Jeff Ratliff

Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff (right) was all smiles after his Gators won back the “Whoopin’ Stick,” held by star player Evan Bennett, who had on a cast covering most of his right forearm in a return to play after missing several games due to an injury suffered earlier this season. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff (right) was all smiles after his Gators won back the “Whoopin’ Stick,” held by star player Evan Bennett, who had on a cast covering most of his right forearm in a return to play after missing several games due to an injury suffered earlier this season. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood secures region title with ‘Whoopin’ Stick’ win

Ian Tocher
Thursday, November 9, 2023
A dominating 42-14 win over region rival Brentwood returned the “Whoopin’ Stick” to Gatewood’s possession on Nov. 3 at Sammons Field in Eatonton. The victory also secured the number-one seed for the Gators in playoffs this year.
Gators quarterback Ames Johnson had another strong game last Friday in Monticello, scoring three touchdowns and throwing for another in Gatewood’s 36-18 win over Piedmont Academy. IAN TOCHER/File

Gators quarterback Ames Johnson had another strong game last Friday in Monticello, scoring three touchdowns and throwing for another in Gatewood’s 36-18 win over Piedmont Academy. IAN TOCHER/File

Gatewood doubles up on Piedmont

Ian Tocher
Thursday, November 2, 2023
With heavy hearts, the Gatewood Gators visited Piedmont Academy in Monticello last Friday, where they won 36-18 in memory of Dawn Sinclair, who lost her long battle against cancer just two days earlier.
On an outstanding pass from quarterback Ames Johnson early in the second quarter, Gatewood’s Blake Callaway made an equally impressive catch to come down in the end zone for a touchdown. IAN TOCHER/Staff

On an outstanding pass from quarterback Ames Johnson early in the second quarter, Gatewood’s Blake Callaway made an equally impressive catch to come down in the end zone for a touchdown. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood falls 20-14 in tight battle

Ian Tocher
Thursday, October 26, 2023
A late touchdown in the final quarter preserved a perfect 8-0 record for the visiting Edmund Burke Academy (EBA) Spartans Friday night, as they beat the hometown Gatewood Gators 20-14 in a long, hard-fought match. The Gators fell to 6-2 with just two regular-season contests left on the schedule.
In a game earlier this season, the Gatewood Gators take the field at Sammons Field in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/File photo

In a game earlier this season, the Gatewood Gators take the field at Sammons Field in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/File photo

Gators trounce Fullington Academy, 34-6

Ian Tocher
Thursday, October 19, 2023
The Gatewood Gators took care of business Friday night, posting a convincing 34-6 victory over the visiting Fullington Academy Trojans from Pinehurst.
Gators head coach Jeff Ratliff is already looking past last week’s loss in Columbus to this Friday night in Macon against two-time defending 2A state champion Central Fellowship Christian Academy. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gators head coach Jeff Ratliff is already looking past last week’s loss in Columbus to this Friday night in Macon against two-time defending 2A state champion Central Fellowship Christian Academy. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood falls 35-0 to end winning streak

Ian Tocher
Thursday, September 28, 2023
The undefeated streak ended at four for the Gatewood Gators Friday night as they were shut out 35-0 in Columbus by the defending Class 4A state champion Ste. Anne-Pacelli Vikings.
Gatewood kicker Jayden Daniel (4) was singled out for his consistency in contributing to the Gators’ 20-13 win last Friday over Southland Academy in Americus. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood kicker Jayden Daniel (4) was singled out for his consistency in contributing to the Gators’ 20-13 win last Friday over Southland Academy in Americus. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood gets it done in Americus

Ian Tocher
Thursday, September 14, 2023
“We did what we needed to.” That was the assessment of head coach Jeff Ratliff on the performance of his Gatewood Gators last Friday after a 20-13 victory over Southland Academy in Americus.
Fellow Gatewood seniors Evan Bennett (7) and Blake Callaway (5) each scored two touchdowns in the Gators’ 35-0 win over the Trinity Christian Crusaders Friday night in Dublin. FILE PHOTO

Fellow Gatewood seniors Evan Bennett (7) and Blake Callaway (5) each scored two touchdowns in the Gators’ 35-0 win over the Trinity Christian Crusaders Friday night in Dublin. FILE PHOTO

Gators crush Crusaders 35-0 to start season

Ian Tocher
Thursday, August 31, 2023
The result was never in question last Friday night in Dublin, as the visiting Gators dominated the Trinity Christian Crusaders on both sides of the ball in a season-opening 35-0 win for the Gatewood squad.
Junior running back Jackson Hewatt (3) is the center of attention for teammates and rivals alike in a first-quarter scrimmage run Friday night at Gatewood Schools in Eatonton, versus the Cavaliers of Mount de Sales Academy. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Junior running back Jackson Hewatt (3) is the center of attention for teammates and rivals alike in a first-quarter scrimmage run Friday night at Gatewood Schools in Eatonton, versus the Cavaliers of Mount de Sales Academy. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Coach concerned, not worried about Gators

Ian Tocher
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Overall, Gatewood Gators head coach Jeff Ratliff appeared satisfied, if not entirely impressed with his team’s 35-13 win in a pre-season scrimmage against Mount de Sales Academy last Friday night. “I was proud of the effort tonight.
The Gators finished second overall with 83 points at the 2023 GIAA Class AA state track meet, only trailing Trinity Christian with 182 points. TREY NORRIS/Staff

The Gators finished second overall with 83 points at the 2023 GIAA Class AA state track meet, only trailing Trinity Christian with 182 points. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gators finish strong at state meet

Trey Norris
Thursday, May 4, 2023
The Gatewood boys and girls track and field teams both placed in the top three at the GIAA Class AA state track meet last week. The boys finished in second place with a score of 83 points, and the girls came in third place with a total of 61 points.
The Gatewood Schools’ boys track-and-field team won the Region 4AA championship last week, led by head coach Jeff Ratliff (right, in hat). TREY NORRIS/Staff

The Gatewood Schools’ boys track-and-field team won the Region 4AA championship last week, led by head coach Jeff Ratliff (right, in hat). TREY NORRIS/Staff

Region Track Champs: Gatewood boys run to region title, girls runner-up

Trey Norris
Thursday, April 27, 2023
The Gatewood Gators hosted the Region 4 AA track-and-field championships last Wednesday, and the boys brought home the season title while the girls were named runners-up to Brentwood following a valiant effort.
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