Florida Sports Wire

By Jeff Moeller, Jacksonville Sports News JACKSONVILLE -  It’s the beginning of June, but it’s not too early to try and figure out the Jaguars’ running game. Remember though, these were your 13-4 AFC South Champion Jaguars, who had most of the answers last season until they couldn't handle Josh Allen in the playoffs.  Long-time staple Travis Etienne is gone after he accounted for 1,107 rushing yards, and he appeared destined for a huge season after his 143-yard performance in the opening win against Carolina. Three weeks later, Etienne was a major factor with 124 yards in their huge 26-21 win in San Francisco.  But, like in the past, Etienne’s inconsistencies began to surface again. He wouldn’t hit the 100-mark again even though he averaged nearly 14 carries a game.  From there, his high water marks were 86, 76, 73, 74, and he had 67 against the Bills in their playoff game. Despite the Jags’ 13- 4 record - that most people may have already forgotten - it became obvio...

JACKSONVILLE (Florida Sports Wire) The Sporting JAX women’s team fell to Carolina Ascent FC, 1-0, in the Gainbridge Super League Semifinals. “I think we could all feel some nerves in that first half, myself included,” said Sporting JAX forward Paige Kenton. “But I think the way we battled that whole second half to try to score an equalizer was amazing, and I think if we can take a little bit of that into next season and remember this feeling, there's gonna be great things for us.” Following an early concession, the Sporting JAX back line dug its heels in to keep things within reach. The Carolina attack continued pressing throughout the first 45 minutes, but nothing ultimately came of it. This spirit carried over into the second half, where the defense stood strong. This was highlighted by a series of great saves by goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks, who provided a valuable presence in net during the inaugural season. Giving up an early goal served as a potential setback, but Sporting JAX di...

JACKSONVILLE – Cody Morissette provided his second walk-off knock in as many days to cement a 6-5 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp win over the Norfolk Tides to close out Honey Dripper weekend in front of 9,201 fans at VyStar Ballpark. Jacksonville (29-22) took five of six games in the series over Norfolk (19-32) and were forced into late-game dramatics following a four-run Norfolk rally in the top of the ninth inning to tie the game at five.  The Tides loaded the bases with one out following a Willy Vasquez walk, Silas Ardoin single and Tommy Pham walk. Heston Kjerstad sent a sacrifice fly to score Vasquez and Johnathan Rodriguez followed with a two-run double, cutting the deficit to one. Creed Williams singled to score Rodriguez evening the score at five.  The Jumbo Shrimp wasted no time in the home ninth facing Norfolk reliever Cameron Foster (L, 0-3). Ethan O’Donnell walked with one out, Bennett Hostetler singled and pinch hitter Jacob Berry was intentionally walked, loading the...

ESTERO – The Florida Everblades capitalized when it mattered most, securing a 1–0 victory over the Wheeling Nailers at Hertz Arena in front of 6,764 fans to take another step in the Eastern Conference Finals. Zach Berzolla provided the difference-maker, scoring early in the second period for what stood as the game’s lone goal. The opening frame was physical from the start, with both teams finishing checks and establishing a competitive tone. Both sides traded power-play opportunities, as the Nailers received the first man advantage but were unable to convert, followed by a Florida power play that also came up empty. The Everblades controlled much of the pace early and held a 12–9 edge in shots on goal after the first period. Florida broke through quickly in the second as Berzolla found the back of the net off assists from Riese Zmolek and Jesse Lansdell. The Everblades continued to apply pressure throughout the middle frame and earned four additional power-play opportunities but were u...

By Jeff Moeller, Florida Sports Wire Ok, Jaguars’ fans, it’s safe to say that the 2026 football season is underway. Is it time to pick the wins and losses off the schedule? The pomp and circumstance of the overhyped schedule release show  usually serves as the unofficial kickoff. By the time the show aired, mostly everyone knew their team’s schedule due to the massive leaks. Yet, the more interesting part of the schedule release was each team’s own presentation dealing with a player or players doing something interesting with football. The Jags had Trevor Lawrence cutting his hair, but it was a well disguised prank as Lawrence wore a wig with his short-hair look. You can read into that as Lawrence and the Jags being pretty confident heading into the season. The Jags were relatively quiet in the draft, taking care of some needs in spite of some head-scratching picks. There is plenty of anticipation and speculation for the season ahead. It again will hinge on Lawrence to see if he ca...

ST. AUGUSTINE – Donna (Hicks) Cohen ’79, Sanford Dixson ’81, and Corey Mundy ‘15 were inducted as the 21st class of the Flagler College Athletics Hall of Fame Thursday night (May 14) at a banquet sponsored by Carrabba’s Italian Grill at the Virginia Room in the Ringhaver Student Center. The event is part of the College’s annual Alumni Weekend (May 14-17). Flagler’s Director of Golf, Santiago Cavanagh, will be inducted at a separate ceremony in December. The Flagler College Athletics Hall of Fame was established in 2004 to honor student-athletes and administrators who made a major contribution to the intercollegiate sports programs while at Flagler, as well as a significant impact in their community after graduating, and since then, 79 people and one team have been inducted, including this year’s class. Cohen was a starter on the basketball (1975-79) and slow-pitch softball (1976-80) teams at Flagler. She helped the Saints win a FAIAW State title in 1976, 1977, and 1979 in basketball an...

  JACKSONVILLE - North Florida Baseball secured itself as the Atlantic Sun Conference Graphite Champions with a come-from-behind win over West Georgia, 6-5, at Harmon Stadium on Thursday.  It marked the first time in program history North Florida clinched the ASUN Graphite Division title. North Florida's 20 wins in ASUN play this season are the most since its Division I inception in 2006. The Ospreys opened the scoring with a three-run bottom of the first inning. Junior infielder Mathew Farner drove in North Florida's first run of the game with a sacrifice fly.  Redshirt sophomore outfielder Carter White roped an RBI single to right field in the bottom of the first frame to give North Florida a 2-0 lead.  Redshirt junior utility player Jackson Toberman capped off UNF's three-run first inning with a hard hit ball to shortstop that plated a run, allowing the Ospreys to command a 3-0 lead. West Georgia responded with one run in the second inning and two in the third to ...