Putnam County Football 2022

Putnam County head coach Shaun Pope talks to his players after a Region 4-AAA win over Josey earlier this season. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County head coach Shaun Pope talks to his players after a Region 4-AAA win over Josey earlier this season. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

'It's just time': Pope announces his retirement from coaching

Lance McCurley
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Putnam County head football coach Shaun Pope announced his retirement from coaching on Monday.  He informed the Eatonton Messenger of his plans only a few hours after letting his players and staff know the news.
Jalon Kilgore (23), Kemarion Griffin (30), Mark Little (13) and Tamarion Peters (27) act as captains for Putnam County and meet at midfield with players from Thomson. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Jalon Kilgore (23), Kemarion Griffin (30), Mark Little (13) and Tamarion Peters (27) act as captains for Putnam County and meet at midfield with players from Thomson. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

FOOTBALL: War Eagles come up short in state playoffs

Brendan Koerner
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
No. 1 Fitzgerald ended Putnam County’s season last Friday in the Class AA state playoffs. The Purple Hurricane defeated the War Eagles 28-20 in the second-round matchup. No. 2-seed Putnam County (9-3) played well against No.
Putnam County senior running back Tamarion Peters (27) dives for the goal line past several Toombs County defenders. ARELLA CASH/Staff

Putnam County senior running back Tamarion Peters (27) dives for the goal line past several Toombs County defenders. ARELLA CASH/Staff

FOOTBALL: Putnam puts Toombs to rest in playoffs

Brendan Koerner
Thursday, November 17, 2022
The rain may have been drizzling during Putnam County’s first-round playoff game against Toombs County last Friday, but that didn’t stop the War Eagles from pouring it on the Bulldogs from the first kick.
Putnam County wide receiver DJ Bland (4) eyes down a Laney defender while trying to gain yardage downfield in a win on Friday, Oct. 28. ARELLA CASH/Staff

Putnam County wide receiver DJ Bland (4) eyes down a Laney defender while trying to gain yardage downfield in a win on Friday, Oct. 28. ARELLA CASH/Staff

FOOTBALL: War Eagles run all over Washington County

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, November 9, 2022
Putnam County seniors Jalon Kilgore and Tamarion Peters rushed for over 300 yards and three TDs in a 26-13 win over Washington County during a Thursday night tilt. The game was originally scheduled for Friday, but a referee shortage in the GHSA moved it up a day.
Putnam County head coach Shaun Pope talks to his players after a Region 4-AAA win over Josey earlier this season. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County head coach Shaun Pope talks to his players after a Region 4-AAA win over Josey earlier this season. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

FOOTBALL: Pope to face familiar foe in first round

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, November 9, 2022
Putnam County head coach Shaun Pope will face a familiar opponent Friday as the War Eagles play host to Toombs County in the first round of the Class AA playoffs. Pope served as an assistant under Bulldogs’ head coach Richie March before arriving in Putnam County.
Putnam County quarter Branan Griffin (8) drops back to pass as he tries to find an open War Eagles’ receiver. ARELLA CASH/Staff

Putnam County quarter Branan Griffin (8) drops back to pass as he tries to find an open War Eagles’ receiver. ARELLA CASH/Staff

FOOTBALL: Turnovers plague Putnam in loss to Thomson

Lance McCurley
Thursday, October 27, 2022
A treacherous third quarter proved costly for No. 9 Putnam County in its visit to No. 2 Thomson on Friday night. The Bulldogs took full advantage of a trio of takeaways and turned each into points, ultimately leading to a 27-3 demise for the War Eagles in the Region 4-AA matchup.
Kilgore (23) shakes off a defender after he prances into the end zone for an eightyard TD. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Kilgore (23) shakes off a defender after he prances into the end zone for an eightyard TD. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

FOOTBALL: Kilgore’s four TDs powers Putnam past Glenn Hills

Lance McCurley
Thursday, October 13, 2022
Putnam County senior Jalon Kilgore had a career night last Thursday in a 48-6 win over Glenn Hills. The South Carolina commit scored four TDs, powering the War Eagles to victory over the Spartans.
Quarterback Branan Griffin hands the ball off to Tamarion Peters in a game earlier this season. ARELLA CASH/Staff

Quarterback Branan Griffin hands the ball off to Tamarion Peters in a game earlier this season. ARELLA CASH/Staff

FOOTBALL: War Eagles win with third straight shutout

Lance McCurley
Thursday, October 6, 2022
The Putnam County War Eagles are rolling. After losing to Oconee County on Sept. 2, they’re now riding a four-game winning streak and haven’t been scored on in the last three. Putnam County (5-1, 2-0 Region 4-2A) closed out the month on Sept.
DJ Bland (4) takes a 77-yard jet sweep to the house, which was Putnam’s final score of the lop-sided 44-0 victory. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

DJ Bland (4) takes a 77-yard jet sweep to the house, which was Putnam’s final score of the lop-sided 44-0 victory. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

FOOTBALL: Bland pushes Putnam past Josey

Lance McCurley
Thursday, September 29, 2022
Putnam County’s DJ Bland had a big night in a 40-0 win over Josey High on Friday at Al Reaves Field. The senior wide receiver hauled in a team-high four receptions for 96 yards and two TDs. Bland also led the War Eagles in rushing yards, racking up 76 and a score on one attempt.
Putnam County running back Tamarion Peters (27) tries to find a hole through Oconee County’s defense. Peters also had a big impact against Jasper County. ARELLA CASH/Staff

Putnam County running back Tamarion Peters (27) tries to find a hole through Oconee County’s defense. Peters also had a big impact against Jasper County. ARELLA CASH/Staff

FOOTBALL: War Eagles pound Bulldogs in region opener

Lance McCurley
Thursday, September 22, 2022
Putnam County opened 2022 region play with a massive home victory over Butler this past Friday. The War Eagles (3-1, 1-0 Region 4-AA) pounded the Bulldogs 44-0 at Al Reaves Field. “We cleaned up some things, but honestly, we’ve still got to get better.
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