Sports

Branford’s Jadyn Mosley tries to block a shot by Union County’s Jaycee Davis during Thursday’s District 6-1A championship on Thursday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

Branford’s Jadyn Mosley tries to block a shot by Union County’s Jaycee Davis during Thursday’s District 6-1A championship on Thursday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

PREP VOLLEYBALL: Branford squanders early lead, falls to Union County in 6-1A championship

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, October 20, 2022
BELL — Branford head coach Mendy Sikes was the first to admit it: her team beat itself at the worst possible time. The Buccaneers lost out on the opportunity to repeat as District 6-1A champions Thursday night, losing to Union County in four sets (20-25, 25-15, 25-19, 25-20) at Bell High School.
Columbia running back Tony Fulton hits the hole against Middleburg last Friday. (JEN CHASTEEN/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia running back Tony Fulton hits the hole against Middleburg last Friday. (JEN CHASTEEN/Special to the Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Here’s everything you need to know for Week 9’s games

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, October 20, 2022
GADSDEN COUNTY (2-5) AT COLUMBIA (4-3) Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Last week: Gadsden County 39, Marianna 0; Columbia 28, Middleburg 14 Last season’s meeting: Did not play Players to watch: Gadsden County: Cedric Byrd (Sr., RB); Columbia: Tyler Jefferson (Sr., QB), Evan Umstead (Jr.
Columbia receiver Jaylen Cooper runs up the field after a catch against Middleburg last Friday night. (JEN CHASTEEN/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia receiver Jaylen Cooper runs up the field after a catch against Middleburg last Friday night. (JEN CHASTEEN/Special to the Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia hopes to roll, not stumble into playoffs with Gadsden County up next

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Last season didn’t end for Columbia quite like head coach Demetric Jackson hoped it would. Following a dramatic come-from-behind win over Riverside that led to a district title one week later, the Tigers stumbled down the stretch and lost their final two games of the regular season.
Fort White running back Najeeb Smith (12) rushes up the field as fullback Hayden Adams (3) looks to block against Dixie County last Friday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White running back Najeeb Smith (12) rushes up the field as fullback Hayden Adams (3) looks to block against Dixie County last Friday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Fort White looks to avenge spring loss to Ridgeview

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, October 19, 2022
FORT WHITE — Ridgeview is no stranger to Fort White. The two teams originally met for the first time back in May for the schools’ spring game, with the Panthers running away from the Indians for a 31-23 final.
Lafayette tight end Carter Higginbothom runs up the field after a catch against Branford on Monday night. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special the Reporter)

Lafayette tight end Carter Higginbothom runs up the field after a catch against Branford on Monday night. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special the Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Edwards telling Lafayette not to overlook winless Trenton

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Wednesday, October 19, 2022
MAYO — If Lafayette head coach Marcus Edwards is true to his words, facing winless Trenton (0-6) will not alter preparations for his team, which is coming with a decisively better 5-2 mark. In fact, Edwards often says that he prepares his team as if it is facing the state’s No. 1 team.