Athletes Beyond Bartow: College and pro updates for local athletes
Former Adairsville quarterback Marcus Childers came off the bench to rally Northern Illinois Saturday, Former Cartersville standout Miller Forristall caught a touchdown pass in top-ranked Alabama's win, and former Hurricane Trevor Lawrence tossed three touchdown passes Saturday for 3rd-ranked Clemson.
Updates this week also for collegiate cross country, volleyball, swimming, and soccer.
NFL
VIC BEASLEY — Atlanta Falcons (5th yr. pro; OLB/DE; Clemson; Adairsville HS)… amid trade rumors from multiple sources, Beasley had two tackles Sunday in the Falcons’ 37-10 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Atlanta, now 1-6 on the season, has lost five straight. Beasley was a first-round pick by the Falcons in 2015 and led the NFL with 15.5 sacks in 2016, but his production has steadily declined and he has only 1.5 sacks this season. Atlanta is last in the NFL in sacks with five. The Falcons picked up Beasley’s fifth-year option at $12.81 million for this season but made it clear he would have to earn an extension. The trade deadline is October 29. Atlanta hosts Seattle this Sunday at 1 p.m.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
CHRIS BLACKSTON — University of West Georgia (Sr., DB, Adairsville HS)… made four tackles (three solo) in the Wolves’ 30-2 home loss Saturday to 24th-ranked West Florida. One tackle was for a two-yard loss. UWG (4-3, 2-2 Gulf South Conference) plays at West Alabama this Saturday afternoon.
BRYCE BURGESS — Reinhardt University (So, RB, Adairsville HS)… had one carry for three yards in Saturday night’s 19-0 win at Point University. The NAIA 20th-ranked Eagles (6-2, 3-0 Mid-South Conference) travel to St. Andrews (NC) University this Saturday afternoon.
MARCUS CHILDERS — Northern Illinois University (R-Jr., QB, Adairsville HS, photo top)… took over for Ross Bowers late in the second quarter Saturday after the starting quarterback went out with an ankle injury. Childers accounted for all three of the Huskies’ touchdowns and had NIU up 17-14 late in the third quarter before falling to Miami-Ohio 27-24. Childers scored on short runs in the second and third quarters and completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to Cole Tucker to cap a 75-yard drive in the fourth quarter. He finished the game 14-for-23 through the air for 144 yards and one touchdown. His nine rushing attempts accounted for 27 yards and two scores. NIU (2-5, 1-2 MAC) hosts Akron Saturday in the Huskies’ annual homecoming game.
TREY CREAMER — Fort Scott CC (So., RB, Cartersville HS)… saw action as a punt returner with a single return for no yards in the Greyhounds’ 10-7 loss Saturday at Butler CC. Fort Scott (4-3, 3-3 KJCCC) entertains Iowa Western CC this Saturday afternoon.
JONATHAN CRUZ — UNC-Charlotte (So., PK, Cartersville HS)… kicked off three times with two kicks for touchbacks and was 2-for-2 on extra points in the 49ers’ 30-14 loss at Western Kentucky. Charlotte (2-5, 0-3 Conference USA) hosts North Texas this Saturday.
MILLER FORRISTALL — University of Alabama (R-Jr., TE, Cartersville HS)… had three receptions for 28 yards and a touchdown in the top-ranked Crimson Tide’s 35-13 home win over Tennessee. His third quarter touchdown catch was a six-yard toss on a trick play formation from wide receiver Slade Bolden who took the snap on the play. The pass capped a 76-yard drive with 3:37 remaining in the period. The touchdown gave Alabama a 28-13 lead at the time. Alabama (7-0, 4-0 SEC) hosts Arkansas this Saturday night.
HUNTER HARDIN — Point University (Jr., OL, Woodland HS)… Hardin, who has played multiple offensive line positions during the season, was the starting center for the Skyhawks Saturday in their 19-0 home loss to Reinhardt. Point managed only four first downs and 51 yards of total offense in the loss. Point (2-5, 0-1 Mid-South Conference) travels to Union College (KY) this Saturday afternoon.
