Tigers oust RCHS from playoffs

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County High School Principal Justin Spillers gives Nic Baloga a hug as fellow seniors Lang Windham, Keegan Stover, and Jaden Gibson walk off the field in Swainsboro following the Wildcats’ 35-10 Nov. 25 Class A Division I state quarterfinal loss to the Tigers. Each of these seniors were statewide leaders in various individual categories.

Luke Morey/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County senior Ethan Owens (45) looks on as junior Paul Picciotti and senior Nic Baloga combine to bring down Swainsboro’s Damello Jones. Baloga ended the season with 196 total tackles, good for 12th in the nation. Owens ended with 113 total tackles in the regular season, good for top 10 in the state. Picciotti led the team with six sacks as well as 54 tackles and 10 for a loss.

Luke Morey/The Clayton Tribune. RCHS senior Noah Legault forces an incompletion against Swainsboro last Friday night. Legault did not allow a passing touchdown the entire season.

Luke Morey/The Clayton Tribune. RCHS senior Cesar Cruz strips the ball from Damello Jones in the third quarter as seniors Noah Legault (4), Cory Keller and junior Jarret Giles (9) look on. Cruz ended the season with 60 total tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles.

Luke Morey/The Clayton Tribune. RCHS junior Paul Piccioti gets a shove from senior tackle Mike Swager to get a first down in the first quarter of the GHSA quarterfinals.