Sports

LOA quarterback Jake McDonald hands the ball off to running back Alden Barreras during a recent summer practice. CONTRIBUTED

LOA quarterback Jake McDonald hands the ball off to running back Alden Barreras during a recent summer practice. CONTRIBUTED

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Familiar faces, high expectations for Titans in 2026

Lance McCurley
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Lake Oconee Academy entered the summer with some catching up to do.A deep baseball playoff run left the Titans with little traditional spring football practice, making June workouts critical to their preparation for the 2026 season.
Georgia third baseman Tre Phelps blasts a single in the seventh inning against Texas on Tuesday night. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Georgia third baseman Tre Phelps blasts a single in the seventh inning against Texas on Tuesday night. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

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Dawgs keep CWS run alive

Lance McCurley
Thursday, June 18, 2026
OMAHA, Neb. — Through three games at the College World Series, Georgia has experienced nearly every emotion postseason baseball can offer.
Members of the Morgan County volleyball team celebrate with the championship trophy after defeating Ringgold in the Class AA state title match on Oct. 30, 2025. CHARLES JORDAN/File photo

Members of the Morgan County volleyball team celebrate with the championship trophy after defeating Ringgold in the Class AA state title match on Oct. 30, 2025. CHARLES JORDAN/File photo

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Morgan County welcomes move back to 3A

Skyla Morris
Thursday, June 18, 2026
The 2025-26 school year was one to remember for Morgan County High School athletics, highlighted by GHSA Class 2A playoff appearances across multiple sports and state championships in volleyball, boys basketball, and baseball.
Senior Ansleigh Padgett dribbles downfield away from defenders during a match last season. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

Senior Ansleigh Padgett dribbles downfield away from defenders during a match last season. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

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Lady Titans ‘played as a unit’ in 2026

Skyla Morris
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Lake Oconee Academy’s girls soccer team ended its season on May 7 in the third round of the state playoffs.The Lady Titans fell 3-2 on the road at Screven County after earning home-field advantage as the higher seed through the earlier rounds.
Then an eighth grader, Bennett Haley attempts a layup through traffic during a game in the 2025-26 season. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Then an eighth grader, Bennett Haley attempts a layup through traffic during a game in the 2025-26 season. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Gatewood boys embrace fresh start under new coach

Lance McCurley
Thursday, June 18, 2026
The Gatewood boys basketball team is using the summer months to build a foundation for the next chapter of its program. After spending the past two seasons as an assistant coach, Scott Dennard has taken over as head coach following Don Keiser's retirement.
Head coach John Tillery (far right) has plenty to celebrate as he poses with Lake Oconee Academy’s GHSA Class A Division II state championship boys golf team following its title-winning season. CONTRIBUTED

Head coach John Tillery (far right) has plenty to celebrate as he poses with Lake Oconee Academy’s GHSA Class A Division II state championship boys golf team following its title-winning season. CONTRIBUTED

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Titans win second-straight state golf championship

Lance McCurley
Thursday, June 11, 2026
The Lake Oconee Academy boys golf team continued its championship run in 2026, rolling to its second consecutive GHSA Class A Division II state title behind another deep and consistent performance from its top players.
The Lake Oconee Academy girls tennis team fell to Telfair County in the Class A Division II state championship on May 13 in Rome. CONTRIBUTED

The Lake Oconee Academy girls tennis team fell to Telfair County in the Class A Division II state championship on May 13 in Rome. CONTRIBUTED

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LOA girls tennis finishes as state runner-up

Skyla Morris
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Lake Oconee Academy’s girls tennis team concluded its 2026 season on May 13 after competing in the GHSA Class Division II championship.The Lady Titans fell 3-1 to Telfair County and finished as state runner-up.
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

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Smith: John Underwood

Loran Smith
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Lately, I have been remembering my longtime friend John Underwood, mainly because of a book he wrote, Death of an American Game.If you’re an old-timer who has kept up with sports with a serious bent, you are likely to have read some of John’s work.
Quarterback Bryce Blasingame drops back to pass. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Quarterback Bryce Blasingame drops back to pass. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

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Dogs use 7-on-7 camp to evaluate depth, personnel

Lance McCurley
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Morgan County took part in the Athens Academy 7-on-7 camp last week, using the competitive setting to get an early look at its roster and gather valuable teaching points for the upcoming season.The camp at Athens was the first of several team activities the Bulldogs have planned for the summer.
Sophomore Lawson Moore was named the GIAA Class 2A Pitcher of the Year and Region Player of the Year after posting a .420 batting average with 10 home runs while compiling a 1.38 ERA during the 2026 season.

Sophomore Lawson Moore was named the GIAA Class 2A Pitcher of the Year and Region Player of the Year after posting a .420 batting average with 10 home runs while compiling a 1.38 ERA during the 2026 season.

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Five Gators earn postseason recognition

Trey Norris
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Shortly after capturing a fourth-straight and fifth baseball state title in program history, Gatewood had five players receive All-Region and All-State honors.
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