Sports

Junior Carlee Gibson waits on a pitch during Oglethorpe County’s 7-5 loss to Lincoln County on Saturday. The Patriots came back with a 13-1 win over Putnam County as Gibson got the win with five strikeouts and allowing only four hits. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Junior Carlee Gibson waits on a pitch during Oglethorpe County’s 7-5 loss to Lincoln County on Saturday. The Patriots came back with a 13-1 win over Putnam County as Gibson got the win with five strikeouts and allowing only four hits. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

OCHS softball struggles early

The start of the softball season hasn’t been ideal for Oglethorpe County.   The Patriots were 2-6 through Tuesday, with several losses being blowouts. Their defense has struggled, likely due to a large number of new starters.
Quarterback Jayden Wallace delivers the ball to a teammate in Oglethorpe County’s season-opening 14-7 loss to East Jackson on Friday. He threw a 55-yard touchdown pass to Darius Heard in his first start at quarterback. (DONNY FAUST/FOR THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Quarterback Jayden Wallace delivers the ball to a teammate in Oglethorpe County’s season-opening 14-7 loss to East Jackson on Friday. He threw a 55-yard touchdown pass to Darius Heard in his first start at quarterback. (DONNY FAUST/FOR THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Patriots set for home opener

Oglethorpe County will head into this week’s home opener against Banks County with a goal to correct the mistakes that led to a season-opening loss.   The Patriots fell to East Jackson 14-7 last Friday night.
OCHS sophomore Elizabeth Cook serves during practice earlier this season. Cook had five kills in victories over Prince Avenue Christian School and George Walton on Tuesday. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

OCHS sophomore Elizabeth Cook serves during practice earlier this season. Cook had five kills in victories over Prince Avenue Christian School and George Walton on Tuesday. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Volleyball team off to 9-2 start

Staff Report Kenzie Henderson had nine kills and Sofia Horsley had nine aces to lead the Oglethorpe County volleyball team to a three-set victory over Prince Avenue Christian School and a two-set win over George Walton on Tuesday.
Darius Heard signals a first down during Oglethorpe County’s 19-7 victory over West Hall in a football scrimmage on Friday night. Heard will play both defensive back and receiver this season. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Darius Heard signals a first down during Oglethorpe County’s 19-7 victory over West Hall in a football scrimmage on Friday night. Heard will play both defensive back and receiver this season. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

The Oglethorpe Echo

The Oglethorpe Echo

Harrison pleased with early success

The Oglethorpe County volleyball team has started strong.   The Patriots are 6-2 through three tournaments, including winning both matches at their first home meet.
Running back Jake Turner does his best Karate Kid imitation after scoring a touchdown in Oglethorpe County’s 19-7 victory over West Hall in a scrimmage last week. The Patriots open the 2023 season at East Jackson at 7:30 p.m. Friday. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Running back Jake Turner does his best Karate Kid imitation after scoring a touchdown in Oglethorpe County’s 19-7 victory over West Hall in a scrimmage last week. The Patriots open the 2023 season at East Jackson at 7:30 p.m. Friday. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Patriots open 2023 on road Friday night

It’s time to turn on the stadium lights.   The Oglethorpe County football team, coming off one of its best seasons in years, opens the 2023 season at East Jackson at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Seniors Quintin Nash (from left), Caleb Hall, Elijah Hood and Jake Turner show off Oglethorpe County’s new Nike uniforms during the team’s photo day on July 31. The program made the switch from Adidas to Nike this summer. (JACK CASEY/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Seniors Quintin Nash (from left), Caleb Hall, Elijah Hood and Jake Turner show off Oglethorpe County’s new Nike uniforms during the team’s photo day on July 31. The program made the switch from Adidas to Nike this summer. (JACK CASEY/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Football team makes switch to Nike uniforms

The Oglethorpe County football team will start the new season with a new look.   After years of wearing the same Adidas uniforms, the team has new Nike jerseys and pants for the 2023 season.   The decision was made between football coach Mike Holland and the athletic booster club.
Brianne Harrison leads practice earlier this week in her first season as Oglethorpe County’s volleyball coach. She previously coached at the middle school. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Brianne Harrison leads practice earlier this week in her first season as Oglethorpe County’s volleyball coach. She previously coached at the middle school. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Harrison eager to start first season as volleyball coach

Oglethorpe County volleyball has entered a new era.   And new coach Brianne Harrison has already found her starting six: Seniors Madi Kelley and Avery Kort, juniors Sofia Horsley and Kenzie Henderson, and sophomores Elizabeth Cook and Aryana Knight.
Sydnie Henderson is back to lead the Oglethorpe County girls cross country team after finishing fifth in the Class A Division I state meet last year as a sophomore. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Sydnie Henderson is back to lead the Oglethorpe County girls cross country team after finishing fifth in the Class A Division I state meet last year as a sophomore. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Youth movement takes over cross country program

Oglethorpe County’s cross country program is facing a youth movement. And that’s one of the reasons why participation in summer runs has been sparse.
The Oglethorpe County football team lines up to run a play during practice on Monday morning. The Patriots can begin practicing in pads on July 31. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

The Oglethorpe County football team lines up to run a play during practice on Monday morning. The Patriots can begin practicing in pads on July 31. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Preseason Preparation