Sports

Fort White receiver Najeeb Smith is hit hard by Union County defensive back Bryan Tyson during Friday’s Region 3-1R semifinal. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White receiver Najeeb Smith is hit hard by Union County defensive back Bryan Tyson during Friday’s Region 3-1R semifinal. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Union County knocks Fort White out of Region 3-1R playoffs

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Saturday, November 18, 2023
FORT WHITE — Garrett Brady nearly had the catch of the decade at Arrowhead Stadium. Down a touchdown with seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and with the ball at the Tigers’ 40-yard line, the senior receiver leapt for a pass from quarterback Jayden Jackson at the Union County goal line.
Madison County running back Ryshard Miller leaps past the Lafayette defense into the end zone for a touchdown during Friday’s Region 3-1R semifinal. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

Madison County running back Ryshard Miller leaps past the Lafayette defense into the end zone for a touchdown during Friday’s Region 3-1R semifinal. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Lafayette suffers playoff-worst loss to Madison County in Region 3-1R semis

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Friday, November 17, 2023
MADISON — Lafayette’s aspirations for a third-round appearance in the Region 3-1R playoffs were thrown out the window quickly when top-seeded Madison County exploded for four first-quarter touchdowns in their first four possessions.
Branford runner Anna Moore (middle) placed 12th at the Class 1A state meet on Friday. Moore is pictured with boys head coach Michelle Richards (left) and girls coach Stefani Santos (right). (COURTESY)

Branford runner Anna Moore (middle) placed 12th at the Class 1A state meet on Friday. Moore is pictured with boys head coach Michelle Richards (left) and girls coach Stefani Santos (right). (COURTESY)

PREP CROSS COUNTRY: Branford’s Moore leads area with 12-place finish at state

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, November 17, 2023
TALLAHASSEE — Going into Friday’s Class 1A state cross country meet, Branford coaches Stefani Santos and Michelle Richards were optimistic about Anna Moore’s chances. The freshman, though, surpassed their expectations.
Columbia golfer Connor Williams (left) signs his letter of intent to play at Southeastern University on Friday alongside CHS head coach Sherman Reed. (COURTESY)

Columbia golfer Connor Williams (left) signs his letter of intent to play at Southeastern University on Friday alongside CHS head coach Sherman Reed. (COURTESY)

PREP ROUNDUP: Williams signs with Southeastern, scores & stats from 11/17/23

NEWS STAFF
Friday, November 17, 2023
Columbia golfer Connor Williams signed his letter of intent to play at Southeastern University on Friday. Williams recently wrapped up an impressive senior season where he had a 33.3 nine-hole average, won a regional title, finished runner-up at districts and tied for 20th at state.
Columbia's Carla Medina-Rodriguez (right) passes the ball to Mia Brasel (14) during a game against Middleburg last season. (FILE)

Columbia's Carla Medina-Rodriguez (right) passes the ball to Mia Brasel (14) during a game against Middleburg last season. (FILE)

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 11/16/23

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, November 16, 2023
GIRLS SOCCER — Columbia 8, Fort White 0: Zoe Bulock and Sadie Sparks each scored two goals to help the Tigers (3-0) shut out the Indians (0-1) via mercy rule at the CYSA Soccer Fields on Thursday night.
Fort White quarterback Jayden Jackson scrambles up the field against Ridgeview on Oct. 20. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White quarterback Jayden Jackson scrambles up the field against Ridgeview on Oct. 20. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Fort White, Union County meet in Region 3-1R semis following seasons filled with running clocks

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
FORT WHITE — The Indians have played with running clocks since Week 2 this season. That figures to change in a hurry based on how similarly their next opponent has played throughout the year. Fort White (9-1) got a week off last Friday after earning a first-round bye in the Region 3-1R playoffs.
Lafayette running back Jay Ervin runs through the Branford defense during last Friday’s Region 3-1R quarterfinal. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

Lafayette running back Jay Ervin runs through the Branford defense during last Friday’s Region 3-1R quarterfinal. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Lafayette not viewing itself as underdogs vs. Madison County in Region 3-1R semis

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
MAYO — Despite being on the verge of facing a huge upgrade in opponent in the second round of the playoffs, Lafayette coach Marcus Edwards refuses to see his Hornets as the decisive underdog against perennial powerhouse Madison County.
Columbia forward Jolena Gardner dribbles up the court against Aucilla Christian last season. (FILE)

Columbia forward Jolena Gardner dribbles up the court against Aucilla Christian last season. (FILE)

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Columbia aims to take next step with returning junior trio

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
One year older and one year wiser, Columbia is counting on its junior trio to take the next step forward and lead the team back to the playoffs this season. The Tigers are returning their three leading scorers from a season ago in guards Eriel Baker and Ayesha Broxey and forward Jolena Gardner.