Sports

Suwannee's Rember Alonso (3) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Williston on Nov. 21, 2025. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

SOCCER: Suwannee boys earn 6 seed in Region 1-3A playoffs

JORDAN KROEGER

Thursday, January 29, 2026

For the first time since 2022, the Suwannee boys are headed to the playoffs. Against a familiar foe too. The Bulldogs drew the No. 6 seed in Region 1-3A and will travel to No. 3 seed Santa Fe for the quarterfinals on Tuesday, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.

Fort White running back John'l Lawson scores a touchdown against Lafayette on Oct. 3, 2025. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: FHSAA approves merging rest of Class Rural with 1A

JORDAN KROEGER

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Football’s Rural classification is gone, at least for now. The FHSAA Board of Directors voted 11-1 during an emergency meeting Thursday to merge the rest of the schools in Class Rural into Class 1A for the next two seasons.

Fort White guard Mariah Cox tries to find a driving lane against Williston on Tuesday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Fort White falls to Class Rural No. 1 Williston

MORGAN MCMULLEN

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

FORT WHITE — The Indians looked to have everything going their way early, even taking a lead out of the first quarter. But what began as a competitive shot at revenge quickly devolved into a never-ending game of catch-up.

The Branford boys soccer team shows off the District 2-2A championship trophy after defeating Hamilton County 5-0 on Tuesday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Contreras leads Branford boys to back-to-back district titles

NEWS STAFF

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Alejandro Contreras had himself a night. Thanks to him, the Branford Buccaneers are back-to-back district champions. Contreras scored four goals to lead No. 2 seed Branford to a 5-0 shutout over 4-seed Hamilton County in the District 2-2A championship Tuesday night at Bell High School.

Fort White running back John’l Lawson hits the hole against Port St. Joe during the FIT Championship on Dec. 5, 2025. (FILE)

VARSITY WEEKLY: FHSAA to consider eliminating football’s Rural class

JORDAN KROEGER

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Football’s rural classification may be on the outs. The Florida High School Athletic Association will hold a Board of Directors meeting at 11 a.m. Thursday to address the mass exodus of schools from Class Rural.

The Branford girls soccer team shows off the District 2-2A championship trophy after defeating Dixie County 3-1 on Monday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Branford girls top Dixie County for program's first district title

NEWS STAFF

Monday, January 26, 2026

Branford’s girls soccer team made history Monday night. For the first time ever, the Buccaneers are district champions. Behind two goals from Delilah Poore and another from Tatiyana Hernandez, No.

Columbia guard Shaheed White drives to the basket against Suwannee on Friday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 1/24/26

NEWS STAFF

Saturday, January 24, 2026

District tournaments continued for soccer on Saturday, plus area basketball teams were in action as well. Here are the scores and stats for Jan. 24.

Columbia center Terrance Tolbert (20) looks for an opening to shoot while defended by Suwannee guard Travon Fead (0) and forward Bryson Parlato on Friday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia beats Suwannee again thanks to big second quarter

JORDAN KROEGER

Friday, January 23, 2026

LIVE OAK — You could point to one quarter Friday night as the difference between Columbia and Suwannee. It propelled one team to victory, while proving to be the downfall for the other.

Suwannee striker Hector Velasquez (46) stands disappointed as Florida High’s Manuel Hernandez celebrates teammate Keenen Jeune’s game-winning goal in double overtime of Friday’s District 2-3A semifinal. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS SOCCER: Florida High stuns Suwannee in District 2-3A semis

MORGAN MCMULLEN

Friday, January 23, 2026

LIVE OAK — On a night of costly giveaways, Suwannee’s back line made perhaps the most costly one of the season. Florida High’s Keenen Jeune poked a ball loose early in the second overtime period before burying a ball into the bottom right corner to secure the No.

The Suwannee girls weightlifting team poses with the District 4-1A medals and trophies on Friday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

GIRLS WEIGHTLIFTING: Suwannee wins district crowns again

JAMIE WACHTER

Friday, January 23, 2026

LIVE OAK — Suwannee’s girls weightlifting district dominance continues. Behind seven individual titles in Olympic and six in traditional, the Bulldogs overpowered their District 4-1A foes at SHS on Friday to sweep their way to their eighth straight district title.