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Barrow News-Journal INSIDE THIS SECTION Award-winning local sports coverage •The Game Plan •Photo scene — 2B — 2B •Football Contest winner — 5B •AHS Football — 7B September 7, 2016 Phone: 770-867-6397 Fax:706-621-4115 cbridges@barrowjournal. com Section B ★★★★ High School Softball: Apalachee High School Lady Cats enjoy successful start to region slate By Chris Bridges Sports Editor Entering this week, the Apalachee High School softball team is viewing the scenery from on top of the Region 8-AAAAAA mountain. The Lady Wildcats are the lone unde feated team in region play with a 5-0 mark. AHS is 9-3 overall and playing solid softball. “We’ve had some quality performances from several players,” said coach Matt Allen. “This team believes it can win and we hope to continue the level of play we have been competing at.” A 9-8 win against Lanier High School on Aug. 30 is still fresh on every player’s On Deck: •AHS @ Monroe Area, Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. •AHS @ Gainesville, Thursday, 5:30 p.m.* *Region 8-AAAAAA game mind. The Lady Wildcats trailed 8-3 going into the bottom of the seventh inning but rallied for what seemed like an improba ble victory. That rally was symbolic of the team effort AHS has benefited from in 2016. Alexis Wheeler had a three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh before freshman Madyson Coe delivered the game-win ning RBI, scoring Alexis Griffith, another freshman. Grace Hedges had a big contest with a solo homer in the Lanier game and Kayla Brown pitched 4.1 innings in relief, including three scoreless frames. Even with that game still on their minds, the Lady Wildcats returned to the field on Sept. 1 and defeated Dacula High School 2-1. Savannah Butler is the team’s top pitch er and has been solid in most of her out ings in the pitcher’s circle. Going into this week, AHS was 5-0 in region play followed by Lanier at 4-1. Those two teams will meet again on Sept. 20. Dacula and Winder-Barrow are both 2-2. The Lady Bulldoggs were upset by Habersham Central 11-10 last week. See Lady Wildcats on Page 3B SIGNALING THE WAY Apalachee High School softball coach Matt Allen has his Lady Wildcats in first place in the region. Photo by Jessica Brown THURSDAY ACTION The Winder-Barrow High School and Apalachee High School junior var sity football teams clashed at W. Clair Harris Stadium last week with the JV Bulldoggs earn ing a 41-14 victory. Quarterback Sam Darling (above), prepares to fire a pass while teammate Anthony Cardova (right) rushes for yardage in the win. Meanwhile, over at R. Harold Harrison Stadium, the AHS freshman team defeated WBHS 22-18. See more photos on page 6B in today’s edition. Photos by Jessica Brown Battle of Barrow: Junior Varsity Football High School Football Bulldoggs playing well, to have this Friday off By Cliris Bridges Sports Editor The Winder-Barrow High School football team has rebounded quite well from a disappointing season opener. The Bulldoggs improved to 2-1 last Lriday with an impressive per formance against Northview High School on the road, resulting in a 35-20 victory. Javonne Hughes rushed for 243 yards and three touchdowns on 34 carries while Brock Landis passed for 235 yards on an 11-of-19 night with two touchdowns. WBHS is now in bye week and will be off this Friday. “We played well on both lines of scrimmage,” Winder-Barrow High School coach Heath Webb said. “Our offensive line played really well. It was the best offensive out put we’ve had since I’ve been at Winder-Barrow.” Hughes’ effort was certainly noticed by coaches and fans alike. “For a kid who’s 5-5, 135 pounds, you wouldn’t think you could give it to him 34 times,” his coach said. “However, most of his runs are between the tackles. He runs with power, speed and agility. His heart is just so big." Landis, in addition to his effec tiveness through the air, also rushed for 107 yards on 11 attempts. “Our defense also played well up front,” Webb said. “Our lines chose to be tough and physical. Our play- makers were making plays.” Webb also praised the effort of Deon Williams (three catches for 82 yards and a score) at wide receiver. Jecory Young, despite only having worked at wide receiver for two weeks, is delivering sound perfor mances and caught a 61-yard pass in Friday’s win. “It was a combination of our ath letes making plays with the football while our offensive and defensive linemen were winning at the line of scrimmage,” Webb said. See Bulldoggs on Page 8B Cross Country: Winder-Barrow High School WBHS runners begin season, to host annual invitational Saturday By Cliris B ridges Sports Editor Kacie Wilson and Jake Marti nez helped pace the Winder-Bar row High School runners in the cross country debut for 2016 last week. Wilson, who enjoyed a strong cross country season last fall, was ninth overall for the Lady Bulldoggs in 21:22.69 at a meet hosted by North Oconee High School. Martinez was ninth for the WBHS boys with a time of 18:34.10. Other top runners for the WBHS Lady Bulldoggs includ ed: •Sarah-Grace Weatherford, 25:01.04 •Jennifer Quintana, 26:43.37 •Katie Bussa, 28:02.76 •Britany Jaimes, 28:05.56 •Mary Stemp, 29:11.40 •Lauren-Grace Ballenger, 29:40.71 •Annabel Suplita, 30:22.23 Other top performers for the WBHS boys were: •Tyler Dennis, 19:49.24 •Cody Boles, 20:02.07 •Alex Velasco, 20:48.33 •Mason Ayer, 21:44.35 •Kevin Martinez, 22:49.59 •Jacob Pursell, 25:36.35 •Matthew Whiddon, 26:34.01 •Arturo Aguirre, 26:38.59 Coming up: •Winder-Barrow High School cross country invitational, Sat urday, varsity races begin at 8 a.m., course at Bramlett Ele mentary School UP NEXT WBHS will hosts its annual Invitational on Saturday. High school and middle school run ners will compete. Teams, in addition to WBHS, varsity teams set to run include Apalachee High School, Archer High School, Athens Chris tian School, Cartersville High School, Central Gwinnett High School, Clarke Central High School, Dacula High School, Discovery High School, East- side High School, George Wal ton Academy and Habersham Central. See Run on Page 2B