About The Eatonton messenger. (Eatonton, Ga.) 18??-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 7, 2025)
B2 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2025 The Eatonton Aessenger www.msgrnews.com bases With rain soaking everyone's shirts and jerseys, Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff explains his next drill during practice last Friday at Sammons Field in Eatonton. 6 Junior running back Landon Moreno (right) is expected to be a major contributor to Gatewood's offense this season. Gators prepare for preseason game Story and photos by Ian Tocher ian@msgrnews.com Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff is looking forward to seeing his new-look Gators take to the field this Friday night for a home exhibition game against Athens Christian. The same two teams held a pre-season GATEWOOD HIGH SCHOC 0© @GatewoodSchool scrimmage last year, too, when the Eagles fielded a lot of young, first-year players. Ratliff said he expects Athens Christian will be a familiar, though different opponent this time round. “There will be a lot of the same guys on the field, just a year older,” the longtime Gators coach said. “I’m sure that they’ll have gotten better, too, Elevating Minds, Igniting Futures - Where Excellence Meets Community at Gatewood Schools.” Our campus is nestled in a historic small town with a population of 6307. Founded in 1970, with 453 students, 67 faculty/staff, and 1382 alumni living in 26 states and 5 countries. A private K2-12th grade college-prep Christian School. Contact Libby Rainey for information: 706-485-8231 x1300 lrainey@gatewoodschool.com 139 Phillips Dr. Eatonton Georgia gatewoodschool.com SAIS AdvancED that they’ve made some improvements. “And I know Coach (Mike) Morris over there, he does a good job, has a good staff. Last year was his first year and I think he had to kind of come in there and start from the ground up with the program,” Ratliff said. “So, I’m sure he’ll have his guys ready to go Friday night.” Last Friday after a rainy practice on Gate- wood’s Sammons Field, Ratliff said he remained unsure of what format the scrimmage will follow. Typically, he explained, each team runs a certain number of offensive or defensive plays, regard less of each outcome. As the host coach, though he retains the option to set the schedule and said he’s currently leaning PRE ORDER Fish Days - Pond stocking size fish CALL TO FIND YOUR NEAREST PICK-UP LOCATION southlandfisheries.com @ f @southlandfisheries toward playing a complete first quarter before going into specific scrimmage scenarios. “It’s really just good to have a chance to go against someone else out there, for both teams,” he said. “We get a chance to go against 11 different bodies over there, so that’ll be good for us. “I just remember I thought their team last year was young but athletic, and I know Coach Morris has been doing a good job with them, so if he’s got those same guy’s back, they’ve all got a year’s experience now, so I know they’re going to be tougher to play against — which is good.” Though they lost several key players to graduation this spring, the Gators return with nine seniors on the 2025 roster: Sawyer Atkinson, Ben Brannen, newcomer Drew Clevinger, Lake Ferman, Colt Jenkins, Jake Karns, Jackson Lundy, Mikey Padula, and Mason Sinclair. Five juniors, eight sophomores, and three freshmen round out this year’s roster, leaving Gate- wood with a relatively tight 26-man team. Ratliff said he expects Clevinger, a 6-foot-7, 274-lb transfer in January from Cherokee County, to make an immediate impact on the Gatewood defensive line, with occa sional O-line time, too. Also expected to continue with strong plays on both sides of the ball this season are Sinclair, Padula, Ferman, Adkinson, and Jenkins. Sophomore Blake Brannen will be Gate- wood’s new starting quar terback, Ratliff confirmed, with his brother, senior Ben Brannen, no doubt being a favored target this year as the team’s fastest receiver, according to the coach. Ratliff also mentioned his entire coaching staff, including Tyler Van Dusen, Josh Ringer, Connor Richards, Scott Denar, Clyde Harper, and Mike Kelly are critical to the team’s success. “I love every one of those guys,” Ratliff said. He then expressed appreciation for the loyal fanbase Gatewood has developed in Eatonton and Putnam County over the years. Ratliff said it’s not only encouraging for the players and coaches but demonstrates a great sense of community that not every team enjoys. “Obviously, we’re a private school, so our families here have to, of course, support our schools, support our programs, and they do a fantastic job doing it,” he said. “But the local community on Friday night comes out and sees us play, too, which is just great. We have a pretty good following and I just want to thank them for that.” Kickoff for the scrim mage against Athens Christian is set for 7:30 p.m. The season officially begins for the Gators one week later, Aug. 15, again at 7:30 p.m. versus Flint River Academy. 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Roberts, who pitched the entire game for the Lady Gators, kept Trinity Christian scoreless in the bottom of the sixth to secure the victory as the game ended early due to the run rule. The Gatewood offense totaled 10 hits, with eight coming from Hill, Roberts, Natalie Sills, and McKenna Riser. Arthur had a team-high four RBIs with two runs scored. Roberts also finished with two RBIs and a run scored. Stancil said the team’s strength is its offense and she thought her players delivered at the plate. “I’ve been excited to see this lineup in action all summer,” she said. “This team is crushing the ball and I believe they have a point to prove with their bats this season. I told them I wanted at least eight runs that first game and they tacked on a few more.” After allowing a run in the first inning, Roberts pitched five consecutive scoreless frames to finish the game. The senior gave up five hits and one earned run, with nine strikeouts and zero walks in 83 pitches thrown. Stancil noted the plan was to use two pitchers against the Lady Crusaders, but Roberts was unstoppable. “The plan going into that first game was to let Riley and Natalie share the circle, but Trinity couldn’t handle Riley’s speed and ball movement, so we rode her arm for the six innings it took to close out the game,” Stancil said. The Lady Gators’ home opener is Thursday at 4 p.m. when they host Georgia Military College, followed by a Saturday doubleheader at Southland Academy in Americus. MINDFUL MOVEMENT Fitness Program for Adults & Seniors Crooked Creek Community Association Building Starts August 19 20 sessions Chair Exercises for Seniors 9 Easy Moves to Get Stronger Contact Don: djones@trilogymi.com
