Rabun County High School

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County’s Cooper Kowalsky looks downfield for an open receiver during the Wildcats’ spring game versus White County on May 15. Kowalsky is entering his first season as RCHS’s starting QB.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County’s Cooper Kowalsky looks downfield for an open receiver during the Wildcats’ spring game versus White County on May 15. Kowalsky is entering his first season as RCHS’s starting QB.

New era of quarterback play on horizon in Rabun County

Wesley Branch
Thursday, August 13, 2026
The quarterback position is often regarded as the most important and most difficult position in all of sports. On the field, quarterbacks touch the football every play, having to make decisions in split seconds and perform at their best physically and mentally under intense pressure.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County High School’s football team runs onto the field before its second-round playoff game versus Berrien last season. The Wildcats enter 2026 following a 10-3 record and run to the state quarterfinals a season ago.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County High School’s football team runs onto the field before its second-round playoff game versus Berrien last season. The Wildcats enter 2026 following a 10-3 record and run to the state quarterfinals a season ago.

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RCHS, RGNS schedule football scrimmages

Wesley Branch
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Both Rabun County High School and Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School’s football teams will compete in preseason scrimmages on Friday, Aug. 14, as the new season nears. The Wildcats and Eagles will both be on the road on Friday in the mentioned scrimmages.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County head football coach Rance Gillespie celebrates with his team after the Wildcats’ 35-0 second-round playoff win over Berrien on Nov. 21, 2025. Gillespie and the Wildcats have celebrated each win at home with the song “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive,” since former head coach Lee Shaw started the tradition in 2013. Standing in the background are Manager Josh Justus, Pastor Lance Courtney and current Rabun County Athletics Booster Club President Joey Haban.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County head football coach Rance Gillespie celebrates with his team after the Wildcats’ 35-0 second-round playoff win over Berrien on Nov. 21, 2025. Gillespie and the Wildcats have celebrated each win at home with the song “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive,” since former head coach Lee Shaw started the tradition in 2013. Standing in the background are Manager Josh Justus, Pastor Lance Courtney and current Rabun County Athletics Booster Club President Joey Haban.

It’s a Great Day to Be a Wildcat

Wesley Branch
Thursday, August 6, 2026
As Rabun County High School’s football team put the finishing touches and the final seconds waned in its 56-21 November 2025 first-round playoff win at home versus Dodge County, Rabun County head coach Rance Gillespie had one final question for his coaching staff.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. The Rabun County softball team celebrates River Evans’ go-ahead grand slam in the bottom of the sixth inning of the Wildcats’ 15-14 win against East Jackson on Aug. 3. Evans, a junior, went 3-for-4 on the night with a single, double and grand slam.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. The Rabun County softball team celebrates River Evans’ go-ahead grand slam in the bottom of the sixth inning of the Wildcats’ 15-14 win against East Jackson on Aug. 3. Evans, a junior, went 3-for-4 on the night with a single, double and grand slam.

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Lady Cats’ softball takes dramatic season-opening win over East Jackson

Wesley Branch
Thursday, August 6, 2026
TIGER – The Rabun County softball team claimed victory in its season opener on Aug. 3 at home over Class AAAA opponent East Jackson in wild fashion by a score of 15-14.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County head boys basketball coach David Adcock (left) presents RCHS senior Hayes Free with a commemorative ball for scoring his 1,000th career point after the Wildcats’ win over Chesnee (S.C.) on Dec. 30. Free recently announced his commitment to Young Harris College.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County head boys basketball coach David Adcock (left) presents RCHS senior Hayes Free with a commemorative ball for scoring his 1,000th career point after the Wildcats’ win over Chesnee (S.C.) on Dec. 30. Free recently announced his commitment to Young Harris College.

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RCHS grad Free commits to Young Harris hoops

Wesley Branch
Thursday, August 6, 2026
Recent Rabun County High School graduate Hayes Free committed to Young Harris College’s men’s basketball program on July 28, he announced on his Instagram.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County head football coach Rance Gillespie (left) hugs his mother Glenda Rogers after Rabun County’s “Midnight Madness” practice. Gillespie is heading into his second year as Rabun County’s head football coach.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County head football coach Rance Gillespie (left) hugs his mother Glenda Rogers after Rabun County’s “Midnight Madness” practice. Gillespie is heading into his second year as Rabun County’s head football coach.

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Rabun County football hosts annual ‘Midnight Madness’

Wesley Branch
Thursday, July 30, 2026
TIGER – The Rabun County football team hosted its annual tradition “Midnight Madness” in the early morning hours of July 27 at Frank Snyder Memorial Stadium, beginning its first fully padded practice as the 2026 season nears.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County’s Jaylynn Gragg receives a high five after completing an inning in the Lady Cats’ 20-3 win over Tallulah Falls on Aug. 16, 2025. Gragg will be one of four potential starting pitchers for RCHS this upcoming season.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County’s Jaylynn Gragg receives a high five after completing an inning in the Lady Cats’ 20-3 win over Tallulah Falls on Aug. 16, 2025. Gragg will be one of four potential starting pitchers for RCHS this upcoming season.

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New team, Same game: Lady Cat softball eyes 2026 season, playoff return

News Staff
Thursday, July 30, 2026
The Rabun County softball team wants to build champions on and off the field, regardless of if those championships come this season, or down the road. That mission is summarized in one of the Lady Cats’ themes for the upcoming season, “New team, same game.
Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County Head Coach April Jones, left, connects with her volleyball players in 2025 during a home game early in the season.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County Head Coach April Jones, left, connects with her volleyball players in 2025 during a home game early in the season.

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Getting back on their serve

Wesley Branch
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Coming off an 8-24 campaign a season ago, the Rabun County volleyball team is looking to get back to the state playoffs, led by a heavy base of returning talent. Following last season, the Lady Cats lost just two seniors.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Former Rabun County and current UGA quarterback Gunner Stockton celebrates with teammate Nate Frazier after scoring a rushing touchdown during Georgia’s 43-35 win over Ole Miss at Sanford Stadium on Oct. 18, 2025. Stockton said at SEC Media Days on July 21 that his goal for his final season of college football is to “make memories.” Stockton and the Bulldogs will open the new season on Sept. 5 at home versus Tennessee State.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Former Rabun County and current UGA quarterback Gunner Stockton celebrates with teammate Nate Frazier after scoring a rushing touchdown during Georgia’s 43-35 win over Ole Miss at Sanford Stadium on Oct. 18, 2025. Stockton said at SEC Media Days on July 21 that his goal for his final season of college football is to “make memories.” Stockton and the Bulldogs will open the new season on Sept. 5 at home versus Tennessee State.

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Gunner seeks to ‘make memories’ in final season as UGA quarterback

Wesley Branch
Thursday, July 23, 2026
The Georgia football team has several goals for itself as the 2026 season nears, although the Bulldogs will claim the “one day at a time” mentality.