Athletes Beyond Bartow: Beasley makes return to Falcons' lineup, three former Canes start for UN
Vic Beasley returned to the Atlanta Falcons lineup Sunday and several local collegiate football players made important contributions with their teams this past weekend in this edition of Athletes Beyond Bartow.
The collegiate contributions included three former Cartersville High School standouts in the starting offensive lineup for the UNC-Charlotte 49ers.
(L-R) T.L. Ford II, Mark Quattlebaum, Brooks Barden
NFL
VIC BEASLEY — Atlanta Falcons (3rd year pro; OLB; Clemson University; Adairsville HS). . . returned to the Atlanta lineup this past Sunday after missing two games with an injury. The Falcons were shutout in the second half and lost a 17 point halftime lead in a 20-17 loss. Beasley had one tackle assist in the game. The Falcons (3-2) play at New England this Sunday night.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
QUADRE ALLEN — Tusculum College (Jr., DB, Woodland HS). . . saw playing time this past Saturday as the Pioneers edged Newberry 32-31. Allen has seen action in five of Tusculum’s seven games and has five tackles and a fumble recovery this season. The Pioneers (4-3, 2-2 South Atlantic Conference) host Catawba for homecoming this Saturday afternoon.
DeANDRE APPLIN — Georgia State University (Jr., DB, Adairsville HS). . . participated in the Panthers’ 47-37 Sun Belt Conference win last Saturday at Louisiana-Monroe. Applin is tied for fifth on the GSU team this season with 19 tackles. He also has one tackle for loss, a pass break-up, and a pass defended. Georgia State has won three straight to improve to 3-2 overall and 2-0 in conference. The Panthers host Troy University this Saturday afternoon.
BROOKS BARDEN — UNC-Charlotte (R-Jr., QB, Cartersville HS). . . was one of three former Purple Hurricanes (Mark Quattlebaum and T.L. Ford II) to start Saturday for the 49ers in a 45-14 loss at Western Kentucky. Barden rushed for 89 yards on four attempts and was 9-for-18 for 61 yards with one interception passing. UNCC (0-7, 0-3 Conference USA) hosts Alabama-Birmingham this Saturday night.
TERRIUS CALLAHAN — Austin Peay State University (R-Fr., WR, Cartersville HS). . . saw playing time in the Governors’ 21-17 Ohio Valley Conference win Saturday at Tennessee State. APSU (4-3, 3-1) hosts Southeast Missouri this Saturday for their annual homecoming game.
TREVOR CARLTON — Reinhardt University (Jr., LB, Cartersville HS). . . had five tackles, including a sack and another shared tackle for loss that totaled 55 yards as the NAIA 3rd-ranked Eagles trounced visiting Union College (KY) 56-6. Reinhardt (6-0, 3-0 Mid-South Conference) has a bye this week and travels to University of Pikeville October 28.
MARCUS CHILDERS -- Northern Illinois University (Fr., QB, Adairsville HS). . . started and was part of both NIU touchdowns Saturday in a 14-13 win over Buffalo. He scored on a 10-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and tossed a 34-yard touchdown pass later in the half. He was 20-of-31 for 221 yards passing and rushed 27 times for 79 yards. Northern Illinois (4-2, 2-0 Mid-America Conference) plays at Bowling Green Saturday.
DALEN CURTIS — Brevard College (Fr., OL, Cartersville HS). . . started at center for the Tornados in their 41-17 win this past Saturday at Methodist in Fayetteville NC. Brevard rolled up 447 yards of total offense including 254 net rushing yards in the victory. The Tornados (3-4) play Ferrum at home this Saturday.
TRASE FEZZIA — Ellsworth CC (Fr., DB, Cartersville HS). . . had three kickoff returns this past Saturday for only five yards in a 25-13 home loss to Hutchinson CC. For the season and seven games, Fezzia has averaged 23.9 all-purpose yards per game and has eight tackles, one interception, and two pass break ups. Ellsworth CC (3-4, 1-0 Iowa Community College Athletic Conference) plays at Fort Scott CC this Saturday afternoon.
T.L. FORD II — UNC-Charlotte (Sr., WR, Cartersville HS). . . was one of three former Purple Hurricanes (Mark Quattlebaum and Brooks Barden) to start Saturday for the 49ers in a 45-14 loss at Western Kentucky. Ford had two receptions for 13 yards. UNCC (0-7, 0-3 Conference USA) hosts Alabama-Birmingham this Saturday night.
