The Oglethorpe County football team wrapped up a 10-day, no-pads installation camp last week as the Patriots look to continue to build on last year’s momentum, despite losing key players on both sides of the ball.
The camp’s primary objective was to familiarize players with the playbook, systems and culture ahead of the more intensive practices over summer break.
“We have a long way to go before we bond as a team, and that’s a process,” coach Michael Holland said. “It takes time. It’s not going to happen overnight. It’s not instant. It's just being in situations together, messing it up, trying again, messing it up, trying again. And then hopefully, by the time you come around to playing games, you're solidified as a unit.”
After starting 2-4, the Patriots bounced back and finished 2025 at 6-5. The season was highlighted by a 28-19 upset over No. 5 Rabun County, ending a 30-year drought against top-10 opponents and starting a four-game winning streak that included a victory at Commerce.
“I’ve always told them you put your pants on the same way everybody else does, and last year we finally believed it,” Holland said. “It wasn’t, Rabun County, roll your helmet out, and they just win just because you showed up. Our kids competed, and now they realize, ‘Hey, there’s nothing different about these guys. We’re just as good as any of these guys, and we’re just as talented as well.’”
The Patriots finished with a 4-2 region record, their best in over 20 years. Holland said that last year’s showing has boosted the team’s confidence.
“They know that they can get the job done now,” Holland said. “But I don’t think it’s a cocky confidence, I think it’s you're still gonna have to show up and put the hard hat on and come to work.”
The Patriots will move from Region 8-A Division I to Region 8-AA in 2026-2027. The change adds powerhouse Prince Avenue Christian School to the region. The Wolverines replace Elbert County, who will move to Region 8-AAA.
OCHS enters 2026 with several questions surrounding the offense.
Senior quarterback Caden Hartrum and center Brock Barrett are graduating, forcing the Patriots to explore options at the center of the offense.
A three-way quarterback battle has started between rising sophomore Tristan Cooper and juniors Justin Wilson and Nathan McCalla. Despite not having a clear favorite, Holland said he believes that Cooper will become a “very good player” down the line.
Replacing Barrett, however, will be trickier. He was a four-year starter, and leaves a gaping hole in the offense.
“Losing his (Barrett) leadership and his mental side of getting everybody going where they’re supposed to go, and things like that. That’s what we’re going to lose, what we’re going to miss a lot,” Holland said. “But I do think we have a lot of guys returning who understand the system, have a year under the belt in the system, and they won't need that figure to tell them what to do every time. We may not have a clear standout leader on the offensive line, but I think we’ll be OK as a unit.”
Defensively, the Patriots must replace O’Maury Huggs and Clint Graham, their sack and tackle leaders.
OCHS’ defense, coached by defensive coordinator Mike Campbell, made strides last year, allowing an average of 24 points per game, down from 2024’s average of 40.5.
“That was a tremendous improvement last year,” Holland said. “I think some of that’s just consistency in Coach Campbell, and the kids being familiar with Coach Campbell.”
To bridge the leadership gap left by the graduating senior class, the coaching staff and teammates selected four players: Nicah Pass, Zion Pass, Jackson Tatum and Hayden Williams to the team’s leadership council.
The council meets every Wednesday and helps lead the team during practice and other teambuilding exercises as the team finds its identity.
“I need players to be able to influence other players in a positive direction, and that’s what I’m trying to get with that leadership council,” Holland said.
The Patriots will return to practice in the first week of June and will face Cedar Shoals in a preseason scrimmage in August.
“A lot of guys are doing the right things, but we’re trying to get everybody on the same page and doing the right things,” Holland said.