GRANT HARRIS — Victor Valley CC (So., LB, Cartersville HS)… finished with three tackles and a pass breakup last Saturday in a 28-12 home loss to Mt. San Jacinto CC. The Rams (3-3, 0-1 Southern California Football Association) plays a conference game at Citrus CC this Saturday afternoon.
JA’COREY JOHNS (photo #41) — Wake Forest (R-Fr., LB, Cartersville HS)… finished Saturday with four tackles (three solo) that included three tackles for loss, a sack, and a quarterback hurry in the Deamon Deacons’ 22-20 home win over Florida State. Through seven games, Johns is fifth on the team in total tackles. He has seven tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. Wake Forest (6-1, 2-1 ACC) has a bye week prior to hosting N.C. State November 2.
BRADLEY KIRK — Shorter University (So., S, Cartersville HS)… saw action in the Hawks’ 7-0 home loss Saturday to North Greenville. Shorter (0-7, 0-5 Gulf South Conference) travels to Mississippi College Saturday afternoon.
TREVOR LAWRENCE — Clemson University (So., QB, Cartersville HS)… In a 45-10 win at Louisville, Lawrence was 20-for-29 for 233 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also had 10 rushing attempts for 47 yards, including a 20 yard run. 3rd-ranked Clemson (7-0, 5-0) hosts Boston College this Saturday night for the Tigers’ annual homecoming game.
JACOB POTTER — Kennesaw State University (So., LS, Adairsville HS)… snapped on seven PATs and one punt as the FCS 4th-ranked Owls’ won big at Presbyterian College 55-10. KSU (6-1, 2-0 Big South Conference) hosts North Alabama this Saturday afternoon.
AVERY SHOWELL — Georgia Tech (R-So., DB, Cartersville HS)… made a solo tackle in the second quarter of the Yellow Jackets’ 28-21 overtime win at Miami. Georgia Tech (2-5, 1-3 ACC) has a bye week before hosting Pittsburgh for homecoming November 2.
BRYCE WILKINS — Reinhardt University (So., OL, Cartersville HS)… had one carry for two yards in Reinhardt’s 19-0 win at Point University Saturday night. The NAIA 20th-ranked Eagles (6-2, 3-0 Mid-South Conference) play at St. Andrews (NC) University this Saturday afternoon.
CROSS COUNTRY
PARKER BREEDLOVE — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cartersville HS)… finished 113th overall (29:53.85) Saturday and was sixth for the Eagles as they placed 10th of 15 teams at the 8k Berry College Invitational in Rome. Next for Reinhardt is the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championship the Eagles will host November 9 at Boling Park in Canton.
BAYLEE EVANS — Troy University (Fr., Woodland HS)… finished 169th overall (24:54.30) and was eighth on her team as the Trojans placed 14th of 24 teams at the 6k UAB Blazer Classic hosted at University of Montevallo. Next for Troy is the Sun Belt Conference Championship November 2 in Hampton, Georgia.
VOLLEYBALL
NEDU EVANS — Augusta University (Fr., MH, Cartersville HS)… saw action in all three matches for the Jaguars last week as Augusta defeated Queens (NC) University at home, but lost at Lander University and at USC-Aiken. Evans saw action in five of thirteen sets in the three matches. In the three matches, she totaled five kills, two digs, and four blocks. Augusta (16-6, 1-2 Peach Belt Conference) hosts Georgia College Tuesday night, UNC-Pembroke Saturday, and Francis Marion University Sunday.
GRACE HUNTER — Brewton Parker College (Fr., Cartersville HS)… matched her career high with 13 kills Friday in a four set, home loss to Faulkner (Alabama) University. She also had five kills in a three set loss Saturday to visiting Martin Methodist University. BPC (3-19) plays at Middle Georgia State Tuesday night before traveling to Toccoa Falls College Friday and Saturday to face North Greenville University, Toccoa Falls, and Bob Jones University.
