds Kell . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1 . . . . . 99.9% (35.3% finals; 13.7% state champion) Rome . . . . . . . . . . 3-2 . . . . . 99.5% Carrollton . . . . . . . 4-1 . . . . . 94.1% Cass . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2 . . . . . 40.9% Villa Rica . . . . . . . .4-2 . . . . . 39.8% Paulding Co. . . . . . 2-4 . . . . . 13.1% Hiram . . . . . . . . . . .4-2 . . . . . . 6.9% East Paulding . . . . .0-5 . . . . . . 5.8% Woodland . . . . . . . . 0-6 . . . . . . 0.0% REGION 5-AAAA Team . . . . . . . . . .Record . . . . Playoff Odds Cartersville . . . . . . 6-0 . . . . . . 99.9% (70.6% in finals; 59.0% state champion) Troup . . . . . . . . . . .5-1 . . . . . . 92.4% Cedartown . . . . . . .4-2 . . . . . . 89.7% Sandy Creek . . . . .3-2 . . . . . . 89.1% LaGrange . . . . . . . .2-4 . . . . . .17.1% Chapel Hill . . . . . . .2-2-1 . . . . .11.5% Central-C’ton . . . . .0-6 . . . . . . . 2.5% REGION 6-AAA Team . . . . . . . . . .Record . . . . Playoff Odds Calhoun . . . . . . . . 4-2 . . . . . . . 98.8% (22.4% in finals; 7.7% state champion) Sonoraville . . . . . . 4-2 . . . . . . . 88.9% North Murray . . . . 4-2 . . . . . . . 64.9% Ringgold . . . . . . . . 3-3 . . . . . . . 61.7% Adairsville . . . . . . . 2-3 . . . . . . . 52.2% Bremen . . . . . . . . . 3-3 . . . . . . . 26.4% Murray County . . . . 3-3 . . . . . . 6.9% Coahulla Creek . . . 0-5 . . . . . . 0.0% Haralson Co. . . . . 1-4 . . . . . . 0.0% Lakeview-FO . . . . 0-6 . . . . . . 0.0% With the above numbers in mind, we can look at what is necessary for each local team to advance. Cartersville has home games remaining this week for homecoming with LaGrange and November 4 with Troup. The Canes also have road trips to Sandy Creek and Chapel Hill. To return to the state playoffs, the Canes could get in with only one more win. As we all know, however, the defending state champions in Class AAAA have grander goals and the Maxwell ratings support the suggestion of a return trip to the Georgia Dome and another ring. The Maxwell ratings also like Adairsville’s odds of getting to the state playoffs. The Tigers face uphill odds this week at Calhoun, but have key battles down the stretch at home against Sonoraville and Haralson County plus a road game at Bremen. In all likelihood, Adairsville needs to win only two of their next four games to reach the sub-divided region’s cross-over playoff game. That game will be November 4 against a team from 6-AAA North (likely Ringgold, North Murray, or Murray County) and it will be a home game this year for the Tigers. The two sub-region winners in the regular season face off for the top two state playoff seeds from 6-AAA, but the second and third place teams from each side play one another for the last two state playoff seeds. Currently, the Tigers would be favored against any potential opponent from the North sub-region. In Region 7-AAAAA, Cass is in a highly competitive situation. The Colonels likely need three wins in their final five games to reach the post-season. They have a road game at East Paulding Friday and will be only slightly favored against the winless Raiders. Cass hosts Rome and Paulding County the next two weeks before closing out the regular season at Villa Rica and at Carrollton. Cass, at 2-1 in region play, controls its fate over the final five regular season weeks, but must knock heads with other teams in a similar position down that stretch. With the top three teams in this region all highly ranked in both the statewide polls and in the Maxwell ratings, the battle for the Colonels appears to be for the fourth and final playoff spot. Kell, Rome, and Carrollton hold down the No. 3 through No. 5 spots in many polls. The Maxwell ratings also agree about the powers at the top of this region. Maxwell’s numbers give Carrollton a 94.1 percent chance of making the state playoffs and the other two — Kell and Rome — are favored at better than 99 percent odds each to make the playoffs. Paulding County was the preseason favorite to grab the final state playoff spot from Region 7-AAAAA, but following last week’s narrow loss to Villa Rica, the Patriots face an uphill battle and will need Villa Rica to stumble. The Patriots schedule is favorable, however, with games remaining against Woodland, Cass, Carrollton, and East Paulding. The Maxwell ratings currently favor Villa Rica in the Region 7-AAAAA race for the final playoff spots. The Wildcats have the toughest remaining schedule, however, with Carrollton, Kell, Rome, and Cass remaining. Hiram also remains an outside contender in 7-AAAAA. The Hornets already have a win over Villa Rica, but also have a loss to Cass and must play Rome, Carrollton, and Kell down the stretch. The final five weeks should be a lot of fun in all three regions.

