Sports

Mason Sinclair (11) makes the stop on a Briarwood ball carrier, aided by seniors Blake Callaway (5) and Evan Bennett (7). ARELLA CASH/Staff

Mason Sinclair (11) makes the stop on a Briarwood ball carrier, aided by seniors Blake Callaway (5) and Evan Bennett (7). ARELLA CASH/Staff

Gators beat Briarwood to reach state final

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
For the fifth time in eight years, the Gatewood Gators are going back to the state final. The Gators prevailed 15-12 over visiting Briarwood Academy last Friday night to earn a rematch with Edmund Burke Academy (EBA) in the championship game on Dec. 1, with kick-off scheduled for 5 p.m.
Loran Smith/Columnist

Loran Smith/Columnist

Smith: CBS no more

Loran Smith
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
For the following, I am wearing the hat of a fan. I don’t know all the details of the Southeastern Conference’s breakup with CBS, but I am going to miss those guys. Following this weekend, the CBS network will no longer carry SEC football as it has since 1996.
Bonner (2) goes up for a layup against Greene County’s Steve Miller in a win last season. ARELLA CASH/File photo

Bonner (2) goes up for a layup against Greene County’s Steve Miller in a win last season. ARELLA CASH/File photo

Bonner leads War Eagles to hot start

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
The Putnam County boys’ basketball team is off to a hot start this year, defeating two quality opponents in Union County and Hancock Central, largely due to solid play from senior combo guard Landon Bonner. Bonner, the team’s secondleading scorer last year behind Eren Banks, is averaging 28.
Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey (84) during the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship against Alabama at Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis, Ind., on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. (Photo by Tony Walsh)

Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey (84) during the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship against Alabama at Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis, Ind., on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. (Photo by Tony Walsh)

Dawgs, Tide renew rivalry in SEC Championship game

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Georgia and Alabama will meet again on Dec. 2 in the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with the winner likely going on to the College Football Playoff next month.
Senior running back Kendall Milton led the Bulldogs in rushing against the Yellow Jackets on 18 caries for 156 yards and two touchdowns. COURTESY OF UGA ATHLETICS

Senior running back Kendall Milton led the Bulldogs in rushing against the Yellow Jackets on 18 caries for 156 yards and two touchdowns. COURTESY OF UGA ATHLETICS

Georgia swats Yellow Jackets, finish season 12-0

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Georgia finished its third-straight season with a 12-0 record after defeating Georgia Tech 31-22 at Bobby Dodd Stadium on Saturday in Atlanta. Georgia’s active winning streak is now at 29 games. Dating back to the 2020 season, the Bulldogs have won 45 of their last 46 contests.
Halana Griffin (25) brings the ball up the floor in a game last season. She’s going to be one of the Lady Eagles’ top players in 2023-24. ARELLA CASH/File photo

Halana Griffin (25) brings the ball up the floor in a game last season. She’s going to be one of the Lady Eagles’ top players in 2023-24. ARELLA CASH/File photo

Mixed results for Putnam girls’ basketball

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
The Putnam County girls’ basketball team began its 2023-24 campaign on Nov. 18 at Eastside High School, where the Lady War Eagles faced Class 7A Newton in the Elite Nation Showcase.
Sophomore Matt Allen (12) defends a shot from a John Hancock guard in the post. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Sophomore Matt Allen (12) defends a shot from a John Hancock guard in the post. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gators, Lady Gators sweep John Hancock Academy

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Both the Gatewood girls’ and boys’ basketball teams were in action Monday night in Eatonton, where they hosted the John Hancock Academy Rebels out of Sparta. The Lady Gators won 52-44 to reach a 2-1 record so far this season, while the Gatewood boys prevailed 80-39 in their season opener.
Putnam County’s Lily Frisch (right) shakes hands with a competitor. ARELLA CASH/Staff

Putnam County’s Lily Frisch (right) shakes hands with a competitor. ARELLA CASH/Staff

War Eagle wrestlers have busy start to season

Arella Cash
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
The Putnam County High School wrestling team traveled to Monticello on Nov. 17 where it dominated Jasper County (52-18) and Piedmont Academy (30-26). Senior wrestler Mark Winslette captured his 100th win in Monticello by pinning a Jasper County opponent.
James K. Pressley/File Photo

James K. Pressley/File Photo

Outdoors: Nothing like a live performance

James K. Pressley
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
In years gone by, a vital part of the social life of a small town was between church socials and community theatre. In fact, those two items made up a lot of my young life and young married life. We went to a lot of plays and musicals.
Gators’ senior Lawson Wooten, shown here deflecting a pass attempt by freshman APD quarterback Carter Chavous, had a great game on both sides of the ball for Gatewood Friday night. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gators’ senior Lawson Wooten, shown here deflecting a pass attempt by freshman APD quarterback Carter Chavous, had a great game on both sides of the ball for Gatewood Friday night. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood heads to semis with 54-12 win over APD

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Gatewood delivered a dominant 54-12 performance Friday night in beating the visiting Augusta Prep Day (APD) Cavaliers.
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