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The Woodland Wildcats' wrestling team improved to 10-1 on the season Wednesday night with a 48-25 dual match victory over Cass in the Pin Down Cancer Dual. The head-to-head competition with Cass was held on the stage of the Performing Arts Center at Woodland High School. Wildcats winning by pin were Hunter Hardin, Cody Cochran, Spencer Cooper, and Jesus Montero. Dawson Woods, Kyle Gollhofer, and Gavin Nix won by decisions, while Jahvar Lewis and Raekwan Hicks won by forfeit for Woodland. Tripp Breedin, Houston Jones, and Hunter Quinn won by pins for Cass, with Seven Richards and Jordan Mitchell adding decision victories for the Colonels. Cass' dual record slipped to 9-3. Gate receipts and other proceeds from the special, dual event go to assist Woodland High School teacher, Cathy Lorenz, who is battling cancer. Woodland is scheduled to compete in the Walton Duals Saturday at Walton High School in Marietta. Cass travels to Rossville Saturday for the Ridgeland Duals.

The Bartow County Recreation Department will be represented this weekend by four different teams at Georgia Recreation and Parks Association state tournaments. Three youth football teams, 8U, 10U, and 12U all stars will be in Dalton vying for state titles, plus the U12 girls soccer all star team will be in Jefferson for that state tournament. Below are the schedules for each state tournament and the roster for the BCRD teams. 8U Football North Georgia Regional Harmon Field, Dalton, GA Sat. Dec. 5 10am — Dalton vs. Walton Co. Sun. Dec. 6 10am — Bartow Co. vs. Sat. winner 8U Football State Championship Sat. Dec. 12 10 am — North Ga. winner vs. Valdosta 10U Football State Tournament Harmon Field, Dalton, GA Sat. Dec. 5 12 noon — Dalton vs. Walton County TBA — Valdosta vs. Columbia County Sun. Dec. 6 12 noon — Bartow Co. vs. Dalton/Walton Co. winner TBA — South Bryan vs. Valdosta/Columbia Co. winner Sat. Dec. 12 12 noon — Championship Game 12U Football State Tournament Harmon Field, Dalton, GA Sat. Dec. 5 2pm — Dalton vs. Walton County TBA — Valdosta vs. Columbia County Sun. Dec. 6 2pm — Bartow Co. vs. Dalton/Walton Co. winner Sat. Dec. 12 2pm — Championship Game U12 Girls Soccer State Tournament Jefferson Sports Complex, Jefferson, GA Fri. Dec. 4 6pm — Bartow Co. vs. Jefferson 7:30pm — Calhoun vs. Columbia Co. Sat. Dec. 5 10:30am — Bartow Co./Jefferson winner vs. Camden Co. 1:30pm — State Championship Game Rosters for the Bartow County teams are listed below. BARTOW COUNTY 8U FOOTBALL ALL-STARS Lucas Baker, Ja’kai Baldwin, Tylan Beeman, Devyn Brown, Aiden Caylor, Cameron Cochran, Casen Cochran, Xavior Darby, Reed Ezell, Anterrius Hames, Aderion Harris, Grady Higgins, Judd Hyde, Gavin Johnson, Isaiah Livsey, Kyron McClendon, Kolt McCord, Kelson Mitchell, Talan Nix, Logan Shrewsbury, Zachary Wallace, Righley Worthington, Nicolas Wright. Head Coach: Kevin Nix. Assistants: LaShon Darby, Geoff Shrewsbury, and Luke Bunce. BARTOW COUNTY 10U FOOTBALL ALL-STARS Easton Adams, Kace Adams, Sebastian Boggs, William Buttrum, Martavius Cochran, Caleb Cooley, Caden Copeland, Jake Crapps, Collin Fletcher, Adrian Harris, Truitt Hayworth, Devin Henderson, Kevin Henderson, Richard Houston, Hunter Kelly, Jamarian Pullum, Kymoni Pullum, Chris Roper, Evan Sanders, Jaylen Scott, Jaeden Smith, and Madix Young. Head Coach: Jody Fletcher. Assistants: Tarvis Scott, T.J. Pullum, and Calvin Cooley. BARTOW COUNTY 12U FOOTBALL ALL-STARS Jaiden Avalos, Zachary Bootz, Jordan Carson, James Gaines, Tommy Good, Chris Green, Emmanuel Hayes, Nicholas Johnson, Santino Jones, Elijah Knight, Thomas Knight, Isaac Linley, Ian Lowe, JaQualyn Mayhall, Keylan McCarty, Jackson Moss, Andrew Murray, Andrew Nguyen, Devin Pryer, Caleb Wise, Chandler Wise, Tifton Worthington, Toronto Wynn. Head Coach: Joel Green. Assistants: Terance Benham, Richard Murray, and Terance Echols. BARTOW COUNTY U12 GIRLS SOCCER ALL-STARS Sarah Beth Brownlee, Addisen Coker, Giorgia Conduff, McKenzie Gordon, Alana Hennon, Mikaela Jackson, Kaylee Jordan, Annie McCormick, Peyton McMillan, Samantha Pasley, Mia Scott, Ansley Self, Olivia Talarico. Coach: Bucky Conduff. Youth football information is supplied by the Bartow County Recreation Department and the Cartersville Parks and Recreation Department and is sponsored on Bartow Sports Zone by CiCi's Pizza of Cartersville at Cherokee Place.

