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GHSA State Football Playoffs First Round -- Friday, November 13 Class AAAAAA Etowah at Archer Hillgrove at Camden Co. Collins Hill at Lambert North Paulding at Colquitt Co. Wheeler at Grayson Lowndes at McEachern Northview at Mill Creek Lovejoy at Newnan East Coweta at Newton West Forsyth at Peachtree Ridge Parkview at Roswell Norcross at South Forsyth Hughes at Tucker Valdosta at North Cobb Central Gwinnett at Walton Lakeside, Atlanta at Westlake Class AAAAA Alexander at Gainesville Winder-Barrow at Allatoona Drew at Carver, Columbus Warner Robins at Coffee Creekside at Kell Carver, Atlanta at Dalton Jones Co. at Glynn Academy South Effingham at Houston Co. East Paulding at Lanier Creekview at Mays Shaw at Northgate Ware Co. at Northside, W. Robins Loganville at South Paulding Starr's Mill at Northside, Columbus Rome at Stephenson Columbus at Stockbridge Class AAAA Griffin at Bainbridge Fayette Co. at Buford Burke Co. at West Laurens Carrollton at Stephens Co. Columbia at Cartersville Grady at Northwest Whitfield Thomas Co. Central at Jonesboro Upson-Lee at Liberty Worth Co. at Locust Grove Pickens at Marist Wayne Co. at Mary Persons North Hall at Sandy Creek Spalding at Cairo Ridgeland at St. PIus X Veterans at Thomson N. Oconee at Woodward Acd. Class AAA Franklin Co. at Adairsville Cook at Blessed Trinity West Hall at Calhoun Hart Co. at Callaway Pierce Co. at Cedar Grove Ringgold at Dawson Co. Jackson, Atlanta at Dodge Co. Elbert Co. at Central, Carrollton Butler at Jackson Pepperell at Jefferson Cedartown at Oconee Co. Josey at Peach Co. Sonoraville at East Hall Westminster at SE Bulloch Spencer at Washington Co. Westside, Macon at Laney Class AA Metter at Benedictine Northeast at Brooks Co. Pace Academy at Darlington Putnam Co. at Fitzgerald Dade Co. at GAC Greene Co. at Heard Co. McIntosh Co. at Jefferson Co. Early Co. at Lamar Co. Chattooga at Lovett Pelham at Macon Co. Washington-Wilkes at Manchester Bremen at Rabun Co. Bryan Co. at Screven Co. Bowdon at Union Co. Swainsboro at Vidalia Wesleyan at Model NOTE: The Class A state playoffs begin November 20. Class A Public #16 Twiggs County at #1 Marion County #9 Commerce at #8 Charlton County #12 Dooly County at #5 Clinch County #13 Johnson County at #4 Randolph-Clay #14 Wilkinson County at #3 Irwin County #11 Trion at #6 Turner County #10 Mount Zion (Carroll) at #7 Lincoln County #15 Telfair County at #2 Emanuel County Institute Class A Private #16 First Presbyterian at #1 Prince Avenue Christian #9 Landmark Christian at #8 Savannah Christian #12 Pacelli at #5 Mount Paran Christian #13 Mount Pisgah Christian at #4 Eagle's Landing Christian #14 Brookstone at #3 Aquinas #11 Christian Heritage at #6 Athens Academy #10 Stratford Academy at #7 Calvary Day #15 Athens Christian at #2 Pinecrest Academy

The Excel Lady Eagles’ softball team had four players named to the 2015 All Region teams in Region 6-A. Brighton McCollum was selected to the All-Region First Team, while Lindsay Mauldin, Taylor Gibson, and Rachel Parrott were chosen for the Second Team. McCollum (photo right) hit .395 on the season with a .432 on base percentage. She blasted five homeruns and totaled 14 extra base hits to lead the Lady Eagles with a .723 slugging percentage. The junior scored 30 runs, drove in 24, swiped 8 bases, and compiled a .938 fielding percentage in 81 defensive chances. Mauldin (photo below), also a junior, hit .393 with 18 RBI and 16 runs scored. She had seven doubles and a triple for a slugging percentage of .540 and her on base percentage was .437. Defensively, Mauldin finished the year with a .985 fielding percentage in 133 chances. Gibson hit .389, scored 22 runs, and drove in 18 with five extra base hits. The sophomore stole four bases and fielded at a .929 pace. She made 22 appearances as a pitcher in the circle during the season and finished with a 10-10 mark. Her earned run average was 4.67 in 111 innings pitched and she struck out 73 opposing batters. Parrott led the team with a .512 batting average in 15 games. Her on base percentage was .580 with 24 RBI and 15 runs scored. She hit one homerun and had seven extra base hits for a .744 slugging percentage. She stole four bases and did not commit an error in 62 defensive chances. Excel finished with a 15-13 season record and qualified for the Class A Private State Tournament. The Lady Eagles lost to First Presbyterian Day of Macon in the opening round.

