​ 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. ________________ "He can take his'n and beat your'n and take your'n and beat his'n." That quote is attributed to Bum Phillips, the longtime Houston Oilers coach, when asked about the coaching ability of Don Shula. Coach Phillips was basically implying, in his own Texas way, that Shula could find any way to beat you with whomever took the field for him. Shula’s longevity and success in the NFL still resonates today for that reason – the man could simply get the most out of anyone he coached. Georgia high school football and its perennially successful programs appear to have this same trait. Some programs seem to reload every year and if there ever is a layoff, it is not for long. Whether it be from metro Atlanta, middle Georgia or below the gnat line – there are several teams that you simply cannot ever count out. There is an undercurrent of doubt, however. Fans across the state allude to this doubt more and more as each season goes by, compiling more circumstantial evidence than Johnnie Cochran. As certain teams and regions continue to pile up trophies while others are left holding the bag, many folks wonder aloud, “Are these teams winning with their own people?” The answer to that question is as clear as Stamp Creek after a thunderstorm. In the last fifteen years, the power structure has shifted in the bigger classifications. Prior to 2000, Valdosta was the premier program in the state, winning a record 24 state titles, including seven between 1982-1998. “Winnersville, USA” ran through their south Georgia counterparts in the regular season and then more often than not, ran the metro schools off the field with ease in the playoffs. Valdosta not only had superior talent, but an immortal coach in Nick Hyder that seemed to be one step ahead of every other coach in the state. Colquitt County, Tift County, Lowndes and Warner Robins also claimed titles during this time, giving rural Georgia a strong grip on a classification rife with metro Atlanta schools. In fact, metro Atlanta schools only won five state titles in the state’s highest class (AAAA) from 1980-99. As the nineties came to an end and we all thankfully survived Y2K, a rift in the landscape occurred. The population of the metro area boomed, better coaches filtered into the area and programs began to gear up, both physically and financially, to stop the south Georgia juggernaut. Parkview, a Gwinnett County school with a largely mediocre history, ran off three straight titles from 2000-02. En route to those victories, the Panthers eviscerated the likes of Valdosta and Northside-Warner Robins. Many were glad to see the kings knocked off their throne and Gwinnett County schools gained confidence for the rest of the Atlanta area – eight of the last fifteen state titles in the largest class have gone to Gwinnett or Fulton County schools. Still, there have been rumblings about these schools and their access to talent, which seems unabated by district lines and residential requirements. With the gigantic population of the county and the amount of money contributed by boosters, Gwinnett’s rise to power is no secret. However, the amount of transferring, open enrollment, district re-drawing and de facto gerrymandering that occurs has raised more than a few eyebrows. This has not only been an issue at the highest level. No school in Georgia is more scrutinized than AAAA’s current defending champion, the Buford Wolves. While the poormouthing usually comes from rivals who simply cannot upend the Buford program, their cries are not without credence. When you win ten titles in fifteen years, often by lopsided victories over completely inferior opponents, whispers become roars. When you only lose thirteen games (two by forfeit) since the year 2000, flashlights become spotlights. Buford schools have admission policies that differ from many schools and over the years, it has been pointed out that a great deal of their talent comes from outside the city limits. The GHSA combatted this by moving them up from A in 2001 all the way to their present position in AAAA in 2014. This move has had little effect so far – Buford closest region game was a 32-point victory and the Wolves won the AAAA title over St. Pius in a 55-10 snoozefest that was over at halftime. To keep up with the likes of Buford, other programs like Calhoun have pulled out all the stops. They have no choice. Concentrated efforts to improve facilities, strength training and coaching techniques have surfaced, along with the occasional transfers that seem to go along with territory. These new faces moving in and appearing on the sidelines of the same teams every year is wearing thin the patience of their less fortunate counterparts. Families want to be part of winning programs and that is understandable, but talent pools are being diluted unfairly. Schools unable to “keep up with the Joneses” lose their best players without recourse, then get clobbered on Friday night by a perpetual club team made up of the best talent in a four-county area. These kids work hard, lift weights, sweat in the heat and get chewed out by coaches all summer long – only to get waxed 63-0 with no hope of winning their region. This type of hopelessness can cripple a program. One of the things I love about high school football is the sense of community. Our way of life versus theirs. These schools are robbing us of that in a way. While there are plenty of young men on those teams that hail from their respective district, it cannot be denied that move-ins and transfers make their marks in the starting lineups. It is a fine line to walk, as the kids cannot be blamed for wanting to win. However, I believe that football should be played with your hometown players, take it or leave it. Some years will be lean, but that makes you appreciate the good times. It is the same reason why monopolies cannot exist in a capitalist economy. The elimination of competition creates an inferior product - games that are foregone conclusions with the state champion essentially predetermined, barring a meteor crashing to the earth on their practice field. If Cartersville expects to win the AAAA title, you can bet your bottom dollar that Buford will be there in the end. Their region is still completely inferior with absolutely no shot of dethroning the Wolves. Maybe Cartersville will have to join them to beat them. They can “take your’n” from Floyd, Polk, Paulding and Cherokee County and make a club team right there on Church Street. I wish the Canes luck in their quest for the title because they are going to need it. At the rate Buford is going, Valdosta’s state title record is very much in jeopardy. ______________________ What do you think? Post your comments on the Bartow Sports Zone Facebook page or on Twitter @bartowsportszon

