Sports

Branford shortstop Cera McElreath throws to first base for an out against Hilliard in the Region 3-1A semifinals on May 6. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Branford shortstop Cera McElreath throws to first base for an out against Hilliard in the Region 3-1A semifinals on May 6. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Branford, Fort White honored on Class 1A all-state team

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, July 6, 2021
Several members from the Branford and Fort White softball teams were named to the Miracle Sports Class 1A all-state teams on Tuesday. Branford shortstop Cera McElreath led the way with all-state first-team honors.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence signed his rookie contract on Monday, a deal worth more than $6 million. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence signed his rookie contract on Monday, a deal worth more than $6 million. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

NFL: QB Trevor Lawrence signs $36.8M rookie contract with Jags

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, July 5, 2021
JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback and No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence signed his four-year rookie contract Monday, clearing the way for him to attend the start of training camp in three weeks. Under the NFL's rookie slotting system, Lawrence's deal was projected to be worth $36.
Suwannee pitcher/outfielder Matthew Gill is the LCR's Baseball Player of the Year. (COURTESY)

Suwannee pitcher/outfielder Matthew Gill is the LCR's Baseball Player of the Year. (COURTESY)

SPRING ALL-AREA: Gill named LCR's Baseball Player of the Year

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, July 2, 2021
LIVE OAK — Every game Suwannee plays ends in a ritual. Win or lose, the baseball team gathers around the right-field line as coaches list off accomplishments by each player through that day’s practice and game performances.
FGC center Jarrett Gardner goes up for a shot against Pasco-Hernando State College during a game on March 4. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

FGC center Jarrett Gardner goes up for a shot against Pasco-Hernando State College during a game on March 4. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: FGC center Jarrett Gardner commits to Penn State Altoona

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, July 2, 2021
Jarrett Gardner will be a big man on a new campus. The Florida Gateway College center verbally committed to Penn State Altoona on Friday, a Division III school that competes in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference.
Demetric Jackson smiles during a Fort White practice in 2019. Jackson is leaving FWHS to take over as head coach at Columbia. (FILE)

Demetric Jackson smiles during a Fort White practice in 2019. Jackson is leaving FWHS to take over as head coach at Columbia. (FILE)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia hires Fort White coach Demetric Jackson to take over program

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, July 1, 2021
It didn’t take Columbia High long to find a new football coach. The Tigers also didn’t have to look very far. CHS hired Fort White coach Demetric Jackson as its new coach Thursday, with school board approval scheduled for later this month.
Suwannee pitcher Karis Smith is the LCR’s Softball Player of the Year. (COURTESY)

Suwannee pitcher Karis Smith is the LCR’s Softball Player of the Year. (COURTESY)

SPRING ALL-AREA: Smith named LCR's Softball Player of the Year

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, July 1, 2021
LIVE OAK — Karis Smith diligently prepared. The Suwannee ace had a nice, long session of stretching out her muscles before the Bulldogs’ season opener against Dixie County. The previous day, Smith and her teammates finished out their preseason training regiment with a series of wind sprints.
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer stands on the sidelines during drills at minicamp on June 15. The NFL fined Meyer and the Jaguars for violations of league rules on non-contact practices. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer stands on the sidelines during drills at minicamp on June 15. The NFL fined Meyer and the Jaguars for violations of league rules on non-contact practices. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

NFL: Meyer, Jaguars fined for violating non-contact rule during OTAs

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, July 1, 2021
The Jacksonville Jaguars and first-year coach Urban Meyer were fined for violating rules governing offseason practices on Thursday. Meyer was docked $100,000 while the team was fined $200,000 for excessive contact between receivers and defensive backs during 11-on-11 drills June 1.
Columbia coach Brian Allen signals in a play during a game against Oakleaf in 2019. Allen has resigned as Columbia's head coach after 10 seasons at the helm. (FILE)

Columbia coach Brian Allen signals in a play during a game against Oakleaf in 2019. Allen has resigned as Columbia's head coach after 10 seasons at the helm. (FILE)

PREP FOOTBALL: Brian Allen resigns after 10 seasons at Columbia

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, June 30, 2021
Brian Allen has resigned as Columbia’s football coach after 10 seasons. CHS Principal Trey Hosford said Allen gave him his resignation on Tuesday and both confirmed the news to the Lake City Reporter on Wednesday, with Allen also stepping down as the boys weightlifting coach.
Branford’s Nathalia Veal (middle) is the LCR’s Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year. (COURTESY)

Branford’s Nathalia Veal (middle) is the LCR’s Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year. (COURTESY)

SPRING ALL-AREA: Veal named LCR's Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, June 30, 2021
BRANFORD — Nathalia Veal had no doubts: 2020 was going to be her time to shine. So when covid-19 wiped out most of the track & field season, the then-Branford sophomore was disappointed. But that disappointment just fed the motivation to make sure her junior campaign was one to remember.