The Excel Christian Academy softball team won twice in the past week and improved their GHSA Class A Private power rating position by two spots. The Lady Eagles, with win over Darlington and Mt. Zion-Carroll last Thursday and Monday, climbed to the No. 20 spot in ratings released Tuesday. The top 24 teams advance to the Class A Private playoffs that begin October 12-13 at higher seed school sites. Top 25 (October 4, 2016)

BARTOW COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT Results from Monday, October 3 8U BARTOW COLTS 7, BARTOW BEARS 0 The Colts shut out the Bears Monday in a defensive battle. Christian Teasley scored for the Colts on a six yard run and added an extra point run for the game's only score. Graham Coheley and Jakez Baldwin were recognized as top performers for the Bears. 10U BARTOW COLTS 33, BARTOW FALCONS 27 The 10 under Colts defeated the Falcons on Monday night, in a back and forth affair. Both teams traded scores throughout the game, but Richard Houston's 60 yard kickoff return proved to be the difference for the Colts. Houston also scored on touchdown runs of 10, 10, 30, and six yards for the Colts. Gavin Johnson added an interception for the Colts. The Falcons were led by Jonathan Gough with touchdown runs of 40 and 70 yards. Kaiden Pirkle scored on a 55 yard dash. Jonathan Gough connected with Joshua Bishop for a 40 yard touchdown pass. Youth football results on Bartow Sports Zone are provided by the Cartersville and Bartow County Recreation Departments and are sponsored by CiCi's Pizza of Cartersville.

The Atlanta Falcons offense had a record breaking day Sunday in a 48-33 defeat of the reigning NFC champion Carolina Panthers, but lost in the explosiveness of the day may have been the play of the Falcons’ defense. Adairsville native and Clemson Tigers all-American, Vic Beasley, was part of a defensive front four that all got a hit on 2015 NFL MVP Cam Newton. Beasley dropped Newton for a loss in the second quarter, while fellow front four defenders Adrian Clayborn, Brooks Reed, and Derrick Shelby also applied pressure and recorded a team total of eight hits on Newton. Dwight Freeney logged a sack for the second straight game. The most notable hit of the game on the Panthers’ quarterback came in the fourth quarter by rookie linebacker Deion Jones. That contact forced Newton from the game following a two-point conversion run and he did not return. Newton remains questionable for this week. While the Atlanta defense still lags behind much of the league in sack numbers, they were able to harass Newton for much of the day and were able to apply pressure. As for the offensive explosion, Julio Jones hauled in a dozen catches for a franchise-record 300 yards and a touchdown. His quarterback, Matt Ryan, threw to nine different receivers in the victory for a franchise-record 503 yards and four touchdowns. Atlanta improved to 3-1 to sit atop the NFC South. The Falcons travel to Denver for a 4:05pm ET start against the 4-0 Broncos.

