Athletes Beyond Bartow | Falcons, Beasley edged in historic Super Bowl comeback; college softball, b
It wasn’t the storybook finish Adairsville native Vic Beasley Jr. and the rest of the Atlanta Falcons’ fans hoped for, but it was an amazing season for the second year pro.
The Falcons let a 25-point second-half lead get away Sunday in Super Bowl LI and lost to the New England Patriots in overtime, 34-28. It was the largest come-from-behind victory by any Super Bowl champion.
"We have to find a way to learn from this experience and build from it. Taking it one day at a time right now." Beasley told reporters after arriving back in Atlanta.
Beasley had one pass defended and one quarterback hit in the Super Bowl. The pass deflection came in the end zone during the Patriots’ eventual winning drive in overtime.
The Deacon Jones Award was presented to Beasley last Saturday. The award is presented to the NFL leader in sacks. He concluded the 2016 season with 15.5 sacks. He also had 41 tackles, six forced fumbles, a fumble recovery for a score, and four passes defended.
Beasley was named first-team All-Pro and made the NFC Pro Bowl roster.
This edition of Athletes Beyond Bartow also includes updates for local athletes contributing to their respective collegiate basketball, tennis, wrestling, softball, and baseball.
Also of note, former Cartersville High School and Georgia Southern pitcher, Sam Howard, is an invitee to spring training for the Colorado Rockies. Howard finished the 2016 season as a AA starter for the Hartford Yard Goats.
BASKETBALL
EMMANUEL HOLLOWAY — UU Korihait UUsikaupunki — Finnish Pro League (G, Illinois State; Woodland HS). . . scored two points and had one assist in a 95-72 loss to Kauhajoki February 1. UU Korihait (4-20) plays Lapua Wednesday and Kouvot Saturday.
A.J. MOSBY — Alcorn State University (Junior, Cartersville HS). . . scored 16 points and collected four rebounds with a steal in a 69-58 win over Jackson State Saturday. On Monday night, he scored 14 points with 9 assists, two steals and a rebound in a 75-65 win over Grambling State. Mosby is averaging 9.3 points and 4.7 rebounds and 3 assists per game. The Braves (11-11, 8-3) play at Mississippi Valley State Saturday in another Southwestern Athletic Conference game.
ADRIAN RODGERS — Malbus Oresund Malmo — Swedish Pro League (G, Cartersville native, Southern University). . . scored 15 points with four rebounds, two assists, two blocked shots, and a steal in an 82-72 loss to Norrkiping February 3. Rodgers leads his team in scoring (15.2 ppg) and steals (1.1 spg). Malbus Oresund Malmo (1-20) plays BC LF Lulea Tuesday and Boras Friday.
DARIUS THROWER — Truett-McConnell University (G, Freshman, Excel Christian Academy). . . coming off the bench, Thrower recorded a steal in a 90-86 loss at Montreat February 1. The Bears also picked up a win Saturday over Bluefield College (VA) 69-68. TMU (14-12, 8-8 Appalachian Athletic Conference) travels to St. Andrews (NC) Wednesday and plays at Reinhardt University Saturday.
COREY TOBIN — Reinhardt University (G, Junior, Cartersville HS). . . Tobin has moved into the Eagles’ starting lineup over the past eight games and is contributing 7.5 points per game and 3.4 rebounds per game. He scored six points with two assists, a rebound, and a steal in a 102-92 win at St. Andrews (NC) February 1 and added 12 points with two rebounds and a steal in a 105-88 home loss to Montreat on Saturday. Reinhardt (18-6, 12-5 AAC) hosts Selma University Wednesday and entertains Appalachian Athletic Conference opponent Truett-McConnell University on Saturday.
CARROD WATSON — University North Georgia (F/C, R-Freshman, Woodland HS). . . scored two points and gathered four rebounds in a 64-60 win over Saturday. He added three points with two rebounds and a steal Monday in an 89-63 loss at Clayton State. UNG (12-11, 8-6 Peach Belt Conference) entertains Georgia Southwestern Wednesday before traveling to Georgia College next Monday.
HAKEEM WINTERS — Point University (Sophomore, Cartersville HS). . . scored 18 points with nine rebounds and a steal in a 104-70 loss at Allen University (SC). He also saw limited playing time in a 111-79 home loss to Tennessee Wesleyan February 1. Winters is averaging 7.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. The Skyhawks (2-23, 1-15 AAC) host Appalachian Athletic Conference opponents Bryan College Wednesday and Milligan College Saturday.
