Athletes Beyond Bartow: Lawrence injured, Howard makes another MLB appearance
Trevor Lawrence suffered a second quarter injury Saturday in his first-ever collegiate start, but 3rd-ranked Clemson was able to come-from-behind to edge visiting Syracuse.
Meanwhile, more than two dozen other local college football athletes contributed in games across the country. In addition, Sam Howard made another appearance for Colorado this past week as the Rockies wrapped up the regular season and head into the post-season with a divisional championship game on Monday and either the NL Wild Card Game Tuesday or the NLDS later in the week.
MLB
SAM HOWARD — Colorado Rockies (5th yr. pro; LHP, Georgia Southern; Cartersville HS)… allowed his first MLB earned run Saturday working the final inning of a 12-2 loss to the Washington Nationals. It was Howard’s fourth, one-inning appearance for the Rockies this season. He allowed the run on two hits and two walks. Colorado (91-71) will have a one-game playoff with the Los Angeles Dodgers Monday to decide the National League West Division title. The division winner will play the Atlanta Braves in a NLDS and hold home field advantage for a best-of-five series that begins Thursday. The loser of the single-game division championship playoff will be a wild card team in the National League playoffs.
NFL
VIC BEASLEY — Atlanta Falcons (4th yr. pro; DE, Clemson University, Adairsville HS)… had a solo tackle and one pass defended in the Falcons’ 37-36 home loss Sunday to the Cincinnati Bengals. Atlanta (1-3) plays at Pittsburgh next Sunday.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
QUADRE ALLEN — Tusculum University (Sr., DB, Woodland HS)… saw playing time in a 35-10 South Atlantic Conference loss at Lenoir-Rhyne. The Pioneers (2-2, 1-1) play at Mars Hill Saturday afternoon.
DeANDRE APPLIN — Georgia State University (Sr., DB, Adairsville HS)… had one tackle and forced a fumble in the second quarter as the Panthers cruised to a 46-14 home Sun Belt Conference victory over Louisiana-Monroe. Georgia State (2-3, 1-0) plays Thursday night at Troy.
TERRY BERDIN — Reinhardt University (Fr., RB, Cartersville HS)… had an early fourth quarter carry for a two-yard gain Saturday in the NAIA 7th-ranked Eagles’ 27-10 Mid-South Conference victory at 13th-ranked University of the Cumberlands. Reinhardt (4-1, 1-0) hosts Point for Homecoming this Saturday night.
CHRIS BLACKSTON — University of West Georgia (Jr., DB, Adairsville HS)… had five tackles (two solo) Saturday as the Wolves won at Shorter, 58-27. Blackston is second on the team with 24 total tackles through five games. He also has a tackle for loss, a QB hurry, and a fumble recovery. 6th-ranked UWG (5-0, 2-0 Gulf South Conference) hosts North Greenville this Saturday afternoon.
BRYCE BURGESS — Reinhardt University (Fr., DB, Adairsville HS)… saw playing time in the Eagles’ win at Cumberlands. Reinhardt (4-1, 1-0) entertains Point University Saturday night for its annual Homecoming game.
TREVOR CARLTON — Reinhardt University (Sr., LB, Cartersville HS)… had a pair of tackle assists Saturday in Reinhardt’s win at University of the Cumberlands. Carlton has nine tackles for the season. The 7th-ranked Eagles (4-1, 1-0 MSC) host Point this Saturday.
MARCUS CHILDERS — Northern Illinois University (R-Soph., QB, Adairsville HS)… completed 20 of 35 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown in the Huskies’ 26-23 Mid-America Conference win at Eastern Michigan. He also rushed for 77 yards on 17 attempts. He had a long pass play of 22 yards and a long run of 16 yards. Childers did thrown one interception. NIU (2-3, 2-0 MAC) plays at Ball State this Saturday afternoon.
XAVIOR COAXUM — LaGrange College (Soph., DB, Cartersville HS)… had four tackles (three solo) in the Panthers’ 35-14 loss Saturday at North Carolina Wesleyan. Coaxum has 16 tackles and one interception through four games this season. LaGrange (1-3, 0-1 Conference USA-South) hosts Averett University this Saturday afternoon.
JONATHAN CRUZ — UNC-Charlotte (Fr., PK, Cartersville HS)… made his only PAT attempt and had one kickoff of 55 yards in the 49ers’ 28-7 Conference USA loss Saturday at Alabama-Birmingham. For the season, Cruz is 8-for-9 on field goal attempts with a long of 54 yards. His kickoffs are averaging 61.4 yards with 13 of 23 touchbacks. UNCC (2-3, 1-1) has a week off before hosting C-USA foe Western Kentucky October 13.
