Sports

Georgia running back Daijun Edwards runs for a 22-yard touchdown past Florida cornerback Avery Helm (24) and defensive lineman Princely Umanmielen (33) during last season's 'Cocktail Party' on Oct. 29, 2022, in Jacksonville. (JOHN RAOUX/Associated Press)

Georgia running back Daijun Edwards runs for a 22-yard touchdown past Florida cornerback Avery Helm (24) and defensive lineman Princely Umanmielen (33) during last season's 'Cocktail Party' on Oct. 29, 2022, in Jacksonville. (JOHN RAOUX/Associated Press)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Florida, Georgia exercise option to keep 'Cocktail Party' in Jacksonville through 2026

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
GAINESVILLE — The annual rivalry game between Florida and Georgia will be played in Jacksonville at least through 2025.
FGC’s Makenzie Phillian lifts the NJCAA championship trophy alongside Klaudia Taylor (7) and head coach Ricky Hufty after the Timberwolves won the inaugural NJCAA title on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (COURTESY OF NFL FLAG)

FGC’s Makenzie Phillian lifts the NJCAA championship trophy alongside Klaudia Taylor (7) and head coach Ricky Hufty after the Timberwolves won the inaugural NJCAA title on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (COURTESY OF NFL FLAG)

COLLEGE FLAG FOOTBALL: Winning inaugural NJCAA title still sinking in for FGC

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
ATLANTA — Winning Florida Gateway College’s first NJCAA national championship in more than 20 years is going to take some time to sink in. “It’s been a crazy couple of days.
Fort White defensive back Najeeb Smith tackles Madison County running back Jason McDaniel as linebacker Lecosta Byrd rushes in during Tuesday’s spring game. (CHRISTINA FEAGIN/Special to the Reporter)

Fort White defensive back Najeeb Smith tackles Madison County running back Jason McDaniel as linebacker Lecosta Byrd rushes in during Tuesday’s spring game. (CHRISTINA FEAGIN/Special to the Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Lightning ends Fort White’s spring game vs. Madison County in second quarter

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
FORT WHITE — The persistent threat of lightning and rain forced the permanent stoppage of Tuesday’s spring football matchup between host Fort White and Madison County. The start of the game was delayed 30 minutes due to the same threat.
Branford's Makayla Williams scores a run during the Class 1A state championship game on Tuesday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Branford's Makayla Williams scores a run during the Class 1A state championship game on Tuesday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Branford-Liberty County to finish 1A title game Wednesday

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
CLERMONT — Tuesday’s Class 1A state championship game between Branford and Liberty County was postponed in the fifth inning following two lightning delays The FHSAA tweeted that the game will resume Wednesday at 10 a.m. The teams were tied 4-4 in the top half of the fifth.
Branford catcher Morgan Brennan smiles as she scores the first run of the 1A state semifinals game against defending champion Jay Monday at Legends Ballfield. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Branford catcher Morgan Brennan smiles as she scores the first run of the 1A state semifinals game against defending champion Jay Monday at Legends Ballfield. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Branford survives Jay, advances to 1A championship

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Monday, May 22, 2023
CLERMONT — Laila Arnold flirted with danger all morning. The Branford ace left at least one Jay runner in scoring position through six innings of the state semifinals.
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.