Athletes Beyond Bartow: Collegiate football, cross country, volleyball, and soccer updates

Jaison Morning, Valdosta State, former Cass HS runner

The 2016 college football season and most fall sports at colleges and universities are now in full swing. Fall tennis will begin at many schools in the coming weeks. Bartow Sports Zone will periodically spotlight current participants with local connections to Cartersville and Bartow County.

The Bartow Sports Zone website also contains a roster of current collegiate and professional athletes on the ATHLETES BEYOND BARTOW page of this site.

Jaison Morning (photo), a former Cass Colonels cross country and track and field athlete now competes for Valdosta State University. The sophomore led his team to a fourth place finish at the Georgia College Invitational September 10.

Here are the most recent updates for the week ending Sunday, September 11.

FOOTBALL

DeANDRE ALLEN — Georgia Military College (Soph., DB, Adairsville HS) . . . has seven tackles through GMC’s first two games. Game stats for last Saturday’s 73-17 home win over Palmetto Prep Academy were not available at time of this update. Georgia Military travels to James Madison University Sunday (Sep 18, 1pm) to play ASA New York. NOAH FOLEY -- Berry College (Fr., LB, Cass HS) . . . saw action on special teams in Vikings 52-37 win at LaGrange College. Berry (2-0) travels to Memphis Saturday to take on Rhodes College.

T.L. FORD, II — UNC-Charlotte (Jr., WR, Cartersville HS) . . . had six pass receptions for 64 yards that included a 12-yard touchdown catch and a long reception of 32 yards in a 47-14 home victory over Elon. Ford has 8 catches for 117 yards in his first two games this season. The 49ers (1-1) host Eastern Michigan Saturday night.

MILLER FORRISTALL — Alabama (Fr., TE, Cartersville HS) . . . After starting in the season opener against USC, Forristall again saw action in the top-ranked Crimson Tide’s 38-10 home win over Western Kentucky. Alabama (2-0) plays at Ole Miss Saturday afternoon.

GORDON GRAY — Kennesaw State (R-Soph., WR, Cartersville HS) . . . saw action in the Owls’ 49-3 victory over Point University. KSU (1-1) plays at Duquesne Saturday, September 24.

LUCAS JOHNSON — Georgia State (Soph., OL, Cass HS) . . . saw action for the second straight game in the Panthers 48-14 loss Saturday at Air Force. Georgia State (0-2) travels to Madison, Wisconsin Saturday for a noon kickoff at the Wisconsin Badgers.

HAYES LINN — Air Force (Sr., DB, Cartersville HS) . . . had four tackles in the Falcons’ 48-14 home win over Georgia State Saturday. He now has seven tackles and a pass break up in Air Force’s first two wins. Air Force (2-0) has an open week before traveling to Utah State September 24.

RODNEY MITCHELL — Coastal Carolina (Jr.,OL, Cartersville HS, Atlanta Sports Academy) . . . saw action in the Chanticleers’ 49-10 home victory over Florida A&M. Coastal Carolina (2-0) plays at Jacksonville State Saturday.

MARK QUATTLEBAUM — UNC-Charlotte (Soph., SL, Cartersville HS) . . . saw action in the 49ers’ 33-point win over Elon Saturday night after catching a pass in the opening loss to Louisville. Charlotte (1-1) entertains Eastern Michigan Saturday night.

TYLER REED — Austin Peay University (Fr., LB, Cartersville HS) . . . saw action in the Governors’ 41-7 home loss to Tennessee Tech. Reed had six tackles, five solo, and forced a fumble. Reed now has nine tackles on the season Following a week off, Austin Peay (0-2, 0-1 in the Ohio Valley Conference) will travel to Eastern Illinois for another OVC game.

ISAIAH ROSS — Point University (Jr., LB, Woodland HS) . . . made six tackles in the Skyhawks’ 49-3 loss at Kennesaw State. Ross now has 30 tackles in three games. Point (0-3) has a home game Saturday against Virginia-Lynchburg.

SHELBY TOWNSEND — Georgia Southern (Soph., TE, Woodland HS) . . . saw action for the second consecutive week in the Eagles 24-9 win at South Alabama. GSU (2-0, 1-0 in Sun Belt Conference) will host Louisiana-Monroe Saturday in another conference matchup.

HIRAM VELEZ — Troy University (Jr., WR, Adairsville HS) . . . a week removed from hauling in two passes that included a touchdown against Austin Peay, Velez saw action in a 30-24 loss at Clemson. Troy (1-1) plays at Southern Miss Saturday night.