DALEN CURTIS — Brevard College (Soph., FB, Cartersville HS)… had a kickoff return for five yards in the Tornados’ 29-3 loss at Maryville (TN). Brevard (0-3, 0-1 C-USA-South) hosts Methodist University this Saturday afternoon.
KURTIS FEANNY — Lenoir-Rhyne University (Fr., DL, Woodland HS)… saw playing time in the Bears’ 35-10 home victory over Tusculum. LRU (4-1, 3-0 South Atlantic Conference) travels to Newberry College (NC) this Saturday afternoon.
MILLER FORRISTALL — University of Alabama (R-Soph., TE, Cartersville HS)… had a short kickoff return of four yards Saturday on the opening kickoff in the top-ranked Crimson Tides’ 56-14 blowout win of Louisiana. Alabama (5-0, 2-0 SEC) plays at Arkansas this Saturday afternoon.
RICO FRYE — Bowling Green University (Fr., RB, Cartersville HS)… had three carries for 18 yards, including a 14-yard run in the Falcons’ 63-17 non-conference loss Saturday at Georgia Tech. Bowling Green (1-4, 0-1 MAC) returns to Mid-America Conference play this Saturday afternoon at Toledo.
CAMERON GONYEA — Saint Anselm College (Fr., DB, Cass HS)… was credited with a kickoff return of no yards Saturday to the 33 yard line at the end of the first half during a 43-7 loss at Southern Connecticut State. The Hawks (1-3, 1-3 Northeastern 10 Conference) have a bye week before traveling to LIU Post October 13.
GABE GRIDLEY — Angelo State University (Soph., P, Cartersville HS)… punted seven times Saturday night for a 35 yard average in the Rams’ 54-33 home loss to 25th-ranked Tarleton State. Gridley had a long punt of 44 yards and had three kicks inside the 20 yard line. Angelo State (2-3, 1-2 Lone Star Conference) plays at Western New Mexico this Saturday afternoon.
HUNTER HARDIN — Point University (Soph., OL, Woodland HS)… was a participant on the Skyhawks’ PAT unit in a 38-31 home, conference loss to University of Pikeville. Point (1-5, 0-1 Mid-South Conference) travels to NAIA 7th-ranked Reinhardt this Saturday.
SEAN HOLTON — Davidson College (Soph., DB, Cartersville HS)… had one tackle in the Wildcats’ 40-35 Pioneer League win at Valparaiso. Davidson (4-1, 1-1) hosts Jacksonville University this Saturday afternoon in another conference game.
BRADY JERNIGAN — Maryville College (Jr., DL, Woodland HS)… had a fourth quarter sack for a one-yard loss on a third-and-six play as the Scots defeated Brevard College Saturday 29-3 for their first win of the year. Jernigan was part of a defensive rotation that limited Brevard to only 106 total yards. Maryville (1-2, 1-0 C-USA-South) hosts Huntingdon in conference action this Saturday afternoon.
LUCAS JOHNSON — Georgia State University (Sr., OL, Cass HS)… returned to his starting spot at right tackle and was part of an offensive unit that rolled up 487 yards of total offense including 308 on the ground as the Panthers beat Louisiana-Monroe 46-14 in Sun Belt Conference play. Georgia State (2-3, 1-0) plays at Troy this Thursday night.
BRADLEY KIRK — Shorter University (Fr., DB, Cartersville HS)… had four tackles Saturday to give him 15 for the season as the Hawks lost at home to 6th-ranked West Georgia 58-27. Shorter (0-5, 0-3 Gulf South Conference) hosts 23rd-ranked West Alabama this Saturday in another GSC game at Barron Stadium.
TREVOR LAWRENCE — Clemson University (Fr., QB, Cartersville HS)… in his first collegiate start, Lawrence was 10-for-15 through the air for 93 yards and had four rushing attempts for a net total of minus 9 yards, but had to leave the game late in the second quarter Saturday with an injury and his team trailing 16-7. Clemson rallied in the fourth quarter to edge visiting Syracuse, 27-23. Lawrence was running along the sideline when Syracuse defensive back Evan Foster hit him. Lawrence stayed down for several minutes before leaving the field under his own power. He was eventually taken to the Tigers’ locker room and placed in concussion protocol by medical personel. With Kelly Bryant leaving the team earlier in the week, that left redshirt freshman Chase Brice to take over the quarterback position. Brice led Clemson on a 94-yard, game-winning drive with running back Travis Etienne rushing for a career-high 203 yards and scoring the go-ahead touchdown with 41 seconds remaining. Coach Dabo Swinney told Matt Connolly of The State after the game that Lawrence does not have any damage to his shoulder or neck and is “really doing great.” He said the freshman had concussion-type symptoms, but wanted to come back and play. Swinney continued by saying doctors shut him down. Swinney said head athletic trainer Danny Poole and the Tigers medical staff will be in charge of deciding when Lawrence is cleared to return to practice. 3rd-ranked Clemson (5-0, 2-0 ACC) plays at Wake Forest this Saturday afternoon.
