Sports

Gatewood’s Ben Brannen gets set to deliver a pitch during a recent game. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gatewood’s Ben Brannen gets set to deliver a pitch during a recent game. TREY NORRIS/Staff

REGION CHAMPS

Trey Norris
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Gatewood’s baseball team swept its way through region play this season on the way to a fourth consecutive region title.The Gators (14-6, 4-0) defeated the Windsor Academy Knights 12-8 in Macon last Tuesday and 15-3 last Friday in Eatonton.
Gatewood head coach Tracy Harper said senior Riley Justice (24) has been one of the team’s best defenders this season. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Gatewood head coach Tracy Harper said senior Riley Justice (24) has been one of the team’s best defenders this season. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Battle-tested Lady Gators eye playoffs

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Despite a challenging stretch against some of the GIAA’s top competition, the Gatewood girls soccer team remains focused on growth and peaking at the right time as the fastly postseason approaches.
Flanked by her parents, PCHS senior Jade Mullis recently commited to continue her golfing career and education at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville. CONTRIBUTED

Flanked by her parents, PCHS senior Jade Mullis recently commited to continue her golfing career and education at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville. CONTRIBUTED

Mullis signs with GMC

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Putnam County senior Jade Mullis is taking the next step in her golf career, as she recently signed to play at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville.For Mullis, the decision came down to more than just golf.
Georgia early enrollee defensive back Tyriq Green made several plays for the Red Team during the Bulldogs’ annual G-Day scrimmage. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Georgia early enrollee defensive back Tyriq Green made several plays for the Red Team during the Bulldogs’ annual G-Day scrimmage. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Young defenders shine for Dawgs in spring game

Skyla Morris
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
ATHENS - Georgia football held its annual G-Day spring game on April 18, with several new and returning players making an impression on head coach Kirby Smart.In his post-game press conference, Smart said he was impressed with the overall performance.
Georgia redshirt freshman quarterback Ryan Puglisi (12) fires a pass downfield during the G-Day scrimmage. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Georgia redshirt freshman quarterback Ryan Puglisi (12) fires a pass downfield during the G-Day scrimmage. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Georgia backup QBs battle it out at G-Day

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
ATHENS – Georgia’s offense put on a strong showing during its annual G-Day spring scrimmage April 14, with the quarterback room drawing much of the attention.The Bulldogs head into next season with Gunner Stockton entrenched as the starter, but the competition behind him remains unsettled.
Putnam County junior defensive lineman Jay Nelson (51) has recently seen his recruitment blow up, with several schools extending offers. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County junior defensive lineman Jay Nelson (51) has recently seen his recruitment blow up, with several schools extending offers. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Putnam's Nelson sees recruitment blow up

Lance McCurley
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
The recruiting process can come at high speed, especially for a player who just months ago was still waiting for his first real opportunity. For Putnam County junior defensive lineman Jay Nelson, that moment has officially arrived.
Putnam County's Leland Erickson returns a serve during a match in the region tournament in March. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County's Leland Erickson returns a serve during a match in the region tournament in March. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Putnam tennis teams eye deep playoff runs

Lance McCurley
Monday, April 20, 2026
With the postseason finally here, the Putnam County tennis program finds itself in a position it hasn’t often occupied before — one filled with both opportunity and expectation.Head coach Christian Keiser believes both his boys and girls teams are ready to embrace the moment.
Putnam County High School recently announced the hiring of Gabriel Dyar as its new head softball coach. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam County High School recently announced the hiring of Gabriel Dyar as its new head softball coach. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam hires new softball head coach

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Putnam County High School has hired Gabriel Dyar as its new head softball coach as the program looks to rebuild.Dyar replaces Mollie Jones, who coached the Lady War Eagles for the last several seasons.
Trace Watkins rounds the bases and scores safely. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Trace Watkins rounds the bases and scores safely. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

War Eagles rally in region series over Lamar

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Last week, the Putnam County baseball team responded to an opening-game loss with back-to-back road wins to claim a three-game region series over Lamar County.It was a pivotal series for the War Eagles, who entered this week at 13-10 overall and 8-4 in region play.
Putnam County has recently hired Jodie Sprenkle as its new offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. COURTESY OF EARLY COUNTY SCHOOLS

Putnam County has recently hired Jodie Sprenkle as its new offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. COURTESY OF EARLY COUNTY SCHOOLS

Putnam County football hires new offensive coordinator

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Putnam County has turned to a familiar connection to guide its offense next season, hiring Jodie Sprenkle as the program’s new offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, head coach Joel Harvin recently confirmed to The Eatonton Messenger.
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