Woodward Academy has moved to the top spot in Class AAAA in the Georgia Sports Writers Association poll released Wednesday. The War Eagles were second in that poll behind Buford prior to the Wolves’ loss last week at McEachern. Cartersville moved up to No. 2 this week and received five first place votes, followed by Buford at No. 3 with four first place votes. Earlier in the week, Cartersville moved to No. 1 in the latest Atlanta Journal-Constitution rankings and remained No. 2 in the poll released by ScoreAtlanta.com. Buford retained the top spot in that poll. The Adairsville Tigers, Class AAA, received three votes by the sports writers but remain outside the Top Ten. Adairsville region rival, Calhoun, remains No. 1 in Class AAA. In other classifications, Archer is No. 1 in Class AAAAAA ahead of Colquitt County, McEachern, and Grayson. Archer plays at Grayson this week. In AAAAA, Northside-Warner Robins is No. 1. They are followed by Houston County and Ware County. Benedictine is No. 1 in Class AA and Mount Paran is tops in Class A. CLASS AAAA (First place votes in parenthesis / vote pts. / Last Week) 1. Woodward Academy (8) 155 2 2. Cartersville (5) 149 3 3. Buford (4) 148 1 4. Jonesboro 107 5 5. West Laurens 92 6 6. Burke County 62 NR 7. Sandy Creek 54 8 8. Mary Persons 51 NR 9. Thomson 27 NR 10. Marist 24 10 Others receiving votes: Griffin 23, Bainbridge 20, St. Pius X 8, Howard 4, Whitewater 4, Cairo 3, Eagle’s Landing 1, Wayne County 1, Dropped out: Griffin, St. Pius X, Cairo CLASS AAA (First place votes in parenthesis / vote pts. / Last Week) 1. Calhoun (16) 169 1 2. Blessed Trinity (1) 154 2 3. Jefferson 133 4 4. Elbert County 117 5 5. Hart County 97 6 6. Central-Carrollton 74 T9 7. Cedar Grove 46 8 8. Westminster 38 3 9. West Hall 33 NR 10. Peach County 22 NR Others receiving votes: Oconee Co. 14, Pierce Co. 14, Westside-Macon 9, Cook 5, Dodge Co. 4, Adairsville 3, Laney 3. Dropped out: Pierce County, Washington County

River Ridge scored early and often in defeating Woodland 11-1 Wednesday night in a sub-region softball matchup in Woodstock. The Lady Knights sent ten batters to the plate in the bottom of the first, scored six times in that frame, and eventually cruised to a four inning win. Jessica Mirocha picked up the pitching victory for River Ridge. Beth McCulley, Gabby Williams, and Addison Bray led the River Ridge 10-hit attack with two hits each. Bray drove in three runs. The Lady Knights improved to an 11-5 mark on the season. The Lady Cats fell to 7-11. Woodland hitters: Taylor Calhoun — 1H Courtney Godfrey — 1BB Victoria Dabbs — 1R, 1H Jamison Kilgo — 1H Emma Jordan — 2H, 1RBI Woodland pitching: Lily Watson — 3 IP, 10H, 11R, 4ER, 2K Next Games for Woodland: Fri Sep 11 — at Valdosta Tourney Sat Sep 12 — at Valdosta Tourney Tue Sep 15 — ROME — 5:30pm Wed Sep 16 — at Darlington —- 5:30pm Thur Sep 17 — SEQUOYAH — 5:30pm

Australian Steven Bowditch and Chris Kirk are teammates of a sort on the PGA Tour. They both are coached by Cartersville Country Club’s Scott Hamilton (photo) and are affiliatiated with the Cartersville-based Scott Hamilton Golf Academy. Tuesday, Bowditch was made a Captain’s Pick by Nick Price for the Presidents Cup International team giving Hamilton a player on each of the opposing sides. Kirk had already nailed down a spot on the USA team via the FedExCup standings. Bowditch, 32, missed earning an automatic spot on the International team by only .0098 points in the Official World Golf Rankings. Bowditch could have clinched his spot at the Deutsche Bank Championship, but missed the cut and Danny Lee slipped passed him to 10th in the rankings. He anxiously awaited Price’s phone call, but was rewarded with the Captain's Pick. South Korea’s Sang-Moon Bae was captain Nick Price’s other pick. Chris Kirk, another Scott Hamilton Golf Academy player, will be on Team USA at the Presidents’ Cup October 8-11 at the Jack Nicklaus Club Korea. Kirk, who grew up in Woodstock, GA, played his high school golf at Etowah High School and collegiately at the University of Georgia. Kirk qualified for Team USA via FedExCup points. Kirk has battled a recent injury, but clinched the final automatic team berth despite missing the cut at the Deutsche Bank Championship last week. Team USA captain, Jay Haas, selected his son Bill Haas and Phil Mickelson with his two captain’s picks. The younger Haas finished one spot out of the automatically qualifying top ten. The selection of Mickelson extends his streak of having played in every Presidents Cup since it began. The Presidents Cup is a series of men's golf matches between a team representing the United States and an International Team representing the rest of the world minus Europe. Europe competes against the U.S. in a similar but considerably older event, the Ryder Cup. The Presidents Cup has been held biennially since 1994. USA INTERNATIONAL Jordan Spieth Jason Day Bubba Watson Louis Oosthuizen Jimmy Walker. Adam Scott Zach Johnson Hideki Matsuyama Jim Furyk Branden Grace Rickie Fowler Marc Leishman Dustin Johnson Anirban Lahiri Patrick Reed Charl Schwartzel Matt Kuchar Thongchai Jaidee Chris Kirk Danny Lee Phil Mickelson Steven Bowditch Bill Haas Sangmoon Bae Scott Hamilton is the Director of Golf at Cartersville Country Club. His Scott Hamilton Golf Academy is based out of the Cartersville facility. Hamilton is coach to many prominent professional golfers on four different major tours -- PGA Tour, Champions Tour, WEB.com Tour, and LPGA. For more on the Presidents’ Cup selections see: Sean Martin, PGATOUR.com http://www.presidentscup.com/news/2015/09/08/live-blog--presidents-cup-captains--picks.html Doug Ferguson, Associated Press http://www.pga.com/news/pga-tour/chris-kirk-makes-first-us-presidents-cup-squad Nicole Jeffery, The Australian http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/golf/bowditch....