NYVIN NELSON — UT-Chattanooga (Fr., LB, Cartersville HS)… saw playing time in the 18th-ranked Mocs’ 17-14 loss Saturday night at East Tennessee State. Nelson has appeared in three of five games this season. Chattanooga (4-1, 2-1 SoCon) hosts Wofford this Saturday afternoon.
DARIAN POELLNITZ — Miles College (Fr., DL, Cartersville HS)… had a tackle for a 10-yard loss on a 3rd-and-13 play Saturday in the first quarter of the Bears 30-24 loss at Albany State. Miles (0-5, 0-1 SIAC) hosts Central State University (OH) this Saturday afternoon.
MARK QUATTLEBAUM — UNC-Charlotte (R-Sr., SL, Cartersville HS)… was targeted as a receiver four times and had three catches for 49 yards including a 22-yarder in the 49ers’ 28-7 loss at UAB. He also had one punt return for five yards. He chose to fair catch three other punts. Quattlebaum is averaging 11.88 yards per reception and has eight catches this season with one touchdown. UNCC (2-3, 1-1) has a bye week before hosting Western Kentucky October 13.
MACLAND SHAY — New Mexico Highlands University (Fr., DB, Cass HS)… saw action in the Cowboys’ 33-30 loss at Texas A&M-Kingsville Saturday. NMHU (2-3, 2-2 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) plays at Colorado State-Pueblo this Saturday night.
AVERY SHOWELL — Georgia Tech (R-Fr., DB, Cartersville HS)… returned a third quarter kickoff 14 yards to the 49 yard line in the Yellow Jackets’ 63-17 home victory over Bowling Green Saturday. Georgia Tech (2-3, 0-2 ACC) travels to Louisville for an Atlantic Coast Conference game Friday night.
HIRAM VELEZ — University of West Florida (R-Sr. WR, Adairsville HS)… saw action and was targeted as a receiver one time in the first quarter Saturday during the 11th-ranked Argonauts’ 30-21 Gulf South Conference win at Delta State. UWF (4-1, 3-0 GSC) plays at North Alabama this Saturday night.
TENNIS
PEYTON GOLLHOFER -- Ball State University (Sr., Cartersville, GA, Laurel Springs Academy)... defeated her opponent in straight sets Friday as the Cardinals participated in the Purdue Invitational. Gollhofer did not advance, however, to Sunday's finals. Next is the ITA Ohio Valley Regional in Chattanooga, October 11-15.
SOCCER
KATELYNN HARBEKE — Life University (Sr., MF, Cass HS)… started and played 59 minutes, scored a goal, and had one assist on seven shots (two shots on goal) as the Running Eagles overpowered visiting Talladega College Saturday night, 11-1. Life (4-4) opens Mid-South Conference action Monday afternoon at NAIA 9th-ranked Cumberland University (TN) before hosting 15th-ranked Georgia Gwinnett in a non-conference match Wednesday night. The Eagles will also host MSC foe Georgetown College (KY) Sunday afternoon.
KATIE LAWHORN — Life University (Soph., MF, Adairsville HS)… came off the bench to play 28 minutes Saturday night, scored a goal with two shots, and added an assist in an 11-1 rout of visiting Talladega College. Life (4-4) begins conference play this week playing at Cumberland University Monday and hosting Georgetown College (KY) on Sunday. The Running Eagles also host a non-conference game with Georgia Gwinnett on Wednesday.
KURT MOORE — Birmingham Southern College (Jr., GK, Euharlee, GA, Darlington HS)… started in goal and made one save last Tuesday as the Panthers blanked MUW 2-0. Moore, making his third start, played all 90 minutes of the non-conference game for his second shutout of the year. BSC (8-2-1, 2-0 Southern Athletic Association) also defeated Rhodes College Saturday, 1-0. The Panthers host Berry College Friday night and Oglethorpe University Sunday.
ANTHONY ROBLEDO — Reinhardt University (Fr., MF, Cass HS)… played 13 minutes Sunday and took one shot in the Eagles’ 10-0 home victory over St. Andrews (NC). Reinhardt (8-0-1, 5-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference) travels to Columbia International University (SC) Tuesday night and will host Truett-McConnell University Friday night.
