Sports

On the horizon is recreational soccer starting in September for at least four leagues in Jackson County.  Optimist Park has one of their largest rosters of kids that have registered to play fall soccer this year.

Cottondale saw some live pre-season action last Friday night in preparation for the real season scheduled to start this Friday night.

The Marianna Bulldogs traveled to Sneads last Friday night for some preseason action with cross-county rival, the Sneads Pirates. The Pirates took advantage of the home field and came away with a 14-7 win.

The Marianna High School Bulldogs got their first live action of the 2025 season last Friday night with an intrasquad scrimmage that offered both promising glimpses of talent and early-season challenges.

The first games of high school pre-season, jamboree, or purple and gold football games are in the books and as you might expect there were what was perceived good news and not so good news.

Marianna, Florida, often called the “City of Southern Charm,” is just as well-known for its inviting waters as it is for its rich history. Nestled among rolling hills and shaded by towering pines, the area boasts some of the Panhandle’s most treasured swimming holes, each with its own charm and appeal.

The Sneads Pirates opened their first live action of the season last Friday night, squaring off in a preseason matchup against Liberty County.

The Cottondale Hornets football team saw live action last Friday night for the first time in 2025.

The Dixie Softball World Series winning Marianna Ponytails team and the Marianna Angels squad that took runners up honors were recognized this morning’s Jackson County Commission meeting.

The 2025 summer season has been one of growth, learning, and community spirit for Jackson County 4-H, and their efforts did not go unnoticed.

Jackson County can indeed be a little extra proud after this past week’s Dixie Softball World Series came to a close.

Team Florida Angels opened the World Series with a solid 17-5 win over Grant Angels Allstars.

Team Florida Ponytails had their work cut out for them when they stepped on the diamond last week to take on North Carolina-Lumberton.

Sister Arnold’s name is synonymous with softball and dedication in the panhandle.

The Florida 10U Angels wasted no time in making a statement Saturday when they took the field against the Grant Angels Allstars

Team Florida kept it rolling Sunday morning when they took the field against Grant Parish. They handed them a 10-0 shutout and moved to 2-0 in World Series play. The team showed no sign of looking ahead or behind, coming off a 15-0 shutout the previous night and knowing they had a slate of games ahead of them. The pitching duo of Kate Barton and Olivia Speers combined for a perfect game – no hits, walks, errors, or runs, with 11 strikeouts out of 12 possibilities.

Marianna High School Class of 2025 graduate Tyler Cannady has taken his passion for weightlifting to the next level, officially signing a scholarship with Louisiana State University Shreveport (LSUS) to compete in Olympic-style weightlifting at the collegiate level.

In a unanimous 5-0 vote during its regular monthly meeting, the Jackson County School Board approved the renaming of Marianna High School’s gymnasium in honor of legendary coach Tim Goodson, cementing the legacy of a man whose impact on the community extended far beyond the basketball court.

Each year, the calm waters of Lake Seminole are transformed into a high-octane arena as the Sneads Showdown drag boat races roar to life.

The Malone Tigers are turning the page to a new era as former standout Antwain Johnson takes the reins of the boys’ basketball program following the departure of longtime head coach Steve Welch. Johnson, a 2015 graduate of Malone School, is no stranger to the court or to the legacy of the Tigers' storied basketball tradition.

Aaron Davis, a proud 2016 graduate of Graceville High School, is returning to his alma mater in a leadership role, this time as head football coach. Davis, who played defensive end for the Tigers during his high school years, is determined to restore the program’s tradition of grit, effort, and relentless play.