Athletes Beyond Bartow: Local football and basketball update
The 2017 football season continues for post-season participants and the 2017-18 college basketball season is ramping up.
Here is how athletes with local connections fared this past week.
NFL
VIC BEASLEY -- Atlanta Falcons (3rd yr. pro; Clemson University; Adairsville HS)... the Falcons' starter at weak side linebacker did not crack the stat line Sunday, but the Atlanta Falcons defeated Tampa Bay 34-20 to improve to 7-4 on the year and remain in the midst of the NFC playoff race. Atlanta is in third place in the NFC South behind New Orleans and Carolina -- both 8-3. The Falcons host the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
DeANDRE APPLIN — Georgia State University (Jr., DB, Adairsville HS)… made four total tackles in 31-10 home loss last Saturday to Appalachian State. GSU (6-4, 5-2 Sun Belt Conference) hosts Idaho Saturday.
TREVOR CARLTON — Reinhardt University (Jr., LB, Cartersville HS)… eight total tackles in 17-10 home NAIA second round playoff win over Georgetown (KY) last Saturday. 3rd-ranked Eagles (11-0) host Southern Oregon (12-0) in the national semifinals. The winner advances to play the Morningside (IA)/Saint Francis (IN) winner on Saturday, December 16 at Daytona Beach, FL.
MARCUS CHILDERS — Northern Illinois University (R-Fr., QB, Adairsville HS)… was 20 of 36 for 128 yards and one touchdown with a pair of interceptions in the Huskies’ 31-24 loss last Friday at Central Michigan. Childers added 13 yards rushing on 12 carries. NIU (8-4, 6-2 Mid-American Conference) awaits its bowl destination.
T.L. FORD II — UNC-Charlotte (Sr., WR, Cartersville HS)… started and had two receptions for 50 yards including a 44-yard play in the first quarter of the 49ers’ 31-12 home loss to Florida Atlantic. Ford finished the year with 15 catches for 211 yards and two touchdowns. For his career, he had 77 receptions for 888 yards and six touchdowns. UNCC finished the year 1-11 overall and 1-7 in Conference USA.
LUCAS JOHNSON — Georgia State University (Jr., OL, Cass HS)… saw playing time in the Panthers’ 31-10 home loss last Saturday to Appalachian State. GSU (6-4, 5-2 Sun Belt Conference) hosts Idaho Saturday in their final regular season game.
MARK QUATTLEBAUM — UNC-Charlotte (R-Jr., SL, Cartersville HS)… started but had no receptions and was not targeted in the 49ers’ 31-12 home loss last Saturday to Florida Atlantic. Quattlebaum had 31 catches this season for 343 yards and one touchdown. UNCC finished the year 1-11 overall and 1-7 in Conference USA.
SHELBY TOWNSEND JR. — Georgia Southern University (R-Jr., DL, Woodland HS)… returned a kickoff seven yards as part of the Eagles’ return team in a 34-24 win at Louisiana-Lafayette Saturday. Georgia Southern (2-9, 2-5 Sun Belt Conference) completes the season Saturday at Coastal Carolina.
JAKE WALKER — Furman University (Fr., TE, Cartersville, GA, Darlington HS)… saw playing time and was targeted once in the second quarter in the Paladins’ 28-27 road FCS playoff win at Elon. Furman (8-4) plays at Wofford this Saturday.
BASKETBALL
RYAN DAVIS — Francis Marion University (Jr., G, Cartersville HS)… scored 13 points on six-of-nine shooting from the floor over 24 minutes in the Patriots’ 103-88 home win over Shaw last Tuesday. He also added five rebounds, two steals, and one assist. FMU (4-0) plays at University of North Georgia Saturday.
JANA MORNING — Berry College (Fr., G, Cass HS)… averaged almost 10 minutes per game in a reserve role as the Lady Vikings went 1-2 over their last three games. Berry (2-3) won at Wesleyan, but lost to LaGrange and Piedmont. Morning did not score, but added four rebounds, a steal, and one assist in the win at Wesleyan. The Vikings play at Oglethorpe Wednesday night for their only game this week.
A.J. MOSBY — Alcorn State University (Sr., G, Cartersville HS)… the Braves’ starter had 14 points, two rebounds, three assists, and one steal in an 87-73 loss to Yale last Wedneday at home. He also scored 10 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and one steal during a 103-56 home win Saturday over Concordia College (AL). ASU (1-6) plays at Tulane Wednesday and at Rust College Friday.
DARIUS THROWER — Truett McConnell University (Soph., G, Excel Christian Acad.)… scored three points with two rebounds and one assist in the Bears’ 79-65 home conference win last Tuesday over Bryan College (TN). TMU (6-2, 1-2 Appalachian Athletic Conference) plays at Tennessee Wesleyan Tuesday, at St. Andrews (NC) Thursday, and hosts Union College (KY) Saturday in three key AAC games.
COREY TOBIN — Reinhardt University (Sr., G, Cartersville HS)… averaged 30 minutes in a pair of Eagles’ wins at the NAIA Showcase at Meadowview in Kingsport, TN. Tobin scored 14 points, grabbed a pair of rebounds, and added three steals and one assist during a 95-93 win over Rio Grande (OH) Saturday. He then scored 21 points, collected four rebounds, and made two steals in a 74-70 win Sunday over Washington Adventist (MD). Reinhardt (7-3, 2-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference) hosts Allen University (SC) Tuesday night, travels to Union College (KY) Thursday, and plays an exhibition at Winthrop University (SC) Saturday.
CARROD WATSON — University of North Georgia (F/C, Woodland HS)… started both games for the Nighthawks in a pair of losses at the Denver Cherry Creek Classic in Colorado. Watson scored three points, grabbed five rebounds, blocked one shot, and had one steal in an 84-74 loss to Regis University last Friday. He then scored 10 points, collected three rebounds, had one blocked shot, and one steal in an 82-71 loss to Metropolitan State Denver University Saturday. UNG (2-4) opens Peach Belt Conference play Saturday at home against Francis Marion University.
HAKEEM WINTERS — Point University (Jr., F, Cartersville HS)… scored nine points and collected a pair of rebounds in an 88-80 loss at Allen University (SC) last Tuesday. He also scored seven points with six rebounds, two blocked shots, and four assists in an 86-66 home loss last Saturday to College of Coastal Georgia. Point (3-7, 0-4 Appalachian Athletic Conference) plays Voorhees College (SC) Monday night at home, hosts Bryan College (TN) Thursday, and travels to Montreat College (NC) Saturday.
RUDY WINTERS — Columbus State University (R-Jr., G/F, Excel Christian Acad.)… the Cougars’ starting guard posted 11 points, three rebounds, and one assist last Saturday in an 86-85 loss to Tusculum in Jefferson City, TN. Winters also scored 16 points and had three rebounds in a 99-69 loss at Carson-Newman Sunday. CSU (0-3) hosts Lander University in their Peach Belt Conference opener this Saturday afternoon.
