Athletes Beyond Bartow: Cruz nails 54-yarder, Lawrence tosses TD in nationally televised game, Jones
Former Cartersville High place kicker Jonathan Cruz accounted for all of UNC-Charlotte's points and connected on a second quarter 54-yard field goal Saturday (shown in photo) in a 49ers home loss to Appalachian State.
Trevor Lawrence caught the national spotlight with a 64-yard touchdown strike in Clemson's win at Texas A&M and Emmanuel Jones had an interception in Colorado State's defeat of Arkansas.
Meanwhile, the NFL regular season began for Vic Beasley and the Atlanta Falcons plus more than two dozen other Bartow County athletes made marks this weekend with their college football programs across the country.
NFL
VIC BEASLEY — Atlanta Falcons (4th yr. pro; OLB/DE, Clemson University, Adairsville HS)… had one tackle in the Falcons’ 18-12 loss Thursday night at Philadelphia. Atlanta (0-1) entertains the Carolina Panthers Sunday at Mercedes Benz Stadium.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
QUADRE ALLEN — Tusculum University (Sr., DB, Woodland HS)… had a tackle for a three-yard loss Saturday afternoon as the Pioneers won at Shorter, 61-14. Tusculum (1-1) opens South Atlantic Conference play Saturday at home against Limestone.
DeANDRE APPLIN — Georgia State University (Sr., DB, Adairsville HS)… had 11 total tackles (two solo, nine assists) in Saturday’s 41-7 loss at N.C. State. The Panthers (1-1) play at Memphis Friday night.
CHRIS BLACKSTON — University of West Georgia (Jr., DB, Adairsville HS)… recorded seven tackles including four solo stops and a fumble recovery in Saturday’s 42-14 win by the 13th-ranked Wolves over visiting Limestone.
BRYCE BURGESS — Reinhardt University (Fr., RB/DB, Adairsville HS)… had one tackle assist in the Eagles’ 45-21 home-opening win over Georgetown (KY). Reinhardt (1-1) was pre-season ranked No. 2 in NAIA, but was upset in their road opener August 23 at Bethel. The new NAIA poll will be released Monday. The Eagles’ play Saturday afternoon at Warner University in Lake Wales, FL.
TREVOR CARLTON — Reinhardt University (Sr., LB, Cartersville HS)… had one tackle for a five-yard loss Saturday in the Eagles’ 45-21 victory over visiting Georgetown (KY). Reinhardt (1-1) travels to Warner University (FL) this Saturday.
MARCUS CHILDERS — Northern Illinois University (R-Soph., QB, Adairsville HS)… finished 18-of-33 for 111 yards as a passer and ran for 12 yards on a dozen attempts in a 17-6 loss to visiting Utah Saturday night at Huskie Stadium. Childers had a long completion of 16 yards and a long run of 19 yards. He did throw one interception and was sacked three times by the Pac-12 Utes. Northern Illinois (0-2) begins Mid-American Conference play Saturday afternoon at home against Central Michigan.
XAVIOR COAXUM — LaGrange College (Soph., DB, Cartersville HS)… the Panthers’ starting free safety had three tackles Saturday night in a 34-21 loss to visiting Berry College. Coaxum has 10 tackles in the Panthers’ first two games. LaGrange (0-2) has the week off before hosting Apprentice University Saturday September 22.
JONATHAN CRUZ — UNC-Charlotte (Fr., PK, Cartersville HS)… made all three of his field goal attempts Saturday, including a 54-yarder in the second quarter, but the 49ers lost to visiting Appalachian State 45-9. Cruz also converted a 46-yarder and a 48-yarder in the second quarter to account for all of his team’s points. All four of his kickoffs resulted in touchbacks. His performance earned him Conference-USA Special Teams Player of the Week. The 49ers (1-1) open Conference-USA play this Saturday night at home against Old Dominion.
KURTIS FEANNY — Lenoir-Rhyne University (Fr., DL, Woodland HS)… saw his first collegiate action Saturday night, but did not make the stat sheet in a 51-24 win at North Greenville. The Bears (1-1) host Mars Hill University this Saturday night in Hickory, NC.
JORDAN FERGUSON — Middle Tennessee State University (Soph., DT, Cartersville HS)… has now seen action in both of the Blue Raiders’ first two games including Saturday night’s 61-37 home win over Tennessee-Martin. MTSU (1-1) plays this Saturday night at 3rd-ranked Georgia.
MILLER FORRISTALL — University of Alabama (R-Soph., TE, Cartersville HS)… was part of the receiver rotation for the top-ranked Crimson Tide in their 57-7 home win Saturday over Arkansas State. Alabama (2-0) begins SEC action this Saturday night at Ole Miss.
