The Apalachee High School softball team took another step toward a region championship by blanking visiting Winder-Barrow High School 4-0 Tuesday, completing a three-game season sweep over its crosstown rival.
Sophomore Emily Hodnett turned in another strong performance in the pitcher’s circle, going the distance and scattering five hits while striking out seven. Any slight amount of trouble the visiting Bulldoggs caused saw Hodnett able to work out of it along with some solid play by her defense.
AHS improved to 16-8 overall and 11-2 in region play with two 8-AAAAAA contests remaining. Coach Jessica Sinclair said her team needs to win remaining games against region foes Habersham Central and Dacula to assure itself of the title. There will not be a region tournament this year.
“We had more offense today than it showed on the scoreboard,” Sinclair said. “We hit it right at people several times but we were solid at the plate.”
The coach also praised the performance of her pitcher.
“Emily has been very strong for us this season,” Sinclair said. “The team is also doing what it needs to do behind her.”
Hodnett was calm and collected during the “Battle of Barrow” matchup on the softball diamond and remained so after the win.
“I thought I pitched well but my defense also helped me a great deal,” Hodnett said. “This game meant a lot to me because everyone is talking about it being Battle of Barrow week. We just need to win our last two region games. If we do that we will be fine.”
The Wildcats put their first run on the board in the bottom of the first. Grace Hedges reached on an infield error with two outs and then stole second. Hedges would cross home on an RBI single by Nicole Trammell.
The score remained 1-0 until the bottom of the fourth when Cara Knight started the inning by reaching on an error. Destiny Sexton was called on as a pinch runner and she later scored when Alexis Griffith reached on a WBHS defensive miscue.
AHS added two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth. Alexis Griffith singled with two outs and proceeded to steal second and third base. Kensley Kraus then picked up an RBI single to right field.
Hodnett then helped her own cause by drilling a double bringing Kraus home for Apalachee’s fourth run.
Rose Johnson pitched well for WBHS, going six innings and scattering six hits while striking out two.
The Bulldoggs (9-12, 7-6) battled until the end of the contest as Kendal Miller led the top of the seventh with a single, followed by a hit from Carlee Schotter. Johnson then connected on a line drive to center field but Hedges made a strong defensive play for AHS.
After Bailey Boswell grounded out to second base, WBHS had runners on second and third with two outs but could not get those runs home.
WBHS coach Lee Smoak was ejected from the game in the top of the sixth inning for disputing a call against Alyssa Bond when she grounded out third base. Smoak argued that when Bond made contact with the softball, it bounced off of her knee and should have been ruled dead. But after the two umpires discussed the play Bond was still ruled out much to the Winder-Barrow coach’s disliking.
Smoak had questioned a couple of other calls in the contest.
Tiffany Watkins had a one-out double for the Bulldoggs in the top of the first inning but was left stranded.
Boswell also had a single in the top of the second.
AHS will travel to Habersham Central Thursday for a 5:30 p.m. contest. The teams have split their first two meetings this year.
Apalachee closes out the regular season Tuesday at home against Dacula at 5:30 p.m. The Wildcats have beaten Dacula twice this season and defeated the Falcons in extra innings earlier this month.
WBHS will host Gainesville Thursday and Habersham Central Tuesday in key region games. Both games begin at 5:30 p.m.
AHS Sports
Football: Wildcats rally past Walnut Grove 14-13 in overtime
With the game on the line Friday, Apalachee wide receiver Cameron Hoffman had one thing on his mind — redemption.
Earlier in the game, Hoffman’s muffing of a punt resulted in a Walnut Grove touchdown that tied the game and eventually led to overtime. Down 13-7 in the extra period and facing a do-or-die fourth-down play, the Wildcats called Hoffman’s number — and the senior delivered.
Hoffman leapt up to haul in a 16-yard touchdown pass from AJ Forbing in tight coverage to set up a 14-13 Wildcat victory over the Warriors — following Carlos Rodriguez’s game-winning extra point — in front of a large homecoming crowd at R. Harold Harrison Stadium.
It was Hoffman’s third touchdown grab of the year and by far the biggest.
“It meant the world to me,” Hoffman said of the play. “It was for my teammates really. They all had my back (after the fumble) and I had to make a play for them. I just saw the ball go up in the air and I knew I had to make a play.”
Perhaps nobody was happier for Hoffman than Wildcats coach Tony Lotti.
“We talk about that a lot. Nobody’s perfect, but if you make a mistake you can’t dwell on it,” Lotti said. “We work on that so much because the kids get so hard on themselves. I’ve never coached a kid in my whole career who went out to make a mistake on purpose. But we talk about moving past it and making the next play, and Cameron did that. He made the big play when we needed it the most.”
It was the second straight win for the Wildcats (2-3) and their first home win in the Lotti era — one that couldn’t have come in much more dramatic fashion.
The Wildcats won the coin toss ahead of overtime and elected to play defense first. With the ball starting at the Apalachee 15, Walnut Grove needed just four plays to find the end zone with Oen Mowell taking a sweep and scoring from 3 yards out to give the Warriors their first lead of the game at 13-7. But Walnut Grove kicker Jake Smith pushed his extra-point try wide-right, and that proved to be costly.
The Wildcats struggled to move the ball at the start of their drive. Three short gains and a false-start penalty forced them into 4th-and-11 from the 16 when they decided to go to the air. Forbing put the ball right on the money to Hoffman for the score and Rodriguez calmly knocked the ball through the uprights to seal the victory and send a jubilant Wildcat team and student section pouring out onto the field.
“This is big for my kids. You talk about resilience…I don’t know if you could make that any more dramatic,” Lotti said as his players and their fans rang the victory bell behind the end zone. “We made some mistakes that we’ve got to fix and we gave up some plays, but they kept fighting all the way through. And Cameron did a heck of a job. AJ put the ball right on the money in tight space and our line gave the play time to unfold.
“And then Carlos, ice water in his veins, makes that kick. It was great protection, a great snap, great hold and a great kick.”
