OCHS Football

Former OCHS standout lineman KB Bonds signed with South Carolina State last week, transferring from Division II Shorter University, where he played three seasons. Bonds had 26 tackles for Shorter last fall. (Submitted Photo)

Former OCHS standout lineman KB Bonds signed with South Carolina State last week, transferring from Division II Shorter University, where he played three seasons. Bonds had 26 tackles for Shorter last fall. (Submitted Photo)

Bonds signs to play senior season at South Carolina State

KB Bonds’ journey from Oglethorpe County to playing Division I football came with detours, not shortcuts.
Berry’s Jake Turner runs for part of his career-high 120 yards against Rhodes College on Oct. 4. He finished his second season with 237 yards rushing and one touchdown. (Submitted Photo)

Berry’s Jake Turner runs for part of his career-high 120 yards against Rhodes College on Oct. 4. He finished his second season with 237 yards rushing and one touchdown. (Submitted Photo)

Former OCHS star finds role at Berry

Jake Turner understood early that college football would demand a reset. A productive running back at Oglethorpe County High School, Turner graduated after piling up 1,318 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior in 2023.
(TY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO) Clint Graham breaks up a pass against Elbert County during the Class A Division I playoff game at the Granite Bowl on Friday. Graham led the Patriots with 16 tackles.

(TY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO) Clint Graham breaks up a pass against Elbert County during the Class A Division I playoff game at the Granite Bowl on Friday. Graham led the Patriots with 16 tackles.

Season ends with playoff loss to Elbert County

A 24-7 loss to Elbert County in the first round of the Class A Division I playoffs Friday night ended the Patriots’ hopes of a postseason run. But for the nine seniors who endured the heartache of an 0-10 season in 2024, this year’s playoff appearance felt like retribution.
Oglethorpe County’s seniors include Braxton Edmondson (from left), Clint Graham, O’Maury Huggs, Brock Barrett, Caden Hartrum, Tanner Mckie, Dalton Hilley, Keagan Moats and Stephen Berlin. Several dyed their hair blond before last week’s game. (Jackson Bramlett/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Oglethorpe County’s seniors include Braxton Edmondson (from left), Clint Graham, O’Maury Huggs, Brock Barrett, Caden Hartrum, Tanner Mckie, Dalton Hilley, Keagan Moats and Stephen Berlin. Several dyed their hair blond before last week’s game. (Jackson Bramlett/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Prep Roundup: Playoff opponent unknown until after final week

Oglethorpe County is heading to Class A Division I playoffs, but the Patriots’ seeding and opponent won’t be decided until after Friday’s regular-season finales. “I think when we looked at it, there were about six possibilities,” coach Michael Holland said Monday.
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

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.
In the fourth quarter of Oglethorpe County High School's game against Rabun County High School, junior Nicah Pass (4) helps the cheerleaders energize the crowd. (Photo/Caroline Newbern)

In the fourth quarter of Oglethorpe County High School's game against Rabun County High School, junior Nicah Pass (4) helps the cheerleaders energize the crowd. (Photo/Caroline Newbern)

Huge win for the Patriots aganist Rabun County

Oglethorpe County posted one of the biggest wins in program history with a 28-19 upset of Rabun County on Friday night.Caden Hartrum threw two touchdown passes and ran for another as the Patriots handed the Wildcats their first loss of the season.
Two cheerleaders for Oglethope High School chest bump before the football game begins against Athens Academy on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Lexington, Georgia. (Photo/Emma Peterson)

Two cheerleaders for Oglethope High School chest bump before the football game begins against Athens Academy on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Lexington, Georgia. (Photo/Emma Peterson)

Photo Gallery: OCHS vs. ACAD

The Patriots competed against Athens Academy last Friday. OCHS lost 43-21, leaving them with a 2-4 record this season. They are set to play Rabun County next Friday. 
The OCHS JV volleyball team won its area tournament on Saturday. Team members and coaches include (back, from left): Kiley Paul, Kaylee Wade, Caroline Caldwell, Mirakle Merritt, Abby Gabriel, Chyenne Maddox and Cailyn Torbit; (front, from left) coach Brianne Harrison, Ana Vu, Lannah Scarborough, Alyza Knight and coach Toni Walser-Childs. (Submitted Photo)

The OCHS JV volleyball team won its area tournament on Saturday. Team members and coaches include (back, from left): Kiley Paul, Kaylee Wade, Caroline Caldwell, Mirakle Merritt, Abby Gabriel, Chyenne Maddox and Cailyn Torbit; (front, from left) coach Brianne Harrison, Ana Vu, Lannah Scarborough, Alyza Knight and coach Toni Walser-Childs. (Submitted Photo)

Prep Roundup

OCHS softball nears playoffs The regular season is winding down for the Oglethorpe County softball team. The Patriots dropped a 13-3 decision to Elbert County on Tuesday to fall to 12-7 and 8-2 in Region 8-A Division I.
Oglethorpe County High School senior Keagan Moats (20) tips the ball into the air during the Granite Bowl against Elbert County High School on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (Photo/Drew Bearden)

Oglethorpe County High School senior Keagan Moats (20) tips the ball into the air during the Granite Bowl against Elbert County High School on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (Photo/Drew Bearden)

Photo Gallery: Granite Bowl

The Patriots competed against Elbert County's Blue Devils in the Granite Bowl in Elberton last Friday. OCHS lost 0-27, leaving them with a 2-3 record this season. They are set to play Athens Academy this Friday.