Sports

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. The Rabun County softball team celebrates after a three-run home run by junior River Evans, left, in the sixth inning of the Lady Cats’ 15-10 win over Clarke Central on Oct. 5. Evans’ home run was part of a nine-run sixth inning. With the victory, head coach Jessica Evans collected her 200th career win.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. The Rabun County softball team celebrates after a three-run home run by junior River Evans, left, in the sixth inning of the Lady Cats’ 15-10 win over Clarke Central on Oct. 5. Evans’ home run was part of a nine-run sixth inning. With the victory, head coach Jessica Evans collected her 200th career win.

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Wild comeback lifts Lady Cats to win

Wesley Branch
Thursday, October 8, 2026
TIGER – The Rabun County High School softball team scored nine runs in the sixth inning to defeat Class 6A Clarke Central, 15-10 on “Senior Night,” to improve to 11-16 on the season.
Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. In the Wildcats’ 45-10 win at Banks County, senior JK Fruster scored three touchdowns to push his season total to 14. On Oct. 9, the “Hall of Fame” ceremony will begin at home at 6:50 p.m.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. In the Wildcats’ 45-10 win at Banks County, senior JK Fruster scored three touchdowns to push his season total to 14. On Oct. 9, the “Hall of Fame” ceremony will begin at home at 6:50 p.m.

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RCHS football set for 2025 region title rematch with Athens Academy

Wesley Branch
Thursday, October 8, 2026
Sitting at 3-2 on the season coming off a bye week, the Rabun County High School football team will begin region play on Friday, Oct. 9, versus Athens Academy at home with the “Hall of Fame Game.”
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.