Athletes Beyond Bartow: Howard makes four appearances, Beasley makes three stops, Lawrence leads Cle
This past week Sam Howard made four more relief appearances with the Colorado Rockies giving him a dozen for the season and just over 12 innings pitched with the Major League club. The organization's Triple-A Pitcher of the Year has a 3.38 ERA in his most recent ten appearances with 12 strikeouts. Vic Beasley and the Atlanta Falcons also started their regular season Sunday. The Adairsville native was part of three tackles in a 28-12 loss at Minnesota. Elsewhere across the nation, at least 17 college football players and athletes in cross country, volleyball, and soccer with community ties to Bartow County made their marks this past week with their respective collegiate programs.
MLB
SAM HOWARD — Colorado Rockies (6th yr. pro; LHP; Georgia Southern; Cartersville HS)… made four appearances this past week including two at Los Angeles and two at San Diego. He allowed a hit, but no runs and had a strikeout in a full inning of work last Monday night against the Dodgers during a 16-9 loss. Wednesday he retired both batters faced in a 7-3 loss to the first place Dodgers. Saturday, Howard got a groundout to retire his only batter faced in the sixth inning in an eventual 3-0 loss to the Padres and Sunday he walked the only batter he faced in the tenth inning in a 2-1 loss to San Diego. Over his last eleven appearances and 10.2 innings, he has a 3.38 ERA with 12 strikeouts. The Rockies are 60-84 and in last place in the NL West with 18 games remaining in the season.
NFL
VIC BEASLEY — Atlanta Falcons (5th yr. pro; OLB; Clemson; Adairsville HS)… had a pair of solo tackles and one assisted tackle Sunday in the Falcons’ 28-13 loss at Minnesota. Atlanta (0-1) hosts the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday night.
FOOTBALL
TERRY BERDIN — Reinhardt University (So., SL, Cartersville HS)… caught a 35-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter and had an eight yard rushing carry in the fourth quarter as the Eagles beat University of Pikeville (KY) 20-17 in overtime Saturday at home. Berdin also returned one kickoff for 16 yards. The NAIA 10th-ranked Eagles (2-0) travel to Campbellsville (KY) Saturday.
CHRIS BLACKSTON — University of West Georgia (Sr., DB, Adairsville HS)… finished with four tackles and one quarterback hurry as the D2 15th-ranked Wolves won 37-9 at Catawba College (NC). UWG (1-0) travels to Gaffney, SC Saturday to take on Limestone.
BRYCE BURGESS — Reinhardt University (So., RB, Adairsville HS)… had a pair of one-yard carries in the Eagles’ 20-17 OT win at home Saturday over University of Pikeville (KY). One carry was the in the second quarter, the other came in the fourth quarter. NAIA 10th-ranked Reinhardt (2-0) makes the trip to Campbellsville (KY) Saturday.
KALEB CHATMON — Charleston Southern University (Fr., WR, Cartersville HS)… caught a pair of passes for a total of nine yards Saturday in the Buccaneers’ 72-10 loss at South Carolina. The freshman has seen playing time in both games so far this season. CSU (0-2) hosts North Carolina A&T this Saturday night.
MARCUS CHILDERS — Northern Illinois University (R-Jr., QB, Adairsville HS)… saw his first action of the season Saturday in the Huskies’ 35-17 loss at 13th-ranked Utah. He was inserted about midway through the fourth quarter. He had a two-yard run to convert a 4th-and-1 and was 1-for-2 passing with a six-yard completion. NIU (1-1) plays at Nebraska Saturday night.
JONATHAN CRUZ — UNC-Charlotte (So., PK, Cartersville HS)… missed his first PAT attempt Saturday but made the next three in the 49ers’ 56-41 loss at Appalachian State. Charlotte (1-1) hosts UMass Saturday night.
KURTIS FEANNY — Lenoir-Rhyne University (So., OL, Woodland HS)… started at left guard Saturday night for a Bears offense that rolled up 408 yards of total offense including 256 on the ground in a 68-7 rout of visiting St. Augustine’s (NC) University. NCAA D2 8th-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne travels to Richmond Saturday afternoon to face Virginia Union.
MILLER FORRISTALL — University of Alabama (R-Jr., TE, Cartersville HS)… the Crimson Tide’s starter at tight end was not targeted in a 62-10 win Saturday over New Mexico State. Second-ranked Alabama (2-0) plays at South Carolina Saturday afternoon.
GRANT HARRIS — Victor Valley CC (So., LB, Cartersville HS)… had three tackles including two for loss and a sack as the Desert Rams won their season opener at Los Angeles Valley Saturday 28-0. Victor Valley (1-0) travels to Cucamonga Saturday to play at Chaffey College. (Editor's note: file photo is from University of the Cumblerlands prior to Harris' transfer.)
JACOREY JOHNS — Wake Forest University (R-Fr., LB, Cartersville HS)… had four tackles Friday night including a sack for a 10-yard loss as the Deamon Deacons improved to 2-0 with a 41-21 win at Rice. Wake hosts North Carolina Friday night in Atlantic Coast Conference action.
BRADLEY KIRK — Shorter University (So., DB, Cartersville HS)… the Hawks starter at safety finished with four tackles in Saturday’s 48-10 loss at D1 East Tennessee State University. Shorter (0-1) starts Gulf South Conference play at home Saturday afternoon against University of West Florida.
