Sports

Tania Latimore, left, and Vonkeria Jenkins are the only two seniors on this year’s varsity team. (Photo/Jack Casey)

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New cheerleading coach brings fresh ideas, goals

Thomas Ehlers

Thursday, August 18, 2022

Morgan Williams has big plans for the Oglethorpe County cheerleading program: a competitive squad. Williams, in her first year as head coach at Oglethorpe County, is strengthening the program and the tumbling abilities of the cheerleaders.

Oglethorpe County football players Jordan Johnson (1), Jayland Richardson (30), Darius Heard (6), K.B. Bonds (58) and Ashton Sexton (14) appear to be jumping for joy for the start of the 2022 high school football season. The Patriots open at home against East Jackson at 7:30 p.m. Friday. (Photo/Jack Casey)

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2022 FOOTBALL PREVIEW: New season, new hope for Patriots

News Staff

Thursday, August 18, 2022

Optimism fills the air every August, but it’s especially thick around the Oglethorpe County football program these days.

Defensive tackle/offensive guard K.B. Bonds said he’s determined to have a strong senior season, both individually and as a team. “It’s time to prove everyone wrong,” he said. (Photo/Jack Casey)

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No stopping Bonds on either side of the ball

Wade Cheek

Thursday, August 18, 2022

At 6-foot-1 and at 300 pounds, K.B. Bonds is a key player for the Patriots on both sides of the ball. “He never comes off of the field,” coach Mike Holland said of the senior defensive tackle and offensive guard. “It makes my job a lot easier, knowing that he’s on the inside.

2022 OCHS Patriots (Photo/Jack Casey)

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2022 OCHS Patriots

News Staff

Thursday, August 18, 2022

(Graphic/Lilly Kersh) Varsity schedule Aug. 19 East Jackson 7:30 p.m. Aug. 26 Off week Sept. 2 at Banks County 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 Lake Oconee Academy 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at Greene County 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at Riverside Military 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30 Seckinger 7:30 p.m. Oct.

The receivers/tight ends boast size with 230-pound tight end Jayland Richardson and speed with state hurdles champ Michael Fleming. (Photo/Jack Casey)

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Receivers: Numbers game on the outside

Thomas Ehlers

Thursday, August 18, 2022

Coach Mike Holland said the receivers room is one of the deepest position groups on the team. Jayland Richardson will be the team’s starting tight end. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound senior played tackle last season, but Holland said he worked on his ball skills and won the spot.

Junior Jake Turner hopes to help make up for the departure of 1,000-yard rusher Nate Brown, who graduated in the spring. (Photo/Jack Casey)

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Offensive Backfield: Tough shoes to fill

Thomas Ehlers

Thursday, August 18, 2022

The Oglethorpe County backfield looks to pick up where Nate Brown left off last season. Brown, who graduated in the spring, rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2021. Juniors Jake Turner and Elijah Hood are fighting for the starting spot at running back.

The starting offensive line potentially will have a strong mix of two seniors, a junior, a sophomore and a freshman this season. (Photo/Jack Casey)

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Offensive Line: Strong mix up front

Thomas Ehlers

Thursday, August 18, 2022

This year’s offensive line brings a mix of experience and size. Jamarrion Miller, a junior, will start at left tackle after seeing significant action on the offensive line last year.

The defensive line should be one of the strongest areas of the Oglethorpe County team with tackle K.B. Bonds, nose Zanayain Hawkins and end Jayland Richardson. (Photo/Jack Casey)

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Defensive Line: Experience big up front

Thomas Ehlers

Thursday, August 18, 2022

Coach Mike Holland said one of the strongest position groups is the defensive line, returning three of the four starters from last season. The four up front will look to wreak some havoc and get behind opposing offensive lines. K.B.

OCHS doesn’t have a lot of size at linebacker, but projected starters Quinten Nash, Cooper Mattox and Jake Turner have quickness and speed. (Photo/Jack Casey)

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Linebackers: Quickness, speed are key

Thomas Ehlers

Thursday, August 18, 2022

The linebacking core might not be the biggest, but coach Mike Holland said this group has a lot of speed. Holland, also the team’s defensive coordinator, said the linebackers are responsible for different coverages outside the box. Quinten Nash will start at the Mike.

Senior Brady Allgood likely will be in the starting lineup at cornerback when the Patriots open against East Jackson on Friday night. (Photo/Jack Casey)

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Secondary: Spots up for grabs

Thomas Ehlers

Thursday, August 18, 2022

Secondary coach George Gresham has seen strong competition for the starting spots this season. Speedy Brady Allgood will likely start at cornerback. Allgood, who also will see time at wide receiver, played most of his snaps on special teams last season.