football

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

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.
Dean Legge/Dawg Post (Submitted Photo)

Dean Legge/Dawg Post (Submitted Photo)

Opinion Column: Bennett can’t hide his gridiron DNA

Viewers saw it on TV. Maybe you did.    I didn’t see Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett IV throwing up during the South Carolina game.   Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart knew about it, but No. 13 wasn’t about to bench himself. He’s a Bennett. Stetson IV is a competitor.
(Logo/The Oglethorpe Echo)

(Logo/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Patriots optimistic for Friday’s game

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

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.
Oglethorpe County opened this season with a 16-7 victory over East Jackson for the program’s first season-opening win since 2011. (Photo/Jack Casey)

Oglethorpe County opened this season with a 16-7 victory over East Jackson for the program’s first season-opening win since 2011. (Photo/Jack Casey)

Patriots ride high at 1-0

Mike Holland said it had been a while since the Patriots had won a home opener.   Last Friday, his team did it.   Oglethorpe County defeated East Jackson 16-7 in front of an excited home crowd. Holland said the Patriots kept a steady head afterward, showing development from last season.
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.
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.