Sports

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.
Columbia weightlifter Amber Millard completes her clean and jerk during Tuesday's meet. (COURTESY)

Columbia weightlifter Amber Millard completes her clean and jerk during Tuesday's meet. (COURTESY)

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 11/14/23

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Columbia’s girls weightlifting team lost to Coffee 56-33 in Olympic, while finishing second in traditional with 43 points behind Bradford (45) and ahead of Hamilton County (7) in a meet on Tuesday.
Columbia quarterback Zack Paulk steps up in the pocket to scramble away from pressure against Choctawhatchee during Friday’s Region 1-3S quarterfinal. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia quarterback Zack Paulk steps up in the pocket to scramble away from pressure against Choctawhatchee during Friday’s Region 1-3S quarterfinal. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

COMMENTARY: Allen, staff have a lot of work to do, but there’s optimism at Columbia

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Back-to-back losses to end the season, including Friday’s 37-14 loss to Choctawhatchee in the Region 1-3S quarterfinals, showed just how much work Columbia head coach Brian Allen and the rest of his staff have to do this offseason.
Columbia guard Noah Wilson has the ball knocked away by Raines guard Ta’veon Dunbar during Tuesday’s preseason game. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Noah Wilson has the ball knocked away by Raines guard Ta’veon Dunbar during Tuesday’s preseason game. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: 28 turnovers by Columbia lead to preseason loss to Raines

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Columbia addressed one of coach Steve Faulkner’s concerns in its preseason opener Tuesday night, outrebounding Raines by 21. But the Tigers left him with a bigger one when 28 turnovers cost them in a 58-52 loss at home.
The Branford boys soccer team won its first game in program history Monday night with a 5-3 victory over Trenton. (COURTESY)

The Branford boys soccer team won its first game in program history Monday night with a 5-3 victory over Trenton. (COURTESY)

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 11/13/23

NEWS STAFF
Monday, November 13, 2023
BOYS SOCCER — Fleming Island 3, Columbia 0: The Tigers (0-2-1) were shut out by the Golden Eagles (2-0) on the road Monday night.