Sports

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County High School head football coach Rance Gillespie smiles while chatting with rising senior linebacker JK Fruster during the Wildcats’ spring football practice on May 5. Gillespie is entering his second season as the head coach of RCHS, where he played in the 1980s.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County High School head football coach Rance Gillespie smiles while chatting with rising senior linebacker JK Fruster during the Wildcats’ spring football practice on May 5. Gillespie is entering his second season as the head coach of RCHS, where he played in the 1980s.

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Rabun football kicks off spring practice

Wesley Branch
Thursday, May 7, 2026
TIGER – While football season is still a few months away and the anticipation may make it feel even longer, Rabun County High School already is beginning its preparation to return the gridiron for the 2026 season. This week, the Wildcats kicked off their two-week spring practice period.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County senior Huey Blalock (center, right) poses with his family and the RCHS boys basketball team after signing his letter of intent to Navy on April 30 at the Rabun County High School Fine Arts Building. Blalock led the Wildcats to their first ever state title this season.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County senior Huey Blalock (center, right) poses with his family and the RCHS boys basketball team after signing his letter of intent to Navy on April 30 at the Rabun County High School Fine Arts Building. Blalock led the Wildcats to their first ever state title this season.

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Three senior Cats sign to extend athletic careers

Wesley Branch
Thursday, May 7, 2026
TIGER – Rabun County seniors Huey Blalock, Reid Giles and TJ Hibler officially signed their letters of intent on April 30 to continue their athletic and academic careers at the collegiate level during a ceremony at the Rabun County High School Fine Arts Building.
Rabun County FCA and Rabun Gap CSI are hosting the annual 'Fields of Faith' event May 13

Rabun County FCA and Rabun Gap CSI are hosting the annual 'Fields of Faith' event May 13

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Fellowship of Christian Athletes Rabun to host ‘Fields of Faith’ next week at Gap

Wesley Branch
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Fellowship of Christian Athletes Rabun County and Rabun Gap Christian Student Initiative (CSI) are hosting its annual “Fields of Faith event” on Wednesday, May 13, at the football stadium at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School. Fields of Faith is a free community event which will begin at 5:30 p.m.

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Lady Indians third, Indians sixth in historic state meet

News Staff
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Tallulah Falls track and field girls and boys excelled in the GIAA State Championships in a three-day event from April 30 - May 2 at Strong Rock Christian School. The Lady Indians came in third-place overall, highlighted by two individual state titles by Joanna Miller and nine total top-10 finishes.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County sophomore Bella Hulsey watches as her putt rolls towards the hole during Rabun County’s area golf tournament at Chimney Oaks on April 27. Hulsey and the Lady Cats qualified for the state championship match for the first time since 2019.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County sophomore Bella Hulsey watches as her putt rolls towards the hole during Rabun County’s area golf tournament at Chimney Oaks on April 27. Hulsey and the Lady Cats qualified for the state championship match for the first time since 2019.

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RCHS girls golf qualifies for state; boys’ Truelove as individual after later DQ

News Staff
Thursday, April 30, 2026
HOMER – The Rabun County boys and girls golf teams competed at the Division I Area 3 championship tournament at Chimney Oaks in Homer on April 27, with both teams claiming fourth place finishes.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap senior RJ Lacossade races down the floor during Rabun Gap’s 56-49 playoff win over Covenant Day on Feb. 17. Lacossade is just the seventh basketball player from Turks and Caicos to make it to the collegiate level.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap senior RJ Lacossade races down the floor during Rabun Gap’s 56-49 playoff win over Covenant Day on Feb. 17. Lacossade is just the seventh basketball player from Turks and Caicos to make it to the collegiate level.

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RGNS hoops’ Lacossade commits to Southern Wesleyan

Wesley Branch
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Rabun Gap senior RJ Lacossade announced his commitment to Southern Wesleyan University to continue his basketball and academic careers on April 21. Lacossade, originally from Turks and Caicos, was a team captain for the Eagles this year.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County freshman Andrew Wall competes during the pole vault at the Bo James invitational at Rabun County high school on April 2. Wall is one of 25 total qualifications for the Wildcats for the sectional meet on May 2 at Bremen High School.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County freshman Andrew Wall competes during the pole vault at the Bo James invitational at Rabun County high school on April 2. Wall is one of 25 total qualifications for the Wildcats for the sectional meet on May 2 at Bremen High School.

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Rabun track & field qualifies 25 for sectionals

Wesley Branch
Thursday, April 30, 2026
The Rabun County track and field team boasted an impressive performance at the region tournament meet last week, on April 20. The Wildcats notched an astounding 25 qualifiers for the sectional meet, which will be May 2 at Bremen High School.