Sports

Putnam County’s Trace Watkins (3) in the wind-up, getting ready to deliver a pitch during a scrimmage against Jones County earlier this month. BRAD HARRISON/Staff

Putnam County’s Trace Watkins (3) in the wind-up, getting ready to deliver a pitch during a scrimmage against Jones County earlier this month. BRAD HARRISON/Staff

Putnam County learns lessons from close games

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
The Putnam County baseball team’s early-season record may not tell the full story, but head coach Stephen Phillips believes his group is taking important steps forward.Through the opening stretch of the 2026 regular season, the War Eagles have been tested by close games and late-inning situations.
Putnam County’s Lily Armistead (left) gets set to take on Harris County’s Ava Ives (right) in the first round of the GHSA girls state traditionals wrestling tournament last week. KIM CASH/Contributed

Putnam County’s Lily Armistead (left) gets set to take on Harris County’s Ava Ives (right) in the first round of the GHSA girls state traditionals wrestling tournament last week. KIM CASH/Contributed

Putnam County wrestling teams wrap up season

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
The Putnam County wrestling program wrapped up the 2025-26 season this past weekend at the GHSA state traditionals tournament at The Arena at Southlake in Morrow.Between both the boys and girls teams, Putnam sent five grapplers to the state tournament.
Ben Brannen is Gatewood’s lone senior in 2026. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Ben Brannen is Gatewood’s lone senior in 2026. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gatewood baseball hopes to four-peat in 2026

Trey Norris
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Last year was another terrific season for Gatewood baseball, as the Gators won their third-straight GIAA Class AA state championship after their sixth consecutive appearance in the final series.
Gatewood’s Don Keiser commands the attention of his players during a playo game last season in Macon. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood’s Don Keiser commands the attention of his players during a playo game last season in Macon. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Keiser sees growth at Gatewood as he steps away

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
After falling 56-50 to Windsor Academy in a Feb. 10 playoff game, the 2025-26 season will show a 2-20 record for the Gatewood boys basketball team. Still, head coach Don Keiser said he saw something deeper this season than just points on the scoreboard.
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

Smith: Sonny Jurgensen

Columnist
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
One of the reasons Vince Lombardi came out of retirement to coach the Washington Redskins was the incumbent quarterback, Christian Adolph “Sonny” Jurgensen, who was blessed with a brilliant mind to accompany his world-class arm.
Jaylen Nelson finished with 21 points, five rebounds, six assists, and seven steals for the War Eagles in last week’s win over the Caliphs. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Jaylen Nelson finished with 21 points, five rebounds, six assists, and seven steals for the War Eagles in last week’s win over the Caliphs. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

War Eagles crush Caliphs in region tourney opener

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
The Putnam County boys basketball team punched its ticket to the Region 4-Class A Division I semifinals Feb. 12, with a dominant 94-58 playoff win over WD Mohammed at Lamar County High School.
Zachariah Long will represent the War Eagles at the state traditionals meet in the 190-pound weight class.

Zachariah Long will represent the War Eagles at the state traditionals meet in the 190-pound weight class.

Putnam wrestling sends five to state traditionals

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
The Putnam County wrestling program will be well represented at the state traditionals meet this weekend. The team is sending five wrestlers to compete for individual state titles.
Luca Ciaccio (left) and Hunter Pierce (right) both placed for Gatewood at last week’s GIAA state tradtionals meet. CONTRIBUTED

Luca Ciaccio (left) and Hunter Pierce (right) both placed for Gatewood at last week’s GIAA state tradtionals meet. CONTRIBUTED

Mat Gators make it count at state meet

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Last weekend at Riverside Prep in Gainesville, the Gatewood wrestling team made a strong statement at the GIAA traditional state meet, as two of three Mat Gators placed in an all-classification field.
Putnam County head coach Patrick Marshall said that junior guard Jaylen Nelson (4) has stepped up and been a vital part of the team’s success this season. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County head coach Patrick Marshall said that junior guard Jaylen Nelson (4) has stepped up and been a vital part of the team’s success this season. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam boys gear up for region tourney

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
The Putnam County boys basketball team closed out its regular season on a high note Feb. 4, defeating Social Circle 74-54 in a region matchup.The War Eagles enter the region tournament later this week with a 19-6 overall record and an 8-1 mark in region play.
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