Sports

Alabama head coach Nick Saban leaves the field after the Crimson Tide’s win over Ohio State in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 12 in Miami Gardens. Another college football season will start with everyone chasing the Tide. Alabama is No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 preseason college football poll released on Aug. 16. (AP FILE)

Alabama head coach Nick Saban leaves the field after the Crimson Tide’s win over Ohio State in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 12 in Miami Gardens. Another college football season will start with everyone chasing the Tide. Alabama is No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 preseason college football poll released on Aug. 16. (AP FILE)

SEC FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Top SEC contenders breaking in new-ish quarterbacks

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, August 26, 2021
Alabama's primary challengers in the Southeastern Conference can't take too much heart from the Crimson Tide breaking in an inexperienced quarterback. They're in a similar boat. There is a new group of passers at the top of the league, but the same expectations exist.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney talks with players during the second half of a game against Boston College on Oct. 31, 2020, in Clemson, S.C. Swinney, the coach of No. 3 Clemson faces No. 5 Georgia in the season-opener in Charlotte, N.C. (AP FILE)

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney talks with players during the second half of a game against Boston College on Oct. 31, 2020, in Clemson, S.C. Swinney, the coach of No. 3 Clemson faces No. 5 Georgia in the season-opener in Charlotte, N.C. (AP FILE)

ACC FOOTBALL PREVIEW: No. 3 Tigers look to extend ACC run with 7th straight title

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, August 26, 2021
James Skalski has been looking forward to third-ranked Clemson’s opener against No. 5 Georgia on the same field where the Tigers maintain their Atlantic Coast Conference dominance. “We usually end our regular season in Charlotte,” the Clemson linebacker said.
Here is the Lake City Reporter's Super 11 for the 2021 season. TOP ROW: Suwannee LB Andrew Brown, Columbia DE Adeon Farmer, Columbia DB Amare Ferrell, Suwannee WR Camdon Frier. MIDDLE ROW: Suwannee RB Malachi Graham, Columbia LB Bobby Miller, Columbia WR Marcus Peterson. BOTTOM ROW: Columbia LB/DB Jaden Robinson, Suwannee WR/DB Jay Smith, Columbia WR/DB Tray Tolliver, Branford RB Bodhi White.

Here is the Lake City Reporter's Super 11 for the 2021 season. TOP ROW: Suwannee LB Andrew Brown, Columbia DE Adeon Farmer, Columbia DB Amare Ferrell, Suwannee WR Camdon Frier. MIDDLE ROW: Suwannee RB Malachi Graham, Columbia LB Bobby Miller, Columbia WR Marcus Peterson. BOTTOM ROW: Columbia LB/DB Jaden Robinson, Suwannee WR/DB Jay Smith, Columbia WR/DB Tray Tolliver, Branford RB Bodhi White.

FOOTBALL SUPER 11: Meet the best in Columbia and Suwannee counties

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, August 26, 2021
The Lake City Reporter has put together a collection of the 11 best high school football players in Columbia County and Suwannee County. Check out the list of the paper's first ever Super 11: Andrew Brown School: Suwannee Position/Year: LB/Sr.
Suwannee running back Malachi Graham stiff arms a Hamilton County defender during the teams’ Preseason Classic on Aug. 20. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Suwannee running back Malachi Graham stiff arms a Hamilton County defender during the teams’ Preseason Classic on Aug. 20. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

SUWANNEE FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Bulldogs stressing special teams as key to district, postseason breakthrough

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, August 26, 2021
LIVE OAK — For the past five years, Suwannee has been close to some special accomplishments. District titles, home playoff games, and playoff wins have all slipped through the Bulldogs’ grasps. All have avoided Suwannee, in part, because of special teams breakdowns.
Fort White quarterback Clayton Philpot turns to hand the ball off against Middleburg during the teams’ Preseason Classic on Aug. 20. (CHRISTINA FEAGIN/Special to the Reporter)

Fort White quarterback Clayton Philpot turns to hand the ball off against Middleburg during the teams’ Preseason Classic on Aug. 20. (CHRISTINA FEAGIN/Special to the Reporter)

FORT WHITE FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Season of uncertainty begins for Indians following departures from coaches, players

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, August 26, 2021
FORT WHITE — Houston Crews doesn’t expect too much of himself. After all, he’s learning a new offense under a new offensive coordinator. In fact, his role has been ever evolving since he started at Fort White. When he joined the JV team as a ninth-grader, Crews was simply a kicker.
Branford defensive back Brice Criggall (27) lays out for a tackle against Chiefland during the teams’ Preseason Classic on Aug. 20. (BRIAN LEWIS/Special to the Reporter)

Branford defensive back Brice Criggall (27) lays out for a tackle against Chiefland during the teams’ Preseason Classic on Aug. 20. (BRIAN LEWIS/Special to the Reporter)

BRANFORD FOOTBALL PREVIEW: After 3 straight regional berths, Bucs eye first playoff victory since 2000

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, August 26, 2021
BRANFORD — The Branford Buccaneers have been right there, right on the cusp of a breakthrough. Three straight Class 1A playoff appearances have netted three straight first-round exits. The last two have been by a total of two points.
Branford’s Evie Pitts rises to block a shot from Columbia’s Zimora Owens during a match last season. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Branford’s Evie Pitts rises to block a shot from Columbia’s Zimora Owens during a match last season. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW: A look at the teams from Columbia, Fort White, Suwannee & Branford

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, August 26, 2021
Just one team made the playoffs a season ago, with Branford making a run to the regional finals. Will that change in 2021? A lot of that depends on offseason improvement. Last year was a rebuild year for Columbia with just one senior on the roster, but this season returns almost the entire roster.