Sports

Lake Oconee Academy tailback CJ Stembridge scored three rushing touchdowns in a win over Hancock C entral this past Friday. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

Lake Oconee Academy tailback CJ Stembridge scored three rushing touchdowns in a win over Hancock C entral this past Friday. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

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Stembridge scores 3 TDs, leads Titans past Bulldogs for first win

Lance McCurley
Thursday, September 4, 2025
Lake Oconee Academy sophomore CJ Stembridge put the team on his back this past Friday at Hancock Central.Stembridge rushed for 146 yards and three touchdowns on 19 attempts, leading the Titans to a 21-7 victory over the Bulldogs. The sophomore running back averaged 7.
Morgan County senior wide receiver Jacoby Simmons (12) races down the field past Oconee County defenders on his 77-yard touchdown run on the Dogs’ first play from scrimmage this past Friday. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

Morgan County senior wide receiver Jacoby Simmons (12) races down the field past Oconee County defenders on his 77-yard touchdown run on the Dogs’ first play from scrimmage this past Friday. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

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Dogs take down Oconee to remain undefeated

Skyla Morris
Thursday, September 4, 2025
Morgan County played Oconee County on Friday, Aug. 29, in its third game of the season.The Dogs whipped the Class 3A Warriors from start to finish, securing a 35-14 win to remain undefeated.Morgan County head coach Clint Jenkins was pleased with several areas on both offense and defense.
Georgia is expecting cornerback Ellis Robinson IV (1) to battle for the starting spot opposite of veteran Daylen Everette this season. COURTESY OF UGA ATHLETICS

Georgia is expecting cornerback Ellis Robinson IV (1) to battle for the starting spot opposite of veteran Daylen Everette this season. COURTESY OF UGA ATHLETICS

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Dawgs focus on themselves ahead of Saturday’s opener

Lance McCurley
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Georgia will get its 2025 season underway at home against non-conference opponent Marshall this week. The No. 4 Bulldogs were preparing for the Thundering Herd during practice last week.“Coaches started on Thursday, and players started on Friday.
Former Putnam County star football player Jalon Kilgore is now a starter for the South Carolina Gamecocks. COURTESY OF USC ATHLETICS

Former Putnam County star football player Jalon Kilgore is now a starter for the South Carolina Gamecocks. COURTESY OF USC ATHLETICS

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Players represent Lake Country at next level

Lance McCurley
Thursday, August 28, 2025
The 2025 college football season officially begins this Saturday, with several games, including marquee matches across the country, featuring players from Morgan, Greene, and Putnam counties representing Georgia’s Lake Country at the next level.
Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff said sophomore Blake Brannen is already showing more patience and poise in his decision making as the team’s new quarterback. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff said sophomore Blake Brannen is already showing more patience and poise in his decision making as the team’s new quarterback. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Gatewood coach continues to believe in team

Ian Tocher
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Gatewood fell 24-6 to the Trinity Christian Crusaders (1-1) last Friday to remain winless after two games. Still, head coach Jeff Ratliff said he saw things he liked in his team despite a slow start to its 2025 season.“It’s never easy. It’s hard, but we’re going to continue to get better as a team.
A pair of LOA defenders bring down a GWA ball carrier. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

A pair of LOA defenders bring down a GWA ball carrier. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

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Titans fall to GWA in rainy defensive battle

Skyla Morris
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Lake Oconee Academy’s football couple faced off against George Walton Academy on the road last Friday.The Titans fell 13-6 to the Bulldogs during the rainy Friday night competition, marking their second consecutive loss following their season opener at Mount Paran Christian School.
Senior E’mariona Johnson puts a ball back over the net. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Senior E’mariona Johnson puts a ball back over the net. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

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Spike Dogs pick up where they left off

Lance McCurley
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Morgan County volleyball aims to repeat as state champions, and the team is off to a strong start this season.The Spike Dogs have been on a tear recently, winning six out of their last eight entering the weekend.
Christian Monfort (23) runs past defenders, rumbling his way down the field toward the end zone. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Christian Monfort (23) runs past defenders, rumbling his way down the field toward the end zone. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

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Monfort’s 4 TDs help Dogs run all over War Eagles

Lance McCurley
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Christian Monfort played a major role in Morgan County’s decisive 46-14 win over Putnam County on Aug. 22.The senior tailback rushed 16 times for 171 yards and four touchdowns.
The Greene County Tigers take the field ahead of their game against Twiggs County last week. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

The Greene County Tigers take the field ahead of their game against Twiggs County last week. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

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Weather postpones Greene-Twiggs game

Lance McCurley
Thursday, August 28, 2025
The non-region game between Greene County and Twiggs County on Thursday, Aug. 21, didn’t last long.The Tigers and Cobras were three plays into the contest from scrimmage when lightning caused a delay.
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

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Smith: Darryl Jones

Loran Smith
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Here in Columbus, the waters of Georgia’s most romantic river — the musical Chattahoochee — bring a lively atmosphere to a vibrant populace bent on creating a city that combines work and play, making it not only an attractive destination but also a place to put down roots.
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