The Cartersville High School competition cheerleading squad won its seventh straight region title Saturday in capturing the 2015 Region 7AAAA title. By winning the region championship, the Cartersville squad earns a spot in the Class AAAA finals this Saturday, Nov. 14 at Columbus Civic Center and gets to skip the Friday qualifying round. The Adairsville High School competition cheerleaders also qualified for the GHSA state meet with a fourth place finish at the Region 6AAA competition. The Tigers will compete in the Class AAA preliminaries Friday, Nov. 13 at Columbus Civic Center. The top eight squads in each classification from Friday’s preliminary round advance to the finals Saturday with all the region champions. For more on the two local squads, see Jason Greenberg’s article ‘Cartersville cheer wins 7th straight region title; Lady Tigers reach sectionals,’ in The Daily Tribune News. CLICK HERE.

Australian Aaron Baddeley finished tied for fourth at the Sanderson Farms Championship Monday in Jackson, MS to highlight the performances this week for players working with Cartersville Country Club's Scott Hamilton Golf Academy and Nashville's OnTourGolf team. Baddeley, who lost his tour card at the end of last season and last won a PGA Tour event at the 2011 Northern Trust Open finished 16-under par in the rain delayed event at the Country Club of Jackson. He finished two shots back of PGA Tour first-time winner, Peter Malnati. This past week's results for players affiliated with SHGA: World Golf Chamionships - HSBC Champions November 5-8 Sheshan International GC, Shanghai, CHN Winner: Russell Knox (-20) SHGA / OnTourGolf Players T23 - Harris English -10 T27 - Justin Thomas -9 T40 - Steven Bowditch -6 T76 - Chris Kirk +15 _____________________________________ PGA Tour Sanderson Farms Championship November 5-9 CC of Jackson, Jackson, MS Winner: Peter Malnati (-18) SHGA Players T4 — Aaron Baddeley -16 T39 — Boo Weekley -8 CUT - Brendon Todd +1 WD - Tom Gillis Next Event: OHL Classic at Mayakoba November 12-15 El Camaleon GC, Playa del Carmen, Mexico _____________________________________ Champions Senior Tour Charles Schwab Cup Championship Desert Mountain Club, Scottsdale, AZ Winner: Billy Andrade (-14, in playoff over Bernhard Langer) SHGA / OnTourGolf Player 8 - Joe Durant -8 T14 - Kenny Perry -4 Next Event: Tour resumes January 2017 _________________________________________________ Each week, Bartow Sports Zone tracks the professional golfers on tour affiliated with Cartersville Country Club's Scott Hamilton Golf Academy. Scott Hamilton is the long time Director of Golf at CCC and is teacher/advisor/instructor to many prominent golf professionals. He also works with various players through OnTourGolf.

