Sports

Suwannee quarterback Thomas Sikes (right) hands the ball off to running back Lou Jack Smith during Monday’s practice. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee quarterback Thomas Sikes (right) hands the ball off to running back Lou Jack Smith during Monday’s practice. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Smith and Nelson aim to spark Suwannee's rushing attack this season

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, August 1, 2025
LIVE OAK — One big thing was missing from Suwannee’s offensive attack a year ago: a consistent running game. The Bulldogs are hoping they have two big solutions ready to prevent that problem from reappearing this fall.
Fort White quarterback Jayden Jackson is hoisted to the air by left tackle Tayvin Fleming ahead of Monday’s practice. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White quarterback Jayden Jackson is hoisted to the air by left tackle Tayvin Fleming ahead of Monday’s practice. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Youthful Indians rely on handful of leaders

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
FORT WHITE — Fort White head coach Demetric Jackson said he was pleased with the number of players he had show out to Monday’s first day of fall practice. But when it comes to leadership roles, the Indians could be laser-focused on a select few.
Columbia quarterback Xavier Collins (left) gets set to take a snap alongside running back Jerome Horne during Tuesday's practice. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia quarterback Xavier Collins (left) gets set to take a snap alongside running back Jerome Horne during Tuesday's practice. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Extreme heat forces Columbia to adjust fall practice

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Extreme heat forced Columbia into the gym for the first day of fall practice Monday. On Tuesday, the Tigers adjusted. Columbia coach Brian Allen pushed back the start of practice to 7:30 p.m. and his team benefited without any delays.
Columbia center Zackery Grimes watches practice inside the CHS gym on Monday after he recovers from tears to his ACL, MCL and meniscus in his knee. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia center Zackery Grimes watches practice inside the CHS gym on Monday after he recovers from tears to his ACL, MCL and meniscus in his knee. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia center Grimes suffers season-ending knee injury

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, July 28, 2025
Losing your starting center right before fall practice is far from ideal. Starting a freshman in his place even more so. But that’s the predicament Columbia is in less than four weeks from the start of the regular season.
Fort White running back Elijah Gardner leaps to make a catch on a crossing route during Monday’s practice. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White running back Elijah Gardner leaps to make a catch on a crossing route during Monday’s practice. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: First fall practice brings lessons, new faces for Fort White

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Monday, July 28, 2025
FORT WHITE — The Indians bided their time as long as they could Monday. They tried waiting out the heat in their locker rooms, hoping the near-100-degree temperatures would subside enough to get in a lengthier first day of summer practice.  While it cut their planned session short, the 1.
Suwannee quarterback Thomas Sikes gets set to take a snap behind offensive linemen Dalton Crossno (from left), Brody Bean, Blayne Crews, Reese Bronson and Colton Hagedorn during Monday's practice. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee quarterback Thomas Sikes gets set to take a snap behind offensive linemen Dalton Crossno (from left), Brody Bean, Blayne Crews, Reese Bronson and Colton Hagedorn during Monday's practice. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Suwannee O-line an experienced group with 5 seniors

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, July 28, 2025
LIVE OAK — Despite losing his favorite target from a year ago, Suwannee quarterback Thomas Sikes is optimistic entering his senior season. For good reason.
Columbia quarterback Xavier Collins throws a pass against Fort White during the teams’ spring game on May 17. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia quarterback Xavier Collins throws a pass against Fort White during the teams’ spring game on May 17. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Biggest storylines at each school as fall practice begins

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, July 25, 2025
Fall camp begins Monday, and not without some key storylines. Columbia, Fort White, Suwannee, Branford and Lafayette each have their own question marks heading into the 2025 seasons, with some bigger than others.
Lafayette coach Marcus Edwards speaks to his players during their spring jamboree in May. (FILE)

Lafayette coach Marcus Edwards speaks to his players during their spring jamboree in May. (FILE)

PREP FOOTBALL: Lafayette finalizes regular-season schedule

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
MAYO — Just in time for practice to begin Monday, Lafayette has its football schedule finalized. Sort of. The Hornets finished up their 10-game regular-season slate last week.