Jeff Ratliff

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

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

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

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.
The strong play of Gatewood’s Evan Bennett (7) this season drew the attention of University of North Carolina recruiters, resulting in a full scholarship offer for the 6-foot-3, 205-pound junior. IAN TOCHER/Staff

The strong play of Gatewood’s Evan Bennett (7) this season drew the attention of University of North Carolina recruiters, resulting in a full scholarship offer for the 6-foot-3, 205-pound junior. IAN TOCHER/Staff

FOOTBALL: Bennett receives scholarship offer from UNC

In November, Gatewood football’s Evan Bennett received some great news via Twitter. It was a direct message from a football coach at the University of North Carolina inviting the junior running back and his family to visit Chapel Hill and attend a game on campus.
Gatewood quarterback Ames Johnson (10) scrambles behind his offensive line during the GIAA Class AA semifinal game Nov. 25, against Central Fellowship Christian Academy in Macon. DAWN SINCLAIR/Staff

Gatewood quarterback Ames Johnson (10) scrambles behind his offensive line during the GIAA Class AA semifinal game Nov. 25, against Central Fellowship Christian Academy in Macon. DAWN SINCLAIR/Staff

FOOTBALL: Gators’ season ends with 43-14 loss to CFCA

The Gatewood Gators looked good early but just couldn’t keep pace with the No.1-ranked Lancers of Central Fellowship Christian Academy (CFCA) Friday night in Macon.
Dylan Sinclair (18) scored an important touchdown in Gatewood’s 38-27 playoff victory over Augusta Prep Day High School Nov. 18, in Augusta. DAWN SINCLAIR/Contributed

Dylan Sinclair (18) scored an important touchdown in Gatewood’s 38-27 playoff victory over Augusta Prep Day High School Nov. 18, in Augusta. DAWN SINCLAIR/Contributed

FOOTBALL: Gators are semifinals bound

No.5-ranked Gatewood traveled to Augusta on Nov. 18, for its opening playoff game against No. 4 on Augusta Prep Day (APD). The Gators returned to Eatonton with a 38-27 victory and a semifinals date with top-ranked Central Fellowship Christian Academy (CFCA), Friday night in Macon.
Gatewood’s Evan Bennett (7) leaps forward to successfully block a point-after-touchdown attempt by Briarwood kicker Trey Cotton. (Ball is directly behind the shoulders of Jackson Hewatt (3). DAWN SINCLAIR/Contributed

Gatewood’s Evan Bennett (7) leaps forward to successfully block a point-after-touchdown attempt by Briarwood kicker Trey Cotton. (Ball is directly behind the shoulders of Jackson Hewatt (3). DAWN SINCLAIR/Contributed

FOOTBALL: Gators’ missed opportunities benefit Bucs

The Gatewood Gators visited Briarwood Academy Friday night in Warrenton, where they fell 22-13 to the hometown Buccaneers.
Gators quarterback Ames Johnson (left) drops back to pass during a rep at an early morning practice in late July. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Gators quarterback Ames Johnson (left) drops back to pass during a rep at an early morning practice in late July. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

FOOTBALL: Gators looking to get back to glory

The Gatewood Schools football program is hoping to rebound this year after a rough 2021 season in which the Gators went 5-7 after winning three-straight GISA Class AA state titles.