GABE GRIDLEY — ASA New York CC (Soph., P/PK, Cartersville HS). . . had four kickoffs for a 50.8 yard average and three punts for a 45 yard average this past Saturday as the Avengers overwhelmed Erie CC 50-6. ASA NY CC (5-1, 1-0 Northeast Football Conference) can clinch their conference championship Saturday at Monroe College.
HUNTER HARDIN — Point University (Fr., OL, Woodland HS). . . was a starter for the Skyhawks this past Saturday in a home 36-33 Mid-South Conference loss to Bluefield College (VA). Point rushed for 307 yards in the game. The Skyhawks (2-5, 1-2) play at home again Saturday afternoon in a MSC game with St. Andrews University.
DAKOTA HINES — Kentucky Christian University (Sr., PK, Adairsville HS). . . made a 23-yard field goal and 2-of-3 PAT attempts in KCU’s 64-23 home conference loss to NAIA 5th-ranked Lindsey Wilson College. Hines had five punts for a 36.2 yard average and two punts downed inside the 20 yard line. He also contributed six kickoffs for a 48.7 yard average. Kentucky Christian (0-7, 0-2) plays at 9th-ranked Georgetown College this Saturday.
LUCAS JOHNSON — Georgia State University (R-Jr., OL, Cass HS). . . saw playing time in the Panthers’ 47-37 Sun Belt Conference win at Louisiana-Monroe this past Saturday. GSU (3-2) hosts Troy this Saturday afternoon.
EMMANUEL JONES — Colorado State University (Fr., LB, Woodland HS). . . had four total tackles with a tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry as the Rams edged visiting Nevada 44-42 in a Mountain West Conference game. Jones has played in all seven games and has 19 tackles, 3.5 for loss, 2 sacks, and two QB hurries on the season. CSU (5-2, 3-0) has won three straight and plays Friday night on ESPN2 at New Mexico.
RODNEY MITCHELL — Coastal Carolina University (Sr., OL, Cartersville HS). . . started at left tackle for the Chanticleers in their 51-17 loss at Arkansas State this past Saturday. CCU (1-5, 0-3 Sun Belt Conference) did accumulate 428 yards of total offense in the loss. They play at Appalachian State this Saturday.
MARK QUATTLEBAUM — UNC-Charlotte (R-Jr., SL, Cartersville HS). . . was one of three former Purple Hurricanes (Brooks Barden and T.L. Ford II) to start Saturday for the 49ers in a 45-14 loss at Western Kentucky. Quattlebaum caught 5 passes for 34 yards. UNCC (0-7, 0-3 Conference USA) hosts Alabama-Birmingham this Saturday night.
ISAIAH ROSS — Point University (Sr., LB, Woodland HS). . . had 10 total tackles, six solo, in the Skyhawks 36-33 Mid-South Appalachian Conference loss to Bluefield College (VA). Point (2-5, 1-2) plays at home this Saturday afternoon against St. Andrews University.
JOHN SCIFERS — University of West Georgia (Fr., PK, Woodland HS). . . kicked off five times Saturday for a 60 yard average and one touchback as the Wolves lost a Gulf South Conference game at University of West Alabama 34-31. West Georgia (5-2, 2-2) travels to Mississippi College this Saturday.
TORRIAN SCRUTCHINS — Ellsworth CC (Fr., DL, Cartersville HS). . . had two tackles, both for loss, totaling minus three yards as the Panthers lost 25-13 at home to Hutchinson CC. Ellsworth CC (3-4, 1-0 Iowa Community College Athletic Conference) plays at Fort Scott CC this Saturday afternoon.
BRETT SHEDD — Shorter University (Soph., LS, Woodland HS). . . saw action in the Hawks’ 48-0 home conference loss to North Alabama. Shorter (0-7, 0-4 Gulf South Conference) hosts University of West Florida for homecoming this Saturday afternoon.
SHELBY TOWNSEND JR. — Georgia Southern University (R-Jr., DL, Woodland HS). . . saw action in the Eagles’ 35-27 home loss this past Saturday to New Mexico State. GSU (0-5) plays at UMass this Saturday afternoon.
JAKE WALKER — Furman University (Fr., TE, Cartersville, GA, Darlington HS). . . had a 10-yard reception in the third quarter of the Paladins’ 42-10 home conference win over VMI this past Saturday. Walker has seen action in all seven Furman games this season and has four receptions for 45 yards. The Paladins (4-3, 3-1 Southern Conference) have won four straight and host Mercer this Saturday afternoon for homecoming.
