Sports

Suwannee outfielder Brianna Stephens-Woods swings at a pitch against Branford on March 19. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee outfielder Brianna Stephens-Woods swings at a pitch against Branford on March 19. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Paxon knocks out Suwannee in Region 1-3A quarterfinals

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
JACKSONVILLE — After Suwannee nearly upset Paxon in last year’s playoffs, the hosting Eagles allowed no such drama to unfold this postseason. Kassidy Edwards struck out 12 batters in her complete game while batting in a pair of runs as No. 2 seed Paxon knocked out the No.
Columbia’s boys weightlifting team won the Class 2A state title in traditional on Wednesday, the program’s first team championship since 1999. (COURTESY)

Columbia’s boys weightlifting team won the Class 2A state title in traditional on Wednesday, the program’s first team championship since 1999. (COURTESY)

BOYS WEIGHTLIFTING: Columbia wins Class 2A state championship in traditional, brings home 3 individual titles

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
LAKELAND — It was more than just a personal best 395 pounds on the bar when Columbia’s Henry Camiel settled beneath his second bench attempt Wednesday.Rather, the heavyweight lifter was trying to hoist the Tigers to their first state title since 1999.
Fort White's 2026 football schedule. (COURTESY)

Fort White's 2026 football schedule. (COURTESY)

PREP FOOTBALL: Fort White unveils 2026 schedule

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
FORT WHITE — A new era begins for Indians football this season.The team will wade its way into that with a mixture of opponents new and old, though the competition is expected ramp up in intensity.
Suwannee's baseball team celebrates after defeating Fernandina Beach 5-1 in Game 3 of the Region 1-3A semifinals on Sunday. (NICK BLANK/News-Leader)

Suwannee's baseball team celebrates after defeating Fernandina Beach 5-1 in Game 3 of the Region 1-3A semifinals on Sunday. (NICK BLANK/News-Leader)

PREP BASEBALL: Suwannee takes down Fernandina Beach in Game 3 to return to Region 1-3A finals

JORDAN KROEGER
Sunday, May 3, 2026
FERNANDINA BEACH — Suwannee coach Billy Moran had a decision to make.Either start Gabe Garcia or Colton Rogers on the mound. He chose Garcia, and it paid off with another trip to the regional finals.Garcia pitched a complete game, limiting No. 2 seed Fernandina Beach to just one run to lead the No.
Lafayette shortstop Trevor Byrd (3) celebrates after recording the final out in the Hornets' comeback win over Aucilla Christian in Game 3 of the Region 3-R semifinals on Saturday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Lafayette shortstop Trevor Byrd (3) celebrates after recording the final out in the Hornets' comeback win over Aucilla Christian in Game 3 of the Region 3-R semifinals on Saturday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Lafayette storms back to knock out Aucilla Christian in Region 3-R semifinals

JORDAN KROEGER
Saturday, May 2, 2026
MONTICELLO — Lafayette would not be denied.Not even when the Hornets were down 6-1.No. 3 seed Lafayette rallied back two different times to knock off No. 2 seed Aucilla Christian 12-8 in Game 3 of the Region 3-R semifinals on Saturday.
Suwannee first baseman Grayson Greene (19) is greeted at home plate by catcher Jace Moran (9) as he scores a run during Game 1 of the Region 1-3A semifinals on Friday. (ASHLEY CHANDLER/News-Leader)

Suwannee first baseman Grayson Greene (19) is greeted at home plate by catcher Jace Moran (9) as he scores a run during Game 1 of the Region 1-3A semifinals on Friday. (ASHLEY CHANDLER/News-Leader)

PREP BASEBALL: Suwannee & Fernandina Beach headed to Game 3 in Region 1-3A semifinals

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, May 1, 2026
FERNANDINA BEACH — A sweep appeared to be in cards for Suwannee after Game 1.But Fernandina Beach had other ideas in Game 2.After the No. 3 seed Bulldogs came away with a 12-0 run-rule win in five innings in Game 1, the No.
Lafayette shortstop Trevor Byrd makes a throw to first base against Union County during the District 6-R championship on April 16. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Lafayette shortstop Trevor Byrd makes a throw to first base against Union County during the District 6-R championship on April 16. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Lafayette forces decisive Game 3 against Aucilla Christian in Region 3-R semis

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, May 1, 2026
MONTICELLO — Lafayette was not ready for its season to end.The Hornets made that very clear in Game 2 of the Region 3-R semifinals.After No. 2 seed Aucilla Christian came away with a 4-3 win in Game 1, No.