Sports

Gateway High works on its run game in preseason practice last week. The Panthers will host Windermere in Friday’s Kickoff Classic. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

Gateway High works on its run game in preseason practice last week. The Panthers will host Windermere in Friday’s Kickoff Classic. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

GAME ON! 2025 edition of high school football opens with Kickoff Classics

Students just got on campus this week—the same campuses where fall athletes have been working out and practicing at all month long.This week, football teams will take to the field across the line against someone wearing a different color—finally.
Luis Muriel scores on a beautiful header Wednesday. He had three goals in 14 minutes of Orlando City's 5-1 Leagues Cup win over Nexaca. (Photo/Mario Casamalhuapa)

Luis Muriel scores on a beautiful header Wednesday. He had three goals in 14 minutes of Orlando City's 5-1 Leagues Cup win over Nexaca. (Photo/Mario Casamalhuapa)

Muriel's historic hat trick powers Orlando City — will it be enough to advance in Leagues Cup?

Luis Muriel reminded everyone why experience matters in professional soccer, delivering the first first-half hat-trick in Orlando City SC history as the Lions demolished Necaxa 5-1 Wednesday at Inter&Co Stadium in their final group stage match.
Celebration’s Linda Fulton just keeps swimming — she set new National Senior Games records in the 70-74 age group in the 50 and 200 yard backstroke events. (Photo/Florida Sports Foundation)

Celebration’s Linda Fulton just keeps swimming — she set new National Senior Games records in the 70-74 age group in the 50 and 200 yard backstroke events. (Photo/Florida Sports Foundation)

Celebration’s Linda Fulton a blur at National Senior Games pool

In the last two National Senior Games, 2023 and 2025, there has been no better swimmer in backstroke events than Linda Fulton of Celebration.
Orlando's Prisca Chilufya scores the tying goal in 72nd minute to preserve the Pride's 1-1 draw against the Utah Royals Sunday night. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

Orlando's Prisca Chilufya scores the tying goal in 72nd minute to preserve the Pride's 1-1 draw against the Utah Royals Sunday night. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

Orlando Pride salvage late NWSL draw against Utah Royals

Orlando Pride fought back from a first-half deficit to earn a 1-1 draw against Utah Royals in front of their home supporters, with substitute Prisca Chilufya providing the crucial equalizer in the 72nd minute.
Marco Pasalic scores the third goal Saturday night in Orlando City's 3-1 Leagues Cup match against Atlas. (Photo/Mario Casamalhuapa)

Marco Pasalic scores the third goal Saturday night in Orlando City's 3-1 Leagues Cup match against Atlas. (Photo/Mario Casamalhuapa)

Orlando City defeats Mexican side Atlas 3-1, keeps League Cup hopes alive

Orlando City SC overcame an early setback to defeat Atlas 3-1 at Inter&Co Stadium in a crucial Leagues Cup group stage match Saturday night that keeps their tournament hopes alive heading into Wednesday's decisive finale against Necaxa.
Camren West started at quarterback for the Osceola Kowboys in the 2024 Class 6A state championship game. Six months later, he’s listed on Hudl as a member of the Orlando powerhouse Dr. Phillips program after transferring. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

Camren West started at quarterback for the Osceola Kowboys in the 2024 Class 6A state championship game. Six months later, he’s listed on Hudl as a member of the Orlando powerhouse Dr. Phillips program after transferring. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

Coaches: high school transfer saga like ‘The Wild West’

If you think college athletics is out of control with its transfer portal, you might want to start paying attention to your local high school—where school choice rules may have made player movement even more prevalent than the college game.
Ramiro Enrique scored twice on feeds from Ivan Angulo in the second half in Orlando City's comeback 3-1 in Columbus late Friday night. (Photo/Mark Thor Orlando City Staff Photographer)

Ramiro Enrique scored twice on feeds from Ivan Angulo in the second half in Orlando City's comeback 3-1 in Columbus late Friday night. (Photo/Mark Thor Orlando City Staff Photographer)

Orlando City completes stunning 3-1 comeback in Columbus for rare win there

In a match that will be remembered for its dramatic second-half turnaround and refusing to surrender even in the 80th-plus minute, Orlando City SC overcame a penalty deficit to defeat Columbus Crew 3-1, with substitute Ramiro Enrique scoring twice and Martín Ojeda capping off a memorable night with...
Nydrell Thigpen is among a group of talented Gateway sophomores who played big roles in 2024. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

Nydrell Thigpen is among a group of talented Gateway sophomores who played big roles in 2024. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

The bell tolls on new gridiron season

At 12:01 a.m. next Wednesday, approximately 70 players will hit the field at St. Cloud for the first day of football practice for the 2025 season. The event will be the fourth time that Michael Short has opened fall camp with “Midnight Madness.