Athletes Beyond Bartow: College and pro updates for locals
An update of local athletes competing in professional and collegiate sports for the week ending Sunday, October 4.
This past week, the Atlanta Falcons refused trade offers for Vic Beasley, more than two dozen locals contributed with their respective college football programs, and locals made marks in college cross country, tennis, wrestling, and basketball.
NFL
VIC BEASLEY — Atlanta Falcons (4th yr. pro; DE, Clemson University, Adairsville HS)… Beasley did not scratch the stat line Sunday in the Falcons road win at Washington, but he was a pressure factor a multiple plays. He also drew a holding penalty due to his pass rush. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported this weekend that prior to last Tuesday’s trade deadline the Falcons received trade offers for the Adairsville native. Atlanta decided, however, to not pull the trigger on any deal. Beasley has only one sack this season and just three quarterback hits. He had his fifth-year option for next season picked up by the Falcons and is set to make $12.8 million in 2019.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
QUADRE ALLEN — Tusculum University (Sr., DB, Woodland HS)… made a first quarter tackle on punt team coverage in the Pioneers’ 20-11 non-conference loss Saturday at VMI. Tusculum (5-4, 4-2 South Atlantic Conference) plays at Wingate this Saturday afternoon.
DeANDRE APPLIN — Georgia State University (Sr., DB, Adairsville HS)… had three tackles (2 solo) in the Panthers’ 40-31 loss to Texas State Saturday in Atlanta. GSU (2-7, 1-4 Sun Belt Conference) plays at Louisiana-Lafayette this Saturday.
TERRY BERDIN — Reinhardt University (Fr., RB, Cartersville HS)… had two carries for 23 yards and one kick return for 12 yards as the NAIA 4th-ranked Eagles won at St. Andrews (NC) 54-30. Reinhardt (8-1, 5-0 Mid-South Conference, Appalachian Division) plays Saturday night at Union College (KY).
CHRIS BLACKSTON — University of West Georgia (Jr., DB, Adairsville HS)… the Wolves’ starter at free safety had three tackles in a 29-17 win over Gulf South Conference foe Delta State Saturday in Carrollton. NCAA D-II 3rd-ranked UWG (10-0, 7-0) plays at 7th-ranked Valdosta State Saturday night in a battle of unbeatens.
BRYCE BURGESS — Reinhardt University (Fr., RB, Adairsville HS)… returned the second half kickoff 28 yards into the plus-territory 46 yard line in the NAIA 4th-ranked Eagles 54-30 win at St. Andrews (NC). Reinhardt (8-1, 5-0 Mid-South Conference, Appalachian Division) plays at Union College (KY) this Saturday night.
TREVOR CARLTON — Reinhardt University (Sr., LB, Cartersville HS)… had four tackles including 1.5 for a loss and a sack as the 4th-ranked Eagles topped St. Andrews (NC) on the road, 54-30. Reinhardt (8-1, 5-0 Mid-South Conference, Appalachian Division) travels to Union College (KY) this Saturday night.
MARCUS CHILDERS — Northern Illinois University (R-So., QB, Adairsville HS)… was 21-for-28 passing for 188 yards and one touchdown in the Huskies’ 36-26 Mid-American Conference win last Thursday at Akron. Childers also finished with 9 net yards rushing on 13 attempts. NIU (6-3, 5-0 MAC) has now won five straight games and hosts Toledo Wednesday night.
XAVIOR COAXUM — LaGrange College (So., DB, Cartersville HS)… had four tackles Saturday in the Panthers’ 48-38 home win over Methodist University. LaGrange (3-6, 2-4 USA South Athletic Conference) travels to Montgomery Saturday afternoon at face Huntingdon College.
JONATHAN CRUZ — UNC-Charlotte (Fr., PK, Cartersville HS)… made a 20-yard field goal late in the first half in the 49ers’ 14-3 non-conference loss Saturday night at Tennessee. He also had two kickoffs for a 59 yard average with one kick going out of bounds. Charlotte (4-5, 3-2 Conference USA) returns to conference action Saturday afternoon at Marshall.
DALEN CURTIS — Brevard College (So., FB, Cartersville HS)… started at fullback for the Tornados but did not have any touches in a 25-6 loss at Averett (VA). Brevard (2-6, 2-4 USA-South Athletic Conference) hosts Greensboro College this Saturday afternoon.
JORDAN FERGUSON — Middle Tennessee State University (So., DL, Cartersville HS)… saw action in the Blue Raiders’ 29-10 home victory Friday night over Western Kentucky. MTSU (6-3, 5-1 Conference USA) travels to University of Texas-El Paso this Saturday.
MILLER FORRISTALL — University of Alabama (R-So., TE, Cartersville HS)… saw playing time Saturday night in the Crimson Tide’s 29-0 win over LSU in Baton Rouge. Top-ranked Alabama (9-0, 6-0 SEC) clinched the SEC Western Division title with the win and will host Mississippi State this Saturday afternoon.