Cass High School swim team opened its 2015-16 season Tuesday night (Dec. 1) in a dual meet with Southeast Whitfield at the Adairsville High School swim center. The Cass boys edged the Southeast boys, 68-64. The Cass girls won 69-60, and the combined final was Cass 137-124 over the visiting Raiders and Lady Raiders. For the Colonels and Lady Colonels, all four 200 yard medley relay teams and all four 200 yard freestyle relay teams took the top two spots in each event. Top photo: Cass sophomore Hannah Johnson prepares for start. Photo credit Danny Fairbanks. Individual top performances for the Cass boys: - Joseph Stoelzle placed first in the 50 yard freestyle and 100 yard freestyle. - Trenton Lowery placed second in the 50 yard freestyle and 100 yard freestyle. - Tyler Quarles placed third in the 50 yard freestyle and 100 yard freestyle. - Benjamin Fairbanks (photo right) placed first in the 100 yard backstroke. - Andrew Tzimenatos placed first in the 100 yard breaststroke. Individual top performances for the Cass girls: - Stella Gearhardt place first in the 50 yard freestyle and 100 yard freestyle. - Christina Wilson placed first in the 200 yard freestyle and second in the 100 yard freestyle. - Lauren Gonzalez placed second in the 200 yard freestyle and third in the 100 yard freestyle. - Jaclyn Albertson place first in the 100 yard backstroke and third in the 50 yard freestyle. - Kelsey Bunch placed second in the 50 yard freestyle. Cass will be back in action next Tuesday (Dec. 8) at the Adairsville swim center in a dual meet against the host Adairsville Tigers.

Two of the top high school wrestling programs in Georgia will go head-to-head tonight in what should be some outstanding competition and its all for an excellent cause. Cass and Woodland have been among the state's top programs for several years and they fill square off tonight (Wed., Dec. 2) at the Performing Arts Center at Woodland. The event, dubbed the Pin Down Cancer Dual, will benefit Woodland High teacher Cathy Lorenz and her fight with cancer. The match is scheduled for a 6pm start and the price of admission is set at $5. All proceeds will go to Lorenz and her family to assist with the cost of treatment. No passes are being accepted due to the fund raising cause and additional donations may be made at the event. Cass enters tonight's match with a 9-2 season record. Woodland is 9-1.

The Excel Christian boys basketball team was down seven points heading into Tuesday night's final quarter, but rallied to edge the visiting North Paulding Wolfpack, 54-53, and remained undefeated on the season with a 3-0 mark. ECA trailed by 2 points with six seconds remaining in the game. The Eagles got the ball to Darius Thrower, who got a shot off as time-expired to give Excel a one-point win. The Lady Eagles were not quite as fortunate, dropping a 49-22 contest to North Paulding. EXCEL CHRISTIAN BOYS 54, NORTH PAULDING 53 North Paulding ------ 12 - 14 - 13 - 10 ---- 53 Excel Christian ------ 9 - 11 - 16 - 18 ---- 54 North Paulding (3-2): Chad Terrell 18, Gunner Williams 18, Ethan Reid 10 Excel Christian (3-0): Darius Thrower 14, Latrel Jones 13, Caleb West 11, Chris Hale 8, Hunter Johnson 6, Max Rowland 2. Excel plays at Walker (Fri., Dec. 4), at Temple (Sat., Dec. 5), and at Hebron Christian (Tues., Dec. 8). NORTH PAULDING GIRLS 49, EXCEL CHRISTIAN 22 North Paulding ------ 14 - 15 - 5 - 15 ---- 49 Excel Christian ------ 6 - 8 - 4 - 4 ---- 22 North Paulding (3-2): Maddie Gray 16, Jordan Isaacs 7, Amil Willis 6. Excel Christian (1-3): Xena Enos 10, Rylie Boston 5, Brighton McCollum 4, Landry McCollum 2, Whitney Harris 1. Excel plays at Walker (Fri., Dec. 4), at Temple (Sat., Dec. 5), and at Hebron Christian (Tues., Dec. 8).

The Adairsville basketball teams were swept by Region 6-AAA rival Ringgold Tuesday night at the Adairsville gym. The visiting Ringgold Lady Tigers broke open a tight game in the fourth quarter to win 68-54. The Adairsville girls trailed by only two points after one quarter and led 31-30 at halftime. Ringgold went back on top 51-50 after three periods, but pulled away with a 17-4 fourth quarter advantage. The Ringgold boys led throughout in the nightcap and led 34-17 at halftime. Adairsville played better in the second half and narrowed the margin, but fell 58-50. RINGGOLD GIRLS 68, ADAIRSVILLE 54 Ringgold ------ 23 - 7 - 21 - 17 ------ 68 Adairsville ---- 21 - 10 - 21 - 4 ------ 54 Ringgold (1-0, 1-0) Adairsville (0-3, 0-1) Adairsville plays at North Murray (Fri, Dec. 4), at Rockmart (Sat. Dec. 5), and at Sonoraville (Tue., Dec. 8). RINGGOLD BOYS 58, ADAIRSVILLE 50 Ringgold ------ 19 - 15 - 7 - 17 ---- 58 Adairsville ---- 11 - 6 - 13 - 20 ---- 50 Adairsville (0-1, 0-1): Hunter HIce 14, Ethan Belcher 13, Bryce Holland 6, Cole Hewitt 5, Ronald Hardin 5, James Sims 4, Cody Henderson 3. Ringgold (1-0, 1-0): Mac Brower 17, Nathan Camp 10, Deontae Jackson 9. Adairsville plays at North Murray (Fri, Dec. 4), at Rockmart (Sat. Dec. 5), and at Sonoraville (Tue., Dec. 8).

