Gatewood Football 2023

Gators’ head coach Jeff Ratliff poses with his outgoing seniors. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gators’ head coach Jeff Ratliff poses with his outgoing seniors. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Gators banquet caps state runner-up season

Ian Tocher
Thursday, January 18, 2024
Looking a lot younger and smaller than they appeared on Dec. 2 last year in a tough 16-10 loss in the state championship game, members of the 2023 Gatewood football team assembled one last time on Jan. 10 for their wrap-up awards banquet.
Still sporting a soft cast on his right forearm, UNC commit Evan Bennett had a solid game, but was unable to add to the Gatewood scoring total Friday night at Mercer University in Macon. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Still sporting a soft cast on his right forearm, UNC commit Evan Bennett had a solid game, but was unable to add to the Gatewood scoring total Friday night at Mercer University in Macon. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Gators’ season ends with state-final loss

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Chalk it up to championship game jitters or just plain bad luck, but a series of fumbles, interceptions, and turnovers cost Gatewood the 2023 Class 2A championship Friday night at Mercer University in Macon.
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

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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.
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

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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.
Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff (right) was all smiles after his Gators won back the “Whoopin’ Stick,” held by star player Evan Bennett, who had on a cast covering most of his right forearm in a return to play after missing several games due to an injury suffered earlier this season. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff (right) was all smiles after his Gators won back the “Whoopin’ Stick,” held by star player Evan Bennett, who had on a cast covering most of his right forearm in a return to play after missing several games due to an injury suffered earlier this season. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Gatewood secures region title with ‘Whoopin’ Stick’ win

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
A dominating 42-14 win over region rival Brentwood returned the “Whoopin’ Stick” to Gatewood’s possession on Nov. 3 at Sammons Field in Eatonton. The victory also secured the number-one seed for the Gators in playoffs this year.
Gators quarterback Ames Johnson had another strong game last Friday in Monticello, scoring three touchdowns and throwing for another in Gatewood’s 36-18 win over Piedmont Academy. IAN TOCHER/File

Gators quarterback Ames Johnson had another strong game last Friday in Monticello, scoring three touchdowns and throwing for another in Gatewood’s 36-18 win over Piedmont Academy. IAN TOCHER/File

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Gatewood doubles up on Piedmont

Ian Tocher
Thursday, November 2, 2023
With heavy hearts, the Gatewood Gators visited Piedmont Academy in Monticello last Friday, where they won 36-18 in memory of Dawn Sinclair, who lost her long battle against cancer just two days earlier.
Tyler Middleton (center) made the effort for Gatewood Friday night, but the visiting Spartans came up with the ball after a lategame fumble by Gators quarterback Ames Johnson. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Tyler Middleton (center) made the effort for Gatewood Friday night, but the visiting Spartans came up with the ball after a lategame fumble by Gators quarterback Ames Johnson. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Gatewood falls 20-14 in tight battle

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
A late touchdown in the final quarter preserved a perfect 8-0 record for the visiting Edmund Burke Academy (EBA) Spartans Friday night, as they beat the hometown Gatewood Gators 20-14 in a long, hard-fought match. The Gators fell to 6-2 with just two regular-season contests left on the schedule.
In a game earlier this season, the Gatewood Gators take the field at Sammons Field in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/File photo

In a game earlier this season, the Gatewood Gators take the field at Sammons Field in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/File photo

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Gators trounce Fullington Academy, 34-6

Ian Tocher
Thursday, October 19, 2023
The Gatewood Gators took care of business Friday night, posting a convincing 34-6 victory over the visiting Fullington Academy Trojans from Pinehurst.
Gatewood senior Lawson Wooten (15) scored twice last Friday against CFCA in Macon, including a fumble recovery in the end zone after a botched CFCA punt attempt. IAN TOCHER/File photo

Gatewood senior Lawson Wooten (15) scored twice last Friday against CFCA in Macon, including a fumble recovery in the end zone after a botched CFCA punt attempt. IAN TOCHER/File photo

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Gators rebound with big win over Lancers

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
After suffering its first loss of the season a week earlier, a 35-0 thrashing at the hands of Ste. Anne Pacelli, Gatewood bounced back last Friday night in Macon with a 35-27 victory over Central Fellowship Christian Academy (CFCA), the defending GIAA Class AA champions.
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