Sports

Columbia quarterback Zamarion Jones escapes a sack and scrambles up the field against Bradford during Friday’s Preseason Classic. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia quarterback Zamarion Jones escapes a sack and scrambles up the field against Bradford during Friday’s Preseason Classic. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Bradford's starters edge Columbia's in Classic thanks to 98-yard scoop-and-score

JORDAN KROEGER
Saturday, August 17, 2024
STARKE — In one half of varsity action, one play was the difference in Friday’s Preseason Classic. Columbia appeared on the verge of scoring, engineering a 13-play opening drive all the way down to the Bradford 4-yard line that chewed more than eight minutes off the clock.
Branford receiver Ar'Kayvion Jones takes a handoff for a touchdown Friday night against Trenton. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Branford receiver Ar'Kayvion Jones takes a handoff for a touchdown Friday night against Trenton. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Branford splits jamboree with Crescent City & Trenton

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Saturday, August 17, 2024
TRENTON — The inexperience showed early for Branford. But even after the Buccaneers dropped the first half of their three-team jamboree against Crescent City 14-12, Branford rebounded for a 21-0 win against the host Tigers on Friday night.
Suwannee receiver MJ Rossin stiff arms Bishop Kenny’s Brady Wagner as he returns the opening kickoff for a touchdown during Friday’s Preseason Classic. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Suwannee receiver MJ Rossin stiff arms Bishop Kenny’s Brady Wagner as he returns the opening kickoff for a touchdown during Friday’s Preseason Classic. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Suwannee can’t build on fast start in Classic vs. Bishop Kenny

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, August 17, 2024
LIVE OAK — Suwannee delivered a fast start Friday night. Building on it proved far more difficult for the Bulldogs, who fell 20-10 to Bishop Kenny in the Preseason Classic at Langford Stadium.
Lafayette quarterback Tucker Higginbotham is sacked by Newberry defensive lineman Dyllan Strappy during Thursday's Preseason Classic. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

Lafayette quarterback Tucker Higginbotham is sacked by Newberry defensive lineman Dyllan Strappy during Thursday's Preseason Classic. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Hobbled Lafayette can't keep up with Newberry in Classic

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Thursday, August 15, 2024
NEWBERRY — In more ways than one, short-handed Lafayette practically entered its preseason game limping on to the field. Facing a powerhouse like Newberry didn't help the Hornets' cause either, especially when two key two-way players were held out as a precautionary measure.
Fort White running back Keimarion Neal bursts through the NFEI defense during Thursday's Preseason Classic. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White running back Keimarion Neal bursts through the NFEI defense during Thursday's Preseason Classic. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Fort White cruises past NFEI in preseason tune-up

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, August 15, 2024
FORT WHITE — Everyone that Fort White coach Demetric Jackson had his eye on heading into Thursday night’s Preseason Classic against North Florida Educational Institute performed up to expectations.  And then some.
Columbia quarterback Xavier Collins walks off the practice field with the help of the team trainer after injuring his right knee on the final play of Monday’s practice. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia quarterback Xavier Collins walks off the practice field with the help of the team trainer after injuring his right knee on the final play of Monday’s practice. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Allen says CHS QB Xavier Collins has MCL sprain, timetable to be determined

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
An MRI revealed that Columbia starting quarterback Xavier Collins suffered an MCL sprain in his right knee, which he injured at the end of Monday’s practice.
Fort White coach Demetric Jackson (right) works with quarterbacks Gavin Peterson (left) and Jayden Jackson (middle) during practice on Aug. 8. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White coach Demetric Jackson (right) works with quarterbacks Gavin Peterson (left) and Jayden Jackson (middle) during practice on Aug. 8. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Fort White looking at the ‘little things’ in Preseason Classic vs. NFEI

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
FORT WHITE — For the first time since mid-May, Fort White will be back at Arrowhead Stadium to play another team. And while it won’t count in any standings, head coach Demetric Jackson is still looking forward to the occasion.
Suwannee receiver Koy Frier runs up the field for yardage as linebacker Christian Soccares dives for a tackle during an intrasquad scrimmage on Aug. 3. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee receiver Koy Frier runs up the field for yardage as linebacker Christian Soccares dives for a tackle during an intrasquad scrimmage on Aug. 3. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Suwannee seeks urgency in Preseason Classic against Bishop Kenny

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
LIVE OAK — Bishop Kenny’s visit to Langford Stadium on Friday night may not count in the record book. Still, Suwannee coach Kyler Hall wants his Bulldogs to come out hungry and treat the Preseason Classic as the real deal.
Lafayette quarterback Tywan Williamson rolls out to pass against Tyalor County during the teams’ spring game on May 23. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

Lafayette quarterback Tywan Williamson rolls out to pass against Tyalor County during the teams’ spring game on May 23. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Lafayette faces big test vs. Newberry in Preseason Classic

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
MAYO — Preseason games can sometimes be a confidence-building occasion. Other times, it can be a tough litmus test for a team. For Lafayette, its 7 p.m. Preseason Classic at Newberry on Thursday falls in the category of a tough test.
Branford running back Trevor Maddox breaks through a tackle against Dixie County during the teams’ spring game on May 17. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Branford running back Trevor Maddox breaks through a tackle against Dixie County during the teams’ spring game on May 17. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Branford to see various looks in 3-team jamboree at Trenton

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
BRANFORD — Branford coach Tim Clark has conflicting feelings about Preseason Classics like the Buccaneers’ trek to Trenton for a three-team jamboree Friday. On one hand, Clark cherishes the opportunity for the Buccaneers to play teams like the host Tigers and Raiders.