Sports

Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

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Smith: Love of the game

Loran Smith
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
In Athens earlier this week, I timed a trip uptown via Lumpkin Street to immerse myself in the phalanx of students, watching them cross the street all the way to the bottom of the hill and up past Joe Brown Hall toward the canopy of trees of North Campus.
Laney’s Matthew White fights his way past Putnam defenders as he marches his way into the end zone. T. MICHAEL STONE/Staff

Laney’s Matthew White fights his way past Putnam defenders as he marches his way into the end zone. T. MICHAEL STONE/Staff

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Mistakes plague Putnam in Laney loss

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Mistakes aren’t good for any football team, but Putnam County just had too many of them last Friday against Laney.The War Eagles (1-2) had five turnovers, which helped the Wildcats (2-1) secure a 46-16 win at Al Reaves Field in Eatonton.Putnam County struggled offensively because of turnovers.
Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff still believes in his team after its 0-3 start. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff still believes in his team after its 0-3 start. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Gatewood suffers 26-14 loss to Lions

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Gatewood is off to a disappointing 0-3 start this season after falling 26-14 to Loganville Christian Academy (2-1) on the road last Friday.Still, “the game was much closer than the score indicates,” Gators head coach Jeff Ratliff stated in his weekly post-game address to team parents and boosters.
Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) accounted for four touchdowns in the team’s 45-7 win over Marshall on Saturday. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) accounted for four touchdowns in the team’s 45-7 win over Marshall on Saturday. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

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Stockton leads Georgia past Marshall in opener

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Georgia easily defeated Marshall in its season opener on Saturday, largely due to the performance of quarterback Gunner Stockton.In his first start at Sanford Stadium for the No. 4 Bulldogs, Stockton scored four touchdowns in the lopsided 45-7 victory.
The Putnam County War Eagles take the field before facing Laney on Friday night. T. MICHAEL STONE/Staff

The Putnam County War Eagles take the field before facing Laney on Friday night. T. MICHAEL STONE/Staff

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War Eagles ready to take on Rebels

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Following the season-opening win over Greene County, Putnam County is now looking to break a two-game losing streak.Morgan County and Laney dominated the War Eagles the last two weeks, and this Friday’s matchup won’t be any easier.
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

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Smith: Darryl Jones

Loran Smith
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Here in Columbus, the waters of Georgia’s most romantic river — the musical Chattahoochee — bring a lively atmosphere to a vibrant populace bent on creating a city that combines work and play, making it not only an attractive destination but also a place to put down roots.
Putnam County senior running back Omarion Butts (6) dives across the goal line late in the second quarter as a Morgan County defender failed to bring him down. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam County senior running back Omarion Butts (6) dives across the goal line late in the second quarter as a Morgan County defender failed to bring him down. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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War Eagles learn from loss to ‘Dogs

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
After a strong season debut against Greene County, Putnam County struggled in its second game of the season. The War Eagles played Morgan County on Friday at Bill Corry Stadium and were defeated 46-14 on a wet and rainy night.
Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff said sophomore Blake Brannen is already showing more patience and poise in his decision making as the team’s new quarterback. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff said sophomore Blake Brannen is already showing more patience and poise in his decision making as the team’s new quarterback. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Gatewood coach continues to believe in team

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Gatewood fell 24-6 to the Trinity Christian Crusaders (1-1) last Friday to remain winless after two games. Still, head coach Jeff Ratliff said he saw things he liked in his team despite a slow start to its 2025 season.“It’s never easy. It’s hard, but we’re going to continue to get better as a team.
Georgia is expecting cornerback Ellis Robinson IV (1) to battle for the starting spot opposite of veteran Daylen Everette this season. COURTESY OF UGA ATHLETICS

Georgia is expecting cornerback Ellis Robinson IV (1) to battle for the starting spot opposite of veteran Daylen Everette this season. COURTESY OF UGA ATHLETICS

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Dawgs focus on themselves ahead of opener

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Georgia will get its 2025 season underway at home against non-conference opponent Marshall this week. The No. 4 Bulldogs were preparing for the Thundering Herd during practice last week.“Coaches started on Thursday, and players started on Friday.
Gatewood quarterback Blake Brannen is somewhere in the middle of the crowd as he gets pushed across the goal line by teammates for the Gators’ lone score on Friday night. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood quarterback Blake Brannen is somewhere in the middle of the crowd as he gets pushed across the goal line by teammates for the Gators’ lone score on Friday night. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Gatewood falls to Flint River in season opener

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
The new-look Gatewood Gators got off to a rough start Friday night, falling 20-6 to the visiting Flint River Academy Wildcats out of Woodbury.
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