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Glamor matchup with Chiefs up next for surging Jags

Nick Blank

Friday, October 3, 2025

Calling a Week 4 game a “statement game” is a truism; each of the 17 games peels the onion a tad more as we try to assess a team’s character. If beating the 2024 Super Bowl finalist San Francisco 49ers, with a solid head coach albeit injury-bitten roster, isn’t a statement, I don’t know what is.

Fernandina Beach High School football in Week Six. Photo by Amanda Bishop/ NCR Editor & Publisher

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Pirates drop road contest against West Nassau

News Staff

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Despite a spirited second-half comeback, the Fernandina Beach Pirates (5-2) lost 32-21 to county rivals West Nassau High (6-1), giving up 486 yards on the ground.

Hornet football in Week Six. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Hornets topple Trojans for 6-0 record

Jim Luksic

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Yulee High School’s varsity team overcame a slow start Friday night to remain undefeated. The visiting Ribault Trojans tried to spoil the Hornets’ homecoming party, but Coach Kyle Dougherty's resilient troops pulled away 34-14 and lifted their season mark to 6-0 in the bargain.

FBHS swim. Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Pirates swim against 4A and 5A athletes at Holleman Invitational

News Staff

Friday, September 26, 2025

Pirate girls finished at No. 7 overall and the boys finished No. 11 at the Fifth Annual Frank Holleman Invitational held Saturday, Sept. 20. “Not bad for a 2A school vs. 4A & 5A,” Pirates Coach Bill Stewart said after the races. “Everyone had at least one great swim.

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Buoyed by division win, Jags head West

Nick Blank

Friday, September 26, 2025

It’s normal not to have a barometer yet on where a team is after Week 3. The Jaguars face a talented, undefeated, chronically injured San Francisco 49ers team (3-0) on the road. The Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1) won ugly against the Houston Texans (0-3), a team in freefall.

Fernandina Beach High School Football in Week Five. Photos by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Raider Runaway: Pirates fall short against Santa Fe run game

Nick Blank

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

The Santa Fe Raiders gave the Fernandina Beach Pirates their first loss of the season Friday, 37-27, behind a punishing performance from running back Jasiah Powell. It was back and forth in the first half, though the Pirates were never out of their homecoming game.

Photo courtesy of Jacksonville Jaguars Travis Etienne Jr. celebrates on Sunday with teammates in the end zone.

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Week 3 redemption for Jaguars

Marisa DeMar

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

The Jacksonville Jaguars bagged a 17-10 win against their long-standing AFC rivals, the Houston Texans on their home turf on Sunday. Tensions were high as the team took on the Texans who they had yet to beat in the previous few attempts.

Yulee Hornets face off against the West Nassau Warriors in a triumphant second half. By Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

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Hornets blank Warriors, raise record to 5-0

Jim Luksic

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

The undefeated beat goes on for Yulee High School’s varsity team. The Hornets shut down the West Nassau Warriors on a warm but breezy Friday night, 17-0, in a non-conference clash of unbeatens.

Yulee swimmers warm up for a meet at the Atlantic Recreation Center in August. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Yulee swim prevails over Pirates, Wildcats; Pirate girls take first

Ashley Chandler

Friday, September 19, 2025

Pirate and Hornet swimmers faced off with Baker County High School Wildcats on Sept. 11. Yulee High School finished first overall with 243 combined points. Fernandina Beach finished second with 238 points, followed by Baker County with 140.

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Bad-blood clash with Texans offers Jaguars a reset

Nick Blank

Friday, September 19, 2025

Social media is the worst place after every Jaguars loss. The trending topics after the infuriating 31-27 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals illustrate the daily news cycle between Sundays. Why is Brian Thomas Jr. shying from contact? Is Trevor Lawrence the guy?