DaKELIN WELLS — Maryville (TN) College (Jr., DB, Cass HS) . . . started at linebacker and had three tackles in the Scots 38-0 home win over Hanover (IN) College. He has six tackes, a forced fumble, and one pass break up through two games this season. Maryville (1-1) hosts Emory & Henry Saturday.

MALIK WILKINS — Maryville (TN) College (Jr., S, Cartersville HS) . . . recorded one tackle in the Scots’ 38-0 shutout of Hanover (IN) College. Maryville (1-1) will entertain Emory & Henry this Saturday.

CROSS COUNTRY

BREE COLE — Jacksonville State (Fr., Cartersville HS) . . . ran 20th overal and finished third on her team in 18:50.2 at the Sugar Bowl XC Festival 5K in Metairie, LA. The Gamecocks finished third of four D-I teams at the meet behind Tulane and Mississippi Valley State. JSU’s next meet will be October 1 in Oxford, AL on the JSU cross country course. They will host the Foothills Invitational.

SAVANNAH HARDIN — Young Harris College (Soph., Cass HS) . . . finished 72nd in 29:03 at the Georgia College Bobcat Invitational 6K. Young Harris placed sixth in the 14 team field. The Mountain Lions run next at the University of Montevallo Falcon Classic next Saturday.

TROY HICKOM — Clayton State University (Sr., Cartersville HS) . . . placed 36th (28:53.1) individually and second on his squad as the Lakers were 7th of 13 teams at the Georgia College Bobcat Invitational 8K in Milledgeville. The next meet for Clayton State will be September 30 in Atlanta at the Savannah College of Art and Design 8K Invitational.

JAISON MORNING — Valdosta State University (Soph., Cass HS) . . . placed 7th (26:29.5) individually and led all Blazers’ runners as Valdosta State finished fourth at the Georgia College Bobcat Invitational 8K in Milledgeville. The next meet for VSU is slated for September 24 in Gainesville, FL at the University of Florida’s Mountain Dew Invite.

VOLLEYBALL

KATIE O’CONNOR — Western Carolina University (Jr., MB, Cartersville HS) . . . had 11 kills and a dig in the Catamounts’ five set home loss to Appalachian State September 6. Totaled six kills and a dig in a 3-0 sweep of Coppin State September 9. Had 11 kills and three digs in a pair of losses September 10 to William & Mary and Charlotte at the William & Mary Invitational. WCU (3-5) plays at Winthrop University Tuesday.

SYDNEY SUMNERS — Shorter University (Soph., DS, Adairsville HS) . . . saw action in two of three sets September 6 during a straight sets home victory over Tuskegee University. Shorter (5-0) travels to Clinton, MS and Memphis, TN September 12-13 for Gulf South Conference matches at Mississippi College and Christian Brothers University.

SOCCER

MADISON BENNETT — North Greenville University (Fr., Defender, Woodland HS) . . . entered as a substitute and played 42 minutes in a 4-0 home loss to Anderson (SC) University September 7. She also played 18 minutes in a 2-1 road loss at Erskine College September 10. North Greenville will host Lees-McRae College Wednesday at travels to Wilson, NC to play at Barton College September 17.

MALLORY HEDDEN — Armstrong State University (Jr., Midfielder/Defender, Cass HS) . . . took one shot in 2-0 loss at Embry-Riddle University September 5. Started both games September 9 and 11 at the Georgia College Invitational as a defender, playing 50 minutes in a 4-1 win over Anderson (SC) University and 49 minutes in a 3-0 blanking of Valdosta State. The Lady Pirates host Tampa Wednesday before traveling to Georgia Southwestern Saturday.

EMILY MOORE — Charleston Southern University (Sr., Defender, Woodland HS) . . . saw action as a reserve in a 4-0 home victory over The Citadel September 9. The Lady Buccaneers (3-3) will host Jacksonville State and Vermont September 16 and 18.

KURT MOORE — Birmingham Southern College (Fr., Goalkeeper, Darlington School, Euharlee resident) . . . started in net and played 70 minutes of a 9-0 home shutout of Louisiana College September 5. The Panthers (3-0) play at LaGrange College Wednesday and at Randolph (VA) College September 17. They wrap up a three game road trip at Hampden-Sydney (VA) College September 18.

CODY WEST — Duquesne University (R-Jr., Defender, Cass HS) . . . played all 90 minutes for the Dukes in a 3-2 loss at Wright State and again played all 90 minutes in a 2-1 home win over Wofford September 9. The starter at defender played all 100 minutes of an overtime 1-0 win over Canisius September 11. Duquesne (3-2) travels to Cleveland State September 20.