Sports

Fort White running back Kamarion Griffin catches a touchdown pass during Friday’s team scrimmage. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White running back Kamarion Griffin catches a touchdown pass during Friday’s team scrimmage. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Fort White still working out the kinks following scrimmage

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, August 12, 2022
FORT WHITE — The last practices of the summer are starting to wind down. Waning are the days of the crack of the pads early in the mornings. But that didn’t stop Fort White from hosting one last inter-squad scrimmage.
Branford running back Caden Coker carries the ball up the field during practice on Aug. 5. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Branford running back Caden Coker carries the ball up the field during practice on Aug. 5. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Branford counting on Coker to carry heavier load offensively

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, August 11, 2022
BRANFORD — He may be wearing the No. 2 jersey, but Caden Coker will be Branford’s No. 1 option this fall. Coker, a senior, will be counted on to step in to the Buccaneers’ lead offensive role after playing sidekick the past two seasons.
Columbia linebacker Jaden Robinson points to a teammate during Thursday’s practice. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia linebacker Jaden Robinson points to a teammate during Thursday’s practice. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Gators nab commitment from CHS LB Robinson after month-long pursuit

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, August 11, 2022
It was July 3, one day before Columbia linebacker Jaden Robinson was set to commit to South Carolina. The 4-star rated recruit had picked the 4th to announce his commitment publicly, but he didn’t anticipate receiving a call from a school just a drive down Interstate 75 South.
Suwannee defensive back Jay Smith knocks the ball away during a drill at practice on Aug. 4. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee defensive back Jay Smith knocks the ball away during a drill at practice on Aug. 4. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Suwannee counting on unproven talent to step up in offense

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 10, 2022
LIVE OAK — It will be a new-look offense for Suwannee this fall. Gone are the Bulldogs’ top three receivers and four of the top five. SHS also waved goodbye to its top two rushers and the third, Kodi Lang, will now be catching passes instead of throwing them or taking off running.
Lafayette’s Karlos Murphy scoops up a fumble during practice on Aug. 3. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Lafayette’s Karlos Murphy scoops up a fumble during practice on Aug. 3. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Jersey numbers for Higginbothom, Murphy mean a little more at Lafayette

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 10, 2022
MAYO – At Lafayette, sometimes a number is more than just a number. For Marcus Edwards’ Hornets, the jerseys bearing Nos. 1 and 2 carry extra weight with them. Those numbers also designate the team’s leaders and captains. “That’s how you’ll know our leaders on our team,” Edwards said.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence looks for a receiver during practice on July 31 in Jacksonville. (JOHN RAOUX/Associated Press)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence looks for a receiver during practice on July 31 in Jacksonville. (JOHN RAOUX/Associated Press)

NFL: Heralded 2021 QB class looks for more success in year 2

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, August 10, 2022
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The performance didn’t come close to matching the hype for the 2021 quarterback class. With QBs going 1-2-3 for third time ever in the common draft era and five going off the board in the first round for the fourth time, expectations were high for Trevor Lawrence and Co.
Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Pederson watches from the sideline during the Hall of Fame game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Aug. 4 Canton, Ohio. (DAVID DERMER/Associated Press)

Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Pederson watches from the sideline during the Hall of Fame game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Aug. 4 Canton, Ohio. (DAVID DERMER/Associated Press)

NFL: Jaguars to play starters 'a couple series' against Browns

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, August 10, 2022
JACKSONVILLE — Doug Pederson will play his starters a little in Jacksonville’s preseason game against Cleveland on Friday night.
Columbia defensive end Caden Bolstein rushes after the quarterback during Tuesday’s practice. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia defensive end Caden Bolstein rushes after the quarterback during Tuesday’s practice. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Bolstein, Bradley tasked with replacing Farmer & Miller at Columbia

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, August 9, 2022
Ask them and they’ll tell you. They’re “dogs.” Columbia defensive ends Rashod Bradley and Caden Bolstein feel no pressure replacing pass rushers Adeon Farmer and Bobby Miller. They’ve stepped in seamlessly as key contributors on the defensive line this fall.
Serena Williams holds her trophy after defeating her sister Venus during the women's singles final at the Australian Open on Jan. 28, 2017, in Melbourne, Australia. (AP FILE)

Serena Williams holds her trophy after defeating her sister Venus during the women's singles final at the Australian Open on Jan. 28, 2017, in Melbourne, Australia. (AP FILE)

PRO TENNIS: Serena Williams says 'countdown has begun' to retirement

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, August 9, 2022
Saying “the countdown has begun,” 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams announced Tuesday she is ready to step away from tennis so she can turn her focus to having another child and her business interests, presaging the end of a career that transcended sports.