Sports

Raleigh Milligan qualified for the NLBRA finals in four events this summer, including barrels, pole pending, flag race and goat untying. (COURTESY)

Raleigh Milligan qualified for the NLBRA finals in four events this summer, including barrels, pole pending, flag race and goat untying. (COURTESY)

RODEO: 9-year-old Raeligh Milligan competes in NLBRA finals

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, August 9, 2024
A Columbia County cowgirl went national this summer. Raleigh Milligan, a 9-year-old who has been riding horses since she was 3, spent two weeks this summer at the National Little Britches Rodeo Association Finals Rodeo in Guthrie, Oklahoma.
Suwannee receiver MJ Rossin turns up the field after catching a pass during Saturday’s practice. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee receiver MJ Rossin turns up the field after catching a pass during Saturday’s practice. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Rossin back healthy, expected to step into starring role for Suwannee

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
LIVE OAK — After his first run at the leading role in Suwannee’s passing attack got cut short, MJ Rossin is getting a chance for an encore performance. Rossin, the Bulldogs’ 6-foot, 180-pound senior, was expected to be Suwannee’s top playmaker through the air a year ago.
Columbia receiver Zamarion Jones (3) catches a pass ahead of defensive back Vondarius Lane (2) during Wednesday’s practice. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia receiver Zamarion Jones (3) catches a pass ahead of defensive back Vondarius Lane (2) during Wednesday’s practice. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia receivers' confidence high in sophomore QB Xavier Collins

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, August 2, 2024
The confidence surrounding Columbia sophomore quarterback Xavier Collins is high entering this season. How high? “Best quarterback in the nation,” center Zackery Grimes quipped following Wednesday’s practice. In all seriousness, the Tigers are excited about their young QB.
Columbia quarterback Xavier Collins avoids a sack by defensive end Kyten Davis during Thursday's practice. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia quarterback Xavier Collins avoids a sack by defensive end Kyten Davis during Thursday's practice. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Heat, lightning hindering first week of practice at Columbia

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, August 1, 2024
Weather has been a hindrance to Columbia during the first week of fall practice. Tuesday’s practice was virtually wiped out due to both heat and lightning. Wednesday’s was delayed due to heat, and Thursday’s was also cut short due to lightning following two different heat delays.
Fort White linebackers Lecosta Byrd (left) and David Harps run drills at Tuesday’s practice before it was called due to lightning and rain. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White linebackers Lecosta Byrd (left) and David Harps run drills at Tuesday’s practice before it was called due to lightning and rain. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Fort White taking more deliberate approach to playbook installation

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
FORT WHITE — Fort White head coach Demetric Jackson pays attention to what’s happening at levels above the high school game. So when he saw college and pro football teams taking a more cerebral approach to practices, Jackson took note. More than that, he’s started to apply what he’s seen.
Columbia running back Johnathan Andrews runs through a drill during Monday's practice. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia running back Johnathan Andrews runs through a drill during Monday's practice. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia opens fall practice with some additions, an injury and another departure

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, July 29, 2024
The transfer portal never stops, and one more from Columbia walked through it right before fall practice began Monday. Safety Trevis Johnson recently announced on July 21 that he was transferring from Columbia to Bradford, joining former CHS quarterback Zack Paulk and receiver Marlin Haywood.
Suwannee running back Clay Starling eyes a hole after taking a handoff from quarterback Thomas Sikes during a drill in the Bulldogs' practice Monday morning. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee running back Clay Starling eyes a hole after taking a handoff from quarterback Thomas Sikes during a drill in the Bulldogs' practice Monday morning. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Suwannee begins fall practice away from home

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, July 29, 2024
LIVE OAK — Suwannee started fall practice Monday morning the same way it spent its summer: on the move. With their practice field turned into a pile of dirt as work continues on the school's track that encircles it, the Bulldogs have had to find other locations to work out.