The Cartersville Hurricanes remain the unanimous No. 1 team in all Georgia High School Association state football polls for Class AAAA. The weekly composite rankings compile the ranking order from the Georgia Sports Writers Association, Georgia Public Broadcasting, ScoreAtlanta.com, the Maxwell Ratings, and the ratings of MaxPreps.com. Below are the ranking orders for all eight GHSA divisions. Ranked teams in regions involving local teams include Kell, Carrollton, and Rome in Region 7-AAAAA. Cartersville and Sandy Creek in Region 5-AAAA, and Calhoun in Region 6-AAA.

Brad Stephens brings his own Southern flavored sports perspective and humor to Bartow Sports Zone. He is a Bartow County native and an attorney in Cartersville, but he's mostly a Georgia Bulldogs' football fan. Brad is also part of the Bartow Sports Zone broadcast team and provides color commentary during the Johnny's NY Style Pizza of Cartersville, Game of the Week Friday nights in the fall. He is a co-host of the Bartow Sports Zone radio show each Friday morning 7-9am on 100.3FM and AM1450, WBHF. Stephens is author of "Reflections in Muddy Water, Layin' Drag on life's highway in Cassville, Georgia." After a 45-14 shellacking in Oxford, Mississippi last Saturday, many Georgia Bulldog fans took to social media to voice their disbelief and displeasure over the performance of a team full of question marks. A team that has endured a coaching carousel of epic proportions. A team that has endured its lumps more often than basking in its successes. The honeymoon with Kirby Smart is over. The issues are quite clear. The offensive line play is atrocious. The secondary is getting torched and the receivers drop passes like hungover frat boys at an intramural game. The defensive line gets no pressure on quarterbacks and the kicking game is almost a joke at this point. William Ham could not hit Stone Mountain with a beach ball. Throw a true freshman quarterback in the mix and you have the recipe for a really, really long season. It all started long before Kirby, however. As Bulldawg Illustrated pointed out recently, the recruiting classes of 2013-14 were abominations that set Georgia back in ways that cannot be measured. Of the 31 signees from the 2013 class, 58 percent are no longer with the team. That number dipped to 30 percent in 2014, when Mark Richt only signed 20 players. These players are your juniors and seniors now. If you look at the statistics, the Dawgs were lucky to win nine games last season and will be extremely lucky to match that total this season. Dawg fans often lament, “the talent is there!” On the contrary, it is not. At least not to the degree of Alabama or an Ole Miss team that had little trouble dismantling Georgia’s depleted roster. There is no senior leadership because there are no seniors. Many of the juniors and sophomores are starting for the first time and learning the ropes along with the freshmen, who are seeing the field more often than they should, especially on defense. Now, they have a whole new coaching staff and playbook to learn. The Dawg Nation will have to learn patience. This is a line of scrimmage league and that is where we are hurting most, especially on offense. Our starting left tackle transferred to Georgia from Rhode Island. Two other players, Isaiah Wynn and Greg Pyke, are playing out of position. The starting right guard, Lamont Gaillard, is a converted defensive lineman. Brandon Kublanow is the senior leader at center, but spent the first half of his career at guard. The backups have little to no experience in SEC play. It will take a couple of seasons to get the personnel on the offensive line to become elite again. It is clear that Kirby and the staff have their work cut out for them. Many of their comments prior to the season foreshadowed what was to come. We needed to get “bigger” in a hurry. We have “no depth.” Special teams is “concerning.” Jacob Eason is showing “flashes” of getting better, which is code for freshman mistakes and turnovers. This staff needs to time create a team in their own image. As one rabid Dawg fan told me, “Richt ran the team like a country club; Smart runs it like boot camp.” Well, the culture change is going to experience another rough weekend when Tennessee comes between the hedges. The Volunteers are riding as high as they have been in 10 years. Every ounce of momentum will be firmly behind the invaders from Knoxville, as it should be. They are deeper, more talented and appear to have regained their swagger from the 1990’s. The Dawgs are expected to take another big loss at home and your guess is as good as mine about what Georgia team we will see. It is utter confusion, but that is what happens with coaching changes. We asked for it and now we got it. Let’s take our medicine and hope for better days ahead.

The top ten cross country times among Bartow County schools for the 2016 season through Saturday, September 24. HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY MIDDLE SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY

The Adairsville softball team was eliminated from the Region 6-AAA playoffs Tuesday night in a doubleheader loss at Ringgold. Ringgold, the top seed from 6-AAA North, won 3-2 and 14-5. Adairsville grabbed a 2-1 lead in the top of the seventh in Game 1, but Ringgold rallied for a walkoff 3-2 win in the bottom of the inning. In the second game, Ringgold opened with a 11-0 lead through 2 and 1/2 innings and never looked back. Loren Harris (6.2 IP, 3R, 2ER, 7H, 2BB, 5K) suffered the hard luck loss in the opener and was chased after an inning and a third in Game 2 (1.1 IP, 4ER, 4H, 2BB). Natalie Burrow (5.2 IP, 10R, 7ER, 9H, 3BB) pitched in relief. Emily Collum and Harris (2 RBI) had four hits apiece in the series for Adairsville. Kelsie Burnett (RBI) and Burrow had two hits each. Makayla Tanner, Macy Hufstetler, Havyn Isaac, Bailey Robinson (2-run home run), and Morgan Deboard (RBI) had one hit each. Ringgold advanced to the region semifinals with a 16-9 mark. Adairsville finished the year 9-13.

Sarah Baynard struck out eight and scattered three hits with a walk as the Woodland Lady Cats defeated East Paulding 4-1 in both teams’ regular season final game. Caroline Higdon, Jordan Duck (double), and Emma Jordan (double) each had two hits and one RBI for Woodland. Skylar Chappell had a hit and one RBI. Madgie Robinson, Bella Carnes, Brittney Cox, and Jamison Kilgo each added a hit. The Lady Raiders season ended 0-24 overall and 0-14 in Region 7-AAAAA. Woodland (10-16, 6-8) opens the Region 7-AAAAA playoffs Thursday. The bracket for the region playoffs will be finalized Wednesday, but as of late Tuesday it appeared the Lady Cats would host Paulding County in a doubleheader on Thursday. CARROLLTON 12, CASS 9 Sarah Fox drove in four runs on a pair of doubles and Cass rallied for seven runs over their final two offensive frames, but came up short in their season finale’, 12-9, at Carrollton Tuesday evening. The Lady Colonels out hit Carrollton nine to seven and led 2-0 early, but the host Lady Trojans prevailed with nine unanswered runs across the first four innings. Brittnee Mayer had two hits for Cass. Sierrah Gani drove in two runs with one hit. Taylor Queen (RBI), Dee Garrett, Arianna Mustin, and Hope Elrod had the other Cass hits. Gani and Moore each stole one base each. Mustin (3.2 IP, 9R, 6ER, 4H, 3BB, 3K) was tagged with the pitching loss. Sarah Moore (1.1 IP, 3ER, 3H, 3BB, 2K) also took the circle in relief for Cass. The Lady Trojans improved to 16-7 overall and 12-2 in Region 7-AAAAA. Carrollton is the No. 2 seed in the region playoffs that begin Thursday. Cass finished the season 6-19 overall and 4-10 in region play.

Excel took an early 3-0 lead Tuesday night, but 5th-ranked Christian Heritage came from behind to win the Region 6A game 6-3. Christian Heritage scored twice in the bottom of the third and took the lead with a three-run fourth inning. Sierra Dixon, Erin Leonard, Halle Poteet and Emily Burns combined for six of the Lady Lions’ seven hits and accounted for all six RBIs. Hannah Heath and Erin Leonard split the pitching duties for Christian Heritage. Brighton McCollum hit a two-run homer in the top of the first inning to give the Lady Eagles their early lead. Landry McCollum, Aliza Baker, Hannah Lee, Taylor Gibson, and Kalli Beth Scheff had the other Excel Christian hits. Christian Heritage improved to 10-4 on the year. Excel Christian (8-13) plays at Darlington Thursday at 4:30pm and will host Mt. Zion-Carroll Monday at 5:30pm in their regular season finale. The Lady Eagles are currently the No. 22 team in the GHSA Class A Private power ratings. The top 24 teams will advance to the state playoffs.

CARTERSVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION YOUTH FOOTBALL Games on September 26 10U CANES GOLD 13, CANES PURPLE 12 The two teams matched touchdowns, but Gold edged Purple with a single extra point after their second score for a one point win. Trevor Harris and Kristian Lando had touchdown runs for Canes Gold from 35 and 21 yards, respectively. Baylon Long scored twice for Canes Purple on a 41 yard run and a one-yard plunge. 12U CANES 14, GORDON CO. PHOENIX 6 Paul Gamble had touchdown runs for Cartersville from seven and four yards. Isaac Brooks scored the Phoenix touchdown. Youth football results are provided to Bartow Sports Zone by BCRD and CPRD and sponsored by CiCi's Pizza of Cartersville.

BARTOW COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION YOUTH FOOTBALL BCRD 12U games from September 26 BARTOW RAIDERS 26, BARTOW FALCONS 0 Colin Fletcher tossed a pair of touchdown passes and Jaeden Smith of the Raiders rushed for touchdowns of 25 and 22 yards in a 26-0 blanking of the Falcons. Noah Ford caught one of the touchdown passes for a 40-yard score and Kace Adams was the receiver on a 25-yarder. Keylan McCarthy and Kymoni Pullum had busy nights for the Falcons’ defense with six tackles each. BARTOW TIGERS 26, ASHWORTH 6 Chris Roper ran for two touchdowns and Caden Copeland rushed for another in the Tigers’ win. Connor Brasfield, who led the Tigers’ defense with eight tackles, picked off an Ashworth pass and returned it for a score. Evan Sanders ran for an extra point and Jaylen Scott added an extra point reception. Youth football reports on Bartow Sports Zone are provided by the local recreation departments and sponsored by CiCi's Pizza of Cartersville.

Youth football reports from the Cartersville Parks and Recreation Department and the Bartow County Parks and Recreation Department. CARTERSVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION YOUTH FOOTBALL September 24 12U HURRICANES 47, BARTOW FALCONS 6 Pearce Mullinax ran for two touchdowns while Paul Gamble ran for one and tossed a 38-yard touchdown pass to Myles Forristall to help lead the Hurricanes’ offense. Braylon Inman added a rushing touchdown and a pick six, plus Taye Cochran contributed a run for a score. Christian Vera also picked off a Falcons’ pass. 8U CANES GOLD 20, 8U CANES WHITE 6 No details provided. 8U CANES SILVER 18, 8U CANES PURPLE 14 Reed Ezell dazzled with a long scoring run and Griffin McGill hauled in a pair of receptions — one for a 13-yard touchdown. Clayton Blackmon also added a rushing touchdown for Canes Silver. BARTOW COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION YOUTH FOOTBALL 8U Games on September 24 BARTOW BEARS 19, BARTOW STEELERS 14 Jakez Baldwin scored two touchdowns Saturday to help lead the Bears to a five point victory. Graham Coheley added another scoring run for the Bears. The Steelers’ Micah Pittman and Joseph Thome both scored touchdowns. BARTOW FALCONS 12, BARTOW COLTS 0 Josh Love scored both touchdowns as the Falcons shutout the Colts, 12-0. Kyron McClendon and Zach Hawkins were credited with top defensive performances for the Falcons. Christian Teasley led the Colts defense. BARTOW RAIDERS 25, BARTOW PACKERS 8 Jamar Wilson scored three touchdwons and James Morris III added another score in the Raiders’ win. The Packers lone score was by Maddox Raughton. Youth football reports are provided by the local recreation departments and sponsored on Bartow Sports Zone by CiCi's Pizza of Cartersville.

