Sports

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.
Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County sophomore running back Amir Thompson goes up the middle in the second half of the scrimmage against Franklin for a touchdown. The score was set up by multiple runs by senior running back JK Fruster. The Wildcats open their regular season on Aug. 28 at home against Metter.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County sophomore running back Amir Thompson goes up the middle in the second half of the scrimmage against Franklin for a touchdown. The score was set up by multiple runs by senior running back JK Fruster. The Wildcats open their regular season on Aug. 28 at home against Metter.

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‘We will be a better team the next time we play’

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Scrimmage football is intended to give players an in-game opportunity to line up against opposing teams to play offense, defense and special teams to get ready for what real regular-season contests would be like.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap offensive lineman Wilder Brasher lifts wide receiver Joshua Davis in the air in celebration after Davis’ 60-yard touchdown reception during Rabun Gap’s scrimmage versus Westside (S.C.) on Aug. 14. Davis’ long touchdown grab from quarterback Grayson Clary tied the scrimmage, 13-13.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap offensive lineman Wilder Brasher lifts wide receiver Joshua Davis in the air in celebration after Davis’ 60-yard touchdown reception during Rabun Gap’s scrimmage versus Westside (S.C.) on Aug. 14. Davis’ long touchdown grab from quarterback Grayson Clary tied the scrimmage, 13-13.

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Eagles battle back to tie Westside in scrimmage

Wesley Branch
Thursday, August 20, 2026
INMAN, S.C. – The No. 115 nationally-ranked Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School football team tied its preseason scrimmage on Aug. 14 versus Westside (S.C.), 13-13, storming back from a two-possession deficit.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. The Georgia football team runs onto the field ahead of its home-opening game versus Marshall last season. The Bulldogs, who open the new season versus Tennessee State on Sept. 5, earned the No. 3 ranking in the preseason Associated Press poll.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. The Georgia football team runs onto the field ahead of its home-opening game versus Marshall last season. The Bulldogs, who open the new season versus Tennessee State on Sept. 5, earned the No. 3 ranking in the preseason Associated Press poll.

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UGA, Stockton ranked No. 3 in preseason AP football poll

Wesley Branch
Thursday, August 20, 2026
The Associated Press college football preseason poll released on Monday, Aug. 17, showed Georgia was once again toward the top of the rankings. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 3 in the initial poll to begin the season. The AP Poll is voted on by over 60 journalists who cover college football.
Submitted photo. The Tallulah Falls girls cross country team claimed runner-up at championships in Athens on Aug. 15.

Submitted photo. The Tallulah Falls girls cross country team claimed runner-up at championships in Athens on Aug. 15.

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Tallulah Falls cross country girls come in runner-up at NEGA Championships

News Staff
Thursday, August 20, 2026
The Lady Indians ran to a runner-up finish at the Northeast Georgia XC Championships on Saturday morning, Aug. 15, in Athens, placing in the “Small School” division.Olivia Henderson (21:50.47) came in third individually, while Ida Patterson was fifth and Avery Keim sixth.
Submitted photo. Tallulah Falls pitcher Suzanna Cabe matched her school record of 17 strikeouts in a 5-4 win over Towns County. Cabe also hit a home run in the victory.

Submitted photo. Tallulah Falls pitcher Suzanna Cabe matched her school record of 17 strikeouts in a 5-4 win over Towns County. Cabe also hit a home run in the victory.

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Cabe ties record with 17 strikeouts, adds home run in TFS win

News Staff
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Suzanna Cabe continued her impressive play with a complete game victory that included 17 strikeouts and from the plate she added a home run as Tallulah Falls beat Towns County 6-5 on Tuesday evening, Aug. 18.The Lady Indians (2-3) used a four-run opening frame to pull ahead, and never trailed.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County’s JK Fruster (left) and Mack Williams celebrate after a sack by Fruster during the Wildcats’ second-round home playoff win over Berrien on Nov. 21, 2025. Fruster and Williams will headline the Wildcat defense this season. RCHS’s season opener is Aug. 28 at home.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County’s JK Fruster (left) and Mack Williams celebrate after a sack by Fruster during the Wildcats’ second-round home playoff win over Berrien on Nov. 21, 2025. Fruster and Williams will headline the Wildcat defense this season. RCHS’s season opener is Aug. 28 at home.

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Rabun football ‘doubling down’

Wesley Branch
Thursday, August 13, 2026
According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, the phrase “double down” has two meanings. The first is to double the original bid in blackjack in exchange for only one more card.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County sophomore quarterback Cooper Kowalsky looks downfield for an open receiver in the Wildcats’ spring game versus White County on May 15. Kowalsky will be Rabun County’s starting quarterback this season.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County sophomore quarterback Cooper Kowalsky looks downfield for an open receiver in the Wildcats’ spring game versus White County on May 15. Kowalsky will be Rabun County’s starting quarterback this season.

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‘Bear’ of a schedule: Tough opponents, plus three former coaches on this season’s football slate for Rabun County

Wesley Branch
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Residing in the Northeast Georgia mountains, it might seem fitting the Rabun County head football coach would refer to the Wildcats’ 2026 schedule as a woodland creature prevelant to region of the Peach State -- a bear.