The Adairsville swim team defeated Heritage-Catoosa, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe, and Ringgold Thursday night in a quad-meet at Adairsville High School. Combined Team Scores: Adairsville 224, Heritage 120, LFO 18, Ringgold 17 Girls: Adairsville 108, Heritage 104, Ringgold 17, LFO 4 Boys: Adairsville 116, Heritage 16, LFO 14 Adairsville first place finishes: — Boys 200 yard medley relay team: Dylan Smith, Johnathon Wilkes, Daniel Sullivan, Jake Eberly — Boys 200 yard freestyle relay team: Jason Bromby, Chance Jones, Nathan Dahlberg, Dylan Coker — Boys 400 yard freestyle relay team: Dylan Smith, Daniel Sullivan, Johnathon Wilkes, Jake Eberly — Girls 400 yard freestyle relay team: Katie Schwan, Gillian Ballard, Destiny Adams, Alyssa Miller — Johnathan Wilkes, 200 yard freestyle; 500 yard freestyle — Jake Eberly, 50 yard freestyle; 100 yard freestyle — Sierra Matthews, 50 yard freestyle — Katherine Sullivan, 100 yard butterfly — Cicily Flores, 500 yard freestyle — Dylan Smith, 100 yard backstroke Adairsville second place finishes: — Girls 200 yard freestyle relay team: Sierra Matthews, Stephanie Corona, Katherine Sullivan, Lilli Kennedy — Boys 400 yard freestyle relay team: Jason Bromby, Dylan Coker, Nathan Dahlberg, Isaac Ray — Girls 400 yard freestyle relay team: Cicily Flores, Alexis Copple, Brantley Hughes, Ella Hendrix — Cicily Flores, 200 yard freestyle — Dylan Smith, 200 yard individual medley — Chance Jones, 50 yard freestyle; 100 yard freestyle — Daniel Sullivan, 100 yard butterfly; 100 yard backstroke — Felicia Miler, 500 yard freestyle Adairsville third place finishes: — Girls 200 yard medley relay team: Sierra Matthews, Stephanie Corona, Katie Schwan, Katherine Sulivan — Nathan Dahlberg, 200 yard freestyle; 100 yard backstroke — Destiny Adams, 200 yard freestyle — Stephanie Corona, 200 yard individual medley — Isaac Ray, 100 yard freestyle — Sierra Matthews, 100 yard freestyle — Katherine Sullivan, 500 yard freestyle Adairsville fourth place finishes: — Girls 200 yard freestyle relay team: Katie Schwan, Cicily Flores, Destiny Adams, Alexis Copple — Gillian Ballard, 200 yard individual medley — Dylan Coker, 50 yard freestyle; 100 yard backstroke — Alexis Copple, 500 yard freestyle Earning meet points for Adairsville: Dylan Smith Johnathon Wilkes Daniel Sullivan Jake Eberly Sierra Matthews Stephanie Corona Katie Schwan Katherine Sullivan Nathan Dahlberg Cicily Flores Destiny Adams Gillian Ballard Chance Jones Madison McCommon Felicia Miller Jason Bromby Dylan Coker Lilli Kennedy Alexis Copple Alyssa Miller Isaac Ray Brantley Hughes Ella Hendrix Next Meet: Home vs. Cass, Tuesday, December 8

Georgia High School Football Daily released the Region 7-AAAA All-Region selections today. The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes dominated the selections with three different Player of the Year honors and 23 overall selections for All-Region distinction. Sophomore quarterback, Trevor Lawrence (in photo), received Region 7-AAAA Player of the Year, while senior Tyler Reed and sophomore Johnathan Cruz were named Defensive Player of the Year and Special Teams Player of the Year. Cartersville hosts Bainbridge Friday (Dec. 4) in the Class AAAA state semifinals. 