Sports

Lafayette defensive lineman Zamarion Hawkins returns a fumble for a touchdown against Trenton last season. The two teams will meet this fall on Oct. 16 in Mayo. (FILE)

Lafayette defensive lineman Zamarion Hawkins returns a fumble for a touchdown against Trenton last season. The two teams will meet this fall on Oct. 16 in Mayo. (FILE)

PREP FOOTBALL: Lafayette finalizes schedule ahead of first season in SSAA

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
MAYO — There won’t be many new faces on Lafayette’s schedule this fall, its first in the Sunshine State Athletic Association.One of the two foes the Hornets didn’t face last year — Union County — has been a playoff nemesis three times in the past decade.
Fort White coach Bregay Harris questions a call to a referee while guard Javiona Roberson (right) smiles during the Region 3-R semifinals against Madison County on Feb. 13. (FILE)

Fort White coach Bregay Harris questions a call to a referee while guard Javiona Roberson (right) smiles during the Region 3-R semifinals against Madison County on Feb. 13. (FILE)

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Harris steps down as Fort White coach, hands reins to Roberson

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
FORT WHITE — While a new face will be roaming the sidelines for the Indians, it won’t be an unfamiliar one.Former assistant coach Derrick Roberson is moving up in the ranks to become the team’s next head coach entering the 2026 season.
Columbia pitcher Ryleigh Stone advances Columbia on the Class 4A playoff bracket after the Tigers defeated Lake Wales for the state title on May 23. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia pitcher Ryleigh Stone advances Columbia on the Class 4A playoff bracket after the Tigers defeated Lake Wales for the state title on May 23. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SPORTS: FHSAA approves Open Division bracket, new limits for transfers

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
The Open Division is officially here.The Florida High School Athletic Association Board of Directors voted 10-0 on Tuesday to approve an eight-team Open Division playoff format for the 2026-27 season in 11 sports.
Columbia shortstop Alannah Lord (left) celebrates as coach Joe Saucier (right) hoists the Class 4A state championship trophy after the Tigers defeated Lake Wales for the title on May 23. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia shortstop Alannah Lord (left) celebrates as coach Joe Saucier (right) hoists the Class 4A state championship trophy after the Tigers defeated Lake Wales for the title on May 23. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Lord, Saucier earn top honors in Class 4A following Columbia’s state title

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
A state title has earned Columbia shortstop Alannah Lord and coach Joe Saucier top honors in Class 4A.Lord was named the Florida Dairy Farmers’ 4A Player of the Year on Tuesday while Saucier was voted the 4A Coach of the Year following the Tigers’ state championship last month.
Columbia’s softball team celebrates with their cheering fans after defeating Lake Wales to win the Class 4A state title on May 23. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia’s softball team celebrates with their cheering fans after defeating Lake Wales to win the Class 4A state title on May 23. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

COMMENTARY: Columbia’s state title run united Lake City

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, May 29, 2026
The support for Columbia’s softball team was immense at last Saturday’s Class 4A state championship.Fans lined the fences. Some spilled into Lake Wales’ side of the bleachers. The football team even had its own section, arriving on time despite its bus blowing a tire after leaving CHS at 6:30 a.m.
Columbia seniors Addyson Sherman (from left), Luisa Taylor, Raelyn Wehinger, Ava Christie, Lauryn Lee, Amani Tunsil, Anna Dansby and Emily Delgado wrapped up their careers with a state championship on Saturday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia seniors Addyson Sherman (from left), Luisa Taylor, Raelyn Wehinger, Ava Christie, Lauryn Lee, Amani Tunsil, Anna Dansby and Emily Delgado wrapped up their careers with a state championship on Saturday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

COMMENTARY: Columbia's state title was built on an unbreakable bond

JORDAN KROEGER
Sunday, May 24, 2026
It’s what they’ve always wanted.It was also bittersweet.The seniors at Columbia finally achieved the goal they set out to accomplish when they were freshman — winning a state championship.
Columbia catcher Emily Delgado encourages the CHS student section to get up for her team after scoring a run following her RBI double in the seventh inning of Thursday's Class 4A state semifinal against Seminole. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia catcher Emily Delgado encourages the CHS student section to get up for her team after scoring a run following her RBI double in the seventh inning of Thursday's Class 4A state semifinal against Seminole. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

COMMENTARY: These Tigers never stop fighting

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, May 22, 2026
The words echoed throughout the season.“Tigers don’t lay down. Tigers fight.”Never was that truer than Thursday afternoon.Columbia, the top-ranked team in Class 4A, was on the ropes in the state semifinals.