Sports

LANCE MCCURLEY/File Photo

LANCE MCCURLEY/File Photo

Exclusive Subscriber Content

McCurley: Football is here

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
August 1st is the beginning of football season to me.— Colin CowherdFootball is officially here.High school football in the Peach State begins this week with scrimmages. The Georgia Bulldogs start fall camp.
Wild Things Pitcher Luke Petruzzi had the summer of a lifetime, with his crosscountry trip to Lake Oconee. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

Wild Things Pitcher Luke Petruzzi had the summer of a lifetime, with his crosscountry trip to Lake Oconee. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Wild Things summer: Luke Petruzzi’s cross-country experience at Lake Oconee

Skyla Morris
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
The Lake Oconee Wild Things 2025 roster featured collegiate baseball athletes from numerous universities across the state and country. Several of the participating athletes traveled far to spend their summer in Lake Oconee and stayed with host families for their season.
LANCE MCCURLEY/File Photo

LANCE MCCURLEY/File Photo

McCurley: Atlanta’s MLB All-Star festivities

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Last week, our state capital hosted Major League Baseball’s All-Star festivities, and I believe it was a big success.It would’ve been a whole lot better if the Braves didn’t suck and had more players competing, though.Regardless, the Home Run Derby was a fantastic start.
Gatewood senior Ellie McMillan has been a catcher for the past few seasons, but coach Dena Stancil said she will play multiple positions this year. CONTRIBUTED

Gatewood senior Ellie McMillan has been a catcher for the past few seasons, but coach Dena Stancil said she will play multiple positions this year. CONTRIBUTED

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Lady Gators look to leadership for improved season

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
The Gatewood softball team aims to rebound in 2025 after finishing with a disappointing 3-17 record last season. The Lady Gators have a veteran-laden roster this season, with five seniors returning.Gatewood head coach Dena Stancil said she is excited about this senior class.
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

Exclusive Subscriber Content

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

Exclusive Subscriber Content

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

Exclusive Subscriber Content

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

Exclusive Subscriber Content

‘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

Exclusive Subscriber Content

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.
Subscribe to