Sports

The Hilliard Middle School varsity girls join together with their coaches after winning the school’s fourth county championship in a row. View more photos on page 11. Photo by Amanda Bishop

The Hilliard Middle School varsity girls join together with their coaches after winning the school’s fourth county championship in a row. View more photos on page 11. Photo by Amanda Bishop

HMS four-peats as county’s best team

News Staff
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Amanda Bishop NCR Editor & Publisher   The Hilliard Middle School varsity girls basketball team never gave up Thursday night, finally edging out Fernandina Beach Middle School to be named the county champion for the fourth season in a row.
New football Coach Will Dyal’s twin daughters Harper and Finley and wife Madison Dyal interact with community members at a meet and greet at Hilliard Middle-Senior High School. Photo by Anna Newhoff

New football Coach Will Dyal’s twin daughters Harper and Finley and wife Madison Dyal interact with community members at a meet and greet at Hilliard Middle-Senior High School. Photo by Anna Newhoff

Community greets new Flashes coach

News Staff
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Anna Newhoff NCR Reporter   Surrounded by parents, players, and community members, Hilliard Middle-Senior High School’s new varsity football coach introduced himself to the community Nov. 20.
Blayze Mattox is the 2025 state champion for ages 13 and under. He competed at the USA Weightlifting Florida State Championship in Lake Wales. Submitted

Blayze Mattox is the 2025 state champion for ages 13 and under. He competed at the USA Weightlifting Florida State Championship in Lake Wales. Submitted

State champion

News Staff
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Amanda Bishop NCR Editor & Publisher   Ten-year-old Blayze Mattox reigns as state champion for weightlifters age 13 and younger in the 39 kilogram division. Mattox competed among the state’s best at the USA Weightlifting Florida State Championship in Lake Wales Saturday.
Lady Rambler Ellie Page attempts to tag Hilliard’s Janelle Geoghagan at first base April 10.

Lady Rambler Ellie Page attempts to tag Hilliard’s Janelle Geoghagan at first base April 10.

CMS three-peats as county champion

News Staff
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Lady Rambler Ellie Page attempts to tag Hilliard’s Janelle Geoghagan at first base April 10. Hilliard Middle School was poised to win 8-6 until Callahan Middle rallied in the seventh inning, forcing an eighth inning to break the tie.
The Lady Flashes are among the Final Four in the Rural Class.

The Lady Flashes are among the Final Four in the Rural Class.

Lady Flashes reflect on road to state finals

News Staff
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Anna Newhoff NCR Reporter   As the final buzzer sounded, the Lady Flashes were crowned Rural Class Region 3 champions.  Hilliard Middle-Senior High School hosted the regional championship Feb. 18. The Lady Flashes secured a hard-fought 67-64 victory over the Fort White Indians.
The Lady Flashes celebrate with their regional trophy. They will face Holmes County in Lakeland Feb. 26 at 5 p.m.

The Lady Flashes celebrate with their regional trophy. They will face Holmes County in Lakeland Feb. 26 at 5 p.m.

Lady Flashes move on to Final Four, boys end season

Amanda Bishop
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
The Lady Flashes are going to the big show. They defeated Fort White 67-64 Feb. 18 to advance to the Final Four of the Rural Class.  The boys lost a nail-biter against Fort White later that same evening, falling 62-59. Hilliard's girls will travel to Lakeland to face Holmes County at 5 p.m. Feb.
The Flashes celebrate with their district championship trophy.

The Flashes celebrate with their district championship trophy.

Hilliard teams district champs

News Staff
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
For the first time since 1995, both of Hilliard’s basketball teams are district champions. 
The West Nassau High School cheerleaders are world champions once again and also took home a national championship and a fourth-place finish.

The West Nassau High School cheerleaders are world champions once again and also took home a national championship and a fourth-place finish.

Champion Warriors

News Staff
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
The West Nassau High School cheerleaders are world champions once again and also took home a national championship and a fourth-place finish. The team competed at the Universal Cheerleaders Association High School Nationals in Kissimmee Feb. 9-10.