TENNIS
PEYTON GOLLHOFER — Ball State University (Sophomore, Laurel Springs Academy, Cartersville resident). . . competing at the No. 1 singles line, Gollhofer lost a pair of singles matches this past weekend, but the Cardinals won team matches Saturday and Sunday at home over Illinois State and Wright State University. She also paired with teammates Audrey Berger (vs. Illinois State) and Rosalinda Calderon (vs. Wright State) for doubles losses. She will look to bounce back Sunday when BSU (5-1) travels for a match at University of Cincinnati.
WRESTLING
EVAN COLE — Cumberland University (Junior, Cartersville HS). . . lost a pair of matches January 31 against Brewton-Parker and 11th-ranked Life University in Marietta, GA. The Phoenix defeated Brewton-Parker 29-15, but lost to Life 22-13. CU also fell 22-11 at 4th-ranked Campbellsville University February 3 without Cole. The Phoenix host University of the Cumberlands Wednesday and will compete in the NAIA East Region Qualifier in Bowling Green, KY February 18.
SAMMY ROSARIO — Cumberland University (Senior, Cass HS). . . the 5th-ranked 133-pound wrestler in NAIA won by forfeit and won by major decision January 31 in a team match win over Brewton Parker and a team loss at 11th-ranked Life University. CU also fell 22-11 at 4th-ranked Campbellsville University February 3 without Rosaio. The Phoenix host University of the Cumberlands Wednesday and will compete in the NAIA East Region Qualifier in Bowling Green, KY February 18.
BASEBALL
BRANDON ETHERIDGE — Limestone College (OF, Junior, Cass HS). . . after playing last season for Georgia Highlands, Etheridge started in right field in Limestone’s third game of the year Saturday to make his Saints’ debut. He contributed with a triple and scored a run in his first at bat. He also started the next game and drew a pair of walks as Limestone swept a doubleheader with Saint Anselm 6-5 and 15-3. The Saints (3-1) host Carson-Newman Wednesday and have a three-game home series with Davis & Elkins Saturday and Sunday.
CARRINGTON EVANS — Augusta University (OF, Freshman, Cartersville HS). . . entered as a reserve Saturday and was 0-for-2 in his collegiate debut at University of West Georgia as the Lynx fell 8-5. Augusta (0-3) host Erskine College Wednesday and entertain West Georgia for a pair of games Saturday and Sunday.
TY FOWLER — (photo right) Tennessee Wesleyan College (RHP, Senior, Cartersville HS). . . pitched a scoreless ninth inning and did not allow a hit in the Bulldogs’ opening 8-7 loss at 2nd-ranked Faulkner last Friday. TWC also suffered a 13-3 loss to 12th-ranked Saint Thomas University and defeated 6th-ranked Lindsey Wilson 13-4 in Montgomery Saturday. The Bulldogs (1-2) travel to Auburn University-Montgomery this weekend for a three-game series.
TYLER WASHINGTON — Young Harris College (INF/OF, Junior, Adairsville HS). . . was 1-for-1 with a single coming off the bench Saturday in a 4-1 loss to Rollins. He then started in centerfield Sunday and went 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored in a 7-6 loss. The Mountain Lions (0-3) host King University (TN) for a three-game series this weekend.
SOFTBALL
BETHANY BALLARD — Armstrong State University (INF, Senior, Cass HS). . . flied out in a pinch hitting appearance Sunday during a 10-3 win over Nova Southeastern. The Pirates were 4-1 in five games at the season-opening Florida Tech Marriott First Pitch Classic in Melbourne, FL. They return to Florida Tech February 17-19 for the Brawl at the Beach where they will face Stonehill, Saint Leo twice, East Stroudsburg, and Florida Tech.
KAILAH RAIN — Embry-Riddle University (OF, Junior, Cartersville HS). . . went 1-for-14 at the plate with three walks in six starts at the Gulf Shores, AL Gulf Coast Classic. The Eagles went 2-4 with victories over North Alabama and Delta State. ERU will play Newberry College and host Flagler College Sunday in St. Augustine, FL.
LAUREN WOMACK — Georgia Highlands College (INF, Sophomore, Cass HS). . . starting at shortstop, Womack is 5-for-20, scoring three runs with a walk and three RBIs in the Chargers’ first eight games. GHC (5-3) won three of four games with USC Salkehatchie last weekend and will host games with Southern Union State CC, Roane State CC, Cleveland State CC, Shelton State CC, and Spartanburg Methodist this weekend at Hamilton Crossing Park and Stars Park.
Did we miss someone this week? If we did, please let us know. Use the 'Contact' link at the top of this page or send an email to: bartowsportszone@comcast.net. A full listing of local athletes is available on this website on the Athletes Beyond Bartow page.