CARTERSVILLE PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT YOUTH FOOTBALL 10U results for September 29 CANES GOLD 31, CANES BLACK 19 Trevor Harris scored a pair of touchdowns and ran for an extra point for Canes Gold. His scoring runs were from 18 and 43 yards. Luke Parker added a one yard touchdown plunge. Kristian Lando hauled in a 15 yard touchdown pass reception and Brayden Pope added an interception return for a touchdown and an extra point. Turner Abernathy scored on touchdown runs of 10, 7, and 1 yard for Canes Black and added an extra point run. CANES SILVER 20, CANES WHITE 8 Christian Wood scored on touchdown runs of 2, 3, and 11 yards for Canes Silver. He also added the extra points. Cedric McClinic scored for Canes White on a 10 yard pass reception and extra points. 12U results from Saturday, October 1 CARTERSVILLE HURRICANES 8, CALHOUN COLTS 6 No scoring info provided. 12U results from Monday, October 3 CARTERSVILLE HURRICANES 24, CALHOUN HURRICANES 8 No scoring info provided. 10U results from Monday, October 3 CANES BLACK 14, CANES PURPLE 8 Turner Abernathy scored on a 12 yard run and Isaac Cunningham ran for a 40 yard touchdown for Canes Black. Maddox Frazier kicked a 2-point PAT conversion. Eaiden Neal ran for a 40 yard touchdown for Canes Purple and Brody McWhorter kicked the two-point PAT. CANES GOLD 24, CANES WHITE 0 Trevor Harris had touchdown runs of 5, 42, and 40 yards in the Canes Gold win. Stephen Rowser also scored on a five yard run. The Canes Gold defense held on for a shutout although Cedric McClinic had a 60 yard run and Ja’Caiden Leonard had a 30 yard jaunt for Canes White. Youth football results are provided by the Cartersville Parks & Recreation Department and the Bartow County Parks and Recreation Department. Results are sponsored on Bartow Sports Zone by CiCi's Pizza of Cartersville

The Lady Canes jumped out to an early lead on LaGrange Monday evening and then relied on another quality performance from pitcher Hannah Todd to win the third game of their best-of-three series with the Lady Grangers. The 7-1 win advanced Cartersville in the Region 5-AAAA playoffs and secured a state playoff berth for the Lady Canes. The Class AAAA state playoffs begin October 12-13. Todd tossed another complete game for Cartersville. She allowed only a single run on four hits and a pair of walks. Todd fanned a dozen. Cartersville, playing as the visiting team, posted a pair of runs in the top of the first inning and added three more in the third to take a 5-0 lead. LaGrange scored their run in the bottom of the fifth, but the Lady Canes responded with a two-run home run from Colbi Ballard in the sixth for their seven run total. Paris Poston had a big offensive night for Cartersville. The number three hitter in the order had three hits, drove in a run, and scored twice to lead the Lady Canes’ bats. One of her hits was a triple. Presley Edwards finished with a double and one RBI. Molly Wilson, Hope Short, and Allie Jackson each added a hit. Todd drove in a pair of runs with a sacrifice fly and a grounder. Cartersville (17-11) advances to play at Cedartown Thursday for a No. 3 seed from Region 5-AAAA. The loser of that single game will be a No. 4 seed in the state playoffs. Cedartown swept Troup 12-2 and 11-0 in their series to advance to Thursday’s game. VILLA RICA 7, WOODLAND 6 Woodland took a three run lead to the sixth inning Monday night against Region 7-AAAAA top-seeded Villa Rica, but the regular season champions rallied for four runs in the bottom of the inning to edge Woodland, 7-6. Woodland committed four of their six errors in the game in the first two innings to contribute to Villa Rica’s first three runs. It was four singles, two walks, and a sacrifice fly, however, that plated the Villa Rica’s deciding four runs in the sixth. Villa Rica led 1-0 after the first inning, but Woodland scored three times in the top of the second to take a 3-1 lead. After Villa Rica tied the game in the bottom of the second inning, Woodland regained the lead 6-3 in the fourth. Sarah Baynard (6 IP, 7R, 4ER, 10H, 3BB, 1K) suffered the pitching loss. Sophomore Abbey Gamble picked up the pitching win for Villa Rica in relief. Reagan Gunter and Baylee Walls combined for five hits and two RBIs to lead Villa Rica at the plate. Five Woodland batters finished with one hit each. Madgie Robinson, Jordan Duck (RBI), Brittney Cox, Emma Jordan (RBI), and Jamison Kilgo had the Lady Cats’ hits. Bella Carnes added one RBI with a bases loaded walk. Villa Rica improved to 18-5 with the win. Woodland fell to 12-18 with the loss. Villa Rica plays the Carrollton/Kell winner on Tuesday. Woodland will play the Carrollton/Kell loser in the double-elimination format.