Rodriguez, who kicked three field goals last week to help fuel a 16-0 win at Jackson County, had big moment delayed Friday by just a few minutes. With five seconds left in regulation, the Wildcats initially brought him out to attempt a game-winning 44-yard field goal.
But after Walnut Grove called a timeout to try to ice him, and with the field and ball wet from a heavy rain that fell for most of the second half, Lotti decided not to risk a bad snap. Instead they decided to take a shot at the end zone from 27 yards out, but Forbing’s heave was tipped at the goal line and intercepted to force overtime.
“Carlos has come a long way and been hitting the ball good,” Lotti said of his senior kicker, who is a first-year football player. “To be honest, if the football hadn’t weighed 25,000 pounds, I would have let him try it because I feel like he would have hit it. But everything was soaking wet and you never know what could happen there.”
Defense dominated the game for much of the night. Apalachee managed just 191 yards unofficially, and the Wildcats’ most successful drive came on an eight-play, 73-yard march, capped off when running back AJ Millbrooks fought off a couple of tacklers and found his way into the end zone from 5 yards out to give the Wildcats a 7-0 lead with 6:25 left in the first half.
The Warriors tied the game when Hoffman fielded a punt around his 40-yard line on the final play of the third quarter and fumbled it into the hands of a Walnut Grove player who took it back the other way.
Apalachee’s defense, which kept its opponent out of the end zone in regulation for the second straight week, was stout, allowing just 229 yards and holding on several critical fourth-down plays. The biggest stop came early in the third quarter when the Wildcats held on 4th-and-goal from the 1.
“I’m so proud of (defensive coordinator Mike Hancock) and the defensive staff,” Lotti said. “They bent but they didn’t break. They got us some turnovers and kept us in the game. I’m really happy for everybody on our staff, all our kids and our community. For me it’s a pretty cool sight to see this many people here and the excitement that’s here. These people deserve it.”
Apalachee will now have its first open week next week in preparation for its GHSA Region 8-AAAAAA opener at home Sept. 28 against crosstown rival Winder-Barrow.
The Wildcats are flying into the off week on a high.
“Coach Lotti has changed the program and put a better mindset in our heads,” Hoffman said. “We’re focused on Winder now and we’re confident.”
Earlier in the game, Hoffman’s muffing of a punt resulted in a Walnut Grove touchdown that tied the game and eventually led to overtime. Down 13-7 in the extra period and facing a do-or-die fourth-down play, the Wildcats called Hoffman’s number — and the senior delivered.
Hoffman leapt up to haul in a 16-yard touchdown pass from AJ Forbing in tight coverage to set up a 14-13 Wildcat victory over the Warriors — following Carlos Rodriguez’s game-winning extra point — in front of a large homecoming crowd at R. Harold Harrison Stadium.
It was Hoffman’s third touchdown grab of the year and by far the biggest.
“It meant the world to me,” Hoffman said of the play. “It was for my teammates really. They all had my back (after the fumble) and I had to make a play for them. I just saw the ball go up in the air and I knew I had to make a play.”
Perhaps nobody was happier for Hoffman than Wildcats coach Tony Lotti.
“We talk about that a lot. Nobody’s perfect, but if you make a mistake you can’t dwell on it,” Lotti said. “We work on that so much because the kids get so hard on themselves. I’ve never coached a kid in my whole career who went out to make a mistake on purpose. But we talk about moving past it and making the next play, and Cameron did that. He made the big play when we needed it the most.”
It was the second straight win for the Wildcats (2-3) and their first home win in the Lotti era — one that couldn’t have come in much more dramatic fashion.
The Wildcats won the coin toss ahead of overtime and elected to play defense first. With the ball starting at the Apalachee 15, Walnut Grove needed just four plays to find the end zone with Oen Mowell taking a sweep and scoring from 3 yards out to give the Warriors their first lead of the game at 13-7. But Walnut Grove kicker Jake Smith pushed his extra-point try wide-right, and that proved to be costly.
The Wildcats struggled to move the ball at the start of their drive. Three short gains and a false-start penalty forced them into 4th-and-11 from the 16 when they decided to go to the air. Forbing put the ball right on the money to Hoffman for the score and Rodriguez calmly knocked the ball through the uprights to seal the victory and send a jubilant Wildcat team and student section pouring out onto the field.
“This is big for my kids. You talk about resilience…I don’t know if you could make that any more dramatic,” Lotti said as his players and their fans rang the victory bell behind the end zone. “We made some mistakes that we’ve got to fix and we gave up some plays, but they kept fighting all the way through. And Cameron did a heck of a job. AJ put the ball right on the money in tight space and our line gave the play time to unfold.
“And then Carlos, ice water in his veins, makes that kick. It was great protection, a great snap, great hold and a great kick.”
Rodriguez, who kicked three field goals last week to help fuel a 16-0 win at Jackson County, had big moment delayed Friday by just a few minutes. With five seconds left in regulation, the Wildcats initially brought him out to attempt a game-winning 44-yard field goal.
But after Walnut Grove called a timeout to try to ice him, and with the field and ball wet from a heavy rain that fell for most of the second half, Lotti decided not to risk a bad snap. Instead they decided to take a shot at the end zone from 27 yards out, but Forbing’s heave was tipped at the goal line and intercepted to force overtime.
“Carlos has come a long way and been hitting the ball good,” Lotti said of his senior kicker, who is a first-year football player. “To be honest, if the football hadn’t weighed 25,000 pounds, I would have let him try it because I feel like he would have hit it. But everything was soaking wet and you never know what could happen there.”
Defense dominated the game for much of the night. Apalachee managed just 191 yards unofficially, and the Wildcats’ most successful drive came on an eight-play, 73-yard march, capped off when running back AJ Millbrooks fought off a couple of tacklers and found his way into the end zone from 5 yards out to give the Wildcats a 7-0 lead with 6:25 left in the first half.
The Warriors tied the game when Hoffman fielded a punt around his 40-yard line on the final play of the third quarter and fumbled it into the hands of a Walnut Grove player who took it back the other way.
