Football, wrestling, and basketball 'Athletes Beyond Bartow' update
Local athletes made key contributions this week at the professional and collegiate level in football, wrestling, and basketball.
NFL
VIC BEASLEY, JR. — Atlanta Falcons (2nd yr., OLB/DE, Clemson, Adairsville HS). . . did not add to his career high 9.5 sacks Sunday, but was credited with a pair of quarterback hits and a pass defended as the Falcons remained in first place in the NFC South. Beasley, Jr., Dwight Freeney and Adrian Clayborn constantly impacted play, with their defensive pressure as the Falcons defeated the Arizona Cardinals 38-19 at The Georgia Dome. Beasley, Jr. has 30 tackles and has forced four fumbles this season. He has also been credited with 18 quarterback hurries through the first 11 games and those numbers will certainly increase once Sunday's game is included. Atlanta (7-4) holds a one game lead over Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers won their third straight Sunday, defeating the Seahawks 14-5. The Falcons host the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
T.L. FORD, II — UNC-Charlotte (Jr., WR, Cartersville HS). . . made three receptions for eight yards in the 49ers’ 33-14 loss to UT-San Antonio at the Alamodome last Saturday. Ford played in all 12 games and finished with 36 receptions for 430 yards and four touchdowns. Charlotte finished 4-8 overall and 3-5 in Conference USA.
MILLER FORRISTALL — University of Alabama (Fr., TE, Cartersville HS). . . did not have a reception, but saw playing time in his 12th straight game for the top-ranked Crimson Tide. Forristall has five catches for 73 yards on the season. Alabama (12-0) plays Saturday in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game at The Georgia Dome against Florida.
HAYES LINN — Air Force Academy (Sr., DB, Cartersville HS). . . recorded three tackles Saturday in the Falcons’ 27-20 upset of 19th-ranked Boise State. He finished the regular season with 31 tackles and three pass breakups. Air Force (8-3) awaits its bowl game assignment.
MARK QUATTLEBAUM — UNC-Charlotte (R-Soph., SL, Cartersville HS). . . caught a third quarter pass for 20 yards and a first down to the UTSA 14 yard line Saturday in the 49ers’ 33-14 loss at UT-San Antonio. Quattlebaum finished the year with four receptions for 36 yards. Charlotte’s season ends with a 4-8 record. They were 3-5 in Conference USA.
HIRAM VELEZ — Troy University (Jr., WR, Adairsville HS). . . made one catch for 10 yards in the second quarter Saturday that moved the Trojans to the Texas State 21 yard line and eventually led to a field goal. Troy won 40-7 at Texas State to improve to 9-2 overall and 6-1 in the Sun Belt Conference. The Trojan can clinch a tie for the conference regular season title with a win at Georgia Southern this Saturday.
WRESTLING
EVAN COLE — Cumberland University (Jr., 149-lb., Cartersville HS). . . defeated Dyllan Greene 3-2 in a 33-3 win by the Phoenix last Wednesday at Reinhardt University. Cumberland returns to the mats Thursday at Limestone College.
SAMMY ROSARIO — Cumberland University (Sr., 133-lb., Cass HS). . . defeated Triston Blansit 7-6 in a 33-3 victory by the Phoenix last Wednesday at Reinhardt University. Cumberland, unbeaten in dual matches, wrestles Thursday at Limestone College.
PRO BASKETBALL
ADRIAN RODGERS — Malbas Oresund, Swedish Pro League (1st yr., PG, Southern Univ., Cartersville native). . . scored 17 points in his team’s only game last week, a 93-58 loss to Uppsala. He was 6-for-12 from the floor with eight rebounds, four steals, and one assist. Malbas Oresund (1-9) plays at Jamtland Friday.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
A.J. MOSBY — Alcorn State University (Jr., G, Cartersville HS). . . scored five points with six rebounds, two steals, and two assists last Tuesday in an 83-57 home win over Blue Mountain College (MS). He then added seven points with a pair of rebounds Sunday in an 80-58 loss at Colorado State. Mosby started both games and logged 43 minutes of playing time in the two games. The Braves (2-3) play at University of San Francisco Wednesday.
DARRIUS THROWER — Truett McConnell University (Fr., G, Excel Christian Academy). . . scored three points and had a defensive rebound in an 89-61 loss at Milligan College (TN) last Tuesday. The Bears (3-5, 0-2 Appalachian Athletic Conference) host Union College (KY) Wednesday and travel to Allen University (SC) Saturday.
COREY TOBIN — Reinhardt University (Jr., G, Cartersville HS). . . scored eight points Saturday in a 96-64 loss at Tennessee State. He added two points and two rebounds last Tuesday in an 88-81 home win over Allen University (SC). The Eagles (7-2, 3-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference) play at Milligan College (TN) Wednesday and at Tennessee Wesleyan Saturday in a pair of AAC road tests.
HAKEEM WINTERS — Point University (Soph., F, Cartersville HS). . . collected three rebounds in just over 10 minutes of playing time last Tuesday in a 76-70 home, conference loss to St. Andrews University. The Skyhawks (1-8, 0-3 Appalachian Athletic Conference) play at Montreat College (NC) Wednesday.
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