Rabun County High School

Photo courtesy Von Watts. From left, Braxton Hicks, Hoff Windham, Gunner Stockton and Mason Sprinkle pose for a photo during an episode of the “Fifth Quarter Show” at Mama G’s Italian Restaurant. The show was first held at Mama G’s before being moved to Wildcat Grill years later.

Photo courtesy Von Watts. From left, Braxton Hicks, Hoff Windham, Gunner Stockton and Mason Sprinkle pose for a photo during an episode of the “Fifth Quarter Show” at Mama G’s Italian Restaurant. The show was first held at Mama G’s before being moved to Wildcat Grill years later.

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‘Fifth Quarter Show’ unites Wildcat Nation

Wesley Branch
Thursday, August 20, 2026
During his 20-plus years as a high school head football coach, Rabun County head coach Rance Gillespie had learned a lot in the coaching business. Potentially the most significant learned aspect though, is that a football program has to be important to its community, and be supported.
Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County sophomore running back Amir Thompson goes up the middle in the second half of the scrimmage against Franklin for a touchdown. The score was set up by multiple runs by senior running back JK Fruster. The Wildcats open their regular season on Aug. 28 at home against Metter.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County sophomore running back Amir Thompson goes up the middle in the second half of the scrimmage against Franklin for a touchdown. The score was set up by multiple runs by senior running back JK Fruster. The Wildcats open their regular season on Aug. 28 at home against Metter.

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‘We will be a better team the next time we play’

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Scrimmage football is intended to give players an in-game opportunity to line up against opposing teams to play offense, defense and special teams to get ready for what real regular-season contests would be like.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County’s JK Fruster (left) and Mack Williams celebrate after a sack by Fruster during the Wildcats’ second-round home playoff win over Berrien on Nov. 21, 2025. Fruster and Williams will headline the Wildcat defense this season. RCHS’s season opener is Aug. 28 at home.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County’s JK Fruster (left) and Mack Williams celebrate after a sack by Fruster during the Wildcats’ second-round home playoff win over Berrien on Nov. 21, 2025. Fruster and Williams will headline the Wildcat defense this season. RCHS’s season opener is Aug. 28 at home.

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Rabun football ‘doubling down’

Wesley Branch
Thursday, August 13, 2026
According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, the phrase “double down” has two meanings. The first is to double the original bid in blackjack in exchange for only one more card.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County sophomore quarterback Cooper Kowalsky looks downfield for an open receiver in the Wildcats’ spring game versus White County on May 15. Kowalsky will be Rabun County’s starting quarterback this season.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County sophomore quarterback Cooper Kowalsky looks downfield for an open receiver in the Wildcats’ spring game versus White County on May 15. Kowalsky will be Rabun County’s starting quarterback this season.

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‘Bear’ of a schedule: Tough opponents, plus three former coaches on this season’s football slate for Rabun County

Wesley Branch
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Residing in the Northeast Georgia mountains, it might seem fitting the Rabun County head football coach would refer to the Wildcats’ 2026 schedule as a woodland creature prevelant to region of the Peach State -- a bear.
Submitted photo. In her last year as the head coach, Cristina Weber will have the RCHS varsity cheerleaders inspiring Wildcat Nation during football in the fall and basketball in the winter. Front Row: (From left) Kinley Burtch, Natalee Woodruff, Ella Weber and Mattie Dixon. Middle Row: Cayden Spivey, Kate Church, Kyleigh Kapherr-Coffey, Makayla Burrell and Bailey Weber. Back Row: Coach Katie Speed, Sophie Provance, Gracie Dunn, Peyton Jones and Emma Krivsky and Head Coach Christina Weber.

Submitted photo. In her last year as the head coach, Cristina Weber will have the RCHS varsity cheerleaders inspiring Wildcat Nation during football in the fall and basketball in the winter. Front Row: (From left) Kinley Burtch, Natalee Woodruff, Ella Weber and Mattie Dixon. Middle Row: Cayden Spivey, Kate Church, Kyleigh Kapherr-Coffey, Makayla Burrell and Bailey Weber. Back Row: Coach Katie Speed, Sophie Provance, Gracie Dunn, Peyton Jones and Emma Krivsky and Head Coach Christina Weber.

