Sports

Rock Lobsters veteran Filip Virgili fires the winning goal in the shootout past Columbus goaltender Trevor Babin. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Rock Lobsters veteran Filip Virgili fires the winning goal in the shootout past Columbus goaltender Trevor Babin. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Athens Rock Lobsters win New Year’s Eve shootout

Ian Tocher
Thursday, January 8, 2026
The Athens Rock Lobsters delivered a thrilling 6-5 shootout win in front of a packed house Dec. 31 at Akins Ford Arena, after surviving a scoreless overtime against the cross-state rival Columbus River Dragons.
Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton gets set to deliver a pass from the pocket. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton gets set to deliver a pass from the pocket. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Dawgs weigh in on loss to Rebels in Sugar Bowl

Skyla Morris
Thursday, January 8, 2026
For a second straight year, Georgia’s season has ended in the Allstate Sugar Bowl and CFP quarterfinals. Ole Miss knocked off the Bulldogs with a 39-34 win after losing the regular-season matchup 43-35 on Oct. 18.
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

Smith: N’awlins

Loran Smith
Thursday, January 8, 2026
One of the most pleasant features of a sojourn to this extraordinary river city is landing at the Louis Armstrong Airport and hearing the comforting sounds of the jazz impresario, wafting leisurely in the atmosphere. You just feel good when you disembark.
Jones County's Aubrey Norris (3) goes up for a layup as Putnam County's Jaikarccie Smith (14) tries to block the shot. BRAD HARRISON/Staff

Jones County's Aubrey Norris (3) goes up for a layup as Putnam County's Jaikarccie Smith (14) tries to block the shot. BRAD HARRISON/Staff

Putnam girls suffer first loss of season

Lance McCurley
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
The Putnam County girls basketball team suffered its first loss of the season at Jones County on Jan. 3.The Lady Greyhounds avenged a 60-59 overtime loss to the Lady War Eagles from Dec. 20 with a 53-39 win.
Putnam County senior Tamaud Woodson (0) attempts to go up for a layup against a Jones County defender inside the paint in a loss to the Greyhounds on Jan. 3. BRAD HARRISON/Staff

Putnam County senior Tamaud Woodson (0) attempts to go up for a layup against a Jones County defender inside the paint in a loss to the Greyhounds on Jan. 3. BRAD HARRISON/Staff

War Eagles have good showing over holidays

Lance McCurley
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
The Putnam County basketball team played four games over the Christmas break and performed well.The War Eagles went 3-1 last week, bringing their record to 10-4 overall entering the new calendar year.Putnam’s boys participated in the Basketball at the Beach tournament in St.
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

Smith: Sports reflections

Loran Smith
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
I know that arrogance in our society has reached its highest level in history, and we have now come to that juncture where boatswain mates could be allowed to teach Sunday School.Then, when foul language is coupled with arrogance, you don’t have to be a minister to be offended.
Senior Natalie Sills is one of the team’s best all-around players. DR. BOB BETZEL/Contributed

Senior Natalie Sills is one of the team’s best all-around players. DR. BOB BETZEL/Contributed

Defense leads Lady Gators to fast start

Lance McCurley
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
The Gatewood girls basketball team is off to a 10-1 start to the 2025-26 season.The Lady Gators have had a lot of early success this year due to head coach Ferdinand Farley’s emphasis on defense.
Putnam County senior guard Jmari Greene (3) drives the lane against a Morgan County defender in a win over the Dogs on Nov. 20. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County senior guard Jmari Greene (3) drives the lane against a Morgan County defender in a win over the Dogs on Nov. 20. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

What’s next for Putnam County's basketball teams?

Lance McCurley
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
At the midpoint of the 2025-26 season, Putnam County’s basketball teams sit in a good place.Entering week seven, SandysSpiel.com ranks the girls No. 1 and the boys No. 2 in Class A Division I.The Lady War Eagles are 11-0 and have dominated the competition for the most part.
Matt Winslette

Matt Winslette

Eatonton native helps Buford to national title

Ian Tocher
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
After going 15-0 and winning the Class 6A GHSA state championship, Buford High School was named the consensus High School National Champion by MaxPreps, ESPN, USA Today, SportingNews.com, HighSchoolFootballAmerica.com, and Blue Star Media Elite 25.
Gunner Stockton’s return to the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1 provides an important opportunity for redemption to the Bulldogs’ quarterback. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Gunner Stockton’s return to the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1 provides an important opportunity for redemption to the Bulldogs’ quarterback. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Stockton ready for return to NOLA, rematch with Rebels

Lance McCurley
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Last season’s Sugar Bowl loss to Notre Dame left a “bad taste” in the mouth of Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton.It was Stockton’s first career start after replacing Carson Beck against Texas in the SEC Championship game.
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