sports

Oglethorpe County’s Tania Latimore is fired up in the third set of the area title match last Thursday. The Patriots captured their first area title with a 3-0 win over Aquinas. (Photo/Maggie Ruland)

Oglethorpe County’s Tania Latimore is fired up in the third set of the area title match last Thursday. The Patriots captured their first area title with a 3-0 win over Aquinas. (Photo/Maggie Ruland)

Patriots capture first area championship

Maggie Ruland
Thursday, October 13, 2022
  The Oglethorpe County volleyball team had a heated final set against Aquinas. On the verge of heading into a fourth set, the Lady Patriots trailed 25-24.   The Lady Patriots called a timeout in an effort to take a breath and remain calm.
As a track star, Michael Fleming won the Class AA state title in the 110-meter hurdles last spring after recovering from a torn meniscus. (Photo/Kyle Soto)

As a track star, Michael Fleming won the Class AA state title in the 110-meter hurdles last spring after recovering from a torn meniscus. (Photo/Kyle Soto)

Fleming achieves new heights after meniscus recovery

Kyle Soto
Thursday, October 13, 2022
Michael Fleming has an impressive athletic resume.    The wide receiver and defensive back is flourishing his senior season with three picks and two blocked field goals. He also returned a kickoff for a touchdown — for the first time since middle school — in last week’s loss to Athens Christian.
Oglethorpe County’s Jake Turner brushes off Lake Oconee Academy’s Cameron Kelley on his way to rushing for 113 yards on only 13 carries in the Patriots’ 42-0 victory earlier this month. (Alyssa Ginn/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Oglethorpe County’s Jake Turner brushes off Lake Oconee Academy’s Cameron Kelley on his way to rushing for 113 yards on only 13 carries in the Patriots’ 42-0 victory earlier this month. (Alyssa Ginn/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Rushing ahead: Turner turns carries into yards

Maggie Ruland
Friday, September 30, 2022
Oglethorpe County junior running back Jake Turner began his football career in eighth grade, looking up to the University of Georgia’s Sony Michel and hoping to have the same kind of success.   Turner is on his way in his second year as a starter.
Jake Turner scores one of his three touchdowns in the 34-33 victory over Greene County. (Donny Faust, The Oglethorpe Echo)

Jake Turner scores one of his three touchdowns in the 34-33 victory over Greene County. (Donny Faust, The Oglethorpe Echo)

Patriots stun Greene to improve to 3-1

News Staff
Friday, September 23, 2022
Mike Holland was still pumped up over Oglethorpe County’s 34-33 victory over Greene County on Monday.   “Holy cow! That was wild, man,” he said three days after the win. “I’m so proud of our guys.
Weslynn Thurmond (left) and Madi Kelley warm up before their game against Lake Oconee Academy on September 15. (Photo/De Turner)

Weslynn Thurmond (left) and Madi Kelley warm up before their game against Lake Oconee Academy on September 15. (Photo/De Turner)

Second-year success

De Turner
Thursday, September 22, 2022
From state titles in track and wrestling, to top region finishes by the cross county and softball teams, Oglethorpe County High School sports is on the rise.    The volleyball team looks to earn hardware of its own.
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.