Volleyball results for Tuesday, September 8 Cartersville def. Gilmer, 25-20, 25-22. Northwest Whitfield def. Cartersville 25-6, 25-18. Next matches for Cartersville Thur Sep 10 — at Rome w/ Model — 5pm Tue Sep 15 — at Lafayette w/ TBA — 6pm Thur Sep 17 — VILLA RICA & SPRAYBERRY — 5pm Sat Sep 19 — Bartow Co. Tourney at Woodland — 9am

The Woodland Lady Wildcats built an early lead, then held on for a 9-8 sub-region victory at Cass Tuesday night. Cass rallied after trailing 9-2 and had a potential tying run on third base in the final frame. Woodland centerfielder, Victoria Dabbs, made a running, over-the-shoulder catch for the final out to preserve the win. PHOTO: Cass pitcher Hannah Lee delivers pitch to Woodland's Victoria Dabbs in the first meeting between these two teams. Photo by Becky Dabbs. Woodland improved to 7-10. Cass fell to 2-16. WOODLAND 9, CASS 8 WOODLAND —— 0-0-0-4-5-0-0 —— 9R | 11H | 0E CASS ————— 0-0-2-0-4-0-2 —— 8R | 15H | 0E Woodland hitters: Kylie Knox — 1R, 1BB, 1H Taylor Calhoun — 1H Kereston Franklin — 2R, 4BB Courtney Godfrey — 1R, 1H, 2RBI Victoria Dabbs — 2R, 2H, 1RBI Jamison Kilgo — 2R, 2H, 2RBI, SB Brittney Cox — 1R, 3H, 2SB Keri Cagle — 1H, 1BB, 1RBI Woodland pitching: Lilly Jordan — 7 IP, 15H, 8ER, 5K, 1BB Next games for Woodland: Thur Sep 10 — at River Ridge— 5:30pm Fri Sep 11 — at Valdosta Tourney Sat Sep 12 — at Valdosta Tourney Tue Sep 15 — ROME — 5:30pm Cass hitters: Sarah Fox — 2R, 2H Hope Elrod — 1R, 3H, 1RBI Sierrah Gani — 2R, 3H Hannah Lee — 2R, 3H, 2RBI Cat White — 1R, 1BB, 1H Sarah Moore — 1H, 1RBI Hannah Elrod — 1H, 3RBI Alexia Najarro — 1H Cass pitching: Hannah Lee — 7 IP, 11H, 7ER, 6BB, 12K Next games for Cass: Thur Sep 10 — at Rome — TBA Fri Sep 11 — Score Tournament (Chattanooga) Sat Sep 12 — Score Tournament (Chattanooga) Tue Sep 15 — at Seuqoyah — TBA Mon Sep 21 — vs. Gordon Lee (at Lee Univ.) — 4:30pm ___________________________ NORTHWEST WHITFIELD 8, CARTERSVILLE 5 The Cartersville Lady Hurricanes lost a region softball matchup with Northwest Whitfield Tuesday night, 8-5. The visiting Lady Bruins scored six runs in the first two innings only to have Cartersville rally to narrow the lead to one. Cartersville scored three times in the bottom of the second and added two more in the sixth to trail 6-5. Northwest added two more runs in the top of the seventh for the final 8-5 margin. NORTHWEST —— 3-3-0-0-0-0-2 —— 8R | 3H | 1E CARTERSVILLE — 0-3-0-0-0-2-0 —— 5R | 7H | 6E Cartersville hitters: Kennedy Bailey — 1H Michaela Crowe — 1H Paris Poston — 2R, 2H Madison McKinney — 1R, 1BB Hannah Todd — 1R, 2H, HR, 2RBI Kayla Stephenson — 1R Allie Jackson — 1RBI Taylor Waits — 1H, 1RBI Cartersville pitching: Hannah Todd — 6 IP, 2H, 2R, 1ER, 4BB, 8K Tara Mathis — 1 IP, 1H, 6R, 1ER, 4BB, 1K Upcoming games for Cartersville: Thur Sep 10 — at Gilmer — 5:55pm Fri Sep 11 — at North Cobb Tourney — TBA Sat Sep 12 — at North Cobb Tourney — TBA Tue Sep 15 — HERITAGE - CATOOSA — 5:55pm Thur Sep 17 — at Ridgeland — 5:55pm

Excel Christian Academy softball improved to 2-2 in region play Tuesday night with a 17-5, four-inning victory over Fellowship Christian. Taylor Gibson picked up the complete game pitching win. She recorded eight strikeouts. Brighton McCollum hit her second grand slam of the season and was 3-for-3 at the plate to lead the Lady Eagles' offense. Lindsay Mauldin and Rachel Parrott were both 2-for-3 at the plate. Whitney Harris, Callie Beth Scheff, Aliza Baker, and Gibson added one hit each. ECA hits the diamond again Thursday at King's Ridge.

