Sports

(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.

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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.

(Submitted Photo)

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Prep roundup: Cross country starts with strong results

Echo Staff

Thursday, September 1, 2022

The Oglethorpe County girls cross country team opened its season with a second-place finish at the North Georgia Championships hosted by East Jackson at Lamar Murphy Park in Jefferson on Saturday.

OCHS principal Susie Johnson said the school’s hall of fame shows students “the winning history of Oglethorpe County athletics.” (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

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OCHS sports hall selects seven for 2022 class

Thomas Ehlers

Thursday, August 25, 2022

Seven former Oglethorpe County High School athletes will soon join the ranks of other Patriot legends.

Senior Cayla Gibson had two hits to help the OCHS softball team improve to 8-1 with a 10-2 victory over Clarke Central on Monday. (Photo/Jack Casey)

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Prep Roundup: Softball moves to 8-1 after win over Clarke

News Staff

Thursday, August 25, 2022

Nichole Hill had three hits and four RBIs to lead the Oglethorpe County softball team to a 10-2 victory over Clarke Central on Tuesday to improve to 8-1 this season. Claire Gabriel (Photo/Jack Casey) Claire Gabriel struck out seven and walked one in six innings.

Oglethorpe County opened this season with a 16-7 victory over East Jackson for the program’s first season-opening win since 2011. (Photo/Jack Casey)

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Patriots ride high at 1-0

Thomas Ehlers

Thursday, August 25, 2022

Mike Holland said it had been a while since the Patriots had won a home opener. Last Friday, his team did it. Oglethorpe County defeated East Jackson 16-7 in front of an excited home crowd. Holland said the Patriots kept a steady head afterward, showing development from last season.

Members of the cross country teams sit for an impromptu team photo in front of the courthouse. (Submitted Photo)

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Cross country teams seek more success

Thomas Ehlers

Thursday, August 18, 2022

Oglethorpe County cross country teams have their sights set on repeats and beyond. The boys team, which has won back-to-back region titles, and the three-time defending region champion girls team open their seasons at the North Georgia Championships in Jefferson on Aug. 27.

Senior Nichole Hill had two hits against ACS and two RBIs against Putnam County to lead OCHS to two wins on Saturday. (Photo/Jack Casey)

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Prep Roundup: Volleyball team wins home opener

News Staff

Thursday, August 18, 2022

The Oglethorpe County volleyball team won its home opener against Putnam County, but struggled in road matches and a tournament at Madison County last week.