Athletes Beyond Bartow: Beasley records two sacks; Fields, Morning conclude collegiate XC careers
Former Adairsville High School star and Clemson University All-American Vic Beasley had an impressive day for the Atlanta Falcons Sunday. He not only did a solid job setting the edge against Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott, he got to Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott twice raising his season sack total to three. Unfortunately for his Falcons however, Atlanta lost to Dallas 19-16 on a last second field goal. On the college football front, 20 local athletes made contributions with their respective programs this week highlighted by a two touchdown, 251-yard passing day for former Cartersville High and current Clemson University quarterback Trevor Lawrence. A pair of local runners — Spencer Fields and Jaison Morning — concluded their collegiate cross country careers and the college basketball schedule has now begun across the country.
NFL
VIC BEASLEY — Atlanta Falcons (4th yr. pro, DE, Clemson University, Adairsville HS)… recorded three tackles with a pair of quarterback sacks Sunday afternoon, but the Falcons fell at home to the Dallas Cowboys 19-16 to slip to 4-6 for the year.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
DeANDRE APPLIN — Georgia State University (Sr., DB, Adairsville HS)… made five tackles including one for a loss in the Panthers’ 45-17 loss at Appalachian State Saturday. The starting safety has 27 tackles this season and one interception. Georgia State (2-9, 1-6 Sun Belt Conference) concludes the 2018 season Saturday in Atlanta against Georgia Southern.
TERRY BERDIN — Reinhardt University (Fr., RB, Cartersville HS)… a week after garnering Mid-South Conference Appalachian Division Player of the Week for his 175 yard, three touchdown performance against Union College (KY), Berdin was limited to only one carry for 16 yards in the Eagles’ 31-21 NAIA first round playoff loss Saturday to Concordia (MI). Reinhardt’s season ended with a 9-2 mark. Berdin rushed for 284 yards this season on 29 carries.
CHRIS BLACKSTON — University of West Georgia (Jr., FS, Adairsville HS)… the Wolves’ starter at free safety had six tackles, three solo, in a 41-31 NCAA D2 playoff loss to visiting Wingate Saturday. Blackston finished the year as the Wolves’ fourth-leading tackler with 47 total. He also had one tackle for loss, one pass break-up, one pass defended, two quarterback hurries, and recovered one fumble. West Georgia was ranked as high as No. 2 nationally during the year, but their season ends with a 10-2 mark.
TREVOR CARLTON — Reinhardt University (Sr., LB, Cartersville HS)… had one tackle in the Eagles’ 31-21 NAIA first round playoff loss Saturday to Concordia (MI) University. Carlton finished the season with 34 total tackles, five tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. Reinhardt finishes the year with a 9-2 record.
MARCUS CHILDERS — Northern Illinois University (R-So., QB, Adairsville HS)… was 15-for-32 for 157 yards passing with one interception last Wednesday in the Huskies’ 13-7 home loss to Miami (OH). Childers also rushed for 57 yards on 13 attempts in NIU’s first Mid-American Conference loss. Northern Illinois (7-4, 6-1) plays at Western Michigan Tuesday night and will represent the MAC Western Division in the MAC Championship Game in Detroit on November 30.
JONATHAN CRUZ — UNC-Charlotte (Fr., PK, Cartersville HS)… made all five PAT kicks and had four of five kickoffs for touchbacks but the 49ers fell 42-35 at home to Florida International Saturday. Charlotte (4-7, 3-4 Conference USA) closes out the 2018 season this Saturday night at Florida Atlantic.
DALEN CURTIS — Brevard College (So., FB, Cartersville HS)… had one carry for three yards Saturday in the Tornados’ 46-10 win over Allen University. Brevard finished the season with a 4-6 record.
CURTIS FEANNY — Lenoir-Rhyne University (Fr., OL, Woodland HS)… made the participation list in the Bears’ NCAA D2 opening round playoff win over visiting Florida Tech, 43-21. 17th-ranked LRU (11-1) advances to host Wingate this Saturday in the second round.
JORDAN FERGUSON — Middle Tennessee State University (So., DL, Cartersville HS)… had one tackle Saturday in the Blue Raiders’ 34-23 loss at Kentucky. He now has 10 tackles for the season. MTSU (7-4, 6-1 C-USA) can play their way into the Conference USA Championship Game with a home win over UAB this Saturday afternoon.
MILLER FORRISTALL — University of Alabama (R-So., TE, Cartersville HS)… fielded one of the kickoffs and was credited with a one-yard return Saturday as the top-ranked Crimson Tide defeated The Citadel 50-17. Alabama (11-0, 7-0 SEC) has already clinched the SEC West and will host rival Auburn this Saturday afternoon.
