Sports

Fernandina Beach High School Football Quarterback Ian Miller carries the ball in Pirates first game of the season at Mount Dora Christian Academy on Aug. 15. Photo by Dana O’Connor/Special to the News-Leader

Fernandina Beach High School Football Quarterback Ian Miller carries the ball in Pirates first game of the season at Mount Dora Christian Academy on Aug. 15. Photo by Dana O’Connor/Special to the News-Leader

Pirates bring home first-game win

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
The Pirates converted three Ian Miller passes for touchdowns to bring a first-game win home to Fernandina Beach.  The Fernandina Beach High School varsity football team beat Mount Dora Christian Academy 19-14 at Mount Dora’s field Aug. 15.
The Yulee Hornets football team competes in a preseason matchup Aug. 15 against Englewood. The Hornets won 54-0. Photo by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

The Yulee Hornets football team competes in a preseason matchup Aug. 15 against Englewood. The Hornets won 54-0. Photo by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Hornets swarm Englewood in preseason matchup

News Staff
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
The Yulee High School’s varsity football team smashed Englewood 54-0 in their preseason game last Friday, Aug 15.  The Hornets cheer team and marching band fired up the crowd from the sidelines and put on great performances.  The Hornets football team will play their first game on Aug 22.

Poe snags a silver in Paraguay

Marisa DeMar
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Poe Pinson, Olympic skateboarder from Fernandina Beach, has taken home another skateboarding title. Pinson placed second yesterday in street skateboarding for the Junior Pan American Games in Asuncion, Paraguay. She was the only American participant in the event.
Edward Waters freshman pose with a cake made to celebrate them joining the team for the 2025 season. From left, Macie Bourgholtzer, Jacksonville; Kyleigh Golden, Yulee; Jaela Palmer, Jaksonville; Carsen Chmiel, Fernandina Beach; and Ava Martyn, Yulee. Submitted photo

Edward Waters freshman pose with a cake made to celebrate them joining the team for the 2025 season. From left, Macie Bourgholtzer, Jacksonville; Kyleigh Golden, Yulee; Jaela Palmer, Jaksonville; Carsen Chmiel, Fernandina Beach; and Ava Martyn, Yulee. Submitted photo

Three local softball standouts join team at historic Jacksonville university

Ashley Chandler
Friday, August 8, 2025
Three “hometown heroes” are set to join the softball team at Edward Waters University, a historic college based in Jacksonville. The team faces the upcoming season ruled by fresh faces.
Makarlie Wilson, Maddie Powell, Jia Thomas, Jayla Thomas, Tyla Williamson, Desiree Mason, Aleli Nevarez were the Nassau County 12U Flag Football League Champions.

Makarlie Wilson, Maddie Powell, Jia Thomas, Jayla Thomas, Tyla Williamson, Desiree Mason, Aleli Nevarez were the Nassau County 12U Flag Football League Champions.

Nassau County’s first all-girls flag football league

Marisa DeMar
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
The first all-girls flag football league in Nassau County was formed this summer by the Yulee gym Hit Squad Elite. Travis Williamson, the director of football talent and development, spoke on the local girls talent in the up-and-coming sport.
Drayson Ricks, EJ Ricks and Liam Hice Jones at the football camp. Submitted photos

Drayson Ricks, EJ Ricks and Liam Hice Jones at the football camp. Submitted photos

Hit Squad Elite pumps out local talent

Marisa DeMar
Friday, July 25, 2025
A group of middle school boys from Nassau County were invited to compete at a national football camp in Naples, Florida, earlier this summer. After competing in a regional camp, six of the players received invitations to compete on a national level.
From left, Joseph Voss-Danker and his father Fred Danker pose behind the desk in their personal training facility in Fernandina Beach. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

From left, Joseph Voss-Danker and his father Fred Danker pose behind the desk in their personal training facility in Fernandina Beach. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Father-son pair strive to do the unimaginable

Ashley Chandler
Friday, July 11, 2025
A father-son strength-training duo from Fernandina Beach is looking to take Florida by storm with a body-building “trifecta.”Fred Danker has worked in Fernandina Beach as a personal trainer for nearly 30 years and competed in numerous body-building competitions.
Pickleballers play on the Nassau Pickleball 365 courts Monday morning in Yulee. Photos by Mike Anderson/News-Leader

Pickleballers play on the Nassau Pickleball 365 courts Monday morning in Yulee. Photos by Mike Anderson/News-Leader

Nassau Pickleball 365: Open daily

Jim Luksic
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Pickleball has become all the rage across most of America, and northeast Florida is no exception. Just ask Bruce Duncan, who co-owns Nassau Pickleball 365 with his wife, Shelly, in Yulee.
More than 110 paddlers finished a 9-10 mile kayak from St. Marys to Fernandina Beach to benefit veterans over the weekend. (COURTESY)

More than 110 paddlers finished a 9-10 mile kayak from St. Marys to Fernandina Beach to benefit veterans over the weekend. (COURTESY)

Paddle event supports veterans

Ashley Chandler
Friday, June 27, 2025
More than 110 paddlers finished a 9-10 mile kayak from St. Marys to Fernandina Beach to benefit veterans over the weekend.
Derrick Henry, a former Yulee High star and current Baltimore Ravens star, waves to the crowd during a community day he hosted Saturday in Yulee. (MIKE THORN/Nassau County Record)

Derrick Henry, a former Yulee High star and current Baltimore Ravens star, waves to the crowd during a community day he hosted Saturday in Yulee. (MIKE THORN/Nassau County Record)

King Henry gives back to Yulee

News Staff
Friday, June 27, 2025
By MIKE THORN NFL superstar and Yulee native Derrick Henry returned home Saturday for his annual Two All Community Day. Each year, Henry gives away bicycles, backpacks, scooters, books, and other items to 300 kids in preparation for the upcoming school year.