Sports

Columbia pitcher Josh Fernald (10) and his coaches console catcher Hayden Gustavson following the Tigers' 5-2 loss to American Heritage in the Class 5A state semifinals on Monday at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. (JESSICA PILAND/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia pitcher Josh Fernald (10) and his coaches console catcher Hayden Gustavson following the Tigers' 5-2 loss to American Heritage in the Class 5A state semifinals on Monday at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. (JESSICA PILAND/Special to the Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia falls to American Heritage in Class 5A state semifinals

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, May 22, 2023
FORT MYERS — Unlike a year ago, Columbia hung in during a second straight state semifinal. Hayden Gustavson tied the game early with a solo home run, a shot that kept the contest knotted with American Heritage-Plantation all the way until the fifth inning.
Columbia receiver Zamarion Jones is stripped by Bartram Trail linebacker Josiah Smith during Friday’s spring game. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia receiver Zamarion Jones is stripped by Bartram Trail linebacker Josiah Smith during Friday’s spring game. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia has a lot of work to do after blowout loss to Bartram Trail in spring game

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, May 19, 2023
Brian Allen wasn’t sure the last time Columbia got outclassed on both sides of the football. But he surely won’t forget the throttling his Tigers took in their spring game Friday night. In his first year back as head coach, it was evident Allen’s team has plenty of work to do this summer.
Fort White quarterback Jayden Jackson gets set to take a snap during practice on May 1. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White quarterback Jayden Jackson gets set to take a snap during practice on May 1. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Jackson says ‘focus is on us’ ahead of Fort White's spring game vs. Madison County

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, May 19, 2023
FORT WHITE — Don’t call it a revenge game. When Fort White takes on Madison County at 6 p.m. Tuesday night at Arrowhead for the teams’ spring game, there will be a lot to look at: a revamped offense, transfer stars making plays, a veteran offensive line, and simply lining up correctly.
Suwannee receiver MJ Rossin jumps over a Dixie County defender Thursday night at Bruce Boyette Field. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee receiver MJ Rossin jumps over a Dixie County defender Thursday night at Bruce Boyette Field. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Suwannee overcomes rain, adversity to top Dixie, NFEI in spring jamboree

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, May 19, 2023
CROSS CITY — Wanting to see how his team responded to different situations, Thursday's spring jamboree gave Suwannee coach Kyler Hall just what he desired. The start of the three-team jamboree was delayed an hour before in began due to lightning, leading to a condensed schedule.
Lafayette outfielder Kevin Posada is consoled by a teammate after losing to Chipley in the Class 1A state championship game on Thursday at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. (JESSICA PILAND/Special to the Reporter)

Lafayette outfielder Kevin Posada is consoled by a teammate after losing to Chipley in the Class 1A state championship game on Thursday at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. (JESSICA PILAND/Special to the Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Hornets stung by Chipley in Class 1A state championship

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, May 18, 2023
FORT MYERS — The Hornets had come back from big deficits before. But with a state championship on the line Thursday, nine runs proved to be a bit too much.
Columbia quarterback Evan Umstead drops back to pass during practice on Wednesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia quarterback Evan Umstead drops back to pass during practice on Wednesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Allen looking for ‘gamers’ from Columbia in spring game vs. Bartram Trail

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Brian Allen used to treat Columbia’s spring game as a final exam. But in his first season back as head coach with a young squad that still has plenty to learn, he’s looking at Friday’s contest against Bartram Trail as more of a midterm before summer workouts.