Sports

Columbia first baseman Brayden Thomas turns off third base and heads home to score a run against Suwannee on Tuesday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia first baseman Brayden Thomas turns off third base and heads home to score a run against Suwannee on Tuesday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia tops Suwannee for first win in rivalry since 2016

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
Nobody on either roster was in high school the last time Columbia beat Suwannee. There had been five losses in five meetings since 2016 for the Tigers. The Bulldogs have owned the rivalry as of late, but timely pitching and hitting from the home dugout finally ended the steak Tuesday night.
Fort White pitcher Kadence Compton winds up to pitch against Branford on Tuesday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White pitcher Kadence Compton winds up to pitch against Branford on Tuesday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Compton delivers Fort White's first win over Branford

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
BRANFORD — When Fort White fell behind early Tuesday night at Branford, nobody panicked. Even when the Indians started the season 0-2, co-head coaches Michele and Chad Padgett knew they’d yet to see the best of their girls.
Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred speaks during a news conference after negotiations with the players' association toward a labor deal on Tuesday at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter (WILFREDO LEE/Associated Press)

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred speaks during a news conference after negotiations with the players' association toward a labor deal on Tuesday at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter (WILFREDO LEE/Associated Press)

MLB: Opening day canceled as sides fail to reach lockout deal

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
JUPITER — Major League Baseball's financial fight cost regular-season games for the first time in 27 years when often acrimonious talks to end a management lockout collapsed Tuesday and Commissioner Rob Manfred scrapped March 31 openers.
Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan (left) and head coach Doug Pederson smile during a news conference on in Jacksonville. (MARK LONG/Associated Press)

Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan (left) and head coach Doug Pederson smile during a news conference on in Jacksonville. (MARK LONG/Associated Press)

NFL: Jaguars reverse course on EVP, stick with Pederson/Baalke

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan reversed course on hiring an executive vice president Tuesday, leaving key football decisions to new coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke moving forward.
Columbia receiver Tray Tolliver runs up the field after a catch against Riverside last season. Under the approved metro/suburban classification plan, Columbia and Riverside will no longer be in the same class. (FILE)

Columbia receiver Tray Tolliver runs up the field after a catch against Riverside last season. Under the approved metro/suburban classification plan, Columbia and Riverside will no longer be in the same class. (FILE)

PREP FOOTBALL: FHSAA approves metro-suburban split for new classifications

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, February 28, 2022
High school football in Florida will have a brand-new look this coming season. The FHSAA board of directors approved a historic reclassification plan by an 8-7 vote Monday morning that will divide the state into four metro and five suburban divisions.
FGC's basketball team celebrates after winning the Region 8 championship on Saturday. (COURTESY)

FGC's basketball team celebrates after winning the Region 8 championship on Saturday. (COURTESY)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: FGC tops Pasco-Hernando to win Region 8 championship

NEWS STAFF
Monday, February 28, 2022
Florida Gateway College won the NJCAA Region 8 championship on Saturday, topping Pasco-Hernando State College 84-67 at the Howard Center. The win sends the Timberwolves (15-10) to the Region 10 tournament later this month.
Florida interim head coach Kelly Rae Finley smiles before a game against South Carolina on Jan. 30 in Gainesville. (AP FILE)

Florida interim head coach Kelly Rae Finley smiles before a game against South Carolina on Jan. 30 in Gainesville. (AP FILE)

WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Florida names Finley coach, gives her 5-year deal

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, February 28, 2022
GAINESVILLE — No. 23 Florida removed the interim tag from Kelly Rae Finley’s title Monday and gave her a five-year contract to be the team’s head coach. Athletic director Scott Stricklin announced the decision in front of the team, a move that was received with applause and group hugs.
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson speaks with reporters on Feb. 5 in Jacksonville. (MARK LONG/Associated Press)

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson speaks with reporters on Feb. 5 in Jacksonville. (MARK LONG/Associated Press)

NFL: Jaguars to open preseason in Hall of Fame game against Raiders

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, February 28, 2022
CANTON, Ohio — The Las Vegas Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars will open the 2022 NFL preseason schedule on Aug. 4 in the Hall of Fame game. Former Raiders receiver Cliff Branch and defensive lineman Richard Seymour will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Aug.