The Excel Christian Academy softball team scored four times in the bottom of the first inning Monday afternoon and expanded their lead to 8-1 through five frames, but visiting Mt. Zion-Carroll scored six runs in the sixth and another in the seventh to tie the game 8-8. The home standing Lady Eagles still managed to pull out a win, however, on a Lindsey Mauldin single, a groundout by Hannah Lee, and a pair of wild pitches in the bottom of the seventh that allowed a walk off, 9-8 win for Excel. Mount Zion-Carroll finished with ten hits to only seven by Excel, but the locals took advantage of four errors by the visitors. As a result, eight of Excel’s nine runs were unearned. Lee started in the circle (3 IP, 1R, 0ER, 3H, 1BB, 1K) and was relieved by Taylor Gibson. Although Mt. Zion-Carroll rallied against the reliever, Gibson (4 IP, 7ER, 7H, 1BB, 6K) was credited with the pitching win. Mauldin (2 RBI) and Kalli Beth Scheff each had two hits and a double for ECA. Lee (2 RBI), Gibson (RBI), and Brighton McCollum had the other hits for the Lady Eagles. Whitney Harris walked twice, drove in a run, and scored once for Excel. Excel improved to 10-13 with the win and held the No. 22 ranking among Class A private schools in GHSA. The top 24 teams, following the final rankings, qualify for the state playoffs that begin October 12-13 at school sites.

Local athletes competing for football programs across the nation made contributions this past weekend for their respective teams. Hayes Linn, a senior defensive back at Air Force was among the tackle leaders for the Falcons in their victory over Navy that takes the initial step in their defense of the Commander-in-Chief Trophy. DaKelin Wells also had four tackles Saturday for Maryville (TN) College. Meanwhile, local UNC-Charlotte receivers -- T.L. Ford and Mark Quattlebaum -- combined for five receptions Saturday for the 49ers. QUADRE ALLEN — Tusculum College (So., DB, Woodland HS) . . . had three tackles October 1 in a 21-14 home victory over Brevard. Allen is up to 11 tackles including 10 in the last two games for the Pioneers. Tusculum (1-4, 1-2 South Atlantic Conference) plays at Wingate in another conference game Saturday, Oct. 8. DeANDRE APPLIN — Georgia Military College (So., DB, Adairsville HS) . . . had one tackle in the Bulldogs’ 45-3 win last Saturday over ASA Miami. Applin now has 13 tackles on the season and at least one in each game. Georgia Military (5-1, Independent, NJCAA) hosts Hocking on Saturday, Oct. 8. TREVOR CARLTON — Reinhardt University (So., LB/S, Cartersville HS) . . . made two tackles Saturday in the Eagles’ 64-3 win over Bluefield College. 5th-ranked Reinhardt (5-0) opens play in the Mid-South Conference Saturday, Oct. 8 against Faulkner in Montgomery. T.L. FORD II — UNC-Charlotte (Jr., WR, Cartersville HS) . . . (photo left) made four catches for 18 yards that included a seven yard catch in a home, Conference USA loss to Old Dominion Saturday night. Ford has 21 catches for 278 yards and two touchdowns through five games. The 49ers (1-4 overall, 0-1 C-USA) travel to Boca Raton, FL to play conference foe Florida Atlantic Saturday afternoon, Oct. 8. MILLER FORRISTALL — University of Alabama (Fr., TE, Cartersville HS) . . . (photo right) has one start and has appeared in every game as a blocking tight end as the Crimson Tide has gone 5-0. Most recently, Alabama rolled Kentucky last Saturday 34-6. They play at 16th-ranked Arkansas Saturday night, October 8. DAKOTA HINES — Kentucky Christian University (Jr., PK/P, Adairsville HS) . . . was 1-for-1 with a second quarter PAT and had six punts for a 35.5 average that included a long punt of 51 yards, but the Crusaders fell to Georgetown (KY) College, 31-7 last Saturday. KCU (0-5 overall, 0-2 Mid-South Conference) hosts Cumberland (TN) University for their homecoming game Saturday, Oct. 8. BRADY JERNIGAN -- Illinois College (Fr., DL, Woodland HS) . . . saw the first action of his college career Saturday and made one tackle in a 50-14 win over Grinnell. The