Former Adairsville High School and Clemson University star, Vic Beasley, Jr., has been listed as a starter for the Atlanta Falcons at defensive end on an unofficial depth chart reported by Kelsey Conway of atlantafalcons.com. Beasley, an NFL rookie, is currently listed ahead of Adrian Clayborn and Kroy Biermann at one of the defensive end spots. Tyson Jackson is listed as Atlanta's other starting defensive end. Beasley is one of many collegiate and professional athletes featured on our Athletes Beyond Bartow page at this web site. Use the 'More' menu link to find the page or click HERE. Use this link to view the Falcons' depth chart. http://www.atlantafalcons.com/team/depth-chart.html Use this link to read Conway's article. http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/article-1/Falcons-Release-First-Unofficial-Depth-Chart/b290b12a-8704-4f38-8569-b0ec9cedf466

The 2015 FedExCup playoffs on the PGA Tour continue in two weeks for five Scott Hamilton Golf Academy (SHGA) players as the Top 70 move forward to the playoffs' third leg in Chicago. Rickie Fowler (-15) held off Henrick Stenson (-14) to win the Deutsche Bank Championship just outside of Boston on Labor Day Monday where seven SHGA-affiliated players were competing in the playoffs. SHGA is headquartered through Cartersville Country Club where Scott Hamilton is the Director of Golf and coach to many prominent touring professionals. Of the SHGA players, Harris English made the biggest move up the standings ladder in Boston. English shot 6-under for the week and finished tied for 12th to move up nine spots in the standings at 32nd. Chris Kirk also climbed two spots with a tie for 29th and is now 37th in the FedExCup standings. Other SHGA players advancing in the playoffs include Steven Bowditch, Russell Henley and Brendon Todd. Todd finished in a tie for 44th at the Deutsche Bank Championship and slipped one spot in the playoff standings to 48th. Bowditch and Henley both missed the cut last weekend, but were high enough in the standings to advance. Bowditch stands 22nd and Henley 58th in the FedExCup. Acworth resident and former SHGA affiliate, Jason Bohn, missed the cut in Boston but moves forward in the playoffs in 28th place. Two SHGA-affiliated players failed to advance after the Deutsche Bank Championship. Boo Weekley tied for 56th in Boston and slipped just out of the playoffs at 76th in the points standings. Hudson Swafford shot 2-under to tie for 33rd and climbed 11 spots in the points, but did not make the Top 70. The BMW Championship will be the third of four FedExCup Playoff events, September 17-20 at Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest, Illinois -- just outside Chicago. Only 70 players will begin the BMW Championship and only the Top-30 in the points standings after that tournament will advance to the 2015 PGA TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, September 24-27. Jason Day has the overall points lead with two events remaining. He is followed by Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler.

The 2015 youth football season gets underway this weekend for the Bartow County Recreation Department. Age divisions for 2015 include 6U Flag, 8U, 10U, and 12U. Team rosters, cheerleader rosters, and league schedules are listed. 2015 BCRD 6U FLAG FOOTBALL 6U COLTS Channing Briggs, Jeremy Dent, Troy Glass, Julius Millsap, Carson Pope, Cordae Reed, Logan Shinall, Malachi Stocks, Lane Walker, Cole Williams, Jac Williams, Dametris Wynn. Coach: Toronto Wynn. 6U FALCONS Hank Barfield, Hunter Dudley, Isaac Garlin, Damon Hardin, Brody Lingerfelt, Braxton Lowe, Landon Mundy, Jace Radford, Isaiah Wheeler, Benjamin Wilson, William Wilson. Coach: Chris Garlin 6U JETS Cade Baker, Max Burton, Tucker Buttram, Gatlin Fair, Preston Hazelwood, Clay Hilburn, Trenton Mealer, Maddox Raughton, Mitchell Raughton, Noeah Roberts. Coach: Jonathan Raughton 6U PACKERS Corbin Dotson, Daylin Emmons, Jackson Jarrett, Ayden Jones, Dakoda Myrick, Chandler Stanley, Mark Story, Marcos Terc, Jaden Todd, Landry Wright, Max Wright. Coach: Mark Shankles 6U RAIDERS Joseph Adams, Colton Bryant, Kayden Foley, Corey Ingle, Hunter Ingle, Major Jamison, Elijah Mullinax, Jake Orton, Hank Pendley, Isaiah Pittman, Micah Pittman, Dawson Ray, Michael Jacob Runfolo, Eli Simmons. Coach: Josh Mullinax 2015 BCRD 6U FLAG FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Games at Old Cass HS, Perry Park Sat Sep 12 — 10a — Packers - Jets Sat Sep 12 — 11a — Falcons - Raiders Tue Sep 15 — 6p — Falcons - Jets Tue Sep 15 — 7p — Colts - Packers Sat Sep 19 — 10a — Jets - Raiders Sat Sep 19 — 11a — Falcons - Colts Tue Sep 22 — 6p — Jets - Colts Tue Sep 22 — 7p — Raiders - Packers Sat Sep 26 — 10a — Colts - Raiders Sat Sep 26 — 11a — Packers - Falcons Tue Sep 29 — 6p — Colts - Falcons Tue Sep 29 — 7p — Jets - Packers Sat Oct 3 — 10a — Raiders - Falcons Sat Oct 3 — 11a — Packers - Colts Tue Oct 6 — 6p — Raiders - Jets Tue Oct 6 — 7p — Falcons - Packers Sat Oct 10 — 10a — Packers - Raiders Sat Oct 10 — 11a — Jets - Falcons Tue Oct 13 — 6p — Raiders - Colts Tue Oct 13 — 7p — Packers - Jets Sat Oct 17 — 10a — Colts - Jets Sat Oct 17 — 11a — Falcons - Raiders Tue Oct 20 — 6p — Colts - Packers Sat Oct 24 — 10a — Jets - Raiders Sat Oct 24 — 11a — Falcons - Colts 2015 BCRD 8U FOOTBALL Rosters 8U BEARS Jackson Armona, Rylan Brigman, Dayton Campbell, Cameron Cochran, Casen Cochran, Walker Cooney, Brennan Delaino, Jesse Earwood, Bryan Gayton, Grady Higgins, Isaiah Livsey, Talan Ni, Logan Shrewsbury, Camron Usery, Zachary Wallace, Kadin West, Bryson Wheeler. Coach: Kevin Nix 8U Bears Cheerleaders: Kassidy Andrews, EmmaGrace Davis, Kaitlynn Earwood, Alyssa Graham, Carleigh Higgins, Ava Maryfield, Sophia Rees, Jennlyn Shuler, Harley Temples. Coach: Stacy Higgins 8U COLTS Tylan Beeman, Clayton Blackmon, Ayden Carson, Adrian Dunn, Colby Edwards, Reed Ezell, Easton Fletcher, Bruce Jacks, Christopher Jameson, Owen Jones, Lincoln May, Jonah Queen, Kaleb Ray, Derris Reece, Aidan Taylor, Gabriel Willingham, Righley Worthigton. Coach: Billy Worthington. 8U Colts Cheerleaders: Cara Bennett, Lauren Blackmon, Tinsleigh Buck, Paisley Donehoo, Emerie Elrod, Virginia Lowery, Teaghan Myers, Faith Ray, Sariya Ray, Malorie Rogers, Gracie Rowland, Emily Sheriff, Abbi Wear, Lilli Wear, Carlee Drew Wilson. Coach: Jessica Blackmon. 8U FALCONS Ja’kai Baldwin, Ja’kez Baldwin, Zachary Hawkins, Judd Hyde, Jacob Jones, Chance Lambert, James Lee, Joshua Love, Kipton Mayfield, Kyron McClendon, Ezequiel Medina, Kelson Mitchell, Caiden Moore, Gregory Powell, Jaela Smith, Hayden Stanley, Mason Umbarger, Brody Varner, Darion Wofford. Coach: Chuck Moore. 8U Falcons Cheerleaders: Amelia Brown, Brooklyn Davis, Ziyah Hicks, Brooke Hyde, Abigail Pickel, Katelyn Roush, Mayleigh Wade, Fantasy Watkins. Coach: Jennifer Wright. 8U JETS William Altizer, Daelon Beasley, Drake Bunce, Kaden Buttram, Colton Cox, Logan Cox, Zachary Eckert, Isaiah Fritz, Christopher Gardner, Samuel Gardner, Solomon, Gardner, Coleden Garner, Hunter Harp, Cason King, Kolt McCord, Eli Swanson, Tamarius Wilkey. Coach: Larry Gardner 8U Jets Cheerleaders: Amelia Carter, Mollie Coker, Alexia Cox, Alexa Damer, Casslin Garner, Cara Harp, Jaida Harris, Jacie Henderson, Sophie Hovatter, Aubree Key, Leah Langley, Chloe McClendon, Anna Lee McCord, Molly Kate McCoy, Amanda Phillips, Charlie Self, Miley Smith, Harmony Sorrell, Morgan Whittington. Coach: Brittnay McCord. 8U PACKERS Brad Barton, Chandler Evans, Barrett Fuller, Marcus Gibson, Gabriel Greenway, Anterrius Hames, Aderion Harris, Aderius Harris, Teagan Houser, Braydon Johnston, J’vain Ledbetter, Blaine Leighly, Treshaun Reed, Brayden Rizer, Geremy Rodriguez, Desmond Slocum, Bradyn Stuart, Noah Williams. Coach: Dee Dee Harris. 8U Packers Cheerleaders: Aslan Basnett, Emelia Bowley, Katelyn Bowley, Hailey Churchwell, Blaire Fuller, Miriah Gibson, Addison Greenway, Kinzie Griffin, Katice Jones, Ja’nay Ledbetter, Paytyn McClure, Mackenzie Simpson, Emory Stuart. Coach: Katherine Young. 8U RAIDERS Gary Alston, Noah Candelaria, Aiden Caylor, Xavior Darby, Drew Davey, Julian Dent, Grayson Dysart, Levi Epelbaum, Gabriel Hatfield, Kaiden Holbrook, Gavin Hubbard, Gavin Johnson, Jayden Metcalf, Aiden Ritchie, Hunter Shinall, Daniel Sidibe, Weston Wilson. Coach: Dustin Davey. 8U Raiders Cheerleaders: Abygaile Brown, Olivia Dysart, Caitlyn Radford, Jamiah Reed, Jeriah Reed, Jaliyah Ricks, Zykeria Walker, Madalyn Wood. Coach: Lisa Wisch. 8U STEELERS Lucas Baker, Leland Bishop, Devyn Brown, Isaac Burnett, Jeremiah Deroche, Malachi Harris, Clifton Harshaw, Christian Henderson, Wyatt Hill, Korbyn Jarrett, Kamarion Profit, Jacob Tatum, Joseph Thorne, Gracen Van Hook, Dylan Ward, Nicolas Wright. Coach: Mark Harris 8U Steelers Cheerleaders: Bethany Batts, Shyann Bishop, Jayese Brown, Savannah Carter, Rylee Davis, Dejaih Farmer, Laura Ghorley, Melani Jamison, Makayla Powell. Coach: Heather Bishop. 