Sports

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.
Columbia swimmers Casey Fair (from left), Luciana Tonetti, Brie Fair, and Izzy Scott. (COURTESY)

Columbia swimmers Casey Fair (from left), Luciana Tonetti, Brie Fair, and Izzy Scott. (COURTESY)

PREP ROUNDUP: Swimming, golf and volleyball results for 9/7/23

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Columbia’s girls swim team fell to St. Francis Catholic 128-101, while the boys lost 207-10 on Thursday afternoon. Winners for the CHS girls included: — 200 medley relay: Casey Fair, Brie Fair, Luciana Tonetti, Izzy Scott (2:21.34) — 200 IM: Brie Fair (2:47.20) — 50 freestyle: Izzy Scott (31.
Columbia celebrates after scoring the final point to sweep Bradford on Thursday night. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia celebrates after scoring the final point to sweep Bradford on Thursday night. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP VOLLEYBALL: Columbia cruises past Bradford with another sweep

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Trudy Andrews has been asking her team to finish sets stronger. Columbia’s inability to finish sets led to a 2-5 start to the season. But fast forward two matches later, and the Tigers have finally answered that call with back-to-back sweeps.
Columbia defensive back Julian De La Cruz (28) and linebacker Chris Jordan (35) celebrate after making a tackle on a kickoff return against Buchholz on Aug. 26.

Columbia defensive back Julian De La Cruz (28) and linebacker Chris Jordan (35) celebrate after making a tackle on a kickoff return against Buchholz on Aug. 26.

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia preparing for ‘crazy’ DeLand offense

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Brian Allen expects DeLand to try anything and everything when Columbia visits Spec Stadium on Friday night. Maybe even handoffs to offensive linemen.