Sophomore Kayden Phelps (left) and junior Isaiah Hood block a teammate during Oglethorpe County football practice earlier this season. Phelps and Hood are wearing Guardian Caps, which have been shown to help prevent concussions. (Sydney Jarrard/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Sophomore Kayden Phelps (left) and junior Isaiah Hood block a teammate during Oglethorpe County football practice earlier this season. Phelps and Hood are wearing Guardian Caps, which have been shown to help prevent concussions. (Sydney Jarrard/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Patriots provide player safety with Guardian Caps

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Oglethorpe County lineman Zachary Carter plans to wear a Guardian Cap going forward. He sustained a concussion on Sept. 29 and has had to sit out until he’s cleared. “I do regret not wearing a Guardian Cap,” Carter said. “It’s pretty boring not being able to practice and get work in.”

Local News

An OCES student high-fives OCHS football player Lance Ellefson as another OCES student guides him through the Patriot Pride drop-off line. “When it started, we figured, let’s just have this amount of players come out, this amount of cheerleaders come out. Now it’s more that they all want to be a part of it,” said athletic booster club president Janine Campbell about the growing popularity of the Patriot Pride Drop-off.

An OCES student high-fives OCHS football player Lance Ellefson as another OCES student guides him through the Patriot Pride drop-off line. “When it started, we figured, let’s just have this amount of players come out, this amount of cheerleaders come out. Now it’s more that they all want to be a part of it,” said athletic booster club president Janine Campbell about the growing popularity of the Patriot Pride Drop-off.

New tradition helps grow Patriot Pride

Walker Durham
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
An early morning chill set the stage for the Patriot Pride Drop-off last Friday, a weekly event...
Patrick and Leye Blount stand outside of the Greenhow Handmade Ironworks building in Washington, Georgia. The couple has lived in the Winterville area of Oglethorpe County for 17 years. (Submitted Photo)

Patrick and Leye Blount stand outside of the Greenhow Handmade Ironworks building in Washington, Georgia. The couple has lived in the Winterville area of Oglethorpe County for 17 years. (Submitted Photo)

Couple to promote fine arts in rural Georgia through sculpture

Maura Potvin
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
The Blounts are always trying to add a little more beauty to the Oglethorpe County area.  
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The Oglethorpe Echo e-Edition

Videos

The Echo: Amplified

What happens when a public university partners with a community newspaper? A beautiful collaboration and a reminder of all the things local news is meant to be: personal, rewarding and impactful.

 

To those who serve The Echo.

To those who read The Echo.

To those who believe in local news.

 

This documentary was directed by Julianna Duennes Russ and produced by Leighton Dancy, in collaboration with the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication and The Oglethorpe Echo Legacy, Inc. 

 

Special thank you to: Ralph Maxwell, Dink NeSmith, Amanda Bright, Andy Johnston, Lori Johnston, Trisha Bearden, Lourdes Tompkins, Blake Campbell, Kathleen deMarrais, Jamie Lewis, Barbara Cabaniss, Delbra Kendrick, Zachary Leggio, Adriana Cascio, Libby Hobbs, Jesse Wood. Copyright 2025. All rights reserved.

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Oglethorpe Echo
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Sports

OCHS volleyball players Leanna Newton (from left), Lannah Scarborough, Nora Turner and teammates show their excitement after winning a point against Fannin County on Tuesday. The Patriots advanced to the Class A/AA quarterfinals with a 3-0 victory (Photo/Will Hearn).

OCHS volleyball players Leanna Newton (from left), Lannah Scarborough, Nora Turner and teammates show their excitement after winning a point against Fannin County on Tuesday. The Patriots advanced to the Class A/AA quarterfinals with a 3-0 victory (Photo/Will Hearn).

Prep Roundup: OCHS sweeps Fannin, advances to Elite Eight

Will Hearn
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Leanna Newton had 16 kills to lead the Oglethorpe County volleyball team to a 25-9, 25-14, 25-15...
Ansleigh, Carson and Caleb Epps spend time together as a family during Carson’s weekend go-kart races. He has five sponsorships under the name of Carson's Motorsports (Photo/Will Hearn).

Ansleigh, Carson and Caleb Epps spend time together as a family during Carson’s weekend go-kart races. He has five sponsorships under the name of Carson's Motorsports (Photo/Will Hearn).

Carson Epps, only 6, races go-karts, has NASCAR dreams

Will Hearn
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Six-year-old Carson Epps started with a yard kart.
ETHAN GREENE/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO Oglethorpe County junior Leanna Newton practices with her teammates earlier this season. The Patriots, the defending Class A state champs, are 20-17 entering the Class A/AA tournament this week.

ETHAN GREENE/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO Oglethorpe County junior Leanna Newton practices with her teammates earlier this season. The Patriots, the defending Class A state champs, are 20-17 entering the Class A/AA tournament this week.

OCHS volleyball determined to defend state title

Sarah Owens
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Oglethorpe County’s volleyball team hopes to add to its trophy collection as it enters Class A/AA...
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