The Atlanta Falcons’ Vic Beasley, Jr., made arguably his most impactful play of the 2015 season Sunday in Santa Clara, CA when he intercepted a fourth quarter pass by the San Francisco 49ers' Blaine Gabbert. At the time, it put the Falcons in position to recover from a four-point deficit with just over seven minutes remaining in regulation. Atlanta did not fully capitalize on the moment, however, and failed to punch in a touchdown after moving to a first-and-goal at the Niners 8-yard line. They settled for a Matt Bryant field goal at the one-yard line with three minutes remaining that cut the lead to one. When the defense failed to get a stop following the ensuing kickoff, the Falcons were doomed to a 17-16 loss -- their second in a row and third in four weeks. The loss dropped the Falcons to a 6-3 record following a 5-0 start. They find themselves 2.5 games behind the unbeaten Carolina Panthers heading into their Week 10 bye. The Falcons host a pair of current division leading teams in their next two games. The Indianapolis Colts will be at the Georgia Dome November 22 and Atlanta will host the Minnesota Vikings November 29. Beasley, a former Adairsville High School star who was an All-American at Clemson, has started all nine games this season for Atlanta. The 23-year-old, rookie and first-round draft pick has collected 19 tackles, 2 sacks, a forced fumble, and now one interception on the season. Vic Beasley, Jr. (Atlanta Falcons) and Andre Fluellen (Detroit Lions, injured reserve) are the two current local NFL players tracked by Bartow Sports Zone via Athletes Beyond Bartow. Find their player link and the links of many other current local collegiate athletes on the Athletes Beyond Bartow page of this site.

Updates on local collegiate athletes in cross country, soccer, fall tennis, swimming, wrestling, and basketball making their impact in their respective programs. Cross country, fall tennis, soccer, and volleyball seasons are soon coming to a close, but several of the other collegiate seasons are just getting started. Keep up with all the local college and professional athletes through Bartow Sports Zone at the 'Athletes Beyond Bartow' page. CROSS COUNTRY ROGER HERRERA -- Reinhardt University (Jr., Cartersville HS) ... ran 25th overal with a 27:50.32 as the Eagles finished sixth in the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championship meet. The team set a new program record for fastest average time for a meet in program history. SOCCER STEPHANIE HICKS — Agnes Scott College (Forward, Sr., Woodland HS) … scored a pair of goals and took six shots on goal in a 15-0 conference tournament quarterfinal match against Finlandia (MI) University. Hicks also took a pair of shots in a 1-0 tournament semifinal loss to University of California-Santa Cruz. The Scotties finished 6-9-0 on the season. VOLLEYBALL KATIE O’CONNOR — Western Carolina (MB, Soph., Cartersville HS) … helped lead the Catamounts to a narrow, five set victory over Mercer Saturday with 11 kills and a block. WCU (9-17, 3-7) hosts Southern Conference rivals Samford and Chattanooga this Friday and Saturday before beginning play in the conference tournament Nov. 21. KARLEE WINECOFF — Point University (OH/MH, Junior, Cass HS) … the Skyhawks (5-10, 3-17 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference) split their final two regular season matches with a loss at Tennessee Wesleyand and a home win over Brewton Parker College. Winecoff recorded a kill, two digs, and a pair of blocks at TWU, then added five kills, a service ace, five digs, and a block in the win over BPC. SYDNEY SUMNERS — Shorter University (DS, Freshman, Adairsville HS) … saw action and recorded a dig in a three set victory over University of West Georgia Nov. 5. She has now appeared in four matches for the Lady Hawks who are now 14-10 overall and 12-6 in the Gulf South Conference. They travel to Lee University and Mississippi College this week before playing in the conference tournament the following week. SWIMMING ELISE HART — Air Force Academy (Soph., Sprint-Free/Fly/Back, Cartersville HS) ... was on the 200 yard medley relay team that placed third, placed sixth in the 50-yard freestyle, third in the 100-yard backstroke, and fifth in the 100-yard butterfly as Air Force lost 183-113 in a dual meet at the University of Denver Saturday. The