After an outstanding 2023 campaign that ended with a tight 16-10 runner-up finish in the state final, the Gatewood Gators took a step back last year, finishing with a 5-5 regular season record and a first-round exit from the playoffs.
Regardless, veteran head coach Jeff Ratliff remains confident this year’s squad could step up and surprise a few more opponents along the way.
Despite losing eight players to graduation in the spring, the Gators return nine seniors, five juniors, eight sophomores, and three freshmen in 2025. It leaves Gatewood with a relatively tight 26-man roster that doesn’t leave much room for setbacks.
Perhaps the biggest change for 2025 comes at the always pivotal quarterback position, where sophomore Blake Brannen takes over from veteran signal caller Ames Johnson, who had the ball in his hands almost exclusively for the last three Gatewood campaigns.
Regardless, Ratliff expressed confidence that his young quarterback can handle the pressure and make the right plays.
“Blake has had an incredible camp, and he’s just gotten better and better. He had a great summer in the weight room; he’s grown some since last year, and the length has helped him out, I think. Plus, he played a little there last year as a backup, so he’s come through our program as a quarterback. But you never know how he’s going to look seniors in the eye to take control of the huddle, but he’s worked on that, too,” Ratliff said.
“But I know the guys love what he’s doing out there,” he added. “I mean, I don’t know what else to say, he’s a leader and he works as hard as anyone, so I have complete confidence in him.”
Ratliff is also looking forward to seeing each of his new seniors step up.
He singled out Mason Sinclair, who, as a linebacker, led the team in tackles last season and was named to the All-State team. He also mentioned fellow senior Ben Brannen, Blake’s older brother, as the Gators’ fastest player, capable of running from high 4.30s to low 4.40s in the 40-yard dash, which would place him among the top athletes in college football.
“We’re going to put him all over the field,” Ratliff said of Ben Brannen. “We’re going to line him up as a wide receiver, put him in the backfield, probably put him under center some. He’s a threat. And then at the defensive position, he’s a shutdown corner. He can take the other team’s best receiver and lock them down — and that’s fantastic.”
Similarly, Ratliff said Lake Ferman started out this year playing tight end and defensive end, but the coaching staff identified he’d picked up some speed since last season.
“He’s got great speed. Clocked a 4.6 this year,” Ratliff said. “Lake has taken a huge step forward, and he’s had a great camp.”
Ratliff added he’s also excited about the offensive potential of senior Jackson Lundy, whom he said is “track guy fast” and will line up as a wide receiver.
“He’ll also play some defensive back and probably won’t come off the field much,” Ratliff said. “Jackson is an excellent athlete, a good football player, and just a solid kid, great character. I think he’ll have a really good year.”
Ratliff added that seniors Mikey Padula, Sawyer Atkinson, and Colt Jenkins are all expected to contribute additional offensive options for the team this year, as well as fulfill defensive roles.
Meanwhile, Jake Karns and 6-foot-7, 274-pound transfer Drew Clevenger will primarily play on both the offensive and defensive lines.
Ratliff said he’s also looking forward to what junior Landon Moreno will bring to the team this season as a safety and running back, and added that Drew Burke, another junior, will take over the important role as center.
“Drew’s steps from last year to this year are phenomenal. I mean, sometimes you just see that maturity, that jump from sophomore to junior, and he’s filled out, he’s strong, he’s a real football player now,” Ratliff declared. “And that’s like Landon, too. Landon is a truly great athlete. He does everything around here: football, basketball, and track. But he’s a football player at heart, I think.”
Ratliff also mentioned his entire coaching staff: Scott Denar, Clyde Harper, Mike Kelly, Connor Richards, Josh Ringer, and Tyler Van Dusen, are critical to the team’s success.
Gatewood will open its 2025 campaign at home in Eatonton Aug. 15 at 7:30 p.m. when it takes on the Flint River Academy Wildcats out of Woodbury.