Sports

Oglethorpe County kicker Omar Sagastume follows through with a kick during the Patriots’ win at Glascock County in a scrimmage on Friday. Sagastume looks to replace Braxton Edmondson this season. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Oglethorpe County kicker Omar Sagastume follows through with a kick during the Patriots’ win at Glascock County in a scrimmage on Friday. Sagastume looks to replace Braxton Edmondson this season. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Special teams works through inexperience

Ellie English
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Oglethorpe County’s special teams unit will feature several new faces this season as the Patriots work to build consistency.  Junior Omar Sagastume is one of those.
Freshman running back Cooper Davenport scores in Oglethorpe County’s 28-21 victory over Glascock County in a scrimmage last Friday. Davenport is projected to share carries in the Patriots’ deep backfield. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Freshman running back Cooper Davenport scores in Oglethorpe County’s 28-21 victory over Glascock County in a scrimmage last Friday. Davenport is projected to share carries in the Patriots’ deep backfield. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Offensive backfield is deep, talented

Ethan Greene
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Three returning contributors anchor a backfield that powered a 209.5-yard per game rushing attack last fall.  Senior team captain Jackson Tatum will start at fullback after leading the Patriots with 622 yards and five touchdowns in 2025.
Receiver Hayden Williams signals to the sideline during Oglethorpe County’s scrimmage victory over Glascock County. He’s back after tearing his ACL early last season. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Receiver Hayden Williams signals to the sideline during Oglethorpe County’s scrimmage victory over Glascock County. He’s back after tearing his ACL early last season. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Receivers hope to open up offense

Ethan Greene
Thursday, August 20, 2026
 Receivers didn’t see much action in Oglethorpe County’s wing-T last year.  The Patriots ran the ball 91.9% of the time last season, completing 18 of 38 passes.  However, each completion averaged 22.6 yards, the highest in the region.
Quarterbacks Justin Wilson (18) and Nathan McCalla (5) competed for the starting job all summer, with McCalla winning the job. He takes over for Caden Hartrum. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Quarterbacks Justin Wilson (18) and Nathan McCalla (5) competed for the starting job all summer, with McCalla winning the job. He takes over for Caden Hartrum. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

McCalla wins starting job at quarterback

Ethan Greene
Thursday, August 20, 2026
The Patriots have a new face under center following the departure of Caden Hartrum. Junior Nathan McCalla will step into the starting roles.  McCalla, who backed up Hartrum in 2025, beat out sophomore Justin Wilson in a summer-long quarterback battle.
Center Kayden Phelps lines up for photos at OCHS picture day earlier this month. He moved from guard in the offseason to play center for the first time. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Center Kayden Phelps lines up for photos at OCHS picture day earlier this month. He moved from guard in the offseason to play center for the first time. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Exchanges key as Phelps makes move to center

Ethan Greene
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Every football play starts with the center, which is why one of Oglethorpe County’s biggest offseason moves was sliding sophomore Kayden Phelps to center to replace Brock Barrett, who graduated.
The OCHS marching band goes through its routines during practice earlier this month. The band will perform a show called “Nightmare” during halftimes and competitions this fall. (Submitted Photo)

The OCHS marching band goes through its routines during practice earlier this month. The band will perform a show called “Nightmare” during halftimes and competitions this fall. (Submitted Photo)

Marching band goes with nightmare-themed show

Sarah Nanos
Thursday, August 20, 2026
The Oglethorpe County marching band is taking the field this season with a haunting new show, titled “Nightmare.” The show begins with Brahms’ “Lullaby,” then transitions into a song called “Nightmare” and a ballad, “Sound to Silence.
Linebacker Zavion Swain brings down a Glascock County runner on Friday. Swain, who didn’t play as a freshman last year, is projected to start alongside Jackson Tatum. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Linebacker Zavion Swain brings down a Glascock County runner on Friday. Swain, who didn’t play as a freshman last year, is projected to start alongside Jackson Tatum. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Tatum brings strength, experience to linebacker group

Ellie English
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Senior linebacker Jackson Tatum is set to enter his fourth season as a starter and will serve as a key leader for Oglethorpe County’s defense this season.
Running back Zion Pass (4) finds room to run during Oglethorpe County’s 28-21 victory over Glascock County in a scrimmage on Friday. Pass and seniors Paris Crowder and Jackson Tatum return to power the wing-T offense. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Running back Zion Pass (4) finds room to run during Oglethorpe County’s 28-21 victory over Glascock County in a scrimmage on Friday. Pass and seniors Paris Crowder and Jackson Tatum return to power the wing-T offense. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Running backs loaded, ready for more in ’26

Ethan Greene
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Mike Holland made a change at the end of his fourth year as Oglethorpe County’s head coach in 2024. Instead of the traditional one-back and shotgun offenses seen around the country, Holland and offensive coordinator Josh Austin implemented an offensive system rooted in football history: the wing-T.
Defensive lineman Zayveon Stribling walks onto the field before a preseason scrimmage at Glascock County on Friday. He’s projected to play both defensive and offensive line this fall. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Defensive lineman Zayveon Stribling walks onto the field before a preseason scrimmage at Glascock County on Friday. He’s projected to play both defensive and offensive line this fall. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Defensive line builds chemistry, depth

Ellie English
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Oglethorpe County’s defensive line enters this season focused on chemistry and understanding how each player’s role affects the rest of the defense. “They’ve really jelled and really come together and they understand their job in the defense,” coach Mike Holland said.
Zion Pass (4) and Nicah Pass are projected to start in the defensive backfield this season. Zion will start at safety and Nicah at cornerback. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Zion Pass (4) and Nicah Pass are projected to start in the defensive backfield this season. Zion will start at safety and Nicah at cornerback. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Pass brothers bring DB talent, experience

Ellie English
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Senior Nicah Pass returns as a three-year starter in Oglethorpe County’s secondary, bringing experience and leadership. Pass made significant plays on both sides of the ball last season.