Sports

Suwannee head coach Justin Bruce speaks to his team during the Region 1-4A quarterfinals against Baker County on May 11, 2022. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee head coach Justin Bruce speaks to his team during the Region 1-4A quarterfinals against Baker County on May 11, 2022. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Justin Bruce leaving Suwannee after 7 seasons to coach Niceville

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
LIVE OAK — Justin Bruce resigned as Suwannee’s baseball coach Wednesday after seven seasons to take the head coaching job at Niceville High School. It was a bittersweet decision for Bruce, who is making the move to be closer to family.
Lafayette head coach Marcus Edwards speaks with quarterback Tywan Williamson during practice on May 3. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lafayette head coach Marcus Edwards speaks with quarterback Tywan Williamson during practice on May 3. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Solid spring for Lafayette has Edwards optimistic for fall

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
MAYO — While Lafayette didn’t experience the benefit of a live game action, coach Marcus Edwards was nonetheless pleased with his Hornets’ showing, especially on defense, in last Thursday’s scrimmage with University Christian in Jacksonville. “There was no traditional game,” Edwards said.
Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Brandon McManus (10) works on field goals as Logan Cooke holds during practice on Tuesday in Jacksonville. (JOHN RAOUX/Associated Press)

Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Brandon McManus (10) works on field goals as Logan Cooke holds during practice on Tuesday in Jacksonville. (JOHN RAOUX/Associated Press)

NFL: Former Broncos kicker Brandon McManus hoping for 'equally great run' with Jaguars

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
JACKSONVILLE — Brandon McManus started planning for the next chapter of his NFL career years ago. McManus would regularly seek out opposing special teams coaches during pregame warmups and introduce himself. He figured making contact and conversation might come in handy down the road. It did.
Columbia catcher Hayden Gustavson celebrates heading toward third base after hitting a home run against American Heritage in the Class 5A state semifinals on Monday at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. (JESSICA PILAND/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia catcher Hayden Gustavson celebrates heading toward third base after hitting a home run against American Heritage in the Class 5A state semifinals on Monday at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. (JESSICA PILAND/Special to the Reporter)

COMMENTARY: It was an emotional farewell for the best CHS baseball team ever

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, May 26, 2023
Josh Fernald transferred to Columbia for his senior year to play with friends he grew up with, and hopefully take them over the top with a state title. It made the Tigers’ state semifinal loss to American Heritage on Monday that much harder to swallow. Fernald was Columbia’s ace all season long.
Branford shortstop Cloey Criggall is called for obstruction after tagging out Liberty County second baseman Gabriella Flowers during Wednesday’s Class 1A state championship game at Legends Way Ballfields in Clermont. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Branford shortstop Cloey Criggall is called for obstruction after tagging out Liberty County second baseman Gabriella Flowers during Wednesday’s Class 1A state championship game at Legends Way Ballfields in Clermont. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

COMMENTARY: Obstruction call in Branford's 1A title game deserves scrutiny

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, May 26, 2023
Our sports editor, Jordan Kroeger, posted a photo I took of the most pivotal play of the Class 1A state championship game on Twitter. After a 16-hour lightning delay from the day before, Branford and Liberty County retook the field Wednesday morning.