Sports

By Adam Pettit

Morris Upchurch Middle School’s seventh grade  football squad finished their football season on a positive note with a 36-20 win over the DeKalb Bears. 
The seventh graders finished with an overall record of 7-1 and conference record of 5-1. 
The win also sealed the deal on the seventh grade team being crowned District Champs.
The eighth grade finished with a 28-14 win over DeKalb. 
This sealed the deal on the eighth grade being undefeated district champions, for the second year in a row. 
They finished their season 7-0-1.  
“Being undefeated district champions and to repeat from last year was a goal they were determined to accomplish this year,” Head Coach Tommy Kimble said. “All the boys worked hard in the off season and weight room to make sure their skills improved in order to accomplish their goal. We are so proud of this eighth grade group and can’t wait to see what they are going to be able accomplish in high school.”

 The ninth grade Rabbits ended their season last Thursday night with a big win over Spring Hill. This was a tough contest between two fantastic football teams. 
In the first quarter, the Rabbits jumped out ahead with an 8-yard TD pass to Cade Fant from Max Ebarb followed by a 2-point conversion run by Ebarb making it 8-0. 
The Rabbit defense stopped the Panthers in four plays with big plays in the backfield by Jared Cowgill, Connor Samples and Thomas Steward to get the ball back to end the first quarter. 
The Rabbits started the second quarter with a 75-yard touchdown pass to Treyvon Powell from Ebarb. 
Jacobi Dickerson ran in the 2-point conversion making the score 16-0. 
The Panthers scored on their next two possessions, but Atlanta answered back with a 35-yard touchdown pass to Cade Wood from Ebarb making it a 22-14 ball game. 

By Tim Emmons
temmons@casscountynow.com

Atlanta closed out its 2016 football season earlier than expected, but did go out swinging as they topped Spring Hill 27-20 last Friday night.
With tough losses against Gilmer and Gladewater in district the turning point in the season was the opening district loss to Pittsburg.
With the passing of Friday no Cass County teams made the playoffs for the first time in a long time.

The Queen City Band of Champions held their annual pie in the face fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Awareness. 
A Coach and a Band Director from the campuses Queen City High School and M.U.M.S. received a pie in the face for the cause. 
Last year $193 was raised after the event wrapped up. 
This year the QCHS Color Guard and Cheerleaders joined the fundraising efforts to aid in raising a $546.15 total donation to the Susan G Komen Foundation. 
“Thank you to all those that donated to make this a great success,” QCHS Band Booster President Jodie Price said. “And a special thanks to Coach Tommy Kimble, Coach David Kennedy, Mr. Billy Vess, Mrs. Kim Madlock, QC ISD Administrators, QCHS Color Guard, QCHS Cheerleaders, QCHS BOC and M.U.M.S. Band Leaders and the parent volunteers.”

By Adam Pettit

By Tim Emmons
temmons@casscountynow.com

The Atlanta Rabbits have been looking forward to playing nemesis Gilmer in a regular season matchup instead of in the playoffs for quite some time.
The Rabbs also knew going into the tough contest that they needed a win to advance to the playoffs or a couple of other puzzle pieces to be moved into place.
After falling to the Buckeyes 47-28 last Friday night and the fact that Gladewater and Pleasant Grove won the Rabbs will miss the playoffs for the first time under Head Coach Matt McClure.

By Tim Emmons
temmons@casscountynow.com

On Oct. 21, the Lady Rabbs’ volleyball team defeated district rival Liberty-Eylau by scores of, 25-23, 25-23 and 25-16.
Alyssa Simmons and Cydnee Wood both had nine points served, TeShuna Sheppard added 14 kills and five blocks, Avery Trotter posted 25 assists and Wood recorded 12 digs and three aces for the Lady Rabbits.
On Oct. 25, Atlanta topped district foe Pittsburg, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22, 25-22.
Simmons led with 18 points served, four aces and 10 digs, Trotter added 31 assists and Sheppard had 18 kills and eight blocks.

The Queen City Junior High volleyball season came to an end last Monday night at home against Dangerfield. 
The seventh grade B team split their matches winning the first game 25-23 then losing 16-18. The eighth grade B team won their matches 25-11 and 25-14.
The seven grade A team, coached by first year coach Katelyn Fielder, defeated Dangerfield 25-6 and 25-12 in two games.  
The seventh grade finished out their district season 6-3 overall. 
The leading server for the 7th grade was Emma Baker with 8 service points.
“This seventh grade group has come a long way since day one and we are looking forward to seeing even more improvement in the years to come,” Coach Bekkah Crisp said.
The eighth grade A team, coached by first year coach Paige Gray, demolished the Dangerfield Lady Tigers 25-9. 
Then making sure they kept everyone involved in the game by increasing the stress levels they won the second game just 25-20.  

By Tim Emmons
temmons@casscountynow.com