Apalachee’s defense, which kept its opponent out of the end zone in regulation for the second straight week, was stout, allowing just 229 yards and holding on several critical fourth-down plays. The biggest stop came early in the third quarter when the Wildcats held on 4th-and-goal from the 1.
“I’m so proud of (defensive coordinator Mike Hancock) and the defensive staff,” Lotti said. “They bent but they didn’t break. They got us some turnovers and kept us in the game. I’m really happy for everybody on our staff, all our kids and our community. For me it’s a pretty cool sight to see this many people here and the excitement that’s here. These people deserve it.”
Apalachee will now have its first open week next week in preparation for its GHSA Region 8-AAAAAA opener at home Sept. 28 against crosstown rival Winder-Barrow.
The Wildcats are flying into the off week on a high.
“Coach Lotti has changed the program and put a better mindset in our heads,” Hoffman said. “We’re focused on Winder now and we’re confident.”
Softball: Wildcats roll past Bulldoggs 11-3
The Apalachee softball team used an eight-run fourth inning Tuesday to cruise past crosstown rival Winder-Barrow, 11-3, in five innings, at home Wednesday.
The win was the Wildcats' second in as many tries against the Bulldoggs this season and within a six-day span.
Sophomore Emily Hodnett went 2-for-3 with a walk and three RBIs at the plate for Apalachee while pitching all five innings in the circle to pick up the win.
The Wildcats (12-6, 8-1 GHSA Region 8-AAAAAA) grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on an error, but the Bulldoggs (6-9, 4-4) took a 2-1 lead in the third on a two-run double by Bekah Freeman that plated Morgan Macaw and Alyssa Bond.
But Apalachee seized control in the fourth. Nicole Trammell led off with a walk and then Madyson Coe reached on an error on a sacrifice bunt. A single by S'Niyah Stinson loaded the bases and Madison Hubler drew a walk to bring Trammell home and tie the game. Cara Knight followed with a two-run single to give the Wildcats the lead, and a two-run single and three-run double by Coe later in the inning extended the lead to 9-2.
Winder-Barrow bounced back with a run in the fifth on an RBI double by Kendal Miller, but the Wildcats got two in their half of the frame on an RBI single by Hodnett and a steal of home by Alexis Griffith to invoke the mercy rule.
Both teams will be back in region action today as Apalachee visits Dacula for a 5:55 p.m. start and Winder-Barrow visits Habersham Central for a 6:30 p.m. first pitch.
The win was the Wildcats' second in as many tries against the Bulldoggs this season and within a six-day span.
Sophomore Emily Hodnett went 2-for-3 with a walk and three RBIs at the plate for Apalachee while pitching all five innings in the circle to pick up the win.
The Wildcats (12-6, 8-1 GHSA Region 8-AAAAAA) grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on an error, but the Bulldoggs (6-9, 4-4) took a 2-1 lead in the third on a two-run double by Bekah Freeman that plated Morgan Macaw and Alyssa Bond.
But Apalachee seized control in the fourth. Nicole Trammell led off with a walk and then Madyson Coe reached on an error on a sacrifice bunt. A single by S'Niyah Stinson loaded the bases and Madison Hubler drew a walk to bring Trammell home and tie the game. Cara Knight followed with a two-run single to give the Wildcats the lead, and a two-run single and three-run double by Coe later in the inning extended the lead to 9-2.
Winder-Barrow bounced back with a run in the fifth on an RBI double by Kendal Miller, but the Wildcats got two in their half of the frame on an RBI single by Hodnett and a steal of home by Alexis Griffith to invoke the mercy rule.
Both teams will be back in region action today as Apalachee visits Dacula for a 5:55 p.m. start and Winder-Barrow visits Habersham Central for a 6:30 p.m. first pitch.
Football: Wildcats look to build off momentum of first win with final non-region game
The Apalachee football team will reach the halfway point of its regular season Friday when it hosts Walnut Grove for its final non-region game.
It will serve as one last tune-up before a grueling five-game GHSA Region 8-AAAAAA stretch, which will dictate the Wildcats’ playoff prospects, begins Sept. 28 against Winder-Barrow following an open week.
Apalachee coach Tony Lotti likened the situation to a course in school.
“You could call (Friday’s upcoming game) a last test before we get ready to start taking final exams,” Lotti said. “We want to make sure our preparation and effort continue to improve so we can keep going where we need to go.”
Strong preparation and effort paid off for Apalachee last week as the Wildcats (1-3) earned their first victory in the Lotti era and notched both their first shutout and first road win in six years with a 16-0 triumph at Jackson County.
Lotti said Sunday the morale and excitement among the players and coaches were high.
“Our kids did a great job of executing the game plan,” Lotti said. “We had a great week of practice and we clicked more on all three sides of game, especially defense and special teams. We’ve been so close and (the win) was a big lift. We’ve still got a long way to go and made a lot of mistakes, but we were all anxious to get back to work.
“We want to go into the bye week on a high note.”
On Friday, the Wildcats will face a Walnut Grove team that is 1-2 and seeking to work out some of its own kinks before beginning Region 8-AAAAA play.
The Warriors’ two losses have come to a pair of undefeated teams, including a 28-7 defeat last week at the hands of Monroe Area (which beat Apalachee 35-7 on Aug. 17) and a 16-0 loss to George Walton Academy in their season opener. Sandwiched in between those losses was a 34-31 overtime win at Morgan County (1-3).
Lotti said the Warriors “play very hard” and are similar to the Wildcats in that they’ll present a power Wing-T attack on offense. Defensively, they’re quick, athletic and physical and are led by a pair of talented middle linebackers, including a transfer from Class AAAAAAA power Grayson, who “fly to the ball.”
Facing a familiar offense should help the Wildcats, but if they want to repeat their defensive success from last week, they’ll need to continue executing at a high level, Lotti said.
Last week’s shutout “was really as simple as every individual doing their job, concentrating on every key aspect and doing what we asked them to do,” said Lotti, whose defensive coordinator, Mike Hancock, will square off this week with the team whose defense he led prior to coming to Apalachee. “I felt like up to now we’ve played hard as a team with good effort, but our execution wasn’t there in a lot of area. Last week, they executed the game plan, each guy was where they were supposed to be, and we want to see more of that.”
