Sports

Columbia quarterback Tyler Jefferson tries to pull away from a Lake Wales defender Friday night in a Class 3S state semifinal at Legion Field. (MICHAEL WILSON/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia quarterback Tyler Jefferson tries to pull away from a Lake Wales defender Friday night in a Class 3S state semifinal at Legion Field. (MICHAEL WILSON/Special to the Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Senior playmakers unable to save Tigers in semifinal

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Saturday, December 3, 2022
LAKE WALES — There wasn’t much for Jaden Robinson to do. Nor was there much he could do. The star linebacker for Columbia had made a habit of taking control of games on the defensive side of the ball throughout the Class 3S playoffs.
CHS, FWHS, LHS, SHS, BHS, HCHS

CHS, FWHS, LHS, SHS, BHS, HCHS

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from Friday's soccer/basketball games

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, December 3, 2022
Here are the scores and stats from Friday's soccer and basketball games: BOYS SOCCER — Gainesville 4, Columbia 1: Jason Caballero scored a goal on an assist from Jonathan Pineda and goalkeeper Augustus Mock, but the Tigers (4-2) fell to the Hurricanes (4-0-1) at home Friday night.
Columbia guard Eriel Baker rises for a layup Friday night against Fort White. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Eriel Baker rises for a layup Friday night against Fort White. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Columbia holds off Fort White

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Saturday, December 3, 2022
FORT WHITE — With a decisive edge in rebounding along with a strong start in the second half, Columbia seemed on its way to cruise past Fort White.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11) is congratulated by Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) after a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 27 in Jacksonville. (PHELAN M. EBENHACK/Associated Press)

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11) is congratulated by Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) after a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 27 in Jacksonville. (PHELAN M. EBENHACK/Associated Press)

NFL: Jaguars visit Lions in matchup of young, improving teams

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saturday, December 3, 2022
DETROIT — Normally, a December matchup between 4-7 teams wouldn’t get much attention. The Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars, though, might be worth a watch on Sunday. The young teams are playing much better than they did during terrible starts to the season.
CHS, FWHS, LHS, SHS, BHS, HCHS

CHS, FWHS, LHS, SHS, BHS, HCHS

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from Thursday's basketball/soccer games

NEWS STAFF
Friday, December 2, 2022
Here are scores and stats for Thursday's basketball and soccer in the area: BOYS BASKETBALL — Fort White 57, Hamilton County 42: Brandon DeMartino scored 16 points, including two 3-pointers, and Garrett Brady added 14 points with two more threes to lead the Indians (2-0) past the Trojans (0-2) at...
Tim McCreadie will be one of several drivers racing in the XR Super Series Late Models Sunshine State 50 this weekend at All-Tech Raceway. (FILE)

Tim McCreadie will be one of several drivers racing in the XR Super Series Late Models Sunshine State 50 this weekend at All-Tech Raceway. (FILE)

AUTO RACING: Drivers set for Sunshine State 50 at All-Tech Raceway

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, December 1, 2022
Competitive dirt track racing at its finest will be featured this weekend in Columbia County as some of the top dirt track racers from around the country compete for cold hard cash during the XR Super Series Late Models Sunshine State 50.
Columbia running back Tony Fulton (2) celebrates with receiver Tray Tolliver (6) after scoring a touchdown against Choctawhatchee in the Region 1-3S final last Friday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia running back Tony Fulton (2) celebrates with receiver Tray Tolliver (6) after scoring a touchdown against Choctawhatchee in the Region 1-3S final last Friday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Everything to know for Class 3S state semifinal between Columbia-Lake Wales

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, December 1, 2022
COLUMBIA (9-3) AT LAKES WALES (13-0) (AT LEGION FIELD) Kickoff: 7 p.m. Last week: Columbia 20, Choctawhatchee 14 (OT); Lake Wales 26, Zephyrhills 9 Last season’s meeting: Did not play. Players to watch: Columbia: Jaden Robinson (Sr., LB); Lake Wales: Xavier Marlow (Sr.
The College Football Playoff logo is shown on the field at AT&T Stadium before the Rose Bowl between Notre Dame and Alabama on Jan. 1, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (AP FILE)

The College Football Playoff logo is shown on the field at AT&T Stadium before the Rose Bowl between Notre Dame and Alabama on Jan. 1, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (AP FILE)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Playoff expands to 12 teams in 2024 season

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, December 1, 2022
Over the past 25 years, college football's postseason format for crowning a national champion has grown from two teams to four and now, starting in 2024, to 12. For a sport that started in 1869 and spent most of the 20th century using bowls and polls to determine who was No.
Florida quarterback Jalen Kitna warms up before a game against Eastern Washington on Oct. 2 in Gainesville. (PHELAN M. EBENHACK/AP File)

Florida quarterback Jalen Kitna warms up before a game against Eastern Washington on Oct. 2 in Gainesville. (PHELAN M. EBENHACK/AP File)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Florida QB Kitna leaves jail as child porn details emerge

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, December 1, 2022
GAINESVILLE — Florida backup quarterback Jalen Kitna was released from jail on $80,000 bond on Thursday, a day after he was arrested on five child pornography charges that police said included images of a man having sex with a young girl.