Sports

Fans watch during the first half of a game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Washington Redskins on Dec. 16, 2018, in Jacksonville. The Jaguars, along with Cincinnati, Miami, Tampa Bay and maybe a few others, might be best equipped to handle the NFL’s drastic change in hometown support. They’ve dealt with it for years. (AP FILE PHOTO)

Fans watch during the first half of a game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Washington Redskins on Dec. 16, 2018, in Jacksonville. The Jaguars, along with Cincinnati, Miami, Tampa Bay and maybe a few others, might be best equipped to handle the NFL’s drastic change in hometown support. They’ve dealt with it for years. (AP FILE PHOTO)

NFL: Teams adjusting from 80,000 die-hards to 80 decibels

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
JACKSONVILLE — The jokes write themselves: The Jacksonville Jaguars are going to play home games in front of a significantly reduced number of fans this season. “How’s that different than any other year?” Don’t laugh.
Suwannee quarterback Malachi Graham eyes the snap during drills in practice Tuesday. The Bulldogs began fall practice Monday, the first day allowed by the FHSAA. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee quarterback Malachi Graham eyes the snap during drills in practice Tuesday. The Bulldogs began fall practice Monday, the first day allowed by the FHSAA. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Bulldogs excited to be back at practice

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
LIVE OAK — It wasn’t the crispest or cleanest practice ever. Which, considering it had been more than nine months since the Suwannee Bulldogs had donned helmets and pads, was understandable.
Columbia coach Brian Allen calls out a play against Oakleaf last season. (FILE)

Columbia coach Brian Allen calls out a play against Oakleaf last season. (FILE)

PREP FOOTBALL: Allen taking step back at CHS to protect high-risk daughter from covid-19, Woodley to act as co-head coach this season

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
Columbia coach Brian Allen isn’t resigning but he is stepping back a bit due to covid-19. With a daughter who is considered high risk for the disease at home, Allen has made the decision to hand over more responsibility to defensive coordinator John Woodley this season.
Florida coach Dan Mullen confirmed Tuesday that Trevon Grimes and Kadarius Toney have returned after missing the first few days of fall camp while Jacob Copeland rejoined the Gators after skipping the start of camp. (MARK BROWN/Getty Images/TNS)

Florida coach Dan Mullen confirmed Tuesday that Trevon Grimes and Kadarius Toney have returned after missing the first few days of fall camp while Jacob Copeland rejoined the Gators after skipping the start of camp. (MARK BROWN/Getty Images/TNS)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: No. 8 Florida gets WRs Grimes, Toney, Copeland back at camp

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
GAINESVILLE — No. 8 Florida has its top two receivers back at practice and ready to play this season. Coach Dan Mullen confirmed Tuesday that Trevon Grimes and Kadarius Toney have returned after missing the first few days of fall camp.
The NFL logo is displayed on the field at the Bank of American Stadium before a game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 4, 2018, in Charlotte, N.C. The NFL revealed Sunday, that several positive covid-19 tests were found a day earlier by one of its testing partners, and the Chicago Bears said they had nine false positives. (AP FILE PHOTO)

The NFL logo is displayed on the field at the Bank of American Stadium before a game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 4, 2018, in Charlotte, N.C. The NFL revealed Sunday, that several positive covid-19 tests were found a day earlier by one of its testing partners, and the Chicago Bears said they had nine false positives. (AP FILE PHOTO)

NFL: Lab blames 77 false covid-19 positives on contamination

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, August 24, 2020
The lab used by the NFL for covid-19 tests said Monday that an isolated contamination caused 77 “most likely false positive results.” In a statement, BioReference Laboratories said the test results on Saturday were contaminated during preparation at its lab in New Jersey.
Florida head coach Dan Mullen pumps up the crowd prior to the start of the Capital One Orange Bowl against Virginia at Hard Rock Stadium last December. (MICHAEL REAVES/Getty Images/TNS)

Florida head coach Dan Mullen pumps up the crowd prior to the start of the Capital One Orange Bowl against Virginia at Hard Rock Stadium last December. (MICHAEL REAVES/Getty Images/TNS)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Florida No. 8 in preseason AP poll with Clemson coming in at No. 1

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, August 24, 2020
Florida is No.8 in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll, which features nine Big Ten and Pac-12 teams that gives a glimpse at what has already been taken by the pandemic from an uncertain college football season.
Columbia point guard Darrien Jones looks to shoot against Daytona Beach Mainland during this past season ‘s regional final. Jones helped lead the Tigers to their first Final Four since 1968. (FILE)

Columbia point guard Darrien Jones looks to shoot against Daytona Beach Mainland during this past season ‘s regional final. Jones helped lead the Tigers to their first Final Four since 1968. (FILE)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia point guard Darrien Jones to walk on at Santa Fe College

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, August 21, 2020
After leading Columbia to the school’s first Final Four since 1968, Darrien Jones was hoping to earn a scholarship and play collegiately.  Instead, the point guard was left without one as the coronavirus pandemic ravaged the country and recruiting along with it.
Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen leads his team onto the field at the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on Dec. 30, 2019, in Miami Gardens. (ALLEN EYESTONE/The Palm Beach Post/TNS)

Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen leads his team onto the field at the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on Dec. 30, 2019, in Miami Gardens. (ALLEN EYESTONE/The Palm Beach Post/TNS)

CORONAVIRUS: NCAA eligibility ruling solves some problems, creates others

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Friday, August 21, 2020
For the college athletes who are heading into a season of uncertainty brought on by covid-19, the NCAA’s decision to not charge them a year of eligibility — no matter how much they play — brings peace of mind. And happy parents.