Jonathon Hoppe
Sports Reporter/Anchor
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Jonathon Hoppe joined the Sports Leader 9 team in November of 2020. Six months before accepting the job, Jonathon graduated from Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Public Communications with a degree in Broadcast and Digital Journalism. While in school, Jonathon completed two summer internships at his hometown TV station, WBTV, in Charlotte, NC. He also interned with Westwood One Sports in New York City. Over the years, Jonathon has served as a freelance Play-by-Play announcer for ACC Network Extra, ESPN3 and more. In his free time, Jonathon enjoys hanging out with friends, trying new restaurants and spending summer afternoons on the lake.
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The decision was made "due to COVID associated protocols and injuries."
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Hundreds, and maybe even thousands, of Auburn alums are going to the game on Saturday.
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Andy Burcham, in his third season in the role, provided his thoughts on the biggest game of the weekend.
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The Associated Press has released its AP Top 25 poll for Week 2 of the college football season.
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With the start of the college football season less than three weeks away, the Associated Press released its 2021 preseason rankings.
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Auburn’s junior quarterback Bo Nix will be under the microscope this fall. After an up-and-down sophomore season, Nix is now tasked with learning a new offense.
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After a 61-43 win over the Orlando Predators, the Columbus Lions have advanced to the NAL championship game.
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The high school football season has officially begun. With less than three weeks before the games begin, the AHSAA and GHSA both started official practice on Monday.
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After beating the Jersey Flight, 65-32, on Saturday, the Columbus Lions have wrapped up their regular season.
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All eyes at SEC Media Days were on new Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin on Thursday. The Tigers have already adopted his 4th-and-1 mentality. All signs say it’s been a smooth transition on the Plains for Harsin.
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The Alabama Crimson Tide is in a familiar spot. The Tide has won six national titles since 2000. Another one this year would give them a second back-to-back repeat under the leadership of Nick Saban. But going back-to-back means forgetting all about last season.
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Last year, JT Daniels was coming back from a torn ACL. Now, he’s got a shot to lead Georgia to its first national championship in over 40 years, thanks in part to the lessons learned from his misfortune.
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On Saturday, the Columbus Lions will take the field for the first time in three weeks against the Jacksonville Sharks.
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After suffering a torn ACL on Saturday, Braves star ourfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. is done for the season.
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Two days after being swept by the Alpharetta Aviators, the Columbus Chatt-a-Hoots bounced back with a 6-0 win over the Waleska Wild Thing on Monday.
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Three months after winning the GHSA 4A Championship, the Carver girls basketball team held a ring ceremony.
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With the 2021 District 8 Tournament in the books, we’re looking back on the top five plays we captured at Northern Little League.
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The Columbus Chatt-a-Hoots fell to the Marietta Patriots, 12-6, in the series finale on Saturday night.
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The Shedrick Dixon Educational Foundation hosted a free football camp on Saturday morning at the Ladonia Sports Complex.
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Even though the record (3-5) isn’t where they want it to be, the data says the Chatt-a-Hoots aren’t that far off.
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On Saturday, several Phenix City football alums returned to give back to the next generation. Justyn Ross, E.J. Williams, Markail Benton, Ray Thronton III and Ucambre Williams made sure it was a day the kids would remember.
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Five-star defensive end Mykel Williams has committed to the University of Southern California, he announced on Twitter.
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More than a month removed from winning an F-P-H-L title, River Dragons goalie Jared Rutledge has returned to his second job. He's a technician at Fort Benning Harley Davidson. Recently, we found out why he chooses to stay in Columbus during the offseason.
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After living by the Chattahoochee River for over six months, Sports Leader 9's Jonathon Hoppe decided it was time to test the waters. Click below to learn more about riverboarding by waveshaper island!
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On Friday afternoon, Columbus High School celebrated Alexis Day (Softball - South Carolina State), Christine Vaughn (Softball - Columbus State) and Jahari Jones (Track - Berry College).
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Central high school recognized Mariah McCord (Track at Coastal Carolina), Marcus Wilburn (Track at Columbia College) and Faith Adams (Cheer at CSU) on Tuesday morning.
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The Columbus State Cougars ended their 2021 home schedule with a 16-11 win over Young Harris on Monday.
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CSU softball’s Morgan Elston has been named the Peach Belt Conference player of the week. Elston, a second baseman, homered in four consecutive games last week.
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The Brookstone School girls tennis team has advanced to the GHSA 1-A Private second round after a 5-0 defeat of Strong Rock Christian School in the opening round of the state tournament.
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The Muscogee County School district has broken ground at the site of soon-to-be Odis Spencer Stadium.
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As the postseason approaches, the Auburn High School Tigers traveled to Smiths Station for a showdown with the Panthers.
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The Columbus State Baseball beat Georgia Southwestern, 23-4, on Monday at Ragsdale Field.
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Drea Singleton (Soccer - Georgia Southwestern State) and Wesley Brown (Football - Rhodes College) signed letters of intent on Monday at Brookstone School.
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Four Central High School seniors are moving up to play at the next level.
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Columbus area football alums Walter Palmore (Hardaway High School), Gabe Wright (Carver High School), Taquon Marshall (Harris County High School, Brandon Barnes (Russell County High School) and Ucambre Williams (Central High School) returned to Valley to help Impact Performance RX collect daily nece
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Glenwood held a signing day on Wednesday morning, sending three student-athletes to the next level. Congratulations to Payton Corbett, Jackson Griner and Alfonzo Moore!
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Later this month, the Atlanta Motor Speedway is set to host fans for the first time in nearly two years. Around 20,000 spectators are expected at the Folds of Honor Quick Trip 500.
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Two years after holding a “practice signing day,” four best friends gathered in Phenix City to do it for real.
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After two seasons with the Oxford Yellow Jackets, Keith Etheredge has completed his first day as head football coach of the Auburn High Tigers.
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The field is set for the GHSA Region 2-4A Finals on Saturday evening at LaGrange High School.
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For the first time since 2017, the Glenwood Lady Gators are AISA AAA champions.
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Former Auburn coach Gus Malzahn is expected to be UCF’s next head football coach, multiple outlets are reporting.
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Due to COVID-19 protocol, Shaw High School had to delay its National Signing Day celebrations. The community gathered on Wednesday to recognize nine student-athletes.
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After leading the Auburn High School Tigers to the 7A state championship game last year, Adam Winegarden has decided to leave the school.