Sports

Oglethorpe County High School Patriots take the field before the Sept. 23, 2022, football game

Oglethorpe County High School Patriots take the field before the Sept. 23, 2022, football game

Football game moved to Thursday

Oglethorpe County’s home football game has been moved to 7 p.m. Thursday.    With Hurricane Ian predicted to move into Georgia on Friday, Oglethorpe County school officials moved the game against Seckinger up one day.
Jake Turner scores one of his three touchdowns in the 34-33 victory over Greene County. (Donny Faust, The Oglethorpe Echo)

Jake Turner scores one of his three touchdowns in the 34-33 victory over Greene County. (Donny Faust, The Oglethorpe Echo)

Patriots stun Greene to improve to 3-1

Mike Holland was still pumped up over Oglethorpe County’s 34-33 victory over Greene County on Monday.   “Holy cow! That was wild, man,” he said three days after the win. “I’m so proud of our guys.
Weslynn Thurmond (left) and Madi Kelley warm up before their game against Lake Oconee Academy on September 15. (Photo/De Turner)

Weslynn Thurmond (left) and Madi Kelley warm up before their game against Lake Oconee Academy on September 15. (Photo/De Turner)

Second-year success

From state titles in track and wrestling, to top region finishes by the cross county and softball teams, Oglethorpe County High School sports is on the rise.    The volleyball team looks to earn hardware of its own.
Erich Forschler, the OCHS boys soccer coach, tries to put softball  player Kendal Eidson at ease during an interview in a video on the  athletic program’s YouTube channel. (Submitted Photo)

Erich Forschler, the OCHS boys soccer coach, tries to put softball player Kendal Eidson at ease during an interview in a video on the athletic program’s YouTube channel. (Submitted Photo)

Athletics rack up views on OCHS YouTube channel

Oglethorpe County athletics began a YouTube channel last month that has accrued nearly 2,000 views since its launch.
(KYLE SOTO/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

(KYLE SOTO/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Deer season off to strong start in Oglethorpe County

Jeffery Clark has been in the hunting game for many years. He’s extremely optimistic about this year’s deer season.    As the manager of Drop Tine Game Processing in Crawford, Clark said he’s never seen deer so large this early in the season, with the largest being 195 pounds.
The OCHS cross country teams finished strong at the Patriot Invi- tational XC at Oglethorpe County High School last weekend. The girls won the meet and the boys finished second. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

The OCHS cross country teams finished strong at the Patriot Invi- tational XC at Oglethorpe County High School last weekend. The girls won the meet and the boys finished second. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Prep Roundup: Cross country girls win, boys second

Sophomore Sydnie Henderson won the Patriot Invitational XC with a time of 22 minutes, 13 seconds at Oglethorpe County High School on Sept. 8.   Teammate Lizzie Wadsworth finished second on the 3.
Quarterback Will Sampson lets his emotions show during an offen- sive performance in which he accounted for five touchdowns in OCHS’ 42-0 victory over Lake Oconee Academy on Friday night. (JACK CASEY/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Quarterback Will Sampson lets his emotions show during an offen- sive performance in which he accounted for five touchdowns in OCHS’ 42-0 victory over Lake Oconee Academy on Friday night. (JACK CASEY/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Sampson’s five TDs spark 42-0 victory

Mike Holland watched quarterback Will Sampson warming up and knew he’d have a great game on Friday. He was right.   Sampson threw three touchdown passes and ran for two more to lead Oglethorpe County to a 42-0 victory over Lake Oconee Academy.
(De Turner/The Oglethorpe Echo) Senior Claire Gabriel, left, and junior Abby Jones work on a fielding drill together during practice. The pitcher and catcher have played together for several years.

(De Turner/The Oglethorpe Echo) Senior Claire Gabriel, left, and junior Abby Jones work on a fielding drill together during practice. The pitcher and catcher have played together for several years.

Gabriel’s pitching prowess shines during senior season

Members of the Oglethorpe County High School softball team wrote goals on poster boards at the beginning of the season; some for the team and a few individual ones for each player.    Senior pitcher Claire Gabriel wanted an ERA under 1.00 for the season.
(Logo/The Oglethorpe Echo)

(Logo/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Patriots optimistic for Friday’s game

Oglethorpe County football players are thinking positive thoughts heading into their game against Lake Oconee Academy at 7:30 p.m. Friday.    The Patriots are coming off a 21-14 loss to Banks County to fall to 1-1 this season, but have an opportunity for the program’s first 2-1 start since 2012.