Sports

The Fernandina Beach and Yulee high school flag football teams faced off Wednesday in Fernandina Beach. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

The Fernandina Beach and Yulee high school flag football teams faced off Wednesday in Fernandina Beach. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Hornets shutout Pirates in flag football

Ashley Chandler
Friday, February 20, 2026
In front of the half-demolished stadium bleachers beside the Pirate’s football field, the Yulee and Fernandina Beach high school’s flag football teams battled in the first match of the season. Two touchdowns, an extra point and a safety led the Hornets to a first-game shutout over the Pirates 15-0.
The Pirates swarm No. 8 Trace Farmer after he hit the game-winning RBI in Friday’s game against Baldwin. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

The Pirates swarm No. 8 Trace Farmer after he hit the game-winning RBI in Friday’s game against Baldwin. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Pirates open baseball season with big win, extra innings RBI

Nick Blank
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Down 4-3 in the bottom of the 7th inning to the Baldwin Indians, the Fernandina Beach Pirates (2-1) tied the contest a run and followed with another in extra innings to escape with a win. Head Coach Jon Shave said any time a team wins in extra innings and has to come from behind it’s exciting.
Yulee High School tennis faced off against Hilliard on Feb. 12. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Yulee High School tennis faced off against Hilliard on Feb. 12. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Yulee tennis sees growth

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Athletes at Yulee High School are finding themselves and their confidence on the tennis court. The head girls and boys tennis coaches say this year’s team is showing “tremendous potential” and clear growth from previous season. “We’ve seen a lot of growth with our team.
A team from the Yulee High School’s Marathon High running progam completed the Donna Half Marathon on Feb. 1 at Jacksonville Beach. Submitted photo

A team from the Yulee High School’s Marathon High running progam completed the Donna Half Marathon on Feb. 1 at Jacksonville Beach. Submitted photo

Yulee students complete half-marathon, build lifelong skills through after-school program

News Staff
Saturday, February 7, 2026
A group of Yulee High School students completed a long-distance feat many people never achieve in their lifetime. A team of 12 from the Yulee High School’s Marathon High running progam completed the Donna Half Marathon last weekend. The event was held Feb. 1 in Jacksonville Beach.
The Pirates boys varsity soccer team ahead of a home game in November. Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

The Pirates boys varsity soccer team ahead of a home game in November. Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Pirates season ends in Panama City state match

Nick Blank
Saturday, February 7, 2026
The Fernandina Beach boys soccer season has come to a close after a 6-0 loss to one of the top teams in the state, North Bay Haven Academy in Panama City, following a successful 16-7-1 campaign for the Pirates. After a heartbreaking 2-1 loss in District against the Bolles School on Jan.
Journey Cheer practices at Journey Church in January. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Journey Cheer practices at Journey Church in January. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Character shines for local youth cheer team

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Local cheer Coach Erika Nickell says her team’s experience has been a journey.Though the Journey Cheer youth recreational team practices at Journey Church, Nickell said the name comes, not from the church, but from the path to forming the team.“The name just felt so right,” Nickell said.
Dual at the Dunes wrestling tournament on Jan. 10, 2026 at FBHS. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Dual at the Dunes wrestling tournament on Jan. 10, 2026 at FBHS. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

FBHS hosts annual team tourney, Dual at the Dunes

Ashley Chandler
Friday, January 30, 2026
Fernandina Beach hosted its annual team dual tournament on Jan. 10 called Dual at the Dunes. The 15-team tournament was separeted into 3 pools of five. It was a round robin format, followed by cross bracketing based off records.
The Lady Pirates rode a strong second half at home Wednesday to clinch first place in districts with a 1-0 win over Bolles. Nick Blank/News-Leader

The Lady Pirates rode a strong second half at home Wednesday to clinch first place in districts with a 1-0 win over Bolles. Nick Blank/News-Leader

Lady Pirates dominate districts

Nick Blank
Thursday, January 29, 2026
When Evie Oliver was fouled at the top of the box in the second half, Sarah Benjamin stepped up to score a penalty kick to clinch the District championship for the Fernandina Beach Lady Pirates against the Bolles School on a frigid Wednesday.
Fernandina Beach High School students and varsity basketball players celebrate in the Yulee High School gymnasium after the Pirates beat the Hornets by two points on Friday. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Fernandina Beach High School students and varsity basketball players celebrate in the Yulee High School gymnasium after the Pirates beat the Hornets by two points on Friday. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Battle 'til the buzzer: Pirates beat Hornets, drop home game to Flashes

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
The Yulee High boys basketball team felt the sting Friday, when the Pirates beat them on their home court in a late-season rematch. The second half started with the Hornets leading by double digits. With just over two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Pirates took the lead.