RICO FRYE — Bowling Green University (Fr., RB, Cartersville HS)… rushed for 59 yards on 14 attempts including a long run of 13 yards as the Falcons won at Akron University 21-6 Saturday. Frye capped a late third quarter drive with a 5-yard touchdown run and was even credited with a tackle following an interception in the second quarter. Bowling Green (3-8, 2-5 MAC) will look to extend a two-game win streak at home Friday night against Buffalo.
SEAN HOLTON — Davidson College (So., DB, Cartersville HS)… had one tackle Saturday in the Wildcats’ 41-38 defeat of visiting Butler. Holton’s season included 23 tackles (21 solo), one tackle for loss, one pass break-up, and one pass defended. Davidson finished the season 6-5 overall and 3-5 in the Pioneer Football League.
BRADY JERNIGAN — Maryville College (TN) (Jr., DL, Woodland HS)… had one tackle in the Scots’ 31-0 NCAA D3 first round playoff loss Saturday at 18th-ranked Berry College. Maryville ends the year 7-3 and was USA South Athletic Conference champion.
LUCAS JOHNSON — Georgia State University (Sr., OL, Cass HS)… was in the offensive line rotation Saturday in the Panthers’ 45-17 loss at Appalachian State. GSU (2-9, 1-6 Sun Belt Conference) closes out the 2018 campaign Saturday at home against Georgia Southern.
EMMANUEL JONES — Colorado State University (So., DE, Woodland HS)… had a pair of tackles in Saturday’s 29-24 home loss to 18th-ranked Utah State. The Rams (3-8, 2-5 Mountain West Conference) will wrap up the 2018 season Thanksgiving Day at Air Force.
TREVOR LAWRENCE — Clemson University (Fr., QB, Cartersville HS)… was 21-of-38 for 251 yards and two touchdowns Saturday as 2nd-ranked Clemson cruised by Duke, 35-6. He also rushed for 26 yards on three attempts, including a long run of 19 yards. Lawrence’s longest toss of the day went for 41-yards in the second quarter to Justyn Ross and he had touchdown passes of 19 yards to Ross and 10-yards to T.J. Chase. Through 10 games, Lawrence is 152-of-228 (66.7%) for 1,844 yards and 19 touchdowns. Clemson (11-0, 8-0 ACC) steps out of conference Saturday to host rival South Carolina before facing Pitt the following Saturday in Charlotte in the ACC title game.
NYVIN NELSON — University of Chattanooga (Fr.,, LB, Cartersville HS)… saw action Saturday in the Mocs’ 49-9 loss at South Carolina. Chattanooga finished the year with a 6-5 mark.
MARK QUATTLEBAUM — UNC-Charlotte (Sr., SL, Cartersville HS)… was targeted twice Saturday and made a pair of fair catches on punts in the 49ers’ 42-35 home loss to Florida International. Charlotte (4-7, 3-4 C-USA) closes out the season Saturday at Conference USA foe Florida Atlantic.
SEVEN RICHARDS — Jacksonville University (Fr., OL, Cass HS)… the Dolphins’ starter at left guard was part of an offense that finished with 299 total yards (266 rushing) in a season-ending 34-7 loss at University of Dayton. Jacksonville finished the year 2-8 overall and 1-7 in the Pioneer Football League.
JAKE WALKER — Furman University (So., TE, Cartersville, GA, Darlington HS)… made four catches for 43 yards and two touchdowns Saturday in the Paladins’ 35-30 win at Mercer. Walker’s touchdown catches were for 10-yards to cap an early second quarter drive and 11-yards in the fourth quarter for the final go-ahead score with 6:52 remaining. Furman (6-4, 6-2 SoCon) captured a share of the 2018 Southern Conference championship but were not selected as an at-large team for the FCS playoffs.
CROSS COUNTRY
SPENCER FIELDS — Rhodes College (Sr., Kingston, GA, Darlington HS)… placed 79th individually (25:28.3) of 280 runners Saturday as Rhodes finished 17th at the NCAA D-III National Champoionships in Winneconne, Wisconsin. The national title was won by North Central (IL). The men’s 8K championship race was held at Lake Breeze Golf Club. For the Lynx, it was their third straight NCAA National appearance and Rhodes’ best-ever finish.
JAISON MORNING — Valdosta State University (Sr., Cass HS)… ran to a 60th place finish individually and was the Blazers’ top finisher in 33:53.68 (10K event) as VSU placed 15th at the NCAA Division II South Regional won by Embry-Riddle University. In his career, Morning scored for the Blazers in 21 events and was often VSU’s top runner.
WRESTLING
JONATHAN DE LA CRUZ — Life University (Fr., 184-pounds, Cartersville HS)… went 3-2 to place fourth Saturday at the Georgia Open hosted by Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, GA. Life wrestles next at Reinhardt University November 28.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
MARK CHESTER — Georgia Northwestern Tech CC (Fr., G, Cass HS)… scored 24 points last Tuesday as the Bobcats defeated the Covenant College JV squad, 105-94. Georgia Northwestern (1-1) hosts the Tennessee Wesleyan University JV Tuesday in Rossville.