GABE GRIDLEY — Angelo State University (Jr., P, Cartersville HS)… punted ten times Saturday for a 45.9 yard average in a 41-24 loss at Abilene Christian University. One punt was for a touchback with four inside the 20 yard line. His longest punt went for 63 yards. The Rams (1-1) begin Lone Star Conference play this Saturday night when they host Texas A&M-Kingsville.
HUNTER HARDIN — Point University (Soph., OL, Woodland HS)… saw action in the Skyhawks' 17-10 loss at Edward Waters College (FL). Point (0-3) hosts Kentucky Christian University for homecoming this Saturday afternoon.
KALIN HEATH — University of West Georgia (Jr., RB, Cartersville HS)… had eight carries for 11 yards Saturday as the 13th-ranked Wolves beat visiting Limestone 42-14 in Carrollton. UWG (2-0) plays at Albany State this Saturday night.
SEAN HOLTON — Davidson College (Soph., DB, Cartersville HS)… had one tackle in the Wildcats’ 49-28 win Saturday at home over Chowan. Davidson (2-0) will entertain Guilford Saturday night for their annual homecoming game at Richardson Stadium.
LUCAS JOHNSON — Georgia State University (Sr., OL, Cass HS)… the Panthers’ starting right tackle was part of an offense that rushed for 129 yards and passed for 242 yards at N.C. State and even briefly held a 7-0 lead before losing 41-7 to the Wolfpack. GSU (1-1) plays at Memphis Friday night.
EMMANUEL JONES -- Colorado State University (Soph., LB, Woodland HS)... had an interception, a sack, five tackles, two tackles for loss, and a quarterback hurry in the Rams' 34-27 defeat of Arkansas Saturday night. CSU (1-2) plays at Florida this Saturday.
BRADLEY KIRK — Shorter University (Fr., DB, Cartersville HS)… recorded a pair of tackles Saturday afternoon in the Hawks’ 61-14 loss to visiting Tusculum. Shorter (0-2) opens Gulf South Conference play this Saturday night in Pensacola at NCAA D2 2nd-ranked University of West Florida.
TREVOR LAWRENCE — Clemson University (Fr., QB, Cartersville HS)… tossed a 64-yard touchdown pass on his first play in a 28-26 victory at Texas A&M. Lawrence entered for his first series at the beginning of the second quarter. He finished the game 5-of-9 passing for a total of 93 yards and had two rushing attempts for a -1 yard total. Clemson (2-0) hosts Georgia Southern Saturday afternoon.
DARIAN POELLNITZ — Miles College (Fr., DL, Cartersville HS)… had a pair of tackle assists last Thursday night in a 37-21 loss at 11th-ranked West Alabama. The Golden Bears (0-2) will host Fort Valley State Saturday evening in the prince Hall Americanism Football Classic in Fairfield, AL.
MARK QUATTLEBAUM — UNC-Charlotte (R-Sr., SL, Cartersville HS)… made two catches for a one-yard total Saturday in the 49ers’ 45-9 home loss to Appalachian State. His first reception went for three yards before losing two yards on his next catch. He was targeted three times as a receiver and also made a pair of fair catches as a punt returner. UNCC (1-1) hosts Old Dominion Saturday night as they begin play in Conference USA.
MACLAND SHAY — New Mexico Highlands University (Fr., DB, Cass HS)… saw action Saturday as the Cowboys remained unbeaten with a 65-37 win over visiting Adams State. Highlands (2-0, 2-0 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) travels to St. George, UT to play Dixie State Saturday night.
GARRETT SHELTON — Alabama State University (Fr., LS, Cartersville HS)… saw action in the Hornets’ 63-9 loss Saturday night at 7th-ranked Auburn. ASU (1-1) plays at Kennesaw State Saturday evening.
HIRAM VELEZ — University of West Florida (Sr., WR, Adairsville HS)… was targeted four times and made one catch for nine yards in the 2nd-ranked Argonauts’ 38-17 loss at 10th-ranked Midwestern State. Unfortunately, Velez also fumbled on his only reception turning the ball over in the first quarter to the Mustangs. UWF (1-1) hosts Shorter Saturday night in both teams’ Gulf South Conference opener.
JAKE WALKER — Furman Universitiy (Soph., TE, Cartersville resident, Darlington HS)… the 21st-ranked Paladins’ starter at tight end did not have a catch and was targeted only once Saturday in a 45-7 loss at 15th-ranked Elon. Furman (0-2) plays its first home game Saturday afternoon and hosts Colgate of the Patriot League.
