Sports

Branford receiver Austin Malaguti runs up the field with the ball alongside kicker Hector Velasquez during last Friday’s game against Hollis Christian Academy. (ERIN ROBERTS/Special to the Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Branford to make long trip to face Bishop McLaughlin Catholic

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

BRANFORD — Having secured a seventh consecutive non-losing season, Branford can now turn its attention to preparing for the season’s longest road trip.

Lafayette safety Blake Pilkington makes a tackle against Trenton last Friday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Lafayette not taking winless Jefferson County lightly

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

MAYO — The Lafayette Hornets are well aware that it will host a team on Friday that shouldn’t offer much competition.

FGC runner Sarah Simpson placed sixth at the NJCAA Region 8 Championship. (COURTESY)

COLLEGE CROSS COUNTRY: Simpson's all-region performance leads FGC women to third place in Region 8

NEWS STAFF

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Florida Gateway College’s women’s cross country team placed third out of eight teams at the NJCAA Region 8 Championship on Tuesday with 68 points, finishing behind No. 4 nationally ranked Daytona State (25) and No. 7 Pasco-Hernando State (51).

Columbia’s Avery Sandlin dives to return a shot against Ridgeview during Wednesday’s Region 1-5A quarterfinal. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

PREP VOLLEYBAL: Ridgeview sweeps Columbia in Region 1-5A quarterfinals

JORDAN KROEGER

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Columbia’s season came to a crashing end on Wednesday night against Ridgeview. The No. 7 seed Tigers were swept by the No. 2 seed Panthers 25-10, 25-8, 25-10 on the road in the Region 1-5A quarterfinals. It was Columbia’s first playoff match since 2012 and only fourth appearance in program history.

Columbia’s girls golf team won the District 2-2A title on Tuesday. (COURTESY)

GIRLS GOLF: Columbia wins District 2-2A title by 100 strokes with Gainey medalist

JORDAN KROEGER

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Columbia head coach Chet Carter was confident about his team heading into districts. He was so confident, in fact, that he believed the Tigers would not only win the District 2-2A title, but do so by triple digits. Don’t call him crazy after Tuesday’s performance.

Branford’s girls golf team won the District 3-1A title on Tuesday. (COURTESY)

GIRLS GOLF: Branford cruises to District 3-1A championship

JAMIE WACHTER

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Going into Tuesday’s District 3-1A tournament at Quail Heights Country Club, the Branford girls golf team felt good about its chances. Despite windy conditions, the Buccaneers lived up those expectations, securing their second district title in three years.

Suwannee's boys golf team won the District 2-2A title on Monday. (COURTESY)

BOYS GOLF: Columbia's Williams finishes runner-up after playoff, Suwannee wins district title

JORDAN KROEGER

Monday, October 23, 2023

Connor Williams walked up to receive his runner-up medal from Suwannee head coach Damon Wooley, then set it down on the table without putting it on his neck. After missing his final shot at a district championship, disappointment was coursing through his veins “I said, ‘are you OK?’

Lafayette placed third at the District 3-1A tournament on Monday to qualify for regionals. (COURTESY)

BOYS GOLF: Galbraith ties for second at districts to lead Lafayette to regionals

NEWS STAFF

Monday, October 23, 2023

Trey Galbraith shot a 76 to tie for second with Madison County’s Jarrod Sullivan at the District 3-1A tournament on Monday at Quail Heights. The two golfers finished four strokes behind champion Kenneth Guy from Keystone Heights, who tallied a 72.

Suwannee runners Morgan Mobley (left) and Ryleigh Hermanson (right) set new school records at the North Florida Classic on Saturday. (COURTESY)

PREP CROSS COUNTRY: Mobley, Hermanson set new school records at Suwannee

NEWS STAFF

Monday, October 23, 2023

Morgan Mobley and Ryleigh Hermanson both broke Suwannee school records at the North Florida Classic at North Florida College on Saturday.

Columbia players celebrate after a point against Vanguard during the District 2-5A semifinals on Tuesday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP VOLLEYBALL: Columbia makes playoffs for first time since 2012

JORDAN KROEGER

Saturday, October 21, 2023

For the first time since 2012, Columbia is headed to the playoffs. The Tigers were awarded the No. 7 seed in the Region 1-5A playoffs on Saturday, clinching an at-large bid after finishing the season 16-8. It sets Columbia up with a matchup at No. 2 seed Ridgeview (17-7) next Wednesday.