Gatewood Football 2025

Gatewood’s 2025 senior class of football players collected most of the team’s post-season awards, including Ben Brannen (second from left), who was named the team’s Most Valuable Player and the Offensive Player of the Year. CANDI MORENO/Contributed

Gatewood’s 2025 senior class of football players collected most of the team’s post-season awards, including Ben Brannen (second from left), who was named the team’s Most Valuable Player and the Offensive Player of the Year. CANDI MORENO/Contributed

Gators awards banquet wraps up football season

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
The Gatewood Gators’ football season officially came to a close last Wednesday evening with the annual postseason banquet at the Eatonton-based school. The event offered a mix of pride and perspective, as head coach Jeff Ratliff reflected on his team’s 2025 campaign and handed out year-end awards.
Early this season, Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff (center) held court with his players, cheerleaders, and parents of both near the 50-yard line at Sammons Field in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Early this season, Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff (center) held court with his players, cheerleaders, and parents of both near the 50-yard line at Sammons Field in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Warriors end Gatewood’s 2025 season

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
The Gatewood Gators made the long 195-mile, one-way trek last Friday to Damascus to face Southwest Georgia Academy for a playoff game. They returned to Eatonton a few hours later, however, with their season ended by a 30-18 loss to the Warriors.
In addition to his lineman duties, Gatewood senior Colt Jenkins (45) also serves as the team’s punter and delivered a couple of monster punts against Heritage, earning him Player of the Game honors from head coach Jeff Ratliff. IAN TOCHER/Staff

In addition to his lineman duties, Gatewood senior Colt Jenkins (45) also serves as the team’s punter and delivered a couple of monster punts against Heritage, earning him Player of the Game honors from head coach Jeff Ratliff. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gators advance past Heritage in playoffs

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
The outcome was never in doubt on Halloween night as Gatewood delivered a scary 47-13 beatdown to the visiting Heritage Hawks out of Newnan. It was an important win in the opening round of state playoffs, setting up a rematch against Southwest Georgia Academy (SGA) this Friday night in Damascus.
Gatewood lineman Sawyer Adkinson (30) had a strong showing for Gatewood on both sides of the ball against Brentwood, earning him Player of the Week honors from head coach Jeff Ratliff. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood lineman Sawyer Adkinson (30) had a strong showing for Gatewood on both sides of the ball against Brentwood, earning him Player of the Week honors from head coach Jeff Ratliff. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Brentwood beats Gatewood; playoffs up next

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Gatewood’s regular season came to a somewhat predictable end Friday night in Eatonton, as top-ranked Brentwood (9-1, 5-0) won 48-10 over the hometown Gators (3-7, 2-3).
Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff knows his team faces a big challenge in taking on defending state champion Brentwood this Friday, but feels that preparation, effort, and the boost of an enthusiastic hometown crowd could deliver a win. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff knows his team faces a big challenge in taking on defending state champion Brentwood this Friday, but feels that preparation, effort, and the boost of an enthusiastic hometown crowd could deliver a win. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gators take on tough opponent Friday

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Gatewood (3-6, 2-2) made the trek to Waynesboro last Friday and headed home after suffering a 20-0 shutout by Edmund Burke Academy (6-3, 3-1). It marked the fourth straight win for the Spartans over the Gators.“I know you have heard the expression, ‘Mama said there would be days like this.
Gatewood juniors Drew Burke (77) and Sean Bennett (12) share a moment during a break in play against Augusta Prep last month at Sammons Field in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/File photo

Gatewood juniors Drew Burke (77) and Sean Bennett (12) share a moment during a break in play against Augusta Prep last month at Sammons Field in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/File photo

Gatewood seeks bounce back after Briarwood loss

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Gatewood dropped a hard-fought 23–14 decision at home to Briarwood Friday night in a region game that head coach Jeff Ratliff called “a hard-nosed battle between two playoff teams.”The loss ended a three-game winning streak for the Gators, who fell to 3-5 overall and 2-1 in the region.
Gatewood senior Ben Brannen put in a consistent performance for the Gators last Friday night in Louisville. IAN TOCHER/File photo

Gatewood senior Ben Brannen put in a consistent performance for the Gators last Friday night in Louisville. IAN TOCHER/File photo

Gatewood gets third-straight win

Ian Tocher
Thursday, October 9, 2025
The Gatewood Gators (3-4, 2-0) continued their midseason resurgence Friday night in Louisville, where they earned a decisive 34–18 road victory over Thomas Jefferson Academy (1-7, 0-3).
Gators head coach Jeff Ratliff said he’s seen steady improvement throught this season’s first four games from sophomore quarterback Blake Brannen, and expects his prgression to continue. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gators head coach Jeff Ratliff said he’s seen steady improvement throught this season’s first four games from sophomore quarterback Blake Brannen, and expects his prgression to continue. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gators lose close one, but coach is encouraged

Ian Tocher
Thursday, September 11, 2025
The Gatewood Gators almost pulled off a big upset Friday night in Americus, but Southland Academy capitalized on some big runs and late mistakes to hold on to a 28–25 victory at home.
Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff still believes in his team after its 0-3 start. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff still believes in his team after its 0-3 start. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood suffers 26-14 loss to Lions

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Gatewood is off to a disappointing 0-3 start this season after falling 26-14 to Loganville Christian Academy (2-1) on the road last Friday.Still, “the game was much closer than the score indicates,” Gators head coach Jeff Ratliff stated in his weekly post-game address to team parents and boosters.
Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff said sophomore Blake Brannen is already showing more patience and poise in his decision making as the team’s new quarterback. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff said sophomore Blake Brannen is already showing more patience and poise in his decision making as the team’s new quarterback. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood coach continues to believe in team

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Gatewood fell 24-6 to the Trinity Christian Crusaders (1-1) last Friday to remain winless after two games. Still, head coach Jeff Ratliff said he saw things he liked in his team despite a slow start to its 2025 season.“It’s never easy. It’s hard, but we’re going to continue to get better as a team.
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