Sports

Suwannee quarterback Thomas Sikes stiff-arms Wakulla’s Rayshon St. Hilaire on a run Friday night. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee quarterback Thomas Sikes stiff-arms Wakulla’s Rayshon St. Hilaire on a run Friday night. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Suwannee falls one play short against Wakulla

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, September 27, 2025
LIVE OAK — Faced with another one-score game, Suwannee High again came up one or two plays short. The Bulldogs turned the ball over three times, including on their final two drives, and gave up a 51-yard pass early in the fourth while holding on to a lead.
Branford running back TC Smith makes a leaping one-handed grab on fourth down against Hilliard on Friday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Branford running back TC Smith makes a leaping one-handed grab on fourth down against Hilliard on Friday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Branford contains Alderman, Hilliard in homecoming rout

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Saturday, September 27, 2025
BRANFORD — Homecoming night brought no distractions to Cleve Sikes Field. Instead, the Buccaneers got the party started early and continued celebrating well into the night. Branford found the end zone on four of its first five drives Friday night on its way to routing Hilliard 37-13.
Columbia quarterback Xavier Collins throws a pass against Trinity Christian last Friday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia quarterback Xavier Collins throws a pass against Trinity Christian last Friday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia and St. Augustine face off in top-5 showdown for control of district

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Friday night’s matchup between Columbia and St. Augustine has all the makings of a classic. It’s a top-five showdown between undefeated teams for control of the District 3-4A race, as well as an inside track for a home playoff berth. The Class 4A No. 5 Tigers (5-0) travel to face the No.
Drew Simmons (32) watches practice alongside Columbia coach Brian Allen (left) on Tuesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Drew Simmons (32) watches practice alongside Columbia coach Brian Allen (left) on Tuesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: RB Drew Simmons transfers from Union County to Columbia

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
An already talented roster added another talented piece this week. Running back Drew Simmons has transferred from Union County to Columbia, making the move after playing in all four of Union’s games this season.
Columbia coach Brian Allen won his 100th game on Friday when the Tigers defeated Trinity Christian 27-20. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia coach Brian Allen won his 100th game on Friday when the Tigers defeated Trinity Christian 27-20. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

ANALYSIS: Allen joins exclusive club at Columbia with 100th win

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
It wasn’t just a number for Columbia coach Brian Allen. Rather, win number 100 was a homecoming, a redemption, and a moment of reflection for a man who never planned to be here again.
Fort White quarterback Matthew Pitts lines up for a snap during Friday’s win over Union County. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White quarterback Matthew Pitts lines up for a snap during Friday’s win over Union County. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

ANALYSIS: Fort White QBs back to full strength

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
FORT WHITE — The panic button remains unpressed in southern Columbia County. It’s not for a lack of stressful situations. The Indians played their Week 3 game without starting quarterback Matthew Pitts, who was out tending to a family emergency the day of the game.
Suwannee defensive lineman Kamari Thompson tackles Hamilton County running back Matthew Berry on Friday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee defensive lineman Kamari Thompson tackles Hamilton County running back Matthew Berry on Friday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

ANALYSIS: Suwannee can’t afford another flat start

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
LIVE OAK — For one half Friday night, Suwannee seemed intent on being its own biggest roadblock. Seeking their 24th straight win against traditional rival Hamilton County, the Bulldogs came out scuffling offensively.
Columbia running back Jerome Horne breaks into the open field against Trinity Christian on Friday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia running back Jerome Horne breaks into the open field against Trinity Christian on Friday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

VARSITY WEEKLY: FHSAA releases first football rankings, setting up a top-5 showdown

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
The first Florida High School Athletic Association power rankings are out and, as expected, it’s set up a huge showdown this Friday. Columbia (5-0) is ranked fifth overall in Class 4A and third in Region 1-4A with a 14.252 rating ahead of this week’s district test at St.
Columbia defensive lineman Terry Henry douses head coach Brian Allen with water after Allen recorded his 100th win. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia defensive lineman Terry Henry douses head coach Brian Allen with water after Allen recorded his 100th win. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia holds off Trinity Christian for Allen’s 100th coaching win

JORDAN KROEGER
Saturday, September 20, 2025
First, fireworks went off in celebration. Then, the game ball was presented to Columbia coach Brian Allen. Following that, a video montage played from family, friends and former players. It even featured Florida State head coach Mike Norvell congratulating him on his 100th win.