Sports

Florida coach Billy Napier, front right, and quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) watch from the sideline during the first half of the team's Week 1 game against Utah. (PHELAN M. EBENHACK/Associated Press)

Florida coach Billy Napier, front right, and quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) watch from the sideline during the first half of the team's Week 1 game against Utah. (PHELAN M. EBENHACK/Associated Press)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEC teams get more chances for September statements

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, September 7, 2022
The Southeastern Conference was perhaps one blocked kick away from perfection last weekend, with a few impressive nonconference victories and some no-brainers. For teams like No. 1 Alabama and No.
Florida linebacker Amari Burney (2) is swarmed by teammates on the sideline after making a game-saving interception in the end zone near the end of Saturday's game against Utah in Gainesville. (PHELAN M. EBENHACK/Associated Press)

Florida linebacker Amari Burney (2) is swarmed by teammates on the sideline after making a game-saving interception in the end zone near the end of Saturday's game against Utah in Gainesville. (PHELAN M. EBENHACK/Associated Press)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Florida skyrockets to No. 12 in AP Top 25

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, September 6, 2022
Florida debuted at No. 12 in the first Associated Press college football poll of the regular season after its thrilling victory at home against Utah on Saturday night. The Gators' jump from unranked to No.
Seth Slanker (left) and Jackson Swisher show off their catches at the 2022 Strike King Bassmaster College Series National Championship. (COURTESY FGC)

Seth Slanker (left) and Jackson Swisher show off their catches at the 2022 Strike King Bassmaster College Series National Championship. (COURTESY FGC)

COLLEGE FISHING: FGC finishes national runners-up

TONY BRITT
Monday, September 5, 2022
The Florida Gateway College bass fishing team of Seth Slanker and Jackson Swisher came within 3 pounds, seven ounces, of capturing a national title Sunday afternoon during the 2022 Strike King Bassmaster College Series National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops.
Columbia quarterback Tyler Jefferson scrambles up the field against Union County on Friday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia quarterback Tyler Jefferson scrambles up the field against Union County on Friday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: 4 things that stood out in Week 2

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, September 5, 2022
Turnovers bit Columbia again Friday night in a 31-27 loss to Union County. The Tigers turned the ball over four times for the second straight week and it’s resulted in an 0-2 start to the season.
Florida State defensive back Shyheim Brown (38) celebrates a dropped punt catch by LSU and recovery by Florida State in the second half of Sunday’s game in New Orleans. Brown would later seal Florida State’s 24-23 victory by blocking an extra point kick attempt by LSU. (MATTHEW HINTON/Associated Press)

Florida State defensive back Shyheim Brown (38) celebrates a dropped punt catch by LSU and recovery by Florida State in the second half of Sunday’s game in New Orleans. Brown would later seal Florida State’s 24-23 victory by blocking an extra point kick attempt by LSU. (MATTHEW HINTON/Associated Press)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Brown's blocked PAT to preserve FSU win over LSU reminiscent of CHS career

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, September 5, 2022
NEW ORLEANS — With the game on the verge of overtime, Shyheim Brown came flying off the edge to block LSU’s extra point with no time remaining.
Florida State running back Treshaun Ward (8) celebrates with offensive lineman Darius Washington (76) after defeating LSU on a blocked extra point with no time remaining on Sunday in New Orleans. Florida State won 24-23. (GERALD HERBERT/Associated Press)

Florida State running back Treshaun Ward (8) celebrates with offensive lineman Darius Washington (76) after defeating LSU on a blocked extra point with no time remaining on Sunday in New Orleans. Florida State won 24-23. (GERALD HERBERT/Associated Press)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: CHS alum Shyheim Brown blocks PAT, FSU holds off LSU

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sunday, September 4, 2022
NEW ORLEANS — A play as unlikely as a blocked extra point with no time remaining made Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis' highlight-filled performance stand up — and spared Seminoles coach Mike Norvell from having to endure an ignominious collapse.
Florida safety Trey Dean III (0) and teammates celebrate after defeating Utah on Saturday in Gainesville. (PHELAN M. EBENHACK/Associated Press)

Florida safety Trey Dean III (0) and teammates celebrate after defeating Utah on Saturday in Gainesville. (PHELAN M. EBENHACK/Associated Press)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Richardson shines, Burney seals Florida’s upset over No. 7 Utah

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saturday, September 3, 2022
GAINESVILLE — Standing in the tunnel and waiting to run into the raucous Swamp for the first time, Florida coach Billy Napier turned to an assistant and summed up the moment. “Can you believe they pay us to do this?" he said.
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Josh Allen celebrates a sack against the Pittsburgh Steelers during a preseason game on Aug. 20 in Jacksonville. (GARY MCCULLOUGH/Associated Press)

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Josh Allen celebrates a sack against the Pittsburgh Steelers during a preseason game on Aug. 20 in Jacksonville. (GARY MCCULLOUGH/Associated Press)

NFL PREVIEW: Biggest jump for Jaguars could be on defense under Pederson

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saturday, September 3, 2022
JACKSONVILLE — When the Jacksonville Jaguars returned from halftime of their third preseason game, most offensive starters were no longer wearing shoulder pads. They were done for the night. The first-team defense, though, was getting ready to take the field. “Did you see that two-minute drive?
Union County’s defense swarms in to tackle Columbia running back Tony Fulton on Friday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Union County’s defense swarms in to tackle Columbia running back Tony Fulton on Friday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Small 1A Union County rallies to stun Columbia

JORDAN KROEGER
Saturday, September 3, 2022
LAKE BUTLER — Demetric Jackson preached it over and over again after Columbia turned it over four times in a season-opening loss to Buchholz. The Tigers didn’t quite hear the message. They turned it over four more times against Union County and left Marvin H.