Athletes Beyond Bartow: Applin, Quattlebaum, and Childers lead local collegiate football standouts
Vic Beasley had a pair of solo tackles Sunday as the Atlanta Falcons picked up a crucial win over the Dallas Cowboys while DeAndre Applin, Mark Quattlebaum, and Marcus Childers had big days on the collegiate gridirons.
NFL
VIC BEASLEY — Atlanta Falcons (3rd yr. pro; Clemson University; Adairsville HS)… recorded two tackles to run his season totals to 14 solos and 18 total tackles on the year. His numbers include four sacks and a forced fumble. Atlanta (5-4) plays at Seattle next Monday night.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
DeANDRE APPLIN — Georgia State University (Jr., DB, Adairsville HS)… recorded five total tackles, broke up one pass, and picked off another in the Panthers’ 33-30 win at Texas State last Saturday. The victory makes GSU bowl eligible for the second time in school history. The Panthers (6-3, 5-1 Sun Belt Conference) have an open weekend before hosting Appalachian State November 25 and Idaho December 2.
TERRIUS CALLAHAN — Austin Peay State University (R-Fr., WR, Cartersville HS)…saw playing time in the Governors’ 31-24 win last Saturday at Eastern Kentucky. APSU (7-4, 6-1) closes out the regular season Saturday at home against Eastern Illinois and will wait for a potential FCS playoff bid.
TREVOR CARLTON — Reinhardt University (Jr., LB, Cartersville HS)… recorded a solo tackle last Saturday in the Eagles’ 54-12 Mid-South Conference win at St. Andrews University. NAIA 2nd-ranked Reinhardt is 9-0 on the year and was 6-0 in conference play. The Eagles host Concordia University (Mich.) this Saturday afternoon in the opening round of the NAIA Football Championship Series.
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MARCUS CHILDERS — Northern Illinois University (Fr., QB, Adairsville HS)… threw two touchdowns in the first quarter and finished 10-for-22 for 141 yards during a 63-14 blowout of Ball State last Thursday night. He also rushed for 34 yards on four carries. Childers has 1,248 passing yards with a 57.8 completion percentage, and rushed for 398 yards on the season. NIU (7-3, 5-1 Mid-America Conference) is tied with Toledo atop the MAC-West (Toledo holds head-to-head tie-breaker) and hosts Western Michigan University Wednesday.
T.L. FORD II — UNC-Charlotte (Sr., WR, Cartersville HS)… saw playing time but was not targeted in the 49ers’ 35-21 home loss to Middle Tennessee last Saturday. UNCC (1-9, 1-5 Conference USA) plays at Southern Miss this Saturday afternoon.
GORDON GRAY — Kennesaw State University (R-Jr., WR, Cartersville HS)… saw action in Kennesaw State’s 38-0 home win over Charleston Southern. KSU (9-1, 4-0 Big South Conference) hosts Monmouth for the conference championship this Saturday. Monmouth is also 9-1 overall and 4-0 in the Big South.
GABE GRIDLEY — ASA-Brooklyn CC (Fr., Punter, Cartersville HS)… punted three times for a 39.3 yard average with a long punt of 44 yards and one downed inside the 20-yard line as the Avengers overwhelmed Hocking College (OH) 76-6 in Nelsonville, OH. NJCAA 16th-ranked ASA-Brooklyn (8-1, 2-0 Northeast Football Conference) awaits a potential bowl bid. The bids go out November 14.
LUCAS JOHNSON — Georgia State University (Jr., OL, Cass HS)… a starter at right guard each of the last three weeks, Johnson and the Panthers became bowl eligible with a 33-30 win last Saturday at Texas State. GSU rolled up 530 yards of total offense in their win over the Bobcats. Georgia State (6-3, 5-1 Sun Belt Conference) has an open weekend before hosting Appalachian State November 25 and Idaho December 2.
EMMANUEL JONES — Colorado State Universitiy (Fr., LB, Woodland HS)… compiled seven total tackles (3 solo, four assisted) in the Rams’ 59-52 overtime loss to visiting Boise State last Saturday night. Jones has 32 total tackles and has seen action in all 11 games this season. CSU (6-5, 4-3 Mountain West Conference) closes out the regular season Saturday at home against San Jose State.
RODNEY MITCHELL — Coastal Carolina University (Sr., OL, Cartersville HS)… saw action as a backup offensive lineman in a 42-17 loss to visiting Troy. The Chanticleers (1-9, 0-6 Sun Belt Conference) travel to Idaho for a conference game this Saturday afternoon.
MARK QUATTLEBAUM — UNC-Charlotte (Jr., SL, Cartersville HS)… was the leading receiver for the 49ers in their 35-21 loss last Saturday to visiting Tennessee State. Quattlebaum had four receptions for 94 yards and one touchdown, including a 52-yard reception in the third quarter. His touchdown catch was a three-yarder. For the season he has 330 yards with one score and an 11 yard average per catch. UNCC (1-9, 1-5 Conference USA) plays at Southern Miss this Saturday afternoon.
ISAIAH ROSS — Point University (Sr., LB, Woodland HS)… amassed 14 total tackles in a 56-29 Mid-South Conference loss to Union College (KY). Ross tied for the team lead in tackles this season with 72. The Skyhawks finished the year 3-8 overall and 1-5 in conference play.
JOHN SCIFERS — University of West Georgia (So., PK, Woodland HS)… kicked off six times for a 55.8 yard average last Saturday in a 34-29 loss to visiting Gulf South Conference foe, West Florida. The Wolves (8-3, 5-3) and West Florida both qualified for the NCAA D-II playoffs that begin this Saturday with West Georgia traveling to unbeaten Virginia State (9-0). West Florida plays at Wingate (NC).
SHELBY TOWNSEND JR. — Georgia Southern University (Jr., DL, Woodland HS)… saw action last Thursday night in a 27-6 loss to Appalachian State. Townsend has regularly been in the defensive line rotation for the Eagles who slipped to 0-9 on the year. Georgia Southern hosts South Alabama this Saturday afternoon.
JAKE WALKER — Furman University (Fr., Cartersville, GA, Darlington HS)… had a pair of receptions for 46 yards in a 56-20 home Southern Conference win over The Citadel. One of his catches was good for 39 yards — his longest reception of the year. Walker has appeared in all 10 games for the Paladins and is averaging 15.2 yards per catch and 9.1 per game. Furman (7-3, 6-1 SoCon) has won seven straight games and are currently ranked 20th in FCS. The Paladins close out the regular season Saturday afternoon at Samford.