The Cass girls and boys basketball teams made it a clean sweep Tuesday night at Woodland with a pair of varsity basketball victories. Esmeralda Thomas and Jana Morning led the Lady Colonels with 13 and 11 points as the Cass girls improved to 4-1 with a 47-27 win. In the boys game, the Colonels built a 10-point lead at the half, but Woodland rallied to knot the game at 44 with just over five minutes remaining. Cass then outscored the Wildcats 12-1 down the stretch to secure a 56-45 win. CASS GIRLS 47, WOODLAND 27 Cass -------- 8 - 17 - 8 - 14 ---- 47 Woodland -- 9 - 4 - 7 - 7 ---- 27 Cass (4-1, 1-0): Esmeralda Thomas 13, Jana Morning 11, Kyla Micheinzi 7, Payton Stoddard 5, Alexis Ware 4, Haley Gildersleeve 4, Lexy Walraven 2, Damia Simpson 1. Woodland (1-3, 0-1): Eryikah Pender 8, Makayla Richardson 5, Lyric Curtis 5, Gabby Bradley 3, Lexie Robinson 2, Hayley Robinson 2, Madgie Robinson 1, Jamison Kilgo 1. Woodland at Pepperell (Friday, Dec. 4) and at Rome (Tuesday, Dec. 8). Cass is home vs. Rome (Friday, Dec. 4) and hosts Sequoyah (Tuesday, Dec. 8). CASS BOYS 56, WOODLAND 45 Cass ------------ 11 - 20 - 10 - 15 ------ 56 Woodland ------ 9 - 12 - 13 - 9 ------ 45 Cass (2-3, 1-0): Mike Sims 16, Matt Mundy 9, Jacquez Milles 8, Ashton Burley 7, Edvonte Curtis 6, C.J. Bennett 5, Jake Collum 3, Matt Ginn 2. Woodland (1-3, 0-1): Jonathan Pritchett 15, Jarvis James 13, Trevor Knowles 7, Gary Conrod 4, Brady Jernigan 4, Camden Royal 2, Julian Rockett 1. Woodland at Pepperell (Friday, Dec. 4) and at Rome (Tuesday, Dec. 8). Cass hosts Rome (Friday, Dec. 4) and hosts Sequoyah (Tuesday, Dec. 8).

The GHSA released new region assignments today for the school years 2016-2018. Schools will now be allowed to appeal their region placement, but classification assignments are final. Final determination on appeals and the formal adoption of regions will take place in January. There were some surprises for local schools with Cartersville being assigned away from the schools in the current cycle. Cass and Woodland were assigned to a region that extends all the way south to Carrollton. Cass and Woodland were assigned to Region 7-AAAAA with Carrollton, East Paulding, Hiram, Kell, Paulding Co., Rome, and Villa Rica. Cartersville was assigned with Cedartown, Central-Carroll, Chapel Hill, LaGrange, Sandy Creek, and Troup to comprise Region 5-AAAA. Adairsville's assignment remained much the same as the current cycle. They were assigned to Region 6-AAA with Bremen, Calhoun, Coahulla Creek, Haralson Co., Lakeview-FO, Murray Co., North Murray, Ringgold, and Sonoraville. Excel Christian Academy was placed in Region 6 with Bowdon, Christian Heritage, Darlington, Gordon Lee, Mt. Zion-Carroll, North Cobb Christian, Trion,Ga. School for Deaf, Morris Innovative, Fellowship Christian, Kings Ridge, Mt. Paran, Mt. Pisgah, Pinecrest Academy, St. Francis, Walker, and Whitefield Academy. This region was sub-divided by GHSA. GHSA Region Alignments for 2016-18 Class AAAAAAA (48 schools) Region 1: Camden Co., Colquitt Co., Lowndes, Tift Co. Region 2: Campbell, East Coweta, Newnan, Pebblebrook, Westlake, Wheeler Region 3: Hillgrove, Kennesaw Mtn., Marietta, McEachern, North Cobb, North Paulding Region 4: Cherokee, Etowah, Lassiter, Roswell, Walton, Woodstock Region 5: Forsyth Central, Lambert, Milton, North Forsyth, South Forsyth, West Forsyth Region 6: Collins Hill, Discovery, Duluth, North Gwinnett, Mill Creek, Mountain View, Peachtree Ridge Region 7: Berkmar, Brookwood, Central Gwinnett, Lakeside(DeKalb), Meadowcreek, Norcross, Parkview Region 8: Archer, Grayson, Newton, Rockdale County, Shiloh, South Gwinnett Class AAAAAA (58 schools) Region 1: Coffee, Houston County, Lee Co., Nortside-WR, Valdosta Region 2: Bradwell Inst., Brunswick, Effingham Co, Glynn Acad., Richmond Hill Region 3: Alcovy, Evans, Greenbrier, Grovetown, Heritage(Conyers), Lakeside(Evans) Region 4: Drew, Forest Park, Jonesboro, Lovejoy, M.L. King, Mt. Zion (Jonesboro), Mundy’s Mill, Stephenson, Tucker Region 5: Alexander, Creekside, Douglas Co., Langston Hughes, Mays, New Manchester, Northgate, South Paulding, Tri-Cities Region 6: Allatoona, Creekview, Dalton, Harrison, Osborne, River Ridge, Sequoyah, South Cobb, Sprayberry Region 7: Alpharetta, Cambridge, Chattahoochee, Centennial, Dunwoody, Johns Creek, North Atlanta, Northview, Pope Region 8: Apalachee, Dacula, Gainesville, Habersham Cent., Lanier, Winder-Barrow Class AAAAA (58 schools) Region 1: Bainbridge, Harris Co., Thomas Co., Central, Veterans, Warner Robins Region 2: New Hampstead, South Effingham, Statesboro, Ware Co., Wayne Co. Region 3: Fayette Co., Griffin, McIntosh, Morrow, Riverdale, Starr’s Mill, Whitewater Region 4: Dutchtown, Eagle’s Landing, Hampton, Jones Co., Locust Grove, Ola, Stockbridge, Union Grove, Woodland(Stockbridge) Region 5: Arabia Mtn., Chamblee, Clarkston, Columbia, Cross Keys, Lithonia, Miller Grove, SW DeKalb Region 6: Banneker, Carver(Atl.), Decatur, Grady, Jackson(Atl.), Lithia Springs, North Springs, Riverwood Region 7: Carrollton, Cass, East Paulding, Hiram, Kell, Paulding Co., Rome, Villa