Oglethorpe County High School

Cole Faust, a senior at OCHS, won the State Tractor Operation and Maintenance CDE through the Georgia FFA at the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition last month. He wants to attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College after graduation. (Submitted Photo)

Cole Faust, a senior at OCHS, won the State Tractor Operation and Maintenance CDE through the Georgia FFA at the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition last month. He wants to attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College after graduation. (Submitted Photo)

Drive to win pushes Faust to tractor title

Jacob Harper
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Cole Faust made Oglethorpe County history last month. On a tractor.  The Oglethorpe County High School senior won the State Tractor Driving and Operations contest, the first time an FFA member from OCHS has won the event. Faust said his victory was a long time coming.
Kassie Mathews (from left), Alexis Brakhage and Madelyn Flores stand in front of the Eagle Scout project, sun shades for the Oglethorpe County marching band. Flores is the second female in the county to earn the prestigious honor. (Submitted Photo)

Kassie Mathews (from left), Alexis Brakhage and Madelyn Flores stand in front of the Eagle Scout project, sun shades for the Oglethorpe County marching band. Flores is the second female in the county to earn the prestigious honor. (Submitted Photo)

Flores soars: Second Oglethorpe County female earns Eagle Scout

Gabrielle Gruszynski
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Now, after six years of service and dedication, Flores has achieved that goal with the help of her troop, community and family.  “They (family and friends) definitely pushed me to make sure that I have it done,” she said.
(DREW BEARDEN/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO) Oglethorpe County senior running back O'Maury Huggs signals for a first down in the Patriots’ 24-14 victory over Commerce on Oct. 17. Huggs has rushed for 344 yards this season.

(DREW BEARDEN/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO) Oglethorpe County senior running back O'Maury Huggs signals for a first down in the Patriots’ 24-14 victory over Commerce on Oct. 17. Huggs has rushed for 344 yards this season.

Pats’ belief in themselves powers state playoff berth

Andy Mathis
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Oglethorpe County is headed back to the Granite Bowl. The Patriots will play at Elbert County in the first round of the Class A Division I playoffs (7:30 p.m. Nov. 14), meaning another trip to the Granite Bowl, where they lost 27-0 in a Region 8-A Division I game on Sept. 19.
Oglethorpe County coach Brianne Harrison huddles with her team during a Class A volleyball tournament victory over Lake Oconee Academy on Oct. 22 The Patriots advanced to the state championship match. (Andy Mathis/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Oglethorpe County coach Brianne Harrison huddles with her team during a Class A volleyball tournament victory over Lake Oconee Academy on Oct. 22 The Patriots advanced to the state championship match. (Andy Mathis/The Oglethorpe Echo)

OCHS volleyball team to play for state title

Zack Busbee
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
The Oglethorpe County volleyball team will play for the Class A title at noon Wednesday. The third-seeded Patriots (31-8), who have won 20 matches in a row, will face Bremen, which is the No. 1 seed in the tournament and is 36-7. The match is at the LakePoint Sports Center in Cartersville.
The Southern Poverty Law Center and Georgia Association of Educators have filed a lawsuit on behalf of Michelle Mickens (left) against the Oglethorpe County School System and Superintendent Beverley Levine (right)..

The Southern Poverty Law Center and Georgia Association of Educators have filed a lawsuit on behalf of Michelle Mickens (left) against the Oglethorpe County School System and Superintendent Beverley Levine (right)..

Teacher files lawsuit against Oglethorpe County School System

Mia Fishman
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
The Southern Poverty Law Center and Georgia Association of Educators have filed a lawsuit on behalf of Michelle Mickens against the Oglethorpe County School System and Superintendent Beverley Levine.
Oglethorpe County quarterback Caden Hartrum tries to elude Rabun County’s Reid Giles (15) in the Patriots’ 28-19 upset of the fifth-ranked Wildcats on Friday night. Hartrum threw two touchdown passes and ran for another in the Patriots’ first region win of the season (Ashleigh Johnston/The Oglethorpe Echo).

Oglethorpe County quarterback Caden Hartrum tries to elude Rabun County’s Reid Giles (15) in the Patriots’ 28-19 upset of the fifth-ranked Wildcats on Friday night. Hartrum threw two touchdown passes and ran for another in the Patriots’ first region win of the season (Ashleigh Johnston/The Oglethorpe Echo).

Oglethorpe County stuns No. 5 Rabun County

Zack Busbee
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Oglethorpe County shattered a 30-year drought Friday night, toppling a top-10 powerhouse and rewriting the school’s football history. The Patriots knocked off previously undefeated and fifth-ranked Rabun County 28-19 to move to 3-4 and 1-2 in Region 8-A Division I play.
Members of the Oglethorpe County volleyball team huddle during a recent match. The Patriots won their seventh consecutive match on Tuesday to improve to 19-8 this season. (Ty Johnston/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Members of the Oglethorpe County volleyball team huddle during a recent match. The Patriots won their seventh consecutive match on Tuesday to improve to 19-8 this season. (Ty Johnston/The Oglethorpe Echo)

OCHS volleyball hits prime in time for stretch run

Zack Busbee
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
The Oglethorpe volleyball team has rattled off seven consecutive wins, hoping to ride that wave through the end of the season to a potential third straight Class A playoff berth.“I really want to win the rest of our area games, because that’s what we have left,” head coach Brianne Harrison said.
(ANDY MATHIS/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO) Oglethorpe County’s Emily Wisham warms up before a game against Clarke Central last Thursday. Wisham and fellow outfielder Zharia Burgess are two of OCHS’ “most energized players,” coach Brianna Dickens said.

(ANDY MATHIS/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO) Oglethorpe County’s Emily Wisham warms up before a game against Clarke Central last Thursday. Wisham and fellow outfielder Zharia Burgess are two of OCHS’ “most energized players,” coach Brianna Dickens said.

Wisham, Burgess fuel OCHS softball as outfield anchors

Andy Mathis
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Oglethorpe County juniors Emily Wisham and Zharia Burgess have grown into outfield fixtures, with their energy and leadership setting the tone for the Lady Patriots’ softball team.

OCHS volleyball team gets ready for season

Emma Greene
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
The Oglethorpe County volleyball team is starting what it hopes will become a new tradition this year. The Red vs. White Scrimmage will feature varsity and junior varsity players mixing up to play against each other on Aug. 1.  The first official practice will be Monday, Aug.
Oglethorpe County’s Caden Hartrum runs for a touchdown in a game against Elbert County last fall. Hartrum will start at quarterback for the Patriots this season. (Photo/Avni Trivedi)

Oglethorpe County’s Caden Hartrum runs for a touchdown in a game against Elbert County last fall. Hartrum will start at quarterback for the Patriots this season. (Photo/Avni Trivedi)

Summer workouts prepare Patriots for first practice

Emma Greene
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
The Oglethorpe County football team will hit the field on Monday for its first official practice, but the Patriots have been working all summer. The Patriots have been “strongly encouraged” to attend optional practices since the beginning of June, coach Michael Holland said.