Sports

Fort White defensive linemen Josiah Harmon (9) and Cillian Sheehan (40) chase after Providence quarterback Andrew Posey during last Friday’s Kickoff Classic. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White defensive linemen Josiah Harmon (9) and Cillian Sheehan (40) chase after Providence quarterback Andrew Posey during last Friday’s Kickoff Classic. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Fort White ready for battle in trenches vs. Eastside

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
FORT WHITE — Demetric Jackson couldn’t be happier.The Fort White head coach is one day away from regular-season football. It’ll mark the start of his 18th year at the helm in Fort White and the end of his 17th offseason.
Suwannee quarterback Haigen Johnson runs through a drill during the first day of fall practice on July 27. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee quarterback Haigen Johnson runs through a drill during the first day of fall practice on July 27. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Suwannee looks to start season fast at Crystal River

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
LIVE OAK — Suwannee coach Kyler Hall hopes the bus taking his Bulldogs south to Bramlett Stadium on Friday serves sort of like a cage.Because when the doors open at Crystal River for a 7 p.m. kickoff, Hall wants the Bulldogs rabid and ready to attack.
Branford libero Ava Alcorn and her teammates celebrate match point after rallying to defeat Suwannee in five sets Tuesday night. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Branford libero Ava Alcorn and her teammates celebrate match point after rallying to defeat Suwannee in five sets Tuesday night. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 8/18/26

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
The first week of the volleyball season continued with a pair of comebacks in the area Tuesday night.Here are the scores and stats from Aug. 18.
Branford libero Ava Alcorn celebrates after a point during last season's Class Rural Final Four. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Branford libero Ava Alcorn celebrates after a point during last season's Class Rural Final Four. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 8/17/26

NEWS STAFF
Monday, August 17, 2026
The volleyball and golf seasons began Monday for teams around the area.Here are the scores and stats for Aug. 17.VOLLEYBALL— Branford 3, Keystone Heights 0: The Buccaneers (1-0) swept the Indians (0-1) 25-19, 25-18, 25-17 in their season opener at KHHS.
Columbia defensive end Jae’Quan Wilson races toward the end zone after scooping up an Oakleaf fumble Friday night while linebacker Bryson Grinstead looks on. Wilson scored on the play. (GARY LLOYD MCCULLOUGH/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia defensive end Jae’Quan Wilson races toward the end zone after scooping up an Oakleaf fumble Friday night while linebacker Bryson Grinstead looks on. Wilson scored on the play. (GARY LLOYD MCCULLOUGH/Special to the Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia’s defense shines while offense struggles against Oakleaf in Classic

JORDAN KROEGER
Saturday, August 15, 2026
ORANGE PARK — It looked like there’d finally be some points early in the third quarter of Friday’s Kickoff Classic.There were, just 65 yards the other way.
Suwannee Bulldogs

Suwannee Bulldogs

PREP FOOTBALL: Suwannee, Madison Kickoff Classic washed out

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, August 15, 2026
LIVE OAK — The Kickoff Classic between Suwannee and Madison County instead turned into a knockout Friday night, delivered by Mother Nature.The Bulldogs and Cowboys never stepped on the field at Langford Stadium on Friday with heavy rain and lightning starting around 7 p.m.
Lafayette quarterback Tucker Higginbotham stretches out for extra yards as he is wrapped up by a Union County defender Friday night. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Lafayette quarterback Tucker Higginbotham stretches out for extra yards as he is wrapped up by a Union County defender Friday night. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Lafayette, Branford drop SSAA openers

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, August 15, 2026
LAKE BUTLER — Lafayette’s move to the Sunshine State Athletic Association got off to a stormy start Friday night.The Hornets never led Friday in their season opener, falling 21-7 to Union County at The Jungle.
Columbia quarterback Amari Green drops back to pass during Tuesday’s practice. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia quarterback Amari Green drops back to pass during Tuesday’s practice. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia QB Amari Green eager to prove old team wrong in Kickoff Classic

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
It may just be a preseason game, but new Columbia quarterback Amari Green will take the field with a chip on his shoulder Friday night.That’s because his opponent, Oakleaf, never gave him a chance to be the guy behind center during his first two seasons in high school.