Sports

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Coaches, support staff and Wildcat players applaud Rabun County head coach Rance Gillespie’s approval that RCHS is one of eight teams remaining in the Class A Division I playoffs. Gillespie said the team has embraced being “EL1TE” and now the Wildcats have reached the Elite Eight and will play after Thanksgiving.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Coaches, support staff and Wildcat players applaud Rabun County head coach Rance Gillespie’s approval that RCHS is one of eight teams remaining in the Class A Division I playoffs. Gillespie said the team has embraced being “EL1TE” and now the Wildcats have reached the Elite Eight and will play after Thanksgiving.

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Cats bury Berrien to make ‘El1te’ Eight

Wesley Branch
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
TIGER – A strong performance by the offense, defense and special teams fueled a rebellion against the visiting Rebels as Rabun County advanced to the state quarterfinals for the first time since 2023 on Friday night, shutting out Berrien County 35-0.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Georgia freshman running back Bo Walker sprints to the end zone for his first career touchdown in Georgia’s 35-3 win over Charlotte on Nov. 22. Walker, who played for Rabun Gap-Nacoochee, scored three rushing touchdowns in the win and ran for 48 yards. UGA plays in-state rival Georgia Tech Friday.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Georgia freshman running back Bo Walker sprints to the end zone for his first career touchdown in Georgia’s 35-3 win over Charlotte on Nov. 22. Walker, who played for Rabun Gap-Nacoochee, scored three rushing touchdowns in the win and ran for 48 yards. UGA plays in-state rival Georgia Tech Friday.

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Rabun Gap’s Walker leads UGA to win with trio of TDs

Wesley Branch
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
ATHENS – Although it was senior day between the hedges when No. 4 Georgia took on Charlotte, it was a freshman running back who stole the show in the Bulldogs’ 35-3 win. That freshman running back – who like starting quarterback Gunner Stockton has strong ties to Rabun County – was Bo Walker.
Submitted Photo. Senior Mitchell McGahee leads the Tallulah Falls School rifle team into its new season.

Submitted Photo. Senior Mitchell McGahee leads the Tallulah Falls School rifle team into its new season.

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McGahee top high school athlete at latest regional match

(not verified)
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
In what coach Tim Stamey calls a “rebuilding year” for the TFS rifle team, there’s still plenty of talent and success. The roster includes one senior in captain Mitchell McGahee along with two sophomores and three freshmen.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County continues be a destination for shopping, dining and nature, but now also for pickleball. The pickleball courts at the Rabun County Recreation Department were dedicated in a ceremony on Nov. 19.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County continues be a destination for shopping, dining and nature, but now also for pickleball. The pickleball courts at the Rabun County Recreation Department were dedicated in a ceremony on Nov. 19.

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Rabun County dedicates courts via partnership

Wesley Branch
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
TIGER – After a postponement due to the early winter weather in Rabun County, the Rabun County Recreation Department and Rabun Pickleball Club dedicated the new pickleball courts, a public-and-private partnership, in front of a large crowd of players and Rabun Countians on Nov. 19.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County senior Reid Giles returns an interception against Dodge County on Nov. 14 in the Wildcats’ 56-21 playoff win over the Indians. Rabun County hosts Berrien on Nov. 21 for the second round of the Class A Division I playoffs.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County senior Reid Giles returns an interception against Dodge County on Nov. 14 in the Wildcats’ 56-21 playoff win over the Indians. Rabun County hosts Berrien on Nov. 21 for the second round of the Class A Division I playoffs.

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Cats to host Berrien in Sweet 16

Wesley Branch
Thursday, November 20, 2025
Frank Snyder Memorial Stadium erupted several times on Nov. 14 in Rabun County’s 56-21 playoff win over Dodge County.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Junior outside linebacker JK Fruster celebrates a defensive stop by Rabun County in the Wildcats’ first-round 56-21 win over visiting Dodge County on Nov. 14. In the game, Fruster blocked a punt and scooped it up and raced 47 yards to the end zone for a score.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Junior outside linebacker JK Fruster celebrates a defensive stop by Rabun County in the Wildcats’ first-round 56-21 win over visiting Dodge County on Nov. 14. In the game, Fruster blocked a punt and scooped it up and raced 47 yards to the end zone for a score.

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Rabun rolls past Dodge

Wesley Branch
Thursday, November 20, 2025
TIGER – In its first home playoff game since 2022, Rabun County controlled the game in all three phases, leading to an astounding 56-21 win over Dodge County on Friday night, in the first round of the state playoffs. With No. 31 Berrien County’s surprise 7-0 upset of No.
Tony Walsh/UGAAA. Former Rabun County and current Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton celebrates in the end zone after a rushing touchdown in the Dawgs’ 35-10 win over Texas. Stockton accounted for all five of UGA’s scores.

Tony Walsh/UGAAA. Former Rabun County and current Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton celebrates in the end zone after a rushing touchdown in the Dawgs’ 35-10 win over Texas. Stockton accounted for all five of UGA’s scores.

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Stockton, Georgia handle Texas once again

Wesley Branch
Thursday, November 20, 2025
In what was a showdown on Saturday night between the two preseason favorites in the SEC, it was Georgia once again controlling the fourth quarter en route to its third straight win over Texas.
Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap senior Isaac Obrokta, a Georgia Tech commit, pulls in a 39-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Gavin Owens in the Eagles’ 55-48 semifinal loss to Charlotte Christian on Nov. 14.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap senior Isaac Obrokta, a Georgia Tech commit, pulls in a 39-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Gavin Owens in the Eagles’ 55-48 semifinal loss to Charlotte Christian on Nov. 14.

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Eagles lose chance to repeat as state champs

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, November 20, 2025
The clock read 0:00 when Rabun Gap senior quarterback Gavin Owens’ heave to the end zone was knocked to the ground by Charlotte Christian defensive players in a group of Eagles and Knights elevating for the ball, ending the season for RGNS 55-48 in the NCISAA state semifinals. In a Nov.
Rabun County senior forward Hayes Free finishes an alley-oop from senior point guard Huey Blalock in Rabun County’s home-opening 83-66 win over White County. Hayes was a preseason All-State selection.

Rabun County senior forward Hayes Free finishes an alley-oop from senior point guard Huey Blalock in Rabun County’s home-opening 83-66 win over White County. Hayes was a preseason All-State selection.

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Rabun County hoops make home debut

Wesley Branch
Thursday, November 20, 2025
TIGER – Both the Rabun County boys and girls basketball teams made their home debuts against Class AAA White County on Tuesday, Nov. 18. The RCHS Wildcats and Lady Cats entered the night 1-0 after wins over Seckinger High School to start the season.