Jeff Ratliff

Gatewood senior linebacker Mason Sinclair (left) helps clear a path for junior running back Landon Moreno on one of many carries he had, including two touchdown runs in a 13-10 win Friday night in Eatonton. CONTRIBUTED

Gators break into win column

Ian Tocher

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

The weight of four straight losses to open the season finally lifted last Friday night as Gatewood picked up its first win this year in front of a Gold-Out home crowd. The Gators beat Mount de Sales Academy 13-10 with a late score by junior Landon Moreno.

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 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 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.

Gatewood quarterback Blake Brannen is somewhere in the middle of the crowd as he gets pushed across the goal line by teammates for the Gators’ lone score on Friday night. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood falls to Flint River in season opener

Ian Tocher

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

The new-look Gatewood Gators got off to a rough start Friday night, falling 20-6 to the visiting Flint River Academy Wildcats out of Woodbury.

Gatewood sophomore quarterback Blake Brannen takes a snap from junior center Drew Burke during pre-season practice at Gatewood’s Sammons Field in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

New look, fresh start for Gators

Ian Tocher

Thursday, August 14, 2025

After an outstanding 2023 campaign that ended with a tight 16-10 runner-up finish in the state final, the Gatewood Gators took a step back last year, finishing with a 5-5 regular season record and a first-round exit from the playoffs.

With rain soaking everyone’s shirts and jerseys, Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff explains his next drill during practice last Friday at Sammons Field in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gators prepare for preseason game

Ian Tocher

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff is looking forward to seeing his new-look Gators take to the field this Friday night for a home exhibition game against Athens Christian.The same two teams held a preseason scrimmage last year, too, when the Eagles fielded a lot of young, first-year players.

A group of veteran Gatewood football players goes through a drill in the weight room Tuesday morning, under the watchful eye of strength and conditioning coaches Scott Dennard and Conor Richards (far right). IAN TOCHER/Staff

‘Improvement’ key to Gators’ success this season

Lance McCurley

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Gatewood’s football team continued its busy summer workout schedule this week.The Gators are in the weight room and conditioning on the field, hoping their efforts will pay off on the gridiron this fall.

Gatewood running back Hunter Johnson (22) dives into the end zone and scores a touchdown during a game last season. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood’s Johnson signs with SUNY Cortland

Ian Tocher

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Fresh off another All-State baseball season and helping Gatewood win a third straight state title, Gators’ running back Hunter Johnson will head north to play football at SUNY Cortland, the State University of New York campus, near the mid-state Finger Lakes.

The Gatewood girls’ 800-meter relay team completes a handoff during the region meet held last Thursday in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood T&F qualifies athletes for state meet

Lance McCurley

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Gatewood’s track and field teams hosted and participated in the final GIAA Region 4-AA meet last Thursday.The Lady Gators performed well, finishing third with 110 points, behind Edmund Burke and Brentwood. They qualified more than 20 athletes for the GIAA Class AA state meet.

Subscribe to