Sports

Branford coaches and players celebrate after defeating Chipley to win the Class Rural state championship on Wednesday. It’s the first state title in school history. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Branford coaches and players celebrate after defeating Chipley to win the Class Rural state championship on Wednesday. It’s the first state title in school history. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP VOLLEYBALL: Branford outlasts Chipley to win first state title

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
WINTER HAVEN — Nobody panicked.  That might’ve saved the season — and a championship aspiration.  Chipley had just ridden a 17-4 run to force a winner-take-all fifth set, ruining Branford’s ideas of celebrating early.
Columbia's defense corrals the ball to clear it away after goalkeeper Logan Wheeldon made a save during Wednesday's win over Suwannee. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia's defense corrals the ball to clear it away after goalkeeper Logan Wheeldon made a save during Wednesday's win over Suwannee. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Columbia scores twice in second half to shut out Suwannee

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
David Gomez and Griffin Roberts each scored a goal in the second half to lead Columbia to a 2-0 win over Suwannee on Wednesday night at Paul Langford Stadium.
Suwannee golfer Ryan Donaldson punched her fifth-career ticket to the state tournament after tying for third at the Region 1-2A Tournament on Tuesday. (COURTESY)

Suwannee golfer Ryan Donaldson punched her fifth-career ticket to the state tournament after tying for third at the Region 1-2A Tournament on Tuesday. (COURTESY)

GIRLS GOLF: Donaldson qualifies for state after tying for third at Region 1-2A Tournament

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Any chance Ryan Donaldson had at a regional title went to the wayside on the 12th hole Tuesday. That’s where Donaldson, a Suwannee senior, hit a double bogey at Quail Heights Country Club in the Region 1-2A tournament.
Columbia's Brendan Schwartz chases after possession of the ball during a match against Gainesville last season. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia's Brendan Schwartz chases after possession of the ball during a match against Gainesville last season. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Columbia boys, Fort White girls win season openers

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Colyn Weatherspoon found the back of the net twice and Ryan Steele also scored via a penalty kick to lead Columbia to a 3-1 win over Gainesville in the teams’ season opener Tuesday night at CYSA.
JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter Branford celebrates after sweeping Williston in the Class Rural state semifinals on Tuesday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter Branford celebrates after sweeping Williston in the Class Rural state semifinals on Tuesday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP VOLLEYBALL: Branford sweeps Williston to advance to another state title match

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
WINTER HAVEN — The chants came early and often from red-garbed supporters in the Winter Haven Health Center gym at Polk State College.  The repeated word was loud and clear. “Overrated!” The growing cries accompanied a brief Williston rally to get within one point early in the first set.
Columbia quarterback Xavier Collins tries to escape a Bolles’ tackler during Friday’s 31-0 loss. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia quarterback Xavier Collins tries to escape a Bolles’ tackler during Friday’s 31-0 loss. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

ANALYSIS: Columbia’s offense running out of time to find answers

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Friday’s shutout loss to Bolles has Columbia’s offense searching for answers. The Tigers have an extra week to find them, but they better do so quickly because the playoffs are upon us.
Fort White quarterback Jayden Jackson rolls out to pass during Friday’s win over Baker County. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White quarterback Jayden Jackson rolls out to pass during Friday’s win over Baker County. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

ANALYSIS: Fort White resolving issues at right time

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
FORT WHITE — Uncertainty breeds frustration. And following a 25-7 loss in Week 9 to Newberry, it all could’ve easily boiled over for Fort White.  The Indians (6-4) had just suffered their third defeat in five games. They were on the verge of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
Suwannee coach Kyler Hall addresses his team following last Thursday’s loss to Chiles. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee coach Kyler Hall addresses his team following last Thursday’s loss to Chiles. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

COMMENTARY: Suwannee’s centennial season a year to forget

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
LIVE OAK — It was a season unlike many others in Suwannee history. The 100th season in the program annals, it turned out to be among the sixth worst when it comes to wins and defensive performance. The one led to the other.