Athletes Beyond Bartow: Former Adairsville stars standout on gridiron
A pair of former Adairsville High School athletes are featured in this week’s ‘Athletes Beyond Bartow’ update.
Outside linebacker Vic Beasley sacked Cam Newton late in the fourth quarter Sunday as the Atlanta Falcons secured the NFC’s final playoff berth with a 22-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The sack came in the final two minutes as the Panthers were trying to rally.
On the collegiate level, former Tigers’ quarterback Marcus Childers wrapped up his freshman campaign at Northern Illinois. The Huskies, however, lost to Duke in their bowl game.
NFL
VIC BEASLEY — Atlanta Falcons (3rd yr.; LB, Clemson University; Adairsville HS)… one sack of Carolina quarterback Cam Newton Sunday as Atlanta qualified for the NFL playoffs with a 22-10 home win over the Panthers. Beasley completed the regular season with 29 tackles (23 solo) and five sacks. He missed two games nursing injury earlier in the season and started nine games. Atlanta (10-6) opens the post-season Saturday night in the NFC Wild Card round at the LA Rams.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
MARCUS CHILDERS — Northern Illinois University (Fr., QB, Adairsville HS)… he was 15-for-26 for 234 yards and one touchdown and rushed 11 times for 19 yards, but his Huskies lost to Duke 36-14 in the Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit last Tuesday. In 12 games played this season, Childers was 152-for-265 for 1,674 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also rushed for 473 net yards and five touchdowns. NIU was 8-5 this season.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
RYAN DAVIS — Francis Marion University (Jr., G, Cartersville HS)… recorded a double-double with a team-high 26 points and 11 rebounds in a 95-80 loss at Peach Belt Conference foe Young Harris Saturday. It was the Patriots first loss of the season. Davis is averaging 14.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. He leads the Patriots in assists and steals. FMU (8-1) plays at USC-Aiken Wednesday before hosting Clayton State this Saturday afternoon.
JANA MORNING — Berry College (Fr., G, Cass HS)… scored four points with a pair of rebounds, one steal, and one assist, but the Lady Vikings lost Saturday at Emory 78-65. Berry (5-6, 0-1 SAA) plays Southern Athletic Association games Friday at Rhodes and Sunday at Hendrix.
DARIUS THROWER — Truett McConnell University (Soph., G, Excel Christian Acad.)… made one of two three-point attempts and played nine minutes in an 81-73 loss at University of Rio Grande (OH). The Bears (12-4, 5-2 Appalachian Athletic Conference) play conference games at Allen University (SC) Tuesday and host Reinhardt University Thursday night.
CARROD WATSON — University of North Georgia (Soph., F, Woodland HS)… made one three-pointer and played 10 minutes in the Nighthawks’ 80-74 home, Peach Belt Conference loss to UNC-Pembroke Saturday. UNG (3-7, 1-3) plays at Columbus State Wednesday and at USC-Aiken Saturday.
