Sports

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

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

Cross country teams seek more success

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)

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)

Prep Roundup: Volleyball team wins home opener

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

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

New cheerleading coach brings fresh ideas, goals

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)

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)

2022 FOOTBALL PREVIEW: New season, new hope for Patriots

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)

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)

No stopping Bonds on either side of the ball

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)

2022 OCHS Patriots (Photo/Jack Casey)

2022 OCHS Patriots

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

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

Receivers: Numbers game on the outside

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)

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)

Offensive Backfield: Tough shoes to fill

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)

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)

Offensive Line: Strong mix up front

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)

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)

Defensive Line: Experience big up front

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.