2015 BCRD 8U FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Games at Hamilton Crossing Park Football Field Sat Sep 12 — 9a — Jets vs. Packers Sat Sep 12 — 10:15a — Raiders vs. Falcons Sat Sep 12 — 11:30a — Colts vs. Steelers Mon Sep 14 — 6p — Jets vs. Bears Mon Sep 14 — 7:15p — Falcons vs. Colts Sat Sep 19 — 9a — Packers vs. Steelers Sat Sep 19 — 10:15a — Bears vs. Raiders Sat Sep 19 — 11:30a — Falcons vs. Jets Mon Sep 21 — 6p — Colts vs. Raiders Mon Sep 21 — 7:15p — Packers vs. Falcons Sat Sep 26 — 9a — Jets vs. Steelers Sat Sep 26 — 10:15a — Bears vs. Colts Sat Sep 26 — 11:30a — Raiders vs. Packers Mon Sep 28 — 6p — Steelers vs. Bears Mon Sep 28 — 7:15p — Jets vs. Raiders Sat Oct 3 — 9a — Steelers vs. Falcons Sat Oct 3 — 10:15a — Packers vs. Colts Sat Oct 3 — 11:30a — Raiders vs. Bears Mon Oct 5 — 6p — Falcons vs. Bears Mon Oct 5 — 7:15p — Raiders vs. Steelers Mon Oct 12 — 6p — Bears vs. Jets Mon Oct 12 — 7:15p — Steelers vs. Colts Sat Oct 17 — 9a — Colts vs. Falcons Sat Oct 17 — 10:15a — Packers vs. Jets Sat Oct 17 — 11:30a — Bears vs. Steelers Mon Oct 19 — 6p — Steelers vs. Packers Mon Oct 19 — 7:15p — Raiders vs. Colts Sat Oct 24 — 9a — Falcons vs. Packers Sat Oct 24 — 10:15a — Colts vs. Bears Sat Oct 24 — 11:30a — Steelers vs. Jets Mon Oct 26 — 6p — Jets vs. Falcons Mon Oct 26 — 7:15a — Packers vs. Raiders Sat Oct 31 — 9a — Bears vs. Packers Sat Oct 31 — 10:15a — Jets vs. Colts Sat Oct 31 — 11:30a — Falcons vs. Raiders 2015 BCRD 10U FOOTBALL ROSTERS 10U BEARS Joseph Arents, Kaden Baldwin, Sebastian Boggs, Stephen Bucy, William Buttrum, Robert Campbell, Jordan Durham, James Foster, Ethan Hobbs, Luke Huskins, Samuel McGrew, Joseph Pugachow, Ismael Roberts, Kenneth Rogers Jr., MaKai Sanders, Riley Scott, Jaeden Smith, Taylor Tatum, Erich Wilburn, Micah Wilson. Coach: Rick Scott. 10U Bears Cheerleaders: Jayden Harris, Paige Hicks, Claire Lee, Madison Lee, Hayli Norris, Kayli Wilburn, Caidence Woolridge. Coach: Kim Harris 10U COLTS Easton Adams, Gannon Bonds, Graceson Buffington, Jackson Christiana, Caleb Cooley, Michael Hatfield, Landon Haygood, Devin Henderson, Kevin Henderson, Richard Houston, Brayden Hyde, Lane Martin, Tyler Martin, Jacob Morris, Ethan Moser, Hunter Scott, Aleczander Smith, Nathan Stoker, Andy Urizar, Hunter Waits. Coach: LaShon Darby. 10U Colts Cheerleaders: Ashley Blalock, Jordan Brock, Sara Brown, Haley Carpenter, Molly Ferdon, Lila Isaac, Riley Rogers, Shae Waits, Laila Webb. Coach: Tiffany Rogers 10U FALCONS Reece Alexander, Bryson Amos, Joshua Bishop, Benjamin Bowman, Corey Brookshire, Dustin Brookshire, Jake Crapps, Cole Dumas, Isaac Earwood, Levi Earwood, Todd Gaddy, Jonathan Gough, Kole Hardin, Daulton Hill, Asher Jernigan, Christian Koontz, Jayden Malone, Mason Mize, Gary Nolan, Kendrick Price, Tyler Reynolds, Dillon Sanford, Jonathan Torrence. Coach: Ryan Torrence. 10U Falcons Cheerleaders: Allison Atkins, Elena Cook, Lilly Craighead, Peyton Dorn, Isabella Mingo, Grayci Redding, Sarah Sanford, Hannah Stiles, Madison Stiles. Coach: Tara Atkins 10U JETS Luke Altizer, Blade Benefield, Laine Bennett, Ethan Blome, Christopher Cabe, Caden Copeland, Aidan Cottingim, Harrison Eckert, Carson Gray, Graham Hilburn, Brett Lance, Andrew Martin, Kayden Martin, Jake McCollum, Brycen Newberry, Gerardo Rodriguez, Christopher Roper, Jaylen Scott, Kaden Scott, Noah Shore, Cooper Swanson, Madix Young. Coach: Tarvis Scott 10U Jets Cheerleaders: Alexius Cabe, Jaci Hall, Alexis Heatherly, Emmilia Leon, Kali Monroe, Addie Pearson, Chyanne Randolph, Sadie Raughton, Makayla Scoggins, Alexis Scott, Harley Sosebee, Makayla Terc, Averie Young. Coach: Sierra Scott 10U PACKERS Seth Abernathy, Hayden Blalock, Ethan Brown, Tallon Crunkelton, Camden Eubanks, Andrew Foster, Carter Goff, Adrian Harris, Jakavien Harris, Truitt Hayworth, Hayden Heath, Lucas Henry, Michael Hight, Chase Hilburn, Kaden Johnston, Jaimen Long, Jacob Pasley, Jamarian Pullum, Kymoni Pullum, Mason Shankles, Jaden Watson. Coach: T.J. Pullum 10U Packers Cheerleaders: Madison Abernathy, Sadie Abernathy, Taylor Abernathy, Maddalyn Adams, Keely Blalock, McKinley Bragg, Chloie Chapman, Jasmine Churchwell, Reese Leighly, Jaylee Long, Ansley Standley, Emmalee Stensvold. Coach: CJ Cook 10U RAIDERS Kace Adams, Jackson Barnette, Trip Bradley, Parker Dunn, Collin Fletcher, Jackson Harwell, Seth Haygood, Nicholas Jamison, Hunter Kelly, William Ritter, Ernest Sanchez, Austin Sanders, Evan Sanders, Kaden Stephenson, Andrew Thayer, Hunter Tordrup, Colton Tucker, Evan Walker. Coach: Jody Fletcher. 