Sports

Suwannee quarterback Thomas Sikes scrambles away from pressure against Godby last Friday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee quarterback Thomas Sikes scrambles away from pressure against Godby last Friday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Suwannee hungry for first win against Hamilton County

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
LIVE OAK — Four weeks into the 2025 season, Suwannee is starving: starving for some sign of success. Hungry for a win, the 0-4 Bulldogs have a chance Friday to feast on traditional rival Hamilton County, which visits Langford Stadium for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
Columbia finished third at the JJVA River City Classic on Saturday. (COURTESY)

Columbia finished third at the JJVA River City Classic on Saturday. (COURTESY)

VARSITY WEEKLY: Columbia places third at River City Classic

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
A young volleyball team appears to have turned the corner at Columbia. Following an 0-4 start to the season, the Tigers have won seven of their last eight matches, which includes a 4-1 run this past weekend at the JJVA River City Classic in Jacksonville.
Fort White defensive back Ezekiel Powell tackles Fernandina Beach running back Traivon Martin on Friday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White defensive back Ezekiel Powell tackles Fernandina Beach running back Traivon Martin on Friday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

ANALYSIS: Powell makes the most of first start at Fort White

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
FORT WHITE — The left side of Fort White’s defense has been a sore spot for a bit now this season. Starting in Week 2 against Belleview, teams have begun to pick up big chunk plays on multiple runs off right tackle, a weakness exploited again in Friday’s 28-27 loss at Fernandina Beach.
Columbia defensive tackle Jaden McCray tackles Madison County quarterback Chad Mitchell on Friday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia defensive tackle Jaden McCray tackles Madison County quarterback Chad Mitchell on Friday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

ANALYSIS: Columbia's win over Madison County, start to season historic for defense

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, September 15, 2025
The Columbia Tigers did something Friday they haven’t done in over 30 years. That’s win a football game with fewer than 10 points. Thanks to another impressive performance from its defense, Columbia held off Madison County for a 9-0 victory at Boot Hill for its second straight shutout.
Suwannee defensive end Kyler Watson chases after a Godby ballcarrier during Friday's 36-31 loss. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee defensive end Kyler Watson chases after a Godby ballcarrier during Friday's 36-31 loss. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

ANALYSIS: Suwannee keeps finding ways to lose

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, September 15, 2025
LIVE OAK — Forget the old adage of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, Suwannee the past two years has found a knack for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
Columbia defensive linemen Jaylen Underwood (right) and Terry Henry (bottom) stuff Madison County running back Davyon Gallon on Friday night at Boot Hill. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia defensive linemen Jaylen Underwood (right) and Terry Henry (bottom) stuff Madison County running back Davyon Gallon on Friday night at Boot Hill. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia shuts down Madison County for second straight shutout

JORDAN KROEGER
Saturday, September 13, 2025
MADISON — Mired in a scoreless struggle late in the third quarter, Friday’s contest between Columbia and Madison County became a matter of who was going to blink first. The Cowboys finally did with a special teams snafu.
Godby quarterback Landon Dougherty reaches for the end zone as teammates push behind him Friday night at Langford Stadium. Suwannee’s Jayden Polite tries to hold him up. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Godby quarterback Landon Dougherty reaches for the end zone as teammates push behind him Friday night at Langford Stadium. Suwannee’s Jayden Polite tries to hold him up. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Godby stops Suwannee late in shootout

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, September 13, 2025
LIVE OAK — Suwannee High was just 16 yards away from the win column. But after three straight Thomas Sikes passes had fallen incomplete at the south end of Langford Stadium, two to Koy Frier and one to Hunter Watson, the Bulldogs had just one more chance to break through.
Columbia quarterback Xavier Collins looks for running room during last Friday’s win over Hillsborough. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia quarterback Xavier Collins looks for running room during last Friday’s win over Hillsborough. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia's offense must elevate play against stout Madison County defense

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Last week’s offensive performance may have been good enough for Columbia to beat Hillsborough. But it won’t cut it against Madison County. The Tigers (3-0) will have to be more consistent when they face a stingy Cowboys defense at Boot Hill on Friday for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.