Sports

Suwannee safety Josh Johnson (right) and linebacker Marco Rojas wrap up Gainesville running back Javaris Gardner for a loss Friday night. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee safety Josh Johnson (right) and linebacker Marco Rojas wrap up Gainesville running back Javaris Gardner for a loss Friday night. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Suwannee flips script, wins thriller over Gainesville

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, September 5, 2026
LIVE OAK — A familiar situation got a new-look finish Friday night for Suwannee High.After struggling to make the key plays in close games the past two seasons, the Bulldogs delivered in their first one-score game of the 2026 season, edging Gainesville 15-14 at Langford Stadium.“It’s the first time...
Branford quarterback Trent Land (4) gets tackled by a swarm of Bell defenders during Friday’s 27-14 loss. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Branford quarterback Trent Land (4) gets tackled by a swarm of Bell defenders during Friday’s 27-14 loss. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Branford sputters as Bell runs away with win

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Saturday, September 5, 2026
BELL — The penalties and mental errors may have been overcome on a different night. But an overwhelming Bell ground game quickly forced Branford into a game of catch-up instead.Bell ran for 292 yards and scored all four of its touchdowns from more than 15 yards out in a 27-14 Buccaneers loss.
Lafayette Hornets

Lafayette Hornets

PREP FOOTBALL: Lafayette pulls away from Hamilton County for first win

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, September 5, 2026
MAYO — For one half, it looked like Lafayette was intent on shooting itself in the foot again Friday night.But after some turnovers early, the Hornets finally settled in and pulled away from Hamilton County for a 39-12 win at Dale Walker Field.“We stopped getting in our way a little bit,” Lafayette...
Fort White setter Macie MacLaren dives to defend a shot against Suwannee on Aug. 25. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White setter Macie MacLaren dives to defend a shot against Suwannee on Aug. 25. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 9/3/26

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, September 3, 2026
Fort White was in volleyball action on Thursday while Columbia, Suwannee, Branford, Lafayette and Belmont Academy were all on the golf course.Here are the scores and stats from Sept. 3.VOLLEYBALL— Trenton 3, Fort White 1: Hailee Sumlin had 11 kills and seven aces while Alexis Scraborough had nine...
Columbia middle hitter Meleane Wood (3) and her teammates celebrate her block of Lafayette's Sophia Kendrick (9) to earn match point in a sweep of Lafayette on Thursday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia middle hitter Meleane Wood (3) and her teammates celebrate her block of Lafayette's Sophia Kendrick (9) to earn match point in a sweep of Lafayette on Thursday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP VOLLEYBALL: Balanced attack powers Columbia to sweep over Lafayette

CIARA BYRD
Thursday, September 3, 2026
MAYO — The young squad at Columbia came in with no fear Thursday night. The Tigers quickly pressurized the Lafayette defense, swinging hard and finding gaps with ease.
Columbia receiver Kyren Caldwell is attended to by the team trainer after spraining his ankle during last week’s win over Lakewood. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia receiver Kyren Caldwell is attended to by the team trainer after spraining his ankle during last week’s win over Lakewood. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia battling injuries, illnesses ahead of showdown with Madison County

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Adversity has arrived at Columbia entering Week 3.With injuries and illnesses hitting the locker room, the Tigers could be without some key contributors when they face off against Madison County on Friday.The biggest question heading into the contest is the status of senior receiver Kyren Caldwell,...
PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter Suwannee running back Travon Fead gets around the corner of the Lafayette defense last Friday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter Suwannee running back Travon Fead gets around the corner of the Lafayette defense last Friday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Suwannee aims to keep Hurricanes calm

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
LIVE OAK — Suwannee coach Kyler Hall sees something familiar with the Gainesville program.While the Hurricanes are coming off a tough season a year ago and are 0-2 so far in 2026, Hall said there is talent there on the GHS roster.Hall also believes the Hurricanes are close to breaking through but...
Branford's volleyball team celebrates a point against Lafayette on Aug. 27. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Branford's volleyball team celebrates a point against Lafayette on Aug. 27. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 9/1/26

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Teams were in action on the volleyball court as well as the golf course on Tuesday.Here are the scores and stats from Sept. 1.VOLLEYBALL— Branford 3, Bronson 1: The Buccaneers (6-1) overcame an opening set defeat to take down the Eagles (5-2) 19-25, 25-13-, 25-20, 25-17 on the road.— Fort White 3,...
Suwannee hitter Jaylin Nash gets a shot over the net against Lafayette on Tuesday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee hitter Jaylin Nash gets a shot over the net against Lafayette on Tuesday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP VOLLEYBALL: Suwannee snatches five-set thriller from Lafayette

CIARA BYRD
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
LIVE OAK — The crowd never had a chance to catch its breath as Lafayette and Suwannee battled through five intense sets. After the Hornets built an early advantage in the decisive frame, the Bulldogs refused to back down.
Columbia running back Jerome Horne gets around the corner of the Lakewood defense for a gain on Friday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia running back Jerome Horne gets around the corner of the Lakewood defense for a gain on Friday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: Columbia RB Horne back to form, plus other nuggets from Week 2’s games

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Jerome Horne burst on to the scene as a freshman at Columbia by rushing for 100-plus yards in four of his eight games and at least 80 yards in six contests after being promoted from JV.Since returning from a fractured ankle suffered last season, Horne has quickly returned to that form to start his...