Sports

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.
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.
Lafayette quarterback Tywan Williamson throws a pass under pressure against Hamilton County last season. (FILE)

Lafayette quarterback Tywan Williamson throws a pass under pressure against Hamilton County last season. (FILE)

LAFAYETTE FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Young Hornets aim to mature to meet program’s postseason expectations

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, August 24, 2023
MAYO — Players come and go, but the expectation never changes at Lafayette. Regardless of who is lining up for the Hornets, they expect to be playing come playoff time. “We’d love to be a playoff team,” Lafayette coach Marcus Edwards said. “That’s our goal every year.”
Columbia receivers Bynton Edge (left) and Zamarion Jones (right) celebrates after Jones caught a touchdown pass against Suwannee in last Friday’s Preseason Classic. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia receivers Bynton Edge (left) and Zamarion Jones (right) celebrates after Jones caught a touchdown pass against Suwannee in last Friday’s Preseason Classic. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Buchholz brings another talented group into opener vs. Columbia

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
The last time Columbia coach Brian Allen faced Buchholz, his team rolled to a 39-0 win. That was 2018, the Tigers’ seventh win in eight matchups against the Bobcats under Allen.
Suwannee captains Andrew Harrell (65), Justice Leggett (55), Kodi Lang (10) and Jadarius Cherry (56) walk out on to the field for the coin toss prior to last Friday’s Preseason Classic against Columbia. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee captains Andrew Harrell (65), Justice Leggett (55), Kodi Lang (10) and Jadarius Cherry (56) walk out on to the field for the coin toss prior to last Friday’s Preseason Classic against Columbia. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Suwannee eyes turnovers in season opener vs. Flagler Palm Coast

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
LIVE OAK — There was one takeaway from the Preseason Classic that the Suwannee hopes it can repeat this week, and every other week: the ability to force takeaways.