Shaun Pope

South Carolina defensive back and former Putnam County standout Jalon Kilgore recently declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. CONTRIBUTED

South Carolina defensive back and former Putnam County standout Jalon Kilgore recently declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. CONTRIBUTED

Former Putnam football star declares for NFL draft

Lance McCurley
Thursday, December 18, 2025
South Carolina safety Jalon Kilgore has decided to forgo his senior season and has declared for the NFL Draft. The former Putnam County standout announced his decision Dec. 11 via his X (formerly Twitter) account.
Putnam County’s Jamarion Robertson recently committed to play football at Clayton State University. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County’s Jamarion Robertson recently committed to play football at Clayton State University. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Robertson finds college ‘home’ at Clayton State

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Putnam County football senior Jamarion Robertson has found his college home.Robertson recently committed to Clayton State. He will play quarterback and defensive back at the next level.Robertson is happy to have the recruiting process over, and he called Clayton State “home.
Robertson played quarterback and safety for the War Eagles the past four years. FILE PHOTO

Robertson played quarterback and safety for the War Eagles the past four years. FILE PHOTO

‘J-Rob’ focused on future following injury

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Last fall, Putnam County quarterback Jamarion Robertson saw his senior football season cut short due to an injury.A 6-foot-3, 180-pound prospect, Robertson broke his jaw during the first drive against Haralson in the War Eagles' fourth game of the 2024 season.
Malik Thornton has spent the past three seasons playing in Kentucky at the University of the Cumberlands. COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF THE CUMBERLANDS ATHLETICS

Malik Thornton has spent the past three seasons playing in Kentucky at the University of the Cumberlands. COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF THE CUMBERLANDS ATHLETICS

Former War Eagle Malik Thornton enters transfer portal

Lance McCurley
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Malik Thornton announced late last month via his X (Twitter) account that he is leaving the University of the Cumberlands to enter the transfer portal. The former Putnam County High School standout has played for the Patriots for the last three years.
Waller (left) walks off the field during a timeout with a teammate from Cedar Shoals High School of Athens during the FCA All-Star game. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Waller (left) walks off the field during a timeout with a teammate from Cedar Shoals High School of Athens during the FCA All-Star game. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Waller competes in All-Star game, talks recruitment

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Putnam County football senior Tyson Waller recently competed in the Athens-Area Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) All-Star game at Clarke Central High School at Billy Henderson Stadium. Waller got the chance to play in the game after being nominated by one of his high school coaches.
Jalon Kilgore (2) during a game in 2021. FILE PHOTO

Jalon Kilgore (2) during a game in 2021. FILE PHOTO

Former Putnam QB Kilgore transferring from Tennessee Tech

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Former Putnam County quarterback Gerald Kilgore announced last week that he is seeking a transfer from Tennessee Tech, where he originally signed in 2021 out of high school. Kilgore broke the news on Nov. 30 on his personal X (Twitter) account.
Former Putnam County running back Tamarion Peters represents the War Eagles as a team captain last season before the start of their home matchup against Oconee County, LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Former Putnam County running back Tamarion Peters represents the War Eagles as a team captain last season before the start of their home matchup against Oconee County, LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Peters primed for freshman season at GMC

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Earlier this year, Putnam County’s Tamarion Peters signed to play football at Georgia Military College. The former War Eagles’ running back is now enrolled at GMC in Milledgeville. Peters is also preparing for his upcoming freshman campaign as the Bulldogs recently started fall camp.
Beasley (left) coaches up a Putnam County player during blocking drills at practice this past spring. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Beasley (left) coaches up a Putnam County player during blocking drills at practice this past spring. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Faith and family fuel War Eagles’ Beasley

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Putnam County football assistant coach Beau Beasley is a busy individual. When he’s not coaching, he is teaching weight training at Putnam County Middle School, administering to the youth at his church, or being a devoted father and husband.
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.
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