Sports

Florida team manager Chris Sutherland is shown warming up before a game between Florida team managers and Missouri team managers, the night before an NCAA college basketball game between Florida and Missouri, at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo. Sutherland waited nearly five years to finally play college basketball. (ALEX DE LA OSA/UAA Communications)

Florida team manager Chris Sutherland is shown warming up before a game between Florida team managers and Missouri team managers, the night before an NCAA college basketball game between Florida and Missouri, at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo. Sutherland waited nearly five years to finally play college basketball. (ALEX DE LA OSA/UAA Communications)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Florida walk-on Chris Sutherland relishes moment years in making

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Friday, April 3, 2020
GAINESVILLE — Chris Sutherland was sitting near the end of Florida’s bench, sandwiched between teammates, when he heard the chants. They were faint at first, growing louder and clearer by the second. “We want Chris! We want Chris!
Timmy Jernigan (93) celebrates his sack against the New Orleans Saints while playing for the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on Jan. 13, 2019, in New Orleans. (SEAN GARDNER/Getty Images/TNS)

Timmy Jernigan (93) celebrates his sack against the New Orleans Saints while playing for the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on Jan. 13, 2019, in New Orleans. (SEAN GARDNER/Getty Images/TNS)

NFL: Former CHS star Timmy Jernigan signs with Texans, reunites with Tunsil

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan has a new home and it’s with a former high school teammate. Jernigan reportedly signed a one-year contract with the Houston Texans on Wednesday, joining offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil in the Lone Star State.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) directs his offense during Super Bowl 54 against San Francisco 49ers on Feb. 2 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (TAMMY LJUNGBLAD/Kansas City Star/TNS)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) directs his offense during Super Bowl 54 against San Francisco 49ers on Feb. 2 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (TAMMY LJUNGBLAD/Kansas City Star/TNS)

NFL: Owners vote to expand playoffs by two teams

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
The NFL is gearing up for a normal season and playoffs — with two additional wild-card teams in the Super Bowl chase. NFL team owners voted Tuesday to expand the playoffs by one team in each conference for a total of 14 next season as they continue to plan for the 2020 season to begin on time.
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue charges onto the field to face the New Orleans Saints before their game at TIAA Bank Field on Oct. 13, 2019 in Jacksonville. (HARRY AARON/Getty Images/TNS)

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue charges onto the field to face the New Orleans Saints before their game at TIAA Bank Field on Oct. 13, 2019 in Jacksonville. (HARRY AARON/Getty Images/TNS)

NFL: Ngakoue makes another trade plea on 25th birthday

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Disgruntled Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue made another public plea to be traded, this one on his 25th birthday. Ngakoue said in a Twitter post Tuesday “why hold a man from taking care of his family. It’s obvious my time is up in my current situation. Let’s both move on.
Houston Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil (78) celebrates his team’s touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs on Jan. 12 in Kansas City, Mo. (REED HOFFMANN/Associated Press)

Houston Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil (78) celebrates his team’s touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs on Jan. 12 in Kansas City, Mo. (REED HOFFMANN/Associated Press)

NFL: Former CHS star Laremy Tunsil to donate toward Covid-19 relief, including in Lake City

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, March 30, 2020
As Covid-19 cases continue to rise in the United States, athletes are stepping forward to donate to those in need. Houston Texans left tackle and Lake City native Laremy Tunsil was the latest to do so on Monday, committing up to $250,000 to help with relief efforts.
Columbia’s Marlon Pollock bench presses during a meet on March 11. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia’s Marlon Pollock bench presses during a meet on March 11. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SPORTS: Despite COVID-19 hiatus, athletes still finding ways to remain active

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, March 27, 2020
Schools are closed. So are the gyms. Sports are on a hiatus, and may not even return. But that hasn’t stopped players at Columbia High School from staying in shape in hopes of taking the field again this spring. Students across sports are finding ways to stay active amid the COVID-19 pandemic.