Sports

Freshman Jayden Ford catches the ball to ensure an out in Oglethorpe County’s game against Commerce softball game on Sept. 17. The Patriots have 12 wins this year, after finishing 2-20-1 in 2023. (Audrey Pfitzner/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Freshman Jayden Ford catches the ball to ensure an out in Oglethorpe County’s game against Commerce softball game on Sept. 17. The Patriots have 12 wins this year, after finishing 2-20-1 in 2023. (Audrey Pfitzner/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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OCHS softball team credits mantra for winning season

Audrey Pfitzner
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
 The Oglethorpe County softball team is having a bounce-back season, starting the year with a 12-8 record, thanks to a team mantra.  “Be Dory. Forget it,” said Reese Campbell, a junior pitcher. “If you make an error, just let it go.
Elizabeth Cook serves in Oglethorpe County’s victory over Commerce on Sept. 12. The Patriots remained undefeated in Area 8-A Division I with victories over Lake Oconee Academy and Greene County on Tuesday night. (TY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Elizabeth Cook serves in Oglethorpe County’s victory over Commerce on Sept. 12. The Patriots remained undefeated in Area 8-A Division I with victories over Lake Oconee Academy and Greene County on Tuesday night. (TY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Prep Roundup: Patriots host Elbert for homecoming

News Staff
Saturday, September 21, 2024
The Oglethorpe County football team will try to earn its first win of the season when it plays Elbert County for homecoming at 7:30 p.m. Friday. It also is the first Region 8-A Division I game of the season for the Patriots, who are 0-4 and were off last week.
Cory Tillman and his father Glenn Tillman pose after finishing the 20th annual Restoration Labor Day 5K. Cory was first overall and Glenn finished sixth, first in his age group (40-49). (Submitted Photo)

Cory Tillman and his father Glenn Tillman pose after finishing the 20th annual Restoration Labor Day 5K. Cory was first overall and Glenn finished sixth, first in his age group (40-49). (Submitted Photo)

Father, son bond on daily runs

Saylor Williams
Thursday, September 19, 2024
 As Cory and Glenn Tillman each crossed the finish line at this year’s 20th Restoration Labor Day 5K, one became a champion — and the other wasn’t far behind, although the pair laughed about the father being unable to see his son.   Cory Tillman finished first with a time of 19:08.
OCHS volleyball’s Kenzie Henderson soars above the net in a match last week at North Oconee. The Patriots are off to a 2-0 start in Area 8-A. (TY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

OCHS volleyball’s Kenzie Henderson soars above the net in a match last week at North Oconee. The Patriots are off to a 2-0 start in Area 8-A. (TY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Prep Roundup: Campbell leads softball team to two victories

News Staff
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Reese Campbell was key in the Oglethorpe County softball team’s two victories last week. She was the winning pitcher, and had two hits and three RBIs to lead the OCHS softball team to a 12-10 victory over Washington-Wilkes on Sept. 4.
Players on the OCMS football team line up against each other at practice on Thursday, Sept. 5. The team has a record of 5-0 this season. (Audrey Pfitzner/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Players on the OCMS football team line up against each other at practice on Thursday, Sept. 5. The team has a record of 5-0 this season. (Audrey Pfitzner/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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OCMS football on a roll with 5-0 start

Audrey Pfitzner
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
 The Oglethorpe County Middle School football team is on a win streak, one more than a decade in the making. Before head coach Steve Irwin moved from Oglethorpe County High School to OCMS, the middle school team hadn’t won a game in three years. They hadn’t had an undefeated season since 2012.
OCHS football announcer and Mt. Pleasant Community Church Pastor Levi Taylor calls the game between Oglethorpe County and Washington-Wilkes on Aug. 30. Taylor has been the PA announcer for the football program for eight years. (Saylor Williams/The Oglethorpe Echo)

OCHS football announcer and Mt. Pleasant Community Church Pastor Levi Taylor calls the game between Oglethorpe County and Washington-Wilkes on Aug. 30. Taylor has been the PA announcer for the football program for eight years. (Saylor Williams/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Taylor finds his voice behind the microphone

Saylor Williams
Thursday, September 5, 2024
 Oglethorpe County Superintendent Beverley Levine never forgot the moment a young Levi Taylor expressed his desire to be the next Larry Munson.  Years later, the Oglethorpe County Patriots found themselves in need of a football announcer.
Oglethorpe County defenders wrap up a Washington-Wilkes runner during the Tigers’ 20-17 victory over the Patriots. The Tigers won on a last-second field goal attempt.

Oglethorpe County defenders wrap up a Washington-Wilkes runner during the Tigers’ 20-17 victory over the Patriots. The Tigers won on a last-second field goal attempt.

Prep Roundup: Last-second field goal drops Patriots to 0-3

News Staff
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
  Washington-Wilkes kicked a 24-yard field goal on the last play of the game to defeat Oglethorpe County 20-17 at Patriot Stadium Friday night. The Patriots, who led 17-10 with 5:43 remaining in the game, fell to 0-3 heading into a game at Laney in Augusta at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Oglethorpe County’s Justin Jackson (5) tries to stop East Hall quarterback Jamarcus Harrison (1) in the Vikings’ 40-7 win over the Patriots last Friday in Gainesville. Harrison threw for 202 yards and three touchdowns. (AMANDA LOGGINS/THE GAINESVILLE TIMES)

Oglethorpe County’s Justin Jackson (5) tries to stop East Hall quarterback Jamarcus Harrison (1) in the Vikings’ 40-7 win over the Patriots last Friday in Gainesville. Harrison threw for 202 yards and three touchdowns. (AMANDA LOGGINS/THE GAINESVILLE TIMES)

Prep Roundup: OCHS hosts Wilkes in search of first win

News Staff
Thursday, August 29, 2024
Staff ReportThe Oglethorpe County football team looks for its first victory of the season when it hosts Washington-Wilkes at 7:30 p.m. Friday.The Patriots are 0-2 after a 40-7 loss at East Hall on Aug. 23. Washington-Wilkes is also 0-2, with losses to Harlem and Hephzibah.
Head coach Jessica Ward checks the time as the first runner, freshman Dylan Minthorn, returns from his run at practice on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. The team rotates practice routes during the season to gain experience on different surfaces and with differing millage. (Audrey Pfitzner/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Head coach Jessica Ward checks the time as the first runner, freshman Dylan Minthorn, returns from his run at practice on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. The team rotates practice routes during the season to gain experience on different surfaces and with differing millage. (Audrey Pfitzner/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Ward goes through her paces during first meet

Audrey Pfitzner
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
New Oglethorpe County cross country coach Jessica Ward got caught up in the noise and excitement of her first meet. More than 218 athletes from nine schools raced for 3,000 meters on Aug. 20, and Ward soaked up every second. “I just ran around,” she said.
Darius Heard was one of Oglethorpe County’s top players in the opener. He rushed for 111 yards and three TDs on 19 carries and completed all four of his passing attempts for 40 yards. (Sarah Coyne/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Darius Heard was one of Oglethorpe County’s top players in the opener. He rushed for 111 yards and three TDs on 19 carries and completed all four of his passing attempts for 40 yards. (Sarah Coyne/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Patriots drop opener to Social Circle 48-41

Echo Staff
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Darius Heard rushed for three touchdowns and Jordan Johnson returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, but Oglethorpe County dropped a 48-41 season-opening decision to Social Circle last Friday night.