Blueboys (3-2 overall, 2-1 Midwest Conference) play at Cornell College (IA) Saturday, Oct. 8. LUCAS JOHNSON — Georgia State University (Soph., OL, Cass HS) . . . saw action in the Panthers’ 17-3 loss at Appalachian State last Saturday. Georgia State (0-4, 0-1 Sun Belt Conference) hosts Texas State Saturday, Oct. 8. HAYES LINN — Air Force (Sr., DB, Cartersville HS) . . . (photo left) made seven tackles Saturday as the Falcons defeated Navy 28-14. Linn has started all four games and has now totaled 17 tackles and three pass break ups this year. Air Force (4-0, 1-0 Mountain West Conference) plays at Wyoming Saturday afternoon, October 8. MARK QUATTLEBAUM — UNC-Charlotte (R-Soph., WR, Cartersville HS) . . . made one catch for seven yards in the 49ers’ 52-17 home loss Saturday to Old Dominion. It was his third reception of the year. UNC-Charlotte (1-4, 0-1 Conference-USA) plays at Florida Atlantic Saturday, Oct. 8 in another conference game. HIRAM VELEZ — Troy University (Jr., WR, Adairsville HS) . . . made one reception for 16 yards last Saturday at home against Idaho. He now has six catches for 87 yards and one touchdown for the year. DaKELIN WELLS — Maryville (TN) College (Jr., LB/CB, Cass HS) . . . (photo right) made four tackles last Saturday including one for a two-yard loss in the Scots’ 52-13 win in Fayetteville, NC over Methodist. Wells now has 13 total tackles for the year. He has forced one fumble, recovered a fumble, and broken up one pass. Maryville (3-1 overall, 1-0 USA South Athletic Conference) entertains North Carolina Wesleyan in another conference game Saturday, Oct. 8. MALIK WILKINS — Maryville (TN) College (Jr., LB, Cartersville HS) . . . saw action in the Scots’ 52-13 win over Methodist last Saturday. He has played in all four games this season. Maryville (3-1 overall, 1-0 USA South Athletic Conference) entertains North Carolina Wesleyan in another conference game Saturday, Oct. 8. Bartow Sports Zone provides updates for current, local collegiate and professional athletes and makes links available for those athletes on the site's Athletes Beyond Bartow page (found on the top menu of this site.) Did we miss someone? Please let us know by using the 'Contact' link.

SOCCER MADISON BENNETT — North Greenville University (Fr., Defender, Woodland HS) . . . started as a defender and played 45 minutes in a 2-1 road win at Brevard September 27. She also started and played 65 minutes of a 5-1 loss at King University Saturday afternoon. The Crusaders (2-7 overall, 0-5 Conference Carolinas) host Emmanuel College Thursday and Pfeiffer University Saturday, Oct. 8 in conference matches. MALLARY HEDDEN — Armstrong State University (Jr., Defender/Midfielder, Cass HS) . . . played 33 minutes at defender in a 6-0 win at USC-Aiken last Wednesday and saw 44 minutes of action in the Pirates’ 1-0 victory over Montevallo Saturday. Armstrong State (7-1-1 overall, 4-0-1 Peach Belt Conference) host Georgia College Wednesday, October 5 before traveling to UNC-Pembroke Saturday, October 8. Both are PBC matches. EMILY MOORE — Charleston Southern University (Sr., Defender, Woodland HS) . . . saw action in a 3-1 home win over Campbell University September 28. CSU also suffered a 2-0 loss at Radford October 1. The Bucs (6-5 overall, 2-1 Big South Conference) play at Winthrop Wednesday and host Liberty University Saturday, October 8. AMY MORENO — Georgia Military College (Fr., Midfielder, Woodland HS) . . . started in 5-0 home loss to Abraham Baldwin September 27. The Bulldogs (3-8 overall, 2-5 Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association) also lost 2-1 September 30 at home to Gordon State. GMC hosts Oxford of Emory University Wednesday and Darton State Friday, Oct. 7. HALEY PITTMAN — Life University (Fr., Forward, Adairsville HS) . . . started both games this past week in an 8-0 loss at Cumberland (TN) University and a 9-0 loss at home to Georgetown (KY) College. Pittman had one shot on goal in the home loss. The Running Eagles (1-8 overall, 0-3 Mid-South