Sports

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.
Suwannee receiver Jadarius Horne returns a kickoff against Flagler Palm Coast on Aug. 25. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee receiver Jadarius Horne returns a kickoff against Flagler Palm Coast on Aug. 25. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Suwannee hopes maturity pays off vs. Chiefland

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
LIVE OAK — No school for more than a week and nearly a week without practice, yet no problem for Suwannee. As the Bulldogs come out of the uncertainty caused by the devastation of Hurricane Idalia to travel to Chiefland for a 7:30 p.m.
Branford quarterback Thomas Sikes drops back to pass against Fort White during the teams’ Preseason Jamboree on Aug. 18. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Branford quarterback Thomas Sikes drops back to pass against Fort White during the teams’ Preseason Jamboree on Aug. 18. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Branford returns to play vs. short-rested Bell

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
BRANFORD — Branford had the perfect jump-start to the regular season. Then came Hurricane Idalia, leaving the Bucs gameless last week, as was the case with schools in the surrounding counties.
Columbia head coach Brian Allen signals a play into his team against Buchholz on Aug. 26. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia head coach Brian Allen signals a play into his team against Buchholz on Aug. 26. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Allen looking for more maturity from Tigers

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
One of Brian Allen’s biggest challenges in his second stint as Columbia’s head coach is proving to be a tough one to overcome in the early part of this season. Allen doesn’t mince words when talking about his current roster.
Columbia huddles prior to a tri-match against Branford and Valdosta on Aug. 22. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia huddles prior to a tri-match against Branford and Valdosta on Aug. 22. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Columbia returns with sweep over Newberry

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Columbia swept Newberry 26-24, 25-21, 25-10 at home Tuesday night behind 16 kills from Sinei Wood. Wood also had 14 digs and a pair of aces for the Tigers (3-5) in their first match in nine days.
Columbia runner Nolan Martin is followed closely by teammates Nathan Matsubara and Joshua Thompson at the Bobcat Classic on Saturday. (COURTESY)

Columbia runner Nolan Martin is followed closely by teammates Nathan Matsubara and Joshua Thompson at the Bobcat Classic on Saturday. (COURTESY)

PREP CROSS COUNTRY: Weekend results for Columbia, Fort White and Suwannee

NEWS STAFF
Monday, September 4, 2023
Columbia competed in the Bobcat Classic at Santa Fe College on Saturday, with the boys placing fifth out of 13 teams. Nolan Martin (18th at 18:42.60), Joshua Thompson (20th at 18:46.30) and Nathan Matsubara (21st at 18:49.40) led the CHS boys with three top-25 finishes out of 94 runners.