Sports

Columbia's Josiah Hopkins (12) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Keystone Heights on Monday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia's Josiah Hopkins (12) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Keystone Heights on Monday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Columbia shuts out Keystone Heights to remain undefeated

NEWS STAFF
Monday, November 10, 2025
Five different players scored goals as Columbia shut out Keystone Heights 5-0 on Monday night at CYSA. Josiah Hopkins, Colyn Weatherspoon, Brendan Schwartz, Peyton Palmer and Ryan Steele all found the back of the net for the Tigers (4-0), with Steele’s goal coming on a penalty kick.
Columbia's Peyton Palmer battles for possession against Suwannee on Wednesday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia's Peyton Palmer battles for possession against Suwannee on Wednesday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Columbia's soccer teams finish first week with district wins

NEWS STAFF
Friday, November 7, 2025
Gage Logan broke a 1-1 tie in the second half, scoring off an assist from Peyton Palmer to lift Columbia’s boys soccer team to a 2-1 win over Middleburg in District 3-5A action Friday night at CYSA. Logan also assisted Colyn Weatherspoon’s goal in the first half.
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.