Sports

Branford receiver Austin Malaguti runs up the field against Cedar Creek Christian on Friday night. (ERIN ROBERTS/Special to the Reporter)

Branford receiver Austin Malaguti runs up the field against Cedar Creek Christian on Friday night. (ERIN ROBERTS/Special to the Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Branford shut outs Cedar Creek Christian in opener

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Saturday, August 26, 2023
BRANFORD – With a 6-touchdown cushion, and the memories of a sub-par preseason jamboree in the rear-view mirror, Branford’s opening-season victory was in the back pocket by the start of the third quarter. It was also a dream Senior Night for Austin Malaguti.
Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter walks with Columbia High School principal Trey Hosford at Tiger Stadium on Friday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter walks with Columbia High School principal Trey Hosford at Tiger Stadium on Friday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: 2 armed men arrested at CHS, opener vs. Buchholz to finish at Citizens Field

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, August 25, 2023
Two armed men were arrested at Columbia High School on Friday night just outside Tiger Stadium, causing the football game between Columbia and Buchholz to be postponed until tonight at Citizens Field at 7.
Columbia’s Cassidy O’Neal (20) and Avery Sandlin (right) try to block a shot from Baker County on Thursday night. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia’s Cassidy O’Neal (20) and Avery Sandlin (right) try to block a shot from Baker County on Thursday night. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP VOLLEYBALL: Columbia can’t finish in 4-set loss to Baker County

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, August 24, 2023
A dominant first set had Columbia looking to get back to the .500 mark early in the season. The Tigers, though, couldn’t duplicate that magic again for the rest of the night.
CHS

CHS

PREP ROUNDUP: Columbia boys golf finishes second in tri-match

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, August 24, 2023
Connor Williams shot a 34 for another medalist honor but Columbia’s boys golf team finished second in a tri-match with Keystone Heights and Bradford on Thursday afternoon. Keystone Heights finished a 161 to edge the Tigers by two strokes, while Bradford tallied 196 at Starke Golf Club.
TOP ROW: CHS DL Caden Bolstein, CHS DB Jerome Carter, CHS WR Camdon Frier and CHS DB Markeyon Moore; MIDDLE ROW: FWHS LB/RB Lecosta Byrd, FWHS RB Dakota Fisher and FWHS WR/DB Najeeb Smith; BOTTOM ROW: SHS QB/DB Kodi Lang, SHS RB Marquavious Owens, LHS DL Amarie Fleming and LHS QB Tywan Williamson. (Columbia photos by Jen Chasteen; Fort White photos by Paul Buchanan; Suwannee photos by Tammy Johns; Lafayette photos by Rob Wolfe)

TOP ROW: CHS DL Caden Bolstein, CHS DB Jerome Carter, CHS WR Camdon Frier and CHS DB Markeyon Moore; MIDDLE ROW: FWHS LB/RB Lecosta Byrd, FWHS RB Dakota Fisher and FWHS WR/DB Najeeb Smith; BOTTOM ROW: SHS QB/DB Kodi Lang, SHS RB Marquavious Owens, LHS DL Amarie Fleming and LHS QB Tywan Williamson. (Columbia photos by Jen Chasteen; Fort White photos by Paul Buchanan; Suwannee photos by Tammy Johns; Lafayette photos by Rob Wolfe)

FOOTBALL SUPER 11: Meet the best in Columbia, Suwannee and Lafayette counties in 2023

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, August 24, 2023
The Lake City Reporter has put together its annual list of the 11 best high school football players in Columbia, Suwannee and Lafayette counties. Check out the list of the paper's 2023 Super 11:   Caden Bolstein School: Columbia Position/Year: DL, Jr.
Columbia head coach Brian Allen looks on during Friday’s Preseason Classic against Suwannee. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia head coach Brian Allen looks on during Friday’s Preseason Classic against Suwannee. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

COLUMBIA FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Allen returns for second coaching stint to rebuild Tigers into another winner

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, August 24, 2023
There’s excitement and anticipation in Brian Allen’s voice as he talks about the upcoming season. After resigning two years ago following 10 seasons as Columbia’s head coach, Allen has returned to his alma mater looking to rebuild a program that lost a lot of talent from a state semifinal run.
Suwannee running back Marquavious Owens rushes up the field against Columbia during Friday’s Preseason Classic. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee running back Marquavious Owens rushes up the field against Columbia during Friday’s Preseason Classic. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

SUWANNEE FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Bulldogs hope to duplicate district, playoff success following regional run

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, August 24, 2023
LIVE OAK — After a district championship and regional final appearance a year ago, the Suwannee Bulldogs won’t sneak up on anyone this fall. That’s OK with Suwannee, which is looking to duplicate that success, or even improve on that 10-3 mark.