After the first inning Monday night, the Adairsville softball team posted runs in every frame on their way to a 9-3 Senior Night victory over visiting Excel Christian Academy. Senior Bailey Robinson hit a two-run home run and doubled for the Lady Tigers while going 3-for-3 with three RBIs and a stolen base to lead Adairsville’s offense. Four other Tigers had two hits each. Emily Collum (double, RBI), Loren Harris (RBI, stolen base), Havyn Isaac, and Natalie Burrow all had two hit games. Morgan Deboard (double), Macy Hufstetler, and Kelsie Burnett (RBI) added the other Lady Tigers’ hits. Whitney Harris (RBI), Landry McCollum, Brighton McCollum (RBI), Taylor Gibson, and Kalli Beth Scheff had hits for Excel. Aliza Baker drove in a run. Harris (4 IP, 0ER, 0H, 2BB, 3K) and Burrow (2 IP, 2ER, 4H, 0BB) split the pitching duties for Adairsville with the decision going to Harris. Adairsville (9-11) opens the Region 6-AAA playoffs Tuesday with a doubleheader at Ringgold in a best-of-three series. If a third game is needed, it will be played Wednesday. Adairsville is the No. 4 seed in the south sub-region. Ringgold is the No. 1 seed in the north sub-region. Excel plays at Darlington Thursday before closing their regular season with Mt. Zion and Christian Heritage. ECA (8-12) was the No. 21 team in the most recent release of the GHSA Class A Private School power ratings. The top 24 teams qualify for the state playoffs, so any win over the final three games improves the Lady Eagles’ chances of securing a post-season spot.