7-AAAA Player of the year: Trevor Lawrence, Cartersville, So. Offensive player of the year: Luke Shiflett, Northwest Whitfield, So. Defensive player of the year: Tyler Reed, Cartersville, Sr. Lineman of the year: Noah Ramsey, Southeast Whitfield, Sr. Special teams player of year: Johnathan Cruz, Cartersville, So. Coach of the year: Josh Robinson, Northwest Whitfield First-team offense QB - Corbee Wilson, Heritage, Jr. RB - Tyler Brown, Southeast Whitfield, Sr. RB - Jalyn Shelton, Ridgeland, So. RB - Tiamon Pennymon, Cartersville, Sr. WR - Will Blanchard, Northwest Whitfield, Jr. WR - Terrius Callahan, Cartersville, Sr. WR - Luke Grant, Heritage, So. TE - Miller Forristall, Cartersville, Sr. TE - Walker Lawrence, Pickens, Sr. OL - Levi Seabolt, Gilmer, Jr. OL - Will Boydston, Ridgeland, Sr. OL - D.J. Walden, Pickens, Sr. OL - Nick Root, Cartersville, So. OL - Cam Cheek, Cartersville, Sr. ATH - Thaddeus Bowers, Gilmer, Sr. K - Ty Chastain, Pickens, Sr. First-team defense DL - Kobe Hull, Northwest Whitfield, Sr. DL - Darian Poellnitz, Cartersville, So. DL - Andrew Ortiz, Pickens, Sr. DL - Lucas Bramlett, Gilmer, Sr. DL - Brit Hasty, Southeast Whitfield, Sr. LB - Austin Morrison, Northwest Whitfield, Sr. LB - Cyrus Addison, Northwest Whitfield, Sr. LB - Kyle West, Pickens, Sr. LB - Noble Zuschlag, Gilmer, Sr. LB - Auston Davis, Cartersville, Sr. DB - Markeith Montgomery, Ridgeland, So. DB - Trase Fezzia, Cartersville, Jr. DB - Trey Creamer, Cartersville, Jr. DB - Kobie Whitfield, Cartersville, Sr. DB - Xavior Coaxum, Cartersville, Jr. P - Marcus Byrd, Pickens, Sr. Second-team offense QB - Marcus Byrd, Pickens, Sr. RB - Chris Pittman, Pickens, Jr. RB - Chris Henderson, Ridgeland, Jr. RB - Russell Cochran, Gilmer, Sr. WR - Antoinne Jefferson, Cartersville, Jr. WR - Tony Dean, Cartersville, Sr. WR - Jay Jones, Northwest Whitfield, Jr. TE - Luke Edwards, Ridgeland, Jr. OL - Zach Betts, Pickens, Sr. OL - Luke Shehee, Heritage, Sr. OL - Parker Roberson, Cartersville, Sr. OL - Bryce Wilkins, Cartersville, So. OL - Garrett Cook, Cartersville, Sr. ATH - Colter Faith, Southeast Whitfield, Sr. K - Alix Lopez, Gilmer, Sr. Second-team defense DL - Torian Scrutchins, Cartersville, Jr. DL - Brandon Wade, Cartersville, Jr. DL - Alex Pittman, Pickens, Jr. DL - Tanner Nance, Heritage, Jr. DL - Zane Burton, Heritage, So. LB - Taylor Shirah, Southeast Whitfield, Jr. LB - Dillin Eilers, Pickens, Sr. LB - Luke Edwards, Ridgeland, Jr. LB - Jonah Hobbs, LaFayette, So. LB - Cody Gillean, Southeast Whitfield, Jr. DB - Cameron Heard, Northwest Whitfield, Sr. DB - Kell Kiker, Gilmer, Jr. DB - KaDarrin Ramsey, LaFayette, Jr. P - Gabe Gridley, Cartersville, Sr. Honorable mention: DL Grayson Moore, Ridgeland, Sr.; LB Nathan Morgan, Ridgeland, Sr.; DB C.J. Shakelford, Ridgeland, So.; OL Will Hodges, Ridgeland, Sr.; LB Kamron Engler, Gilmer, Jr.; DL Austin Lacy, Gilmer, Jr.; P Dillan Ledford, Gilmer, So.; WR Griffin Cagle, Gilmer, Jr.; TE Jake Parker, Gilmer, Sr.; OL Shane Bowman, Gilmer, Sr.; WR Trent Kiniry, Heritage, Jr.; DL Leo Gandara, Southeast Whitfield, So.; DB Brian Parks, Southeast Whitfield, Sr.; LB Nyvin Nelson, Cartersville, So.; DL Nick Southern, Pickens, Jr.; WR/DB Zack Hermann, Pickens, Sr.; WR/DB Caleb Brooks, Pickens, Sr.; DB Avery Luke, Pickens, Jr.; K Vicente Vaca, Northwest Whitfield, So.; RB Sebastian Orozco, Northwest Whitfield, So.; RB Dominique Sistrunk, Northwest Whitfield, Fr.; OL Tyler Pittman, Northwest Whitfield, Sr.; DL Mason Shepherd, Northwest Whitfield, Sr.; DL Byron Smith, LaFayette, Jr.; K/P Mark Bennett, LaFayette, Sr.; RB T.J. Hawkins, LaFayette, Sr.; OL Donnie Cornett, LaFayette, Sr.; OL Jake Russell, LaFayette, Jr.; LB Cole Warren, LaFayette, Sr.; LB Clayton Lane, LaFayette, Sr.; LB Trevor Bowman, LaFayette, Sr.; TE Bradley Ragano, Pickens, Sr.; OL Andrew Hasbrouck, Pickens, Jr.; DL Cortlin Norton, Pickens, Sr.; DB Will Wotring, Pickens, Jr.

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.