Athletes Beyond Bartow: Childers named MAC Offensive Player of the Week, Johnson gets start with Geo
Former Adairsville standout Marcus Childers was named Mid-America Conference Offensive Player of the Week after helping lead his Northern Illinois Huskies to a three-point, overtime win over Eastern Michigan last Thursday night. Meanwhile. former Cass offensive lineman Lucas Johnson got his first start of the year in Georgia State’s 21-13 win over South Alabama. Check out all the football updates for this past week's 'Athletes Beyond Bartow.'
NFL
VIC BEASLEY — Atlanta Falcons (3rd yr. pro; OLB; Clemson University; Adairsville HS)… had a solo tackle Sunday as the Atlanta Falcons held off the New York Jets 25-20. Beasley has 11 tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble in five games in 2017. Atlanta (4-3) plays at the Carolina Panthers Sunday.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
DeANDRE APPLIN — Georgia State University (Jr., DB, Adairsville HS)… had four tackles, three solo, and broke up one pass last Thursday in a 21-13 win over South Alabama. GSU (4-3, 3-1 Sun Belt) plays at Georgia Southern this Saturday afternoon.
CHRIS BLACKSTON — University West Georgia (Soph., DB, Adairsville HS)… (photo left) had one solo tackle last Thursday at the Wolves beat Shorter 42-6. UWG (7-2, 4-2 Gulf South Conference) plays at Florida Tech Saturday afternoon.
TREVOR CARLTON — Reinhardt University (Soph., LB, Cartersville HS)… had a pair of solo tackles and two assists Saturday as the Eagles defeated Pikeville 44-21. He was part of two tackles for a loss of yardage. 3rd-ranked Reinhardt (7-0, 4-0) hosts Bluefield College (VA) Saturday afternoon for Senior Day.
MARCUS CHILDERS — Northern Illinois University (Fr., QB, Adairsville HS)… helped lead the Huskies to a 30-27 overtime victory over Eastern Michigan last Thursday. He was 23-of-40 passing for 278 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 54 yards on 16 carries and ran for one touchdown. Childers, who has won three starts in a row after taking over the position, was named MAC Offensive Player of the Week. He is now 78-for-127 for 872 yards on the season with nine touchdowns and one interception. He has rushed 91 times for 399 yards. NIU (6-2, 4-0 Mid-America Conference) plays this Thursday at University of Toledo on ESPNU.
DALEN CURTIS — Brevard College (Fr., OL, Cartersville HS)… Curtis started at center Saturday for a Brevard offense that rolled up 645 total yards in a 58-42 win over North Carolina Wesleyan. Curtis has played in all nine games for Brevard this season. Brevard (4-5) wraps up the season at home Saturday afternoon against Averett University.
TRASE FEZZIA — Ellsworth Community College (Fr., DB, Cartersville HS)… collected three solo tackles in the Panthers’ 48-19 home loss this past Saturday to Butler CC. Two of his tackles were for loss. Fezzia added an interception in the end zone late in the opening period. He has a dozen tackles and two interceptions this season. Ellsworth CC (3-6, 1-0 Iowa Community College Athletic Conference) hosts Iowa Western CC this Saturday afternoon.
GABE GRIDLEY — ASA NY College (Fr., Punter, Cartersville HS)… had six punts this past Saturday for a 32.2 yard average as ASANY defeated Monroe College 10-7. Two of his punts pinned Monroe inside the 20 and he had one touchback. The Avengers (6-1, 2-0) play Milford College at UMass this Friday night.
LUCAS JOHNSON — Georgia State University (Jr., OL, Cass HS)… (photo left) started at right tackle last Thursday for a Panthers’ offense that rushed for 114 net yards and passed for 195 in a 21-13 home victory over South Alabama. Georgia State (4-3, 3-1 Sun Belt Conference) travels to Georgia Southern this Saturday afternoon.
EMMANUEL JONES — Colorado State University (Fr., LB, Woodland HS)… had five total tackles this past Saturday in a 45-28 home loss to Air Force. Jones has seen action in each of the Rams’ games this season and has 25 tackles, four for loss, two sacks, and one quarterback hurry on the year. CSU (6-3, 4-1 Mountain West Conference) plays Saturday evening at Wyoming.
RODNEY MITCHELL — Coastal Carolina (Sr., OL, Cartersville HS)… saw action this past Saturday in the Chanticleers’ 27-7 home loss to Texas State. CCU (1-7, 0-6 Sun Belt Conference) plays at Arkansas this Saturday afternoon.
ISAIAH ROSS — Point University (Sr., LB, Woodland HS)… had seven total tackles this past Saturday as the Skyhawks defeated Ave Maria University 40-17. Ross now has 52 tackles this season averaging more than seven per game. Point (3-6, 1-3 AAC) plays at University of the Cumberlands (KY) this Saturday afternoon.
JOHN SCIFERS — University West Georgia (Soph., PK, Woodland HS)… had seven kickoffs last Thursday for a 57.4 yard average has West Georgia routed Shorter 42-6. He missed a 38-yard field goal attempt in the fourth quarter. UWG (7-2, 4-2 Gulf South Conference) plays at Florida Tech Saturday afternoon.
BRETT SHEDD — Shorter University (Soph., LS, Woodland HS)… The Hawks’ long snapper had a tackle Thursday in a 42-6 loss at West Georgia. Shorter (0-9, 0-6 Gulf South Conference) plays at Mississippi College this Saturday afternoon.
SHELBY TOWNSEND JR. — Georgia Southern University (Jr., DL, Woodland HS)… saw action for the Eagles last Saturday in a 38-16 loss at Troy. Georgia Southern (0-7, 0-3 Sun Belt Conference) plays at Appalachian State Thursday night.
JAKE WALKER — Furman University (Fr., Cartersville, GA, Darlington HS)… saw action in the Paladins’ 28-6 victory at Western Carolina. Furman (6-3, 5-1 Southern Conference) hosts The Citadel this Saturday afternoon.
