Michael Taylor

Putnam County senior Jared Arreola (8) will represent the War Eagles as a team captain in 2026. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County senior Jared Arreola (8) will represent the War Eagles as a team captain in 2026. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam boys’ soccer sets high expectations

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Experience is the defining trait for the Putnam County boys soccer team heading into the 2026 season. The War Eagles are led by head coach Michael Taylor, who believes player continuity could pay dividends when the stakes rise.
Model’s Brennan Dial (6) dribbles the ball away from Putnam County defender Dennis Sanchez (12). ZEKE PALERMO/Contributed

Model’s Brennan Dial (6) dribbles the ball away from Putnam County defender Dennis Sanchez (12). ZEKE PALERMO/Contributed

Model powers past Putnam in playoffs

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Putnam County’s soccer season came to an end last week in the second round of Class A Division I state playoffs. The top-seeded Blue Devils defeated No. 16 Putnam 8-0 to advance to the next round.
Putnam midfielder Angel Sanchez (10) dribbles past an Oglethorpe County defender in the regular season finale on April 15. The junior scored the go-ahead goal against Vidalia last Friday in overtime, helping the War Eagles advance to the second round of state playoffs. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam midfielder Angel Sanchez (10) dribbles past an Oglethorpe County defender in the regular season finale on April 15. The junior scored the go-ahead goal against Vidalia last Friday in overtime, helping the War Eagles advance to the second round of state playoffs. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

War Eagles topple Indians in OT to advance

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Putnam County needed overtime to defeat Vidalia and advance to the second round of the state soccer playoffs.In the first overtime period, midfielder Angel Sanchez scored for the War Eagles, who then prevented the Indians from responding to clinch a 4-3 win to move on.
Putnam County junior midfielder Angel Sanchez (10) controls the tempo of his team’s possession. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County junior midfielder Angel Sanchez (10) controls the tempo of his team’s possession. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Putnam boys soccer primed for postseason

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
The Putnam County boys soccer team begins its quest for a state championship this week.The War Eagles (11-6) enter the Class A Division I state playoffs as the No. 17 seed, drawing No. 16 seed Vidalia (6-10) in the first round. They’re ready to face the Indians in the first round this Friday.
Putnam County’s Angel Sanchez attempts to pass the ball to a teammate during a region match last season. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County’s Angel Sanchez attempts to pass the ball to a teammate during a region match last season. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

War Eagles learn from close losses

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
The Putnam County boys soccer team has suffered some close losses this season, but it’s learning from them.The War Eagles have lost five matches by two goals or fewer, three of which went to overtime.
Putnam returned Emmanuel Meraz (10), last year’s leading goal scorer from last season. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Putnam returned Emmanuel Meraz (10), last year’s leading goal scorer from last season. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Confidence key to success for young Putnam team

Lance McCurley
Thursday, March 13, 2025
The Putnam County boys soccer team is off to a strong start to the 2024-25 season on the pitch. The War Eagles began the week with a 4-2 overall record and a 2-2 mark in region play.
The departing seniors on the Putnam County boys’ soccer team include (l-r) Branjel Felix, Uri Jaimes, Christian Hernandez, Bryan Canales, David Cruz, Walfrey Sanchez, and Collin Garafolo. (IAN TOCHER/Staff)

The departing seniors on the Putnam County boys’ soccer team include (l-r) Branjel Felix, Uri Jaimes, Christian Hernandez, Bryan Canales, David Cruz, Walfrey Sanchez, and Collin Garafolo. (IAN TOCHER/Staff)

Pierce County knocks out War Eagles

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Putnam County soccer’s quest for a state championship ended in the second round of the state playoffs.Last Friday, Pierce County topped the War Eagles 2-1 at Al Reaves Stadium in Eatonton to advance.
Emmanuel Meraz (10) scored three goals in Putnam County's win over Cook last week. (LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff)

Emmanuel Meraz (10) scored three goals in Putnam County's win over Cook last week. (LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff)

Meraz’s hat trick powers Putnam past Cook

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Emmanuel Meraz added to his list of accomplishments this season in last Friday’s playoff match against Cook.Meraz scored the game’s only three goals, powering top-seed Putnam County (13-1) to a 3-0 win over Cook (8-11).
War Eagles’ leading scorer Emmanuel Meraz (10) weaves his way through several of Josey’s players before taking a shot on goal. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

War Eagles’ leading scorer Emmanuel Meraz (10) weaves his way through several of Josey’s players before taking a shot on goal. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Meraz leads War Eagles to region title

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Putnam County’s Emmanuel Meraz scored a team-high four goals on Monday, powering the War Eagles soccer team to a 10-0 win over Josey.
Putnam County leading-scorer Emmanuel Meraz (10) races to score a goal past a defender last Thursday in a win over Westside-Augusta. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam County leading-scorer Emmanuel Meraz (10) races to score a goal past a defender last Thursday in a win over Westside-Augusta. IAN TOCHER/Staff

War Eagles riding hot streak

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Putnam County soccer is on a mission, entering this week riding a hot streak of nine straight wins.The War Eagles are ranked No. 10 in the Georgia High School Association’s Class AA, per Scorbord.com. However, head coach Michael Taylor doesn’t care about the ranking right now.
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