Rabun County football

Tony Walsh/UGAAA. Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch runs to the end zone for a receiving touchdown in Georgia’s 16-9 win over Georgia Tech on Nov. 28. In the background is former Rabun County and current Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton. Stockton and Branch connected for the only TD scored in the game.

Tony Walsh/UGAAA. Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch runs to the end zone for a receiving touchdown in Georgia’s 16-9 win over Georgia Tech on Nov. 28. In the background is former Rabun County and current Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton. Stockton and Branch connected for the only TD scored in the game.

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Stockton, Georgia win in-state battle over Georgia Tech

Wesley Branch
Thursday, December 4, 2025
While it was far from pretty, the No. 3-ranked Bulldogs defeated the No. 24 Yellow Jackets 16-9 on Friday, Nov. 28, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The win for Georgia – because of Texas A&M’s loss to Texas the same day – sets up Georgia for a rematch with No. 10 Alabama in the SEC Championship on Dec.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County senior Reid Giles navigates through Pepperell’s defense in the Wildcats’ 34-0 state quarterfinal loss to the Dragons on Nov. 28. Giles, the Class A Division I Region 8 “Athlete of the Year,” finished the game with 121 all-purpose yards.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County senior Reid Giles navigates through Pepperell’s defense in the Wildcats’ 34-0 state quarterfinal loss to the Dragons on Nov. 28. Giles, the Class A Division I Region 8 “Athlete of the Year,” finished the game with 121 all-purpose yards.

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Rabun football players earn All-Region honors

Wesley Branch
Thursday, December 4, 2025
With the football regular season having come to an end, regional honors have begun rolling in for Rabun County, which finished its regular season with an 8-2 record overall and 4-2 record in region play.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County running backs coach Clay Worley hugs Lake Evans after the senior dashes down the visitors’ sideline for a 46-yard touchdown on Nov. 21. The Wildcats head to Pepperell for the Elite Eight Friday.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County running backs coach Clay Worley hugs Lake Evans after the senior dashes down the visitors’ sideline for a 46-yard touchdown on Nov. 21. The Wildcats head to Pepperell for the Elite Eight Friday.

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NW Georgia-bound for next round of state playoffs

Wesley Branch
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
For the 10th time in 11 years, Rabun County has made the GHSA football quarterfinals. The Wildcats, who defeated the visiting Rebels from Berrien County on Nov. 21, will travel across the state to Northwest Georgia’s Lindale to face the Pepperell Dragons on Friday, Nov. 28, at 7:30 p.m.
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. 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 County will host Dodge County in the first round of the state playoffs on Friday, Nov. 14, at Frank Snyder Memorial Stadium. Here junior defensive lineman Ryan Yearwood (54) celebrates after the Wildcats make a stop against Athens Academy at home on Oct. 24.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County will host Dodge County in the first round of the state playoffs on Friday, Nov. 14, at Frank Snyder Memorial Stadium. Here junior defensive lineman Ryan Yearwood (54) celebrates after the Wildcats make a stop against Athens Academy at home on Oct. 24.

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Wildcats preparing for playoff battle vs. visiting Dodge County Indians

Wesley Branch
Thursday, November 13, 2025
For the first time since 2022, the Rabun County football team will host a home Georgia High School Association playoff game. On Friday, Nov. 14, the Wildcats will host the Dodge County Indians from Eastman in South Georgia. The game will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. from Frank Snyder Memorial Stadium.
Tony Walsh/UGAAA. Current Georgia and former Rabun County quarterback Gunner Stockton throws downfield in Georgia’s 41-21 win over Mississippi State on Nov. 8. UGA will host No. 10 Texas in another SEC showdown Saturday.

Tony Walsh/UGAAA. Current Georgia and former Rabun County quarterback Gunner Stockton throws downfield in Georgia’s 41-21 win over Mississippi State on Nov. 8. UGA will host No. 10 Texas in another SEC showdown Saturday.

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Georgia, Stockton rolls to commanding win over Miss. State

Wesley Branch
Thursday, November 13, 2025
Led by 303 total rushing yards and yet another outstanding performance from quarterback Gunner Stockton, No. 5 Georgia won its sixth consecutive game over Mississippi State, 41-21.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County sophomore Colter Cannon celebrates a fumble recovery in the Wildcats’ 31-23 win over the Blue Devils at Elbert County. Cannon also had an interception in the game. RCHS concluded its regular season at 8-2 and now will host Dodge County on Nov. 14 in the first round of the state playoffs.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County sophomore Colter Cannon celebrates a fumble recovery in the Wildcats’ 31-23 win over the Blue Devils at Elbert County. Cannon also had an interception in the game. RCHS concluded its regular season at 8-2 and now will host Dodge County on Nov. 14 in the first round of the state playoffs.

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Wildcats 8-2 with dramatic win over Blue Devils

Wesley Branch
Thursday, November 6, 2025
ELBERTON – In its regular season finale, the Rabun County football team completed a comeback victory over region foe Elbert County, 31-23, on Halloween to set up a Nov. 14 first-round home playoff game for the Wildcats.