Sports

Mekhi Mews (87) breaks away from Ball State defenders during a 69-yard punt return, which sparked the Bulldogs to score 45 unanswered points. TONY WALSH/UGA Athletics

Mekhi Mews (87) breaks away from Ball State defenders during a 69-yard punt return, which sparked the Bulldogs to score 45 unanswered points. TONY WALSH/UGA Athletics

Mews sparks Georgia win over Ball State

Lance McCurley
Thursday, September 14, 2023
After a scoreless first quarter, top-ranked Georgia got the spark it needed Saturday afternoon when wide receiver Mekhi Mews returned a Ball State punt 69 yards to the end zone. The Bulldogs never looked back.
The War Eagles run out onto the field before their game against Jasper County on Friday. IAN TOCHER/Staff

The War Eagles run out onto the field before their game against Jasper County on Friday. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Game Preview: Putnam County at Butler

Lance McCurley
Thursday, September 14, 2023
Putnam County (1-2) begins region play Friday in Augusta at Butler (1-1) for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. • Series History: Putnam County leads, 3-0 • Last Meeting: Putnam County defeated Butler 44-0 in 2022. Both Putnam County and Butler head into Friday’s Region 4-AA opener coming off wins last week.
Kilgore is tied for the team’s most tackles with 18 through two games. COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA ATHLETICS

Kilgore is tied for the team’s most tackles with 18 through two games. COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA ATHLETICS

Kilgore returns to play in front of family and friends

Brendan Koerner
Thursday, September 14, 2023
Former Putnam County football player Jalon Kilgore returns to his home state this Saturday as the South Carolina Gamecocks travel to Athens to face the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs. Kilgore has made an instant impact on the Gamecocks’ defense.
Kaleb Crawford (9) runs past Jasper County defenders in Friday’s 24-17 win. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Kaleb Crawford (9) runs past Jasper County defenders in Friday’s 24-17 win. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Crawford leads War Eagles to victory

Lance McCurley
Thursday, September 14, 2023
Putnam County’s Kaleb Crawford put the team on his back Friday, leading the War Eagles to victory. The senior rushed for a career-high 209 yards and a pair of touchdowns as Putnam County (1-2) got its first win of the season, beating Jasper County (2-2) 24-17 on Friday night.
Gatewood kicker Jayden Daniel (4) was singled out for his consistency in contributing to the Gators’ 20-13 win last Friday over Southland Academy in Americus. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood kicker Jayden Daniel (4) was singled out for his consistency in contributing to the Gators’ 20-13 win last Friday over Southland Academy in Americus. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood gets it done in Americus

Ian Tocher
Thursday, September 14, 2023
“We did what we needed to.” That was the assessment of head coach Jeff Ratliff on the performance of his Gatewood Gators last Friday after a 20-13 victory over Southland Academy in Americus.
Loran Smith/Columnist

Loran Smith/Columnist

Smith: Seasons change, fans don’t

Loran Smith
Thursday, September 14, 2023
If it weren’t for fans, there would be no television or college football mania. Fan support is the first step in building a program attractive to television networks, whose influence is as dominant as Herschel Walker was on the toss sweep.
Oconee County running back Caiden Wood (3) runs through a hole in the Putnam County defense in Friday’s win. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Oconee County running back Caiden Wood (3) runs through a hole in the Putnam County defense in Friday’s win. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Wood, Warriors too much for War Eagles

Lance McCurley
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Oconee County (1-2) proved its dominance over Putnam County (0-2) again on Friday with a 51-14 win. Warriors’ running back Caiden Wood also shined, scoring four touchdowns in the win.
Back-up quarterback Ben Brannen (2) pushes off an Augusta Prep defender on his way to scoring a third-quarter touchdown in Gatewood’s 62-6 win over the visiting Cavaliers. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Back-up quarterback Ben Brannen (2) pushes off an Augusta Prep defender on his way to scoring a third-quarter touchdown in Gatewood’s 62-6 win over the visiting Cavaliers. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood gets easy win over Augusta Prep

Ian Tocher
Thursday, September 7, 2023
The Gatewood Gators added another easy win Friday night, beating the visiting Augusta Prep Day Cavaliers 62-6 at Sammons Field in Eatonton.
Georgia wide receiver Mehki Mews (87) breaks away from defenders on a 54-yard touchdown during Saturday’s win over UTMartin. CHARLES JORDAN/Contributed

Georgia wide receiver Mehki Mews (87) breaks away from defenders on a 54-yard touchdown during Saturday’s win over UTMartin. CHARLES JORDAN/Contributed

Bulldogs bounce back from slow start to beat UT-Martin

Lance McCurley
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Top-ranked Georgia’s season-opening 48-7 victory over UT-Martin on Saturday had its highs and lows. The Bulldogs struggled out of the gate offensively but overcame the slow start to put up 41 points, with their final touchdown coming from the defense on a pick-six late in the fourth quarter.
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