Sports

Columbia offensive lineman Joshua Simpson blocks during a play against Madison County on Oct. 9. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia offensive lineman Joshua Simpson blocks during a play against Madison County on Oct. 9. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia could add more protection to jump-start offense

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
One of the best teams to ever suit up in Columbia was the 2015 squad that reached the state semifinals. That team was loaded on offense, scoring more than 41 points a game. But it did have a weakness and it was on the offensive line.
Columbia’s girls golf team is pictured at the Region 1-2A Tournament on Tuesday at Dubsdread Golf Course. (COURTESY)

Columbia’s girls golf team is pictured at the Region 1-2A Tournament on Tuesday at Dubsdread Golf Course. (COURTESY)

GIRLS GOLF: Columbia places seventh at regionals

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
Columbia placed seventh at the Region 1-2A Tournament on Tuesday at Dubsdread Golf Course with a score of 381, led by Reece Chasteen’s 82. Peyton Gainey shot an 86 while Ashley Nelson carded a 99 and Kayla Hardy finished with a 114.
Florida head coach Dan Mullen yells to a referee about a call during a game against South Carolina on Oct. 3 in Gainesville. (AP FILE PHOTO)

Florida head coach Dan Mullen yells to a referee about a call during a game against South Carolina on Oct. 3 in Gainesville. (AP FILE PHOTO)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: UF announces 25 new positive covid-19 tests in last week

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
GAINESVILLE — The University of Florida released covid-19 data on Tuesday, reporting 25 cases among the Gators football team in the last week. The data is from test results from last Tuesday through Monday, a period in which the university says it performed 584 of the 1,107 tests this month.
Columbia cornerback Shyheim Brown returns a kickoff against Lee on Friday night. (RAY CARPENTER PHOTOGRAPHY)

Columbia cornerback Shyheim Brown returns a kickoff against Lee on Friday night. (RAY CARPENTER PHOTOGRAPHY)

COMMENTARY: Tigers haven't quit and don't expect them to even at 0-4

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, October 19, 2020
Not much has gone right for Columbia through four games this season. The Tigers nearly won their opener against Trinity Christian (28-21 loss) but have since suffered double-digit losses to Florida High (27-14), Madison County (12-0) and Lee (38-21).
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) throws a pass against the Detroit Lions at TIAA Bank Field on Sunday in Jacksonville. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) throws a pass against the Detroit Lions at TIAA Bank Field on Sunday in Jacksonville. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

ANALYSIS: Jaguars go cross-country to face QB they should have drafted

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, October 19, 2020
JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Jaguars will travel cross-country this week and get a close-up look at the quarterback they could have — probably should have — drafted in April.
Merlin Leal (second place), Savana Thomas (third) and Amber Hollingsworth (fifth) all placed in the top five at the Tallahassee Community College Open on Saturday. Pictured are Leal (from left), FGC coach April Morse, Thomas and Hollingsworth. (COURTESY)

Merlin Leal (second place), Savana Thomas (third) and Amber Hollingsworth (fifth) all placed in the top five at the Tallahassee Community College Open on Saturday. Pictured are Leal (from left), FGC coach April Morse, Thomas and Hollingsworth. (COURTESY)

WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY: FGC places three runners in top 5 at TCC Open

NEWS STAFF
Monday, October 19, 2020
Tallahassee Community College hosted a quad cross country meet on Saturday morning at the Apalachee Parkway and all three runners from Florida Gateway College placed in the top five. Merlin Leal finished second with a time of 23:49, 53 seconds behind winner Eva Mustian who was an unattached runner.
Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Cody Bellinger (35) hit the go-ahead home run in the seventh inning in game seven of the NLCS against the Atlanta Barves at Globe Life Field on Sunday. (ROBERT GAUTHIER/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Cody Bellinger (35) hit the go-ahead home run in the seventh inning in game seven of the NLCS against the Atlanta Barves at Globe Life Field on Sunday. (ROBERT GAUTHIER/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

MLB: Bellinger HR sends Dodgers to 3rd World Series in 4 years and a date with the Rays

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, October 19, 2020
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated as Cody Bellinger’s drive soared deep into the Texas night. Bellinger flung his bat off to the side and strutted up the first-base line. All the way to the World Series.
Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (32) leaps over Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack (44) and defensive tackle Taven Bryan (90) for a touchdown on Sunday i Jacksonville. (PHELAN M. EBENHACK/Associated Press)

Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (32) leaps over Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack (44) and defensive tackle Taven Bryan (90) for a touchdown on Sunday i Jacksonville. (PHELAN M. EBENHACK/Associated Press)

NFL: Jaguars' D reaches new low with another 30-point day

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sunday, October 18, 2020
JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Jaguars have a new benchmark for bad defense. The Jaguars allowed at least 30 points for a franchise-record fifth consecutive game in a 34-16 loss to Detroit on Sunday. They also gave up more than 400 yards for the fourth time in six games this season.
Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (32) leaps over Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack (44) and defensive tackle Taven Bryan (90) for a touchdown on Sunday in Jacksonville. (PHELAN M. EBENHACK/Associated Press)

Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (32) leaps over Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack (44) and defensive tackle Taven Bryan (90) for a touchdown on Sunday in Jacksonville. (PHELAN M. EBENHACK/Associated Press)

NFL: Jaguars get pounded by Lions, lose fifth straight

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sunday, October 18, 2020
JACKSONVILLE — An elusive touchdown pass, a breakout performance, a defensive rebound and a reprieve for the head coach. This was a victory the Detroit Lions probably needed more than they would admit. It might even serve as a turning point for the season.