Rica, Woodland(Cartersville) Region 8: Buford, Cedar Shoals, Clarke Central, Flowery Branch, Johnson(Gainesville), Loganville, Walnut Grove Class AAAA (53 schools) Region 1: Americus-Sumter, Cairo, Carver(Columbus), Columbus, Hardaway, Northside-Columbus, Shaw, Westover Region 2: Howard, Mary Persons, Perry, Spalding, Upson-Lee, West Laurens Region 3: Baldwin, Burke Co., Cross Creek, Hephzibah, Richmond Academy, Thomson Region 4: Druid Hills, Eastside, Henry Co., Luella, North Clayton, Salem, Woodward Academy Region 5: Cartersville, Cedartown, Central-Carroll, Chapel Hill, LaGrange, Sandy Creek, Troup Region 6: Gilmer, Heritage-Catoosa, LaFayette, Northwest Whitfield, Pickens, Ridgeland, SE Whitfield Region 7: Blessed Trinity, Chestatee, Marist, Riverside Military, West Hall, White Co. Region 8: Jefferson, Madison Co., North Oconee, St. Pius X, Stephens Co. Class AAA (58 schools) Region 1: Cook, Crisp Co., Dougherty, Monroe, Worth Co. Region 2: Appling Co., Brantley Co, Pierce Co., Tattnall Co., Liberty Co., Long Co. Region 3: Beach, Islands, Groves, Jenkins, Johnson (Sav.), SE Bulloch, Windsor Forest, Savannah Arts Region 4: Central(Macon), Peach Co., Pike Co., Jackson, Kendrick, Rutland, Westside-Macon Region 5: Cedar Grove, Lovett, McNair, Pace Academy, Redan, Stone Mtn., Towers, Westminster Region 6: Adairsville, Bremen, Calhoun, Coahulla Creek, Haralson Co., Lakeview-FO, Murray Co., North Murray, Ringgold, Sonoraville Region 7: Dawson Co., East Hall, Fannin Co., Greater Atlanta Christian, Lumpkin Co., North Hall, Union Co. Region 8: East Jackson, Hart Co., Jackson Co., Franklin Co., Monroe Area, Morgan Co. Class AA (63 schools) Region 1: Albany, Berrien, Brooks Co., Early Co., Fitzgerald, Thomasville Region 2: Bacon Co., Benedictine, Bryan Co., Jeff Davis, Metter, Swainsboro, Toombs Co., Vidalia, St. Vincent’s Region 3: Bleckley Co., Dodge Co., Dublin, East Laurens, Northeast, Southwest, Washington Co. Region 4: Butler, Glenn Hills, Harlem, Jefferson Co., Josey, Laney, Screven Co., Westside-Augusta, Davidson Fine Arts, Johnson (Augusta), Technical Career Magnet Region 5: Callaway, Heard Co., Jordan, Lamar Co., Spencer, Temple Region 6: B.E.S.T. Academy, Douglass (Atl.), Hapeville Charter, KIPP Atlanta, South Atlanta, Therrell, Washington, Coretta S. King, Stilwell Arts Region 7: Armuchee, Chattooga, Coosa, Dade Co., Gordon Central, Model, Pepperell, Rockmart Region 8: Banks Co., Elbert Co., Monticello, Oglethorpe Co., Putnam Co., Rabun Co., Social Circle CLASS A (117 schools; 87 football) Region 1A: Calhoun Co., Chattahoochee Co., Randolph-Clay, Stewart Co., Terrell Co., Pataula Charter, Quitman Co., Webster Co. Region 1B: Baconton Charter, Miller Co., Mitchell Co., Pelham, Seminole Co., Baker Co. Region 2: Atkinson Co., Charlton Co., Clinch Co., Irwin Co., Lanier Co., Telfair Co., Turner Co., Wilcox Co., Echols Co. Region 3A: Calvary Day, Claxton, McIntosh Co. Acad., Portal, Savannah Christian, Savannah Country Day, Sav. Early College, Woodville-Tompkins Region 3B: ECI, Jenkins Co., Johnson Co., Montgomery Co., Treutlen, Wheeler Co. Region 4A: Brookstone, Central-Talbotton, Greenville, Manchester, Marion Co., St. Anne-Pacelli Region 4B: Crawford Co., Dooly Co., Hawkinsville, Macon Co., Schley Co., Taylor Co. Region 5: Eagles Landing Christian, Holy Innocents’, Landmark Christian, Mt. Vernon, Our Lady of Mercy, Strong Rock Christian, Wesleyan, Atlanta Classical, Atlanta International, Atlanta Jewish Academy, Ben Franklin, DeKalb Arts, Drew Charter, Elite Scholars, Fulton Leadership, Galloway, Greenforest, Paideia, SW Atlanta Christian, W.D. Mohammed, Weber Region 6A: Bowdon, Christian Heritage, Darlington, Gordon Lee, Mt. Zion-Carroll, North Cobb Christian, Trion, Excel Christian Academy, Ga. School for Deaf, Morris Innovative Region 6B: Fellowship Christian, Kings Ridge, Mt. Paran, Mt. Pisgah, Pinecrest Academy, St. Francis, Walker, Whitefield Academy Region 7A: First Presbyterian, Mt. de Sales, Stratford Academy, Tattnall Square, Twiggs Co., Wilkinson Co., ACE Charter, Ga. Academy for Blind Region 7B: Aquinas, Ga. Military Acad., Greene Co., Hancock Central, Lincoln Co., Warren Co., Washington-Wilkes, Glascock Co., Lake Oconee Academy, Taliaferro Co. Region 8: Athens Academy, Athens Christian, Commerce, George Walton, Hebron Christian, Lakeview Academy, Prince Avenue, Providence Christian, Towns Co., Tallulah Falls, Woody Gap

