Athletes Beyond Bartow: This week's update on local pro and college athletes

October 14, 2024 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

Former Cartersville High quarterback Trevor Lawrence passed for two touchdowns Sunday in London, but the Chicago Bears mauled the Jacksonville Jaguars 35-16. Jacksonville's loss was the fifth in six games, and the Jags currently sit at the bottom of the AFC South standings.

In college football, eight local standouts saw action this past week, highlighted by a big win for the offensive line duo of Berry College seniors Hayden Cagle (Cartersville HS) and Tyler Martin (Cass HS), plus an eight-tackle performance by former Hurricane Evan Slocum in Wake Forest’s loss to Clemson.

This week’s edition also includes updates from college cross country, volleyball, soccer, tennis, and golf.

NFL

TREVOR LAWRENCE — Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL, 4th-yr. pro; Clemson; Cartersville HS) …completed 23 of 35 passes for two touchdowns and rushed for 17 yards on four attempts in the Jaguars’ 35-16 loss to the Chicago Bears Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The 25-year-old quarterback completed both touchdown passes to Gabe Davis (21 yards and 5 yards) in the second half. Jacksonville (1-5) will stay in London this week to prepare to play the New England Patriots on Sunday in Wembley Stadium.

FOOTBALL

HAYDEN CAGLE — Berry College (Sr., Cartersville HS) … a starter on the Vikings’ offensive line that helped produce 503 total yards (244 rushing / 259 passing) this past Saturday in a 42-13 conference win at Hendrix College (Ark.). Berry (4-1, 2-0 Southern Athletic Association) hosts Sewanee on Saturday afternoon.

JONAH GAMBILL — University of Memphis (R-Sr., Cartersville HS) … a starter on the Tigers’ offensive line that helped produce 345 yards (137 rushing / 208 passing) Saturday in a 21-3 victory at the University of South Florida. Memphis (5-1, 1-1 American Athletic Conference) hosts North Texas on Saturday night.

KEVIN HENDERSON — University of Findlay (Fr., Cass HS) … made two tackles Saturday in the Oilers’ 41-21 home loss to Ashland University. Findlay (5-1, 3-1 Great Midwest Athletic Conference) plays at Ohio Dominican on Saturday.

QUANTE JENNINGS — Presbyterian College (Sr., Cartersville HS) … had two rushing attempts this past Saturday for three yards during a 14-7 loss at Morehead State. The Blue Hose (2-5, 0-3 Pioneer Football League) host Drake on Saturday afternoon.

TYLER MARTIN — Berry College (Sr., Cass HS) … a starter on Berry’s offensive line that helped produce 503 total yards (244 rushing / 259 passing) this past Saturday in a 42-13 conference win at Hendrix College (Ark.). The Vikings (4-1, 2-0 Southern Athletic Association) host Sewanee on Saturday afternoon.

SAM PHILLIPS — UT Chattanooga (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … at Furman this past Saturday, he caught three passes for 39 yards and had one punt return of five yards during a 41-10 Southern Conference victory. The Mocs (3-3, 2-1) host Wofford this Saturday afternoon.

COURTNEY SLOCUM — Mars Hill University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … made four tackles Saturday in the Lions’ 28-27 home loss to Carson-Newman University. Mars Hill (1-3, 1-2 South Atlantic Conference) hosts Tusculum on Saturday afternoon.

EVAN SLOCUM — Wake Forest University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … made eight tackles Saturday in the Demon Deacons’ 49-14 home loss to Clemson. Wake Forest (2-4, 1-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) plays a non-conference game at UConn on Saturday.

CROSS COUNTRY

TYLER JONES — University of West Georgia (So., Woodland HS) … ran to a 97th place finish individually (29:29) last Friday at the 8K Florida State University Invitational in Tallahassee. The Wolves placed sixth of eleven teams, which was won by the host Seminoles. This Saturday, West Georgia competes at the Upstate University Invitational in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

VOLLEYBALL

MAKAYLA MALONE — Toccoa Falls College (Fr., Excel Christian Academy) … saw limited action and had no stat line in a four-set, 3-1 loss at Brenau University last Wednesday. The Screamin’ Eagles (5-12, 3-3 NCCAA) host Pensacola Christian and Paine on Friday before playing at Georgia Highlands College on Saturday afternoon.

MADELYN ORTON — LaGrange College (Jr., Cartersville resident, Cornerstone Prep Academy) … a setter and defensive specialist, Orton saw action in losses at Middle Georgia State and Maryville College (Tenn.) last week. She also played in a Panthers’ home win this past Saturday over Agnes Scott College, totaling five digs, two aces, and one assist. LaGrange (5-15, 2-7 Collegiate Conference of the South) hosts Huntingdon College on Wednesday and will play a tri-match with Asbury University (Ky.) and Wesleyan College on Saturday in Macon.

MEREDITH ORTON — LaGrange College (Jr., Cartersville resident, Cornerstone Prep Academy) … had seven kills, three blocks, two assists, and one dig last week as the Panthers went 1-2 against Middle Georgia State, Maryville College (Tenn.), and Agnes Scott College. LaGrange (5-15, 2-7 Collegiate Conference of the South) hosts Huntingdon College on Wednesday and will play a tri-match with Asbury University (Ky.) and Wesleyan College on Saturday in Macon.

SOCCER

ABBEY CRAIG — Reinhardt University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … a defensive starter and was on the pitch for all 180 minutes of the Eagles’ 2-0 home win over Brenau and 0-0 tie at Johnson University (Tenn.) last Wednesday and Saturday. Reinhardt (6-4-1, 5-2-1 Appalachian Athletic Conference) travels to the University of Pikeville (Ky.) on Wednesday before hosting Bluefield (Va.) University on Saturday.

TENNIS

EMILY SURCEY — Samford University (Sr., Cass HS) … competing at the Division-I ITA Regionals at Auburn this past weekend, Surcey and doubles partner Sara Erenda went 2-1 with wins over opponents from Southern Miss and Troy. The loss was to the University of Alabama. In singles play, she lost to an opponent from UAB in the main draw and dropped a three-set match in the consolation round to an opponent from the University of North Alabama. The Bulldogs will participate in the UAB Invitational this weekend in Hoover.

GOLF

TYLER STEWART — Hesston College (Fr., Adairsville HS) … carded rounds of 83-93-88 and was 17th of 20 players at the Barton CC Rolling Meadows Invitational October 8-9 in Milford, Kansas. Stewart did not post a counting score at the 54-hole event, but his team finished second behind the host Cougars and ahead of Coffeyville CC. The Larks are back in action this week at the Wayland Baptist University Invitational in Plainview, Texas.