Each week, BartowSportsZone.com provides updates on collegiate and professional athletes around the country with connections to Cartersville and Bartow County. Currently, the community has multiple athletes active on college football, volleyball, soccer, cross country, and tennis rosters. Athletes Beyond Bartow update for the week ending September 25: FOOTBALL QUADRE ALLEN — Tusculum College (DB, Soph., Woodland HS) . . . had five solo tackles and two assists in the Pioneers’ 37-10 home loss Saturday to Newberry College. Tusculum (0-4, 0-2 in the South Atlantic Conference) plays Brevard Saturday, October 1 at home in another conference tilt. DeANDRE APPLIN — Georgia Military College (DB, Soph., Adairsville HS) . . . made two solo tackles in a 24-12 victory at DuPage Saturday. Applin has 12 tackles through the first five games including a season high five tackles at Navarro in the season opener. GMC (4-1) travels to Hialeah, FL Saturday, October 1 to play ASA Miami. TREVOR CARLTON — Reinhardt University (LB/S, Soph., Cartersville HS) . . . had three solo tackles, including one for a 4-yard loss in the Eagles’ 62-7 blowout of University of Pikeville (KY) Saturday. Reinhardt (4-0) is ranked 6th in the NAIA and entertains Bluefield College Saturday, October 1. NOAH FOLEY — Berry College (LB, Freshman, Cass HS) . . . recorded his first official collegiate tackle Saturday in the Vikings conference rout of visiting Sewanee, 41-3. Berry (4-0, 2-0 Southern Athletic Association) travels to Washington (MO) University Saturday night, October 1. T.L. FORD II — UNC-Charlotte (WR, Jr., Cartersville HS) . . . caught five balls for 92 yards with a long reception of 28 yards Saturday in Philadelphia during a 48-20 loss at Temple. Ford was targeted 11 times in the game. He has 17 receptions for 260 yards and two touchdowns this season. The 49ers (1-3) begin Conference USA play at home Saturday night, October 1 when they host Old Dominion. MILLER FORRISTALL — Alabama (TE, Fr., Cartersville HS) . . . has seen action as a blocking tight end in all four victories this season for the top-ranked Crimson Tide. Alabama blanked visiting Kent State Saturday in Tuscaloosa, 48-0. Up next for the Tide, a home Southeastern Conference game with Kentucky Saturday night, October 1. DAKOTA HINES — Kentucky Christian University (PK/Punter, Sr., Adairsville HS) . . . successfully connected on all four PAT kicks Saturday, but the Crusaders fell at Bethel (TN) University, 35-28. He also punted six times for a 35.8 yard average, had a long punt of 47 yards, and fumbled on a rushing attempt for three yards. HAYES LINN — Air Force (DB, Sr., Cartersville HS) . . . had three tackles and broke up two passes in the Falcons’ 27-20 Mountain West Conference win at Utah State. Linn has started each game for the Falcons and now has ten tackles and three PBUs. Air Force (3-0, 1-0) entertains Navy Saturday afternoon, October 1. JAMAR POSEY — Birmingham Southern College (OL, Jr., Woodland HS) . . . saw action in a 36-21 home loss to Washington (MO) University Saturday. The Panthers (1-3, 1-1 Southern Athletic Association) play at Chicago University Saturday, October 1. MARK QUATTLEBAUM — UNC-Charlotte (SL, R-Soph., Cartersville HS) . . . made a first down reception for three yards Saturday in the second quarter of a 48-20 loss in Philadelphia to Temple. The catch was Quattlebaum’s second of the season. UNCC (1-3) begins Conference USA play at home Saturday night, October 1 when the 49ers host Old Dominion. SHELBY TOWNSEND, JR — Georgia Southern University (TE, R-Soph., Woodland HS) . . . saw action in the Eagles’ 49-31 non-conference loss at Western Michigan. GSU (3-1, 2-0 Sun Belt Conference) returns to conference play Wednesday, October 5 at 8pm on ESPN2 at Arkansas State. HIRAM VELEZ — Troy University (Jr., WR, Adairsville HS) . . . had two receptions for six yards in the Trojans’ conference opening blowout of New Mexico State Saturday at home. Velez now has five receptions for 71 yards this season that includes a 47-yard touchdown. Troy (3-1, 1-0 Sun Belt Conference) travels to Moscow, ID Saturday, October 1 for another SBC game at University of Idaho. SOCCER MADISON BENNETT — North Greenville University (Defender, Fr., Woodland HS) . . . started as a midfielder and played 31 minutes of a 4-0 home conference loss to Limestone College Saturday. She also played 53 minutes in a 3-1 loss at Columbia International University September 19. NGU (1-7 overall, 0-4 in Conference Carolinas) plays at Brevard College Tuesday and at King University on Saturday, October 1. MALLARY HEDDEN — Armstrong State University (Midfielder/Defender, Jr., Cass HS) . . . played 23 minutes and recorded an assist in the Pirates 8-0 home conference win September 21 over Francis Marion. She then started and played 44 minutes of a 1-1 Peach Belt Conference draw at Young Harris College Saturday afternoon. Armstrong State (5-1-1 overall, 2-0-1 PBC) has conference matches at USC-Aiken Wednesday night and at home Saturday, October 1 against University of Montevallo. HALEY PITTMAN — Life University (Forward, Fr., Adairsville HS) . . . started at forward for the Running Eagles in a 7-0 loss at 6th-ranked Lindsey Wilson. It was Life’s first match in 20 days since their 3-2 OT win over LaGrange College. Sunday, Pittman was credited with one shot on goal and was called for one penalty in a 5-2 home loss to Middle Georgia State University. Life (2-6) travels to Lebanon, TN to take on 16th-ranked Cumberland University Friday and will host Georgetown (KY) College Saturday, October 1. CODY WEST — Duquesne University (Defender, R-Jr., Cass HS) . . . took one shot on goal and played all 93 minutes of the Dukes’ 1-0 overtime victory at Cleveland State University September 20 in Cleveland, OH. He again played all 90 minutes Saturday in a 1-0 win over Robert Morris University. Duquesne (5-2) travels to Annapolis, MD Tuesday night to open Atlantic 10 Conference play at Navy and will host University of Buffalo Saturday, October 1 in a non-conference match. VOLLEYBALL KATIE O’CONNOR — Western Carolina University (Middle Blocker, Jr., Cartersville HS) . . . had three kills and four block assists in a straight sets loss at UNC-Asheville September 20 and had four kills and a pair of blocks in a straight sets conference win over The Citadel Sunday. The Catamounts are 6-8, 1-0 in the Southern Conference and continue conference play at Furman Friday night, September 30. The Catamounts host Samford Saturday afternoon, October 1. CROSS COUNTRY ROGER HERRERA — Reinhardt University (Sr., Cartersville HS) . . . ran 95th of 380 at the Atlanta Track Club’s Wingfoot Classic 5K in a time of 19:36. Reinhardt runs next at the Royals XC Classic October 7 in Charlotte, NC. JAISON MORNING — Valdosta State University (Soph., Cass HS) . . . placed 13th overall among non-Division I participants in the University of Florida Mountain Dew Invitational Saturday in Gainesville, FL. Morning’s time of 26:54 in the 8K race led the Blazers who placed sixth of twelve teams in the non-DI division. Saint Leo University won the division and was also fourth overall among all teams, including 11 Division I teams. VSU runs again Saturday, October 1 at the University of Alabama-Huntsville Invitational. Did we miss someone this week? Please let us know via the contact page of this web site. All submissions will be verified via college or university web sites.