And while the Wildcats are still trying to find their way with an offense that has just five touchdowns in four games, they had a weapon emerge last week in senior kicker Carlos Rodriguez, who booted three field goals (including one from 41 yards out) to help fuel the win.
The importance of good special teams isn’t lost on Lotti as a football coach, or on a personal note. He was a collegiate punter at Tennessee Wesleyan and his son, Anthony, is currently the starting punter for Wisconsin.
In fact, Lotti had returned home earlier Sunday from watching the Badgers’ home game Saturday — Anthony only had to punt once, but it was a solid 54-yarder — when he spoke about Rodriguez’s progress.
“Carlos is a kid who hadn’t played football before and didn’t understand the kicking side of things and what to do when he joined the team,” Lotti said. “We’ve been working on teaching him and Adrian (Lopez, who handles kickoffs for the Wildcats) football and I couldn’t be prouder of Carlos. He works very hard, he listens and he’s coachable.
“He’s a great kid and I was happy for him the other night that he was striking the ball as well as he was.”
Kickoff from R. Harold Harrison Stadium on Friday is set for 7:30 p.m. It’s homecoming for Apalachee, and Lotti is hoping his team can ward off the distractions that can come with homecoming week. The coach believes a couple of routine-interrupters two weeks ago helped play a role in his team’s 26-7 loss to Madison County.
“First of all, I somehow came down with the flu and had to miss practice, and when you couple that with not being in school that Friday (before Labor Day), it was tough,” Lotti said. “That’s where you have to build on your maturity. There’s always going to be some form of distraction and you need to elevate your maturity level so you don’t get deterred by them. It’s all about growing up and developing a business-like mentality.
“I tell the kids there’s an important life lesson in there, which is don’t let your circumstances dictate your principles.”
It will serve as one last tune-up before a grueling five-game GHSA Region 8-AAAAAA stretch, which will dictate the Wildcats’ playoff prospects, begins Sept. 28 against Winder-Barrow following an open week.
Apalachee coach Tony Lotti likened the situation to a course in school.
“You could call (Friday’s upcoming game) a last test before we get ready to start taking final exams,” Lotti said. “We want to make sure our preparation and effort continue to improve so we can keep going where we need to go.”
Strong preparation and effort paid off for Apalachee last week as the Wildcats (1-3) earned their first victory in the Lotti era and notched both their first shutout and first road win in six years with a 16-0 triumph at Jackson County.
Lotti said Sunday the morale and excitement among the players and coaches were high.
“Our kids did a great job of executing the game plan,” Lotti said. “We had a great week of practice and we clicked more on all three sides of game, especially defense and special teams. We’ve been so close and (the win) was a big lift. We’ve still got a long way to go and made a lot of mistakes, but we were all anxious to get back to work.
“We want to go into the bye week on a high note.”
On Friday, the Wildcats will face a Walnut Grove team that is 1-2 and seeking to work out some of its own kinks before beginning Region 8-AAAAA play.
The Warriors’ two losses have come to a pair of undefeated teams, including a 28-7 defeat last week at the hands of Monroe Area (which beat Apalachee 35-7 on Aug. 17) and a 16-0 loss to George Walton Academy in their season opener. Sandwiched in between those losses was a 34-31 overtime win at Morgan County (1-3).
Lotti said the Warriors “play very hard” and are similar to the Wildcats in that they’ll present a power Wing-T attack on offense. Defensively, they’re quick, athletic and physical and are led by a pair of talented middle linebackers, including a transfer from Class AAAAAAA power Grayson, who “fly to the ball.”
Facing a familiar offense should help the Wildcats, but if they want to repeat their defensive success from last week, they’ll need to continue executing at a high level, Lotti said.
Last week’s shutout “was really as simple as every individual doing their job, concentrating on every key aspect and doing what we asked them to do,” said Lotti, whose defensive coordinator, Mike Hancock, will square off this week with the team whose defense he led prior to coming to Apalachee. “I felt like up to now we’ve played hard as a team with good effort, but our execution wasn’t there in a lot of area. Last week, they executed the game plan, each guy was where they were supposed to be, and we want to see more of that.”
And while the Wildcats are still trying to find their way with an offense that has just five touchdowns in four games, they had a weapon emerge last week in senior kicker Carlos Rodriguez, who booted three field goals (including one from 41 yards out) to help fuel the win.
The importance of good special teams isn’t lost on Lotti as a football coach, or on a personal note. He was a collegiate punter at Tennessee Wesleyan and his son, Anthony, is currently the starting punter for Wisconsin.
In fact, Lotti had returned home earlier Sunday from watching the Badgers’ home game Saturday — Anthony only had to punt once, but it was a solid 54-yarder — when he spoke about Rodriguez’s progress.
“Carlos is a kid who hadn’t played football before and didn’t understand the kicking side of things and what to do when he joined the team,” Lotti said. “We’ve been working on teaching him and Adrian (Lopez, who handles kickoffs for the Wildcats) football and I couldn’t be prouder of Carlos. He works very hard, he listens and he’s coachable.
“He’s a great kid and I was happy for him the other night that he was striking the ball as well as he was.”
Kickoff from R. Harold Harrison Stadium on Friday is set for 7:30 p.m. It’s homecoming for Apalachee, and Lotti is hoping his team can ward off the distractions that can come with homecoming week. The coach believes a couple of routine-interrupters two weeks ago helped play a role in his team’s 26-7 loss to Madison County.
“First of all, I somehow came down with the flu and had to miss practice, and when you couple that with not being in school that Friday (before Labor Day), it was tough,” Lotti said. “That’s where you have to build on your maturity. There’s always going to be some form of distraction and you need to elevate your maturity level so you don’t get deterred by them. It’s all about growing up and developing a business-like mentality.
“I tell the kids there’s an important life lesson in there, which is don’t let your circumstances dictate your principles.”