Brad Stephens brings his own Southern flavored sports perspective and humor to Bartow Sports Zone. He is a Bartow County native and has his own law office in Cartersville, but he's mostly a Georgia Bulldogs' football fan. ________________ One of my favorite songs from the late 1960’s is B.J. Thomas’s “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head.” Not only did this song reach the coveted “#1” on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, it won an Academy Award for Best Original Song as part of the soundtrack for “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” It has been covered by many artists and incorporated on the soundtrack of several other movies, including “Forrest Gump.” It is one of the seminal songs of a turbulent era in American history. When I was watching Mark Richt’s face during the press conference where it was announced he was not returning to coach the Georgia Bulldogs, I could not help but hear these lines from “Raindrops” in my head: Cryin’s not for me Cause I’m never gonna stop the rain by complainin’ There it was, on Richt’s face….relief. The weight of the Dawgnation’s expectations shifted from his capable, weathered shoulders to those of Greg McGarity, whose capability and wherewithal have been called into question in recent days. Regardless of the circumstances of Richt’s departure, whether he was fired or agreed to walk away, it will be strange to see the sideline without him. He came to us in 2001, a highly-touted offensive coordinator from Florida State with the blessing of Bobby Bowden and a heaping helping of promise. He always wanted the Georgia job. Once Jim Donnan was carried off the field for the last time in Oahu, the team belonged to Richt. A busload of talent in need of a driver to take them to the promised land. Oh, what a ride it would be. Dominoes started falling that year. The coaching staff implemented mat drills, changing the team into a well-conditioned machine ready for SEC battle. Recruiting, the lifeblood of a program, got a transfusion so to speak. The top talent in the state stopped heading to elsewheres of the college football world. Richt made Athens into a final destination, rather than another free visit on a tour of Southeastern schools. The borders closed and our enemies grew weaker. The three-year skid against Georgia Tech ended in Atlanta. The futility of going to Knoxville was washed away by the immortal “P44 Haynes” play that resulted in Larry Munson’s most famous call outside of “There Goes Herschel!” and “Run Lindsay!” When David Greene dumped that pass over the Tennessee defense to Verron Haynes, years of demons were exorcised. The sideline and small contingent of Dawg fans came unglued. 300 pounders danced as if they were weightless. Skill players with their high verticals leapt for joy. Walk-ons spun towels in the air as 100,000 orange-clad enemies quietly exited the stadium. In the midst of the bedlam, there it was, on Richt’s face….relief. The blues they send to meet me wont defeat me It won’t be long til happiness steps up to greet me The following year was the most magical. 20 years of SEC silence ended with a deafening roar as Decory Bryant broke free to block Arkansas’s first punt in the Georgia Dome. The entire season was a blur that went from “maybe” to “yes sir” after the Dawgs closed out opponent after opponent in dramatic fashion. I was there when the East was clinched at Auburn. The feeling of seeing Michael Johnson elevate and steal victory from the jaws of defeat is surreal, even to this day. My ticket that day was free, courtesy of my good friend, Josh Brock. Once the referee signaled touchdown, I hugged the entire Brock family. I high-fived Boss Bailey’s mother. Tim Jennings’ father, who imbibed for the majority of the game, jumped on my back and said “how bout them Dawgs?!?” Some tears flowed. Everyone should watch a game in the player’s family section, it will change your approach to fandom forever. Meeting Florida State in the Sugar Bowl and taking them down was monumental. Georgia’s last two trips to New Orleans had been ill-fated. The Dawgs faced their boss’s old team, a school that knew only success in the last decade. Echoes of Seminole warchants from the 1990’s can still be heard today. The chips were stacked high and the Dawgs went all in. Bowden and Richt shook hands in the end, the mentor vanquished by his protégé. Covered in the contents of the water cooler and the arms of his senior players, there it was, on Richt’s face….relief. A coach’s life is under a microscope. Every facial expression analyzed. Every play call questioned. I remember the first grumble in 2004. A heavily favored Georgia team, fresh off the epic destruction of LSU in Athens, fell to an undermanned, Erik Ainge-led Tennessee squad the next week. Walking out of the stadium, a man remarked, “boy, it looked like Richt didn’t even care we lost.” That team could have won it all, but fell short, as 116 other teams did that season. Coach led us to another SEC crown in 2005. The fairy tale of D.J. Shockley was salve for the hurt souls of 2004. A promise was made and kept, as a man of Richt’s character is wont to do. Enduring seasons on the bench, probably staring at the back of the coach’s head with disdain at times, Shockley’s moment came and it was seized by pummeling LSU in the Georgia Dome. After all the “what ifs” and “whens,” there they stood on the turf together as champions. Arm in arm with Shockley, staring at the pro-Georgia crowd as they cheered in approval, there it was, on Richt’s face….relief. Who knew that would be the last time? That this feeling would not come over Richt again in his career? There were successes, but always with an asterisk. 