Sports

Suwannee head coach Justin Bruce pulls pitcher Matthew Gill from the mound during the Class 4A state semifinals on Monday at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. (CHRIS TILLEY/Special to the Reporter)

Suwannee head coach Justin Bruce pulls pitcher Matthew Gill from the mound during the Class 4A state semifinals on Monday at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. (CHRIS TILLEY/Special to the Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Suwannee falls to Island Coast in Class 4A state semifinals

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
FORT MYERS ­ — No team has been able to cool off Suwannee for nearly two months. That changed on Monday. Island Coast pitcher Kevin Martinez stopped the Bulldogs cold in their tracks, time and time again. He struck out 11 — seven looking — and was only slowed down by a lightning delay.
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson (center) directs practice on Monday in Jacksonville. At right is quarterback Trevor Lawrence. (JOHN RAOUX/Associated Press)

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson (center) directs practice on Monday in Jacksonville. At right is quarterback Trevor Lawrence. (JOHN RAOUX/Associated Press)

NFL: Jaguars still recovering from Urban Meyer era

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, May 23, 2022
JACKSONVILLE — Marvin Jones had a smile on his face and a pep in his step as the Jacksonville Jaguars went through their first organized team activity Monday. The veteran receiver may have been more relieved than anyone in the building for a fresh start. A new head coach. A mostly new staff.
Justin Thomas holds the Wanamaker Trophy after winning the PGA Championship in a playoff against Will Zalatoris at Southern Hills Country Club on Sunday in Tulsa, Okla. (ERIC GAY/Associated Press)

Justin Thomas holds the Wanamaker Trophy after winning the PGA Championship in a playoff against Will Zalatoris at Southern Hills Country Club on Sunday in Tulsa, Okla. (ERIC GAY/Associated Press)

PRO GOLF: Thomas edges Zalatoris in playoff to win 2nd PGA title after 7-shot rally

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sunday, May 22, 2022
TULSA, Okla.— Justin Thomas didn't pay attention to any score but his own Sunday in the PGA Championship, knowing he was seven shots behind but with only six players ahead of him on a Southern Hills course where anything could happen.
Columbia linebacker Jaden Robinson takes down Bartram Trail quarterback Riley Trujillo during the teams' spring game on Friday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia linebacker Jaden Robinson takes down Bartram Trail quarterback Riley Trujillo during the teams' spring game on Friday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Robinson's scoop-and-score all Tigers need to shut out Bears in spring game

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Saturday, May 21, 2022
Besides the fact the spring football game was delayed one hour because of lightning threat, the contest between host Columbia and Bartram Tail lacked the offensive explosion the teams showed during their matchup last spring, when Bartram Trail prevailed 29-20.
Columbia pitcher Brayden Thomas pitches against Eau Gallie during Thursday's Class 5A state semifinal. (CHRIS TILLEY/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia pitcher Brayden Thomas pitches against Eau Gallie during Thursday's Class 5A state semifinal. (CHRIS TILLEY/Special to the Reporter)

COMMENTARY: The bar has been raised for baseball at Columbia

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, May 20, 2022
History can never be taken away. I hope this group at Columbia remembers that. What the Tigers accomplished this season was remarkable. It had never been done, making the Final Four for the first time in program history. Baseball isn’t exactly rich in playoff success at CHS.
Branford receiver Brice Criggall escapes a tackle during last season’s game against Williston. (FILE)

Branford receiver Brice Criggall escapes a tackle during last season’s game against Williston. (FILE)

PREP FOOTBALL: Branford answering questions as spring practice winds down

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, May 20, 2022
BRANFORD — Surveying his roster entering spring practice, Branford head coach Tim Clark saw holes all across the field. The openings left by departures of senior playmakers, though, didn’t phase Clark. Instead, it reinvigorated the Buccaneers’ sixth-year head coach.
Harvey Jones’ blue No. 6 car will be on display for fans on May 28 at All-Tech Raceway for the Crate USA Late Model Race. (COURTESY)

Harvey Jones’ blue No. 6 car will be on display for fans on May 28 at All-Tech Raceway for the Crate USA Late Model Race. (COURTESY)

AUTO RACING: Harvey Jones Memorial on deck for next week

TONY BRITT
Friday, May 20, 2022
ELLISVILLE — Harvey Jones spent years driving across the Southeast United States competing in races on dirt tracks and built a legacy as a top competitor.
Eau Gallie's Brandon Braggs slides safely into third base before Columbia's Ty Jackson can apply the tag during Thursday's Class 5A state semifinal at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. (CHRIS TILLEY/Special to the Reporter)

Eau Gallie's Brandon Braggs slides safely into third base before Columbia's Ty Jackson can apply the tag during Thursday's Class 5A state semifinal at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. (CHRIS TILLEY/Special to the Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia's first trip to Final Four ends with loss to Eau Gallie in 5A semis

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, May 19, 2022
FORT MYERS — Just one ball left the infield for Columbia. Eau Gallie pitcher Garrett Smith threw the game of his life in the Class 5A state semifinals Thursday. He was so good, in fact, that he held down a lineup averaging more than six runs per game with a complete-game shutout.