football

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.
Oglethorpe County football coach Mike Holland instructs campers during offensive line drills on a blocking sled at a practice field near Patriot Stadium at the Oglethorpe County Rec Department’s youth football camp on June 19. (Photo/Elizabeth Kim)

Oglethorpe County football coach Mike Holland instructs campers during offensive line drills on a blocking sled at a practice field near Patriot Stadium at the Oglethorpe County Rec Department’s youth football camp on June 19. (Photo/Elizabeth Kim)

Photos: Football camp fun

Elizabeth Kim
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
KB Bonds, former Oglethorpe County High School football player, is about to start his junior season at Shorter University. Bonds plays on the defensive line as No. 92 for the Hawks. He's also hosting a football camp for kids on June 28 at OCHS. (Submitted Photo)

KB Bonds, former Oglethorpe County High School football player, is about to start his junior season at Shorter University. Bonds plays on the defensive line as No. 92 for the Hawks. He's also hosting a football camp for kids on June 28 at OCHS. (Submitted Photo)

KB Bonds to host OCHS football camp

Emma Greene
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
KB Bonds, defensive lineman for Shorter University and former Oglethorpe County High School football player, said he wants to help his community and allow kids to grow their knowledge of the game. To that end, Bonds is hosting a free youth football camp June 28 at OCHS.
Quarterback Jayden Wallace delivers the ball to a teammate in Oglethorpe County’s season-opening 14-7 loss to East Jackson on Friday. He threw a 55-yard touchdown pass to Darius Heard in his first start at quarterback. (DONNY FAUST/FOR THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Quarterback Jayden Wallace delivers the ball to a teammate in Oglethorpe County’s season-opening 14-7 loss to East Jackson on Friday. He threw a 55-yard touchdown pass to Darius Heard in his first start at quarterback. (DONNY FAUST/FOR THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Patriots set for home opener

Owen Warden
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Oglethorpe County will head into this week’s home opener against Banks County with a goal to correct the mistakes that led to a season-opening loss.   The Patriots fell to East Jackson 14-7 last Friday night.
Running back Jake Turner does his best Karate Kid imitation after scoring a touchdown in Oglethorpe County’s 19-7 victory over West Hall in a scrimmage last week. The Patriots open the 2023 season at East Jackson at 7:30 p.m. Friday. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Running back Jake Turner does his best Karate Kid imitation after scoring a touchdown in Oglethorpe County’s 19-7 victory over West Hall in a scrimmage last week. The Patriots open the 2023 season at East Jackson at 7:30 p.m. Friday. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Patriots open 2023 on road Friday night

News Staff
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
It’s time to turn on the stadium lights.   The Oglethorpe County football team, coming off one of its best seasons in years, opens the 2023 season at East Jackson at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The Oglethorpe County football team lines up to run a play during practice on Monday morning. The Patriots can begin practicing in pads on July 31. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

The Oglethorpe County football team lines up to run a play during practice on Monday morning. The Patriots can begin practicing in pads on July 31. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Preseason Preparation

News Staff
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
Oglethorpe County’s Hunter Hall (30) throws to Nicah Pass (7) at spring practice last week. The Patriots began drills on May 9 and will continue through the spring game at Chestatee at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 18. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Oglethorpe County’s Hunter Hall (30) throws to Nicah Pass (7) at spring practice last week. The Patriots began drills on May 9 and will continue through the spring game at Chestatee at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 18. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Football Training

News Staff
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
The Oglethorpe Echo

The Oglethorpe Echo

Editorial: Our Thanksgiving week thumbs

News Staff
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
As we gather with family and friends during this week of Thanksgiving, we have some thoughts. Most opinions are positive, and some are not so uplifting. However, we treasure Oglethorpe County’s rural quality of life.
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.