Sports

Fort White quarterback Matthew Pitts scrambles during 11-on-11s at Monday’s practice. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White quarterback Matthew Pitts scrambles during 11-on-11s at Monday’s practice. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Fort White battles in first practice in full pads

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
FORT WHITE — Both sides of the ball got their licks in during a soggy Monday practice. Fort White took the field late in the afternoon after rainstorms had cleared, ready for the first day in full pads.
Columbia linebacker Kameron Mills races off the line of scrimmage during a drill at Wednesday’s practice. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia linebacker Kameron Mills races off the line of scrimmage during a drill at Wednesday’s practice. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Transfer linebacker Kameron Mills set to make big impact on Columbia’s defense

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, August 1, 2025
Columbia’s defense got scarier this summer. If Kameron Mills’ 2024 campaign is any indication, it’s about to become a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. Mills transferred to CHS for his final high school season after a standout junior year at Mandarin.
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.