2007 may have been his best team, but it did not make it to Atlanta. 2008 started with a bang and ended with the whimpiest of whimpers in the rain against Georgia Tech. 2012 is simply known as “five yards short.” There were losses to Colorado, Central Florida and Boise State. Offseason arrests as sure as the sunrise. Struggles with Vanderbilt and Kentucky. Blowout losses to Florida and Alabama. The grumbling became louder as the chips started falling in the wrong direction. Coordinators were hired and fired. Gimmicks became commonplace. The all-knowing Internet message boards were aflame with coarse diatribes, R-rated armchair quarterbacks with axes to grind and Miller Lite to drink. Even his faith was blamed. “Mark Richt is too nice.” “Mark Richt don’t (sic) care about football.” “Mark Richt should have them (sic) boys lifting weights, not on mission trips.” He became a common denominator to those who favored unrest. The good vibes of 2001-05 dissolved in a petri dish full of misguided expectations and border-sharing rival schools bringing home hardware at our expense. Double digit wins are not enough. Owning Auburn, Georgia Tech and Tennessee is not enough. It became too much. Coach aged – mentally and physically. His pace slowed and his mind worried about his ailing wife and tenuous position, one did not have to look hard to find his discontent. Those raindrops keep fallin’ on my head They keep fallin’ All in all, a good man walked our sideline for 15 years. One that brought us out of the doldrums of the 1990’s and made us relevant again. Our games mattered again. Great players wanted to play for the Dawgs again. The fervor in the ranks of the Dawgnation was as high as it was during Dooley’s glory days. We won plenty of big games, appeared on the national scene as a force to be reckoned with and had the admiration of other programs who were less fortunate. Coach did not bring home enough hardware, plain and simple. So, I will remember the good times. The excitement he brought us. His love for his players and the University. His undying commitment to making those who wear the Red and Black respectable citizens, husbands and fathers. Mostly, I will remember his face. It was a face often criticized for being expressionless and void of emotion. I just think the man took the good with the bad and expressed himself on his own terms. On November 30, 2015, he did just that. Because I’m free Nothin’s worryin’ me Thanks, Coach, for everything. ______________________ What do you think? Post your comments on the Bartow Sports Zone Facebook page or on Twitter @bartowsportszon Use #bradstephens

Updates on local collegiate athletes in swimming, wrestling, and basketball making an impact in their respective programs. We also maintain a regular update on all the local athletes playing college football around the nation. That article runs separately. Keep up with all the local college and professional athletes through Bartow Sports Zone at the 'Athletes Beyond Bartow' page. BASKETBALL A.J. MOSBY -- Chattahoochee Tech CC (So., G, Cartersville HS)... scored 16 points in 22 minutes and led Chattahoochee Tech in assists Saturday with eight. He was 7-of-9 shooting from the field and 2-of-4 from three point range. He also had seven rebounds and two steals in the game. Mosby is averaging a team-leading 18.9 points in 29.3 minutes per game, 5.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 3.1 steals while shooting 55.1 percent from the field, 38.1 percent from behind the arc and 85 percent from the free throw line. The Golden Eagles host East Georgia State CC Wednesday (Dec. 2, 7:30pm), West Georgia Tech CC Sunday (Dec. 6, 4:30pm), and Gadsden State CC Dec. 9 at 7:30pm. RYAN DAVIS -- Chattahoochee Tech CC (So., G, Cartersville HS) .. recorded seven assists with eight points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field with seven rebounds in 22 minutes. Through eight games, Davis is averaging 13 points in 27 minutes per game, 4.5 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 2.9 steals while shooting 51.2 percent from the field. CTCC hosts East Georgia State CC Wednesday (Dec. 2, 7:30pm), West Georgia Tech CC Sunday (Dec. 6, 4:30pm), and Gadsden State CC Dec. 9 at 7:30pm. COREY TOBIN -- Chattahoochee Tech CC (So., G, Cartersville HS) ... five assists and scored 11 points on 3-of-7 shooting from the 3-point line and 1-of-1 shooting from inside the arc. He also notched three rebounds and a steal in 20 minutes of action Saturday. Through eight games this year, Tobin is averaging 7.5 points in 24 minutes per game, 4.4 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals while shooting 42.4 percent from behind the arc. CTCC hosts East Georgia State CC Wednesday (Dec. 2, 7:30pm), West Georgia Tech CC Sunday (Dec. 6, 4:30pm), and Gadsden State CC Dec. 9 at 7:30pm. ASHLEY HUSKINS -- University of the Cumberlands (Fr., G/F, Cass HS) ... played 17 minutes and collected a pair of rebounds in a 91-43 win at Midway University on Nov. 25. She also added one assist. She then played Saturday in a 72-58 home loss to Lincoln Memorial