Sports

Suwannee running back Clay Starling celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Godby on Sept. 13. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee running back Clay Starling celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Godby on Sept. 13. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Suwannee gets second shot at Godby in Region 1-3A quarterfinals

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
LIVE OAK — Suwannee has gotten a second chance. Two months after blowing an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter against Godby, the Bulldogs will open the Class 3A playoffs right back in Tallahassee against the Cougars at 7 p.m. Friday at Gene Cox Stadium in the Region 1-3A quarterfinals.
Branford running back Ollie James dives into the end zone for a touchdown against Hamilton County on Nov. 1. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Branford running back Ollie James dives into the end zone for a touchdown against Hamilton County on Nov. 1. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Branford faces daunting task against top-ranked Hawthorne in Rural playoff opener

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
BRANFORD ­— Despite the growing list of key injuries throughout this trying season, Branford was able to survive with a respectable 6-3 record. For their resilience, the 16th-ranked Buccaneers were rewarded with a playoff berth, but they’ll face a huge challenge in No.
Lafayette receiver Jordan Murphy races into the end zone for a touchdown against Trenton on Oct. 18. (FILE)

Lafayette receiver Jordan Murphy races into the end zone for a touchdown against Trenton on Oct. 18. (FILE)

PREP FOOTBALL: Lafayette hoping for ‘carbon copy’ result at Cottondale in Rural playoff opener

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
MAYO — The 160-mile trek to Cottondale High School won’t be anything new for Lafayette. When the Hornets make the two-and-half-hour trip west Friday for the first round of the Class Rural state playoffs, they’ll be following a similar script from their previous game. On Nov.
The Lake City Reporter provides coverage for Columbia, Fort White, Suwannee, Branford and Lafayette high schools.

The Lake City Reporter provides coverage for Columbia, Fort White, Suwannee, Branford and Lafayette high schools.

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 11/12/24

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
BOYS SOCCER — Columbia 2, Eastside 0: Cody Bass scored a goal on an assist from Sebastian Haley and Bass assisted another goal by Cayden Weatherspoon to lead the Tigers (1-1-1) to a road win over the Rams (1-1-1). Goalkeeper Logan Wheeldon made two saves to record the shutout.
Columbia quarterback Xavier Collins gathers a snap in the rain during the Tigers’ contest against St. Augustine on Sept. 25. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia quarterback Xavier Collins gathers a snap in the rain during the Tigers’ contest against St. Augustine on Sept. 25. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Making the case for surprise playoff runs in the area

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
After a long wait, the playoffs are finally here. And while all five teams in the area were fortunate enough to qualify for regionals, the path ahead for each of them is rugged. Those paths could also be quite short.
Fort White head coach Michelle Padgett (far left) and assistant coach Chad Padgett (far right) officially resigned from their positions Tuesday after 12 seasons as the helm. (FILE)

Fort White head coach Michelle Padgett (far left) and assistant coach Chad Padgett (far right) officially resigned from their positions Tuesday after 12 seasons as the helm. (FILE)

PREP SOFTBALL: The Padgetts step down at Fort White

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
FORT WHITE — Fort White will be searching for a pair of coaches a few months ahead of the start of the regular season. Head coach Michele Padgett, along with her husband, assistant coach Chad Padgett, submitted their resignations effective Tuesday.
The Lake City Reporter provides coverage for Columbia, Fort White, Suwannee, Branford and Lafayette high schools.

The Lake City Reporter provides coverage for Columbia, Fort White, Suwannee, Branford and Lafayette high schools.

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 11/9/24

NEWS STAFF
Sunday, November 10, 2024
BOYS SOCCER — South Walton 4, Suwannee 1: Goalkeeper Ryan Williams made eight saves but allowed four goals as the Bulldogs (0-1) dropped their season opener to the Seahawks (2-0-1) on the road. Denzel Yaxon scored the lone goal for SHS.
Columbia quarterback Xavier Collins scrambles up the field against North Miami Beach on Nov. 1. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia quarterback Xavier Collins scrambles up the field against North Miami Beach on Nov. 1. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia makes playoffs for 14th straight season, will travel to top-seed St. Augustine

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, November 8, 2024
Anxiousness has turned to jubilation for Columbia. The Tigers are back in the playoffs for a 14th straight season. Columbia received the final spot in the Region 1-4A field when the FHSAA brackets were released Friday night.