Prep Roundup: AHS volleyball sweeps area matches
The Apalachee volleyball team kept its strong season going Tuesday, sweeping a pair of home GHSA Area 8-AAAAAA matches against Winder-Barrow and Lanier.
The fourth-ranked Wildcats made easy work of their crosstown rivals, winning 2-0 (25-14, 25-11) and then knocking off Lanier (25-21, 25-23).
Apalachee improved to 25-2 overall and 4-0 in area play and will be back in action Thursday when it hosts North Oconee at 5 p.m.
Meanwhile, Winder-Barrow split its area action Tuesday as the Bulldoggs recovered from the Apalachee loss to top Gainesville 2-1 (25-20, 16-25, 25-19). The Bulldoggs are now 16-7 overall and 3-1 in area play. The Bulldoggs will host Hebron Christian and Loganville on Thursday for senior night and will compete in the Rally High Tourney at Lakepoint Sports Complex this weekend.
In GISA action Tuesday, Bethlehem Christian Academy lost a home Region 4 match to Augusta Prep, dropping to 2-2 in region play and second place behind Augusta Prep (3-1).
The Knights took the first set Tuesday (25-22) before dropping three straight to the Cavaliers (29-27, 25-22, 25-20).
BCA returns to action Thursday with another region match at Monsignor Donovan.
Softball: AHS, WBHS softball teams win
The Apalachee softball team kept rolling in Region 8-AAAAAA play Tuesday with a 4-1 home win over Habersham Central, avenging a 4-2 loss from earlier this season. Sophomore pitcher Emily Hodnett was once again spectacular, allowing just one hit and one unearned run while striking out five batters without any walks. She also went 2-for-4 with a double at the plate. Skylar Antley hit a solo homer, Madison Hubler went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs, and Kinsley Kraus went 2-for-3 with a double to lead the Wildcats, who improved to 11-6 and 7-1 in region play.
Apalachee also topped Winder-Barrow 4-2 last Thursday on the road. Hodnett out-dueled Bulldogg senior Rose Johnson in the circle to pick up the win. Hodnett went the distance, allowing two runs (both unearned) on just two hits while striking out five batters and not giving up a walk.
The Bulldoggs (6-8, 4-3) picked up a 2-1 win at Gainesville on Tuesday as Jasmin Roberts pitched a complete game, allowing an unearned run on three hits while fanning five and not allowing any walks. After falling behind 1-0 in the bottom of the first, the Bulldoggs got an RBI groundout from Rachel Harwell in the second and an RBI single by Bekah Freeman in the third, and Roberts took things from there.
The fourth-ranked Wildcats made easy work of their crosstown rivals, winning 2-0 (25-14, 25-11) and then knocking off Lanier (25-21, 25-23).
Apalachee improved to 25-2 overall and 4-0 in area play and will be back in action Thursday when it hosts North Oconee at 5 p.m.
Meanwhile, Winder-Barrow split its area action Tuesday as the Bulldoggs recovered from the Apalachee loss to top Gainesville 2-1 (25-20, 16-25, 25-19). The Bulldoggs are now 16-7 overall and 3-1 in area play. The Bulldoggs will host Hebron Christian and Loganville on Thursday for senior night and will compete in the Rally High Tourney at Lakepoint Sports Complex this weekend.
In GISA action Tuesday, Bethlehem Christian Academy lost a home Region 4 match to Augusta Prep, dropping to 2-2 in region play and second place behind Augusta Prep (3-1).
The Knights took the first set Tuesday (25-22) before dropping three straight to the Cavaliers (29-27, 25-22, 25-20).
BCA returns to action Thursday with another region match at Monsignor Donovan.
Softball: AHS, WBHS softball teams win
The Apalachee softball team kept rolling in Region 8-AAAAAA play Tuesday with a 4-1 home win over Habersham Central, avenging a 4-2 loss from earlier this season. Sophomore pitcher Emily Hodnett was once again spectacular, allowing just one hit and one unearned run while striking out five batters without any walks. She also went 2-for-4 with a double at the plate. Skylar Antley hit a solo homer, Madison Hubler went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs, and Kinsley Kraus went 2-for-3 with a double to lead the Wildcats, who improved to 11-6 and 7-1 in region play.
Apalachee also topped Winder-Barrow 4-2 last Thursday on the road. Hodnett out-dueled Bulldogg senior Rose Johnson in the circle to pick up the win. Hodnett went the distance, allowing two runs (both unearned) on just two hits while striking out five batters and not giving up a walk.
The Bulldoggs (6-8, 4-3) picked up a 2-1 win at Gainesville on Tuesday as Jasmin Roberts pitched a complete game, allowing an unearned run on three hits while fanning five and not allowing any walks. After falling behind 1-0 in the bottom of the first, the Bulldoggs got an RBI groundout from Rachel Harwell in the second and an RBI single by Bekah Freeman in the third, and Roberts took things from there.
Cross Country: AHS girls take second at Morgan Co. meet
The Apalachee girls cross country team finished second out of eight teams Sept. 5 in the Rick Boulis Invitational at Morgan County High School.
The Lady Wildcats finished with 63 points, behind first-place Loganville (29).
Jade Pinela led Apalachee, finishing ninth overall (24:14.71). Chelsea Nunez-Parades was 11th (24:17.94), Abigail Zapata finished 19th (25:02.65), and Michelle Murdock took 22nd (25:27.57).
Emery Ryan of John Milledge Academy was the top overall girls runner (20:56.30).
In the boys race, Apalachee finished sixth out of 13 teams, scoring 152 points. Kevin Ellington finished seventh overall (19:00.39), while Austin Sigman finished 21st (19:55.80).
Colin McCabe of Georgia Military College Prep was the individual winner (17:59.55) while Loganville was the team winner with 36 points.
Apalachee will host the Anthony “Apple” Hawkins Invite on Saturday, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Winder-Barrow will also be competing in the meet.
The Winder-Barrow teams competed Saturday at the Carrollton Orthopedic Invite.
