Sports

Fort White defensive linemen Josiah Harmon and Cillian Sheehan (40) tackle Eastside quarterback Cade Sutherland for a loss last Friday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White defensive linemen Josiah Harmon and Cillian Sheehan (40) tackle Eastside quarterback Cade Sutherland for a loss last Friday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Fort White focused on trenches ahead of Chiefland bout

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
FORT WHITE — The Indians are hoping they can use a blueprint forged last week to upend a tough opponent on the road.Whether they can could be a simple matter of execution.Fort White travels to face Chiefland for an early test beginning Friday at 7:30 p.m. After watching the tape of CHS falling to...
Suwannee receiver Ajari Williams heads to the end zone for a touchdown against Crystal River last Friday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee receiver Ajari Williams heads to the end zone for a touchdown against Crystal River last Friday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Suwannee not worried about Lafayette's slow start

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
LIVE OAK — Suwannee’s focus is on a pair of Lafayette games, but not the Hornets’ two games to open the 2026 season.Instead, the Bulldogs are more worried remembering how Lafayette played them the past two seasons, including a 37-30 LHS win in Mayo last year.“The record doesn’t mean anything to...
Branford celebrates after a point against Suwannee on Aug. 18. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Branford celebrates after a point against Suwannee on Aug. 18. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 8/25/26

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
All five area schools were in action either on the volleyball court or golf course on Tuesday.Here are the scores and stats from Aug. 25.VOLLEYBALL— Newberry 3, Columbia 0: The Tigers (1-3) were swept by the Panthers (6-0) 25-23, 25-14, 25-16 on the road.— Branford 3, Trenton 0: The Buccaneers...
Suwannee hitters Kenlie Lindboe (5) and Jaci Thomas (8) defend a shot from Fort White hitter Arayna Arrowood on Tuesday night. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee hitters Kenlie Lindboe (5) and Jaci Thomas (8) defend a shot from Fort White hitter Arayna Arrowood on Tuesday night. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP VOLLEYBALL: Suwannee sweeps Fort White for second win

CIARA BYRD
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
LIVE OAK — Fresh off its first win of the season, Suwannee put together an even better performance Tuesday night against Fort White.The Bulldogs earned a convincing sweep behind strong serving, aggressive attacks, and consistent pressure at the net.
Columbia right tackle Xander Satterfield celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against Bolles on Friday. (JAMARION WEST/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia right tackle Xander Satterfield celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against Bolles on Friday. (JAMARION WEST/Special to the Reporter)

FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: Columbia’s win over Bolles puts state on alert, plus other nuggets from Week 1’s games

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
The question before the season was whether Columbia could survive its tough early schedule.Now the question may be whether teams can survive Columbia.The Tigers made a huge statement Friday night when they knocked off 2025 state finalist Bolles 20-19 on the road.
Branford hitter Anabella Dicks defends a snot against Suwannee on Aug. 18. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Branford hitter Anabella Dicks defends a snot against Suwannee on Aug. 18. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 8/24/26

NEWS STAFF
Monday, August 24, 2026
Teams around the area were in action either on the golf course or volleyball court on Monday.Here are the scores and stats from Aug. 24.BOYS GOLF— Suwannee 289, Columbia 334, Belmont Academy 346: Dawson Wooley shot an even-par-70 for medalist honors to lead the Bulldogs past the Tigers and Knights...
Suwannee runner Olivia Hermanson placed seventh at the Cecil Field Summer Classic on Friday. (FILE)

Suwannee runner Olivia Hermanson placed seventh at the Cecil Field Summer Classic on Friday. (FILE)

PREP ROUNDUP: Cross country, volleyball results from 8/22/26

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, August 22, 2026
The cross country season began Friday with a Hermanson once again leading the pack for Suwannee.Olivia Hermanson placed seventh out of 251 runners in the girls Division B race, finishing with a time of 21:41 to lead the Bulldogs to a sixth-place team finish at the Cecil Field Summer Classic.
Columbia defensive back Mekah Combs-Turner celebrates after his game-clinching interception against Bolles on Friday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia defensive back Mekah Combs-Turner celebrates after his game-clinching interception against Bolles on Friday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia opens season with statement win over title contender Bolles

JORDAN KROEGER
Saturday, August 22, 2026
JACKSONVILLE — With the game on the verge of slipping through Columbia’s fingers, defensive back Mekah Combs-Turner made sure the ball didn’t.Combs-Turner read a pass perfectly go toward the front right pylon and intercepted Bolles quarterback Luke Toland to seal a 20-19 win for the Tigers on...
Suwannee quarterback Haigen Johnson throws as he’s being tackled from behind Friday night. Johnson connected with Kamari Lovett for a 66-yard touchdown on the play. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee quarterback Haigen Johnson throws as he’s being tackled from behind Friday night. Johnson connected with Kamari Lovett for a 66-yard touchdown on the play. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Suwannee routs Crystal River in shutout

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, August 22, 2026
CRYSTAL RIVER — The start couldn’t have gone much worse for Suwannee.A pair of false starts paired with a short run and an incomplete pass had the Bulldogs backed up at Bramlett Stadium and Crystal River brought pressure on the 3rd-and-17 play, getting to Suwannee quarterback Haigen Johnson as he...