Sports

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.