Sports

Columbia setter Brynn Lester (1) sets up a pass as Jenavieve Farer (13) looks to attack against Santa Fe on Tuesday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia setter Brynn Lester (1) sets up a pass as Jenavieve Farer (13) looks to attack against Santa Fe on Tuesday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP VOLLEYBALL: Young Columbia squad swept by Santa Fe in season opener

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
It’s not easy replacing five seniors. It’s even harder when two starters transfer out. But that’s the path laid out for a young Columbia squad, which opened the season with a tough 25-15, 25-15, 25-11 loss to Santa Fe at home Tuesday night.
Columbia defensive back Von Lane tackles Oakleaf running back Mike Conner during Friday’s Preseason Classic. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia defensive back Von Lane tackles Oakleaf running back Mike Conner during Friday’s Preseason Classic. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: 3 things we learned from Preseason Classics

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Preseason Classics have come and gone for high school football. Here are three things we learned ahead of this week’s season openers. 1. Columbia’s defense looked the part It’s no secret Columbia’s defense is stacked with talent, but just how would the unit look against another opponent?
Columbia quarterback Xavier Collins scrambles up the field against Oakleaf during Friday’s Preseason Classic. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia quarterback Xavier Collins scrambles up the field against Oakleaf during Friday’s Preseason Classic. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia's starters leave with lead, but Oakleaf wins Preseason Classic

JORDAN KROEGER
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Oakleaf’s starters had one last chance to finish their night with the lead. But as quarterback Jack McKissock dropped back to pass on 4th-and-goal from the 2-yard line, he quickly found himself under pressure and tried to get a throw off over Columbia’s defensive line.
Fort White linebackers Cameron Lumpkin (17) and Teagin Bell (11) combine for a tackle on Trenton running back Brant Bivens during Friday’s Preseason Classic. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White linebackers Cameron Lumpkin (17) and Teagin Bell (11) combine for a tackle on Trenton running back Brant Bivens during Friday’s Preseason Classic. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Rain, lightning stops Fort White's Preseason Classic early

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Saturday, August 16, 2025
TRENTON — Mother Nature remains undefeated in Kickoff Classics. Fort White’s preseason game at Trenton was called early on Friday, with officials canceling the contest after lightning was detected in the area with 2:47 left in the first half.
Suwannee running back Lou Jack Smith gets stuffed by a pair of Bishop Kenny defenders during Friday’s Preseason Classic. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee running back Lou Jack Smith gets stuffed by a pair of Bishop Kenny defenders during Friday’s Preseason Classic. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Big plays, turnovers doom Suwannee at Bishop Kenny in Classic

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, August 16, 2025
JACKSONVILLE — Every time Suwannee looked to flip momentum Friday night, Bishop Kenny had an answer. Usually with some assistance from the Bulldogs. The last two times Suwannee pulled within one score of the Crusaders at William Johnston Sr.
Branford running back Ollie James runs past a Dixie County defender Friday night during their Preseason Classic. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Branford running back Ollie James runs past a Dixie County defender Friday night during their Preseason Classic. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Branford rolls in Classic, Lafayette falls to Taylor Co.

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, August 16, 2025
CROSS CITY — A hot start in the preseason has Branford dreaming big this year. The Buccaneers moved the ball seemingly at will in Friday’s season tuneup, racking up a 40-0 halftime lead over Dixie County before cruising to the same final score.
Columbia quarterback Xavier Collins throws a pass during practice on Tuesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia quarterback Xavier Collins throws a pass during practice on Tuesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia QB Collins eager to prove himself against Oakleaf in Preseason Classic

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Last season was supposed to be Xavier Collins’ breakout year. However, just three days before Columbia’s Preseason Classic, the quarterback went down in practice with a sprained MCL. It cost him not just that matchup but the first five games of the regular season too.
Fort White coach Demetric Jackson addresses his team after practice on Aug. 4. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White coach Demetric Jackson addresses his team after practice on Aug. 4. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Fort White looking for consistency in Preseason Classic vs. Trenton

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
FORT WHITE — Demetric Jackson believes his team has all the tools to make a deep playoff run this season.  The Fort White head coach could get his first outside evidence of that belief Friday. The Indians travel to play Trenton in this season’s Preseason Classic beginning at 7 p.m.
Suwannee receiver Koy Frier runs up the field after a catch during practice on July 28. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee receiver Koy Frier runs up the field after a catch during practice on July 28. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Suwannee set for stiff preseason challenge against Bishop Kenny

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
LIVE OAK — There won’t be any easing into the 100th season of Suwannee football. Instead, the Bulldogs will get an early glimpse Friday in the 7 p.m. Preseason Classic at Bishop Kenny of exactly where they stack up heading into the 2025 season.