The Bulldogg boys finished seventh out of 14 teams with 207 points. Brian Gaddy took 18th overall (19:00.04) while Mason Ayer, Jacob Sweatt and Ryan Kehoe also finished in the top 50. Richmond Hill was the team winner with 59 points and the Wildcats’ Jalen Murray was the individual winner (17:16.41).
On the girls’ side, Winder-Barrow finished 13th out of 15 teams. Kacie Wilson was the high finisher for the Lady Bulldoggs, taking 23rd (23:39.64). Haley Hooper of Lovett was the overall winner (20:32.31) while Lovett also won the team title.
HAWKINS INVITATIONAL
The Hawkins Invitational is named after 2013 Apalachee graduate and former cross country runner Anthony “Apple” Hawkins, who was killed by a drunk driver Sept. 10, 2016. An open 5K in conjunction with the varsity race and a scholarship fund were established in his honor.
The open 5K on Saturday will begin at 7:30 a.m. The proceeds will go to an AHS cross country runner.
The Lady Wildcats finished with 63 points, behind first-place Loganville (29).
Jade Pinela led Apalachee, finishing ninth overall (24:14.71). Chelsea Nunez-Parades was 11th (24:17.94), Abigail Zapata finished 19th (25:02.65), and Michelle Murdock took 22nd (25:27.57).
Emery Ryan of John Milledge Academy was the top overall girls runner (20:56.30).
In the boys race, Apalachee finished sixth out of 13 teams, scoring 152 points. Kevin Ellington finished seventh overall (19:00.39), while Austin Sigman finished 21st (19:55.80).
Colin McCabe of Georgia Military College Prep was the individual winner (17:59.55) while Loganville was the team winner with 36 points.
Apalachee will host the Anthony “Apple” Hawkins Invite on Saturday, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Winder-Barrow will also be competing in the meet.
The Winder-Barrow teams competed Saturday at the Carrollton Orthopedic Invite.
The Bulldogg boys finished seventh out of 14 teams with 207 points. Brian Gaddy took 18th overall (19:00.04) while Mason Ayer, Jacob Sweatt and Ryan Kehoe also finished in the top 50. Richmond Hill was the team winner with 59 points and the Wildcats’ Jalen Murray was the individual winner (17:16.41).
On the girls’ side, Winder-Barrow finished 13th out of 15 teams. Kacie Wilson was the high finisher for the Lady Bulldoggs, taking 23rd (23:39.64). Haley Hooper of Lovett was the overall winner (20:32.31) while Lovett also won the team title.
HAWKINS INVITATIONAL
The Hawkins Invitational is named after 2013 Apalachee graduate and former cross country runner Anthony “Apple” Hawkins, who was killed by a drunk driver Sept. 10, 2016. An open 5K in conjunction with the varsity race and a scholarship fund were established in his honor.
The open 5K on Saturday will begin at 7:30 a.m. The proceeds will go to an AHS cross country runner.
Football: Wildcats earn first win under Lotti with 16-0 shutout at Jackson County
During a jubilant post-game speech, Apalachee coach Toni Lotti asked his team if it had anything it would like to add to his festive message.
As it turned out, Wildcat running A.J. Millbrooks had something to share — the game ball, which he rushed over to hand to Lotti.
Cheers erupted as the first-year Wildcat coach tucked the souvenir under his arm in the wake of a 16-0 road win Friday over Class AAA Jackson County, his first as Apalachee head coach.
“I’m just very happy for the kids,” Lotti said. “We clicked tonight. We’d been so close on certain things but we hadn’t put it all kind of together and played complete game.”
Placekicker Carlos Rodriguez converted three-of-four field goal attempts, Millbrooks rushed for a touchdown and the Wildcat defense recorded a shutout as Apalachee (1-3) enjoyed its first victory in nearly a calendar year. The program’s most recent win came 364 days ago when it beat Discovery 29-28 on Sept. 8, 2017.
The Wildcats’ defense set the tone early, forcing Jackson County into a three-and-out on the game’s opening possession.
“I was very pleased with our defense,” Lotti said. “Our defense played every bit as well as I felt like they were capable of. They got the stops. I tell you, coach (Mike) Hancock and our defensive staff had a great game plan coming in, and the kids executed it.”
The Wildcats took over at the Panther 46 after a short punt and moved 31 yards to set up a 32-yard field goal from Rodriguez.
Apalachee’s defense set up the Wildcats’ next score, recovering a second-quarter fumble on the Jackson County 18-yard line.
Millbrooks found the end zone five plays after the turnover, taking a handoff to the right, then cutting back to his left for a 6-yard touchdown to give Apalachee a 10-0 lead with 5:05 left before halftime.
The Wildcat defense then forced a turnover on downs on the Apalachee 42. Keyed by a 22-yard run from Millbrooks, the Wildcats drove 34 yards to set up a 41-yard field goal from Rodriguez with just six seconds left in the half to give the Wildcats a 13-0 lead.
Apalachee drained much of the third-quarter clock with a 12-play drive that ended with a missed field goal from Rodriguez from 33 yards out. Still, the drive ate up 8:46 in a game where time of possession favored the Wildcats.
“We kept the ball away from them,” said Lotti, who praised the offensive game plan of offensive coordinator David Seawright and his staff. “I don’t think they got their second chance at anything (in the second half) until late in the third quarter. That’s huge.”
The Wildcat defense later forced another turnover on downs at the Jackson County 29, stopping the Panthers’ Tyler Wester short of the first down marker on a quarterback keeper on fourth-and-inches.
Given a short field, the Apalachee offense set up a 30-yard, fourth-quarter field goal from Rodriguez for the game’s final score.
Jackson County threatened to score late when Wester hit Nate Vincent for a 32-yard gain down to the Wildcat 32, but penalties wiped out the drive.
Lotti called the win “just one step.”
“But I’m just so happy for these people,” he said. “I love seeing the joy on their face, and that’s my job to try to keep it there.”
Lotti said he was also honored by his team’s post-game gesture.
“It’s just a football,” he said of receiving the game ball, “but to have the kids want me to have it, means everything to me because of what we do. Me coming here, it was one of those things that I felt like I was supposed to come here. I couldn’t explain it, and I just love being around them. That’s one of the things that I told them is, ‘I don’t want to ever take for granted the minutes that I have with you because they mean a lot to me.’”