University. Huskins has played in all seven games this year, started one, and is averaging four points and 4.6 rebounds in 15.4 minutes per game. The Lady Patriots travel to Pikeville, KY Wednesday (Dec. 2) to play the No. 22 team in NAIA, Pikeville University and play West Virginia Tech Friday, Dec. 5 in Montgomery, WV. HOLLOWAY, EMMANUEL -- Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia; Asian Basketball (6-0, G, Woodland HS) ... beginning his seventh professional season, this time with the Saudi team. Last season, Holloway played for the Ravenna Lions in the Italian A-2 silver league. He has previous experience in Switzerland, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Finland. WRESTLING VASSIL, GERRY -- Belmont Abbey College (Jr., 197 Wt. Class, Cartersville HS) ... went 2-1 at the Brewton-Park duals on Nov. 25. Belmont Abbey went 3-0 at the duals. Vassil won by forfeit over Truett McConnell and Brewton-Parker and lost to his West Virginia Tech opponent. The Crusaders are on the mats at Coker University Wednesday (Dec. 2) in their final match before the holiday break. ​​ Has Athletes Beyond Bartow missed a local collegiate athlete? Please let us know via our Contact page or use the link located on the Athletes Beyond Bartow page of this site.

The five local high schools likely learn their new region assignments for the 2016-2018 school year cycle today as the GHSA meets in Thomaston. The Georgia High School Association Executive Committee will release preliminary region assignments today following the meeting. Schools will then have an opportunity to appeal their placement before the new regions are finalized. A few weeks ago, the Georgia High School Association released the classification assignments for all Georgia schools and allowed schools to appeal or opt for a higher classification. That process has now completed and today the business of assigning schools to their 2016-2018 regions begins. All five local schools will remain in their current (2014-16) classification assignments for the 2016-18 school years. Woodland and Cass will remain in Class AAAAA, Cartersville will remain in Class AAAA, Adairsville will be in Class AAA, and Excel will be in Class A. Loren Maxwell, author of the popular Maxwell ratings projected Cass and Woodland to be placed in a region together along with Ridgeland, Southeast Whitfield and Kell. Maxwell used relative distance between schools and the other criteria the GHSA commonly uses to determine regions. One of those being schools in the same school district remain together. Maxwell's other projections included Cartersville in a region with Cedartown, Gilmer, Heritage (Catoosa), Lafayette, Northwest Whitfield, and Pickens. The most controversial of Maxwell's projections for local schools has Adairsville in a region with Bremen, Cedar Grove, Douglass, Haralson County, Lovett, Marist, Rockmart, and Westminster. Maxwell chose that placement over the region more similar to Adairsville's current group that would include Calhoun, Coahulla Creek, Fannin, Gordon Central, Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe, Murray County, North Murray, Ringgold, and Sonoraville. Maxwell only projected regions for football schools, so the article did not project a region for Excel Christian Academy. For this next reclassification cycle, the GHSA has created a new classification for the state’s largest schools. The move creates an eighth state championship classification for most sports. The GHSA also implemented a new rule during this reclassification cycle that forced schools receiving greater than 3 percent of their student body from outside the school’s own county lines to move up one classification. The rule impacted many private schools like Blessed Trinity, Pace Academy, Marist, Westminster, Lovett, Greater Atlanta Christian and Woodward Academy as you would expect. The rule also impacted a few independent (city) schools like Buford, Bremen, and Jefferson. Several schools including Crisp County, Thomasville, Vidalia, Early County, Heard County, Armuchee, Social Circle, and others with out-of-county populations greater than 3 percent appealed their placement in a higher classification caused by the new rule and won. That allowed those schools to remain in a classification with schools of their own actual size instead of being forced up one class by the “out-of-county percentage rule.” Thomas County Central was the largest school (1474 students) to win such an appeal. The south Georgia school has an out-of-county student body makeup of 5.5 percent. The list of schools volunteering to play in a higher classification are: Pace Academy (A to AAA); B.E.S.T. Academy (A to AA); Groves, Johnson (Sav.), McNair, Savannah, and Union County (AA to AAA); Henry County and Marist (AAA to AAAA); Carver (Atl.), Columbia, Decatur, Hampton, Morrow, Riverdale, and Southwest DeKalb (AAAA to AAAAA); plus Forest Park, Mt. Zion (Jonesboro), M.L. King, and Stephenson (AAAAA to AAAAAA). Bartow Sports Zone will share the new region placements as the information becomes available.

