Sports

Columbia quarterback Xavier Collins throws a pass under pressure from defensive lineman Caden Bolstein during practice on May 1. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia quarterback Xavier Collins throws a pass under pressure from defensive lineman Caden Bolstein during practice on May 1. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia, Fort White focused on themselves in spring game matchup

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, May 16, 2024
FORT WHITE — Friday’s spring game between Columbia and Fort White may have some added juice for both communities in the county, but not for the teams’ two head coaches. They’re more interested in their own teams and how well they can finish out the spring.
Branford

Branford

PREP FOOTBALL: Branford to wrap up spring at Dixie County

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, May 16, 2024
BRANFORD — When Branford lines up across from Dixie County to close out the spring Friday, the mission will be quite simple. “We want to see them get after it and compete,” Branford coach Tim Clark said of his expectations for the 7 p.m. spring game kickoff in Cross City.
Lafayette shortstop Trevor Byrd (left) sits behind home plate alongside first baseman Noah Lamb after the Hornets fell to Jay 4-2 in the Class 1A state semifinals on Wednesday at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

Lafayette shortstop Trevor Byrd (left) sits behind home plate alongside first baseman Noah Lamb after the Hornets fell to Jay 4-2 in the Class 1A state semifinals on Wednesday at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Lafayette lets lead slip away, falls to Jay in Class 1A state semis

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
FORT MYERS — A postseason filled with last-second drama has come to an end for Lafayette. Missed opportunities will haunt the Hornets for the rest of the spring. And likely summer, fall and winter as well.
Branford third baseman Madyson Sikes celebrates running to first base after hitting a walk-off home run to defeat Fort White in the Region 3-1A championship on Tuesday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Branford third baseman Madyson Sikes celebrates running to first base after hitting a walk-off home run to defeat Fort White in the Region 3-1A championship on Tuesday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Sikes' walk-off HR lifts Branford past Fort White, back into 1A state semis

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
BRANFORD — Oscar Saavedra had the shirts ready. Branford’s coach was confident, and a little cocky. “We were either gonna burn them, or keep them and wear them,“ Saavedra said. There’s no need for a bonfire. Madyson Sikes made sure of that with one swing of the bat.
Suwannee quarterback Thomas Sikes drops back to pass during practice on April 29. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee quarterback Thomas Sikes drops back to pass during practice on April 29. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Suwannee wrapping up spring with 3-team jamboree vs. Bradford, Buchholz

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
LIVE OAK — After identifying depth with a lot of young talent on the roster, Suwannee wants to close out the spring with a better idea of exactly where it stands. After Thursday’s spring jamboree, that shouldn’t be a problem for the Bulldogs, who open the 6:30 p.m.
Columbia’s J’Liyn Smith leads the pack during the 400m at the Region 1-3A meet on Wednesday. Smith won the race in 58.06 seconds. (NANCY SCOTT/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia’s J’Liyn Smith leads the pack during the 400m at the Region 1-3A meet on Wednesday. Smith won the race in 58.06 seconds. (NANCY SCOTT/Special to the Reporter)

PREP TRACK & FIELD: 9 from area qualify for state meets

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, May 10, 2024
J’Liyn Smith followed up a district title with a Region 1-3A championship in the 400m dash on Wednesday. Now she’ll take aim at the podium at the Class 3A state meet. Smith won the race with a personal-best time of 58.06 seconds, just edging Orange Park’s Kayleana Harry (58.
Fort White quarterback Jayden Jackson rolls out to pass during practice on May 1. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White quarterback Jayden Jackson rolls out to pass during practice on May 1. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Jayden Jackson looking to make big leap in second year as Fort White’s starting QB

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, May 10, 2024
FORT WHITE — Jayden Jackson remembers his last football game well. In fact, he says he relives it often. “(I look at that film) every day,” Jackson said. “Finding the key details that I did that made that game the way it was and trying to fix those mechanics.