Athletes Beyond Bartow: Lawrence, Cruz set career marks Saturday
Former Cartersville High School quarterback Trevor Lawrence had a career high 393 yards passing Saturday to help lead 2nd-ranked Clemson to a win over South Carolina to complete an undefeated regular season while former Canes' placekicker Jonathan Cruz nailed a career-high 56-yard, game-winning field goal for Charlotte in their win at Florida Atlantic University.
Elsewhere, a handful of local seniors concluded their collegiate football playing careers. On the hardwoods, former Hurricanes' standout A.J. Mosby saw action this past week in the NBA G-League while several locals made contributions with their college programs around the country.
NFL
VIC BEASLEY — Atlanta Falcons (4th yr. pro; DE / OLB, Clemson, Adairsville HS)… had one tackle in the Falcons’ 31-17 loss Thanksgiving Night at New Orleans. Beasley has 11 tackles, a pass defended, and three sacks in 2018. Atlanta slipped to 4-7 with the loss and will host the Baltimore Ravens Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
PRO BASKETBALL
A.J. MOSBY — Northern Arizona Suns (1st yr. pro; NBA G-League; Alcorn State; Cartersville HS)… scored five points in nine minutes off the bench Saturday with one rebound and one assist in a 108-96 loss at the Agua Caliente Clippers. He also had seven points, two rebounds, five assists, and two steals last Friday in 20 minutes of action during a 114-93 loss at the Stockton Kings. The Suns (2-8) are currently last in the NBA G-League West and will host the Memphis Hustle Tuesday before traveling to the Sioux Falls Skyforce Friday and the Iowa Wolves on Saturday.
ELIJAH ROBINSON — Club Atletico Villa San Martin (1st yr. pro; Argentine League; Emmanuel College; Excel Christian Academy)… came off the bench and played 25 minutes in his team’s only game this past week — a 95-92 home victory over Central Argentino Olimpico Ceres. Robinson, who is averaging 13 points and six rebounds per game, scored eight points and added nine rebounds in the win. Villa San Martin (5-3) hosts Hindu Club de Resistencia Chaco Tuesday, Independiente de Santiago Del Estero Friday, and entertains a rematch with Olimpico Ceres Sunday.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
MARCUS CHILDERS — Northern Illinois University (R-So., QB, Adairsville HS)… accounted for over 200 yards of offense and two touchdowns in the Huskies’ 28-21 loss last Tuesday at Western Michigan. The performance included 14-of-21 passing for 156 yards with one touchdown. He also ran for 53 yards and a touchdown on 22 attempts. NIU (7-5) won the Mid-American Conference West and will play Buffalo Friday night in Detroit for the MAC Championship.
JONATHAN CRUZ — UNC-Charlotte (Fr., PK, Cartersville HS)… banged a 56-yard field goal with 25 seconds to play Saturday to give the 49ers a 27-24 Conference-USA victory at Florida Atlantic in Boca Raton, FL. The kick was a third, 50+ yard field goal for Cruz this season. In Saturday’s contest he also had a 30-yard field goal in the first quarter, converted all three PAT kicks, and had 4-of-6 kickoffs for touchbacks. For the season, Cruz was 17 of 22 on field goal attempts, 27-for-27 on PATs, and booted 31 of 54 kickoffs for touchbacks. Charlotte finished the 2018 season with a 5-7 overall record and was 4-4 in conference play.
KURTIS FEANNY — Lenioir-Rhyne University (Fr., DL, Woodland HS)… was a participant in the 17th-ranked Bears’ come-from-behind 21-17 home playoff win Saturday over Wingate. The true freshman has now seen action in seven games this season. LRU (12-1) travels to 3rd-ranked Valdosta State Saturday in an NCAA D-II national quarterfinal tilt.
MILLER FORRISTALL — University of Alabama (R-So., TE, Cartersville HS)… saw action on the kickoff return team in the top-ranked Crimson Tide’s 52-21 win Saturday over visiting Auburn. Alabama (12-0) plays Georgia Saturday in the SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
RICO FRYE — Bowling Green University (Fr., RB, Cartersville HS)… had three carries for 22 yards Friday night in the Falcons’ 44-14 loss to MAC East champion Buffalo. Frye played in ten games with three starts as a true freshman. He finished the year with 78 rushing attempts for 338 yards and one touchdown. He had a long run of 27 yards. He also caught six passes for nine yards, returned two kickoffs for a 9.5 yard average and even added two tackles. Bowling Green finished the season with a 3-9 record. The Falcons were 2-6 in the Mid-American Conference.
GABRIEL GRIDLEY — Angelo State University (Jr., P, Cartersville HS)… the Rams did not play this past week, but received an invitation to a bowl game for the second season in a row and seventh time in school history. ASU (6-5, 4-4 Lone Star Conference) will take on University of Central Oklahoma (7-4, 7-4 Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association) Saturday in the C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl.
LUCAS JOHNSON — Georgia State University (Sr., OL, Cass HS)… was in the offensive line rotation Saturday during the Panthers’ 35-14 home loss to Georgia Southern. Georgia State finished the year with a 2-10 overall record and was 1-7 in the Sun Belt Conference.
EMMANUEL JONES — Colorado State University (So., DE, Woodland HS)… had a pair of tackles Thanksgiving Day in the Rams’ 27-19 loss at Air Force. In 10 games played this season, Jones had 34 tackles (15 solo) including six tackles for loss, two sacks, five quarterback hurries, and one interception. Colorado State finished the season with a 3-9 mark and was 2-6 in the Mountain West Conference.
TREVOR LAWRENCE — Clemson University (Fr., QB, Cartersville HS)… amassed a career-high 393 passing yards on 27 completions in 36 attempts, including eight straight completions for 106 yards to open the game Saturday night as the 2nd-ranked Tigers completed an undefeated regular season with a 56-35 win over rival South Carolina. The true freshman had one touchdown pass, a 22-yarder late in the first quarter to Tee Higgins that gave the Tigers a 14-7 lead. Clemson (12-0, 8-0 ACC) plays Pitt Saturday night in the ACC Championship Game in Charlotte.
MARK QUATTLEBAUM — UNC-Charlotte (Sr., SL, Cartersville HS)… caught two passes for 23 yards including a 12-yard, first quarter touchdown pass as the 49ers finished their 2018 season with a 27-24 Conference-USA win at Florida Atlantic Univeristy. Quattlebaum caught 17 passes this season for 198 yards and three touchdowns. He also had 12 punt returns for 57 yards. He appeared in 38 games in his career for the 49ers with 52 catches for 577 yards and four touchdowns. Charlotte was 5-7 overall and 4-4 in C-USA.
GARRETT SHELTON — Alabama State University (Fr., LS, Cartersville HS)… the Hornets’ long snapper saw action in a 31-24 overtime win Thanksgiving Day over Mississippi Valley State. ASU finished 4-7 overall and 3-4 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
AVERY SHOWELL — Georgia Tech (R-Fr., Cartersville HS)… saw action in Tech’s 45-21 loss Saturday at 5th-ranked Georgia. Despite the loss, the Yellow Jackets closed the regular season with wins in six of their last eight games and has earned a bowl berth for the 23rd time in 24 seasons. Tech will learn its postseason destination Sunday.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
MARK CHESTER — Georgia Northwestern Tech CC (Fr., G, Cass HS)… had two points and five boards in a home 74-50 loss last Tuesday to Tennessee Wesleyan University’s JV. The Bobcats (1-2) host Covenant College December 6 and Southeastern Bible College December 8.
RYAN DAVIS — Francis Marion University (Sr., G/F, Cartersville HS)… played 38 minutes, scored eight points, collected five rebounds and dished three assists in the Patriots’ 80-72 win last Tuesday at Shaw University. FMU (3-1) begins Peach Belt Conference action this Saturday at home in Florence against University of North Georgia.
WHITNEY HARRIS — Toccoa Falls College (Fr., G, Woodland HS)… played 37 minutes scoring 10 points in the Screaming Eagles’ 75-32 loss at Berry College last Tuesday. Harris added four rebounds and a pair of steals in the loss. TFC (1-7) travels to Brevard College Wednesday and will host Warren Wilson College Friday.
JANA MORNING — Berry College (So., G, Cass HS)… scored eight points and had six rebounds, three assists, and four steals in the Vikings’ 75-32 win over visiting Toccoa Falls College last Tuesday. Morning did not score, but had one rebound, one assist, and one steal in 12 minutes during a 51-42 road loss at LaGrange College Saturday. Sunday afternoon, she scored 11 points with a rebound, two assists, and a pair of steals in a 61-49 loss at Piedmont College. Berry (2-3) entertains Emory University this Friday night.
JONATHAN PRITCHETT — Vermont Tech CC (So., G, Woodland HS)… the Knights’ starting guard did not score, but had two rebounds and five assists in an 82-78 home win over Fisher College last Tuesday. Vermont Tech (7-1, 4-0 Yankee Small College Conference) hosts NHTI Wednesday night, Unity CC Saturday afternoon, and Bryant & Stratton CC Sunday. JAYLON PUGH — Furman University (Fr., G, Cartersville HS)… had two points and one rebound in 11 minutes as a reserve Sunday afternoon as Furman won its seventh straight to start the season — a 65-51 win at UNC-Asheville. Pugh also had four rebounds, an assist and a steal in 13 minutes off the bench as the Paladins beat visiting Southern Wesleyan last Wednesday 74-57. Furman (7-0) begins Southern Conference play at home Saturday against Western Carolina.
JOSIE SUMMERVILLE — North Park University (Fr., F, Adairsville HS)… had eight points and six rebounds Sunday with one steal during a 79-51 home loss to Albion College. Summerville also scored seven points and grabbed three rebounds Saturday in a 67-60 loss to Berea College (KY). She contributed five points with nine boards and a steal last Tuesday in a 75-52 victory over Concordia University (IL). NPU (2-3) hosts Aurora University Wednesday night and Wheaton College Saturday evening.
DARIUS THROWER — Truett-McConnell University (Jr., G, Excel Christian Academy)… made a single three-pointer and added a rebound and one assist in 13 minutes off the bench last Tuesday in the Bears’ 84-80 AAC win over visiting Bluefield College (VA). TMU (4-2, 2-2 Appalachian Athletic Conference) travels to Milligan College (TN) Wednesday night and hosts Morris College (SC) Saturday afternoon.
CARROD WATSON — University of North Georgia (R-Jr., F/C, Woodland HS)… saw two minutes of action last Tuesday in the Nighthawks’ 104-80 home win over University of West Georgia. UNG (4-1) opens Peach Belt Conference play Saturday afternoon at Francis Marion University.
