Athletes Beyond Bartow: Howard makes first MLB start, Fall collegiate athletes contribute nationwide

Former Cartersville High School pitcher, Sam Howard, has made more than 50 appearances in Major League Baseball for the Colorado Rockies and his current team — the Pittsburgh Pirates, but Friday night marked his first-ever MLB start. Howard, who only worked the first inning of the game against the Philadelphia Phillies, received the starting nod in what the Pirates deemed a “bullpen game.” Pittsburgh utilized six different pitchers in the 8-6 loss. Howard received no decision. In the NFL, former Cartersville Canes’ and Clemson Tigers' quarterback Trevor Lawrence passed for 219 yards and one touchdown in Jacksonville’s 31-19 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

PRO BASEBALL

SAM HOWARD — Pittsburgh Pirates (8th-year pro; Cartersville HS) . . . made his first MLB start last Friday against the Philadelphia Phillies in his 96th career appearance. The former Hurricanes and Georgia Southern Eagles standout struck out the only three batters he faced — Odubel Herrera, Jean Segura, and Bryce Harper — on 12 total pitches. It was his 50th appearance this season with the Pirates. The 28-year-old southpaw appeared again Saturday and retired the Phillies’ Didi Gregorius — the only batter he faced — on a pop up to end the fifth inning. The Pirates lost both games Howard appeared in, falling 8-5 Friday and 3-0 Saturday. For the 2021 season, Howard is 3-4 in 51 appearances with a 5.62 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 41.2 innings pitched.

CONNOR JUSTUS — Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (6th-year pro; Miami Marlins organization; Cartersville HS)… made a pair of starts last Thursday and Friday going 2-for-8 with one RBI and two runs scored as the Shrimp edged the Memphis Redbirds 7-6 and 3-2. Jacksonville closes out the added Final Stretch portion of the Triple-A schedule this week with a six-game series at the Gwinnett Stripers. The 26-year-old infielder has a .207 batting average in 266 official at-bats this season, splitting time between Double-A Pensacola and Triple-A Jacksonville. He has a pair of home runs and 26 RBIs with a pair of stolen bases.

PRO FOOTBALL

TREVOR LAWRENCE — Jacksonville Jaguars (Rookie season; Cartersville HS)… completed 22 of 34 passes Sunday for 219 yards and one touchdown, but the Jaguars lost their third straight game to begin the 2021 season in a 31-19 loss to the visiting Arizona Cardinals. The NFL’s overall No. 1 draft choice threw two interceptions including one on a flea-flicker in the third quarter that turned into a pick-6 and gave Arizona a 24-19 lead at the time. His second quarter, 12-yard touchdown pass to D.J. Chark capped a 9-play, 79-yard scoring drive and made the score 7-7. Through his first three NFL regular season games, the former Clemson quarterback in 64-for-118 for 669 yards and five touchdowns. Lawrence also has 46 rushing yards. He has thrown seven interceptions and lost two fumbles. The Jaguars (0-3) play this week’s Thursday night game at the Cincinnati Bengals’ Paul Brown Stadium.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

NICK BAILEY — Shorter University (Fr., Woodland HS) … the offensive lineman was on the Hawks’ participation list in a 56-0 home loss Saturday to West Georgia. Shorter (2-2, 0-1 Gulf South Conference) makes the trip to 4th-ranked Valdosta State this Saturday.

CHRIS BLACKSTON — University of West Georgia (Sr., Adairsville HS)… the 9th-ranked Wolves’ starting safety had five total tackles (three solo) and a quarterback hurry in Saturday’s 56-0 road win at Shorter. UWG (4-0, 2-0 Gulf South Conference) hosts West Alabama Saturday night in another conference tilt.

TREY CREAMER — UNC Charlotte (R-Sr., Cartersville HS)… a starter in the 49ers’ secondary made four tackles (two solo) as Charlotte held off visiting Middle Tennessee 42-39. The 49ers (3-1, 1-0 Conference USA) play a noon game Saturday at Illinois.

JONATHAN CRUZ — UNC Charlotte (Sr., Cartersville HS)… had a third quarter, 35-yard field goal attempt blocked but made all six of his PAT kicks and booted six of seven kickoffs for touchbacks in Charlotte’s three point win over Middle Tennessee. The 49ers (3-1, 1-0 C-USA) travel to Illinois Saturday for a 12 noon kickoff.

JORDAN FERGUSON — Middle Tennessee State University (R-Jr., Cartersville HS)… the Blue Raiders’ starting defensive lineman was credited with a pair of tackle assists in Saturday’s 42-39 loss at Charlotte. Middle Tennessee (1-3, 0-2 C-USA) entertains Marshall Saturday night.

DYLAN FORMAN — Shorter University (R-Fr., Woodland HS)… had a one-yard reception in the third quarter during the Hawks’ 56-0 loss Saturday to visiting West Georgia.

JONAH GAMBILL — University of Memphis (R-Fr., Cartersville HS)… the Tigers’ offensive lineman was part of a rotation that accumulated 78 rushing yards and 407 total yards in a 31-28 loss Saturday to University of Texas-San Antonio. Gambill was also credited with one tackle assist following a sack fumble in the fourth quarter. Memphis (3-1) make the trip to Temple Saturday to open play in the American Athletic Conference.

ZAY JACKSON — Missouri Baptist University (Fr., Cass HS)… had one tackle in the fourth quarter during the Spartans’ 49-0 loss at 8th-ranked Marian University (Indiana). MBU (3-1) opens conference play Saturday afternoon at University of St. Francis (Illinois).

JaCOREY JOHNS — Wake Forest University (R-So., Cartersville HS)… made three tackles including two for loss and one sack Saturday at Virginia in a 37-17 win. Johns now has 10 tackles through the first four games. The Deamon Deacons (4-0, 2-0 ACC) host Louisville Saturday afternoon.

MANNY JONES — Colorado State University (Grad Student, Woodland HS)… made three tackles and broke up one pass Saturday at Iowa in a 24-14 loss to the Hawkeyes. CSU (1-3) has this weekend off before hosting San Jose State October 9 for their Mountain West Conference opener and their 2021 homecoming game.

TITUS JONES — Colorado State University (R-So., Woodland HS)… was listed as a participant for the Rams in their loss at Iowa but did not record any stats.

LA’KWAYME JUPITER — North Carolina Wesleyan (Fr., Cartersville HS) … the Battling Bishops’ starting nose guard did not record any stats in Saturday’s 26-21 win at LaGrange. North Carolina Wesleyan (1-3, 1-1 USA South Athletic Conference) plays at Averett University Saturday night.

BRADLEY KIRK — Shorter University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … saw action Saturday for the Hawks in a 56-0 loss to visiting 15th-ranked West Georgia.

NICK ROOT — Carson-Newman University (Jr., Carterrsville HS) … the Eagles’ offensive lineman saw action Saturday in a 33-7 loss at Virginia-Wise. CNU (0-3, 0-2 Southern Athletic Conference) plays at Barton College Saturday afternoon.

COURTNEY SLOCUM — Mars Hill University (Fr., Adairsville HS) … was listed as a participant in the Lions’ 31-16 loss Saturday at Lenoir-Rhyne. Mars Hill (2-2, 1-1 Southern Athletic Conference) hosts Newberry this Saturday afternoon.

EVAN SLOCUM — Wake Forest University (Fr., Cartersville HS)… a starter in the 24th-ranked Deamon Deacons’ secondary, but did not record any defensive stats during a 37-17 Saturday win at Virginia. Wake Forest (4-0, 2-0 ACC) hosts Louisville this Saturday afternoon.

TEE WEBB — University Southern Mississippi (Fr., Cartersville HS) … had one rushing attempt for one yard late in the fourth quarter of the Eagles’ 63-14 loss Saturday at Alabama. Southern Miss (1-3) begins Conference USA play Saturday evening at Rice.

BRYCE WILKINS — Reinhardt University (So., Cartersville HS)… a starter on the Eagles’ offensive line at left guard as the offense compiled 423 total yards including 354 net rushing yards but lost at Bethel University (Tennessee) 34-33. Reinhardt (2-2) travels to Ave Maria University (Florida) this Saturday night.

SOCCER

MADISON SHOOK — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (Fr., Cass HS)… was a starting midfielder for the Fillies and took nine shots (four shots on goal) in a 1-1 draw Monday, October 20 at Andrew College. Shook also started and took one shot in ABAC’s scoreless draw Friday at Georgia Military College. The Fillies (1-1-2) host Trinity Baptist College Tuesday.

GOLF

CHANC WILLIS — Reinhardt University (So., Cartersville HS) … shot rounds of 80, 79, and 77 to tie for 78th in a field of 104 players at the 20-team Invite at Innisbrook played on the par-71, 7015-yard Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Golf Club in Florida Monday. Reinhardt tied for 13th in the event won by Keiser University.

CROSS COUNTRY

BILL ARCHER -- University of Montevallo (Fr., Cartersville) ... Archer came in 20th overall (9th on his team) as Montevallo won the Falcon Classic Sept. 17 at home.

McKENNA TRAPHEAGEN -- Georgia Tech (So., Woodland) ... Trapheagen came in 105th — sixth on the Yellow Jackets — in the Roy Griak Invitational Friday in St. Paul, Minnesota.