Sports

FGC freshman Merlin Leal received the All-America Award for finishing in the top 20 at the 2020 NJCAA Women’s Half Marathon Championship in Fort Dodge, Iowa, placing 19th with a time of 1:49:52.6 in the 13.1-mile race. (COURTESY)

FGC freshman Merlin Leal received the All-America Award for finishing in the top 20 at the 2020 NJCAA Women’s Half Marathon Championship in Fort Dodge, Iowa, placing 19th with a time of 1:49:52.6 in the 13.1-mile race. (COURTESY)

WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY: FGC’s Leal receives All-America Award for placing 19th at NJCAA Women’s Half Marathon Championship

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, November 19, 2020
Three runners for the Florida Gateway College Women’s Cross Country Team competed this weekend at the 2020 NJCAA Women’s Half Marathon Championship in Fort Dodge, Iowa.  Freshman Merlin Leal (above) received the All-America Award for finishing in the top 20, placing 19th with a time of 1:49:52.
Florida wide receiver Jacob Copeland (15) is congratulated by wide receiver Trevon Grimes (8) after catching a pass for a 33-yard touchdown against Arkansas on Nov. 14 in Gainesville. (PHELAN M. EENHACK/Associated Press)

Florida wide receiver Jacob Copeland (15) is congratulated by wide receiver Trevon Grimes (8) after catching a pass for a 33-yard touchdown against Arkansas on Nov. 14 in Gainesville. (PHELAN M. EENHACK/Associated Press)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Florida focused on much more than just Vanderbilt

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, November 19, 2020
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Dan Mullen sees no reason for sixth-ranked Florida to overlook winless Vanderbilt, not with what is on the line for the Gators this season.  The Gators (5-1) sit atop the Southeastern Conference's Eastern Division with a spot awaiting them in Atlanta on Dec.
Clemson sideline personnel hold play signal cards during the third quarter of the team's game against Notre Dame on Nov. 7 in South Bend, Ind. (MATT CASHORE/AP Pool Photo)

Clemson sideline personnel hold play signal cards during the third quarter of the team's game against Notre Dame on Nov. 7 in South Bend, Ind. (MATT CASHORE/AP Pool Photo)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Travis back for FSU against a Clemson defense that Venables says is good, not great

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, November 19, 2020
Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables knows what great defenses look like. He hasn't seen that yet from his latest group of Tigers.  “We are a good unit right now. We are not a great unit,” Venables said. “We've had some great moments, but we are not a suffocating unit yet.
Columbia receiver Jaden Williams runs up the field after a catch against Ponte Vedra during last Friday’s Region 1-6A playoff game. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia receiver Jaden Williams runs up the field after a catch against Ponte Vedra during last Friday’s Region 1-6A playoff game. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia WR Jaden Williams out with concussion, several others return ahead of playoff game vs. Seabreeze

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Every time somebody comes back, it seems like someone else goes down for Columbia. This week, it’s receiver Jaden Williams. The Western Michigan commit will miss Friday’s Region 1-6A quarterfinal against Seabreeze due to a concussion.
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) celebrates with nose tackle Tyson Alualu (94) after Williams sacked Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) on Oct. 25 in Nashville, Tenn. (WADE PAYNE/Associated Press)

Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) celebrates with nose tackle Tyson Alualu (94) after Williams sacked Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) on Oct. 25 in Nashville, Tenn. (WADE PAYNE/Associated Press)

NFL: It's a revenge tour vs. Jags, who face several former players down stretch

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Jaguars are seeing former teammates nearly every week, so many down the stretch that it could be considered a Revenge Tour.
Fort White quarterback Tyler Jefferson throws a pass to Kamarion Griffin during Friday’s Region 3-1A quarterfinal against Branford. (CHRISTINA FEAGIN/Special to the Reporter)

Fort White quarterback Tyler Jefferson throws a pass to Kamarion Griffin during Friday’s Region 3-1A quarterfinal against Branford. (CHRISTINA FEAGIN/Special to the Reporter)

COMMENTARY: Fort White never quit this season and still hasn't

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
FORT WHITE — Kudos to Fort White. The Indians never gave up on this season, even when nothing was going their way. This fall has been anything but easy for Fort White. The Indians started the season 0-6, were shut out three times and entered the playoffs winless.
Columbia midfielder Taiya Driggers chases down possession from Taylor County’s Rebecca Shoaff on Monday night. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia midfielder Taiya Driggers chases down possession from Taylor County’s Rebecca Shoaff on Monday night. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

GIRLS SOCCER: Columbia tops Taylor County for first win

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, November 16, 2020
A weekend tournament didn’t go as planned for Columbia. But the Lady Tigers bounced back Monday. They started fast and finished strong to pick up their first win of the season.
Columbia defensive lineman D.J. Bennett (9) makes a tackle against Ponte Vedra during Friday’s Region 1-6A playoff game. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia defensive lineman D.J. Bennett (9) makes a tackle against Ponte Vedra during Friday’s Region 1-6A playoff game. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

COMMENTARY: Columbia defense rising to the occasion during playoffs

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, November 16, 2020
Columbia has been a different team the past two weeks. And I’m beginning to think the Tigers can hang with anybody in Region 1-6A. Columbia now has an offense to match a tenacious defense that’s been clamping down teams as of late, most recently shutting out Ponte Vedra in Friday’s 14-0 win.