Sports

Branford coach Oscar Saavedra and players Madyson Sikes (from left), Morgan Brennan and Laila Arnold show their emotion after losing to Trenton in the Class 1A state championship on Saturday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

Branford coach Oscar Saavedra and players Madyson Sikes (from left), Morgan Brennan and Laila Arnold show their emotion after losing to Trenton in the Class 1A state championship on Saturday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Branford suffers heartbreaking loss to Trenton in Class 1A state championship

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Saturday, May 25, 2024
CLERMONT — The Branford defense was the definition of “bend but don’t break.”  The Buccaneers allowed Trenton to load the bases twice in Saturday’s Class 1A state championship game, and twice the Tigers came away with nothing.
Branford outfielder Ashlee Combee (middle) is hugged by teammates Hunter Revis (left) and Morgan Brennan (right) after scoring a run against Liberty County in the Class 1A state semifinals on Friday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

Branford outfielder Ashlee Combee (middle) is hugged by teammates Hunter Revis (left) and Morgan Brennan (right) after scoring a run against Liberty County in the Class 1A state semifinals on Friday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Branford run-rules Liberty County in Class 1A state semis, will face Trenton for title

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, May 24, 2024
CLERMONT —  Branford head coach Oscar Saavedra said he prepped his team all week to face off against any of the three great pitchers from Liberty County.
Columbia cornerback Mekah Combs-Turner (28) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass against Fort White during their spring game on May 17. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia cornerback Mekah Combs-Turner (28) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass against Fort White during their spring game on May 17. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia's defense showed promise this spring

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, May 24, 2024
There wasn’t a whole lot of time for Fort White quarterback Jayden Jackson to throw during last week’s spring game. That’s because Columbia’s front seven was relentless. Nearly ever snap, the Tigers were chasing Jackson down. In just a half of football, Columbia’s defense had four sacks.
Branford third baseman Madyson Sikes smiles rounding third base as head coach Oscar Saavedra celebrates after she hit a walk-off home run to defeat Fort White in the Region 3-1A championship on May 14. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Branford third baseman Madyson Sikes smiles rounding third base as head coach Oscar Saavedra celebrates after she hit a walk-off home run to defeat Fort White in the Region 3-1A championship on May 14. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Branford set for rematch against defending champs in Class 1A state semis

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, May 23, 2024
BRANFORD — To be the champs, you’ve gotta beat the champs. At least, that’s what Branford will have to do this weekend. The Buccaneers have spent the week prepping for Friday’s 1:45 p.m.
Columbia linebacker Dajon Brown celebrates with defensive backs Julian De La Cruz (21) and Mekah Combs-Turner (right) after his interception during Friday’s spring game against Fort White. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia linebacker Dajon Brown celebrates with defensive backs Julian De La Cruz (21) and Mekah Combs-Turner (right) after his interception during Friday’s spring game against Fort White. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Da'jon Brown fitting right in at Columbia since transferring in this spring

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Da’jon Brown chose to transfer to Columbia this spring because he wanted to make an impact at a “better program.” It didn’t take him long to do so during Friday’s spring game.
Lafayette offensive lineman Troy Mares performs a run-blocking drill during Monday’s practice. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Lafayette offensive lineman Troy Mares performs a run-blocking drill during Monday’s practice. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Edwards wants to see Lafayette ‘play hard’ in spring game vs. Taylor County

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
MAYO — The checklist for Lafayette as it closes out its spring practices Thursday is pretty short and straightforward. When Taylor County visits Dale Walker Field on Thursday for a 7 p.m. kickoff, Lafayette coach Marcus Edwards knows exactly what he wants to see.
Suwannee golfer Ryan Donaldson, who placed fifth at the Class 2A state tournament last fall, is hosting a charity golf tournament on Friday to benefit Vivid Visions and its effort at “chipping away at domestic violence.” (FILE)

Suwannee golfer Ryan Donaldson, who placed fifth at the Class 2A state tournament last fall, is hosting a charity golf tournament on Friday to benefit Vivid Visions and its effort at “chipping away at domestic violence.” (FILE)

GIRLS GOLF: Suwannee sophomore Ryan Donaldson hosting charity tournament

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
LIVE OAK — A Suwannee County teen is looking to extend her impact on the golf course. Ryan Donaldson, a sophomore golfer at Suwannee High, is hosting a charity golf tournament Friday at Suwannee Country Club to benefit Vivid Visions and its effort at “chipping away at domestic violence.