Sports

Fernandina Beach High School’s quarterback Talan Van Delinder waits for the snap in Wednesday’s off-season matchup against Menendez. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MEGAN LOUISE PHOTOS

Fernandina Beach High School’s quarterback Talan Van Delinder waits for the snap in Wednesday’s off-season matchup against Menendez. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MEGAN LOUISE PHOTOS

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Springboard: Pirates football put the reps in at Menendez

Nick Blank
Friday, May 22, 2026
High school spring games function as a tuneup, a chance to give players game-time reps and for coaches to impart some wisdom to players before summer. Despite a 31-24 loss at Menendez on Wednesday, Fernandina Beach High football coaches left St.
Clay Hicks, left, came in third in Traditional for the 154-pound weight class. Submitted photo

Clay Hicks, left, came in third in Traditional for the 154-pound weight class. Submitted photo

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Marquez, Hicks podium at State Championships

News Staff
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Gabe Marquez and Clay Hicks earned a spot on the podiums at the recent High School Weightlifting Championships. Both Pirates placed third in Traditional in their respective weight classes.Marquez came in third place in Traditional for the 219-pound weight class with a 575-pound total.
Journey Flannery shows off her hardware after winning two of her three divisions at at the Father Devine National Team Qualifier & Championship and making Team Florida. Submitted photo

Journey Flannery shows off her hardware after winning two of her three divisions at at the Father Devine National Team Qualifier & Championship and making Team Florida. Submitted photo

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Yulee wrestler makes Team Florida

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Journey Flannery is making a name for herself in girls wrestling.At a recent qualifying tournament, Flannery made Team Florida, in her second year competing in the sport.
Fernandina Beach High School’s Maya Kovalcik (1600m race), finished seventh at the State Championships in Track and Field last week. Photo by Cedric Gillette

Fernandina Beach High School’s Maya Kovalcik (1600m race), finished seventh at the State Championships in Track and Field last week. Photo by Cedric Gillette

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FBHS track celebrates state placers; pivot to new track in ’27

Nick Blank
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Two Fernandina Beach Pirates Track & Field put in strong performances at state championships in Jacksonville last week. At the University of North Florida’s Hodges Stadium, freshman Maya Kovalcik (1600m race) and junior Samuel Colwell (high jump) both placed.
Yulee High School’s Turtle Ricks competes in the FHSAA Weightlifing State Championships last week. Ricks placed first in Olympic Weightlifting and third in Traditional Weightlifting. Photos by Hitsquad Media

Yulee High School’s Turtle Ricks competes in the FHSAA Weightlifing State Championships last week. Ricks placed first in Olympic Weightlifting and third in Traditional Weightlifting. Photos by Hitsquad Media

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Ricks snatches state title

Nick Blank
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Yulee High School’s weightlifting squad left Polk County with a state title and multiple strong performances at the state championship last week. Senior Turtle Ricks won the unlimited weight class by 55 pounds in the Olympic category and finished third in traditional, 35 points behind first place.
Lady Hornet softball players await Carmen Overstreet at home plate after she knocked a homerun in Wednesday’s regional tournament win over the West Nassau Warriors.Photo by Amanda Bishop/Nassau County Record

Lady Hornet softball players await Carmen Overstreet at home plate after she knocked a homerun in Wednesday’s regional tournament win over the West Nassau Warriors.Photo by Amanda Bishop/Nassau County Record

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Lady Hornets head to regional semis

Ashley Chandler
Friday, May 8, 2026
The Yulee High School softball team traveled across the county Wednesday to West Nassau High to face off for the third time this season in the regional quarterfinal.
Game One of the Pirates three-game regional tournament series against Suwannee. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Game One of the Pirates three-game regional tournament series against Suwannee. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Pirates fall to Suwannee Bulldogs in three-game Regional Semifinal

Nick Blank
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Fernandina Beach dropped a three-game series in the 3A state Regional Semifinals against the Suwannee Bulldogs (19-12), with a 5-1 defeat in the third game on Sunday ending the Pirates’ season.The series featured a doubleheader on Friday night.
Charleston Knight signs her letter of intent to play soccer at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Charleston Knight signs her letter of intent to play soccer at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Five Pirates sign to compete at the next level in their sport

Ashley Chandler
Monday, May 4, 2026
On Wednesday after classes ended at Fernandina Beach High School, coaches praised some of their top athletes: “Incredibly hard-working, incredibly smart” and “maybe the best athlete I’ve ever had” were just a few of the comments made by coaches.
Harlow Smith screen blocks for quarterback Brooke Reid in Tuesday’s district game against Ribault. Photo by Nick Blank/News-Leader

Harlow Smith screen blocks for quarterback Brooke Reid in Tuesday’s district game against Ribault. Photo by Nick Blank/News-Leader

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Hornets vie for Districts

Nick Blank
Friday, April 24, 2026
The Yulee Hornets (10- 5) flattened the Ribault Trojans 32-6 on Tuesday in Jacksonville thanks to a strong start as they pushed toward the district championship game.
Magdalena (Magda) Urbanowicz prepares to serve in a February match at Yulee High School. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Magdalena (Magda) Urbanowicz prepares to serve in a February match at Yulee High School. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Exchange student becomes first YHS girls tennis player to make it to district finals

Marisa DeMar
Friday, April 24, 2026
Magdalena (Magda) Urbanowicz made Yulee High School history in the FHSAA Class 2A District Tennis Tournament at Fernandina Beach High School last week. with her performance, Urbanowicz became the first YHS student to make it to the singles finals at districts.