Sports

Carson Beck (15) during Georgia Football’s G-Day game at Sanford Stadium April 13. Madison Keel/UGAAA

Carson Beck (15) during Georgia Football’s G-Day game at Sanford Stadium April 13. Madison Keel/UGAAA

Georgia to open season against Clemson

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Top-ranked Georgia will begin its season on Aug. 31 against No. 14 Clemson at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.Three years ago, the Bulldogs topped the Tigers 10-3 in a defensive battle at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
Putnam County’s offense has run through tailback Rashod Daniel (3) this season. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County’s offense has run through tailback Rashod Daniel (3) this season. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam to face familiar foe on Friday

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Putnam County has a chance to right its wrongs this Friday in Augusta against former region foe Laney. The War Eagles (0-2) will be seeking their first victory this season, hoping it will be over the Wildcats (1-1).“[Laney] has always got physical kids,” Putnam head coach Joel Harvin said.
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

Smith: Callihan’s Mountain Retreat

Loran Smith
Thursday, August 22, 2024
Sapphire, North Carolina, a well-reputed and highly inviting plateau in the Blue Ridge Mountains, has always been a garden spot for visitors and residents alike with a bent for recreation and temperate days and nights that help bring about bountiful outdoor fulfillment.
Putnam County tailback Rashod Daniel (3) runs around the edge of the Greene defense behind quarterback Jamarion Robertson (2). (LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff)

Putnam County tailback Rashod Daniel (3) runs around the edge of the Greene defense behind quarterback Jamarion Robertson (2). (LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff)

War Eagles fall to Tigers in opener

Lance McCurley
Thursday, August 22, 2024
Putnam County’s season didn’t start as it wanted, as the War Eagles suffered a 28-20 loss to Greene County on the road. Putnam battled to the end, but a few mistakes led to the Tigers holding on for a close win.
Gatewood junior Ben Brannen had a big outing at Flint River, scoring both of the Gators’ touchdowns last Friday. (IAN TOCHER/Staff)

Gatewood junior Ben Brannen had a big outing at Flint River, scoring both of the Gators’ touchdowns last Friday. (IAN TOCHER/Staff)

‘Undisciplined play’ costs Gators

Ian Tocher
Thursday, August 22, 2024
The Gatewood Gators opened their 2024 campaign with a 19-14 loss to Flint River Academy on Friday night in Woodbury. Head coach Jeff Ratliff said his team played well overall but added, “undisciplined, senseless plays really hurt us and ultimately cost us the game.
Putnam County players listen to head coach Joel Harvin’s postgame speech this past Friday after losing to Greene County. (LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff)

Putnam County players listen to head coach Joel Harvin’s postgame speech this past Friday after losing to Greene County. (LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff)

Putnam, Morgan ready to resume rivalry on gridiron

Lance McCurley
Thursday, August 22, 2024
Putnam County and Morgan County will meet on the gridiron for the first time since 2021 this Friday in Eatonton. The ‘Dogs lead the all-time series 31-18-1, but the War Eagles have won the last two games by a combined 42-2 score.Putnam County head coach Joel Harvin is happy the rivalry is back.
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

Smith: Football today

Loran Smith
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
There is so much uneasiness about college football today. While I am comfortable with paying the players, I cannot help but ask, shouldn’t there be some guardrails and respect for the grand ole game’s traditions? Some structure and an overseeing body to bring about common-sense regulation?
Greene County and Putnam County will officially renew their rivalry on the gridiron this Friday for the first time in five years. (FILE PHOTO)

Greene County and Putnam County will officially renew their rivalry on the gridiron this Friday for the first time in five years. (FILE PHOTO)

RIVALRY RENEWED: Tigers, War Eagles to face off Friday night

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
This Friday, the Greene County-Putnam County football rivalry will be renewed for the first time in five years.The teams scrimmaged each other the past two seasons, but the result will count this Friday.
Entering his third season as the Gators’ starting quarterback, senior Ames Johnson is expected to be a leader on and off the field as Gatewood seeks a return to the state championship game in December. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Entering his third season as the Gators’ starting quarterback, senior Ames Johnson is expected to be a leader on and off the field as Gatewood seeks a return to the state championship game in December. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gators gear up for 2024 season

Ian Tocher
Thursday, August 8, 2024
The Gatewood Gators will travel to Athens Christian this Friday for a preseason scrimmage. Head coach Jeff Ratliff hopes to iron out any last-minute kinks before the regular season starts one week later at Flint River Academy in Woodbury.
Erk Russell was Georgia football's defensive coordinator for 17 years and helped start the football program at Georgia Southern. (Photo Courtesy of the UGA Hargrett Library)

Erk Russell was Georgia football's defensive coordinator for 17 years and helped start the football program at Georgia Southern. (Photo Courtesy of the UGA Hargrett Library)

Smith: Erk Russell tribute planned for Letterman’s Club at UGA

Loran Smith
Thursday, August 8, 2024
As another football season is about to get underway, I thought about all the lustful and enduring praise for offensive football, which has always been the talk of the town. I recalled how the late Erk Russell joined in, too, but underneath, he was plotting and scheming for an equalizer.
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