Falcons travel to Laramie, WY Friday (Nov 13) to meet Wyoming and Northern Arizona. MATT SINIARD -- Berry College (Sr., Free sprints/Fly, Cartersville HS)... finished fourth in the 200 yard freestyle, fourth in the 50 yard freestyle, third in the 100 yard freestyle, and was on the third place 400 yard freestyle relay team in his team's 153-133 loss at Emmanuel College Nov. 7. The Vikings swim again Friday, Nov. 13 at Sewanee (TN) and Saturday, Nov. 14 at Birmingham Southern College against BSC and Rhodes College. WRESTLING MONTAVIOUS TURNER — Life University (Fr., 149 Wt. Class, Cass HS) … went 2-2 Sunday in the Georgia Intercollegiate Championships at Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, GA. The Eagles wrestle again Saturday in the Campbellsville (KY) University Duals. EVAN COLE — Cumberland University (So., 149 Wt. Class, Cartersville HS) ... went 4-1 and placed third in the 149-pound weight class at the Georgia Intercollegiate Open at Emmanuel College Saturday in Franklin Springs. TENNIS PEYTON GOLLHOFER — Ball State University (Fr., Cartersville, GA, Laurel Springs Academy) … defeated Sarjoo of East Carolina University 6-3, 6-2 on Friday (Nov 6) and defeated Smith of Georgia Southern University 7-6, 6-3 Saturday (Nov 7). She then finished with a 6-4, 6-0 win over Theodosseau of UNC-Wilmington at the Kitty Harrison Invitational hosted by the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. The event wrapped up the fall 2015 schedule. The Cardinals will return to action in the spring. BASKETBALL SYDNEY BOYD — Brewton-Parker College (Fr., G, Woodland HS) … averaged 8.5 points per game and 2 rebounds per game in a pair of season opening losses to Morris College and Voorhees College October 30 and 31. BPC was playing in the Trinity Baptist College tournament in Jacksonville, FL Nov. 6-7 and plays at Selma University Nov. 9. ASHLEY HUSKINS — University of the Cumberlands (Fr., G/F, Cass HS) … scored 13 points, 11 rebounds, a block, and 3 steals in her collegiate debut Oct. 29 at Midway (KY). Had 6 rebounds and five assists in a reserve role Nov. 6 vs. Lindenwood-Belleville and had four rebounds and an assist vs. Dillard (LA) University Nov. 7. The Lady Patriots won all three games to open the 2015-16 season. They host University of Rio Grande Nov. 17 and Hiawassee College Nov. 21. KAELYN IRBY — Gadsden State CC (Soph., G, Cartersville HS) … 7 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 5 assists in an 80-55 home and season opening loss to South Georgia Tech Nov. 5. The Cardinals play at Columbia State CC Nov. 10 and host Andrew College Nov. 13. MAYA JONES — Gadsden State CC (Soph, F, Cartersville HS) … saw playing time in the season opener vs. South Georgia Tech. The Cardinals play at Columbia State CC Tuesday and host Andrew College Friday. MORGAN JONES — Gadsden State CC (Soph., F, Cartersville HS) … scored 8 points and had 7 rebounds and a blocked shot in the Cards opening loss to South Georgia Tech. GSCC plays at Columbia State CC Tuesday and hosts Andrew College Friday. ​​ 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 Adairsville Tigers and the Cartersville Purple Hurricanes open play in the 2015 GHSA state football playoffs this week by hosting opening round games. Adairsville (9-1), the Region 6AAA number 2 seed, will host the Franklin County Lions. Franklin County is the number 3 seed from Region 7AAA. Cartersville (10-0), ranked number one in Class AAAA in several Georgia high school polls, is the top seed from Region 7AAAA and will host Columbia, the fourth seed from Region 6AAAA. Each of the local teams' state playoff bracket quadrant is shown here. Teams that win a state championship must win five rounds. The quadrant shown, indicates the first three rounds of that journey. Franklin County will arrive in Adairsville on Friday fresh off winning three of their last four games just to qualify for the state playoffs. The Lions (6-4) are under the direction of third year head coach Jerry Underwood and are in the state playoffs for the second consecutive season. The Columbia Eagles (5-5) defeated Arabia Mountain Saturday to earn Region 6AAAA's final state playoff berth. Columbia has won two in a row after dropping three straight. David Edwards, in his sixth season, is the head coach for the Eagles and in the playoffs for the second year in a row.

