Sports

Fort White quarterback Jayden Jackson scrambles up the field as Columbia linebacker Chris Jordan runs in for a tackle during the teams’ spring game on May 17. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White quarterback Jayden Jackson scrambles up the field as Columbia linebacker Chris Jordan runs in for a tackle during the teams’ spring game on May 17. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Fort White tasked with tougher schedule in 2024

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
FORT WHITE — The running-clock victories that were over before halftime may be a thing of the past. Fort White has officially released its schedule for the upcoming year.
Lafayette quarterback Tucker Higginbothom gets hit by a Taylor County defender after throwing a pass during the teams’ spring game on May 23. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

Lafayette quarterback Tucker Higginbothom gets hit by a Taylor County defender after throwing a pass during the teams’ spring game on May 23. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Young O-line at Lafayette still a work in progress

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
MAYO — Everything looked good early last week. Lafayette took the opening possession of its spring game against visiting Taylor County at Dale Walker Field and proceeded to march right down the field.
Cade Frier runs up the field after a catch during Columbia’s spring game against Fort White on May 17. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Cade Frier runs up the field after a catch during Columbia’s spring game against Fort White on May 17. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: WRs Haywood, Frier leaving Columbia for other schools

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
A deep receiver room at Columbia got a bit thinner the past few days. Starting wideout Marlin Haywood, a rising senior, told head coach Brian Allen on Friday that he was transferring to Bradford.
Branford coach Oscar Saavedra meets with his team while Trenton celebrates in the background following the Class 1A state championship on Wednesday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

Branford coach Oscar Saavedra meets with his team while Trenton celebrates in the background following the Class 1A state championship on Wednesday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

COMMENTARY: Resiliency needed now more than ever for Branford after another state runner-up finish

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
CLERMONT — Allow me to paint a picture: A man wanders through a desert. Bereft of water, direction or shade, the man carries on, stumbling over sand dunes and ancient fossils despite all evidence of his imminent demise.
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.