Jeff Ratliff

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.
Jeff Ratliff enters his 14th season as Gatewood’s head football coach and his 16th season overall with the program. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Jeff Ratliff enters his 14th season as Gatewood’s head football coach and his 16th season overall with the program. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood coach focuses on ‘moving forward’

Ian Tocher
Thursday, August 20, 2026
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...
Gatewood junior Brady Haley is one of the Gators who will play multiple positions on both sides of the ball in 2026. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood junior Brady Haley is one of the Gators who will play multiple positions on both sides of the ball in 2026. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood’s limited roster makes two-way players essential to success

Lance McCurley
Thursday, August 20, 2026
At Gatewood, playing on both sides of the football isn’t unusual. It’s a necessity.With a smaller roster than many of the schools they compete against, the Gators rely heavily on a core group of players to contribute on offense and defense.
Early during the 2025 season, Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff (center) held court with his players, cheerleaders, and parents of both near the 50-yard line at Sammons Field in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Early during the 2025 season, Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff (center) held court with his players, cheerleaders, and parents of both near the 50-yard line at Sammons Field in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gators look to take 2026 ‘one game at a time’

Lance McCurley
Thursday, July 2, 2026
As Gatewood continues its summer workouts ahead of preseason practice, the Gators know they won’t have much time to ease into the 2026 season.Following a productive month of strength and conditioning work, 7-on-7 camps, and team development in June, Gatewood now turns its attention to the 2026...
Gatewood’s 2025 senior class of football players collected most of the team’s post-season awards, including Ben Brannen (second from left), who was named the team’s Most Valuable Player and the Offensive Player of the Year. CANDI MORENO/Contributed

Gatewood’s 2025 senior class of football players collected most of the team’s post-season awards, including Ben Brannen (second from left), who was named the team’s Most Valuable Player and the Offensive Player of the Year. CANDI MORENO/Contributed

Gatewood football wraps up season with awards banquet

Ian Tocher
Thursday, December 11, 2025
The Gatewood Gators’ football season officially came to a close last Wednesday evening with the annual postseason banquet at the Eatonton-based school.
Gatewood juniors Drew Burke (77) and Sean Bennett (12) share a moment during a break in play against Augusta Prep last month at Sammons Field in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/File photo

Gatewood juniors Drew Burke (77) and Sean Bennett (12) share a moment during a break in play against Augusta Prep last month at Sammons Field in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/File photo

Gatewood seeks bounce back after Briarwood loss

Ian Tocher
Thursday, October 16, 2025
Gatewood dropped a hard-fought 23–14 decision at home to Briarwood Friday night in a region game that head coach Jeff Ratliff called “a hard-nosed battle between two playoff teams.”The loss ended a three-game winning streak for the Gators, who fell to 3-5 overall and 2-1 in the region.
Gatewood senior Ben Brannen put in a consistent performance for the Gators last Friday night in Louisville. IAN TOCHER/File photo

Gatewood senior Ben Brannen put in a consistent performance for the Gators last Friday night in Louisville. IAN TOCHER/File photo

Gatewood gets third-straight win

Ian Tocher
Thursday, October 9, 2025
The Gatewood Gators (3-4, 2-0) continued their midseason resurgence Friday night in Louisville, where they earned a decisive 34–18 road victory over Thomas Jefferson Academy (1-7, 0-3).
Gators head coach Jeff Ratliff said he’s seen steady improvement throught this season’s first four games from sophomore quarterback Blake Brannen, and expects his progression to continue. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gators head coach Jeff Ratliff said he’s seen steady improvement throught this season’s first four games from sophomore quarterback Blake Brannen, and expects his progression to continue. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gators lose close one, but coach is encouraged

Ian Tocher
Thursday, September 11, 2025
The Gatewood Gators almost pulled off a big upset Friday night in Americus, but Southland Academy capitalized on some big runs and late mistakes to hold on to a 28–25 victory at home.It was the Gators’ fourth straight loss to open the season, but head coach Jeff Ratliff said he saw signs of growth...
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

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.
Gatewood cheerleaders and football players surround Eatonton icon Georgia Benjamin-Smith (in red) on her 85th birthday, following a brief pre-game candlelight vigil she organized to bring awareness to local domestic violence issues. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood cheerleaders and football players surround Eatonton icon Georgia Benjamin-Smith (in red) on her 85th birthday, following a brief pre-game candlelight vigil she organized to bring awareness to local domestic violence issues. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood falls to Flint River in season opener

Ian Tocher
Thursday, August 21, 2025
The new-look Gatewood Gators got off to a rough start Friday night, falling 20-6 to the visiting Flint River Academy Wildcats out of Woodbury.Under hot, miserable, muggy conditions, Flint River struck first with a diving touchdown at the 6:30 mark of the opening quarter, though they missed the...
Subscribe to