Gatewood Football 2024

This diving play early in the second half by Hunter Johnson (22) marked the start of an impressive comeback for the Gators, who punched their ticket to Damascus for a semi-final playoff showdown this Friday against Southland Academy. IAN TOCHER/Staff

This diving play early in the second half by Hunter Johnson (22) marked the start of an impressive comeback for the Gators, who punched their ticket to Damascus for a semi-final playoff showdown this Friday against Southland Academy. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Come-from-behind win keeps Gators' playoff hopes alive

It was a tale of two halves on a foggy Friday night in Eatonton last week when Gatewood roared back from a 17-point deficit at halftime to win 34-23 over the visiting Trinity Christian Crusaders out of Dublin.
Gatewood senior Hunter Johnson (22) celebrates his second touchdown of the opening quarter Friday night with sophomore teammate Drew Love in what turned out to be a 48-6 win over the visiting Thomas Jefferson Jaguars. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood senior Hunter Johnson (22) celebrates his second touchdown of the opening quarter Friday night with sophomore teammate Drew Love in what turned out to be a 48-6 win over the visiting Thomas Jefferson Jaguars. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gators win 48-8 to wrap up regular season

Gatewood celebrated Senior Night by wrapping up its 2024 regular season with a dominating 48-8 victory over the visiting Jaguars of Thomas Jefferson Academy out of Louisville. It marked the most points scored by Gatewood so far this season.
Senior quarterback Ames Johnson had a solid outing for Gatewood last Friday when the Gators visited Brentwood Academy in Sandersville. IAN TOCHER/File Photo

Senior quarterback Ames Johnson had a solid outing for Gatewood last Friday when the Gators visited Brentwood Academy in Sandersville. IAN TOCHER/File Photo

Gators learn lessons through loss to Brentwood

Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff knew facing three successive weeks versus top-ranked Briarwood, Edmund Burke, and Brentwood would be tough on his Gators following an imposed three-week layoff created last month by Hurricane Helene’s nearly statewide mayhem.
Senior Hunter Johnson made a strong run to score Gatewood’s first touchdown, diving across the goal line with two EBA defenders in tow. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Senior Hunter Johnson made a strong run to score Gatewood’s first touchdown, diving across the goal line with two EBA defenders in tow. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gators fall 35-13 to visiting Spartans

Last Friday night, the Gatewood Gators dropped their non-region match 35-13 to the visiting Edmund Burke Academy Spartans at Sammons Field in Eatonton. It marked the Gators' second straight loss, leaving them with a 3-4 overall record and 0-1 in region play.“We’ve got to be better.
Senior quarterback Ames Johnson made the lone score for Gatewood on Friday at Briarwood. IAN TOCHER/File photo

Senior quarterback Ames Johnson made the lone score for Gatewood on Friday at Briarwood. IAN TOCHER/File photo

Gatewood falls 29-6 at Briarwood

With a three-game winning streak in hand, but after three idle weeks due to the effects of Hurricane Helene on its schedule, Gatewood opened region play last Friday against Briarwood in Warrenton, where the hometown Buccaneers handed a 29-6 loss to the visiting Gators.
Head coach Jeff Ratliff expressed sympathy for rival schools that suffered damage from Hurricane Helene late last month. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Head coach Jeff Ratliff expressed sympathy for rival schools that suffered damage from Hurricane Helene late last month. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gators well rested after storm break

When the 2024 GIAA football season schedule came out, head coach Jeff Ratliff and his Gatewood Gators were pleased to see their prescribed bye week smack dab in the middle of a 10-game schedule.
Despite heading to Augusta Prep Day this Friday with the better record so far this season, Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff has cautioned his players and supporters not to take the Cavaliers lightly. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Despite heading to Augusta Prep Day this Friday with the better record so far this season, Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff has cautioned his players and supporters not to take the Cavaliers lightly. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gators coach expects improved play from Augusta Prep Day

Following a scheduled bye week, the Gatewood Gators return to action this Friday at 7 p.m. when they visit Augusta Prep Day for their sixth of 10 regular-season games.
Gatewood senior Hunter Johnson (22) had a career night at Mount de Sales last Friday, rushing for 325 yards and scoring five touchdowns in a 46-20 win for the Gators. Meanwhile, quarterback Ames Johnson (10) had 12 carries for 96 yards and threw a touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Ben Brannen. FILE PHOTO

Gatewood senior Hunter Johnson (22) had a career night at Mount de Sales last Friday, rushing for 325 yards and scoring five touchdowns in a 46-20 win for the Gators. Meanwhile, quarterback Ames Johnson (10) had 12 carries for 96 yards and threw a touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Ben Brannen. FILE PHOTO

Gators beat Cavs 46-20; prepare for second-half push

After dropping the first two games this season, Gatewood heads into a mid-season bye week with a winning 3-2 record after defeating Mount de Sales 46-20 last Friday night.The Gators' head coach was content with the win but wished the team was undefeated at this point of the season.
Mason Sinclair (11) recovered this fumble by the Southland player (lower left) near the Gators' end zone in the second quarter last Friday night. (IAN TOCHER/Staff)

Mason Sinclair (11) recovered this fumble by the Southland player (lower left) near the Gators' end zone in the second quarter last Friday night. (IAN TOCHER/Staff)

Gators ‘find a way’ to beat Southland

After dropping their first two games this season, the Gatewood Gators now have a 2-2 record after a soggy 16-13 win over Southland Academy (0-4) last Friday at home in Eatonton.
Gatwood's Hunter Johnson (22) and quarterback Ames Johnson (10, no relation) combined for a pair of touchdowns Friday night in a 40-0 rout of the visiting Lions from Loganville  Christian Academy. (IAN TOCHER/Staff)

Gatwood's Hunter Johnson (22) and quarterback Ames Johnson (10, no relation) combined for a pair of touchdowns Friday night in a 40-0 rout of the visiting Lions from Loganville Christian Academy. (IAN TOCHER/Staff)

Gators feast on Lions in 40-0 win at home

Following disappointing losses in the season’s first two games, the Gatewood Gators (1-2) stormed back with a dominating 40-0 performance at home in Eatonton Friday night against the Loganville Christian Academy Lions.“I’m going to hand it to my guys now.