Sports

Columbia head coach Brian Allen signals in a play to his offense during Friday’s game against DeLand. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia head coach Brian Allen signals in a play to his offense during Friday’s game against DeLand. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Allen preaches patience, believes Columbia is close to wins

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Resiliency is the word Columbia head coach Brian Allen used again and again to describe his team, even in a 35-21 loss to DeLand on Friday. And despite an 0-2 start to the season, he believes his team is close to winning football games.
Columbia setter Mylie Fernandez (7) passes a shot to a teammate against Lafayette on Tuesday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia setter Mylie Fernandez (7) passes a shot to a teammate against Lafayette on Tuesday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP VOLLEYBALL: Fernandez racks up 49 assists to lead Columbia past Lafayette

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
On the last serve of Tuesday night’s game between Columbia and Lafayette, Tigers head coach Trudy Andrews hoped her setter would get the ball. When she didn’t, Andrews hoped her own team’s shot would land out of bounds. It didn’t, prompting a celebration tinged with a bit of regret.
CHS, FWHS, SHS, BHS, LHS

CHS, FWHS, SHS, BHS, LHS

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 9/11/23

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Suwannee’s boys golf team finished 12th while Columbia placed 17 at the Randy Warren Invitational hosted by Fleming Island on Monday. William Slaughter led the Bulldogs with a 73 and Ty Hurst was one stroke back with a 74.
Fort White receivers Tafari Moe (7) and Najeeb Smith celebrate after Moe's third touchdown reception Monday night at Jefferson County. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White receivers Tafari Moe (7) and Najeeb Smith celebrate after Moe's third touchdown reception Monday night at Jefferson County. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Fort White blows out Jefferson County in Monday night matchup

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
MONTICELLO — There were two instances where the Fort White offense failed to score Monday night. The first came in the middle of the second quarter when a Jayden Jackson scramble came up a few yards short on fourth down.
Branford receiver Austin Malaguti runs past a Bell defender Saturday night during the Buccaneers’ 40-0 win. (ERIN ROBERTS/Special to the Reporter)

Branford receiver Austin Malaguti runs past a Bell defender Saturday night during the Buccaneers’ 40-0 win. (ERIN ROBERTS/Special to the Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Branford continues dominance against rival Bell

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Sunday, September 10, 2023
BRANFORD – A MedEvac-sponsored helicopter landed 15 minutes before game time at Cleve Sikes Field to deliver a ceremonial game ball at the 50-yard line. Branford then proceeded to deliver another dominating effort against neighboring rival Bell.
DeLand running back Ladamion Bletcher tries to power through Columbia defenders, including Markeyon Moore (8) on Friday night at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

DeLand running back Ladamion Bletcher tries to power through Columbia defenders, including Markeyon Moore (8) on Friday night at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: DeLand’s offense too much to handle as Columbia’s comeback falls short

JORDAN KROEGER
Saturday, September 9, 2023
DELAND — Camdon Frier came down with an under thrown ball amidst a sea of defenders before taking off for a 46-yard touchdown. Finally, Columbia had some life down 14 with 8:34 left.
Fort White running back Dakota Fisher takes in a rushing touchdown Friday at Keystone Heights. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White running back Dakota Fisher takes in a rushing touchdown Friday at Keystone Heights. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Fort White dominates in all phases in blowout over Keystone Heights

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Saturday, September 9, 2023
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS — With the clock ticking down in the first half, Keystone Heights made a mistake. Fort White was facing a 4th down and a mile inside its own territory while leading 35-7 with the clock winding to about 10 seconds. Then Keystone called for a timeout.
Suwannee wide receiver Daijuan Perkins catches a pass Friday night as a Chiefland defensive back delivers a hit at Pridgeon Stadium. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee wide receiver Daijuan Perkins catches a pass Friday night as a Chiefland defensive back delivers a hit at Pridgeon Stadium. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Fast-starting Suwannee tops Chiefland

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, September 9, 2023
CHIEFLAND — Playing in front of a star-studded crowd, Suwannee High proved ready for the limelight early. But the Bulldogs’ stars shined brightest late as SHS overcame a big second quarter from Chiefland to down the Indians 33-18 at Pridgeon Stadium on Friday night. Gov.
Lafayette quarterback Tywan Williamson races upfield during Friday’s 53-6 win over Hamilton County. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Lafayette quarterback Tywan Williamson races upfield during Friday’s 53-6 win over Hamilton County. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Lafayette ‘locked in’ during dominant road performance over Hamilton County

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Saturday, September 9, 2023
JASPER — Lafayette came into its road game at Hamilton County with many question marks. The doubts were provoked by a weeklong halt to the season caused by Hurricane Idalia, and that occurred after an unimpressive 7-6 win at Dixie County.