Sports

Columbia pitcher Ryleigh Stone reaches first base after hitting a single against Trenton with two outs in the seventh inning Tuesday night. Stone was ultimately left stranded on second base as CHS fell to THS 4-1. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia pitcher Ryleigh Stone reaches first base after hitting a single against Trenton with two outs in the seventh inning Tuesday night. Stone was ultimately left stranded on second base as CHS fell to THS 4-1. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Columbia comes up short against Allaire, Trenton in season opener

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
TRENTON — As well as Trenton pitcher Addison Allaire was throwing, Columbia had the tying run at the plate in the top of the seventh inning.
Suwannee runner Logan Haley won the 1600mm at the SFHS Raider Open Classic on Thursday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee runner Logan Haley won the 1600mm at the SFHS Raider Open Classic on Thursday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP TRACK & FIELD: Area standouts from SFHS Raider Open Classic

NEWS STAFF
Monday, February 16, 2026
Track and field season began in the area last Thursday with Santa Fe Raider Open Classic. The event was a mini meet and only featured nine events. The area leaders are below. — Boys 100m: Ezekiel Powell, Fort White, second (11.31) — Girls 100m: Kensi Shaw, Columbia, first (13.
Fort White running back John'l Lawson scores a touchdown against Lafayette on Oct. 3, 2025. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White running back John'l Lawson scores a touchdown against Lafayette on Oct. 3, 2025. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Fort White, Lafayette moved into new district in Class 1A

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, February 16, 2026
Two weeks after eliminating the Rural classification in football, the FHSAA released revised districts for Class 1A on Friday. The remaining teams left in Rural were moved into 1A, with Fort White and Lafayette listed together in a new district.
Columbia guard Murkail Cray races for a layup after snatching a steal against Lincoln in the fourth quarter of Saturday's Region 1-5A quarterfinal. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Murkail Cray races for a layup after snatching a steal against Lincoln in the fourth quarter of Saturday's Region 1-5A quarterfinal. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia rallies from 10 down to knock off Lincoln in Region 1-5A quarterfinals

JORDAN KROEGER
Saturday, February 14, 2026
TALLAHASSEE — On the verge of unraveling, it was a sophomore who steadied the ship for Columbia. Trailing Lincoln by 10 midway through the fourth quarter, Zadrian Knowlton knocked down a 3-pointer to pull his team back within seven. “I play with a lot of confidence,” Knowlton said.
Fort White guard Javiona Roberson drives to the rim against Madison County's Tahj Dobson during Friday's Region 3-R semifinal. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White guard Javiona Roberson drives to the rim against Madison County's Tahj Dobson during Friday's Region 3-R semifinal. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Fort White routs Madison County to set up Region 3-R final rematch

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, February 13, 2026
FORT WHITE — Denied by a single bucket a year ago, the stage is set yet again for the Indians’ shot at a state Final Four appearance. All it took was getting over a minor hiccup in their regional semifinal matchup. No.
Suwannee’s girls weightlifting team finished runner-up in the traditional and Olympic events at the Class 1A state meet on Friday. (COURTESY)

Suwannee’s girls weightlifting team finished runner-up in the traditional and Olympic events at the Class 1A state meet on Friday. (COURTESY)

GIRLS WEIGHTLIFTING: Suwannee finishes runner-up at Class 1A state meet

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 13, 2026
LAKELAND — It wasn’t the big trophy, but that didn’t matter. Suwannee coach Dan Marsee and the Bulldogs were plenty thrilled to walk out of the RP Funding Center on Friday with a pair of Class 1A girls weightlifting runner-up trophies.
Tim Clark announced his resignation as Branford’s head coach on Friday after nine seasons. (FILE)

Tim Clark announced his resignation as Branford’s head coach on Friday after nine seasons. (FILE)

PREP FOOTBALL: Branford coach Tim Clark steps down after 9 seasons

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 13, 2026
BRANFORD — The opportunity was too good for Tim Clark to pass up. After nine seasons heading Branford’s football program, Clark told school administrators, his coaching staff and the Buccaneers players Friday that he was stepping down as coach of his alma mater.
Columbia guard Zadrian Knowlton shoots a 3-pointer against Leon during the District 2-5A semifinals on Feb. 5. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Zadrian Knowlton shoots a 3-pointer against Leon during the District 2-5A semifinals on Feb. 5. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia preaching confidence, toughness entering Region 1-5A quarterfinal at Lincoln

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, February 13, 2026
It’s been an ongoing conversation this week in practice. After the sting of a 56-41 loss to Leon in the District 2-5A semifinals, No. 6 seed Columbia (15-11) returned to the gym with a message. Shots that rimmed out need to be put away. Layups need to be finished through contact.
Columbia right fielder Tison McCray is tagged out by Buchholz third baseman Roen Kresak while trying to steal on Thursday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia right fielder Tison McCray is tagged out by Buchholz third baseman Roen Kresak while trying to steal on Thursday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia's bats silenced in road loss to Buchholz

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, February 12, 2026
GAINESVILLE — The night started off great for Columbia. For the second straight game, shortstop Madden Mann sent a pitch flying high over the right field wall for a solo home run and an early 1-0 lead. But from that point on, it was all Buchholz.