Sports

Lafayette receiver Lane O’Steen (3) reacts to the hit by a Maclay defensive back on Friday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Lafayette receiver Lane O’Steen (3) reacts to the hit by a Maclay defensive back on Friday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Branford rolls, Lafayette gets shut out

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, August 22, 2026
BRANFORD — Behind three touchdown passes and one scoring run from junior quarterback Trent Land, Branford rolled on senior night.Land’s four-touchdown performance led the Buccaneers to a 50-0 rout of Eagle’s View Academy at Buccaneer Stadium on Friday night, evening Branford’s record at 1-1.“The...
Branford players celebrate after a point against Suwannee on Tuesday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake CityReporter)

Branford players celebrate after a point against Suwannee on Tuesday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake CityReporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 8/20/26

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Volleyball and boys golf were both in action on Thursday.Here are the scores and stats for Aug. 20.VOLLEYBALL— Branford 3, Williston 0: The Buccaneers (3-0) stayed hot to start the season by sweeping the Red Devils (1-1) 25-16, 25-22, 25-20 on the road.— Suwannee 3, Union County 1: The Bulldogs...
Lincoln outside hitter Jaci Dickens fires a shot towards Columbia hitter Langsley Smith (20) and Addison Jones (7) on Thursday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Lincoln outside hitter Jaci Dickens fires a shot towards Columbia hitter Langsley Smith (20) and Addison Jones (7) on Thursday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP VOLLEYBALL: Columbia swept by Lincoln in home opener

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, August 20, 2026
As a young team learning how to win, Columbia was handed some lessons Thursday night.Never was that truer than in the third set against Lincoln.The Tigers were on the verge of prolonging the match when they jumped out to a 13-8 lead in the fourth frame, but the Trojans wouldn’t be denied a sweep.
TOP ROW: Columbia WR Kyren Caldwell, Columbia RB Jerome Horne, Columbia DT Jaden McCray, Columbia DT Jaylen Underwood; MIDDLE ROW: Columbia DE Mikel Morgan, Columbia LB Alfonso Curry and Columbia RT Xander Satterfield; BOTTOM ROW: Fort White RB John’l Lawson, Suwannee LB Kyler Hall, Lafayette RB/LB Trevor Byrd and Branford QB Trent Land. (Columbia photos by Jen Chasteen; Fort White photo by Bailey Jones; Suwannee photo by Tammy Johns; Lafayette and Branford photos by Jack Howdeshell)

TOP ROW: Columbia WR Kyren Caldwell, Columbia RB Jerome Horne, Columbia DT Jaden McCray, Columbia DT Jaylen Underwood; MIDDLE ROW: Columbia DE Mikel Morgan, Columbia LB Alfonso Curry and Columbia RT Xander Satterfield; BOTTOM ROW: Fort White RB John’l Lawson, Suwannee LB Kyler Hall, Lafayette RB/LB Trevor Byrd and Branford QB Trent Land. (Columbia photos by Jen Chasteen; Fort White photo by Bailey Jones; Suwannee photo by Tammy Johns; Lafayette and Branford photos by Jack Howdeshell)

FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Meet the LCR's 2026 Super 11

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, August 20, 2026
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 2026 Super 11:Kyren CaldwellSchool: ColumbiaPosition/Year: WR, Sr.Recruitment status: Committed to MarylandLast year:...
Columbia receiver Kyren Caldwell, a 3-star recruit who is committed to Maryland, turns up the field after a catch against Oakleaf during the Kickoff Classic on Aug. 14. (GARY LLOYD MCCULLOUGH/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia receiver Kyren Caldwell, a 3-star recruit who is committed to Maryland, turns up the field after a catch against Oakleaf during the Kickoff Classic on Aug. 14. (GARY LLOYD MCCULLOUGH/Special to the Reporter)

FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Columbia enters 2026 with 'fix six plays' mindset

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, August 20, 2026
“Fix six plays.”That’s this year’s motto at Columbia High School.Last season saw the Tigers lose three games, all of which head coach Brian Allen says were decided by a handful of snaps.
Fort White running back John’l Lawson races up the field for a long run against Providence during the Kickoff Classic on Aug. 14. Lawson is a key returner on offense for the Indians this season. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White running back John’l Lawson races up the field for a long run against Providence during the Kickoff Classic on Aug. 14. Lawson is a key returner on offense for the Indians this season. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Fort White’s move back into district play comes with a new set of challenges

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, August 20, 2026
FORT WHITE — For the first time in a long time, Fort White coach Demetric Jackson doesn’t have a ready answer behind center.Other than that though, the Indians have a whole lot of potential pent up for 2026.The starting quarterback job remains up for grabs between a pair of sophomores in Chance...
Branford head coach Will Dettor is excited about the Buccaneers’ prospects in the Sunshine State Athletic Association. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Branford head coach Will Dettor is excited about the Buccaneers’ prospects in the Sunshine State Athletic Association. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

FOOTBALL PREVIEW: New Branford coach Will Dettor leads Buccaneers into new league

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, August 20, 2026
BRANFORD — Will Dettor’s first season at the helm of the Buccaneers ought to be an interesting experiment.Despite an opening-week loss to Aucilla Christian, Dettor still believes the best is yet to come.Branford dropped a 12-7 decision to the Crusaders on Friday.
Lafayette running back Trevor Byrd powers ahead against Madison County in the teams’ spring game. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Lafayette running back Trevor Byrd powers ahead against Madison County in the teams’ spring game. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Lafayette has same goals for playoff success in SSAA debut

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, August 20, 2026
MAYO — The league may be new but Lafayette has the same goal entering the 2026 season: to make a deep playoff run.The Hornets were one of a host of rural teams that departed the Florida High School Athletic Association after last season, opting instead to join the Sunshine State Athletic...