Sports

Ashton Sexton brings down a Jasper County ball carrier in the regular-season finale last Friday night. (DONNY FAUST/FOR THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Ashton Sexton brings down a Jasper County ball carrier in the regular-season finale last Friday night. (DONNY FAUST/FOR THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Patriots optimistic heading into playoffs

LJ Jackson
Thursday, November 10, 2022
The Oglethorpe County football team heads into the playoffs on a four-game losing streak, but coach Mike Holland is confident of the Patriots’ chances. “It's unfortunate we have lost steam as the regular season came to an end,” he said. “Great thing about it is that we are in the playoffs.
The OCHS boys cross country team at the Carrollton Greenbelt trail on Thursday before the state championship.

The OCHS boys cross country team at the Carrollton Greenbelt trail on Thursday before the state championship.

Patriots celebrate success at state

Maggie Ruland
Thursday, November 10, 2022
Melissa McGarity is building a brand in cross country. Oglethorpe County’s success at the Class A Division I state championship meet only added to that name recognition.
Freshman Carlie Gabriel (left) and junior Amber Watkins will help lead the OCHS girls basketball team as it tries to build on last year’s state tournament appearance.

Freshman Carlie Gabriel (left) and junior Amber Watkins will help lead the OCHS girls basketball team as it tries to build on last year’s state tournament appearance.

Veterans, freshmen form core of girls basketball team

Kyle Soto
Thursday, November 10, 2022
  A core group of four juniors will lead the Oglethorpe County girls basketball team through its third season under head coach Brianna Dickens. The juniors on this year’s team played under Dickens during her first year as coach two seasons ago.
OCHS offensive linebacker Landon Faust and wide receiver Brady Allgood bring down Social Circle strong safety Phillip Baynes Jr. OCHS homecoming game, Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. (Aisha Schulz/The Oglethorpe Echo)

OCHS offensive linebacker Landon Faust and wide receiver Brady Allgood bring down Social Circle strong safety Phillip Baynes Jr. OCHS homecoming game, Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. (Aisha Schulz/The Oglethorpe Echo)

PHOTOS: OCHS Homecoming Game

Aisha Schulz
Thursday, November 3, 2022
OCHS strong safety Nate Irwin attempts to break free from Social Circle defenders Grayson Jenkins and Bryan Ross. OCHS homecoming game, Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. (Aisha Schulz/The Oglethorpe Echo)

OCHS strong safety Nate Irwin attempts to break free from Social Circle defenders Grayson Jenkins and Bryan Ross. OCHS homecoming game, Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. (Aisha Schulz/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Irwin gets early start on career in medicine

Maggie Ruland
Thursday, November 3, 2022
The Oglethorpe County football team has practice until 6:30 p.m. most nights. However, senior wide receiver Nate Irwin leaves at 6 p.m. every Tuesday.    For Irwin, football is simply one piece of his schedule.
Coach Tim Stoudenmire demonstrates a move with Tanner Mask as the Oglethorpe County wrestling team prepares to open this season later this month. (De Turner/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Coach Tim Stoudenmire demonstrates a move with Tanner Mask as the Oglethorpe County wrestling team prepares to open this season later this month. (De Turner/The Oglethorpe Echo)

OCHS wrestling is seeking redemption with young roster

De Turner
Thursday, November 3, 2022
The Oglethorpe County wrestling team was full of confidence when it traveled to Bremen for the dual championships last January. The then-reigning state champions had dominated the prelims — winning 71-6 and 80-0 — and had a slew of experienced seniors.
The Oglethorpe Echo

The Oglethorpe Echo

OCHS runners win 5-A

News Staff
Friday, October 28, 2022
Luke McGarity and Sydnie Henderson won the Region 5-A Division I individual cross country titles to lead Oglethorpe County to the boys and girls team championships on Tuesday.   McGarity won his third individual championship with a time of 17:35 and Henderson finished in 20:43.
Wesley McDonald takes in a football game earlier this season on his way to running his consecutive games streak to 34 years. (Photo/Jack Casey)

Wesley McDonald takes in a football game earlier this season on his way to running his consecutive games streak to 34 years. (Photo/Jack Casey)

McDonald’s consecutive games streak at 34 years

Kyle Soto
Friday, October 28, 2022
Wesley McDonald, a born-and-raised Oglethorpe County resident from Smithonia, hasn’t missed an Oglethorpe County High School football game — home or away — since 1988.   “I just love high school football and the adversity that the kids have to go through,” McDonald said.
Lesley Ramirez (from left), Elin Turner, Sydnie Henderson, Lizzie Wadsworth, Hannah Hemingway, Mylee Nimmons, Sarah Taft and Harper Palmer led the Oglethorpe County girls cross country team to a win at the Kent Kramer Cross Country Classic. (Submitted Photo)

Lesley Ramirez (from left), Elin Turner, Sydnie Henderson, Lizzie Wadsworth, Hannah Hemingway, Mylee Nimmons, Sarah Taft and Harper Palmer led the Oglethorpe County girls cross country team to a win at the Kent Kramer Cross Country Classic. (Submitted Photo)

Sports roundup: Henderson leads cross country win and more

News Staff
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Four Oglethorpe County runners finished among the top 11 to lead the Lady Patriots to victory at the Kent Kramer Cross Country Classic at Athens Christian School on Oct. 13.   OCHS finished with 51 points, ahead of second-place Morgan County with 90 points.
Quarterback Will Sampson (left) and lineman KB Bonds have led Oglethorpe County to a 5-2 record heading into the Region 5-A Division I opener against No. 1 Prince Avenue Christian School on Friday. (Photo/Jack Casey)

Quarterback Will Sampson (left) and lineman KB Bonds have led Oglethorpe County to a 5-2 record heading into the Region 5-A Division I opener against No. 1 Prince Avenue Christian School on Friday. (Photo/Jack Casey)

Patriots confident to open region at Prince Avenue

De Turner
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Head coach Mike Holland has attempted to create a winning mentality for his Oglethorpe County football team, conditioning his players to expect a victory every week.