Sports

Putnam County senior wide receiver Jayson Smith (14) makes a catch in mid-air over a Winder-Barrow defender. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County senior wide receiver Jayson Smith (14) makes a catch in mid-air over a Winder-Barrow defender. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

War Eagles host padded camp

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
The Putnam County football team hosted a padded camp on Tuesday and Thursday last week.
Georgia transfer wide receiver Zacariah Branch (1) will be a vital contributor to the team’s offensive success this season. COURTESY OF UGA ATHLETICS

Georgia transfer wide receiver Zacariah Branch (1) will be a vital contributor to the team’s offensive success this season. COURTESY OF UGA ATHLETICS

Dawgs rely on youth heading into season

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Georgia football’s roster will look a bit different heading into the 2025 season after the Bulldogs lost a lot of starters and talent during the offseason, either to the NFL Draft or the transfer portal.
The entire Lake Oconee Shotgun Team performed well July 5-12 at the National Scholastic Clay Target tournament at the Cardinal Shooting Center in Marengo, Ohio. CONTRIBUTED

The entire Lake Oconee Shotgun Team performed well July 5-12 at the National Scholastic Clay Target tournament at the Cardinal Shooting Center in Marengo, Ohio. CONTRIBUTED

Local shotgun team performs well in Ohio

News Staff
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
The Lake Oconee Shotgun Team, under head coach John Bush, returned this past weekend from the National Scholastic Clay Target Program’s competition July 5-12 at the Cardinal Shooting Center in Marengo, Ohio.
Former Putnam County football star and current University of South Carolina safety Jalon Kilgore has recently received a high NFL Draft grade from ESPN’s Jordan Reid. COURTESY OF USC ATHLETICS

Former Putnam County football star and current University of South Carolina safety Jalon Kilgore has recently received a high NFL Draft grade from ESPN’s Jordan Reid. COURTESY OF USC ATHLETICS

Former Putnam star receives high NFL Draft grade

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Jalon Kilgore has been a standout defensive back for South Carolina during his brief college career.Kilgore, a former star at Putnam County, is heading into his junior season with the Gamecocks.
Putnam County junior running back Elijah Dunn goes through a drill during a spring practice in May. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County junior running back Elijah Dunn goes through a drill during a spring practice in May. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

‘Battle-tested’ War Eagles prepare for 2025

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Putnam County went 5-6 and 6-5 the past two seasons, followed by a first-round playoff exit. According to head coach Joel Harvin, this year’s War Eagle squad can win a region title and secure another playoff berth if it executes on the field.
Jeff Wallace

Jeff Wallace

Smith: Jeff Wallace

Loran Smith
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
There is more to the Jeff Wallace story than you probably know. First, there is his wife, Sabina, who, like Jeff, was a star athlete at UGA — both on scholarship — track for her, tennis for him.
Putnam County head coach Joel Harvin directs his players while they go through a drill during a spring practice in May. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County head coach Joel Harvin directs his players while they go through a drill during a spring practice in May. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

War Eagles to navigate tough schedule in 2025

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
The Putnam County football team will have a tough schedule in 2025.The War Eagles finished 5-6 last season with a first-round playoff exit and will face the same teams during the regular season this year.Putnam County head coach Joel Harvin believes that this season will be different than last year.
Loran Smith/Columnist

Loran Smith/Columnist

Smith: Wimbledon memories

Loran Smith
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
As the action intensifies at Wimbledon, the world’s oldest tennis championship charms and inspires, and leaves you smitten and overwhelmed. That is how this great venue and its revered tournament affect this partisan.
A group of veteran Gatewood football players goes through a drill in the weight room Tuesday morning, under the watchful eye of strength and conditioning coaches Scott Dennard and Conor Richards (far right). IAN TOCHER/Staff

A group of veteran Gatewood football players goes through a drill in the weight room Tuesday morning, under the watchful eye of strength and conditioning coaches Scott Dennard and Conor Richards (far right). IAN TOCHER/Staff

‘Improvement’ key to Gators’ success this season

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Gatewood’s football team continued its busy summer workout schedule this week.The Gators are in the weight room and conditioning on the field, hoping their efforts will pay off on the gridiron this fall.
Kathy Mendez

Kathy Mendez

Gatewood soccer players earn All-State recognition

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Gatewood’s soccer teams had several players earn postseason recognition for their performances on the pitch in 2025.Four Lady Gators were named to the GIAA All-Region 4-AA team: senior Sarah Kate Mansfield, junior Kimberly Mendez, sophomore Lily Piper, and freshman Kathy Mendez.
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