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» Your hometown newspaper since 1861 The Eatonton Alessenger THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025 | B3 Dawgs focus on themselves ahead of opener Lance McCurley lance@msgrnews.com Georgia will get its 2025 season underway at home against non-conference opponent Marshall this week. The No. 4 Bulldogs were preparing for the Thundering Herd during practice last week. “Coaches started on Thursday, and players started on Friday. So, we’ve got two practices in towards that goal of playing these guys,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said on Monday. “I’m excited for a home opener. In 2024, Marshall finished 10-3 overall and won the Sun Belt Confer ence under the direction of head coach Charles Huff. However, this year the Thundering Herd will look very different. Huff accepted the same posi tion at Southern Miss in the offseason, and most of Marshall’s players entered the transfer portal after his departure. Marshall hired N.C. State defensive coordi nator Tony Gibson to replace Huff. The Thun dering Herd has also signed more than 60 new players to its roster since Gibson was hired, so there are a lot of questions to be answered. Smart said it’s difficult to prepare for a team full of transfers but stressed the focus isn’t solely on Marshall. “You start with your self, right? You prepare yourself by how you run to the ball, how you strike people, how you move people, how you run the ball, throw the ball, don’t turn it over,” Georgia’s head coach said. “A lot of sloppiness in first games, penalties, so it starts with that. The opponent is us, and it’s going to be us every week. It is important that we know what they do, and sometimes that’s less information than others.” La COURTESY OF UGA ATHLETICS Georgia is expecting cornerback Ellis Robinson IV (1) to battle for the starting spot opposite of veteran Daylen Everette this season. The Bulldogs have been preparing for the Thun dering Herd, but they’ve also been focusing on themselves. They recently completed fall camp, but several players are still competing for starting roles on both sides of the ball. The quarterback battle between Gunner Stockton and Ryan Puglisi has been interesting. Smart declined to comment last week on who it would be, but it’s suspected Stockton will lead the offense. The competition at right guard on the offensive line also remains interesting. Freshman Juan Gaston made a name for himself in the preseason, but he remains battling redshirt freshman Daniel Calhoun for the starting job. Senior Daylen Ever ette is likely to start at one cornerback position. Junior Daniel Harris has the potential to fill the other, although redshirt freshman and former five- star Ellis Robinson will be hard to keep off the field. Smart said Monday that some position battles will be going on all year, as nothing is guaranteed. “I was telling guys just the other day, there are three more games before the game. One today, one tomorrow, and one the next day,” he said. “And those opportunities are really valuable in terms of where guys rep, where guys will play. We’ve got position battles that, I mean, they don’t go on ‘til the game. “They go on through the whole year. Because I value Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and some times Thursday of prac tice weeks, probably more than some game reps. So, we’ve got a lot of good battles going on,” Smart continued. “We have a saying around our place: if you’re going to play winning football, we wanna’ play you. We’re looking to have as many guys as possible above that winning threshold line, and that’s the goal, to play all those guys.” Georgia and Marshall will kick off at 3:30 p.m. at Sanford Stadium on ESPN. The Bulldogs are 39.5- point favorites. PUTNAM CONTINUED FROM » B1 times, you’re already down, you’re behind the chains,” he said after the game. “So, I understand the conditions are wet, but that’s no excuse to not catch a freaking ball and run with it. We kind of bit ourselves on the tail on that one.” The War Eagles also struggled on the defensive side of the ball, as Morgan County exploded for 518 yards of total offense. The Dogs tallied 220 passing yards and a touchdown, plus 298 rushing yards and four scores. Harvin thought the War Eagles’ defense struggled at times but mentioned a lot of his players never came off the field. “Defensively, we’ve got to figure out what’s going wrong,” he said. “I’m proud of my guys. We’ve got what we’ve got. A lot of our guys are playing every snap, not coming off the field. Japeth Nelson is one of those guys. Bryson Brown, who caught the touchdown at the very JONES CONTINUED FROM » B1 lot of championships and there was an attitude that if you come to Green, the community will support the team and that winning tradition with the Packers is something they don’t take for granted.” Darryl found a similar fan base in Green Bay that he was accustomed to when he was playing for the Bulldogs. “The entire state, same as it is in Georgia, is interested in and supportive of the team. I always felt that was the way it was in the state of Georgia with the Bulldogs.” Tradition is something DJ appreciates. He honors the work ethic and is LANCE McCURLEY/Staff Putnam County junior tight end Bryson Brown races to the end zone. PU beginning, never comes off the field and never complains. [It’s