RICO FRYE — Bowling Green University (Fr., RB, Cartersville HS)… carried 17 times last Tuesday for 36 yards in the Falcons’ 35-28 home loss to Kent State. He also caught four passes for eight yards. Bowling Green (1-8, 0-5 Mid-American Conference) plays at Central Michigan this Saturday afternoon.
CAMERON GONYEA — Saint Anselm College (Fr., DB, Cass HS)… made a pair of tackles in the Hawks’ 49-21 loss at New Haven College this past Saturday. Saint Anselm (1-7, 1-7 Northeastern 10 Conference) hosts Pace University this Saturday to close out the 2018 season.
GORDON GRAY — Kennesaw State University (Sr., WR, Cartersville HS)… got the start this past Saturday in the FCS 2nd-ranked Owls’ 49-0 blanking of Campbell. KSU (8-1, 4-0 Big South Conference) travels to New Jersey this Saturday afternoon to face Monmouth with the winner securing the conference championship and automatic bid into the FCS playoffs.
GABRIEL GRIDLEY — Angelo State University (So., P, Cartersville HS)… punted twice Saturday for only a 25.5 yard average, but had one punt downed inside the 20 yard line as the Rams defeated visiting Eastern New Mexico 34-17. ASU (6-4, 4-3 Lone Star Conference) has won three in a row and travels to Texas A&M-Commerce this Saturday.
ANTOINE JEFFERSON — Lindsey Wilson College (So., SL, Cartersville HS)… had one punt return for eight yards and had a fourth quarter pass attempt that fell incomplete in the NAIA 17th-ranked Blue Raiders’ 21-4 win at Campbellsville University (KY) Saturday afternoon. LWC (6-3, 3-2 Mid-South Conference Bluegrass Division) hosts Kentucky Christian this Saturday.
BRADY JERNIGAN — Maryville College (TN) (Jr., DL, Woodland HS)… had two tackles Saturday in the Scots’ 42-7 win at Greensboro College. Maryville (6-2, 6-0 USA South Athletic Conference) entertains North Carolina Wesleyan this Saturday afternoon.
LUCAS JOHNSON — Georgia State University (Sr., OL, Cass HS)… started at tight end Saturday for the Panthers in a 40-31 home loss to Texas State. GSU (2-7, 1-4 Sun Belt Conference) travels to Louisiana-Lafayette this Saturday evening.
BRADLEY KIRK — Shorter University (Fr., DB, Cartersville HS)… had two tackles Saturday at North Alabama in the Hawks’ 41-14 loss. Shorter (0-10, 0-7 Gulf South Conference) wraps up the 2018 season this Saturday afternoon at Barron Stadium in Rome against Florida Tech.
TREVOR LAWRENCE — Clemson University (Fr., QB, Cartersville HS)… was 8-for-12 passing for 59 yards and two touchdowns Saturday as the 2nd-ranked Tigers pummelled Louisville, 77-16. Lawrence tossed an 11-yard touchdown to Tee Higgins and a 3-yard scoring pass to Amari Rodgers in his abbreviated start. He also ran three times for 11 yards. Clemson (9-0, 6-0 ACC) plays at Boston College this Saturday night.
DORIAN PITT — Southwestern Oklahoma State University (Jr., OL, Adairsville HS)… saw action in the Bulldogs’ 35-23 loss at Southern Nazarene University (OK). SWOSU (3-7, 3-7 Great American Conference) hosts Northwestern Oklahoma State University this Saturday night.
MARK QUATTLEBAUM — UNC-Charlotte (Sr., SL, Cartersville HS)… had one reception for 18 yards and had two punt returns for 10 yards in the 49ers’ 14-3 loss at Tennessee Saturday. Charlotte (4-5, 3-2 C-USA) plays at Marshall this Saturday afternoon.
SEVEN RICHARDS — Jacksonville University (Fr., OL, Cass HS)… started at left guard Saturday for the Dolphins in a 48-44 Pioneer Football League win over visiting Butler. The JU offense rolled up 505 total yards including 448 rushing yards. The Dolphins (2-6, 1-5 PFL) play at Valparaiso this Saturday afternoon.
MACLAND SHAY — New Mexico Highlands University (Fr., DB, Cass HS)… had one tackle on kickoff coverage in the Cowboys’ 20-16 home victory over Western State Colorado University Saturday. NMHU (4-6, 4-5 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) hosts Colorado Mesa University this Saturday.
GARRETT SHELTON — Alabama State University (Fr., LS, Cartersville HS)… saw action in the Hornets’ 30-21 win Saturday over Texas Southern in Montgomery. ASU (3-5, 2-2 SWAC) entertains Jackson State this Saturday afternoon.
HIRAM VELEZ — University of West Florida (Sr., WR, Adairsville HS)… saw playing time in the Argonauts’ 48-21 home loss Saturday to 7th-ranked Valdosta State. UWF (6-4, 4-3 Gulf South Conference) travels to West Alabama this Saturday afternoon.
BRANDON WADE -- Ellsworth CC (So., DL, Cartersville HS)... made five tackles in a 28-7 loss Saturday to Coffeyville CC. The Panthers are now 1-9 and play at Independence CC this Saturday night.
JAKE WALKER — Furman University (So., TE, Cartersville, GA, Darlington HS)… the Paladins’ starter at tight end caught one pass for 11 yards and a first down Saturday in the first quarter. He was also targeted two more times in Furman’s 16-10 home win over Chattanooga. Furman (4-4, 4-2 Southern Conference) plays at VMI this Saturday afternoon in another SoCon matchup.
CROSS COUNTRY
JAISON MORNING — Valdosta State University (Sr., Cass HS)… placed 29th of 99 runners last Saturday at the Gulf South Conference Championships hosted by Mississippi College. Morning completed the 8K course in Jackson in 26:25 to lead all the Blazers’ harriers. VSU placed eighth of 11 teams. The GSC title was won by Lee University.
SOCCER
KATELYNN HARBEKE — Life University (Sr., MF, Cass HS)… played 42 minutes and took one shot in Life’s 6-1 conference quarterfinal loss at Campbellsville (KY). Life finished the year with a 6-12 record.
KATIE LAWHORN — Life University (So., MF, Adairsville HS)… saw 17 minutes of playing time in the Runnin’ Eagles’ 6-1 loss last Thursday at Campbellsville (KY) in the quarterfinals of the Mid-South Conference Tournament. Life finished the season with a 6-12 mark.
MARISSA MOWRY — Anderson University (Fr., MF, Cartersville HS)… played six minutes last Wednesday in the Trojans’ 1-0 home loss to Catawba College in the South Atlantic Conference Tournament quarterfinals. Anderson finished the season with a 7-8-1 record.
TENNIS
PEYTON GOLLHOFER — Ball State University (Sr., Cartersville, GA, Laurel Springs Academy)… defeated her opponent from Indiana University, Somer Henry, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 and paired with Victoria Sec to win matches against their Cleveland State and Indiana opponents this past weekend as Ball State closed out the Fall portion of their 2018-19 schedule at the Bronco Invitational hosted by Western Michigan.
WRESTLING
JAKE HUFFINE — UT-Chattanooga (Sr., 133-lb., Woodland HS)… went 3-2 Sunday at the Virginia Tech Hokie Open in Blacksburg, Virginia. Huffine defeated Patrick Washington of Appalachian State, his UTC teammate Colton Landers, and Austin Warner of Campbell Universitiy. His losses came to Garrett Pepple of Indiana and Zach Sherman of North Carolina. The Mocs will host North Carolina next Sunday afternoon.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
MARK CHESTER — Georgia Northwestern Tech (Fr., G, Cass HS)… scored two points in the Bobcats’ 99-51 loss at Southern Crescent Tech in Griffin. Next for Georgia Northwestern is a road contest at Covenant College JV November 13.
WHITNEY HARRIS — Toccoa Falls College (Fr., G, Excel Christian Acad.)… in three games last week, Harris averaged 11 points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 30 minutes per game. The Screaming Eagles lost to Truett-McConnell University 55-33 and Milligan College 82-51, but defeated Trinity College 69-68. TFC (1-2) hosts Brevard College Thursday and Johnson & Wales University Friday.
CARTER HEDDEN — Hocking CC (Fr., G, Cass HS)… saw action in the Hawks’ 80-44 home win last Thursday over Cincinnati Christian JV. Hocking lost a pair of games over the weekend at Potomac State of WVU, falling to Potomac State CC and Garrett CC. Stats not available.
KIMORA McCLINIC — Middle Georgia State University (So., G, Cartersville HS)… saw action in both games for the Knights last Thursday and Friday. She played 14 minutes and scored four points with three rebounds. MGSU beat Regent University 79-41, but lost to Warner 66-58. The Lady Knights (1-1) host Thomas University (GA) Monday night, play at Kennesaw State Wednesday, and travel to Voorhees (SC) Friday.
JONATHAN PRITCHETT — Vermont Tech CC (So., G, Woodland HS)… scored 13 points with eight rebounds and 13 assists in the Knights’ two wins over the weekend. Vermont Tech beat Maine-Augusta 88-73 and Central Maine CC 93-91 as Pritchett averaged 35 minutes. VTCC (2-0) hosts Northern Vermont-Johnson Thursday and travels to Northern Vermont-Lyndon Friday.
DARRIUS THROWER — Truett-McConnell University (Jr., G, Excel Christian Acad.)… played 22 minutes off the bench and scored 14 points with two rebounds and one assist in a 96-76 win last Tuesday at Toccoa Falls College. The Bears (2-0) play at Union College (KY) Wednesday and host Columbia International University Saturday.
HAKEEM WINTERS — Point University (Sr., F, Cartersville HS)… averaged 3.7 points with five rebounds, three blocks, three steals, and four assists in three of the Skyhawks’ first four games. Point (0-4) lost at Thomas University and fell to Voorhees College at home before dropping two games over the weekend at the Faulkner University Classic to Faulkner and Campbellsville. Point plays at Bryan College (TN) Wednesday and hosts Bluefield College (VA) this Saturday.
