Sports

Columbia celebrates after match point in Thursday's five-set victory over Suwannee. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia celebrates after match point in Thursday's five-set victory over Suwannee. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP VOLLEYBALL: Columbia holds on to edge Suwannee in five sets

CIARA BYRD
Thursday, September 10, 2026
The Tigers never doubted their potential coming into a five-set showdown between the two bordering counties of Columbia and Suwannee.CHS wasted no time letting the Bulldogs know this would not be easy as they stole the first two sets of the game in dominance.
Branford hitter Paisley Knight fires a shot against Lafayette on Aug. 27. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Branford hitter Paisley Knight fires a shot against Lafayette on Aug. 27. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 9/10/26

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, September 10, 2026
The Branford volleyball team's winning streak continued Thursday night while several schools were on the golf course earlier in the day.Here are the scores and stats from Sept. 10.VOLLEYBALL— Branford 3, Hilliard 0: The Class Rural No. 1 Buccaneers (8-1) won their fifth straight with a 25-12,...
Fort White linebacker Brandon Robinson returns a fumble for a touchdown against Chiefland on Aug. 28. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White linebacker Brandon Robinson returns a fumble for a touchdown against Chiefland on Aug. 28. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Fort White honing in on Union County's run game

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
FORT WHITE — “Eye discipline” may be the phrase of the week for Fort White’s front seven.That will be the focus heading into The Jungle in Lake Butler as the Indians take on Union County Friday night at 7:30.
Suwannee running back Travon Fead tries to escape a tackle from a Gainesville defender last Friday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee running back Travon Fead tries to escape a tackle from a Gainesville defender last Friday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Suwannee hopes Palatka helps fix ground game

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
LIVE OAK — One key component missing in Suwannee’s undefeated start has been a consistent rushing attack.Averaging just 80 yards rushing per game through three weeks, and just 50.5 the past two, the Bulldogs’ ground game has been stuck in neutral.That is a focus for the Bulldogs when Palatka visits...
Suwannee Bulldogs

Suwannee Bulldogs

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

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Suwannee’s boys golf team finished seventh out of 12 teams at the Fletcher Invitational held at the Atlantic Beach Country Club on Wednesday.The Bulldogs finished with a 316 total, led by Ty Hurst’s 75 that tied him for 13th.
Branford libero Ava Alcorn (12) high fives hitter Anabella Dicks (8) during a win over Lafayette on Aug. 27.

Branford libero Ava Alcorn (12) high fives hitter Anabella Dicks (8) during a win over Lafayette on Aug. 27.

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 9/8/26

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Volleyball season continued Tuesday following the release of the first FHSAA rankings of the season.Plus, a trio of area schools were on the golf course for matches.Here are the scores and stats from Sept. 8.VOLLEYBALL— Branford 3, Chiefland 0: The Buccaneers (7-1), who were ranked No. 1 in Class...
Columbia defensive end Mikel Morgan comes out of the pile after intercepting a pass against Madison County on Friday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia defensive end Mikel Morgan comes out of the pile after intercepting a pass against Madison County on Friday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: Morgan keeps making plays for CHS as more colleges take notice, plus other nuggets from Week 3

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Columbia pass rusher Mikel Morgan keeps making plays, and college are taking notice.Morgan has picked up several Division I offers since the summer, notably receiving one from Florida last Thursday after speaking with linebackers coach Bam Hardman.
Columbia two-way standout does the Gator chomp on his recent visit to Florida. Slaymaker committed to UF on Saturday. (COURTESY)

Columbia two-way standout does the Gator chomp on his recent visit to Florida. Slaymaker committed to UF on Saturday. (COURTESY)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia's highly-touted Nolan Slaymaker commits to Florida

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, September 7, 2026
Nolan Slaymaker grew up going to baseball camps at the University of Florida.On Saturday, after nearly a decade of watching the Gators from the outside, he finally got to call himself one.The Columbia junior pitcher and first baseman committed to Florida following a weekend visit to Gainesville,...
Columbia defensive end Jae’quan Wilson (24) celebrates with defensive back Montenrrence Williamson (3) and defensive back Chris Austin (15) after recovering a fumble for a touchdown against Madison County on Friday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia defensive end Jae’quan Wilson (24) celebrates with defensive back Montenrrence Williamson (3) and defensive back Chris Austin (15) after recovering a fumble for a touchdown against Madison County on Friday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia pulls away from Madison County in second half

JORDAN KROEGER
Saturday, September 5, 2026
Columbia’s defense was ready to go again from the jump.And while it took the offense some time to get going, quarterback Amari Green found his rhythm in the second half to help put Madison County away.Defensive end Jae’quan Wilson scored his second touchdown of the season when he scooped up a...