Jeff Ratliff

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

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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

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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.

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

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

Ian Tocher

Thursday, November 14, 2024

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

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Gators win 48-8 to wrap up regular season

Ian Tocher

Thursday, November 7, 2024

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

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Gators learn lessons through loss to Brentwood

Ian Tocher

Thursday, October 31, 2024

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

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Gators fall 35-13 to visiting Spartans

Ian Tocher

Thursday, October 24, 2024

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

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Gatewood falls 29-6 at Briarwood

Ian Tocher

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

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.

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