Sports

Ben Brannen is Gatewood’s lone senior in 2026. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Ben Brannen is Gatewood’s lone senior in 2026. TREY NORRIS/Staff

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Gatewood baseball hopes to four-peat in 2026

Trey Norris
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Last year was another terrific season for Gatewood baseball, as the Gators won their third-straight GIAA Class AA state championship after their sixth consecutive appearance in the final series.
Gatewood’s Don Keiser commands the attention of his players during a playo game last season in Macon. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood’s Don Keiser commands the attention of his players during a playo game last season in Macon. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Keiser sees growth at Gatewood as he steps away

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
After falling 56-50 to Windsor Academy in a Feb. 10 playoff game, the 2025-26 season will show a 2-20 record for the Gatewood boys basketball team. Still, head coach Don Keiser said he saw something deeper this season than just points on the scoreboard.
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

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Smith: Sonny Jurgensen

Columnist
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
One of the reasons Vince Lombardi came out of retirement to coach the Washington Redskins was the incumbent quarterback, Christian Adolph “Sonny” Jurgensen, who was blessed with a brilliant mind to accompany his world-class arm.
Jaylen Nelson finished with 21 points, five rebounds, six assists, and seven steals for the War Eagles in last week’s win over the Caliphs. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Jaylen Nelson finished with 21 points, five rebounds, six assists, and seven steals for the War Eagles in last week’s win over the Caliphs. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

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War Eagles crush Caliphs in region tourney opener

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
The Putnam County boys basketball team punched its ticket to the Region 4-Class A Division I semifinals Feb. 12, with a dominant 94-58 playoff win over WD Mohammed at Lamar County High School.
Zachariah Long will represent the War Eagles at the state traditionals meet in the 190-pound weight class.

Zachariah Long will represent the War Eagles at the state traditionals meet in the 190-pound weight class.

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Putnam wrestling sends five to state traditionals

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
The Putnam County wrestling program will be well represented at the state traditionals meet this weekend. The team is sending five wrestlers to compete for individual state titles.
Luca Ciaccio (left) and Hunter Pierce (right) both placed for Gatewood at last week’s GIAA state tradtionals meet. CONTRIBUTED

Luca Ciaccio (left) and Hunter Pierce (right) both placed for Gatewood at last week’s GIAA state tradtionals meet. CONTRIBUTED

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Mat Gators make it count at state meet

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Last weekend at Riverside Prep in Gainesville, the Gatewood wrestling team made a strong statement at the GIAA traditional state meet, as two of three Mat Gators placed in an all-classification field.
Ian Tocher/Staff

Ian Tocher/Staff

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Tocher: Feds take over D.C. golf courses

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
The Trump administration’s effort to remake Washington, D.C. in the president’s aesthetic has now extended to the city’s public golf courses.
Putnam County head coach Patrick Marshall said that junior guard Jaylen Nelson (4) has stepped up and been a vital part of the team’s success this season. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County head coach Patrick Marshall said that junior guard Jaylen Nelson (4) has stepped up and been a vital part of the team’s success this season. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

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Putnam boys gear up for region tourney

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
The Putnam County boys basketball team closed out its regular season on a high note Feb. 4, defeating Social Circle 74-54 in a region matchup.The War Eagles enter the region tournament later this week with a 19-6 overall record and an 8-1 mark in region play.
Putnam County freshman guard Jaydah Baker (20) has proved to be a player the Lady War Eagles can rely on down the stretch. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County freshman guard Jaydah Baker (20) has proved to be a player the Lady War Eagles can rely on down the stretch. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

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Lady War Eagles ready for region tournament

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
As the region tournament nears, the Putnam County girls basketball team sits atop the Class A Division I state rankings and heads into postseason play as one of the programs everyone is chasing.
Putnam County will rely on senior Ethan Whatley on the mound this season. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County will rely on senior Ethan Whatley on the mound this season. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

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Putnam baseball features senior-heavy roster

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
The Putnam County baseball team will start its 2026 season next week, with a roster heavily made up of seniors.
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