RYAN DAVIS — Francis Marion University (Sr., G, Cartersville HS)… scored 10 points of 3-of-6 shooting, collected 10 rebounds, distributed five assists, and made two steals in 27 minutes as the Patriots beat visiting Methodist University last Thursday 110-63. FMU (2-1) plays at Shaw University Tuesday night.
WHITNEY HARRIS — Toccoa Falls College (Fr., G, Woodland HS)… scored nine points with two rebounds, two assists, and a steal in a 90-38 home loss to Erskine College last Wednesday. Harris also had nine points and five rebounds in TFC’s 94-31 loss at Emmanuel College Friday night. The Screaming Eagles (1-6) play at Berry College Tuesday night.
CARTER HEDDEN — Hocking CC (Fr., G, Cass HS)… scored six points on 3-of-7 shooting Saturday in a 98-63 loss at Lakeland CC. He added a rebound and three assists. Hedden is averaging 3.8 ppg through the Hawks first eight games. Hocking (2-6) returns to action November 26 at UC-Clermont.
KIMORA McCLINIC — Middle Georgia State University (So., G, Cartersville HS)… played four minutes off the bench but accumulated no other stat line in the Knights’ 78-68 win last Monday at Thomas University. MGSU (3-2) hosts Voorhees Tuesday, November 27.
JANA MORNING — Berry College (So., G, Cass HS)… scored nine points in a home win over Wesleyan and four points in a loss at Brevard as the Vikings opened their 2018-19 campaign. Morning also accumulated 12 rebounds, five assists, and three steals in the two games. Berry (1-1) hosts Toccoa Falls Tuesday, plays at LaGrange Saturday and hosts Piedmont College Sunday.
JONATHAN PRITCHETT — Vermont Tech CC (So., G, Woodland HS)… averaging just over 18 minutes per game this past week — all starts — Pritchett did not score, but had a rebound, one steal, and two assists in a 115-33 home win over Hampshire Wednesday. He then scored four points with a steal and a block in a 94-74 win Friday over visiting Paul Smith’s College. On Sunday, the Knights lost for the first time at Middlebury College. Pritchett had one rebound. VTCC (6-1, 4-0 Yankee Small School Conference) host Fisher College on Tuesday.
JAYLON PUGH — Furman University (Fr., G, Cartersville HS)… scored nine points with two rebounds, one assist, and one steal last Thursday night during a 107-67 home win over D2 North Greenville. He also played three minutes in an 88-86 home win over Gardner-Webb last Tuesday, but did not see floor time in the Paladins’ dramatic 76-68 overtime upset of 8th-ranked Villanove Saturday in Philadelphia. Furman (5-0) hosts Southern Wesleyan Wednesday and travels to UNC Asheville Sunday.
JOSIE SUMMERVILLE — North Park University (Fr., F, Adairsville HS)… came off the bench and scored two points in both of the Vikings’ first two games Friday and Saturday in the North Park Tip-Off Tournament in Chicago. Summerville also collected five rebounds and had one steal as NPU lost to Wittenberg University and defeated Defiance College. NPU (1-1) hosts Concordia-Chicago Tuesday and will host Berea College (KY) Saturday in the opening round of the North Park Thanksgiving Invitational. The Vikings will also play either Wisconsin-Stout or Albion Sunday.
DARIUS THROWER — Truett McConnell University (Jr., G, Excel Christian Acad.)… scored six points in 12 minutes off the bench as the Bears beat Columbia International (SC) 87-76 last Wednesday. He then drew his first start of the season Saturday and had one rebound and one assist in 11 minutes as the Bears lost at home to Montreat (NC) 72-57. TMU (3-2) hosts Bluefield College (VA) Tuesday night.
CARROD WATSON — University of North Georgia (R-Jr., F/C, Woodland HS)… played five minutes with two rebounds and a blocked shot as the Nighthawks defeated Southern Wesleyan 86-57 Saturday in Dahlonega. UNG (3-1) entertains University of West Georgia Tuesday night.
HAKEEM WINTERS — Point University (Sr., F, Cartersville HS)… was a starter last Thursday but only saw one minute of action in a 99-82 loss at Montreat (NC). Point (0-8, 0-4 Appalachian Athletic Conference) plays at Tennessee Wesleyan Tuesday.
PRO BASKETBALL
ELIJAH ROBINSON — Club Atletico Villa San Martin (1st yr. pro; La Liga Argentina, F, Emmanuel College, Excel Christian Academy)… scored only two points, but contributed four rebounds and one assist in his team’s 71-62 win Sunday night over Hindu Club. Robinson is averaging more than 15 points and six rebounds per game for the 4-3 Villa San Martin team. They play at Olimpico Ceres November 24 before hosting Hindu and Independiente November 27 and 30.
