Sports

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

LJ Jackson
Thursday, September 22, 2022
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

Kyle Soto
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
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

News Staff
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
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

News Staff
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
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

De Turner
Friday, September 9, 2022
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

Maggie Ruland
Friday, September 9, 2022
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.
(Donny Faust/For The Oglethorpe Echo) Michael Fleming, Joseph Turner and LT Faust gang up to tackle a Banks County ball carrier. Oglethorpe County scored first, but lost 21-7 on Friday.

(Donny Faust/For The Oglethorpe Echo) Michael Fleming, Joseph Turner and LT Faust gang up to tackle a Banks County ball carrier. Oglethorpe County scored first, but lost 21-7 on Friday.

Patriots fall in first road test of season

LJ Jackson
Friday, September 9, 2022
Oglethorpe County was looking for its first 2-0 start since 2005 Friday night, but couldn’t muster enough offense to come up with a win. Banks County grinded its way to a 21-14 victory in Homer, following miscues by the Patriots.
Melissa and Luke McGarity stand in front of Luke’s cross country banner at OCHS stadium after a recent cross country practice. Melissa has been Luke’s coach throughout his high school career. (Maggie Ruland/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Melissa and Luke McGarity stand in front of Luke’s cross country banner at OCHS stadium after a recent cross country practice. Melissa has been Luke’s coach throughout his high school career. (Maggie Ruland/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Last lap for Luke, Melissa McGarity

Maggie Ruland
Thursday, September 1, 2022
When Oglethorpe County High School senior Luke McGarity started running, his goal was simple: be faster than his mom.    One day after school, Luke tied his laces and took his mom’s watch to track his time.
Chuck Thornton opened Athens Paintball on his family’s land in Winterville in 1992, soon after graduating from high school. (Submitted Photo)

Chuck Thornton opened Athens Paintball on his family’s land in Winterville in 1992, soon after graduating from high school. (Submitted Photo)

Athens Paintball keeps going through economic hits, misses

Kyle Soto
Thursday, September 1, 2022
Chuck Thornton has lived on the same property in Winterville his entire life. It’s his home, but it’s also the home to Athens Paintball, which Thornton founded in 1992.
Quarterback Will Sampson, left, and lineman K.B. Bonds get fired up before Oglethorpe County’s season-opening 16-7 victory over East Jackson. The Patriots are 1-0 for the first time since 2011. (Jack Casey/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

Quarterback Will Sampson, left, and lineman K.B. Bonds get fired up before Oglethorpe County’s season-opening 16-7 victory over East Jackson. The Patriots are 1-0 for the first time since 2011. (Jack Casey/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

Pats hope to add tombstone for Banks County

Thomas Ehlers
Thursday, September 1, 2022
Oglethorpe County’s optimism is high heading into Friday’s game at Banks County.   Senior defensive end Tanner Nation said coaching changes — including Mike Holland and his staff coming in in 2021 — have helped create a culture where players want and work to succeed.