soccer

TY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO Oglethorpe County keeper Braxton Edmondson looks upfield for a teammate during a game against Madison County on Feb. 13. Edmonson also kicked and punted for the football team.

TY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO Oglethorpe County keeper Braxton Edmondson looks upfield for a teammate during a game against Madison County on Feb. 13. Edmonson also kicked and punted for the football team.

New coach, youth boost boys soccer program

The Oglethorpe County High School boys soccer team enters the 2026 season with a new leader, a fresh perspective and a clear vision for the future.  Between a coaching change and a roster full of underclassmen, the Patriots are focused on player development.

Prep roundup: Gresham finishes fourth at state wrestling meet

Staff Report Keyvon Gresham finished fourth and Walker Compton was sixth at the Class A state wrestling tournament last week at the Clayton County Convocation Center in Morrow. Tanner Mckie was 2-2 and one match away from placing, and Andrew Goller and Kendon Brown were both 1-2.
Maurice Freeman (left) is returning as the OCHS boys track and field coach this season. The spring sports teams began practice earlier this week. (Photo/Hank Tatum)

Maurice Freeman (left) is returning as the OCHS boys track and field coach this season. The spring sports teams began practice earlier this week. (Photo/Hank Tatum)

OCHS coaches prepare teams for start of new year

Oglethorpe County High School’s spring sports teams began practice on Monday and will take the field later this month. Soccer, track and field, baseball and golf will open with a heavy focus on preparation and early-season development.
The 8u cheer squad brought home multiple first-place victories in their competitions. (Submitted Photo)

The 8u cheer squad brought home multiple first-place victories in their competitions. (Submitted Photo)

Sports overlap, never end for rec department

The Oglethorpe County Recreation Department concluded a busy fall sports season and is transitioning to winter programming as registration begins for spring sports. White said approximately 600 children participated in fall sports, a total consistent with recent years.
Erich Forschler has decided to step down as the OCHS girls soccer coach since his twin daughters Emily and Madeleine graduated this month. OCHS is in the process of replacing him. (Photo/Owen Warden)

Erich Forschler has decided to step down as the OCHS girls soccer coach since his twin daughters Emily and Madeleine graduated this month. OCHS is in the process of replacing him. (Photo/Owen Warden)

Forschler’s departure one of many for coaching staff

Oglethorpe County High School’s athletic staff will experience changes next year, including a new girls soccer coach.Erich Forschler is stepping away from his position following the graduation of twins Emily and Madeleine Forschler, who have signed to play at South Georgia State in Douglas.
Oglethorpe County soccer players Emily and Madeleine Forschler signed with South Georgia State earlier this year. Erich (left) and Melissa Forschler, their parents, attended the signing. Erich Forschler is also the girls soccer coach at OCHS. (Submitted photo)

Oglethorpe County soccer players Emily and Madeleine Forschler signed with South Georgia State earlier this year. Erich (left) and Melissa Forschler, their parents, attended the signing. Erich Forschler is also the girls soccer coach at OCHS. (Submitted photo)

OCHS athletes ready to compete at the next level

Several Oglethorpe County High School seniors are preparing to take their athletic careers to the next level.  Emily and Madeleine Forschler will continue playing soccer together at South Georgia State College, while Miles Mason is set to wrestle at Truett McConnell University.

Prep Roundup: Turner sparks girls track to victory

Elin Turner won the 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles and the triple jump to lead the Oglethorpe County girls track team to victory over Madison County and Elbert County, and Athens Christian School on March 20. Turner finished with 18 points.
Oglethorpe County’s Miguel Rios looks to pass in a game against Valdosta last year. He’s scored 10 goals this season, second on the team to Clint Graham’s 12 goals. (OWEN WARDEN/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Oglethorpe County’s Miguel Rios looks to pass in a game against Valdosta last year. He’s scored 10 goals this season, second on the team to Clint Graham’s 12 goals. (OWEN WARDEN/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Graham, Rios power offense for boys soccer

Clint Graham leads OCHS boys soccer with 12 goals this season. Miguel Rios is not far behind with 10.  And they are both hungry to score more. Rios, a senior captain, dominates the field as a forward and a striker.
OCHS boys soccer coach Josh Austin talks to his players before the Patriots’ opener against Monroe Area on Feb. 18. Austin is in his first season as head coach. (Photo/ Kayda Hammock)

OCHS boys soccer coach Josh Austin talks to his players before the Patriots’ opener against Monroe Area on Feb. 18. Austin is in his first season as head coach. (Photo/ Kayda Hammock)

Growth key for boys team under Austin

The jump from assistant coach to head coach of the Oglethorpe County boys soccer team has been an adjustment for Josh Austin.“It was more just about the pure soccer last year, and this year, there’s the administrative stuff,” he said. “It’s kind of been a change for me, but we’ve handled it well.
Su Moo, a senior goalkeeper, works through a drill during Oglethorpe County soccer practice. The Patriots will look to replace Anna Adams, last year’s starter at keeper, who graduated. (Photo/ Avery Cameron)

Su Moo, a senior goalkeeper, works through a drill during Oglethorpe County soccer practice. The Patriots will look to replace Anna Adams, last year’s starter at keeper, who graduated. (Photo/ Avery Cameron)

Forschler focuses solely on girls team this spring

Coaching both varsity soccer teams at Oglethorpe County was unstainable for Erich Forschler, so he decided to focus solely on the girls this season. “I had to pick one,” said Forschler, who coached both the girls and boys teams in 2024. “Last year, both teams got half of me. And no team got my best.