Class A Div. I Blog: Rabun County travels to Providence Christian for a key Region 8 matchup

Under the direction of Rance Gillespie in his first season with the program, No. 4 Rabun County (5-0, 1-0) is off to a roaring start in the 2025 season. This Friday at home, the Wildcats will face Providence Christian Academy with the goal of staying unbeaten.

The Wildcats have been dominant on both sides of the ball. So far this season, the Wildcats have notched convincing victories against White County (42-6), Fannin County (35-0), Dalton County (49-42), Bremen County (14-3), and Banks County in a 35-0 shutout.

Gillespie – who led Peach County to back-to-back state championships in 2005 and 2006 – has recently coached at Hart County (2018-2021) and the Brookstone School (2022-2024).

“Practice went well this week plus we’re ready to play,” said Gillespie, who took over after Michael Davis’ departure last season. “We’ve tried to stress the things we need in which to grow, and we’re preparing ourselves for our opponent. We are readying ourselves for them. They bring a number of different pressures, and now we’re preparing because there is a spread offense on our team.”

Providence Christian enters this week’s matchup at 1-3 with its single victory happening last week versus Mount Pisgah Christian.

Senior running back Reid Giles has been an impressive asset for Rabun. He leads the team in both rushing and receiving, Giles has rushed 44 times for 416 yards and six touchdowns and has 16 receptions for 227 yards.

Gillespie commended his signal-caller of the offense, quarterback Ty Truelove by believing that Truelove’s love for the game of football makes him a better leader and helps “keep the game alive” for his team.  

Truelove is 55-of-99 passing for 737 yards and seven touchdowns while rushing for 227 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Lake Evans has 52 carries for 282 yards and four touchdowns and is another option on the ground.

“We're just trying to get better every week. We know that there’s more for us to accomplish, but we’re proud of the way we've played,” said Gillespie.

Class A-Division I Top 10 Schedule

1. Worth County travels to Brantley County (Worth county is on a five-game win-streak)

2. Thomasville hosts Jeff Davis (Thomasville scored a season-high 74 points last week vs Bacon County)

3. Northeast-Macon hosts No. 5 Dublin (Northeast is on a four-game win-streak)

4. Rabun County hosts Providence Christian (Rabun County has allowed only 51 points through five games)

5. Dublin travels to No. 2 Northeast-Macon (Dublin is on a four-game win-streak)

6. Toombs County hosts Tattnall County (Toombs County has allowed 21 points in its four victories this season)

7. Heard County travels to Haralson County (Heard County is on a four-game win-streak)

8. Swainsboro rests.

9. Temple travels to Bremen (Suffered first loss of the season last week to Pepperell)

10. Fitzgerald hosts Appling County (On a two-game losing streak)

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