Sports

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County’s Mia Potts loads up to strike the ball in her singles match against Dodge County on April 21 at Rabun County High School. Potts secured the match-clinching victory by winning her singles match on No. 2 singles.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County’s Mia Potts loads up to strike the ball in her singles match against Dodge County on April 21 at Rabun County High School. Potts secured the match-clinching victory by winning her singles match on No. 2 singles.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Lady Cat tennis rolls past Dodge County

Wesley Branch
Thursday, April 23, 2026
TIGER – For the seventh consecutive year, the Rabun County girls tennis team is headed to the GHSA Sweet 16, following the Lady Cats’ 3-0 victory in the first round of the state playoffs over No. 17 Dodge County on April 21.
Photo courtesy RGNS. Marlin Klein gains yardage for Rabun Gap in the 2021 state championship game. Klein, who played collegiately at Michigan, has announced he will enter the 2026 NFL Draft.

Photo courtesy RGNS. Marlin Klein gains yardage for Rabun Gap in the 2021 state championship game. Klein, who played collegiately at Michigan, has announced he will enter the 2026 NFL Draft.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Rabun Gap’s Klein set to make history at NFL Draft

Wesley Branch
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Former Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School and University of Michigan tight end Marlin Klein is preparing to make history this week as the NFL Draft showcases the league’s new talent in Pittsburgh April 23-25.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Current UGA and former Rabun County quarterback Gunner Stockton evades defensive pressure from the Black Team in Georgia’s ‘G-Day’ scrimmage. Stockton finished the afternoon 7-of-12 passing for 76 yards and a touchdown for the red team in a 27-17 victory.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Current UGA and former Rabun County quarterback Gunner Stockton evades defensive pressure from the Black Team in Georgia’s ‘G-Day’ scrimmage. Stockton finished the afternoon 7-of-12 passing for 76 yards and a touchdown for the red team in a 27-17 victory.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Bulldogs’ Stockton, Walker take field for Georgia spring game

Wesley Branch
Thursday, April 23, 2026
ATHENS – While a new football season is still months away – and may feel like even further than that – it was “Saturday in Athens” for Georgia’s annual spring game, “G-Day,” on April 18 for the Bulldogs.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County sophomore Alan Lozada sits on the bench in disbelief after the Wildcats’ loss in PKs to Athens Academy on April 15. Next to Lozada is the region runner-up trophy, which the Wildcats claimed for the second straight year.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County sophomore Alan Lozada sits on the bench in disbelief after the Wildcats’ loss in PKs to Athens Academy on April 15. Next to Lozada is the region runner-up trophy, which the Wildcats claimed for the second straight year.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

RCHS boys drop final regular-season match to Athens Academy

Wesley Branch
Thursday, April 23, 2026
ATHENS – The Rabun County boys soccer team fell in heartbreaking fashion on April 15 to Athens Academy in its final regular season game and region championship-decider, 4-3 in penalties, dropping the Wildcats to a final record of 6-10 on the regular season.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County senior Ty Truelove holds his follow through as he watches his shot during Rabun County’s golf match versus Union County on April 16 at Kingwood Resort. Truelove shot a season best 38 on the afternoon.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County senior Ty Truelove holds his follow through as he watches his shot during Rabun County’s golf match versus Union County on April 16 at Kingwood Resort. Truelove shot a season best 38 on the afternoon.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Rabun golf finishes strong at home in regular-season finale

Wesley Branch
Thursday, April 23, 2026
CLAYTON – The Rabun County High School golf team finished up its regular-season home slate at the Kingwood Resort on Thursday, April 16, with a strong showing versus Union County.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County junior Landan Bedingfield prepares to strike the ball in Bedingfield and Brady Darnell’s doubles match on April 15 at Victory Lord Park in Winder, Ga., in the region tournament championship versus Athens Academy. Bedingfield and Darnell defeated the Spartans’ duo of Price West and Jack Roberts, who were undefeated going into the match.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County junior Landan Bedingfield prepares to strike the ball in Bedingfield and Brady Darnell’s doubles match on April 15 at Victory Lord Park in Winder, Ga., in the region tournament championship versus Athens Academy. Bedingfield and Darnell defeated the Spartans’ duo of Price West and Jack Roberts, who were undefeated going into the match.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Wildcat tennis falls in region title match; girls claim 3rd in region

Wesley Branch
Thursday, April 23, 2026
NDER – The Rabun County boys tennis team fell in the region championship on Wednesday, April 15, to Athens Academy 3-1 in Winder, Ga., at Victory Lord Park. The loss for the Wildcats marks their second consecutive runner-up finish in the region and moves them to 15-2 on the season.
Submitted photo. Rifle team members including Tallulah Falls (center) take aim at in the regional championship in Alabama.

Submitted photo. Rifle team members including Tallulah Falls (center) take aim at in the regional championship in Alabama.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Rifle team finishes third at Southeast Regional Championship

News Staff
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Mitchell McGahee’s stellar senior season continues, as the Tallulah Falls sharpshooter ties his school record at the most recent match in Anniston, Ala.The rifle team placed third overall in the 3 Position Southeast Regional Championship in the high school division.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap athletic director and girls head basketball coach Dale Earnhardt addresses his team during a timeout in Rabun Gap’s 59-27 win over Carolina Day on Jan. 8. Earnhardt is leaving Rabun Gap after 19 years at the school, 13 of which was spent as the athletic director.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap athletic director and girls head basketball coach Dale Earnhardt addresses his team during a timeout in Rabun Gap’s 59-27 win over Carolina Day on Jan. 8. Earnhardt is leaving Rabun Gap after 19 years at the school, 13 of which was spent as the athletic director.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Rabun Gap AD Earnhardt leaving school

Wesley Branch
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School athletic director, head girls basketball coach and defensive backs coach Dale Earnhardt is leaving the school at the end of the school year, he confirmed to The Clayton Tribune on April 11.