Sports

Florida's Josh Hammond reflects on his career, including Billy G’s impact, workouts with Louis Murphy and Percy Harvin, why he hates cookies and cream milkshakes and how he became “Old-Man Hamm.” (Associated Press)

Florida's Josh Hammond reflects on his career, including Billy G’s impact, workouts with Louis Murphy and Percy Harvin, why he hates cookies and cream milkshakes and how he became “Old-Man Hamm.” (Associated Press)

Florida's Mr. Reliable, Josh Hammond, will be missed

ZACH ABOLVERDI
Monday, November 25, 2019
GAINESVILLE — To anyone who knows Josh Hammond, it’s no surprise that he’s a captain on the Florida football team and a designated speaker for the weekly Monday press conference.
Columbia quarterback Jordan Smith scrambles out of the pocket against Robert E. Lee during Friday’s Region 1-6A semifinal. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia quarterback Jordan Smith scrambles out of the pocket against Robert E. Lee during Friday’s Region 1-6A semifinal. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

COMMENTARY: CHS seniors left their mark, regardless of what anyone says

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, November 18, 2019
Jordan Smith could barely stand, held up by his mother as they walked to Columbia’s postgame huddle. Tears rolled, but he wasn’t the only one. His teammate shared his sorrow all the same. It was another playoff loss to Robert E. Lee, but for 20 seniors, it was the end of their high school careers.
Florida quarterback Kyle Trask threw for 293 yards in his first career start Saturday. (ASSOCIATED PRESS/JOHN RAOUX)

Florida quarterback Kyle Trask threw for 293 yards in his first career start Saturday. (ASSOCIATED PRESS/JOHN RAOUX)

Spurrier seeks out Florida's Trask after first career start

ZACH ABOLVERDI
Saturday, September 21, 2019
GAINESVILLE — In his first career start, quarterback Kyle Trask threw for nearly 300 yards and led No. 9 Florida to a 34-3 win Saturday over rival Tennessee.
Steve Spurrier is the last quarterback to wear No. 11 as Florida's starter. (ATHLON SPORTS)

Steve Spurrier is the last quarterback to wear No. 11 as Florida's starter. (ATHLON SPORTS)

A new No. 11 at QB for Gators

ZACH ABOLVERDI
Friday, September 20, 2019
GAINESVILLE — History will be made at the Florida-Tennessee game on Saturday. Gators quarterback Kyle Trask is making his career start, a moment that also holds significance because of his jersey number. The redshirt junior wears No. 11, and he knows the background behind it.
Florida coach Dan Mullen was not happy with his team's first-half performance against UT Martin. (ASSOCIATED PRESS/JOHN RAOUX)

Florida coach Dan Mullen was not happy with his team's first-half performance against UT Martin. (ASSOCIATED PRESS/JOHN RAOUX)

Gators play to standard after Mullen's fiery halftime speech

ZACH ABOLVERDI
Sunday, September 8, 2019
GAINESVILLE — When the Florida football team comes out of the locker room after halftime, the players usually run out of the tunnel and straight to their sideline. Not on Saturday during UF’s home opener, a 45-0 win over UT Martin.
Danville Braves outfielder Willie Carter (15) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Pulaski Yankees at Calfee Park on June 30, in Pulaski, Virginia. (AP PHOTO)

Danville Braves outfielder Willie Carter (15) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Pulaski Yankees at Calfee Park on June 30, in Pulaski, Virginia. (AP PHOTO)

MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: Fort White High grad Willie Carter finally gets shot at lifelong dream

JORDAN KROEGER
Saturday, July 27, 2019
Willie Carter walked in his grandfather’s living room phone in hand. June’s Major League Baseball Draft was winding down and Carter’s phone still hadn’t rung. In Round 34 of 40, he started to come to the realization he wouldn’t be drafted. Again.
Former Columbia pitcher Tyson Ellis recently signed with Troy after spending last season at Pensacola State College. (COURTESY)

Former Columbia pitcher Tyson Ellis recently signed with Troy after spending last season at Pensacola State College. (COURTESY)

COLLEGE BASEBALL: Doubted & discarded, nothing stopped former CHS pitcher Tyson Ellis from making it to Troy

JORDAN KROEGER
Saturday, July 6, 2019
It took three schools in four semesters, but Tyson Ellis has finally found the right home at stop No. 4 Ellis, a 2017 Columbia graduate, recently signed to Troy University to pitch next season after turning heads at Pensacola State College this past spring.
Columbia receiver TJ Jones is pictured with his grandmother Barbara Jernigan after signing his National Letter of Intent with Penn State on Wednesday. (ERIC JACKSON/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia receiver TJ Jones is pictured with his grandmother Barbara Jernigan after signing his National Letter of Intent with Penn State on Wednesday. (ERIC JACKSON/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia 4-star WR TJ Jones signs with Penn State

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
TJ Jones had his eyes on Miami. Then he visited Penn State, and his world was about to change. “When I went there it was over,” he said. Jones remembers walking into Penn State, gazing up at Beaver Stadium with eyes wide open.