Apalachee hosts Walnut Grove next Friday.
As it turned out, Wildcat running A.J. Millbrooks had something to share — the game ball, which he rushed over to hand to Lotti.
Cheers erupted as the first-year Wildcat coach tucked the souvenir under his arm in the wake of a 16-0 road win Friday over Class AAA Jackson County, his first as Apalachee head coach.
“I’m just very happy for the kids,” Lotti said. “We clicked tonight. We’d been so close on certain things but we hadn’t put it all kind of together and played complete game.”
Placekicker Carlos Rodriguez converted three-of-four field goal attempts, Millbrooks rushed for a touchdown and the Wildcat defense recorded a shutout as Apalachee (1-3) enjoyed its first victory in nearly a calendar year. The program’s most recent win came 364 days ago when it beat Discovery 29-28 on Sept. 8, 2017.
The Wildcats’ defense set the tone early, forcing Jackson County into a three-and-out on the game’s opening possession.
“I was very pleased with our defense,” Lotti said. “Our defense played every bit as well as I felt like they were capable of. They got the stops. I tell you, coach (Mike) Hancock and our defensive staff had a great game plan coming in, and the kids executed it.”
The Wildcats took over at the Panther 46 after a short punt and moved 31 yards to set up a 32-yard field goal from Rodriguez.
Apalachee’s defense set up the Wildcats’ next score, recovering a second-quarter fumble on the Jackson County 18-yard line.
Millbrooks found the end zone five plays after the turnover, taking a handoff to the right, then cutting back to his left for a 6-yard touchdown to give Apalachee a 10-0 lead with 5:05 left before halftime.
The Wildcat defense then forced a turnover on downs on the Apalachee 42. Keyed by a 22-yard run from Millbrooks, the Wildcats drove 34 yards to set up a 41-yard field goal from Rodriguez with just six seconds left in the half to give the Wildcats a 13-0 lead.
Apalachee drained much of the third-quarter clock with a 12-play drive that ended with a missed field goal from Rodriguez from 33 yards out. Still, the drive ate up 8:46 in a game where time of possession favored the Wildcats.
“We kept the ball away from them,” said Lotti, who praised the offensive game plan of offensive coordinator David Seawright and his staff. “I don’t think they got their second chance at anything (in the second half) until late in the third quarter. That’s huge.”
The Wildcat defense later forced another turnover on downs at the Jackson County 29, stopping the Panthers’ Tyler Wester short of the first down marker on a quarterback keeper on fourth-and-inches.
Given a short field, the Apalachee offense set up a 30-yard, fourth-quarter field goal from Rodriguez for the game’s final score.
Jackson County threatened to score late when Wester hit Nate Vincent for a 32-yard gain down to the Wildcat 32, but penalties wiped out the drive.
Lotti called the win “just one step.”
“But I’m just so happy for these people,” he said. “I love seeing the joy on their face, and that’s my job to try to keep it there.”
Lotti said he was also honored by his team’s post-game gesture.
“It’s just a football,” he said of receiving the game ball, “but to have the kids want me to have it, means everything to me because of what we do. Me coming here, it was one of those things that I felt like I was supposed to come here. I couldn’t explain it, and I just love being around them. That’s one of the things that I told them is, ‘I don’t want to ever take for granted the minutes that I have with you because they mean a lot to me.’”
Apalachee hosts Walnut Grove next Friday.
Softball: Apalachee tops Winder-Barrow 4-2
The Apalachee softball team got the better of crosstown rival Winder-Barrow on Thursday, winning 4-2 on the road in a GHSA Region 8-AAAAAA contest.
It was the first of three games the teams will play against each other this season.
Apalachee sophomore Emily Hodnett out-dueled Winder-Barrow senior Rose Johnson in the circle to pick up the win. Hodnett went the distance, allowing two runs (both unearned) on just two hits while striking out five batters and not giving up a walk.
With the game tied 1-1 in the top of the sixth, the Wildcats (9-5, 6-1 region) pushed across two runs to take the lead for good. Skylar Antley drew a bases-loaded walk and Hodnett followed with an RBI single to make it 3-1. The Bulldoggs (5-7, 3-3) cut it to 3-2 in the bottom of the frame when Bekah Freeman stole home, but Apalachee tacked on an insurance run in the seventh on a one-out homer by S'Niyah Stinson.
Apalachee scored the first run of the game in the third when Madyson Coe reached on an error that plated Kinsley Kraus. Winder-Barrow tied it in the fourth on a steal of home by Amber Smith.
The Wildcats, who also beat Gainesville 9-1 on Wednesday, will be back in action Saturday for games against Milton and Mary Persons at Georgia Gwinnett College. They'll resume region play Tuesday when they host Habersham Central. The Bulldoggs, who lost 7-5 to Lanier on Wednesday, will travel to Jefferson on Monday for a non-region game before resuming region play Tuesday at Gainesville.
The Wildcats and Bulldoggs will face each other again Wednesday at Apalachee in a makeup of a game that was originally scheduled for Aug. 21 but was rained out. The teams will also play at Apalachee on Sept. 25.
It was the first of three games the teams will play against each other this season.
Apalachee sophomore Emily Hodnett out-dueled Winder-Barrow senior Rose Johnson in the circle to pick up the win. Hodnett went the distance, allowing two runs (both unearned) on just two hits while striking out five batters and not giving up a walk.
With the game tied 1-1 in the top of the sixth, the Wildcats (9-5, 6-1 region) pushed across two runs to take the lead for good. Skylar Antley drew a bases-loaded walk and Hodnett followed with an RBI single to make it 3-1. The Bulldoggs (5-7, 3-3) cut it to 3-2 in the bottom of the frame when Bekah Freeman stole home, but Apalachee tacked on an insurance run in the seventh on a one-out homer by S'Niyah Stinson.
Apalachee scored the first run of the game in the third when Madyson Coe reached on an error that plated Kinsley Kraus. Winder-Barrow tied it in the fourth on a steal of home by Amber Smith.
