Sports

Putnam County senior Branan Griffin earned the Coaches Award after playing through an ACL injury this past season. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County senior Branan Griffin earned the Coaches Award after playing through an ACL injury this past season. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

War Eagles rack up All-Region honors

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
It was recently announced that several players on the Putnam County football team received All-Region honors.The War Eagles had one player earn an individual award, 12 players named to the All-Region team, and four players garnering honorable mentions.
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

Smith: Eight over Tech

Loran Smith
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Hail Mary passes don’t work very often, but when they do, it is jubilation for the throwers and catchers. However, success most often lies with the defenders, and that was the case last weekend at the Mercedes Dome in Atlanta.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart holds up the 2025 SEC Championship trophy after the Bulldogs knocked off Alabama 28-7 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Dec. 6. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart holds up the 2025 SEC Championship trophy after the Bulldogs knocked off Alabama 28-7 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Dec. 6. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Dawgs roll Tide in Atlanta

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Georgia dominated Alabama from start to finish on Dec. 6 in the SEC Championship game. The No. 3 Bulldogs (12-1) avenged an earlier regular-season loss to No. 9 Alabama (10-3) with a 28-7 victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium this past Saturday to secure their second consecutive conference title.
ESPN reporter Laura Rutledge (left) interviews Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (right) following the SEC Championship game. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

ESPN reporter Laura Rutledge (left) interviews Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (right) following the SEC Championship game. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Dawgs return to New Orleans for Sugar Bowl

Skyla Morris
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
With their SEC Championship win last Saturday over the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Georgia Bulldogs claimed their spot as the No. 3 seed in the 2025 College Football Playoffs.The back-to-back conference champions will return to New Orleans for the New Year’s Day Allstate Sugar Bowl.
Bennett Haley, an eighthgrade student at Gatewood, has shined for the Gators this season, leading the team in scoring for nearly every game played so far. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Bennett Haley, an eighthgrade student at Gatewood, has shined for the Gators this season, leading the team in scoring for nearly every game played so far. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gators coach aims at improvement this season

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Gatewood Gators head basketball coach Don Keiser has quickly learned this season that nothing comes easy. Injuries, a young roster, and a relentless schedule have tested his team’s depth — but not its fight.
A pair of Putnam County defenders double-team an Arabia Mountain guard as she tries to advance the ball up the court. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

A pair of Putnam County defenders double-team an Arabia Mountain guard as she tries to advance the ball up the court. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Lady War Eagles dominate on defense

Lance McCurley
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Putnam County plays an intense, suffocating style of basketball that has already led to several wins this season.The Lady War Eagles favor applying a man-to-man press on their opponents.
Putnam County senior J’mari Greene scored a season-high 30 points in a loss to Houston County over the weekend. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County senior J’mari Greene scored a season-high 30 points in a loss to Houston County over the weekend. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

War Eagles drop two close games

Lance McCurley
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Over the holiday break, Putnam County’s boys basketball team was active, playing two games.The War Eagles hosted rival and Class 3A’s No. 7 Baldwin on Friday and fell 64-63 to the Braves. The next day, they participated in the HypeSouth Classic in Macon and lost to Class 5A’s No.
Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) in the shotgun formation, getting the offense set before a play against Alabama on Sept. 27. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) in the shotgun formation, getting the offense set before a play against Alabama on Sept. 27. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Georgia ready for Alabama rematch in SEC title game

Lance McCurley
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Georgia (11-1) and Alabama (10-2) will square off Saturday afternoon in the SEC Championship game.The Bulldogs clinched their trip to the conference title game on Friday when Texas upset Texas A&M.“Awesome opportunity for our guys.
Georgia edge rusher Gabe Harris Jr. (0) celebrates after tackling Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King for a loss. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Georgia edge rusher Gabe Harris Jr. (0) celebrates after tackling Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King for a loss. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Defense leads Dawgs over Georgia Tech

Lance McCurley
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Georgia has faced defensive struggles at times throughout this season, but the unit played its best game against in-state rival Georgia Tech in the regular-season finale at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Nov. 28.
Gatewood head coach Don Keiser during a game last season. IAN TOCHER/File Photo

Gatewood head coach Don Keiser during a game last season. IAN TOCHER/File Photo

Weakness or weapon?

Ian Tocher
Thursday, December 4, 2025
With just one returning starter, a roster full of underclassmen, and an offseason of irregular practices, Gatewood boys basketball coach Don Keiser could be forgiven for entering the 2025–26 season with caution.
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