Gatewood closed out its regular season on the diamond with two wins last week, including an important 7-3 victory on Tuesday over region rival Piedmont Academy.

Fishing and hunting have allowed me to meet some true heroes. A number of years ago, my family used to support a small, wounded warrior-style group out of Madison run by Col. Mike Steele.

The Gatewood golf team left no stone unturned, capturing the Georgia Independent Athletic Association Class AA championship on its home course at Harbor Club in Greensboro earlier this week. As a team, five Gators shot a combined score of 332, edging out second-place finisher Heritage Preparatory School by nine strokes to secure the title win.

Last week, Putnam County’s tennis teams saw their seasons end in the first round of the state playoffs. Each team hosted a playoff match but came up short as the No. 2 seed War Eagles fell 3-0 to No. 3 seed Cook, while No. 4 seed Worth County shutout the top-seeded Lady War Eagles by a 5-0 score.

The running of the Kentucky Derby has always gotten my attention – long before I even had the opportunity to experience the “Run for the Roses” live and in living color. I will watch the 149th running of the Derby this Saturday via NBC with mixed emotions.

Despite a tough week on the diamond, the Gatewood Gators won their second straight region championship last week.

Emmanuel Meraz added to his list of accomplishments this season in last Friday’s playoff match against Cook. Meraz scored the game’s only three goals, powering top-seed Putnam County (13-1) to a 3-0 win over Cook (8-11).

The Lady War Eagles’ soccer season ended last Thursday in the first round of the playoffs when No. 4 seed Jeff Davis upset top-seed Putnam County 4-1 at Al Reaves Field in Eatonton.

Putnam County begins its playoff quest on April 25 as the No. 3 seed from Region 4-AA after going 2-1 last week.

“Hero.” Fishing and life have allowed me to meet several people who truly fill this role, but people use this word way too much these days, in my opinion. The signs, the hashtags, whatever.