Sports

Dalton Janey celebrates as he reaches third base on a triple in a game against Sandalwood on Feb. 17. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Hornets, Pirates tested early this season

Nick Blank

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

More than a week out from the battle of the Bridge, Fernandina Beach Pirates (5-1) and Yulee Hornets (4-2) are finding their feet early in the season. The Pirates won three times last week, beating Sandalwood 2-0, Hilliard 11-5 on the road, and Bishop Kenny 9-1.

YHS and WNHS softball faced off in Yulee on Feb. 19. The Warriors beat the Hornets 4-0. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Warriors down Hornets in softball

News Staff

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

The Yulee High softball team hasn’t had the opening it hoped for. The Hornets are 0-2 heading into a Thursday night matchup against Beachside at home. The Hornets lost on Feb. 17 at Baldwin 5-3; and again in its home opener last Thursday against West Nassau, 4-0

The Fernandina Beach High School softball team beat Raines on Feb. 17, 22-4. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Lady Pirates start season with high scoring win over Raines

News Staff

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

The Fernandina Beach softball team opened its season with a 22-4 win over Raines. The Feb. 17 game featured tons of highlights for the Lady Pirates, including an inside-the-park homerun from Alivia Brown. Several Lady Pirates put the ball in play.

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Sermadevi first Lady Pirate district wrestling champion

Ashley Chandler

Friday, February 20, 2026

Fernandina Beach High School wrestling had a good showing at districts, most notably, the Pirates have their firstever female district champion wrestler, Anjana Sermadevi. “Anjana has done really well this season and is an extremely hard worker in the wrestling room.

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

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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

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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

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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.

The 2026 Yulee High School softball team ahead of its preseason game Tuesday against Bishop Snyder. The Hornets won 6-3. Submitted photo

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All-around talent: YHS head softball coach anticipates ‘really good’ 2026 season

Ashley Chandler

Friday, February 13, 2026

Yulee High School softball is geared up for its 2026 season. The team is here to win as it showed in its 6-3 preseason victory over Bishop Snyder on Tuesday. Head Coach Cristyn Camp said this year’s team is filled with talent.

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

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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

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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.