Sports

Keith Barlow/CNI News Service. Holding his MVP trophy with his teammates and head coach Kirby Smart on the stage with him, Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton answers questions from Laura Rutledge after the Bulldogs’ 28-7 win.

Keith Barlow/CNI News Service. Holding his MVP trophy with his teammates and head coach Kirby Smart on the stage with him, Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton answers questions from Laura Rutledge after the Bulldogs’ 28-7 win.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Stockton MVP in SEC Championship domination of ‘Bama

Wesley Branch
Thursday, December 11, 2025
After an all-around supremacy over No. 10 Alabama on Saturday in the SEC Championship, former Rabun County and current starting quarterback for No. 3-ranked Georgia, Gunner Stockton, is now a two-time SEC champion.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap senior RJ Lacossade flies in for a dunk in Rabun Gap’s 55-53 win over Carmel Christian on Dec. 5. Lacossade scored 24 points in the win and scored the game-winning basket with 39 seconds remaining.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap senior RJ Lacossade flies in for a dunk in Rabun Gap’s 55-53 win over Carmel Christian on Dec. 5. Lacossade scored 24 points in the win and scored the game-winning basket with 39 seconds remaining.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Lacossade’s last second put-back lifts RGNS over Carmel Christian

Wesley Branch
Thursday, December 11, 2025
RABUN GAP – In what was a back-and-forth contest all night, Rabun Gap boys basketball turned to senior captain RJ Lacossade, who delivered with the game on the line, leading to a 55-53 win for the Eagles.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School senior wide receiver and Wake Forest signee Walker Bryson celebrates after a touchdown catch in Rabun Gap’s game against Grayson on Aug. 22. Bryson signed with the Demon Deacons of the Atlantic Coast Conference on Dec. 3, just days after being told Indiana, where he previously committed, was “moving on.”

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School senior wide receiver and Wake Forest signee Walker Bryson celebrates after a touchdown catch in Rabun Gap’s game against Grayson on Aug. 22. Bryson signed with the Demon Deacons of the Atlantic Coast Conference on Dec. 3, just days after being told Indiana, where he previously committed, was “moving on.”

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

RGNS’ Bryson takes late commitment to Wake Forest

Wesley Branch
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Just three days before signing day, Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School football senior Walker Bryson announced his verbal commitment to Wake Forest. On signing day, Bryson made his verbal announcement official by putting pen to paper and signing with the Demon Deacons.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap quarterback Gavin Owens runs into the end zone for a rushing touchdown in Rabun Gap's 42-0 win over Christ School on Oct. 17. Owens officially signed with Memphis University last Wednesday, Dec. 3.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap quarterback Gavin Owens runs into the end zone for a rushing touchdown in Rabun Gap's 42-0 win over Christ School on Oct. 17. Owens officially signed with Memphis University last Wednesday, Dec. 3.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Rabun Gap signal-caller Owens signs with Memphis

Wesley Branch
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School 3-star quarterback Gavin Owens made his pledge to Memphis University official on Wednesday, Dec. 3, the first day of the early signing period.
Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County Lady Cats celebrate when teammate senior Chloe Shirley scores in the fourth quarter of the girls’ win over East Hall on Dec. 5 at home.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County Lady Cats celebrate when teammate senior Chloe Shirley scores in the fourth quarter of the girls’ win over East Hall on Dec. 5 at home.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Wildcat basketball claim home victories

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Rabun County truly flexed its muscle on the hardwood on Dec. 5 as both programs collected wins as “Rec Night” got started with the No. 5 ranked Lady Cats defeating Class AAA East Hall 71-43 at home. After the first quarter, the Lady Cats (5-1) of Class A Division I held a 24-6 lead over East Hall.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School athletic director and girls basketball head coach Dale Earnhardt (left) and Alyssa Ashe pose for a photo during Rabun Gap’s signing day festivities on Dec. 3. Ashe will be continuing her athletic and academic careers at Covenant College

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School athletic director and girls basketball head coach Dale Earnhardt (left) and Alyssa Ashe pose for a photo during Rabun Gap’s signing day festivities on Dec. 3. Ashe will be continuing her athletic and academic careers at Covenant College

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

14 Rabun Gap athletes sign to continue athletic careers

Wesley Branch
Thursday, December 11, 2025
RABUN GAP – Fourteen student-athletes at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School officially signed their letters of intent to continue their athletic and academic careers at the collegiate level on Wednesday, Dec. 3.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Rabun Gap set for National Signing Day festivities Wednesday

Wesley Branch
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School was scheduled to host national signing day festivities on Wednesday, Dec. 3, on campus as part of the early national signing period for NCAA collegiate athletes. After press time, RGNS was set to have photographs for the athletes at 1:30 p.m.
Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County senior Reid Giles sheds a tear during a hug with assistant coach Clay Worley on the field after the Wildcats lose to Pepperell in the Elite Eight in Lindale the day after Thanksgiving.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County senior Reid Giles sheds a tear during a hug with assistant coach Clay Worley on the field after the Wildcats lose to Pepperell in the Elite Eight in Lindale the day after Thanksgiving.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Wildcats’ playoff run ends in quarterfinals

Wesley Branch
Thursday, December 4, 2025
LINDALE – Rabun County’s football season came to an end in the state quarterfinals on Friday, Nov. 28, with a 34-0 loss on the road against Pepperell as the Wildcats concluded the 2025 campaign with a 10-3 overall record in the program’s 11th quarterfinal appearance all-time.