Sports

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County quarterback Cooper Kowalsky goes airborne at the goal line to pick up extra yardage against Gilmer on Sept. 18. Kowalsky would come up just short of the end zone and running back JK Fruster would punch it in for the score on the ensuing play in the Wildcats’ 53-52 overtime loss.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County quarterback Cooper Kowalsky goes airborne at the goal line to pick up extra yardage against Gilmer on Sept. 18. Kowalsky would come up just short of the end zone and running back JK Fruster would punch it in for the score on the ensuing play in the Wildcats’ 53-52 overtime loss.

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RCHS football looking to get back on track versus Banks County

Wesley Branch
Thursday, September 24, 2026
Following consecutive losses, the Rabun County football team is looking to get back on track on the road on Friday against a familiar opponent, Banks County. The meeting between Wildcats and the Leopards will be the 35th all-time between the two programs.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap defensive back Travonne Johnson throws down Providence Day wide receiver Steele Fletcher for a tackle during Rabun Gap’s 17-14 loss versus PD on Sept. 18. The Eagles are now 1-4 on the season.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap defensive back Travonne Johnson throws down Providence Day wide receiver Steele Fletcher for a tackle during Rabun Gap’s 17-14 loss versus PD on Sept. 18. The Eagles are now 1-4 on the season.

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Preparing for the rain: Rabun Gap set to face undefeated Ambassador Christian on the road

Wesley Branch
Thursday, September 24, 2026
Ahead of Rabun Gap Football’s road trip to Ambassador Christian School (ACS), the Eagles are preparing for the rain. But the weather forecast for Friday’s contest is nearly perfect – there’s less than a 10 percent chance of precipitation and the temperature around kickoff will be around 67 degrees.
Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. RCHS free safety Colter Cannon shows the ball to the officials on a play the referees would call a catch by Gilmer receiver Mason West (10). Video and photographic evidence would dispute the catch. Gilmer would be credited with a first down on the fourth down play and would then kick a game-typing field goal in regulation. In overtime, Gilmer would win on a touchdown and 2-point conversion.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. RCHS free safety Colter Cannon shows the ball to the officials on a play the referees would call a catch by Gilmer receiver Mason West (10). Video and photographic evidence would dispute the catch. Gilmer would be credited with a first down on the fourth down play and would then kick a game-typing field goal in regulation. In overtime, Gilmer would win on a touchdown and 2-point conversion.

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Cats lose back-and-forth clash in OT

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, September 24, 2026
A football game at Frank Snyder Memorial Stadium that saw two high school teams battle it out in a see-saw affair as both teams topped 50 points and senior Rabun County running back JK Fruster roll up five more rushing touchdowns may – at least for Wildcat Nation – be remembered for a phantom catch...
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap and Providence Day players and coaches have to be separated after a scuffle in the handshake line after the game ended. RGNS and PD have faced each other for the state championship in two of the last three seasons.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap and Providence Day players and coaches have to be separated after a scuffle in the handshake line after the game ended. RGNS and PD have faced each other for the state championship in two of the last three seasons.

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Late interception by Providence Day holds off Rabun Gap

Wesley Branch
Thursday, September 24, 2026
RABUN GAP – The No. 96-ranked Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School football team fell to rival and No. 45-ranked Providence Day (PD) on Friday, 17-14, in heartbreaking fashion. The Eagles now sit at 1-4 at the midway point of the season.
Tony Walsh/UGAAA. Former Rabun County and current Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (center) fights off Arkansas defenders during Georgia’s 45-17 win over Arkansas on Sept. 19. Stockton threw for 147 yards and a touchdown, and ran for 97 yards in the win.

Tony Walsh/UGAAA. Former Rabun County and current Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (center) fights off Arkansas defenders during Georgia’s 45-17 win over Arkansas on Sept. 19. Stockton threw for 147 yards and a touchdown, and ran for 97 yards in the win.

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No. 2 Georgia rolls past Arkansas to open SEC play

Wesley Branch
Thursday, September 24, 2026
The No. 2 ranked Georgia football team handedly defeated Arkansas on the road on Saturday 45-17 to begin Southeastern Conference (SEC) play. The Bulldogs, powered by their rushing attack, jumped out to a 21-3 halftime lead following touchdown runs by running backs Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens.

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Rabun Gap football’s Schell commits to Oklahoma

Wesley Branch
Thursday, September 24, 2026
Rabun Gap junior linebacker Jay Schell announced his commitment to Oklahoma on Tuesday, Sept. 22, on social media. Schell had previously announced his top two schools were Oklahoma and Clemson, but he also had interest from Michigan and Texas Tech among others.

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Rabun Report Week 3: How local alumni fared in college football

Wesley Branch
Thursday, September 24, 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 collegiate gridiron.The following is more about the performances of each player from the area this previous weekend.Georgia...
Submitted Photo. Alden English with the Rabun County Recreation Department sprints to the cross country finish line.

Submitted Photo. Alden English with the Rabun County Recreation Department sprints to the cross country finish line.

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Recreation department cross country runners handle rough terrain in Danielsville

News Staff
Thursday, September 24, 2026
The Rabun County Recreation Department cross country team took on a rocky course in Danielsville on Sept. 19. “Our team showed real grit during this race and didn’t let the challenge deter them,” Coach Alison Hopkins said. Both the 8U boys and girls teams pulled off first-place wins.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Former Rabun County and current UGA quarterback Gunner Stockton releases a pass downfield during Georgia’s 70-20 win over Western Kentucky on Sept. 12. Stockton tied a school record with five touchdown passes in the contest. The Dawgs will be on the road Saturday against SEC foe Arkansas.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Former Rabun County and current UGA quarterback Gunner Stockton releases a pass downfield during Georgia’s 70-20 win over Western Kentucky on Sept. 12. Stockton tied a school record with five touchdown passes in the contest. The Dawgs will be on the road Saturday against SEC foe Arkansas.

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Stockton ties UGA record five TD passes in blowout over Western Kentucky

Wesley Branch
Thursday, September 17, 2026
ATHENS – Debuting its all-white uniforms for the first time, No. 2 Georgia rolled to its most points since 1994 in its 70-20 drubbing of Western Kentucky (WKU) at home to improve to 2-0 on the young season.