Today's Sports

GAINESVILLE - Scratch a "W" on the schedule right now - at 1-0, Bronson football starts the season with a winning record. The blue Eagles paid a visit to Oak Hall, whom they'd beaten 28-12 last year, and left the field carrying a hard-earned 27-18 win.

"I'm so happy we won," said Bronson head coach Al Cooksey.

Following a tough loss at Chiefland in the preseason, Cooksey said he had feared his Eagles might turn their hopes to the Oak Hall game with more expectation than reason.

"I think they think they've beaten them already," he said then.

"One of our goals was to come here and win this preseason tournament," said Emily Gore, head coach of Chiefland varsity volleyball.

They did. Chiefland played scrappy, resourceful ball, taking three games in the first round to put down a more talented Williston team, then finishing off host Bronson in two games in the championship round.

In the finishes of the four-team field, which saw Chiefland first, Bronson second, Williston third and Cedar Key fourth, every coach saw fine-tuning to be done, but also reasons to celebrate.

It was during the fourth quarter of last Friday's preseason classic between Inverness Citrus and Williston High School's football teams.

In the west end zone, the Williston players milled around, some sprawled on the ground using their equipment as headrests, watching the junior varsity. The coaches stood and watched as the JV won its quarter.

There was a feeling of satisfaction in the air that only comes after a good performance.

Williston High Schools football team will see its first interscholastic action of the season this Friday, Aug. 29, at 7:30 p.m. at home against Inverness Citrus. The four-quarter game is a preseason classic, which does not count in the standings or won-loss record, but serves as a gauge for the coaches to prepare for next Fridays home opener against P.K. Yonge. This week, the Devils will play three varsity quarters, and the JV will play the fourth quarter. Last year these two teams met in Inverness, but played only six minutes before a storm washed out the competition.