Jeff Ratliff

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. The event offered a mix of pride and perspective, as head coach Jeff Ratliff reflected on his team’s 2025 campaign and handed out year-end awards.
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.
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.
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

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.
Gatewood’s Colt Jenkins (left) and Landon Moreno hit the weights in preparation for the upcoming football season. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood’s Colt Jenkins (left) and Landon Moreno hit the weights in preparation for the upcoming football season. IAN TOCHER/Staff

‘Improvement’ key to Gators’ success this season

Lance McCurley
Thursday, July 10, 2025
Gatewood’s football team continued its busy summer workout schedule this week.The Gators are in the weight room and conditioning on the field, hoping their efforts will pay off on the gridiron this fall.
Gatewood’s Landon Moreno will compete in the triple jump later this week in the GIAA Class AA state meet at Locust Grove. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood’s Landon Moreno will compete in the triple jump later this week in the GIAA Class AA state meet at Locust Grove. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood T&F qualifies athletes for state meet

Lance McCurley
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Gatewood’s track and field teams hosted and participated in the final GIAA Region 4-AA meet last Thursday.The Lady Gators performed well, finishing third with 110 points, behind Edmund Burke and Brentwood. They qualified more than 20 athletes for the GIAA Class AA state meet.
Gatewood senior Hunter Johnson (22) celebrates his second touchdown of the opening quarter Friday night with sophomore teammate Drew Love in what turned out to be a 48-8 win over the visiting Thomas Jefferson Jaguars. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood senior Hunter Johnson (22) celebrates his second touchdown of the opening quarter Friday night with sophomore teammate Drew Love in what turned out to be a 48-8 win over the visiting Thomas Jefferson Jaguars. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gators win 48-8 to wrap up regular season

Ian Tocher
Thursday, November 7, 2024
Gatewood celebrated Senior Night by wrapping up its 2024 regular season with a dominating 48-8 victory over the visiting Jaguars of Thomas Jefferson Academy out of Louisville. It marked the most points scored by Gatewood so far this season.
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