Sports

Columbia safety Julian De La Cruz returns an interception against Bolles on Oct. 31. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia safety Julian De La Cruz returns an interception against Bolles on Oct. 31. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia will host Rickards to kick off playoffs

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Columbia gets to stay home next Friday. As expected, the Tigers received the No. 3 seed in the Region 1-4A playoffs, but more importantly, they’ll host a first-round game for their 15th straight playoff appearance. Columbia (8-2, 13.944 final rating) drew No. 6 Rickards (3-7, 0.
Fort White coach Demetric Jackson addresses his team following a 20-3 loss to Taylor County on Aug. 22. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White coach Demetric Jackson addresses his team following a 20-3 loss to Taylor County on Aug. 22. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Jackson 'frustrated', 'angry' after Fort White misses playoffs

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, November 6, 2025
FORT WHITE — Following last week’s win over Baker County, Fort White felt good about its playoff chances. But somehow, some way, when the FHSAA released the playoffs brackets Thursday, the Indians found themselves on the outside looking in.
Lafayette receiver Kaeden Woods catches a pass in front of Branford defensive back Tripp Schultz on Oct. 24. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Lafayette receiver Kaeden Woods catches a pass in front of Branford defensive back Tripp Schultz on Oct. 24. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Lafayette, Branford draw road playoff games

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Lafayette and Branford both made the Class Rural playoffs on Thursday, though both will have to hit the road for the first round.  The Hornets (8-2) finished 10th in the class and will face No. 7 Williston (9-1) in their ninth straight playoff appearance and 19th in the last 21 years.
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.