Sports

Lafayette quarterback Tucker Higginbotham throws a pass while being rushed by defensive end Zamarion Hawkins during Tuesday’s practice. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Lafayette quarterback Tucker Higginbotham throws a pass while being rushed by defensive end Zamarion Hawkins during Tuesday’s practice. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Lafayette opens camp with optimism ahead of first season in SSAA

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
MAYO — So far so good for the Lafayette Hornets.However, Lafayette coach Marcus Edwards also isn’t overly excited about where the Hornets are two days into fall practice, days spent with helmets and no other pads.“Everything looks much better on air with no pads,” Edwards said Tuesday.
Columbia offensive line coach Anthony Newton works with his offensive line during Monday’s practice. Newton has taken over for David May, who departed after just one spring in the job. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia offensive line coach Anthony Newton works with his offensive line during Monday’s practice. Newton has taken over for David May, who departed after just one spring in the job. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Newton takes over Columbia O-line eyeing breakout season

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Columbia now has its third offensive line coach in just the last year.Luckily for the new man in charge, head coach Brian Allen believes he has his best unit since returning in 2023.Anthony Newton was in his new role when fall practice began Monday, moving over from JV head coach to man the...
Suwannee receiver Kamari Lovett (center) demands better effort and results from his fellow teammates during 7-on-7 drills Monday. The Bulldogs’ offense had been dominated up until that point. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee receiver Kamari Lovett (center) demands better effort and results from his fellow teammates during 7-on-7 drills Monday. The Bulldogs’ offense had been dominated up until that point. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Suwannee embracing player-led culture after one-win season

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
LIVE OAK — Midway through Suwannee’s first practice, Kamari Lovett had seen enough.During 7-on-7 passing work, the Bulldogs’ defense hadn’t just been dominant, it had completely locked down the SHS offense.

BOYS SOCCER: Weatherspoon named new CHS coach

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, July 24, 2026
Columbia High is moving in a different direction with its boys soccer program. Cyril Weatherspoon will step into the role this upcoming season after Ed Turner had been in the post since May 2022. Weatherspoon was hired after Columbia did not pick up Turner for another year moving forward.
C.J. Proveax (left) has been hired as the men’s golf coach at Florida Gateway College, while Laura Kinsel (right) has been chosen to lead the women’s volleyball team. (COURTESY)

C.J. Proveax (left) has been hired as the men’s golf coach at Florida Gateway College, while Laura Kinsel (right) has been chosen to lead the women’s volleyball team. (COURTESY)

COLLEGE ATHLETICS: FGC hires women's volleyball, men's golf coaches

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Florida Gateway College has hired Laura Kinsel as its women’s volleyball coach and C.J. Proveaux as its men’s golf coach after the LCR reported last month that both programs would make their return for the 2027-28 academic year.Kinsel spent the past three seasons as an assistant for Santa Fe...
Columbia celebrates with the championship trophy after defeating Eastside to win the Santa Fe 7-on-7 tournament on Wednesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia celebrates with the championship trophy after defeating Eastside to win the Santa Fe 7-on-7 tournament on Wednesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia goes unbeaten to win Santa Fe 7-on-7 tournament

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
ALACHUA — No one could cover receiver Kyren Caldwell.No one could beat Columbia either.Caldwell caught a 40-yard bomb for his second touchdown of the game and the Tigers then stopped a two-point conversion in the final minute to beat Eastside 15-13 to win the Santa Fe 7-on-7 tournament on Wednesday.
Columbia defensive back Monterrence Williamson breaks up a pass intended for receiver Shaheed White in 7-on-7 drills during Tuesday’s summer workout. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia defensive back Monterrence Williamson breaks up a pass intended for receiver Shaheed White in 7-on-7 drills during Tuesday’s summer workout. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia adjusting defense this summer after Allen transfer, Callum injury

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, July 10, 2026
A departure and an injury have left Columbia shuffling around its defense this summer.Rising senior cornerback Tacori Allen recently transferred to Raines while rising sophomore linebacker Quinton Callum III ruptured his patella tendon during basketball practice at the beginning of June.
Suwannee’s 2019 baseball won a regional title for the program’s Final Four appearance since 1969. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee’s 2019 baseball won a regional title for the program’s Final Four appearance since 1969. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SPORTS: Roberts, Morrison & 2019 baseball team to be inducted into Suwannee Hall of Fame

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, July 10, 2026
LIVE OAK — A drought-ending team and a pair of former professional athletes are the newest members of the Suwannee High Sports Hall of Fame.The 2019 SHS baseball team, which ended a 50-year Final Four drought, will be inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame on Oct. 1 during the school’s homecoming...