Sports

Pictured, from left, Ellie Moye, Abigail Herrit, Amelia Turk and Madison Barrick celebrate their finishes after facing off in a recent race.

Pictured, from left, Ellie Moye, Abigail Herrit, Amelia Turk and Madison Barrick celebrate their finishes after facing off in a recent race.

Exclusive Content

Parks & Rec swim team sends 19 athletes to State

Eligha Roper
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
The Lumpkin County Parks & Rec swim team hosted a home meet last week, drawing a packed crowd and a full slate of competitors. The event brought strong energy to the Pinetree pool and several local swimmers walked away with top finishes.
The Lumpkin 10U softball team gathers for a photo after finishing third in the State Championship Tournament.

The Lumpkin 10U softball team gathers for a photo after finishing third in the State Championship Tournament.

Exclusive Content

10U softball team takes third at State Tournament

Eligha Roper
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Growth has been the defining theme for the Lady Indians’ 10U softball team, a group that turned early struggles into a postseason run worth celebrating. They opened their summer with a tough 1‑3 showing in their first tournament, but the girls responded with steady improvement.
Assistant Coach Jake Estenson directs young participants during the recent summer camp.

Assistant Coach Jake Estenson directs young participants during the recent summer camp.

Exclusive Content

Football summer camp gives kids chance to sharpen skills

Eligha Roper
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
As the summer months roll on so do the local Lumpkin County High School camps; last week the local football program saw the biggest turnout yet, as over 100 campers turned out for the three-day event.
Pictured, from left, Faith Jones, Scott DeGraff, Mathiel Mendoza and Natalie Mendoza represented Lumpkin with distinction at the Womens National Duals in Indiana.

Pictured, from left, Faith Jones, Scott DeGraff, Mathiel Mendoza and Natalie Mendoza represented Lumpkin with distinction at the Womens National Duals in Indiana.

Exclusive Content

Local wrestlers contribute to historic win for Team Georgia

Eligha Roper
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Lumpkin County was well represented at the Womens National Duals, where three local wrestlers and Girls Head Coach Scott DeGraff helped power Team Georgia to its best overall finish in program history. Their impact stretched far beyond participation.
Lumpkin County’s Ridge Cole fields a ball during a previous game.

Lumpkin County’s Ridge Cole fields a ball during a previous game.

Exclusive Content

Cole shines at GACA All-Star matchup

Eligha Roper
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Lumpkin County soccer standout Ridge Cole has continued to make a name for himself on the State level, the Region 6-AAA Player of the Year earned a spot in last week’s GACA All-Star game and made an immediate impact, assisting on a goal that found the back of the net for his team.
Starting quarterback Kolson Howell leads the Indians onto the field during their Spring Game at East Hall.

Starting quarterback Kolson Howell leads the Indians onto the field during their Spring Game at East Hall.

Exclusive Content

Lumpkin football ready to rumble ahead of upcoming season

Eligha Roper
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Though the school year has come to an end, all things football are just getting started for the Lumpkin County High School football team. This year the team looks to continue their tradition of success, rooted in their time tested mantra ‘Hard Work Pays Off.’
Sports writer Eligha Roper’s Lumpkin County sports cap takes a vacation at Driftwood Beach.

Sports writer Eligha Roper’s Lumpkin County sports cap takes a vacation at Driftwood Beach.

Exclusive Content

ROPER: Hats can reveal your character

Eligha Roper
Thursday, June 18, 2026
A hat is never just a hat, anyone who’s ever worn one knows this instinctively, a hat is a billboard, a personality test, a mood ring and sometimes a warning label.
Lumpkin soccer campers, coaches and athletes gather for a celebratory group photo on the last day of camp.

Lumpkin soccer campers, coaches and athletes gather for a celebratory group photo on the last day of camp.

Exclusive Content

Lumpkin soccer hosts summer camp

Eligha Roper
Thursday, June 18, 2026
If you wandered past the Lumpkin County soccer fields last week, you probably heard the unmistakable sound of summer: whistles, laughter, and the thump of soccer balls being launched with varying levels of accuracy.
The local R-Ranch hosted the 37th annual Mountain Top Rodeo last weekend. Fans packed the stands and top riders from all over attended the event. Pictured: Tate Minor competes in the saddle bronc event.

The local R-Ranch hosted the 37th annual Mountain Top Rodeo last weekend. Fans packed the stands and top riders from all over attended the event. Pictured: Tate Minor competes in the saddle bronc event.

Exclusive Content

Mountain Top Rodeo returns to R-Ranch

Eligha Roper
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Once every year, the local hills at the R-Ranch awake with the sound of cheers as The Mountain Top Rodeo rolls into town.