Sports

Suwannee's Rember Alonso gathers possession against Columbia on Nov. 5. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Suwannee holds off Gainesville for first win

NEWS STAFF

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

After going scoreless through the first four matches of the season, the Suwannee boys soccer team broke through with three goals in the first half before holding off Gainesville for a 3-2 road win on Wednesday.

Chiles' Hailey LaMothe fends off Columbia's AJ Stanley on Tuesday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Chiles pummels Columbia in shutout

NEWS STAFF

Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Chiles pummeled Columbia goalkeeper Sadie Sparks with a ton of shots, sending six by her in a 6-0 win Tuesday night at CYSA. The Timberwolves (4-1) struck for four goals in the first half and dominated possession throughout the night.

Fort White coach Demetric Jackson stares down a referee during a game last season. (FILE)

PREP FOOTBALL: Jackson questions fairness of playoff rankings after speaking with FHSAA

JORDAN KROEGER

Tuesday, November 11, 2025

FORT WHITE — All Fort White coach Demetric Jackson wanted was an answer. The one he got didn’t make him feel any better.

Columbia's Josiah Hopkins (12) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Keystone Heights on Monday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Columbia shuts out Keystone Heights to remain undefeated

NEWS STAFF

Monday, November 10, 2025

Five different players scored goals as Columbia shut out Keystone Heights 5-0 on Monday night at CYSA. Josiah Hopkins, Colyn Weatherspoon, Brendan Schwartz, Peyton Palmer and Ryan Steele all found the back of the net for the Tigers (4-0), with Steele’s goal coming on a penalty kick.

Columbia Tigers

PREP CROSS COUNTRY: Columbia qualifies one runner for regionals

NEWS STAFF

Sunday, November 9, 2025

Kendall Todd was Columbia’s lone regional qualifier on Saturday at Middleburg, finishing 52nd at the District 2-3A meet with a time of 23:18.9 to earn an individual berth for next week’s Region 1-3A meet.

Columbia's Peyton Palmer battles for possession against Suwannee on Wednesday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Columbia's soccer teams finish first week with district wins

NEWS STAFF

Friday, November 7, 2025

Gage Logan broke a 1-1 tie in the second half, scoring off an assist from Peyton Palmer to lift Columbia’s boys soccer team to a 2-1 win over Middleburg in District 3-5A action Friday night at CYSA. Logan also assisted Colyn Weatherspoon’s goal in the first half.

Branford hitter Layln Sikes (left) and head coach Lachelle Sikes cry tears of joy following the Buccaneers’ win over Chipley in the Class Rural state championship on Wednesday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

COMMENTARY: Branford’s state title was small-town athletics at its best

MORGAN MCMULLEN

Friday, November 7, 2025

WINTER HAVEN — Their stories will be told for generations in Branford. Or at least they should be.

Columbia Tigers

PREP ROUNDUP: Columbia girls denied at-large bid for state tournament

NEWS STAFF

Thursday, November 6, 2025

Columbia’s worst fears were realized once all the regional tournaments were wrapped up Wednesday. After coming up short of an automatic state bid with a third-place finish at the Region 1-2A tournament on Tuesday, the Tigers also missed the cut for an at-large berth by one spot.

Columbia safety Julian De La Cruz returns an interception against Bolles on Oct. 31. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia will host Rickards to kick off playoffs

JORDAN KROEGER

Thursday, November 6, 2025

Columbia gets to stay home next Friday. As expected, the Tigers received the No. 3 seed in the Region 1-4A playoffs, but more importantly, they’ll host a first-round game for their 15th straight playoff appearance.

Fort White coach Demetric Jackson addresses his team following a 20-3 loss to Taylor County on Aug. 22. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Jackson 'frustrated', 'angry' after Fort White misses playoffs

JORDAN KROEGER

Thursday, November 6, 2025

FORT WHITE — Following last week’s win over Baker County, Fort White felt good about its playoff chances. But somehow, some way, when the FHSAA released the playoffs brackets Thursday, the Indians found themselves on the outside looking in.