Sports

Former Putnam County football player Damoio’n Wright has coached running backs at Grayson High School for the past two seasons. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Former Putnam County football player Damoio’n Wright has coached running backs at Grayson High School for the past two seasons. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Former War Eagle to coach in state championship game

Lance McCurley
Thursday, December 12, 2024
Damoio’n Wright has been living his dream by coaching at Grayson High School in Gwinnett County.Wright, a former Putnam County High School football player, coaches running backs under second-year head coach Santavious Bryant.
Gatewood junior Matt Allen continued his own strong start to the season on Saturday, dropping 30 points against the GMC Bulldogs. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood junior Matt Allen continued his own strong start to the season on Saturday, dropping 30 points against the GMC Bulldogs. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gators unbeaten in strong start to season

Ian Tocher
Thursday, December 12, 2024
The Gatewood Gators basketball team played three times in the past week and now sports a perfect 4-0 record.
Georgia running back Trevor Etienne (1) fights his way through Texas defenders to score the game-winning touchdown in overtime. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Georgia running back Trevor Etienne (1) fights his way through Texas defenders to score the game-winning touchdown in overtime. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Bulldogs top Texas to claim SEC title

Lance McCurley
Thursday, December 12, 2024
ATLANTA — Georgia beat Texas on a drama-filled Saturday night to claim the 2024 SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.The Bulldogs won the conference title 22-19 in overtime on Dec.
Junior linebacker Christian Farley was an All-Region first-team selection. FILE PHOTO

Junior linebacker Christian Farley was an All-Region first-team selection. FILE PHOTO

War Eagles earn All-Region honors

Lance McCurley
Thursday, December 12, 2024
The Putnam County football team recently announced seven players earned 2024 All-Region honors.The War Eagles went 5-6 overall in 2024 and made a trip to the Class A Division I state playoffs before the season ended. However, head coach Joel Harvin is proud of his players in his second year.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart is all smiles during an interview with ESPN reporter Laura Rutledge after winning the SEC Championship game in Atlanta on Saturday. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart is all smiles during an interview with ESPN reporter Laura Rutledge after winning the SEC Championship game in Atlanta on Saturday. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Georgia earns CFP berth, bye in first round

Lance McCurley
Thursday, December 12, 2024
Georgia is returning to the College Football Playoff after defeating Texas in the 2024 SEC Championship game.In the first season of a new 12-team format, the CFP committee named the Bulldogs the No. 2 seed behind Oregon.
Putnam County’s Kindall Ward (24) tries to prevent Morgan County’s Breniyah Anderson (40) from taking a shot inside the paint. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County’s Kindall Ward (24) tries to prevent Morgan County’s Breniyah Anderson (40) from taking a shot inside the paint. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Lady War Eagles relying on defense

Lance McCurley
Thursday, December 5, 2024
The Putnam County girls’ basketball team entered this week on a hot streak, winning five straight games. To start December, the Lady War Eagles are 6-1 overall and ranked No. 7 in Class A Division I.
Senior Jaylin Harper (5) scored 14 points in a win over Hancock Central on Nov. 30. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Senior Jaylin Harper (5) scored 14 points in a win over Hancock Central on Nov. 30. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

War Eagles try to stay humble after perfect start

Lance McCurley
Thursday, December 5, 2024
Putnam County’s impressive start to the 2024-25 basketball season continued last week with three more wins. The War Eagles swept Hancock Central (85-71; 70-54) and topped Greene County (95-55). They entered this week with an 8-0 record on the year and are ranked No. 2 overall in Class A Division I.
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

Smith: Toughness, connection, resiliency, composure

Loran Smith
Thursday, December 5, 2024
As the extended overtime game versus Georgia Tech played out last weekend, there were so many times when one’s confidence was buoyed, dashed, and fractured – certainly for home team fans – yet faith remained intact as the University of Georgia perhaps earned the most improbable victory in its...
Gatewood senior Ames Johnson had a solid game for the Gators Monday night in his first game back as a basketball player since he was a freshman. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood senior Ames Johnson had a solid game for the Gators Monday night in his first game back as a basketball player since he was a freshman. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gators feast on JHA in season opener

Ian Tocher
Thursday, December 5, 2024
By the end of the opening quarter, the visiting Rebels from John Hancock Academy were probably wishing they’d never made the trip to the Gators’ lair in Eatonton.When the first quarter ended after just eight minutes, Gatewood was up 31-5.
Sophomore guard Lauren Paxson had a strong game for the Lady Gators Monday night in a 58-31 win over JHA. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Sophomore guard Lauren Paxson had a strong game for the Lady Gators Monday night in a 58-31 win over JHA. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Lady Gators win at home over John Hancock

Ian Tocher
Thursday, December 5, 2024
The Lady Gators basketball team earned a solid win over John Hancock Academy on Monday night at home in Eatonton. Coming off a 68-16 loss at Athens Christian late last month in their 2024-25 season opener, the Gatewood girls prevailed 58-31 over the Lady Rebels from nearby Sparta.
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