Gatewood’s Jeff Ratliff recently began his 16th season at the Eatonton-based school and his 14th as its head football coach with a relatively young and undersized roster.
Regardless, Ratliff believes his Gators have the speed, desire, toughness and togetherness needed to make the most of a demanding 2026 schedule.
Gatewood will open its regular season Aug. 14 against Tattnall Square Academy in Macon, beginning a stretch of three consecutive road games. The Gators will then travel to Briarwood Academy on Aug. 21 before heading to Brentwood the following Friday night.
That opening stretch is hardly a gentle introduction. Tattnall Square is a Class 4A program, while Briarwood and Brentwood are both Class AA programs. Briarwood reached the state semifinals last season, while Brentwood enters 2026 as the defending state champion.
For Ratliff, however, the challenge is intentional.
“Football is a marathon, and the only way you’re going to get better is to play better people,” he stressed. “I do believe that better competition makes you better, too.”
The opener also carries extra significance for Ratliff. Tattnall Square coach Barney Hester, who came out of retirement last season to coach the Tigers, was once Ratliff’s coach and mentor. Hester also coached Gatewood assistants Tyler VanDusen and Josh Ringer during their early days in football.
“I know how good of a coach he is, and I know that he’ll have his guys ready,” Ratliff said. “He taught me to never overlook an opponent.”
Briarwood will provide another personal storyline. Ratliff spent 17 years coaching there after playing for the school, but this will be his first game there as the opposition.
“It’s going to be a little weird,” he admitted. “I’ve never played or coached from the visitor side of the field there.”
After the three-game road swing, Gatewood will return home Sept. 11 to face Southland Academy. The Gators will then host Riverside Military Academy on Sept. 18 before beginning the Region 2-AA schedule Sept. 25 against Trinity Christian.
The region is new for Gatewood this season and also includes Flint River Academy, Windsor Academy and traditional rival Piedmont Academy in nearby Monticello.
Gatewood will travel to Flint River on Oct. 2 for its final road game of the regular season, followed by a home matchup against Windsor on Oct. 9. The Gators will wrap up the regular season Oct. 30 at home against Piedmont, which Ratliff expects to be a high-emotion game.
“Good ol’ Piedmont comes back to Class AA,” Ratliff observed. “Piedmont’s a huge rival for Gatewood, just a traditional rival. I’m sure we’ll all renew our acquaintances.”
Before anyone worries about region standings or the season finale, however, Ratliff said Gatewood has plenty to address with a roster that currently includes just 28 players. An injury has already dropped that number by one, making depth an immediate concern.
Still, the Gators plan to compensate for their lack of size with speed, effort and fundamentals. Ratliff described his 2026 team as “undersized but quick” and said they are willing “to get after you.”
“Our strength is we’ve got a lot of heart,” Ratliff said. “I think we’ve got pretty good team speed, and I think we play together. I think we trust each other, and I think we support each other.”
Six seniors will be expected to set the tone, including Sean Bennett, Drew Love, Drew Burke, Landon Moreno, Jack Wooten and newcomer Will Rainey. Ratliff also expects major contributions from several underclassmen, including junior Brady Haley, junior Blake Brannen, freshman Bennett Haley and newcomer junior Ben Pearson.
“Brady is a great athlete,” Ratliff stated. “He’s going to play linebacker and running back for us; he’s just a good all-around football player.”
The quarterback battle between Brannen and Bennett Haley is among several position questions Ratliff is still sorting out before the season opener. Ratliff said Brannen’s versatility and skill could allow him to contribute at quarterback, receiver and defensive back.
“Ben is a super athlete with a lot of speed. He’s going to be a real player for us this year,” Ratliff said. “And Bennett, he’s young, but he’s another natural athlete. He’s just got so much potential.”
The coaching staff, meanwhile, remains largely intact from last season. VanDusen continues directing the defense and Ringer the offense, while Chance Harridge has joined the staff this year to work with quarterbacks and safeties. Harridge played quarterback at the Air Force Academy and, in 2002, received early Heisman Trophy consideration before embarking on his current career as a Delta Air Lines pilot.
For all the preseason considerations, Ratliff said the goal remains simple: improve every day.
“Champions produce daily,” he said. “We’ve got to produce daily. We’ve got to get something done each day and not take steps backward. We’ve just got to keep moving forward.”