Updates on local collegiate athletes currently participating in college football. Bartow Sports Zone does periodic updates on these athletes and those of other collegiate sports. You may check each athlete's link on our Athletes Beyond Bartow page on this site. Here are the updates on games of Saturday, November 7: TARRIS BATISTE — Georgia State University (Sr., Cass HS) … a starter at safety for the Panthers, Batiste made 9 tackles, one for a loss, and added a pass break up Saturday in a 23-21 loss to Louisiana Lafayette at the Georgia Dome. He now has 72 tackles through eight games and is second on the team in that category. He has 4.5 tackles for loss, a quarterback hit, a forced fumble, five pass break-ups, and an interception for the season. Georgia State plays at Texas State Saturday in San Marcos, TX. COLLIN BARBER — University of Georgia (Sr., Cartersville HS) … had one punt for the Bulldogs Saturday vs. Kentucky. It went for 44 yards and was a touchback. Georgia improved to 6-3 on the season and plays at Auburn Saturday. HAYES LINN — Air Force Academy (Jr. Cartersville HS) … saw action for the Falcons in their 20-3 home victory over Army. Air Force improved to 6-3 overall and became bowl eligible. Linn has 12 tackles and a pair of pass breakups on special teams and as a safety. He has played in all nine games for the Falcons and started three. Air Force will host Utah State Saturday as they return to Mountain West Conference play. AUSTIN HARRELL — The Citadel (R-Jr., Adairsville HS) … defensive lineman continued to see action Saturday for the Bulldogs as they defeated VMI 35-14. Harrell has appeared in all nine games for The Citadel and has twelve tackles. The Bulldogs (7-2, 6-0) travel to Chattanoonga Saturday and will look to remain undefeated in the Southern Conference as they challenge the Mocs. Chattanooga is 5-1 in the conference. JUSTIN FLOYD — Furman University (R-Sr., Cartersville HS) … continues to be a regular starter for the Paladins at left guard. Furman (4-5, 2-3 in Southern Conference) lost 48-10 Saturday at Western Carolina (6-3, 4-2). The Paladins host Mercer Saturday. T.L. FORD — UNC-Charlotte (Soph., Cartersville HS) … was credited with 3 rushing yards after advancing a recovered fumble and caught one pass for 7 yards in a 48-31 loss at Florida International University Saturday in Miami. The 49ers fell to 2-7 overall and 0-6 in Conference USA. Charlotte will host Texas-San Antonio this week. BROOKS BARDEN — UNC-Charlotte (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … was 9 for 12 passing for 82 yards and a TD in the 49ers 48-31 loss at FIU (5-5, 3-3 C-USA) Saturday in Miami. His longest completion went for 16 yards and he threw one interception after entering for starter Lee McNeill in the third quarter. Barden also had a long rush of 6 yards. The 49ers (2-7, 0-6) host UTSA Saturday. NIAGEL CURTISS — Reinhardt University (Sr., Adairsville GA, Gordon Cent. HS) … rushed for 98 yards and five touchdowns on 24 attempts in a 70-56 loss at No. 17 Campbellsville (KY) (8-2, 5-0 in Mid-South Conference) Saturday. The Eagles (8-1, 3-1) entered the game ranked No. 7 nationally in NAIA. The Eagles host Bethel University Saturday in Waleska. TWAN TERRELL — Cornell University (Sr., Woodland HS) … had one tackle in last Friday night’s loss to Dartmouth. Terrell is up to a dozen stops on the year and the Big Red fell to 0-8 on the year. Cornell hosts Columbia in another Ivy League game Saturday in Ithica, NY. CHAZ ROKINS — Maryville College (Soph., Cass HS) … had only one carry Saturday in a 38-14 loss at Huntingdon (AL). Rokins has now seen action in eight of the last nine games and has a pair of rushing touchdowns. Maryville fell to 7-2 and 4-2 in the USA South Athletic Conference. The Scotts host Greensboro (NC) Saturday. DA’KELIN WELLS — Maryville College (Soph., Cass HS) … continues to be a regular starter at cornerback for the Scotts. Wells has 18 tackles on the season with a pair of pass break ups and one interception. Maryville (7-2, 4-2 USA South) plays Greensboro (NC) on Saturday in another conference matchup. QUADRE ALLEN — Tusculum College (R-Fr., Woodland HS) … saw action in the Pioneers 24-6 home loss to Catawba. He has four total tackles on the season and has appeared in all ten games. The Pioneers travel to Carson-Newman on Saturday. BRANDON THOMPSON — Tusculum College (R-Jr., Woodland HS) … saw action in a 24-6 home loss to Catawba. Thompson has two tackles on the season and has played in nine games. The Pioneers (4-6, 2-4 South Atlantic Conference) play at Carson-Newman Saturday. ISAIAH ROSS — Point University (Soph., Woodland HS) .. had four tackles in the Skyhawks 49-14 home win over Ave Maria (FL) Saturday. Point improved to 8-2 overall and 5-0 in the NAIA Sun Conference. Ross has appeared in six games this season. He has 30 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and a kickoff return of 5 yards. Point hosts Concordia College (AL) Saturday. DAKOTA HINES — Kentucky Christian University (Soph., Adairsville HS) … continues to serve as a kickoff specialist for the Knights who fell to 1-9 Saturday. KCU head coach Steve Barrows “He's a weapon for us! Great student of the game; hard worker; blessing to have in the program,” KCU head coach Steve Barrows. Kentucky Christian closes its 2015 season next Saturday at Bluefield (VA) College. 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.​

The Cartersville girls team placed 15th, Cartersville boys 18th, Adairsville boys 24th, and local runners Lindsay Scifers of Woodland and Bree Cole of Cartersville both had top 30 finishes Saturday at the GHSA State Cross Country Championships in Carrollton. Course conditions were not ideal in Carrollton with all the recent rain. Times were slowed by the wet and often muddy course conditions. The Lady Hurricanes, led by Cole (26th, 22:30.50) had three runners finish in the top half of the Class AAAA field. Abby Forristall (77th, 24:12.40) and Kayla Carpenter (94th, 25:06.76) were the other two leaders for Cartersville. Vanna Beach (112th, 26:10.29), Edith Milian (114th, 26:17.63), and Victoria Martino (192nd, 30:02.69) rounded out the Cartersville team. Marist won the girls Class AAAA state title with all five runners finishing in the top 12 individual spots. The Cartersville boys team finished 18th in the Class AAAA race also won by Marist. The War Eagles edged St. Pius X by seven points with both teams scoring all their runners in the top 27 spots. Robby Earick (68th, 19:25.81) and Haden Boone (69th, 19:27.43) led the Hurricanes. They were followed by teammates Patrick Gordon (85th, 19:41.63), Andy Sims (86th, 19:41.17), Will Pruitt (148th, 20:48.65), Jacob Busek (163rd, 21:15.19), and Jake Hacker (171st, 21:33.78). The Adairsville boys team finished 24th in Class AAA. Blessed Trinity took the state title placing five runners in the top 15 spots. Dylan Coker (107th, 20:54.91), Danile Sullivan (119th, 21:12.04), Spencer Rawlins (138th, 21:40.35), Grayson Dailey (196th, 23:59.24), and Arl Longmore, (198th, 24:02.25) were the Tigers’ scoring runners. Lindsay Scifers of Woodland qualified as an individual runner for the Class AAAAA State Championship race. Scifers (photo) placed 29th overall in a field of 216 runners with a time of 21:59.97. Samantha Cameron and Dunwoody teammate Kelly May Sheehan finished first and second individually to lead their team to the Class AAAAA title.

CARTERSVILLE 35, PICKENS 0 Game links: Atlanta Journal-Constitution The Daily Tribune News Next: Cartersville (10-0) hosts either Arabia Mtn. or Columbia (they play each other Saturday) in 1st Rd. of Class AAAA state playoffs. ADAIRSVILLE 63, GORDON CENTRAL 15 Game links: The Daily Tribune News NorthwestGeorgiaNews Next: Adairsville (9-1) hosts Franklin Co. in 1st Rd. of Class AAA state playoffs. FORSYTH CENTRAL 36 WOODLAND 10 Game links: The Daily Tribune News​ Woodland (1-9) season is over. CASS 43, NORTH ATLANTA 12 Game links: The Daily Tribune News Cass (6-4) season is over.

The Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA) District 5 youth football playoffs begin for the Bartow County all-star teams on Saturday, November 14. The Bartow Rec Department released all-star rosters today to Bartow Sports Zone. In the 12U age group Bartow opens pool play November 14 at 11am against Cedartown at the Cedartown Recreation Department field. Other teams in the District 5 playoffs include Calhoun, Rockmart, Gordon County, Dalton, and Murray County. In the 10U division, Bartow will host Dalton at Hamilton Crossing Park at 12 noon Saturday, Nov. 14. Other teams in the 10U division include Cartersville, Calhoun, Gordon County, Rockmart, Murray County, and Cedartown. In the 8U division, pool play also begins Saturday, Nov. 14. Bartow hosts Dalton at 10am at Hamilton Crossing Park. Other teams in the 8U division include Cedartown, Murray County, Gordon County, Rockmart, Calhoun, and Cartersville. Teams will be seeded into a championship bracket based on results from the preliminary pool play games played at various sites November 12 and 14. The GRPA District 5 single-elimination championship brackets for all three age divisions will begin Tuesday, Nov. 17 with all three championship games ultimately at Calhoun High School November 21. Starting times for 8U, 10U, and 12U will be 10am, noon, and 2pm. 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. Youth football results and information provided by BCRD and CPRD and sponsored on Bartow Sports Zone by CiCi’s Pizza of Cartersville.

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. ________________ With all of the angst currently surrounding Georgia football, it is a hard task to find any silver lining. Our best player is gone. Our offensive play-calling is as dry and empty as the Gobi Desert, maybe because the quarterback position is in its worst state since 2009. We have lost to three big rivals and we still have two more to go. There are rumors of coordinators leaving, starters being demoted and the recruiting class all but prepared to unravel before our very eyes. Of course, there is Mark Richt’s future. It is as tenuous as a Miami Marlins roster. The old saying goes, “if there is smoke, there is fire.” Well, ladies and gentlemen, it is billowing from every corner of the state right now. From the big money donors in the skybox to the casual fans on the couch – nobody is happy. If this was a movie scene, it would be “300” when the sun-blocking Persian arrows are careening toward Leonidas and the handful of Spartans still alive writhing on the sand. In times like this, I am compelled to remember the good times. For one, I do enjoy Georgia football and I love Coach Richt. Secondly, and more importantly, it keeps me from bashing my skull into a cinder block wall. Last week against Florida was just too much to bear, I could not shake off the negativity. Whatever may happen, my love for my school and this team will never die out. For the sake of my head, old Larry Munson highlights and Youtube clips of the days of yore will be gracing my computer screen. The best time for me was 2002. It was my junior year at UGA and I was living at 595 Waddell Street with three of my fraternity brothers. Our apartment was the most disgustingly awesome $273 a month I ever spent. It was one of three units in an old house that needed more remodeling than Meg Ryan’s face. It had no driveway, just a dusty gravel parking lot that all tenants shared. We also shared three outdoor trash cans, which was about seven less than were needed. You could see the wharf rats digging in the trash bags on the ground after midnight. One would walk in our door and think “are homeless people squatting here?” The carpet was a concoction of brown discoloration – a canvas for artwork made of pizza grease, spilled beverages of all types, tracked-in mud and late night vomit. The hardwood floors were last cleaned in 1974. Our bathrooms were petri dishes of bacteria that scientists probably still have not discovered. The sink perpetually overflowed with dishes, the futons in the living room were bent from shenanigans of years past and the walls were covered with road signs, band posters and stains from a variety of unknown (and known) sources. We did everything we could to keep the management company from inspecting. If anything needed repairs, we would fix it on our own dime. I’m sure they knew it was a zoo, but we paid our rent faithfully so they never complained. Our friends loved the place because our door was always open. We could fill that parking lot with people on a random Tuesday night by simply dropping my tailgate, sitting down and cranking a burned CD complete with The Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker Band and Led Zeppelin. I wore out my camping chair, my speakers and my truck bed liner. Those are the days I will never forget. That was also Georgia’s best football season since 1980. As luck would have it, a group of us decided before the season started that we would