OAKLEAF - Oakleaf High senior quarterback Walter Simmons had one thing in mind when choosing his college for his next phase of football playing; actually two. One, choose a program that would offer … more

FLEMING ISLAND - Though losing one of the top jumpers and hitters in all of Florida to graduation; Reyna Durden, Fleming Island High volleyball coach Amy Walker has a lot to look forward to with a … more

Say it isn’t so! Note: With COVID-19 altering all athletics, the historic Fleming Island vs. Clay football game may be nixed in 2020.FLEMING ISLAND - Clay High field goal kicker Lane Delapp got … more

ATLANTA - Area baseball players; from most of Clay County’s high school programs, completed a successful summer of baseball at the club level with three teams chocked full of local talent battling … more

JACKSONVILLE - Middleburg High and University of North Florida golf ace Cody Carroll added yet another lofty outing on the the golf course with a masterful birdie on the final hole of the 59th … more

GAINESVILLE - An impassioned plea from a former local football coach preempted an FHSAA vote to push the start of 2020 high school sports seasons to August 24. The vote, an 11-4 count to start on … more

MELBOURNE – Florida Tech men’s basketball and head coach Billy Mims are excited to announce that Fleming Island High basketball star Elias Martin as the program’s fourth signee for the 2020 … more

JACKSONVILLE – The 59th edition of the Jacksonville Amateur Championship, sponsored and conducted by the Jacksonville Area Golf Association, got underway Thursday, July 23, at Jax Beach Golf Club … more

FLEMING ISLAND - In a five hour marathon meeting that looked much like a fourth grade discussion on college algebra, the Florida High School Athletics Association and the COVID-19 Task Force had a … more

FLEMING ISLAND - The Whiddon family is noted for their athletics in the area with football and wrestling the top draw for the likes of Wes, Heath and Walker, but the next great Whiddon may just be a … more

OAKLEAF - Oakleaf High graduate and baseball pitcher Chris Mauloni, known to Knights fans for his blistering fastball and also his adept hitting, will get a second shot at Major League Baseball with a recent signing with the Detroit Tigers. “I was drafted last year by the Boston Red Sox, but not signed,” said Mauloni, who just finished up his sophomore season at Jacksonville University after a sterling freshman year that saw him earn First Team All American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writer’s Association as well as a Third Team All-American by Rawlings/Perfect Game and Collegiate Baseball, a First-Team Freshman All-American by Baseball America, a finalist for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year award, as well as All-ASUN Second Team and Freshman Team honors. “Right now, I have been told that they might set up a small minor league after seeing the results (COVID-19) on the upcoming 60-game season. Nothing is for sure though.” Though still earning a signing bonus, Mauloni is kind of on hold until August with playing time. “I can’t play travel ball or summer ball because of now being a professional,” said Mauloni. “It’s a bit anti-climactic because you don’t get that instant gratification of getting to play pro ball. I just stay in shape with weightlifting and throwing and catching at home.” Mauloni, who had finished a 2.5 hour weightlifting session prior to our conversation, stormed to the top of the NCAA relief pitching stats with 20 saves leading the Dolphins to a 40-win season and an NCAA regional appearance. In his sophomore season, Mauloni was a preseason All-ASun Conference selection, but just played in 12 games. The Boston Red Sox drafted him 35th in the 2019 MLB draft First Year Player Draft. In 2020, Mauloni added two saves to his total; 24, to become the top closer at Jacksonville. “When I came in I had a mindset based on my ability from high school,” said Mauloni. “I just wanted to not get beaten at any circumstance on the field. I still learned a whole much more that year.” Mauloni, 22, has seen the strength training provide some muscular durability in the rugged schedule of NCAA seasons. “I never weightlifted much in high school, but the level of commitment of the entire team at JU is much higher. If you want to play, you have to put in the extra work,” said Mauloni. At the Detroit Tigers signing, Mauloni asked what they wanted from their pitchers because his draft, but no signing last year left him thinking about why not. “They were always looking for power guys; upper 90 mphs, but they noted that I had developed a slider that noone could hit,” said Mauloni. “Every hitter at the NCAA level can hit a fastball, but now I can throw most of my secondary pitches in the strike zone. Those pitches make the fastball that much more effective.” Mauloni, who was pursuing a degree in aviation management at Jacksonville, will now have to find gaps in his baseball time to continue classes. “Detroit has paid for the rest of my schooling and I would like to finish that,” said Mauloni. “ Mauloni joked about his days as a strong hitter at Oakleaf that has been curtailed for his pitching arm. “At this level, they pay guys big money to hit and they pay guys to pitch,” said Mauloni. “I was a pretty good bat in high school.” Mauloni noted former Oakleaf teammates Skylar Arias and J.C. Flowers are still pursing their Major League aspirations; Arias with the Cleveland Indians (pitcher for ) and Flowers with the Pittsburg Pirates (outfielder). more

MIDDLEBURG - Former Middleburg High baseball standout A.J. Gill got a very rare Major League Baseball contract last week when the hefty bat from Clay County signed an undrafted free agent contract … more

Fleming Island youth football action was hard driving on a Sunday afternoon conditioning session with, top left, Cyril Hudson sprinting; cheerleaders with semi-simultaneous jumps; bottom left, Hunter … more

MIDDLEBURG - Area cross country runners continue to run and train in anticipation of a fall season after many missed possible track season medals because of the COVID-19 situation. "The virus has not … more

GAINESVILLE - With an intention to not change dates for the upcoming fall sports season, but, more importantly, keeping in line with state and federal regulations pertaining to the COVID-19 … more

OAKLEAF - Oakleaf High football coach Frank Garis noted a small dilemma in his summer approach to fall football. "We have had up to 130 guys coming out to the conditioning practices and that … more

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – In one of the very few 5K road running races in the state, St. Johns Country Day School’s Matthew Stratton figured on cruising to the win until Clay High’s Carlton Waiguru … more

GAINESVILLE – Right now, it is “muddy waters.”That comment made by Florida High School Athletic Association Executive Director George Tomyn regarding a potential plan involving a … more