Sports

Submitted photo. Beatriz Araujo of Tallulah Falls prepares to strike the volleyball.

Submitted photo. Beatriz Araujo of Tallulah Falls prepares to strike the volleyball.

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TFS sweeps past Lakeview, Clarke Central

Thursday, August 27, 2026
Despite a key player going down to injury, Tallulah Falls dominated in a tri-match at Lakeview on Tuesday, Aug. 25, winning both matches to stretch the current win streak to five.The Lady Indians (9-8) beat Lakeview for a key region win, 25-13, 25-16.

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One More: Eagles now head to Indiana to face No. 17 Brownsburg

Wesley Branch
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Last Friday, Rabun Gap fell to No. 77 nationally ranked Venice on the final play of the game, a failed 2-point conversion that would have sent the contest into a second overtime. The Eagles, who had been on campus 18 total days as of their opening game, came up one play short.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap linebacker Praise Chane (center) celebrates after making a tackle for a loss on third down during Rabun Gap’s 42-40 overtime loss on Aug. 21. Chane, a senior, is committed to the Naval Academy.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap linebacker Praise Chane (center) celebrates after making a tackle for a loss on third down during Rabun Gap’s 42-40 overtime loss on Aug. 21. Chane, a senior, is committed to the Naval Academy.

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RGNS falls in OT to Venice in season lidlifter

Wesley Branch
Thursday, August 27, 2026
RABUN GAP – In a battle of two nationally ranked football teams, No. 77 Venice (Fla.) defeated No. 115 Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, 42-40 in overtime on the final play of the game. The loss marks the second straight season that the Eagles have started 0-1.
Submitted. The Rabun County boys basketball team will receive these championship rings pictured here before the opening football game on Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. The Wildcats went 30-2 last season, winning the Class A Division I state title over Southwest.

Submitted. The Rabun County boys basketball team will receive these championship rings pictured here before the opening football game on Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. The Wildcats went 30-2 last season, winning the Class A Division I state title over Southwest.

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Wildcat championship hoops to receive rings before kickoff

Wesley Branch
Thursday, August 27, 2026
The Rabun County High School 2025-26 boys basketball team will receive its state championship rings on Friday, Aug. 28, at 7 p.m. before the RCHS football team’s season-opener versus Metter, the school announced on Monday.
Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County football players break through the cheerleaders’ handmade banner on Aug. 14 prior to the Wildcats’ scrimmage on the road against Franklin, N.C. RCHS kicks off its regular season at home on Aug. 28 versus the Tigers of Metter, led by former Wildcat coach and player Lee Shaw.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County football players break through the cheerleaders’ handmade banner on Aug. 14 prior to the Wildcats’ scrimmage on the road against Franklin, N.C. RCHS kicks off its regular season at home on Aug. 28 versus the Tigers of Metter, led by former Wildcat coach and player Lee Shaw.

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RCHS football prepares for Metter, Shaw in Game One

Wesley Branch
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Last time Rabun County High School’s football team stepped on the field, its performance was far from its standard. RCHS fell to Franklin (N.C.) 45-7 in its Aug. 14 scrimmage. Ahead of Rabun County’s season-opener versus visiting Metter on Aug.

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Evans hits 2 homers in win over Fannin County

News Staff
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Lady Cat junior River Evans hit two home runs and drove in six as Rabun County defeated Fannin County 10-6 on Aug. 25. The homers for Evans came in the fifth and sixth innings. The fifth-inning blast was a grand slam as Evans drove in six on the day.

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Lady Cats volleyball collects its sixth win of the season

News Staff
Thursday, August 27, 2026
With a straight set home win over West Hall and Johnson on Aug. 25, the Rabun County Lady Cats volleyball team now are 6-8 on the season with a road match on Thursday, Aug. 27, at Stephens County up next.The girls’ next home matches are scheduled for Sept.
Photo courtesy Von Watts. From left, Braxton Hicks, Hoff Windham, Gunner Stockton and Mason Sprinkle pose for a photo during an episode of the “Fifth Quarter Show” at Mama G’s Italian Restaurant. The show was first held at Mama G’s before being moved to Wildcat Grill years later.

Photo courtesy Von Watts. From left, Braxton Hicks, Hoff Windham, Gunner Stockton and Mason Sprinkle pose for a photo during an episode of the “Fifth Quarter Show” at Mama G’s Italian Restaurant. The show was first held at Mama G’s before being moved to Wildcat Grill years later.

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‘Fifth Quarter Show’ unites Wildcat Nation

Wesley Branch
Thursday, August 20, 2026
During his 20-plus years as a high school head football coach, Rabun County head coach Rance Gillespie had learned a lot in the coaching business. Potentially the most significant learned aspect though, is that a football program has to be important to its community, and be supported.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap head football coach Derek White directs his team on the sideline during Rabun Gap’s Aug. 14 scrimmage versus Westside (S.C.). RGNS will face Venice (Fla.) on Aug. 21 at home to open the season.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap head football coach Derek White directs his team on the sideline during Rabun Gap’s Aug. 14 scrimmage versus Westside (S.C.). RGNS will face Venice (Fla.) on Aug. 21 at home to open the season.

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Rabun Gap football taking ‘belief’ into opening game versus Venice

Wesley Branch
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Ahead of Rabun Gap-Nachoochee School’s opening home football game on Aug. 21 at 6 p.m. versus No. 77 nationally ranked Venice (Fla.), the No. 115 nationally ranked Eagles are leaning into what they believe.But the Eagles do not “believe” they can win, they know they can.