Sports

LOA junior quarterback Jake McDonald completed 8 of 10 passes for 92 yards LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

LOA junior quarterback Jake McDonald completed 8 of 10 passes for 92 yards LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Titans overcome unknowns to roll past Greenville

Skyla Morris
Thursday, September 3, 2026
Lake Oconee Academy’s football team didn’t know exactly what to expect heading into Week 2 of the 2026 season.The Titans hit the road Aug. 28 for a cross-state matchup with Greenville, marking the first meeting between the two programs.
Gatewood quarterback Blake Brannen (10) rushes past Brentwood defenders in last Friday night's loss to the War Eagles. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood quarterback Blake Brannen (10) rushes past Brentwood defenders in last Friday night's loss to the War Eagles. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gators get going but still seek first win

Ian Tocher
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Despite falling 49-27 to Brentwood last Friday night in Sandersville and dropping to 0-3 on the season, Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff said the Gators are showing signs of progress.All three defeats came against what Ratliff considers among the better programs his team will face this year.
Putnam County junior quarterback Caleb Reeves had a big night for the War Eagles in their Aug. 28 win over Hancock Central. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County junior quarterback Caleb Reeves had a big night for the War Eagles in their Aug. 28 win over Hancock Central. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County pounds Hancock Central, improves to 2-0

Lance McCurley
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Putnam County continued its strong start to the 2026 season, rolling through Hancock Central 55-6 to improve to 2-0 Friday night in Sparta.The War Eagles controlled the game on both sides of the ball, using a balanced rushing attack to build a commanding lead while the defense kept the Bulldogs out...
Morgan County senior running back Alex Corrias (1) powers through the heart of the Eastside defense for a touchdown. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

Morgan County senior running back Alex Corrias (1) powers through the heart of the Eastside defense for a touchdown. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

Bulldog makes statement with road win over Class 5A Eastside

Skyla Morris
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Morgan County made a statement on the road Friday night, using a physical rushing attack and a strong all-around performance to defeat Class 5A Eastside, 24-10.The Class 3A Bulldogs entered the game knowing the matchup would be a challenge, but they stayed with their game plan and controlled the...
Lake Oconee Academy junior quarterback Jake McDonald drops back to pass during a scrimmage against The Walker School on Aug. 7. McDonald completed 8 of 10 passes for 92 yards and rushed for a 1-yard touchdown in the Titans’ win over Greenville last Friday. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Lake Oconee Academy junior quarterback Jake McDonald drops back to pass during a scrimmage against The Walker School on Aug. 7. McDonald completed 8 of 10 passes for 92 yards and rushed for a 1-yard touchdown in the Titans’ win over Greenville last Friday. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Titans overcome unknowns, roll past Greenville

Skyla Morris
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Lake Oconee Academy’s football team didn’t know exactly what to expect heading into Week 2 of the 2026 season.The Titans hit the road Aug. 28 for a cross-state matchup with Greenville, marking the first meeting between the two programs.
Senior Avery Hill has been a key contributor for the Gators this season, including a standout performance in the team’s comeback win over Athens Christian on Aug. 18. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Senior Avery Hill has been a key contributor for the Gators this season, including a standout performance in the team’s comeback win over Athens Christian on Aug. 18. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Gatewood softball riding momentum into region play

Lance McCurley
Monday, August 31, 2026
Gatewood softball has found its stride at the right time.The Gators enter the week with a 7-3 overall record after winning three of their four games following a comeback victory over Athens Christian on Aug. 18.
Greene County junior Kaden Cummings (3) rushed for 96 yards on eight carries and scored two touchdowns, including the game-winning score, in the Tigers’ win over Wilkinson County on Aug. 28. MOMMA D'S PIX/Contributed

Greene County junior Kaden Cummings (3) rushed for 96 yards on eight carries and scored two touchdowns, including the game-winning score, in the Tigers’ win over Wilkinson County on Aug. 28. MOMMA D'S PIX/Contributed

Tigers tame Wilkinson County for first win

Lance McCurley
Monday, August 31, 2026
Greene County found itself in an early hole last Friday night, but the Tigers never let the deficit shake their confidence.After falling behind 12-2, Greene County (1-1) rallied behind a dominant rushing attack and a defense that consistently put Wilkinson County (0-2) in difficult situations,...
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart during Georgia’s practice session in Athens, Ga., on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (Tony Walsh/UGAAA)

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart during Georgia’s practice session in Athens, Ga., on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (Tony Walsh/UGAAA)

Dawgs prepare for opener against Tennessee State

Lance McCurley
Monday, August 31, 2026
The wait is finally over for Georgia.After roughly 20 practices of fall camp, the Bulldogs will finally get the opportunity to hit someone wearing a different uniform when they host Tennessee State on Saturday at Sanford Stadium.Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said Monday that the season opener will...
LOA sophomore pitcher Kaitlyn Mamay delivers a pitch during a road game against North Oconee in Bogart on Aug. 3. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

LOA sophomore pitcher Kaitlyn Mamay delivers a pitch during a road game against North Oconee in Bogart on Aug. 3. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

LOA softball gears up for region play

Lance McCurley
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Lake Oconee Academy softball coach Glynn McDaniel knew his team would face adversity during the non-region schedule.That was by design.
Loran Smith/Columnist

Loran Smith/Columnist

Smith: Labor Day goings on

Loran Smith
Thursday, August 27, 2026
For the first two weeks of September in Athens, Georgia, we can expect a transition to early fall weather, with an average daytime high of 84 degrees and nighttime lows dropping to a comfortable 60 to 65 degrees — all of which will be accompanied by sunshine, high humidity, and a chance of passing...
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