Sports

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap junior defensive back Elias Willingham goes through drills during Rabun Gap’s college coaches social in January. Willingham is one of nine Division I commits in Rabun Gap’s 2027 class.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap junior defensive back Elias Willingham goes through drills during Rabun Gap’s college coaches social in January. Willingham is one of nine Division I commits in Rabun Gap’s 2027 class.

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Rabun Gap’s Willingham commits to East Tennessee State University

Wesley Branch
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Rabun Gap Class of 2027 defensive back Elias Willingham has committed to East Tennessee State University (ETSU).Announcing on social media on July 21, Willingham chose the Buccaneers over the likes of Shorter University and Shaw University, as well as interest from the likes of Wofford College and...
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Former Rabun County and current UGA quarterback Gunner Stockton celebrates with teammate Nate Frazier after scoring a rushing touchdown during Georgia’s 43-35 win over Ole Miss at Sanford Stadium on Oct. 18, 2025. Stockton said at SEC Media Days on July 21 that his goal for his final season of college football is to “make memories.” Stockton and the Bulldogs will open the new season on Sept. 5 at home versus Tennessee State.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Former Rabun County and current UGA quarterback Gunner Stockton celebrates with teammate Nate Frazier after scoring a rushing touchdown during Georgia’s 43-35 win over Ole Miss at Sanford Stadium on Oct. 18, 2025. Stockton said at SEC Media Days on July 21 that his goal for his final season of college football is to “make memories.” Stockton and the Bulldogs will open the new season on Sept. 5 at home versus Tennessee State.

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Gunner seeks to ‘make memories’ in final season as UGA quarterback

Wesley Branch
Thursday, July 23, 2026
The Georgia football team has several goals for itself as the 2026 season nears, although the Bulldogs will claim the “one day at a time” mentality.
Wesley Branch/ The Clayton Tribune. Current UGA and former Rabun County quarterback Gunner Stockton evades defenders during Georgia’s 35-3 win over Charlotte on Nov. 22, 2025. Stockton is entering year two as Georgia’s starting quarterback.

Wesley Branch/ The Clayton Tribune. Current UGA and former Rabun County quarterback Gunner Stockton evades defenders during Georgia’s 35-3 win over Charlotte on Nov. 22, 2025. Stockton is entering year two as Georgia’s starting quarterback.

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Smart: Stockton ‘embodies everything our program is about’

Wesley Branch
Thursday, July 23, 2026
As the back-to-back defending Southeastern Conference (SEC) champion Georgia Bulldogs made its scheduled appearance at SEC Media Days in Tampa, Fla., on July 21, Georgia head football coach Kirby Smart had high praise for starting quarterback Gunner Stockton, a Rabun County standout.
Via @JaxonTotherow65 on X. Rabun Gap rising senior Jaxon Totherow announced his commitment to Austin Peay on July 18 via social media, choosing the Governors over several Division I programs like Georgia State, East Tennessee State, Troy and others. Totherow is expected to be the starting center for Rabun Gap this upcoming season.

Via @JaxonTotherow65 on X. Rabun Gap rising senior Jaxon Totherow announced his commitment to Austin Peay on July 18 via social media, choosing the Governors over several Division I programs like Georgia State, East Tennessee State, Troy and others. Totherow is expected to be the starting center for Rabun Gap this upcoming season.

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Rabun Gap’s Totherow commits to Austin Peay

Wesley Branch
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Rabun Gap Class of 2027 offensive lineman Jaxon Totherow announced on social media on July 18 his commitment to Austin Peay State University. Totherow is the Eagles’ eighth member of its rising senior class to announce his commitment, all eight of which are to Division I programs.
Landen Todd/CNI News Service. Junior Club is open to children ages 7 and up who have had at least one season of Summer League or can swim 25 yards unassisted.

Landen Todd/CNI News Service. Junior Club is open to children ages 7 and up who have had at least one season of Summer League or can swim 25 yards unassisted.

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Youngsters learn how to swim at TFS

News Staff
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Tallulah Falls Schools has been holding its Junior Swim Club at the TFS  Natatorium. It began its late summer season on July 7 and will run through July 23.
Photo courtesy Tallulah Falls School. Baseballs with Ashton Roache’s career statistics are positioned on the TFS grass.

Photo courtesy Tallulah Falls School. Baseballs with Ashton Roache’s career statistics are positioned on the TFS grass.

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The Record Smasher: TFS’s Ashton Roache

News Staff
Thursday, July 23, 2026
There’s something bittersweet about going from pencil to permanent ink. When the final out of the 2026 season came for the Tallulah Falls School Indians, Ashton Roache’s high school baseball career came to a close.
Photo courtesy Austin Poffenberger. Mitchell McGahee finished 22nd nationally as an individual as the Tallulah Falls School Precision Rifle team was fourth.

Photo courtesy Austin Poffenberger. Mitchell McGahee finished 22nd nationally as an individual as the Tallulah Falls School Precision Rifle team was fourth.

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TFS rifle team places 4th at national championships

News Staff
Thursday, July 23, 2026
The Tallulah Falls School Precision Rifle team finished fourth at the CMP National Championship this past weekend at Camp Perry, Ohio.
Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Andrew Wall, 15, wins the Rabun Ramble 5K on Independence Day in Lakemont. Wall is a rising sophomore at Rabun County High School.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Andrew Wall, 15, wins the Rabun Ramble 5K on Independence Day in Lakemont. Wall is a rising sophomore at Rabun County High School.

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Ramble rumbles to record number of runners

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, July 9, 2026
reached multiple milestones with its annual 5k and 10K races as not only did the 2026 Independence Day event have its 20th running on America’s 250th birthday, but nearly 1,000 participated to make it a record total.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Several participants of the Lake Burton Fun Run showed their patriotism by wearing red, white and blue, or by dressing up in costumes like the trio celebrating here as they cross the finish line. Despite the warm temperatures, thousands were in attendance on July 4 for the 42nd annual Lake Burton Fun Run from Moccasin Creek State Park to LaPrade’s Marina.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Several participants of the Lake Burton Fun Run showed their patriotism by wearing red, white and blue, or by dressing up in costumes like the trio celebrating here as they cross the finish line. Despite the warm temperatures, thousands were in attendance on July 4 for the 42nd annual Lake Burton Fun Run from Moccasin Creek State Park to LaPrade’s Marina.

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1,700 have really fun run

Wesley Branch
Thursday, July 9, 2026
The Lake Burton Fun Run, one of several Fourth of July festive events in Rabun County this past weekend, boasted a record-setting 1,700 runners on Saturday, July 4, for its 42nd annual run as the nation commemorated its 250th birthday.