Sports

With rain soaking everyone’s shirts and jerseys, Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff explains his next drill during practice last Friday at Sammons Field in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

With rain soaking everyone’s shirts and jerseys, Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff explains his next drill during practice last Friday at Sammons Field in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Gators prepare for preseason game

Ian Tocher
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Gatewood softball began its season on the right foot, July 29, with a convincing win in Dublin over Trinity Christian. The Lady Gators cruised to an 11-1 victory, avenging a loss to the Lady Crusaders in last year’s season opener.“Starting the season with a dominant win is always good.
LOA’s Troy Evans (right) attempts to haul in a pass as teammate Corrion Jernigan tries to bat it down. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

LOA’s Troy Evans (right) attempts to haul in a pass as teammate Corrion Jernigan tries to bat it down. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

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Area football teams host scrimmages this week

Lance McCurley
Thursday, August 7, 2025
High school football in Georgia began on Friday, Aug. 1, as teams across the state participated in scrimmages.This week, scrimmages will continue.
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

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Smith: Kirby’s kickoff

Columnist
Thursday, August 7, 2025
I have been monitoring the start of each season of Georgia football for almost seven decades. There was never a time when there was not a rush of adrenaline accompanying that first day of practice.Yesteryear, the players reported on Labor Day weekend.
Morgan County volleyball head coach Alan Shultz instructs his players during a recent practice. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Morgan County volleyball head coach Alan Shultz instructs his players during a recent practice. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

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Familiarity to play in the Spike Dogs’ favor

Lance McCurley
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Morgan County, the reigning GHSA Class AA volleyball state champion, began its 2025 season this week. The Spike Dogs aim to repeat and win back-to-back titles this season, but will do so with a new head coach.
LANCE MCCURLEY/File Photo

LANCE MCCURLEY/File Photo

McCurley: Football is here

Lance
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Football is officially here.High school football in the Peach State begins this week with scrimmages. The Georgia Bulldogs start fall camp. There is also an NFL preseason scrimmage between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Detroit Lions.We are so back, man. This is the best time of the year.
Wild Things Pitcher Luke Petruzzi had the summer of a lifetime, with his crosscountry trip to Lake Oconee. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

Wild Things Pitcher Luke Petruzzi had the summer of a lifetime, with his crosscountry trip to Lake Oconee. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

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Wild Things pitcher Luke Petruzzi’s cross-country experience at Lake Oconee

Skyla Morris
Thursday, July 31, 2025
The Lake Oconee Wild Things 2025 roster featured collegiate baseball athletes from numerous universities across the state and country. Several of the participating athletes traveled far to spend their summer in Lake Oconee and stayed with host families for their season.
The Spike Dogs hoist up the Class 2A state championship trophy after defeating the Savannah Arts Academy in straight sets on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at the LakePoint Sports complex in Emerson. CHARLES JORDAN/Staff

The Spike Dogs hoist up the Class 2A state championship trophy after defeating the Savannah Arts Academy in straight sets on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at the LakePoint Sports complex in Emerson. CHARLES JORDAN/Staff

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Lady Dogs win GADA Class 2A Director’s Cup

Lance McCurley
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Morgan County High School athletics excelled during the 2024-25 academic school year, especially in girls’ sports.The school was recently awarded the Georgia Athletic Directors Association (GADA) Directors Cup for the top female program in Class AA.
A Putnam County defensive lineman (72) goes up against an offensive lineman from Winder-Barrow during a padded camp held in Eatonton on July 17. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

A Putnam County defensive lineman (72) goes up against an offensive lineman from Winder-Barrow during a padded camp held in Eatonton on July 17. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

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Putnam County prepares to scrimmage West Laurens

Lance McCurley
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Putnam County football is ready to get started. The War Eagles will suit up this Friday to host West Laurens for a 7:30 p.m.scrimmage at Al Reaves Field.
Lauren Beth Harris is Lake Oconee Academy’s only returning senior this season and has been named the team’s captain. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Lauren Beth Harris is Lake Oconee Academy’s only returning senior this season and has been named the team’s captain. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

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LOA softball ready for 2025 season

Lance McCurley
Thursday, July 31, 2025
The Lake Oconee Academy softball team will begin its 2025 season this week against George Walton Academy. The Titans have been practicing all summer, preparing for the season opener Aug. 1, against the Bulldogs.
Morgan County High School senior Ty Tillery will be Auburn bound upon graduating next year. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Morgan County High School senior Ty Tillery will be Auburn bound upon graduating next year. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

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Auburn flips Morgan pitcher away from UGA

Lance McCurley
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Morgan County pitcher Ty Tillery recently flipped his commitment from Georgia to SEC rival Auburn.Tillery committed to the Bulldogs almost three years ago, before entering ninth grade.
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