Sports

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. The Rabun Gap football team celebrates after defensive line coach Joe Crosby rallies the “monsters” after the Eagles’ 28-27 overtime win versus Christian Brothers College on Oct. 2.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. The Rabun Gap football team celebrates after defensive line coach Joe Crosby rallies the “monsters” after the Eagles’ 28-27 overtime win versus Christian Brothers College on Oct. 2.

Rabun Gap defense leaning into ‘Monster Mentality’

Wesley Branch
Thursday, October 8, 2026
When Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School’s defense takes the field on Friday nights, opposing offenses see monsters across from them, not football players. That Halloween mentality before and after Oct. 31 was first adopted by RGNS defensive line coach Joe Crosby.
Landen Todd/CNI News Service. Georgia quarterback and Tiger resident Gunner Stockton stiffarms Vandy’s CJ Heard as the senior rushed seven times for 22 yards in Georgia’s SEC win. No. 2-ranked UGA faces No. 6 Alabama on Saturday.

Landen Todd/CNI News Service. Georgia quarterback and Tiger resident Gunner Stockton stiffarms Vandy’s CJ Heard as the senior rushed seven times for 22 yards in Georgia’s SEC win. No. 2-ranked UGA faces No. 6 Alabama on Saturday.

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Stockton’s three-TD day leads Georgia past Vandy

Wesley Branch
Thursday, October 8, 2026
Behind three touchdown passes from former Rabun County quarterback Gunner Stockton, the No. 2 Georgia football team rolled past Vanderbilt, 38-14 on Saturday. The Bulldogs now sit at 5-0 on the season with a road trip to No. 6-ranked Alabama on the horizon between SEC foes.
Image via chase.alonso via Instagram. Rabun Gap junior Chase Alonso poses for a photo during a recruiting visit to the University of Oregon. Alonso announced his commitment to the Ducks on Sept. 30.

Image via chase.alonso via Instagram. Rabun Gap junior Chase Alonso poses for a photo during a recruiting visit to the University of Oregon. Alonso announced his commitment to the Ducks on Sept. 30.

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RGNS baseball’s Alonso commits to Oregon

Wesley Branch
Thursday, October 8, 2026
Rabun Gap baseball junior Chase Alonso announced his commitment to Oregon last week on social media, following a recent recruiting visit. Alonso, a right-handed pitcher, chose the Ducks over Virginia Tech and others. “Sco Ducks!

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Rabun Report Week 5: How local alumni fared in college football

Wesley Branch
Thursday, October 8, 2026
Each week, The Clayton Tribune will be highlighting the performances of local college football alumni – from Rabun County High School and Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School – on the Division I collegiate gridiron.The following are more about the performances of each player from the area this previous...
Submitted. 8U runners start their race at the GRPA State Cross Country Championship on Oct. 3 in Jefferson, Ga.

Submitted. 8U runners start their race at the GRPA State Cross Country Championship on Oct. 3 in Jefferson, Ga.

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Three Rabun rec department age groups claim cross country titles

News Staff
Thursday, October 8, 2026
With nearly two dozen earning personal records, all of the Rabun County Recreation Department’s runners excelled as the boys and girls 8U and girls 12U each claimed titles at the GRPA State Cross Country Championship.“It was a nice rainy Saturday morning and the kids were excited,” said Coach Ali...
Submitted. Former RCHS head girls basketball coach Ken Byrd will be inducted into the RCHS Hall of Fame.

Submitted. Former RCHS head girls basketball coach Ken Byrd will be inducted into the RCHS Hall of Fame.

Woerner, Byrd, Keller, 4X100 team next to enter Hall

News Staff
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
The Rabun County Athletic Hall of Fame will induct three individuals and a four-person relay team on Friday, Oct. 9, prior to the Rabun vs. Athens Academy football game at Frank Snyder Memorial Stadium.The induction ceremony will begin at about 7 p.m. at midfield.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. The Rabun Gap defense celebrates after defensive lineman Royce Djouguem recovers a fumble during the Eagles’ 31-6 win over the Lions from Ambassador Christian School on Sept. 25. RGNS will face No. 147 Christian Brothers College in St. Louis on Oct. 1.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. The Rabun Gap defense celebrates after defensive lineman Royce Djouguem recovers a fumble during the Eagles’ 31-6 win over the Lions from Ambassador Christian School on Sept. 25. RGNS will face No. 147 Christian Brothers College in St. Louis on Oct. 1.

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Show Them: Eagles heading to Missouri to battle Christian Brothers

Wesley Branch
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
As No. 94 nationally ranked Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School’s football team takes a road trip to St. Louis to face No. 147 Christian Brothers College (CBC), RGNS wants to show they still belong.
Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Senior JK Fruster celebrates one of his three rushing touchdowns with teammate Ron Baumes (70) on Sept. 25 as the Wildcats defeated Banks County 45-10. The next RCHS game is Oct. 9 at home.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Senior JK Fruster celebrates one of his three rushing touchdowns with teammate Ron Baumes (70) on Sept. 25 as the Wildcats defeated Banks County 45-10. The next RCHS game is Oct. 9 at home.

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Wildcats cash in on dominant win against host Banks

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
The Wildcats dominated on the ground and through the air on Sept. 25 as Rabun County – behind another big night from senior JK Fruster – defeated homestanding Banks County 45-10.On the night in Homer, Fruster had five carries for 101 yards and three touchdowns for the Wildcats (3-2) who now will...
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. The Rabun Gap defense brings down Ambassador Christian School running back Ezekiel Kelly during its 31-6 win over the Lions on Sept. 25. RGNS’ defense forced three turnovers in the victory.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. The Rabun Gap defense brings down Ambassador Christian School running back Ezekiel Kelly during its 31-6 win over the Lions on Sept. 25. RGNS’ defense forced three turnovers in the victory.

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Rabun Gap powers past Ambassador Christian School 31-6 on the road

Wesley Branch
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
CHARLOTTE – The No. 96 nationally ranked Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School football team rolled past Ambassador Christian School (ACS) on Friday 31-6 behind three touchdowns from Alanson Simmons and three turnovers forced by the Eagles’ defense.