Sports

Putnam County football players go through a conditioning periods during a practice last week. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

War Eagles use spring to prep for summer

Thursday, May 22, 2025

The Putnam County football team got back to the basics this spring. Led by head coach Joel Harvin, the War Eagle staff had their players use the last month to get in shape.“It wasn’t an actual spring practice period,” Harvin said.

The Lady Gators are Elite Eight bound after defeating Covenant Academy of Macon 8-0 on Friday, May 9. CONTRIBUTED

Gatewood girls reach Elite Eight

Lance McCurley

Thursday, May 15, 2025

The Gatewood girls soccer team dominated Covenant Academy of Macon to advance to the next round of the GIAA Class 2A state tournament on Friday.The No. 7-seeded Lady Gators (8-8) defeated the No.

Loran Smith/File Photo

Smith: A most exciting day

Loran Smith

Thursday, May 15, 2025

There has always been something electrifying about the Kentucky Derby, which trumpets its mile-and-a-quarter race as “The most exciting two minutes in sports.

Gatewood’s Hunter Johnson (6) has been a reliable hitter for the Gators this season. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gators to face Brentwood in playoff opener

Trey Norris

Thursday, May 15, 2025

Gatewood finished its regular season on a disappointing note, losing three consecutive games to First Presbyterian Day, Tallulah Falls, and Bulloch Academy.The Gators completed their regular season with a final record of 19-10 but went undefeated in region play at 5-0 to secure the No.

Putnam County junior Bill Waters sets placed third in the high jump at the Class A Division I state meet. CONTRIBUTED

Waters sets bar high at state meet

Lance McCurley

Thursday, May 15, 2025

Putnam County junior Bill Waters had a strong showing in the high jump event at the Class 1A Division I track-and-field state meet at Barron Stadium in Rome.Waters placed third with a jump of 6-feet, 4-inches behind Heard County’s Josiah Bonner and Dodge County’s Kyler Johnson.

Gatewood track-and-field head coach Jeff Ratliff stands between his third-place girls 4X100 relay team and the record-setting boys 4X400 relay team at the 2025 GIAA 3A State Track & Field Meet. CONTRIBUTED

Gatewood T&F has solid showing at state meet

Ian Tocher

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

The Gatewood track-and-field team visited Strong Rock Christian School in Locust Grove from May 1-3 for the GIAA Class 2A State Meet, where the boys finished third overall and the girls placed eighth.

The Putnam County boys 4x400-meter relay team poses for a photo with coach Kedric Manning, celebrating their fifth-place finish at the state sectional meet. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam T&F qualifies nine for state meet

Lance McCurley

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Putnam County’s track-and-field teams recently competed at the Class A Division I sectional A meet for Regions 1, 2, 3, and 4 at Bleckley County High School in Cochran.A second sectional meet occurred at Bremen High School for Regions 5, 6, 7, and 8.

Loran Smith/File Photo

Smith: Vince Dooley

Loran Smith

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Late in his life, as lawsuits were making the NCAA’s life more miserable than ever and paying the players was bringing about consternation for the game, the late Vince Dooley said in a casual conversation, “I am glad I coached when I did.

Model’s Brennan Dial (6) dribbles the ball away from Putnam County defender Dennis Sanchez (12). ZEKE PALERMO/Contributed

Model powers past Putnam in playoffs

Lance McCurley

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Putnam County’s soccer season came to an end last week in the second round of Class A Division I state playoffs. The top-seeded Blue Devils defeated No. 16 Putnam 8-0 to advance to the next round.

Putnam County junior Wyatt Sims was a key role player, filling in whenever needed. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Future appears bright for Putnam baseball

Lance McCurley

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Stephen Phillips learned a lot about his players during his first season as head coach of the Putnam County baseball team.The War Eagles were eliminated in the first round of the postseason by Washington County. They finished the 2025 season with an 11-16 overall record.

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