Sports

TOP ROW: CHS DL Caden Bolstein, CHS LB/S Da’jon Brown, FWHS LB Lecosta Byrd and SHS WR/DB Koy Frier; MIDDLE ROW: FWHS QB Jayden Jackson, CHS OL Chase Johnson and FWHS DL Jaden McCray; BOTTOM ROW: FWHS WR Tafari Moe, LHS WR/DB Jordan Murphy, FWHS WR Mike Peterson Jr. and LHS QB/DB Tywan Williamson. (CHS photos by Jen Chasteen; FWHS photos by Brent Kuykendall; SHS photos by Tammy Johns; LHS photos by Marcus Edwards)

TOP ROW: CHS DL Caden Bolstein, CHS LB/S Da’jon Brown, FWHS LB Lecosta Byrd and SHS WR/DB Koy Frier; MIDDLE ROW: FWHS QB Jayden Jackson, CHS OL Chase Johnson and FWHS DL Jaden McCray; BOTTOM ROW: FWHS WR Tafari Moe, LHS WR/DB Jordan Murphy, FWHS WR Mike Peterson Jr. and LHS QB/DB Tywan Williamson. (CHS photos by Jen Chasteen; FWHS photos by Brent Kuykendall; SHS photos by Tammy Johns; LHS photos by Marcus Edwards)

FOOTBALL SUPER 11: Meet the best in Columbia, Suwannee and Lafayette counties in 2024

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, August 22, 2024
The Lake City Reporter has put together its annual list of the 11 best high school football players in Columbia, Suwannee and Lafayette counties. Check out the list of the paper's 2024 Super 11:   Caden Bolstein School: Columbia Position/Year: DL, Sr.
Columbia quarterback Zamarion Jones throws a pass against Bradford during their Preseason Classic on Aug. 16. Jones is moving from receiver to quarterback to begin the season after sophomore Xavier Collins sprained his MCL in fall camp. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia quarterback Zamarion Jones throws a pass against Bradford during their Preseason Classic on Aug. 16. Jones is moving from receiver to quarterback to begin the season after sophomore Xavier Collins sprained his MCL in fall camp. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

COLUMBIA FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Tigers begin season without QB Collins vs. tough opening slate

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, August 22, 2024
Adversity hit Columbia before the season officially begins. How the Tigers handle it early on could very well determine the trajectory of their 2024 campaign.
Fort White running back Keimarion Neal celebrates as he scores a touchdown against NFEI during their Preseason Classic on Aug. 15. Neal transferred from Santa Fe and will be Fort White’s starting running back this season. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White running back Keimarion Neal celebrates as he scores a touchdown against NFEI during their Preseason Classic on Aug. 15. Neal transferred from Santa Fe and will be Fort White’s starting running back this season. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

FORT WHITE FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Indians ramp up the difficulty in quest for deeper playoff run

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, August 22, 2024
FORT WHITE — Fort White head coach Demetric Jackson talks about the impending rematch with excitement in his voice. Anticipation, even. The last game of the Indians’ season in 2023 looms large over this year’s group.
Lafayette receiver Jordan Murphy takes a hit from a Newberry defender after a catch in their Preseason Classic on Aug. 15. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Lafayette receiver Jordan Murphy takes a hit from a Newberry defender after a catch in their Preseason Classic on Aug. 15. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

LAFAYETTE FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Hornets eye big plays in air to compliment strong ground game

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Thursday, August 22, 2024
MAYO — With Lafayette returning a game breaker like Jordan Murphy for his senior season, coach Marcus Edwards could understand why his Hornets would be labeled as a team that counts on the big plays. After all, LHS has third-year starting QB Tywan Williamson, who is returning for his junior season.
Suwannee linebacker Delwyn Allen dives to tackle Columbia running back Johnathan Andrews during last season’s Preseason Classic. (FILE)

Suwannee linebacker Delwyn Allen dives to tackle Columbia running back Johnathan Andrews during last season’s Preseason Classic. (FILE)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia, Suwannee meet in first regular-season matchup since 2018

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
For the first time in six years Friday night, the Old Oaken Bucket will return to the sidelines. Columbia and Suwannee will renew their rivalry in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff at Tiger Stadium, the teams’ first matchup in the regular season since 2018.
Fort White running back Keimarion Neal celebrates with quarterback Jayden Jackson after scoring a touchdown against NFEI during their Preseason Classic on Aug 15. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White running back Keimarion Neal celebrates with quarterback Jayden Jackson after scoring a touchdown against NFEI during their Preseason Classic on Aug 15. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Fort White looks for ‘control’ in season opener against Taylor County

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
FORT WHITE — Fort White head coach Demetric Jackson is quite familiar with the first opponent on his team’s 2024-25 schedule. But when the Indians host Taylor County on Friday night at 7:30, there will be an unfamiliar face leading the opposing sideline.
Lafayette receiver Parker Hill turns up field after taking a handoff during the Preseason Classic against Newberry on Aug. 15. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Lafayette receiver Parker Hill turns up field after taking a handoff during the Preseason Classic against Newberry on Aug. 15. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Lafayette is healthy, ready for opener against Dixie County

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
MAYO — The visit to Dixie County last year turned out to me a memorable season opener for Lafayette. The Hornets’ defense was the star, accounting for their lone score on a fumble recovery for a touchdown.
Branford receiver Maurice Vought runs up the field after a catch against Crescent City during their Preseason Jamboree on Aug. 16. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Branford receiver Maurice Vought runs up the field after a catch against Crescent City during their Preseason Jamboree on Aug. 16. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Branford will face a different look from Oak Hall in opener

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
BRANFORD — Branford’s season-opening test got a bit of a new look last week. When Oak Hall, which has won 30 games the past four seasons, visits Cleve Sikes Field at Buccaneer Stadium on Friday night for a 7:30 p.m.