Columbia (Lake City) Tigers (Class 6A-District 3)
2013 Record: 10-2
Head Coach: Brian Allen
Key Players: Lonnie Underwood (RB, Sr.), Zedrick Woods (OLB, Sr.), Roger Cray (CB, Jr.), Malachi Jean (NT, Sr.), Caleb Carswell (WR, Sr.), Ben Kuykendall (FS, Sr.), Jake Thomas (QB, Jr.)
Outlook: A total of six offensive starters return, including Division-I prospect Underwood, who rushed for 1,433 yards on 185 carries (7.75 yards per carry) last season in nine games. The junior had 718 yards on 106 carries as a sophomore. Thomas gives the Tigers more experience in the backfield at quarterback.
Despite the loss of FSU signee Trey Marshall, the Tigers return seven starters on defense. Woods led the team last year with 94 tackles and 7.5 sacks, so they should have a sound defensive football team again this year to go along with a good ground attack offensively.
According to Allen, they must have a great summer for the ‘newbies that are filling key roles on offense and defense and for this year’s football team to be special.’
2014 Football Schedule
Friday, August 22 – vs. West Orange (Winter Garden), 7:30 p.m. (Preseason)
Thursday, August 28 – at Gainesville, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, September 5 – vs. Lincoln (Tallahassee), 7:30 p.m.
Friday, September 12 – at Buchholz (Gainesville), 7:30 p.m.
Friday, September 19 – at Terry Parker (Jacksonville), 7:30 p.m.*
Friday, September 26 – vs. Englewood (Jacksonville), 7:30 p.m.*
Friday, October 3 – at Orange Park, 7:30 p.m.*
Friday, October 10 – vs. Ed White (Jacksonville), 7:30 p.m.*
Thursday, October 23 – at Lee (Jacksonville), 7:30 p.m.*
Friday, October 31 – vs. Middleburg, 7:30 p.m.*
Friday, November 7 – vs. Suwannee (Live Oak), 7:30 p.m.
*District game
“The Prep Zone” will count down to kick-off with a daily preview of high school football teams in the North Central Florida area. Here are the future release dates:
CLASS 6A-DISTRICT 5
July 23 – Citrus (Inverness)
July 24 – Gainesville
July 25 – Lake Weir (Ocala)
July 26 – Vanguard (Ocala)
July 27 – Forest (Ocala)
CLASS 6A-DISTRICT 6
July 28 – Springstead (Spring Hill)
CLASS 7A-DISTRICT 3
July 29 – Buchholz (Gainesville)
CLASS 8A-DISTRICT 1
July 30 – West Port (Ocala)