Updates on local collegiate and professional athletes currently participating in college football and the NFL. Bartow Sports Zone does periodic updates on these athletes and those of other sports. You may check each athlete's link on our Athletes Beyond Bartow page on this site. Here are the updates on football games of Saturday, November 27-29: TARRIS BATISTE — Georgia State University (Sr., Cass HS) … a starter at safety for the Panthers and last week’s football Defensive Student Athlete of the Week in the Sun Belt Conference, Batiste recorded four tackles in a 31-21 conference win over Troy Friday at the Georgia Dome. Georgia State improved to 5-6 and 4-3 in conference games. The Panthers close out the season Saturday at Georgia Southern in Statesboro. COLLIN BARBER — University of Georgia (Sr., Cartersville HS) … had two punts for a 40 yard average with a long punt of 41 yards, but pinned Georgia Tech inside the 20 yard line with both kicks as the Bulldogs won 13-7. Georgia (9-3) will play next in a bowl game to be determined. HAYES LINN — Air Force (Jr. Cartersville HS) … saw action for the Falcons in their 47-35 loss at New Mexico. Air Force slipped to 8-4 overall and 6-2 in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference. Linn has 16 tackles and a pair of pass breakups on special teams and as a safety. He has played in all twelve games for the Falcons and started three. Despite the loss this past week, Air Force advances to the MWC Championship Game December 5 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego against San Diego State who is 9-3. AUSTIN HARRELL — The Citadel (R-Jr., Adairsville HS) … defensive lineman has appeared in 11 of 12 games for the Bulldogs who improved to 8-4 overall and were co-champions of the Southern Conference. The Citadel beat Coastal Carolina 41-38 in the opening round of the NCAA FCS playoffs. Harrell has twelve tackles on the season. The Bulldogs play cross-town rival Charleston Southern Saturday (Dec. 5) at CSU. T.L. FORD — UNC-Charlotte (Soph., Cartersville HS) … was targeted six times and caught 5 passes for 39 yards, with a long reception of 19 yards in a 27-7 loss at Rice in Houston, TX. He started all 12 games for the 49ers at wide receiver. Ford caught 26 passes during the season for 247 yards (9.5 avg/catch) with a long reception of 25 yards. Charlotte finished the year 2-10 overall and 0-7 in Conference USA. MARK QUATTLEBAUM — UNC-Charlotte (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … saw action in the 49ers season ending loss at Rice University in Houston, TX. For the season, Quattlebaum appeared in eight games, had two punt returns for six yards, and a 13 yard kickoff return. Charlotte ended the year 2-10 overall and 0-7 in Conference USA. BROOKS BARDEN — UNC-Charlotte (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … started at quarterback and was 3-for-9 for 33 yards with a long completion of 19 yards in a 27-7 loss at Rice in Houston, TX. Barden also ran twice for six yards. The 49ers finished their season 2-10 overall and 0-7 in Conference USA. Barden played in seven games and rushed for net 21 yards on 38 attempts with a long run of 31 yards and one touchdown. He was 49-of-99 passing on the season for 440 yards, 4 TDs, and 5 interceptions. His QB efficiency rating was 90.1 and his longest completion of the season was good for 31 yards. VIC BEASLEY — Atlanta Falcons (1st season, NFL) … a starter at defensive end for the Falcons, Beasley had one pass defended Sunday in a 20-10 home loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Through 11 games, Beasley has 20 tackles, two sacks, three passes defended, and one interception. The loss was Atlanta’s fourth in a row and fifth in their last six games. The Falcons fell to 6-5 on the season and have consecutive road games over the next three weeks at Tampa Bay, Carolina, and Jacksonville. If we have omitted a local athlete you think should be included, please use our Contact page or the attached form on the Athletes Beyond Bartow page to let us know.​