Sports | Clay Today

St. Johns Country Day School may have junior Mason Schnell on the mound to face Canterbury for the Class 1A state title on Thursday at 7 p.m. Brayden Harris threw for eight strikeouts in 2-0 state semifinal win over Brito, but also threw 106 pitches.

Cole double; Harris 8Ks all Spartans need

FT MYERS - An unusual double over the centerfield fence by Preston Cole and an errant catcher's throw that deflected off Cole's helmet was the extent of the St. Johns Country Day School's offense in … more

By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com | 5/15/25

Oakleaf High senior Jaydyn Beall socked a double in the seventh inning to start a rally that got a 2-1 region playoff win over Bartram Trail. Oakleaf travels to No. 1 Pace for the region semifinal.

Maddox challenged; delivers walk-off blow

OAKLEAF - Bartram Trail High's softball coaches took the risk of putting Oakleaf High senior pitcher Charlotte "Charley" Maddox in the batter's box in a tense bottom of the seventh inning game tied … more

By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com | 5/15/25

Fleming Island High junior triple jumper Mikayla Shavers got her best jump on her first jump then held on to secure her first gold medal in the Class 3A Track and Field Championships held Saturday at the University of North Florida. Shavers was also fourth in long jump and the anchor for the girls 4 x 100 relay team.

FIHS Shavers gets her gold; only one

JACKSONVILLE - Fleming Island High junior triple jumper Mikayla Shavers could measure between her forefinger and her thumb the distance that put her in second place twice in the last two years in her … more

By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com | 5/15/25

Former Keystone Heights High football and boys weightlifting coach Lantz Lowery returns to Clay County on Friday, May 16 as the head football coach for Palatka High as they take on Clay High.

Friday Night Lights/Monday Night Football is here

ORANGE PARK - Area high school football will be showcased the next two weeks with spring games starting on Wednesday, May 14 with the Ridgeview High Panthers taking on Ribault in a 6 p.m. … more

By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com | 5/15/25

Middleburg High pitcher Lily Bennett faced off against one of best pitchers in state, Matanzas Leah Stevens, and nearly pulled off what could have been a major upset with the game ending in the eighth inning off an RBI single from Stevens with Matanzas winning 2-1 in the region 1-5A semifinal.

MHS Bennett vs. MHS Stevens: 8th inning showdown

MATANZAS - In a classic mano-a-mano showdown of epic proportions, Middleburg High senior softball pitcher Lily Bennett put up her best game in her career in challenging the arm of Matanzas High's … more

By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com | 5/14/25

Middleburg has a handful of power hitters; here Emma Ward, that can ignite a Bronco big runs inning at any moment. Broncos ripped for five sixth inning runs in region win over Milton.

Sixth inning heroics puts Broncos against No. 1

MIDDLEBURG - Middleburg High batter Mallory Ficklin hit a sixth inning three-run triple in support of Cloey Ballinger’s no-hitter as host Middleburg rallied late to defeat Milton 5-1 in a Region … more

By Mike Zima, Correspondent | 5/12/25

St. Johns Country Day School shortstop Preston Cole, here making double play throw in Spartans come-from-behind region championship win over University Christian will need stout defense to get a second straight state title for Spartans.

Spartans back in familiar territory (except in 1A)

ORANGE PARK - St. Johns Country Day School baseball coach Tom Lucas stated the obvious big answer about his team making it to the FHSAA Final Four again, but, now in Class 1A, the faces are eerily … more

By Randy Lefko randy@Claytodayonline.com | 5/12/25

Orange Park High discus thrower Jeremiah Hamilton finished 6th in class 3A.

Clay County medalists

Photos by Randy Lefko | 5/9/25

Oakleaf High's Ava Tolbert spins around teammate Jaydyn Beall after scoring winning run in Knights 2-1 region quarterfinal win over BartramTrail on Thursday.

OHS Maddox challenged; delivers walk off blow

OAKLEAF - Bartram Trail High's softball coaches took the risk of putting Oakleaf High senior pitcher Charlotte "Charley" Maddox in the batter's box in a tense bottom of the seventh inning game tied … more

By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com | 5/9/25

Middleburg High pitcher Cloey Ballinger embraces her catcher Madi Strickland after Ballinger finished off another no-hit inning in Broncos 5-1 region quarterfinal win over Milton on Thursday. Middleburg advances to region semifinal against No. 2 seed Matanzas (22-1) and an 1-0 winner over Ponte Vedra in their quarterfinal.

Ficklin 3RBI triple, Ballinger no-hitter fuel Broncos region win

Mallory Ficklin hit a three-run triple in support of Cloey Ballinger’s no-hitter as host Middleburg rallied late to defeat Milton 5-1 in a Region 1-5A quarterfinal on May 8. The Broncos, now … more

By Mike Zima, Correspondent | 5/9/25

St. Johns Country Day School pitcher Brayden Harris has a handful of double figure strikeouts outings and added to his state leading total with 10 against University Christian in the Spartans 11-1 region 1-1A championship series opener win Monday night. Harris was ranked No. 1 in strikeouts prior to the game with 131; add 10 to 141 now and was ranked seventh nationally.

Spartans dime UC in baseball 1A region

ORANGE PARK - A homer by Madden Williams and 10 strikeouts from pitcher Brayden Harris fueled a workmanlike 11-1 five inning win for the St. Johns Country Day School Spartan baseball team over … more

By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com | 5/9/25

St. Johns baserunner Preston Cole slides just out of reach of University of Christian catcher's glove to score gamewinner in 8-7 region championship win over University Christian.

Spartans to Final Four; Clay season over

ORANGE PARK - In true championship form, the St. Johns Country Day School baseball team, the defending Class 2A champion, proved their mettle with a scintillating finish in nine innings with a walk … more

By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com | 5/8/25

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