Athletes Beyond Bartow: An update on local athletes at the professional and collegiate level

November 4, 2024 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

This week’s update includes reports on more than two dozen local athletes and their performances from last week across the nation in professional and collegiate sports.

NFL

TREVOR LAWRENCE — Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL, 4th-yr. pro; Clemson; Cartersville HS) … completed 16 of 31 passes for 169 yards and scored touchdowns on two short rushing attempts in the Jaguars’ 28-23 loss this past Sunday at the Philadelphia Eagles. Lawrence was also picked off twice, including one in the end zone on Jacksonville’s final drive with 1:38 remaining. The Jags (2-7) host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

FOOTBALL

ANDY AVELAR — Shorter University (R-Fr., Cass HS) … made his career first PAT kick in his only attempt during the Hawks’ 55-0 home win this past Saturday over Virginia University-Lynchburg. Shorter (3-4) hosts the University of West Alabama on Saturday afternoon.

KOLBE BENHAM — Marist College (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … had one tackle in a 19-0 loss this past Saturday at Drake University. The Red Foxes (0-9, 0-6 Pioneer Football League) visit Stetson University on Saturday afternoon.

HAYDEN CAGLE — Berry College (Sr., Cartersville HS) … recently named a William V. Campbell Trophy national semifinalist for his academic and athletic performance, Cagle started on a Vikings’ offensive line this past Saturday that helped produce 329 total yards in a 28-21 home conference win over Centre College (KY). Berry (6-2, 4-1 Southern Athletic Association) entertains Millsaps College on Saturday afternoon for Senior Day.

JONAH GAMBILL — University of Memphis (R-Sr., Cartersville HS) … a starter on the Tigers’ offensive line that helped produce 516 total yards in a 44-36 conference loss at UTSA. The Tigers (7-2, 3-2 American Athletic Conference) host Rice on Friday night.

KEVIN HENDERSON — University of Findlay (Fr., Cass HS) … the linebacker made seven tackles (five solo) and broke up one pass this past Saturday in the Oilers’ 28-17 home win over Walsh University. 25th-ranked Findlay (8-1, 6-1 Great Midwest Athletic Conference) hosts Northwood University (MI) on Saturday.

SHADRE HURST — Tulane University (So., Cartersville HS) … a starter on the Green Wave’s offensive line that helped produce 431 total yards in a 34-3 conference win at Charlotte this past Thursday. Tulane (7-2, 5-0 American Athletic Conference) hosts Temple on Saturday afternoon.

QUANTE JENNINGS — Presbyterian College (Sr., Cartersville HS) … rushed for 89 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries and caught three passes for 13 yards this past Saturday in a 28-7 home win over Dayton University. His 12-yard touchdown run was early in the second quarter, giving the Blue Hose a 12-0 lead. Presbyterian (4-6, 2-4 Pioneer Football League) has a bye week before traveling to Marist College on November 16.

TYLER MARTIN — Berry College (Jr., Cass HS) … a starter on the Vikings’ offensive line this past Saturday that helped produce 329 total yards in a 28-21 home conference win over Centre College (KY). Berry (6-2, 4-1 Southern Athletic Association) entertains Millsaps College on Saturday afternoon.

JAKE PARKER — Judson University (So., Cartersville HS) … completed 21 of 44 passes for 327 yards and two touchdowns this past Saturday in a 65-20 home loss to Olivet Nazarene (IL). He was picked off twice. His second-half TD passes were from 75 and 12 yards. Judson (1-7, 0-3 Mid States Football League) heads to Indianapolis on Saturday to play NAIA 7th-ranked Marian University.

SAM PHILLIPS — UT-Chattanooga (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … had one reception for 36 yards this past Saturday in a 38-34 loss at Western Carolina. Chattanooga (5-4, 4-2 Southern Conference) plays at The Citadel on Saturday afternoon.

DEVONTE ROSS — Troy University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … the Trojans’ receiver had four catches for 32 yards and one touchdown, one carry for nine yards, two kick returns for 51 yards, and one punt return for -2 yards this past Saturday in a 38-24 home win over Coastal Carolina. Troy (2-7, 1-4 Sun Belt Conference) has a bye week before visiting Georgia Southern on November 16.

STEPHEN ROWSER — Morehouse College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … made one tackle this past Saturday in the Maroon Tigers’ 37-7 loss at Miles College. Morehouse (1-8, 1-6 SIAC) hosts Clark Atlanta University on Saturday afternoon.

COURTNEY SLOCUM — Mars Hill University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … saw action, but the linebacker had no stat line in a 31-23 home win this past Saturday over Emory & Henry. The Lions (4-3, 4-2 South Atlantic Conference) play at Anderson University.

SACOVIE WHITE — University of Georgia (Fr., Cass HS) … as a slot receiver, White was targeted for a deep pass from Carson Beck on the Bulldogs’ opening drive this past Saturday but was slightly overthrown. Second-ranked Georgia rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat the Florida Gators 34-20. The Bulldogs (7-1, 5-1 Southeastern Conference) visit Ole Miss on Saturday afternoon.

SOCCER

ABBEY CRAIG — Reinhardt University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … a defensive starter, Craig logged all 90 minutes this past Saturday in a 2-1 Appalachian Athletic Conference quarterfinal victory over Columbia International University. On Tuesday, the Eagles (10-5-1) visit Tennessee Wesleyan in the conference semifinals.

VOLLEYBALL

AILEE ENGLAND — Berry College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … saw action in four sets as the Vikings won this past weekend at Sewanee and Centre College. She recorded one kill and two service aces. Berry (12-11, 9-3 Southern Athletic Association) won 3-1 at Sewanee and 3-2 at Centre. The Vikings will play Christopher Newport University, Averett University, and the University of Mary Washington on Saturday in Newport News, Virginia.

MADELYN ORTON — LaGrange College (Jr., Cartersville resident, Cornerstone Prep Academy) … had two digs this past Saturday in a Panthers’ win at Agnes Scott College. LaGrange (8-21, 5-11 Collegiate Conference of the South) did not qualify for the conference tournament.

MEREDITH ORTON — LaGrange College (Jr., Cartersville resident, Cornerstone Prep Academy) … had two kills and two digs this past Saturday in a straight sets win at Agnes Scott College. LaGrange (8-21, 5-11 Collegiate Conference of the South) did not qualify for the conference tournament.

CROSS COUNTRY

McKINLEY CHAPPELL — Berry College (Jr., Woodland HS) … placed 23rd individually in 27:10 at the 8K Southern Athletic Association Championship Meet in Memphis. The Vikings had their scoring runners all in the top eleven to win the 2024 conference title. Berry was nine points ahead of Oglethorpe. The Vikings will compete at the NCAA D-III South Regional in Clinton, Mississippi, on November 16.

ANDY FORSYTH — Berry College (Fr., Woodland HS) … placed 31st individually in 27:40 at the 8K Southern Athletic Association Championship Meet in Memphis. The Vikings had their scoring runners all in the top eleven to win the 2024 conference title. Berry was nine points ahead of Oglethorpe. The Vikings are set to participate in the NCAA D-III South Regional in Clinton, Mississippi, on November 16.

BASKETBALL

NA’YEL CAMPER — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … scored nine points and had three rebounds, two steals, and one assist in the Eagles’ 84-57 win at Spartanburg Methodist on October 26. This past Saturday, she also contributed one point and three boards in a 68-66 home win over Point University. The Lady Eagles (2-0) host Life University on Saturday afternoon.

ZION HAYES — Weatherford CC (Fr., Cass HS) … totaled seven points, five rebounds, and two assists this past weekend in narrow losses to Angelina College (50-49) and Frank Phillips College (64-62). The Coyotes (0-2) host Southwestern Assemblies of God University on Monday and Dallas College-Cedar Valley on Saturday.

HALEY JOHNSON — Reinhardt University (Jr., Cass HS) … scored seven points with five rebounds, one assist, and two steals on Oct 26 in an 84-57 win at Spartanburg Methodist. This past Saturday Johnson scored two points and grabbed five rebounds in a 68-66 home win over Point University. The Eagles (2-0) host Life University on Saturday.

KEARA McDANIEL — Toccoa Falls College (Jr., Cass HS) … scored two points and had two rebounds, two steals, and one steal in a 41-39 loss at Dallas Christian (Tex.) last Friday. She then scored five points with three rebounds and three assists last Saturday in a 79-55 loss to Crowley’s Ridge (Ark.). The Screamin’ Eagles (0-2) play at Truett-MCconnell University on Tuesday and visit Morris College (SC) on Friday night.

MEGAN SCHULTZ — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (Fr., Woodland HS) … logged 14 minutes last Friday and had two rebounds, one assist, and one steal during a 77-58 loss at Crowley’s Ridge (Ark.). This past Saturday, Schultz also had two boards in abbreviated time in a 71-69 loss to Pensacola Christian College. The Fillies (0-2) host LaGrange College on Friday night and Beacon College (Fla.) on Saturday afternoon.

LONDAISHA SMITH — St. Andrews University (Sr., Cass HS) … scored nine points with four rebounds, four steals, and three assists on Oct. 28 in a 65-63 loss at Spartanburg Methodist. She added 16 points with eight boards, one steal, and one assist this past Saturday in a 70-54 home loss to Voorhees University (SC). The Knights (0-2) host Spartanburg Methodist on Wednesday night and travel to USC-Beaufort on Saturday afternoon.