Sports

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London calling after Jags cool off

Nick Blank

Friday, October 17, 2025

It’s time for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ annual sojourn to London. It’s not coming at a great time. Wembley Stadium is a 90,000-seat behemoth. Built in 2007, it is the crown jewel of the English soccer establishment in an overpriced, fairly drab part of Northwest London.

Pirates vs. Hornets football

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Hornets shut out Pirates

Nick Blank

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

The Yulee Hornets (7-0) took out rivals Fernandina Beach Pirates 28-0 at home, as players and fans fought to stay dry Friday night. No part of play was unaffected by the sheets of rain, except Yulee’s suffocating defense. Passing, kicking and ball protection were difficult asks.

Runner crosses the finish line at the Amelia Island Half Marathon on Sunday By Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

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Amelia Island Half Marathon moves along

Marisa DeMar

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

The Amelia Island Half Marathon race took place on Sunday morning, which included the full 21.1K, 12K, and 5K routes. All of the courses finished in front of Main Beach, where runners were greeted by family, friends and vendors giving out snacks and champagne to toast in celebration.

Officials cut the ribbon last week on batting cages at Central Park.

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City opens batting cages at Central Park

Nick Blank

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Fernandina Beach has opened new batting cages at Central Park, which they hope will benefit the development of baseball players. The project cost $176,000. The county provided a $50,000 grant for the project and the Babe Ruth League covered the rest.

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Pirates set out to snap streak

Nick Blank

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

The Fernandina Beach Pirates (5-2) will attempt to break an 11-year losing streak against the Yulee Hornets (6-0) on Friday. Despite a 2-8 record last year, the Hornets beat the Pirates 42-7. Yulee won the rivalry game in tighter contests, by 26-14 and 21-14 in 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Lady Pirates volleyball takes on Yulee on Sept. 26. Photo by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

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Lady Pirates grow in 2025 season

Ashley Chandler

Friday, October 3, 2025

Fernandina Beach High School volleyball is well into their 2025 season. As of Thursday morning, the Pirates had five wins and nine losses on the season and were ranked fourth in the district with a 1-3 record. Head Coach Siera Rowland said it has “been an exciting season so far.”

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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.”