10U Raiders Cheerleaders: Kariah Clark, Lindsey Cunningham, Rebecca Hovers, Jazmyn Hughes, Camden O’Banion, Chloe Phillips, Neveah Sharp, Taylor Stafford, Katelyn Thayer, Ansleigh Tilley. Coach: Cameron Cunningham 10U STEELERS Pierson Blair, Julian Chartier, Martavius Cochran, Javon Dent, Brett Good, Jordan Green, Ali Hamilton, Jacob Harris, Connor Henderson, Bryson Hook, Caleb Johnson, Malachi Joiner, Tyler Jones, Harrison Purdue, Tristan Purdue, Cooper Teeples, Kintrell Whatley. Coach: Craig Cochran 10U Steelers Cheerleaders: Peyton Cornwell, Sarah Doss, Michelle Hale, Hayden Jones, Reece Kennedy, Tazahria Peek, Bayley Stanley, Savanna Stiles. Coach: Cassidy Cornwell BCRD 2015 10U SCHEDULE Sat Sep 12 — 9a — Falcons vs. Steelers — OCH Sat Sep 12 — 10:30a — Bears vs. Packers — OCH Sat Sep 12 — noon — Colts vs. Raiders — OCH Tue Sep 15 — 6p — Jets vs. Falcons — HC Tue Sep 15 — 7:30p — Steelers vs. Bears — HC Thur Sep 17 — 6p — Jets vs. Raiders — HC Thur Sep 17 — 7:30p — Colts vs. Packers — HC Tue Sep 22 — 6p — Cartersville Black vs. Colts — DP Tue Sep 22 — 6p — Falcons vs. Bears — HC Tue Sep 22 — 7:30p — Packers vs. Raiders — HC Thur Sep 24 — 6p — Cartersville White vs. Colts — DP Thur Sep 24 — 7:30p — Cartersville Purple vs. Packers — DP Sat Sep 26 — 11a — Cartersville Black vs. Jets — DP Tue Sep 29 — 6p — Colts vs. Bears — HC Tue Sep 29 — 7:30p — Raiders vs. Falcons — HC Thur Oct 1 — 6p — Packers vs. Steelers — HC Thur Oct 1 — 7:30p — Raiders vs. Cartersville Purple — HC Sat Oct 3 — 9a — Falcons vs. Colts — OCH Sat Oct 3 — 10:30a — Jets vs. Bears — OCH Sat Oct 3 — noon — Raiders vs. Steelers — OCH Tue Oct 6 — 6p — Raiders vs. Cartersville Black — HC Tue Oct 6 — 7:30p — Packers vs. Cartersville White — HC Thur Oct 8 — 6p — Jets vs. Cartersville White - HC Thur Oct 8 — 6p — Bears vs. Cartersville Black — DP Thur Oct 8 — 7:30p — Cartersville Purple vs. Steelers — DP Tue Oct 13 — 6p — Steelers vs. Jets — OCH Tue Oct 13 — 6p — Cartersville Purple vs. Colts — DP Tue Oct 13 — 7:30p — Packers vs. Cartersville Black — OCH Thur Oct 15 — 6p — Falcons vs. Cartersville Purple — OCH Thur Oct 15 — 7:30p — Steelers vs. Cartersville White — OCH Tue Oct 20 — 6p — Cartersville Black vs. Steelers — DP Tue Oct 20 — 6p — Jets vs. Cartersville Purple — HC Tue Oct 20 — 7:30p — Cartersville White vs. Falcons — DP Tue Oct 20 — 7:30p — Bears vs. Raiders — HC Thur Oct 22 — 6p — Cartersville White vs. Raiders — DP Thur Oct 22 — 7:30p — Cartersville Purple vs. Bears — DP Sat Oct 24 — 11a — Cartersville White vs. Bears — WS Tue Oct 27 — 6p — Cartersville Black vs. Falcons — DP Tue Oct 27 — 6p — Colts vs. Steelers — HC Tue Oct 27 — 7:30p — Packers vs. Jets — HC Thur Oct 29 — 6p — Colts vs. Jets — HC Thur Oct 29 — 7:30p — Packers vs. Falcons — HC HC = Hamilton Crossing Park, DP = Dellinger Park, OCH = Old Cass HS, WS = Weinman Stadium BCRD 2015 12U ROSTERS 12U BEARS Zachary Bootz, Leo Butler, Kamryn Callahan, Ryan Connell, Anthony Daise, Coy Davis, James Davis, Shannon Duhe, Dylan Hanley, Quenton Hanson, Logan Higgins, Hayden Hulsey, Santino Jones, Carolos Morales, R’Jai Rogers, Timothy Stephens, Tyler Waznak, Jadas Whatley, Khyier Williams, Colton Wilson. Coach: Malik Daise. 12U BUCS Jaiden Avalos, Jake Eller, James Gaines, Tommy Good, Chris Green, Emmanuel Hayes, Nicholas Johnson, Jonathan Jordan, Elijah Knight, Thomas Knight, JaQualyn Mayhall, Andrew Murray, Andrew Nguyen, Aiden Shaw, Chris Waller, Morocco Wilkey, Caleb Wise, Chandler Wise, Caden Wolf. Coach: Joel Green. 12U FALCONS Dakota Abernathy, Ethan Adair, Tyler Arnold, Garrett Blair, Kaleb Bohanan, Michael Davenport, Pete Decino, Noah Ford, Isaac Furtado, Jackson Hale, Jelani Hames, Isaac Linley, Ian Lowe, Keylan McCarty, Mark Perdue, Jonah Plott, Devin Pryer, Damien West, Dawson Wheeler, Tifton Worthington, Toronto Wynn. Coach: Devon Coker. 12U TIGERS Jordan Carson, Drake Casey, Benjamin Eckert, Jaxon Green, Isaiah Jewell, Seth Kelley, Isaac Leonard, James Lynch, Ken Mascia, Jackson Moss, Jaxson Owens, Taja Printup Jr., Jacob Ray, Devin Reed, Patrick Shelley, Charles Stacey, Noah Standridge, Luke Story, Kadron Trimble. Coach: James Shelley. Tigers Cheerleaders Michael-Michelle Character, Jordan Clay, Hailey Conrad, Taylor Evans, Tinsley Evans, Claire Garlin, AnnaBella King, Lillian Kinsey, Brianna Miller, Bella Peck, Mya Porter, Lainey Shaw, Maggie Story, Bailey Weaver, Madalyn Wilcox. Coach: Melissa Porter 2015 BCRD 12U FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Mon Sep 14 — 6p — Bartow Falcons vs. Bartow Tigers — OCH Mon Sep 14 — 7:15p — Bartow Bears vs. Bartow Bucs — OCH Sat Sep 19 — 9a — Ashworth vs. Bartow Bears — OCH Sat Sep 19 — 10:30a — Red Bud vs. Bartow Bucs — OCH Sat Sep 19 — noon — Calhoun Bulldogs vs. Bartow Falcons — OCH Sat Sep 19 — 1:30p — Bartow Tigers vs. Calhoun Canes — OCH Tue Sep 22 — 7p — Calhoun Colts vs. Bartow Falcons — CR Tue Sep 22 — 7:30p — Bartow Bucs vs. Cartersville Canes — DP Sat Sep 26 — 9a — Bartow Falcons vs. Calhoun Jackets — CR Sat Sep 26 — 10a — Bartow Bears vs. Calhoun Colts — CR Sat Sep 26 — noon — Bartow