Sports

Junior Linebacker Tanner Duffy's interception and return to the Duval Charter School's 8 yard-line set the Pirates up for Beckham Rohe's 5-yard touchdown run.

No quarter: Pirates sail their way to lopsided win

Nick Blank

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Fernandina Beach thoroughly defeated Duval Charter School Panthers at home Friday in a 56-6 beatdown that opened with three quick scores to improve to 4-0.

The Fernandina Beach swim team hosted the Nassau County Swim Jamboree on Aug. 28 at the Atlantic Recreation Center. The Pirates hosted the Yulee High School Hornets, West Nassau High School Warriors and the Hilliard Middle Senior School Red Flashes at the Thursday meet. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Pirates rule the water: Local schools compete in countywide swim jamboree

Ashley Chandler

Monday, September 8, 2025

Nassau County’s high school swimmers congregated at the Atlantic Recreation Center on Aug. 28 for the Nassau County Swim Jamboree. The Pirates hosted the Yulee High School Hornets, West Nassau High School Warriors and the Hilliard Middle Senior School Red Flashes on Thursday.

All of the skateboarders at the latest Terry Kelly Skate Jam.

Terry Kelly Skate Jam rides out the rain

Marisa DeMar

Thursday, September 4, 2025

Despite the rainy forecast, Fernandina Beach’s ninth annual Terry Kelly Skate Jam was able to occur on Saturday Aug. 30. Waldemar Borrero, president of Friends of Fernandina Skate Park, which is the non-profit organization behind the event, told the News-Leader about its success.

Photo by Nick Blank/News-Leader

Pirates thrash Wolfson on noisy night

Nick Blank

Wednesday, September 3, 2025

A dominant air attack and a suffocating defensive performance led the unbeaten Fernandina Beach Pirates to a 42-13 victory over the Wolfson Wolfpack in Jacksonville on Aug. 29.

The Yulee High School varsity volleyball squad swept their Fernandina Beach counterparts on Aug. 28.

Hornets defeat Pirates in varsity volleyball match

Marisa DeMar

Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Yulee High School’s varsity volleyball team claimed their 3-0 victory against the Fernandina Beach Pirates in the match on Aug. 28. Each set was a close call, with final scores of 25-22, 25-16 and 25-20.

Yulee football defeated Clay High school 43-7 on Aug. 29. Photos by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Hornets dominate at home, raise record to 2-0

Jim Luksic

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

YULEE – The Yulee High School varsity football team dismantled visiting Clay 43-7 on Aug. 29 The Hornets raised their season mark to 2-0, while the Blue Devils remained winless. Following their 21-6 opening win over Union County, Yulee picked up where they left off against Clay.

Pirates vs. Flashes on Aug. 22. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Pirates home opener boosts stats

Ashley Chandler

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

With Week One in the books, the Pirates are 2-0. Fernandina Beach High School football got the chance to boost its stats and get the young players some playing time in its home opener against Hilliard Middle-Senior High School on Friday night. The Pirates won 49 to 6.

Photo by Nick Blank/News-Leader

Yulee defense smothers Union in impressive opener

Nick Blank

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

The Yulee Hornets avenged a 1-point loss to the Union County Tigers last year with a dominant 21-6 defensive display in Lake Butler on Friday, August. 22. The crowd was spared from rain despite a 45-minute lightning delay. The field was waterlogged, and the humidity was thick.

Left, Senior Freya Jackson. Right, Yulee High School seniors Andree Lippelman and Amelia Dupee. Photos courtesy of Yulee Swim Team

Yulee High School swim team prepares to make waves

Marisa DeMar

Friday, August 22, 2025

Yulee High School Swimming has begun their fall season along with the start of the new school year. Nicol Stewart, the head coach of the Hornets swim teams for the last eight years, told the News-Leader about the current boys and girls teams. “Yulee is a strong young team.

The 2025 Pirate swim team at practice last week. Photo courtesy of Fernandina Beach High School Swim team

Pirate swimmers look toward challenging 2025 season

Ashley Chandler

Friday, August 22, 2025

The Fernandina Beach High School Swim Team will kick off the 2025 swim season on Aug. 28, at the Nassau County Swim Jamboree. Head Coach Bill Stewart is ready to see his swimmers race this season.