Athletes Beyond Bartow: Lawrence throws for 403 yards in his presumed final home game

In what may have been the final home game of his collegiate career at Clemson's Death Valley, Trevor Lawrence returned to action Saturday in outstanding fashion. The former Cartersville Hurricanes' quarterback had not seen action in five weeks due to his own COVID-19 positive test, another coronavirus cancellation, and a scheduled bye week in the Tigers' schedule. Lawrence, who is high on the Heisman Trophy candidate list and the presumptive top overall pick in next spring's NFL draft as a junior, racked up 403 passing yards and two touchdowns in a 26-for-37 passing performance. The final home game of the season for Clemson was celebrated as Senior Day, but may have also been the final home game for Lawrence. When asked if it was his finale' at Clemson, Lawrence responded to ESPN's Andrea Adelson: "I mean, that's been the plan going into this season," Lawrence said of entering the 2021 draft. "You just never know, but if it is [my last home game], it was a fun one for sure. I've enjoyed it. This place has been so good to me and my family, and I love it here. So whatever I decide to do is going to be a tough decision because I love Clemson, I love the people, but this was a good one if it's the last one, it's a good one to go out."

In other college football action over the weekend involving former Cartersville standouts, Miller Forristall had a catch in Alabama's Iron Bowl win and Avery Showell had a tackle and a pass breakup in Georgia Tech's win over Duke.

Miller Forristall (Alabama R-Sr., Cartersville) — After being held without a catch against Kentucky the week prior, Forristall managed to secure one reception for 9 yards in a 42-13 home rout of rival Auburn Saturday in the Iron Bowl. Top-ranked Alabama (8-0) will travel to LSU for a makeup game this Saturday in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Trevor Lawrence (Clemson Jr., Cartersville) — Playing in his first game in more than a month, Lawrence didn’t appear to have missed a beat. He helped Clemson to a record-setting first quarter in an eventual 52-17 victory over Pittsburgh in what was likely Lawrence’s last home game for the Tigers. (He was even honored on “Senior” Day.) Lawrence finished 1 yard shy of matching his career-high passing yardage total, posting 403 yards and two touchdowns while completing 26 of 37 attempts. The numbers would have been even better had Lawrence not missed out on two potential touchdown passes — one due to a penalty and the other overturned because the receiver stepped out of bounds before reaching the end zone. No. 4 Clemson (8-1, 7-1 ACC) is set to wrap up the regular season this week at Virginia Tech.

Avery Showell (Georgia Tech R-Jr., Cartersville) — Showell chipped in with a tackle and a pass breakup in an impressive 56-33 home victory Saturday against Duke. The Yellow Jackets (3-5, 3-4 ACC), who hadn’t played since Halloween, will look for a second consecutive win this weekend at North Carolina State.

-- contributed by Nicholas Sullivan, The Daily Tribune News