Conference) host Shawnee State University Saturday, October 8. CODY WEST — Dusquesne Univeristy (R-Jr., Defender, Cass HS) . . . played all 110 minutes of a 0-0 overtime tie at Navy September 27. He also started and played 65 minutes of a 0-0 overtime tie at home October 1 against University at Buffalo. West has started all nine games this season for the Dukes and has taken five shots on goal for the year. Duquesne opens conference play at St. Bonaventure Wednesday and at home against George Washington University Saturday, Oct. 8. VOLLEYBALL KATIE O’CONNOR — Western Carolina University (Jr., Middle Blocker, Cartersville HS) . . . had seven kills, a dig, and three blocks during a three-set loss at Furman University September 30. She added eight kils, three digs, and five blocks during a four-set, home conference win over Samford University October 1. The Catamounts (7-9 overall, 2-1 Southern Conference) continue league play this week at home against Wofford Wednesday and on the road at East Tennessee State and Chattanooga Friday and Saturday. SYDNEY SUMNERS — Shorter University (Soph., Defensive Specialist, Adairsville HS) . . . saw action in the Lady Hawks’ straight sets home win over University of West Georgia September 29. Shorter (13-1 overall, 8-1 Gulf South Conference) travels to Lee University Thursday night. CROSS COUNTRY AUBREE COLE — Jacksonville State University (Fr., Cartersville HS) . . . ran 99th overall and fifth for her team in 21:08.7 as the Gamecocks placed sixth of seven teams in the D-I segment of the JSU Foothills 5K Invitational October 1. Jacksonville State runs this Saturday, October 8 at the Disney XC Classic in Orlando. SAVANNAH HARDIN — Young Harris College (Soph., Cass HS) . . . ran fourth for her team in 21:51.5 at the Jacksonville State University Foothills 5K Cross Country Invitational Saturday. The Mountain Lions placed seventh of ten teams in the non-Division I segment. University of Montevallo won the segment and the overall including D-I opponents. YHC runs next at the Berry College Invitational on Saturday, October 15. TROY HICKOM — Clayton State University (Sr., Cartersville HS) . . . finished second overall behind teammate Marcus Lafleur as the Lakers won the Savannah College or Art and Design 8K Invitational September 30. Hickom’s time of 27:22.80 was 23 seconds behind Lafleur. Clayton State travels to Charlotte, NC Saturday, Oct. 7 for the 8K Royals Challenge. JAISON MORNING — Valdosta State University (Soph., Cass HS) . . . ran 24th overall at the University of Alabama-Huntsville Invitational October 1. Morning’s time of 26:51.34 on the 8K course led his team to a seventh place finish of 15 teams. VSU runs Saturday, Oct. 8 at the St. Leo University Pre-Nationals Meet before hosting the Gulf South Conference Championships October 22. Did we miss someone this week? Please let us know. Use the 'Contact' link at the top of the page or email: bartowsportszone@comcast.net

The Woodland Middle School cross country teams swept the Bartow-Gordon Middle School Athletic Association championships Thursday at Sam Smith Park in Cartersville. The Woodland boys edged Cartersville 41-43 by placing all five scoring runners in the top twelve. Cartersville, led by individual champion Bill Archer (11:22.51, 2K race), had all five scoring runners in the top seventeen to finish second. The Woodland girls team was even more impressive. The Lady Cats dominated the girls championship race with all seven runners in the top thirteen spots and only 19 points total. Woodland’s top five scoring runners were all among the top eight finishers. The Cartersville girls were second with 64 points and Ashworth placed third with 84 points. Woodland 7th grader, Erica Boatner, won the invidiual girls title with a time of 13:31.31 in the 2K race. Teammates Avery Hull (13:47.74), McKinsey Spinks (13:49.52), and Piercy Gierlak (13:53.19) placed 2nd, 3rd, and 5th, respectively. Individual and Team results courtesy MileSplit Georgia. GIRLS TEAM SCORES BOYS TEAM SCORES GIRLS INDIVIDUAL RESULTS (top 25) BOYS INDIVIDUAL RESULTS (top 25)