an] Iron Man football mindset, but we got some younger guys who have got to step up quick.” Harvin mentioned that when the game got out of control, some of his younger guys received some valuable playing time. “We’re young and we’re old at the same time. So, we have a good young motivated to find ways to underscore promotions and programs that help high school kids. The leadership principles he learned at Georgia are part of the objective to host banquets and promote scholarship objectives for the high school teams he covers in the Columbus area. When he talks to high school kids about winning championships, he points out that the ingredients of a successful program start with team loyalty, hard work, and leadership. “And selflessness,” he adds. “One of the things that meant so much to our 1980 team was that we had a special togetherness that brought results. We literally didn’t care who got the headlines; we were group that, if they can play right now, they’re phys ically capable,” Putnam County’s coach said. “A lot of them are only 13 or 14 years old, so I asked them to go play ... but we’re trying to sneak them in there and steal some reps and get them ready for region play because we are going to need them. We’re a little thin [on both sides of the ball] right now.” Beyond the obvious negatives, Harvin said interested in comple menting each other on the field.” Darryl has often pointed to the remarkable display of sportsmanship and altruism that came with the attitude of his team- mate, Herschel Walker. “Herschel was always paying tribute to his linemen,” Darryl says. “Because he was so unselfish, his linemen would literally run through a brick wall for him. There were other players who were just like him, too, Nat Hudson, Frank Ross, Terry Hoage, and Scott Woerner.” Darryl points out that the members of this team have kept in touch with each other like no other team in Georgia history. Ros, the he still had a few positive takeaways, too. The War Eagles’ defense made a crucial stop on Morgan County’s opening possession. Then, their offense put together an impressive touchdown drive, with quarterback Ethan Whatley throwing a scoring pass to Brown. Senior running back Omarion Butts also contributed significantly on offense, rushing 21 times for 115 yards and a touchdown. Putnam County’s offense totaled 159 rushing yards against the Dogs. Harvin explained his team simply didn’t execute what it needed for a win. “I thought the game plan was there,” Harvin said. “It was just that if you don’t execute and you don’t hold onto the ball, it doesn’t matter the conditions, you’re already shooting yourself in the foot.” The War Eagles (1-1) hope to rebound this Friday at home against Laney (1-1). The Wildcats are coming off a 32-12 win over Hephzibah. The two teams will meet at Al Reaves Field for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. firIReStore Habitat for Humanity of Putnam « Restore Hours Thursday: 10am -4pm off lets Restore your donation helps a family build a strong foundation for the future. Friday: Saturday: putnamcountyhabitat.org, 706-991-1600 10am - 4pm 10am - 4pm - NEW LOCATION - 866 Harmony Road Eatonton, GA 31024 Bring this ad with you and receive an additional 10% off your purchase! Scan to Request a Home Pickup Shop. Donate. Volunteer. EATONTON HEALTH REHABILITATION captain, is constantly organizing reunions and get-togethers. “We are getting long in the tooth,” Darryl says, “but we still enjoy finding time for reunions so we can relive and sort the great memories that we have. There are many times when I am riding to Athens for a game, I recall the big games and high lights of that season. And then I think about how nice it would be if every player could enjoy that experience, “And you know, some player on the high school level this year will have that experience. They will be able to succeed at a high level and enjoy memories like we had in 1980. It was unforgettable.” 118 W. Marion St • Eatonton, Ga 706-485-8573 Visit: leatontonhealth.org Eatonton Health & Rehab is a Health Service of CHSGa GATORS CONTINUED FROM » B1 saying they work as hard as anyone on the field. He credited them for keeping things within reach throughout most of the game at Trinity. “But we still have to be better, and I know we can be,” Ratliff said. “I know the character of my guys and I know they’re going to continue to work until we get things right. “That’s hopefully the mark of who we are as a program and who we are as a team this year,” he continued. “Right now, two losses is not very good, but there is some light at the end of the tunnel. We’ve just got to find a way to sustain drives on offense and the defense needs to keep playing hard. It’s not easy, I know, but I know it’s there and I think these guys can do it, too.” The Gators get their next chance this Friday at 7:30 p.m., facing Loganville Christian Academy (1-1) in Logan ville, followed by a third- straight road game Sept. 5 in Americus against the Southland Academy CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS REFER TO PUZZLE ON PAGE C5 W W W Sponsored by Zaxby’s of Eatonton 22025 120 Walmart Dr. | 706-923-1910 SEASON Raiders (0-2). Gatewood will finally return home Sept. 12 to take on Mount de Sales (0-2) and close out the first half of the regular season before entering region play exclusively for the second half of its 2025 schedule. ZAXBY'S
