Sports

Columbia receiver Marcus Peterson runs up the field after a catch against Englewood on Sept. 17. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia receiver Marcus Peterson runs up the field after a catch against Englewood on Sept. 17. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

FRIDAY NIGHT PREVIEW: Columbia hopes to avoid Bolles repeat vs. Trinity Christian

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, September 23, 2021
The last time the Columbia Tigers played a state title contender, Bolles held them to minus-58 yards of offense in a 34-7 victory. That was just three weeks ago. Tonight, defending Class 3A state champion Trinity Christian makes the trip to Lake City at 7:30 aiming to put up a similar result.
Branford running back Bodhi White rushes up the field against Zarephath Academy on Sept. 17. (BRIAN LEWIS/Special to the Reporter)

Branford running back Bodhi White rushes up the field against Zarephath Academy on Sept. 17. (BRIAN LEWIS/Special to the Reporter)

FRIDAY NIGHT PREVIEW: Fort White, Branford set for regional showdown

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, September 23, 2021
FORT WHITE — The Indians are still learning their identity. And that could be a scary prospect for their opponents. Fort White (2-1) will host Branford (3-0) tonight at 7:30 in what could prove to be a key matchup for both squads in setting up a postseason run. The Buccaneers currently hold the No.
Former Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Tim Tebow (85) watches on the sideline during a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns on Aug. 14 in Jacksonville. (AP FILE)

Former Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Tim Tebow (85) watches on the sideline during a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns on Aug. 14 in Jacksonville. (AP FILE)

NFL: Tebow has confidence in Meyer, Lawrence

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, September 23, 2021
Tim Tebow is confident Urban Meyer and Trevor Lawrence can turn the Jacksonville Jaguars around despite an 0-2 start. “I just think that they have to stay the course and continue to work to improve,” Tebow said Thursday in an interview for next week’s AP Pro Football Podcast.
Florida head coach Dan Mullen directs player warmups before a game against Alabama on Sept. 18 in Gainesville. (JOHN RAOUX/Associated Press)

Florida head coach Dan Mullen directs player warmups before a game against Alabama on Sept. 18 in Gainesville. (JOHN RAOUX/Associated Press)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Sing, dance? Mullen would do anything to pack Swamp vs. Vols

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, September 23, 2021
GAINESVILLE — Dan Mullen is willing to perform a “Fancy Like” rendition at midfield. The Florida coach vowed to sing, dance or “whatever we need” to entice fans to fill the Swamp again Saturday night against Southeastern Conference rival Tennessee (2-1, 0-0 SEC). The No.
Florida State coach Mike Norvell watches during a game against Wake Forest on Sept. 18 in Winston-Salem, N.C. (CHRIS CARLSON/Associated Press)

Florida State coach Mike Norvell watches during a game against Wake Forest on Sept. 18 in Winston-Salem, N.C. (CHRIS CARLSON/Associated Press)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Young Louisville, Florida State teams meet in ACC matchup

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, September 23, 2021
TALLAHASSEE — Louisville coach Scott Satterfield still has modest steps to achieve as he rebuilds the Cardinals football program after an emotional win over UCF last week. One would be winning back-to-back games against an FBS team for the first time since Satterfield’s first season in 2019.
Columbia running back Jaelin Brown jogs off the field after scoring a touchdown against Englewood on Sept. 17. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia running back Jaelin Brown jogs off the field after scoring a touchdown against Englewood on Sept. 17. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: RPI makes return as FHSAA releases first rankings

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, September 22, 2021
The RPI is back. After every eligible team was awarded a playoff berth in 2020 due to the covid-19 pandemic, the FHSAA has reverted back to the RPI system that was installed in 2019. The first rankings were released Wednesday, with Columbia (3-1, 1-0) sitting fourth in Region 1-6A with a 0.
Columbia swimmer Matt Glover competes in the 500 freestyle during Tuesday’s meet against Suwannee. (COURTESY)

Columbia swimmer Matt Glover competes in the 500 freestyle during Tuesday’s meet against Suwannee. (COURTESY)

PREP SWIMMING: Columbia, Suwannee split victories in the pool

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, September 22, 2021
Columbia split its swim meet with Suwannee on Tuesday, with the CHS girls winning 95-49 while the SHS boys won 67-54. The CHS girls won nine of 12 events. Individual winners included Casey Fair (2:24.06 in 200 freestyle; 6:22.42 in 500 freestyle), Izzy Glenn (1:21.
Katie Ledecky displays her two Gold and two Silver medals after a news conference during the Tokyo Olympic Games on July 31 in Tokyo. (LAURENCE GRIFFITHS/Getty Images/TNS)

Katie Ledecky displays her two Gold and two Silver medals after a news conference during the Tokyo Olympic Games on July 31 in Tokyo. (LAURENCE GRIFFITHS/Getty Images/TNS)

COLLEGE SWIMMING: Ledecky heads to Florida to work with Nesty

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, September 22, 2021
Katie Ledecky will be learning a new stroke. The Gator Chomp. Ledecky announced Wednesday that she is moving to the University of Florida to be closer to home and train under Anthony Nesty, a rising star coach who will oversee her preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics.