Sports

Branford hitter Paisley Knight (11) and the Buccaneers celebrate after a point against Fort White on Tuesday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Branford hitter Paisley Knight (11) and the Buccaneers celebrate after a point against Fort White on Tuesday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP VOLLEYBALL: Branford bounces back with sweep of Fort White

CIARA BYRD
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
FORT WHITE — A setback loss Monday night for Branford was just that — a setback.The Class Rural No. 1 Buccaneers bounced back from their four-set defeat against Union County with a 25-12, 26-24, 26-24 sweep over Fort White on the road Tuesday night.
Columbia defensive tackle Jaylen Underwood celebrates after making a play against Trinity Christian on Friday. (GARY LLOYD MCCULLOUGH/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia defensive tackle Jaylen Underwood celebrates after making a play against Trinity Christian on Friday. (GARY LLOYD MCCULLOUGH/Lake City Reporter)

FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: Columbia amongst state's best halfway through season

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
If Columbia isn’t the team to beat in Class 4A, it’s certainly one of them halfway through the season.The Tigers were ranked 17th overall in the state in the MaxPreps rankings on Tuesday — and in reality 16th because IMG Academy is first and not part of the FHSAA state series — and third overall in...
Lafayette middle hitter Sophia Kendrick sends a shot over the net against Branford on Aug. 27. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Lafayette middle hitter Sophia Kendrick sends a shot over the net against Branford on Aug. 27. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 9/21/26

NEWS STAFF
Monday, September 21, 2026
Volleyball and golf teams were in action on Monday.Here are the scores and state from Sept. 21.VOLLEYBALL— Suwannee 3, Fort White 1: Jaylin Nash delivered 19 kills with 15 digs, Calinn Daniel had 10 kills, 12 digs and eight aces, Abigail Evans added nine kills, and Maddyson Royero finished with 28...
Columbia defensive back Mekah Combs-Turner (0) celebrates with defensive back Monterrence Williamson after one of his two turnovers against Trinity Christian on Friday. (GARY LLOYD MCCULLOUGH/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia defensive back Mekah Combs-Turner (0) celebrates with defensive back Monterrence Williamson after one of his two turnovers against Trinity Christian on Friday. (GARY LLOYD MCCULLOUGH/Special to the Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia rallies past Trinity Christian with big second half

JORDAN KROEGER
Saturday, September 19, 2026
JACKSONVILLE —  Everything was going Trinity Christian’s way.The Conquerors were just trying to run the clock out at the end of the first half when Christian Washington burst through the middle of the Columbia defense for a 70-yard touchdown run to put his team up 14.
Suwannee receiver Kamari Lovett returns a punt for a touchdown Friday against Hamilton County. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee receiver Kamari Lovett returns a punt for a touchdown Friday against Hamilton County. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Suwannee shakes off bad half to bury Hamilton County

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, September 19, 2026
LIVE OAK — After a lackluster first half, there wasn’t much said in the Suwannee locker room at intermission.There was no need.“Honestly, I didn’t say a thing,” SHS coach Kyler Hall said. “At this point, they know that was bad. It was just bad football.
Lafayette defensive back Tucker Higginbotham seals the victory with an interception against Dixie County in the final minutes Friday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Lafayette defensive back Tucker Higginbotham seals the victory with an interception against Dixie County in the final minutes Friday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Lafayette holds off Dixie County in thriller

CIARA BYRD
Saturday, September 19, 2026
MAYO — The Lafayette Hornets are beginning to build momentum at the right time.In a game filled with explosive plays, costly penalties and late-game drama, Lafayette held off the Dixie County Bears to secure its second victory of the season Friday night, holding on for a 49-42 win at Dale Walker...
Branford Buccaneers

Branford Buccaneers

PREP FOOTBALL: Branford shuts down Port St. Joe

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, September 19, 2026
BRANFORD — Behind a stingy defense, Branford picked up its second straight home win Friday night.The Buccaneers used a goal-line stop late in the third to help preserve the shutout, blanking Port St. Joe 21-0 at Buccaneer Stadium on Friday.
Columbia's Carrin Nelson fires a shot against Suwannee on Sept. 10. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia's Carrin Nelson fires a shot against Suwannee on Sept. 10. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 9/17/26

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, September 17, 2026
Volleyball and golf wrapped up their weeks on Thursday.Here are the scores and stats from Sept. 17.VOLLEYBALL— Columbia 3, Dixie County 0: Elinor Kirsch had 13 kills, Carrin Nelson had nine kills and four aces, and Brynn Lester and Langsley Smithy each had six kills to lead the Tigers (7-6) to a...