Joel Harvin

Putnam County High School head football coach Joel Harvin (center) addressed his team following the annual Spring Game to help assess talent and determine positions before the next season begins. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam County High School head football coach Joel Harvin (center) addressed his team following the annual Spring Game to help assess talent and determine positions before the next season begins. IAN TOCHER/Staff

War Eagles wrap up spring practice

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
After losing a strong senior group and several key linemen, Putnam County entered the spring with plenty of questions to answer.By the end of spring practice, head coach Joel Harvin said he felt like the War Eagles had started finding some of those answers.
Surrounded by his family and with his coaches standing behind him, Putnam County’s Johnny Bishop (center) recently signed a commitment to attend and play football for Andrew College this fall. CONTRIBUTED

Surrounded by his family and with his coaches standing behind him, Putnam County’s Johnny Bishop (center) recently signed a commitment to attend and play football for Andrew College this fall. CONTRIBUTED

Bishop ready to ‘work for it’ at next level

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Johnny Bishop didn’t need long to know he’d found the right opportunity.After a recruiting process that picked up late, the Putnam County offensive lineman is headed to Andrew College in Cuthbert, near Columbus.
Putnam County has recently hired Jodie Sprenkle as its new offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. COURTESY OF EARLY COUNTY SCHOOLS

Putnam County has recently hired Jodie Sprenkle as its new offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. COURTESY OF EARLY COUNTY SCHOOLS

Putnam County football hires new offensive coordinator

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Putnam County has turned to a familiar connection to guide its offense next season, hiring Jodie Sprenkle as the program’s new offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, head coach Joel Harvin recently confirmed to The Eatonton Messenger.
Putnam County head football coach Joel Harvin (left) is joined by Georgia Tech assistant coach Brian Bohannon in a recent visit to the school. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam County head football coach Joel Harvin (left) is joined by Georgia Tech assistant coach Brian Bohannon in a recent visit to the school. CONTRIBUTED

Recruiting heats up for Putnam County football

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
College football recruiting is starting to pick back up at Putnam County High School. Coaches are once more hitting the road after spending the early part of the offseason navigating the NCAA transfer portal.
Putnam County senior Branan Griffin earned the Coaches Award after playing through an ACL injury this past season. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County senior Branan Griffin earned the Coaches Award after playing through an ACL injury this past season. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

War Eagles rack up All-Region honors

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
It was recently announced that several players on the Putnam County football team received All-Region honors.The War Eagles had one player earn an individual award, 12 players named to the All-Region team, and four players garnering honorable mentions.
Putnam County quarterback Ethan Whatley (12) hands the ball off to running back Omarion Butts (6) during a game against Morgan County on Friday, Aug. 22. LANCE McCURLEY/File photo

Putnam County quarterback Ethan Whatley (12) hands the ball off to running back Omarion Butts (6) during a game against Morgan County on Friday, Aug. 22. LANCE McCURLEY/File photo

Thomasville grounds War Eagles with shutout in first round

Lance McCurley
Thursday, November 20, 2025
Behind a strong effort on both sides of the ball, Thomasville advanced to the second round of the state playoffs after a 38-0 blanking of Putnam County last Friday night.Putnam County head coach Joel Harvin thinks his team just didn’t execute its game plan, which is what led to the loss.
Coming off two bye weeks following the end of its regular season schedule, No. 20 seed Putnam County is gearing up to take on No. 13 Thomasville this Friday in a first-round playoff pairing. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Coming off two bye weeks following the end of its regular season schedule, No. 20 seed Putnam County is gearing up to take on No. 13 Thomasville this Friday in a first-round playoff pairing. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam to face powerful Thomasville offense

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Following two bye weeks, Putnam County hits the field this Friday for the first round of the state playoffs.The War Eagles finished the season with a 5-5 overall record and are the No. 20 seed in the Class A Division I power rankings. They’ll have a tough test in the round of 32 against No.
Putnam County football players get ready to lead the rest of the team out onto the field before the game against Lamar County on Oct. 17. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County football players get ready to lead the rest of the team out onto the field before the game against Lamar County on Oct. 17. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

War Eagles seek deep playoff run

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Putnam County had a bye for the last week of the regular season and found out its playoff fate last Saturday.The War Eagles finished the season with a 5-5 record. They were named the No. 20 seed in the Class A Division I power rankings and will face No. 13 Thomasville in the first round.
Putnam County quarterback Branan Griffin (8) gets set to fire a pass as his teammates provide him a clean pocket to throw from. T. MICHAEL STONE/Staff

Putnam County quarterback Branan Griffin (8) gets set to fire a pass as his teammates provide him a clean pocket to throw from. T. MICHAEL STONE/Staff

Hurricanes blow through War Eagles

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Putnam County has struggled to close out games this year and again couldn’t do so last Friday against Jasper County in its regular-season finale. After trailing the Hurricanes 14-7 at the half, the War Eagles were outscored 14-3 in the final two quarters, losing 28-10.
Putnam County running back Omarion Butts (6) rushes for a touchdown during the second quarter of last Friday's game against Lamar County. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County running back Omarion Butts (6) rushes for a touchdown during the second quarter of last Friday's game against Lamar County. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

War Eagles falter in fourth against Trojans

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Putnam County suffered another heartbreaking loss in the fourth quarter last week against Lamar County.Earlier this season, the War Eagles led Social Circle 28-14 going into the fourth quarter.
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