SWIMMING
JORDAN BALDWIN — Life University (So., Woodland HS)… placed fourth in the 50-yard backstroke, third in the 50-yard freestyle, and third in the 100-yard backstroke October 12 as Life dropped a dual meet with visiting Sewanee-University of the South 136-96. Sunday, Life dropped a narrow 117-116 result to visiting Campbellsville. In that meet, Baldwin was part of a 400-yard free relay team that finished third. Individually, he was fourth in the 200-yard backstroke, fifth in the 100-yard backstroke and seventh in the 50-yard free. Next for LIfe is a Mid-South Conference meet at Lindsey Wilson (KY) College this Saturday.
RYLEE MOSS — Old Dominion University (Fr., Adairsville HS)… swam the third leg of the Monarchs’ 200-yard medley relay that placed second September 27 at home against East Carolina. In the same meet, she was fourth in the 200-yard butterfly, third in the 200-yard backstroke, and fourth in the 200-yard individual medley as East Carolina won 188-107. October 12, the Monarchs lost to UNC-Wilmington 169.5-130.5. Moss was part of the first place 400-yard medley relay team; won the 200-yard butterfly in 2:08.82; was runner-up in the 100-yard butterfly in 59.10; and finished third in the 400-yard individual medley. ODU competes along with Gardner-Webb University this Saturday in a tri-meet at Campbell University.
ELIJAH WILHOIT — Life University (Fr., Cass HS)… placed second in the 200-yard freestyle, fourth in the 100-yard freestyle, and third in the 50-yard butterfly during a home loss to Sewanee-University of the South October 12. Along with the third-place showing in the 400-yard free relay, he finished fourth in the 100-yard freestyle, fourth in the 50-yard butterfly and sixth in the 100-yard butterfly in the loss to Campbellsville. Next for LIfe is a Mid-South Conference meet at Lindsey Wilson (KY) College this Saturday.
SOCCER
EMILY COLLUM — Georgia Southwestern State University (So., F, Adairsville HS)… was a starter Sunday, took one shot, and played 58 minutes in a 1-0 overtime loss to Young Harris College. She also played 24 minutes off the bench for the Hurricanes last Wednesday night in a 2-0 home loss to Emmanuel College. Georgia Southwestern (3-9-1, 0-6 Peach Belt Conference) hosts Flagler College Wednesday night and travels to UNC-Pembroke Saturday.
HAVYN ISAAC — Georgia Military College (Fr., GK, Adairsville HS)… had three saves and a complete game shutout last Thursday in a 1-0 home victory over Oxford College of Emory University. Isaac also stopped three of four shots, but the Bulldogs lost 1-0 last Tuesday at Gordon State CC. GMC finished the regular season 8-6-1 overall and 7-4-1 in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association.
KURT MOORE — Birmingham Southern College (Sr., GK, Euharlee, Darlington HS)… made 11 saves Friday night in a 5-0 conference loss to Centre College (KY). He was also credited with nine saves Sunday afternoon in a 4-0 home loss to Sewanee-University of the South. The Panthers play this Saturday afternoon at Millsaps College (MS). The Southern Athletic Association Tournament begins November 2.
MARISSA MOWRY — Anderson University (So., MF, Cartersville HS)… played all 90 minutes of a 3-1 home victory over Lincoln Memorial University Saturday and saw 45 minutes of action last Wednesday in a 3-0 loss to visiting University of North Georgia. The Trojans (6-5, 4-3 South Atlantic Conference) travel to Erskine College (SC) Wednesday night and Lenoir Rhyne University Saturday night.
PUTZER, MADISON — Young Harris College (Jr., MF, Cartersville HS)… the midfielder saw 20 minutes of action off the bench for the Mountain Lions Sunday in a 1-0 double-overtime win in Americus at Georgia Southwestern. Putzer entered in the 74th minute and was on the field four minutes into the first overtime period.
PUTZER, PAYTON — