Sports

Branford hitter Anabella Dicks (left) and libero Ava Alcorn (right) celebrate a point against Fort White on Sept. 22. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 10/5/26

NEWS STAFF

Monday, October 5, 2026

Branford’s volleyball team extended its winning streak to seven on Monday night.Here are the scores and stats from Oct. 5.VOLLEYBALL— Branford 3, Union County 0: The Class Rural No. 2 Buccaneers (21-2) avenged an early season loss to the Tigers (9-13) with a 25-19, 25-15, 25-20 sweep at home.

Columbia receiver Kyren Caldwell celebrates with teammates on the sideline after catching a touchdown pass against Manatee on Friday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia hammers Manatee to stay undefeated

JORDAN KROEGER

Saturday, October 3, 2026

BRADENTON — Columbia did something Friday night it hasn’t done since 2000.Not only did the Tigers remain undefeated through seven weeks, but they also added another impressive win to their already stellar resume.Quarterback Amari Green tossed two touchdown passes apiece to Maryland commit Kyren...

Fort White safety Marvion Wallace (2) picks off a pass intended for Lafayette’s Lane O’Steen before returning it for a touchdown Friday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Fort White wins ‘ugly’ against Lafayette

MORGAN MCMULLEN

Saturday, October 3, 2026

FORT WHITE — Nobody ever said revenge had to be pretty.Fort White made a few key plays late to finally stymie a surprising Lafayette offense, while Marvion Wallace ran for 122 yards out of the wildcat to lift the Indians to a 29-22 win on homecoming night at Arrowhead Stadium on Friday.

Suwannee head coach Kyler Hall and assistants PJ Davis, Kendrick Carter and Brian Wilder try to get the Bulldogs, including Jadayce Jones (13) to get away after a skirmish broke out late in the third quarter Friday against Zarephath Academy. Officials try to keep the Zarephath players separated. The game ended moments later when the Eagles decided to quit after having one player previously ejected as well. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Suwannee wins in slop when Zarephath calls it quits with skirmishes

JAMIE WACHTER

Saturday, October 3, 2026

LIVE OAK — After a torrential downpour delayed the start of Friday’s homecoming game at Langford Stadium and a storm of penalty flags prolonged it, Zarephath Academy waved the white flag for an early finish.With 16 seconds remaining in the third quarter at Langford Stadium and a pair of skirmishes...

Buccaneers running back Ollie James score multiple touchdowns in Friday's 42-20 win over St. Joseph Academy. (FILE)

PREP FOOTBALL: Branford silences St. Joseph after break

NEWS STAFF

Saturday, October 3, 2026

ST. AUGUSTINE — A back-and-forth affair for a half, Branford took control late on the road.The Buccaneers shut down host St. Joseph Academy after intermission to win 42-20 to improve to 6-2 on the year.

The Branford girls cross country team won the Cedar Key Invite on Thursday. (COURTESY)

PREP ROUNDUP: Branford girls win Cedar Key Invite, scores and stats from 10/1/26

NEWS STAFF

Thursday, October 1, 2026

The Branford girls cross country team won the Cedar Key Invite on Thursday behind a runner-up finish from Kelbie Snider (21:51.2) and a third-place finish from Ella Harris (22:05.5).The duo’s performance helped the Lady Buccaneers finish with 37 points, winning a tiebreaker with Citrus Creek.

Columbia receiver Kyren Caldwell turns upfield after a catch against Riverside last Friday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia aims to avoid slow start in showdown at Manatee

JORDAN KROEGER

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

With a long trip ahead Friday night, Columbia coach Brian Allen doesn’t want another slow start from his team.Especially against a squad like Manatee.The Class 4A No. 2 Tigers (6-0) will take a 3-hour bus ride to Bradenton on Friday to face the Class 5A No. 10 Hurricanes (4-2) in a 7:30 p.m....

Fort White cornerback Jayton Walls is mobbed by teammates after his interception Friday against Taylor County. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Fort White, Lafayette on different paths since last matchup

MORGAN MCMULLEN

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

FORT WHITE — The two programs certainly look to be on different trajectories this year.But both head coaches agree that the records are irrelevant in this matchup.

Suwannee quarterback Haigen Johnson scrambles upfield against Wakulla last Friday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Suwannee looks to correct miscues against Zarephath Academy

JAMIE WACHTER

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

LIVE OAK — On one hand, Suwannee knows exactly what to expect Friday night from Zarephath Academy. The Eagles are going to bring relentless pressure defensively.On the other side of the ball, the Bulldogs (5-1) have no clue what ZA may do in the 7:30 p.m. homecoming kickoff at Langford Stadium.

Suwannee hitter Calinn Daniel fires a shot while Columbia hitters Brynn Lester (1) and Langsley Smithy defend on Wednesday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP VOLLEYBALL: Suwannee takes down Columbia in four sets

CIARA BYRD

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

LIVE OAK — Revenge was the only thing on Suwannee's mind as it stole the show from Columbia on Wednesday night.After dropping a five-set thriller to the Tigers earlier this year, the Bulldogs answered with a statement to split the season series after surviving a grueling second set for a 26-24,...