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Rabun County cheer back energizing Wildcat faithful with new school year

Wesley Branch
Thursday, August 13, 2026
With the beginning of the new school year and the return of the Rabun County fall sports teams, also comes the return of the Lady Cats cheer team, amping up the crowd and cheering on RCHS athletes in the fall and winter.
Submitted Photos. The Lady Cats cross country team is projected to again be led by Kinley Jones, who now is a sophomore. Front Row: (From left) Jayden Griggs, Esmerelda Antonio Hernandez and Saray Rodriguez. Middle Row: Teresa Ruiz and Kimberly Martinez-Lachino. Back Row: Kinley Jones, Elizabeth Hilson and Savannah Crouch.

Submitted Photos. The Lady Cats cross country team is projected to again be led by Kinley Jones, who now is a sophomore. Front Row: (From left) Jayden Griggs, Esmerelda Antonio Hernandez and Saray Rodriguez. Middle Row: Teresa Ruiz and Kimberly Martinez-Lachino. Back Row: Kinley Jones, Elizabeth Hilson and Savannah Crouch.

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Young runners set to lead Wildcat X-country team

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, August 13, 2026
A youth movement on the Rabun County Wildcat cross country team bodes well for the present and the future of the program.
Submitted Photo. Jessica Evans has begun her third season as the Lady Cat softball head coach. Front Row: (From left) Addison Patton, Kynzlie McCall and Mattie Scott. Middle Row: Jalynn Gragg, Charley Weaver, Kenlee Hedge and Capi Welch. Back Row: Coach Makenna Talcott, Kyla Shook, Cecelia Fields, Aubrey Colbert and Head Coach Jessica Evans. NOT PICTURED: River Evans.

Submitted Photo. Jessica Evans has begun her third season as the Lady Cat softball head coach. Front Row: (From left) Addison Patton, Kynzlie McCall and Mattie Scott. Middle Row: Jalynn Gragg, Charley Weaver, Kenlee Hedge and Capi Welch. Back Row: Coach Makenna Talcott, Kyla Shook, Cecelia Fields, Aubrey Colbert and Head Coach Jessica Evans. NOT PICTURED: River Evans.

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Lady Cat softball off to strong start in 2026 campaign

Wesley Branch
Thursday, August 13, 2026
The Rabun County softball team began its new season on Aug. 3, the first day of the new school year at RCHS.
Submitted Photo. The varsity Rabun County volleyball team will be under the direction of veteran head coach April Jones. Front Row: (From left) Georgie Herb, Maria Ramos, Barbara Vargas and Ava Hickel. Middle Row: Mia Potts, Rylie Coleman and Emme Cain. Back Row: Head Coach April Jones, Lydia Gergeni, Sayler Watson, Elexa English and Coach Abbye Carver.

Submitted Photo. The varsity Rabun County volleyball team will be under the direction of veteran head coach April Jones. Front Row: (From left) Georgie Herb, Maria Ramos, Barbara Vargas and Ava Hickel. Middle Row: Mia Potts, Rylie Coleman and Emme Cain. Back Row: Head Coach April Jones, Lydia Gergeni, Sayler Watson, Elexa English and Coach Abbye Carver.

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RCHS volleyball battling through tough early schedule in new season

Wesley Branch
Thursday, August 13, 2026
The Rabun County Lady Cats volleyball team opened its season on Aug. 4, just one day after the new school year began at RCHS and systemwide. Four games into the season – as of The Clayton Tribune’s Monday, Aug.
Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County’s marching band will return the field at Frank Snyder Memorial Stadium on Aug. 28 when the Wildcats host Metter to open the football season. This year’s band has 85 members taking the field.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County’s marching band will return the field at Frank Snyder Memorial Stadium on Aug. 28 when the Wildcats host Metter to open the football season. This year’s band has 85 members taking the field.

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Superior music to be heard on Friday nights

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, August 13, 2026
The amazing sounds of music of the Rabun County High School marching band will be heard on Friday nights.And it will be loud.The Marching Wildcat Band has strong numbers again as the total number of students this year is 85, up two students from last year’s impressive 83.