The Wildcats, who also beat Gainesville 9-1 on Wednesday, will be back in action Saturday for games against Milton and Mary Persons at Georgia Gwinnett College. They'll resume region play Tuesday when they host Habersham Central. The Bulldoggs, who lost 7-5 to Lanier on Wednesday, will travel to Jefferson on Monday for a non-region game before resuming region play Tuesday at Gainesville.
The Wildcats and Bulldoggs will face each other again Wednesday at Apalachee in a makeup of a game that was originally scheduled for Aug. 21 but was rained out. The teams will also play at Apalachee on Sept. 25.
Volleyball: Wildcats sweep first pair of area matches, improve to 20-1
The Apalachee volleyball team's strong season to date continued Tuesday as the Wildcats swept their first pair of GHSA Area 8-AAAAAA matches, defeating Dacula and Habersham Central, 2-0, at Dacula, to move to 20-1 on the year.
The Wildcats won the first set against Dacula, 25-16, and then held off the Falcons 25-23 in the second set. They won 25-18 and 25-14 against Habersham.
Apalachee returns to action Saturday when it will participate in the North Cobb Classic. The Wildcats are scheduled to face Marietta at 8 a.m., McIntosh at 9 a.m., Hebron Christian Academy at 11 a.m. and Allatoona at 1 p.m. The Wildcats will resume region play Tuesday when they host region matches against Winder-Barrow at 5 p.m. and Lanier at 7 p.m.
The Wildcats won the first set against Dacula, 25-16, and then held off the Falcons 25-23 in the second set. They won 25-18 and 25-14 against Habersham.
Apalachee returns to action Saturday when it will participate in the North Cobb Classic. The Wildcats are scheduled to face Marietta at 8 a.m., McIntosh at 9 a.m., Hebron Christian Academy at 11 a.m. and Allatoona at 1 p.m. The Wildcats will resume region play Tuesday when they host region matches against Winder-Barrow at 5 p.m. and Lanier at 7 p.m.
Football: Wildcats look to clean up execution against Jackson County
The main theme in the Apalachee football team’s 0-3 start to the season has been the Wildcats’ inability to make it a big play when they need it the most.
That was the case again last week in a 26-7 home loss to Madison County as the Wildcats weren’t able to mount a strong offensive output against the Red Raiders.
“It’s the difference between a more seasoned team and an inexperienced team” Apalachee coach Tony Lotti said Monday. “I hated it because the score looked worse than the game was, but my hat’s off to Madison County for playing well. I wished we had played better. I can’t stand it when we’re out of school. We had some distractions and we just didn’t do a good job of dealing with them.
“They made some plays when they needed to have them and we didn’t. We’ve got to keep fighting to get better.”
The Wildcats will again look to reverse their fortunes Friday when they visit Jackson County for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. The Panthers (2-1) are coming off a 45-0 thrashing of Lumpkin County in Dahlonega last week and have posted two shutouts thus far.
“They’re a really good football team. Coach (Brandon) Worley has them playing very hard with a lot of confidence right now,” Lotti said of the Panthers.
“There’s nothing easy on our schedule. For us, it’s got to be about focusing on us and fixing our mental errors. We need to get things rolling a little bit, play fundamentally sound and play with everything we’ve got.”
The Wildcats will be faced with stopping a throwback, old-school single-wing offense that has yielded positive results for the Panthers thus far.
Junior running back Tyler Wester has amassed 340 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns on the ground and is averaging 7.6 yards a carry. He had a monster game last week against Lumpkin, running for 173 yards and 5 touchdowns, all before halftime.
“He’s a big, physical back who can run, which why they’re doing that offense with him,” Lotti said of Wester.
“He’s a really good player with a lot of power who gets downhill quick. It’s going to be important that we get 11 hats to the football and stay balanced. You don’t want to overcompensate for one thing or they’ll come back and hit you on the weak side.
“We had a good practice (Monday) taking a first look at the offense. It’s something I’ve seen before when I coached against Dutchtown. But I told the guys we just need to line up and play football.”
See more in the Sept. 5 edition of the Barrow News-Journal.
That was the case again last week in a 26-7 home loss to Madison County as the Wildcats weren’t able to mount a strong offensive output against the Red Raiders.
“It’s the difference between a more seasoned team and an inexperienced team” Apalachee coach Tony Lotti said Monday. “I hated it because the score looked worse than the game was, but my hat’s off to Madison County for playing well. I wished we had played better. I can’t stand it when we’re out of school. We had some distractions and we just didn’t do a good job of dealing with them.
“They made some plays when they needed to have them and we didn’t. We’ve got to keep fighting to get better.”
The Wildcats will again look to reverse their fortunes Friday when they visit Jackson County for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. The Panthers (2-1) are coming off a 45-0 thrashing of Lumpkin County in Dahlonega last week and have posted two shutouts thus far.
“They’re a really good football team. Coach (Brandon) Worley has them playing very hard with a lot of confidence right now,” Lotti said of the Panthers.
“There’s nothing easy on our schedule. For us, it’s got to be about focusing on us and fixing our mental errors. We need to get things rolling a little bit, play fundamentally sound and play with everything we’ve got.”
The Wildcats will be faced with stopping a throwback, old-school single-wing offense that has yielded positive results for the Panthers thus far.
Junior running back Tyler Wester has amassed 340 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns on the ground and is averaging 7.6 yards a carry. He had a monster game last week against Lumpkin, running for 173 yards and 5 touchdowns, all before halftime.
“He’s a big, physical back who can run, which why they’re doing that offense with him,” Lotti said of Wester.
“He’s a really good player with a lot of power who gets downhill quick. It’s going to be important that we get 11 hats to the football and stay balanced. You don’t want to overcompensate for one thing or they’ll come back and hit you on the weak side.
“We had a good practice (Monday) taking a first look at the offense. It’s something I’ve seen before when I coached against Dutchtown. But I told the guys we just need to line up and play football.”
See more in the Sept. 5 edition of the Barrow News-Journal.
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