Sports

Branford's volleyball team celebrates after scoring the match-clinching point against Baker in the Class Rural state semifinals on Monday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Branford's volleyball team celebrates after scoring the match-clinching point against Baker in the Class Rural state semifinals on Monday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP VOLLEYBALL: Branford edges Baker in five sets to advance to Rural state final

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, November 4, 2024
WINTER HAVEN — Right before taking the floor for the final set of Monday’s Class Rural state semifinal, the Branford seniors huddled together and delivered a message to the rest of the team. “The seniors got together and said, ‘let’s fight, we want to win.
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 11/4/24

NEWS STAFF
Monday, November 4, 2024
BOYS SOCCER — Chiles 3, Columbia 1: Despite a goal by Cody Bass on an assist from Trace Williams and six saves by goalkeeper Logan Wheeldon, the Tigers (0-1) dropped their season opener to the Timberwolves (1-0) on the road.
The Columbia boys cross country team placed sixth at the District 2-3A meet on Saturday to qualify for regionals. (COURTESY)

The Columbia boys cross country team placed sixth at the District 2-3A meet on Saturday to qualify for regionals. (COURTESY)

PREP CROSS COUNTRY: Columbia boys qualify for regionals, Todd qualifies individually

NEWS STAFF
Sunday, November 3, 2024
The Columbia boys placed sixth at the District 2-3A meet on Saturday at Middleburg High School to qualify for regionals, while Reese Todd qualified individually for the girls. Joshua Thompson was the top finisher for the boys, placing 22nd in a time of 18:03.90.
Columbia running back Jerome Horne races past a diving North Miami Beach defender on his way to the end zone for one of his three touchdowns in Friday’s 42-0 win. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia running back Jerome Horne races past a diving North Miami Beach defender on his way to the end zone for one of his three touchdowns in Friday’s 42-0 win. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia hopes shutout over NMB, combined with Rickards losing, leads to playoffs

JORDAN KROEGER
Saturday, November 2, 2024
Columbia did its job, and Rickards lost. Now the Tigers will hold their breath and wait to find out if those two results are enough to get them into the playoffs.
Suwannee tight end Logan Brooks catches a 2-point conversion for the go-ahead points in Friday’s 25-24 win over Chiles. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee tight end Logan Brooks catches a 2-point conversion for the go-ahead points in Friday’s 25-24 win over Chiles. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Suwannee edges Chiles on 2-point try after double pass TD

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, November 2, 2024
LIVE OAK — The decision was already made. Banged up — three more players left with injuries Friday night at Langford Stadium — and Chiles starting to physically wear down Suwannee, the Bulldogs were going for the 2-point conversion and the lead assuming the trick play they were about to run worked.
Branford running back Ollie James (22) heads to the end zone on a 65-yard touchdown run during Friday’s 39-12 win over Hamilton County. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Branford running back Ollie James (22) heads to the end zone on a 65-yard touchdown run during Friday’s 39-12 win over Hamilton County. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Young Buccaneers step up to deliver win over Hamilton County

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Saturday, November 2, 2024
BRANFORD – With the list of unavailable key players growing by the minute, Branford has found a way to thrive with youngsters. Eighth-grader Ollie James, called up from the JV squad last week, was thrown into the fire for the second straight week.