Sports

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.
Suwannee receiver MJ Rossin walks up to the line of scrimmage for a play against Flagler Palm Coast on Aug. 25. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee receiver MJ Rossin walks up to the line of scrimmage for a play against Flagler Palm Coast on Aug. 25. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Suwannee & Branford hope to play next week, Lafayette uncertain

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, September 1, 2023
LIVE OAK — There’s not much known about when Suwannee and Lafayette counties will return to school or have power restored. However, for the Suwannee High and Branford High football teams, there is one set target in front of them: a return to action. There is much more uncertainty at Lafayette High.
Columbia defensive back Markeyon Moore (8) and receiver Camdon Frier (12) lead their team on to the field prior to their game against Buchholz on Aug. 25. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia defensive back Markeyon Moore (8) and receiver Camdon Frier (12) lead their team on to the field prior to their game against Buchholz on Aug. 25. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia, Fort White plan to practice and play next week

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, September 1, 2023
Power has been steadily coming back on throughout the county the past few days following Hurricane Idalia, and that includes Columbia and Fort White high schools.  With classes scheduled to resume Tuesday, the plan is to return to normalcy and that includes football.
Fort White receiver Tafari Moe runs up the field after a catch against Taylor County on Saturday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White receiver Tafari Moe runs up the field after a catch against Taylor County on Saturday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: All area games postponed following Hurricane Idalia

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, August 31, 2023
All football games in the area for Friday have been postponed in the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia. Fort White head coach Demetric Jackson said Thursday that his team’s game at Jefferson County has been delayed to a future date.
Columbia’s Seth Stockton, who won the Class 3A state title in the triple jump in May, recently signed his letter of intent with Alabama State. (COURTESY)

Columbia’s Seth Stockton, who won the Class 3A state title in the triple jump in May, recently signed his letter of intent with Alabama State. (COURTESY)

PREP TRACK & FIELD: Columbia state champ Seth Stockton signs with Alabama State

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Seth Stockton’s dream came true. After a long wait all summer, unsure if he’d find a college, the Columbia state champion finally signed his letter of intent to compete in track and field at Alabama State.
Columbia running back Jonathan Andrews (from left), running back TC Smith and quarterback Zack Paulk wait for a play call during Saturday's game against Buchholz. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia running back Jonathan Andrews (from left), running back TC Smith and quarterback Zack Paulk wait for a play call during Saturday's game against Buchholz. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia-Union County matchup postponed due to Hurricane Idalia

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Friday’s football game between Columbia and Union County has been postponed due to the threat of Hurricane Idalia. Union County is being used a public shelter for the storm, which is expected to affect the area Wednesday, and there’s no school in Union County through at least Thursday as a result.