attend every game, home or away. When we kicked off against Clemson on August 31, nobody had the foggiest notion this team would be so good. It was a hard-fought 31-28 victory and Musa Smith sealed it with a late first down dive at midfield. Jon Stinchcomb looked to the stands and pumped his fist, maybe he was thinking what I was – “we used to lose games like this.” The South Carolina game will always be memorable. We drove out of Athens to Columbia that Friday, six of us piled into a room at a Days Inn in a seedy part of town. Saying “seedy part of town” is a compliment actually. Columbia has no college atmosphere – it is like Atlanta, except about half the size, full of concrete and about 176% humidity. The Friday night happenings in Columbia are nothing to write home about. We went to the main drag with our Dawg gear on, got a few “you suck!” epithets thrown our way and called it an early night. I had to save my cash for a ticket and a poncho because rain was forecast for most of Saturday. The weatherman was not kidding. After finding a cheap ticket and tailgating for a couple of hours, I entered Williams-Brice Stadium with a scowl. South Carolina fans are among the rowdiest and we would have to conjure all our strength to outdo them. I saw the tunnel to my section and I climbed the stairs. Then I climbed some more….and more. I was so high up that God actually tapped my shoulder and asked me to scoot over when we kicked off. Well played, Carolina. As the two offenses stagnated, the ominous cumulonimbus clouds approached on the horizon. Neither team could move the ball, the South Carolina PA guy had to invent reasons to cue the “rooster crow” just to let people know he was still there. The first half was a quagmire of dropped passes, fumbles and missed opportunities. An older Dawg fan, presumably from south Georgia, turned to me at one point and with a “Gone with the Wind” drawl said “Boy, it’s gonna be one of THEM days.” The rumbling in the distance grew louder, Tropical Storm Hanna was about to make her presence known. Lightning flashed across the sky and right under my nose. God once again tapped my shoulder and said “hey man, y’all might want to head out.” The skies opened and nobody in our section was ready. We herded out of the bleachers, but not before we were all soaked from head to toe. For 52 minutes, we huddled in the tunnel – Georgians and South Carolinians united in dampness and discontent. The rain fell in buckets with the score 3-0, courtesy of Billy Bennett’s reliable foot. When the rain subsided, we returned to the waterlogged seats and the two teams slipped and slid all over the field. 14 penalties, 13 punts and seven fumbles sounds like a terrible afternoon for everyone. However, this game was not really known for its sloppiness. The fourth quarter became one of those moments etched in Dawg lore forever. The Dawgs pinned Carolina on the goal line courtesy of a masterful Jonathan Kilgo punt. The running game had been dismal for most of the day. The Gamecocks’ quarterback, Corey Jenkins, backed up to pass out of his own end zone. David Pollack, being blocked by a tackle and a running back, bulled his way to Jenkins and reached for the ball. Jenkins followed through with his throwing motion but the ball was gone, safely in the arms of the Georgia’s most talented defensive lineman. I did not see the play. Once again, up on my perch at Heaven’s Gate, I was unable to see the end zone below us. The Georgia faithful on the other side went haywire and our section lifted our arms in unison as if to ask “what happened?!?” The scoreboard read 9-0 and the Jumbotron showed the play in slow motion, as if it wanted to stick the knife in the Carolina people and turn it. Once we saw the play unfold, we joined our comrades across the way in celebration. The game still had 14 minutes to go and Carolina threatened to take the game away at the end. After a long Carolina drive for a touchdown and another Georgia field goal, the Dawgs held on to a 13-7 lead. Carolina drove down to the Georgia 2 yard line with seconds remaining. On a fourth down play, Jenkins tried to pitch to Andrew Pinnock, their large tailback who would likely score to tie the game at 13, with an extra point to win it. As the pitch neared his hands, Pinnock looked up to see Boss Bailey bearing down on him. The ball hit his chest and fell to the ground on the 2, where an unheralded safety from Shellman, Georgia named Thomas Davis fell on top of it. Our side erupted. Hugs and high fives were exchanged. The old south Georgian proclaimed, “Lawd, this bunch is gonna be the death of me!” Carolina people streamed out of Williams-Brice, defeated but defiant. “Y’all got lucky!” “Wait ‘til next year!” “We gonna win the SEC this year!” (still waiting….) I smiled. This was a special season already. Then God tapped me and said “Go Dawgs!” ______________________ What do you think? Post your comments on the Bartow Sports Zone Facebook page or on Twitter @bartowsportszon Use #bradstephens