The Woodland girls cross country team placed seventh Saturday in the Wingfoot Cross Country Classic hosted by the Atlanta Track Club at Sam Smith Park in Cartersville. A total of 52 varsity high school girls teams and 59 varsity high school boys teams participated in both the Championship and Open division races. Woodland and Cartersville had both girls and boys teams participating. Excel Christian’s boys participated. Results and Local teams/individuals GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP 5K RACE (18 teams) Saratoga Springs 51, Milton 106, South Forsyth 111, Landmark Christian 130, Westminster 164, West Forsyth 208, Woodland 219, Lovett 246, Marietta 256, Blessed Trinity 266 Individual winner: Kelsey Chmiel (Soph), Saratoga Springs, 17:17.6 Woodland Girls: Angela Cochran, 19:10.2 Carli Clymer, 19:57.1 Cheyenne Spinks, 20:42.6 Lindsay Scifers, 20:59.0 Makenna Trapheagen, 21:00.7 Casey Bolan, 22:09.0 Mackenzie Stephenson, 23:46.9 GIRLS OPEN 5K RACE (34 teams) Farragut 77, Pace Academy 145, Centennial 184, Walton 215, Cambridge 258 . . . Cartersville, 747 (placed 28th). Individual winner: Niki Narayani (Soph.), Webb School of Knoxville, 18:44.8 Cartersville Girls: Vanna Beach, 23:28.8 Kayla Carpenter, 23:45.9 Caroline Fahey, 25:20.1 Abby Forristall, 25:30.6 Krystinn Dabbs, 26:32.8 Katie Tolbert, 27:51.7 Victoria Martino, 28:29.9 BOYS OPEN 5K RACE (38 teams) Westminster 130, Farragut 157, Richmond Hill 157, Webb School of Knoxville 210, Lovett 219 . . . . . .Cartersville 776 (26th), Woodland 676 (30th), Excel Christian 1220 (38th) Individual winner: Carter Coughin (Jr.), Webb School of Knoxville, 16:02.7 Cartersville Boys Robby Earick, 18:04.2 Andy Sims, 18:47.3 Jacob Busek, 19:05.8 Will Pruitt, 19:34.8 Davi Mejia, 19:52.8 William Matherne, 20:39.0 Woodland Boys Jonathan Holloway, 18:08.4 Jacob Gilitz, 18:49.4 Dawson McClure, 19:14.7 Dylan Stermer, 19:44.1 Noah Warren, 20:00.4 Levi Brandenburg, 20:07.6 Excel Christian Boys Taylor McDaniel, 20:39.5 Ryan Causey, 27:16.8 Logan Gibson, 34:13.9 Jake Murray, 34:21.1