Bucs vs. Ashworth — GCHS Sat Sep 26 — 1p — Bartow Tigers vs. Red Bud — GCHS Tue Sep 29 — 7:30p — Bartow Tigers vs. Cartersville Canes — DP Thur Oct 1 — 8p — Red Bud vs. Bartow Bears — SR Sat Oct 3 — 1p — Ashworth vs. Bartow Falcons — SR Tue Oct 6 — 6p — Bartow Tigers vs. Ashworth — OCH Tue Oct 6 — 7:30p — Cartersville Canes vs. Bartow Falcons — OCH Thur Oct 8 — 7:30p — Bartow Bucs vs. Bartow Falcons — HC Sat Oct 10 — 10a — Calhoun Bulldogs vs. Bartow Bears — CR Sat Oct 10 — noon — Calhoun Jackets vs. Bartow Bucs — CR Tue Oct 13 — 7p — Bartow Bucs vs. Calhoun Colts — CR Sat Oct 17 — 9a — Bartow Bears vs. Calhoun Canes — OCH Sat Oct 17 — 10:30a — Calhoun Bulldogs vs. Bartow Tigers — OCH Tue Oct 20 — 6p — Calhoun Bulldogs vs. Bartow Bucs — CR Tue Oct 20 — 6p — Bartow Bears vs. Bartow Tigers — OCH Tue Oct 20 — 7:30p — Bartow Falcons vs. Red Bud — OCH Sat Oct 24 — 9a — Calhoun Canes vs. Bartow Bucs — OCH Sat Oct 24 — 9a — Bartow Bears vs. Cartersville Canes — WS Sat Oct 24 — 10:30a — Bartow Tigers vs. Calhoun Jackets — OCH Tue Oct 27 — 6p — Calhoun Jackets vs. Bartow Bears — CR Tue Oct 27— 7p — Calhoun Colts vs. Bartow Tigers — CR Tue Oct 27 — 8p — Calhoun Canes vs. Bartow Falcons — CR Thur Oct 29 — 6p — Bartow Bucs vs. Bartow Tigers — OCH Thur Oct 29 — 7:30p — Bartow Falcons vs. Bartow Bears — OCH OCH = Old Cass HS; HC = Hamilton Crossing Park; CR = Calhoun Rec; GCHS = Gordon Central HS; DP = Dellinger Park; SR = Sonoraville Rec; WS = Weinman Stadium, Cartersville HS NOTE: All official schedules are maintained by Bartow County Recreation Department.

Sam Howard and the Asheville Tourists begin the South Atlantic League playoffs Wednesday night at home against the Savannh Sand Gnats. Howard, who starred at Georgia Southern University and Cartersville High School, has been the Tourists’ hottest pitcher down the stretch going 7-1 over his last ten starts. The left handed pitcher is on a season-long innings count with the Colorado Rockies affiliate, but has enough innings remaining to get the nod in at least one more start in the playoffs. In 134 innings this season, Howard has 122 strikeouts and a 3.43 ERA. He is 11-9 overall on the season in 25 starts. Opponents are hitting .252 against him. Asheville earned a wild card spot in the South Atlantic League’s Southern division by finishing just ahead of Greenville. The playoff berth was clinched Monday — the final day of the regular season. Games two of the best-of-three series between the Tourists and Sand Gnats will be in Savannah Friday night. Game three (if needed) will be Saturday night in Savannah. Former Adairsville High and University of Alabama-Huntsville standout, Grant DeBruin, wrapped up his 2015 minor league season with the Potomac Nationals Labor Day. DeBruin was a mid-season all-star in the Carolina League. The third baseman finished the season with a .299 batting average. He hit four homeruns, five triples, 27 doubles, and drove in 64 runs in 458 at bats over 59 games. Potomac, a Washington Nationals affiliate, finished second in the Northern Division during the second half of the Carolina League with a 32-37 record.

Several local collegiate soccer players have begun their 2015 seasons: Agnes Scott — Stephanie Hicks, (photo left) Sr. forward (Woodland HS) — She has started 2 of 3 games, scored 2 goals, 9 shots taken with 6 shots on goal. The Scotties are 1-2 with losses to Piedmont and Meredith. The win was over Hollins College. Troy University — Mallory Hedden, Soph. midfielder, (Cass HS) — 2 shots, 1 shot on goal in the Trojans 4-2 start to the 2015 season. Hedden has played 85 minutes through six regular season games. The Trojans losses have been at Alabama and to South Florida at the University of South Alabama Jaguar Classic. Troy has early season wins over Alabama State, UT-Martin, Louisiana Tech, and Austin Peay. Charleston Southern — Emily Moore, Jr., defender (Woodland HS) — Appeared in the Buccaneers 2-2 tie at Wofford. CSU has started their season 1-1-2 with a victory over Stetson and a tie with Elon. Moore has now appeared in seven games at Charleston Southern. Duquesne — Cody West, R-Soph., defender (Cass HS) — has not appeared in the Dukes’ first two games. Duquesne defeated Niagra 3-1, but lost to Marshall 1-0. Bartow Sports Zone provides links for local collegiate and professional athletes on this site at Athletes Beyond Bartow. If we are missing information or a link about a local athlete currently playing at the collegiate level, please use the link on the Athletes Beyond Bartow page or use the Contact page of this site. You may visit our Athletes Beyond Bartow page by clicking HERE.