Cio Seigler doubled home the game winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning and Hannah Todd struck out ten while tossing a complete game, three-hitter as Cartersville won the first game of Saturday’s Region 5-AAAA playoff doubleheader in Atco, 2-1. In the second game, the Lady Grangers were down to their final strike with two outs, but rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh for a walkoff 5-4, come-from-behind win to force a deciding game Monday in the three-game series at 5pm. LaGrange got two of their five hits of the second game in the decisive final inning, but took advantage of two Lady Canes’ errors to score their three runs for a 5-4 final score. Todd (6.2 IP, 5R, 1ER, 5H, 1BB, 5K) suffered the hard luck pitching loss. The Lady Canes out hit LaGrange eleven to five in the loss. Paris Poston (double, RBI), Todd (triple, RBI), Lauren McElhaney, and Seigler all had two hits for Cartersville in the second game. Presley Edwards (RBI), Allie Jackson, and Molly Wilson each added a hit. In the Game 1 victory, Todd (8 IP, 1ER, 3H, 1BB, 10K) pitched another gem. Seigler (double, GW RBI) and Todd had two hits each. Tara Mathis (RBI double), Madison McKinney, and McElhaney had the other Cartersville base hits. Cartersville (16-11) and LaGrange (8-20) will play the rubber game of the three-game series Monday at 5pm. The winner advances in the region playoffs and secures a berth in the Class AAAA state playoffs.

The top-ranked Woodland girls cross country team won the 2016 Westover Invitational Saturday hosted by Westover High School at Robert Cross Middle School in Albany. The Woodland girls team is currently ranked No. 1 in Class AAAAA. The Lady Cats, with all five scoring runners among the top 18 scoring finishers, totaled 46 points. Second place Lovett challenged for the title and had their top five runners in the top 17 scoring places, but came up just short with 52 total points. Richmond Hill (91 points) was third. There were 20 teams competing. Freshmen Carli Clymer (photo right) set a new school record with a time of 18:52.38 to finish third individually among 178 runners. Fellow frosh Angela Cochran (photo below) was fourth overall in 18:56.59. McKenna Trapheagen, also a freshman for the Lady Cats, placed tenth in 19:47.44. Sophomore Cheyenne Spinks (19:51.55) and junior Lindsay Scifers (20:28.08) completed Woodland’s top five. Casey Bolan (20:47.24), Mackenzie Stephenson (22:28.75) completed the Lady Cats’ top seven. The Woodland boys team placed 11th of 32 teams. Jonathan Holloway, a junior, placed 36th of 256 individual runners with a time of 17:20.22 to lead the Wildcats. Senior Jacob Giltz (17:51.99), freshman Dylan Sterm (18:22.54), junior Nick Warren (18:26.47), and junior Dawson McClure (18:30.21) were Woodland’s top five. Levi Brandenburg (18:36.19) and Reece Mitchell (18:38.50) completed the Wildcats’ top seven. Woodland runs next at the Nike / Fleet Feet Coach Wood Invitational at Gainesville College on October 15. The Cartersville cross country teams ran Saturday at the West Orange Invitational hosted by West Orange High School in Winter Garden, Florida. The Canes finished sixth of 21 boys teams. The Lady Canes were 12th of 16 girls teams. West Shore (Melbourne, FL) High School won the boys race. First Academy (Orlando, FL) captured the girls race title. The Florida event drew 171 boys runners and 151 girls. CARTERSVILLE LADY CANES Kayla Carpenter 43rd, 23:37 Maddy Baggett, 50th, 23:56 Vanna Beach, 52nd, 23:59 Caroline Fahey, 76th, 24:49 Krystinn Dabbs, 104th, 26:40 Victoria Martino, 112th, 27:10 Katie Tolbert, 117th, 27:34 Ally McElwee, 122nd, 27:48 CARTERSVILLE HURRICANES Robby Earick, 12th, 17:58 (photo left) Andy Sims, 24th, 18:30 Jacob Busek, 40th, 19:00 William Matherne, 67th, 19:43 David Mejia, 70th, 19:51 Will Pruitt, 74th, 20:00 Jake Hacker, 91st, 20:30 Ozzy Andrade, 102nd, 20:41 Parker Breedlove, 115th, 21:05 Sim Archer, 134th, 22:05