TREVOR LAWRENCE — Clemson University (So., QB, Cartersville HS)… tossed a second quarter 30-yard touchdown pass to Justyn Ross and scored on a one-yard run as the top-ranked Tigers beat visiting Texas A&M 24-10 Saturday afternoon. Lawrence was 24-for-35 for 268 yards and was picked off once. He added four rushing attempts including one ten yard run, but finished with -11 net due to sacks. Clemson (2-0) travels to Syracuse Saturday night.
JACOB POTTER — Kennesaw State University (So., LS, Adairsville HS)… long snapper saw action Saturday afternoon in the FCS 7th-ranked Owls’ 26-23 overtime loss at Kent State. KSU (1-1) travels to Alabama State Saturday night.
NICK ROOT — Carson-Newman University (Fr., OL, Cartersville HS)… started the season opener for the Eagles at left tackle in a 20-13 win over visiting West Florida last Thursday night. The Carson-Newman offense accumulated 422 total yards, including 334 on the ground. The Eagles (1-0) return to action Saturday, September 21 at 21st-ranked Wingate.
JOHN SCIFERS — University of West Georgia (R-Jr., P/PK, Woodland HS)… punted four times for a 34.8 yard average Saturday in a Wolves’ 37-9 win at Catawba College. He had a long punt of 40 yards with one touchback and two punts downed inside the 20. NCAA D2 15th-ranked UWG plays at Limestone Saturday.
AVERY SHOWELL — Georgia Tech (R-So., DB, Cartersville HS)… saw playing time in the Yellow Jackets’ 14-10 victory Saturday afternoon over University of South Florida. Georgia Tech (1-1) hosts The Citadel Saturday.
JAKE WALKER — Furman University (Jr., TE, Cartersville resident, Darlington HS)… saw action but was not targeted in the Paladins’ 48-42 loss Saturday in Atlanta to Georgia State. FCS 11th-ranked Furman (1-1) plays at Virginia Tech Saturday afternoon.
CROSS COUNTRY
BAYLEE EVANS — Troy University (Fr., Woodland HS)… ran 11th overall and third on her team as the Lady Trojans finished second of three teams at the University of South Alabama Azalea City Classic in Mobile. Evans covered the 5k course in 21:43.2. Next for Troy is the Mountain Dew Invite this Saturday at the University of Florida.
VOLLEYBALL
NEDU EVANS — Augusta University (Fr., MH, Cartersville HS)… saw action in 11 of 12 sets Friday and Saturday as the Lady Jaguars split four matches. Augusta beat Converse and North Greenville Friday, but fell to Wingate and host Queens (NC) Saturday. Evans totaled 13 kills, five block assists, and seven digs in those four matches. Augusta (2-2) hosts the Augusta Volleyball Tournament Friday and Saturday where the Jags will face Albany State, King University (TN), and Emmanuel (GA).
SOCCER
HAVYN ISAAC — Georgia Military College (Fr., GK, Adairsville HS)… started in goal August 27 and made three saves in a 3-0 home loss to South Georgia State CC. She also made a second half appearance and had one save last Tuesday in a 6-0 win at Andrew College. The Bulldogs (1-2-1) host Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Friday afternoon.
KURT MOORE — Birmingham Southern College (Sr., GK, Euharlee resident, Darlington HS)… made four saves last Wednesday in a 4-2 loss at Huntingdon College. He stopped both shots on goal last Friday in a 1-0 shutout of Gordon College and played all 110 minutes of an overtime tie at Emory University Sunday night making 11 saves. Birmingham Southern (1-2-1) makes a Texas swing this weekend playing at LeTourneau University Friday night and East Texas Baptist Sunday afternoon.
MARISSA MOWRY — Anderson University (So., M, Cartersville HS)… was a starter and played all 90 minutes of a 2-1 home loss Saturday to Emmanuel College (GA). The Trojans (0-1) play at USC-Aiken Wednesday night.
MADISON PUTZER — Young Harris College (Jr., MF, Cartersville HS)… entered off the bench in the 33rd minute and played 12 minutes of the first half in the Mountain Lions home opener last Thursday. It was an eventual 2-1 loss to West Georgia. Young Harris, who also lost Sunday to 21st-ranked Carson-Newman, hosts Tusculum University Tuesday night and Valdosta State Sunday afternoon.
PAYTON PUTZER — Young Harris College (Jr., MF, Cartersville HS)… was a starter for the Mountain Lions in their home and season opener last Thursday against West Georgia. She played 68 minutes of a 2-1 loss. YHS (0-2) has matches this week at home on Tuesday night and Sunday afternon against Tusculum and Valdosta State.
COURTNEY RHEA — Berry College (So., MF, Cartersville HS)… entered off the bench in the 35th minute and saw 10 minutes of first half action in the Vikings’ 1-0 home win last Wednesday over Piedmont College. She also played 35 minutes Sunday in Berry’s 7-0 rout of Wesleyan College. Rhea had one shot and was whistled for one foul in the win.
RUSSELL SHEALY — University of Maryland (R-Fr., GK, Cartersville resident, Darlington Academy)… made his second start of the season for the defending national champions and 3rd-ranked Terrapins Friday night at UCLA. He was credited with a pair of saves in a 3-2 loss. Maryland (1-2) hosts Akron Friday night.
LOGAN VERMAAS — University of North Georgia (Fr., D, Cass HS)… was a starter and played the entire first half of the Nighthawks’ home and season opening 4-1 win over Limestone College last Thursday night, but did not see action Sunday in a 2-0 win at West Georgia. This week UNG (2-0) entertains Valdosta State on Friday night.