Sports

Columbia defensive tackle Jaden McCray (53) celebrates with defensive end Terry Henry (3) and linebacker Bryson Grinstead (20) after stuffing Rickards running back Karlise Price for a loss during Friday’s Region 1-4A quarterfinal. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia defensive tackle Jaden McCray (53) celebrates with defensive end Terry Henry (3) and linebacker Bryson Grinstead (20) after stuffing Rickards running back Karlise Price for a loss during Friday’s Region 1-4A quarterfinal. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia blanks Rickards behind two-way stars for first playoff win since 2022

JORDAN KROEGER
Saturday, November 15, 2025
Kameron Mills wasn’t going down. Rickards linebacker Marlon Wilson had the Columbia linebacker turned running back dead to rights in the backfield on a 4th-and-1 during a scoreless contest early in the second quarter.
Lafayette quarterback Tywan Williamson gets buried by the Williston defense during Friday night’s Class Rural quarterfinal. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Lafayette quarterback Tywan Williamson gets buried by the Williston defense during Friday night’s Class Rural quarterfinal. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Williston's big plays knock Lafayette out of Rural playoffs

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Saturday, November 15, 2025
WILLISTON — The Hornets knew coming into their playoff matchup that any shot at success meant limiting the Red Devils’ time on offense.  They mostly lived up to that task. In fact, Williston ran just 19 plays on the night, finishing 0 for 6 on third-down conversions.
Branford quarterback Trent Land gets his facemask pulled by a Hawthorne defender during Friday night’s Class Rural quarterfinal. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Branford quarterback Trent Land gets his facemask pulled by a Hawthorne defender during Friday night’s Class Rural quarterfinal. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Hawthorne shuts out Branford in first round of Rural playoffs again

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, November 15, 2025
HAWTHORNE — Three runs and a Hawthorne penalty gave Branford a first down to open the Class Rural playoff opener. Then Trent Land found TC Smith streaking wide open behind the Hornets’ defense for 47 yards. It was about as good of a start as the Buccaneers could have asked for.
Columbia's Braxton Dicks chases down possession of the ball against Keystone Heights on Nov. 10. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia's Braxton Dicks chases down possession of the ball against Keystone Heights on Nov. 10. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Columbia battles to draw with Lincoln

NEWS STAFF
Friday, November 14, 2025
Logan Wheeldon made three saves, including a penalty kick, to keep Lincoln off the scoreboard and allow Columbia to escape with a 0-0 draw Friday night at CYSA. The Tigers (4-0-1) battled through a high-intensity match against the Trojans (3-0-1) that featured several yellow cards.
Suwannee golfer Ryan Donaldson (middle) signs her letter of intent to play at Oklahoma on Wednesday. (COURTESY)

Suwannee golfer Ryan Donaldson (middle) signs her letter of intent to play at Oklahoma on Wednesday. (COURTESY)

GIRLS GOLF: Signing with Oklahoma a dream come true for Suwannee's Donaldson

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, November 14, 2025
LIVE OAK — For as long as she can remember, Suwannee senior golfer Ryan Donaldson has dreamed of competing in college. On Wednesday, Donaldson’s childhood dream became reality when she signed her letter of intent to play at the University of Oklahoma at the Suwannee Country Club.
Columbia's Laelle Thompson tries to maintain possession against Chiles on Nov. 11. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia's Laelle Thompson tries to maintain possession against Chiles on Nov. 11. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Columbia bounces back with shutout over Santa Fe

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, November 13, 2025
Laelle Thompson scored two goals while goalkeeper Sadie Sparks made six saves to lead Columbia to a 6-0 shutout over Santa Fe on the road Thursday night. Marlee Hunt, Jenavieve Farer, Leah Shields and Zoe Bulock each added a goal for the Tigers (2-2).
Lafayette linebacker Trevor Byrd (1) comes in to assist Alex Townsend (20) on a tackle against Chipley’s Jakobe McKinnie on Oct. 31. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Lafayette linebacker Trevor Byrd (1) comes in to assist Alex Townsend (20) on a tackle against Chipley’s Jakobe McKinnie on Oct. 31. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Williston's relentless rushing attack awaits Lafayette in Rural playoffs

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
MAYO — It’s felt longer than two weeks.  But for coach Marcus Edwards and the Hornets, it could be time well spent.  After Lafayette (8-2) slipped in its finale against Chipley thanks to a blocked extra point, the Hornets continued to fall.
Branford running back TC Smith (6) celebrates with receiver Maurice Vought after scoring a touchdown against Hilliard on Sept. 26. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Branford running back TC Smith (6) celebrates with receiver Maurice Vought after scoring a touchdown against Hilliard on Sept. 26. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Branford hopes to stun Hawthorne in Rural playoffs

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
BRANFORD — Branford knows it isn’t given much of a chance Friday night. In traveling to No. 2 Hawthorne to open up the Class Rural state playoffs at 7:30 p.m., the 15th-seeded Buccaneers are expected to have a similar outcome to last year’s 56-0 loss to the Hornets.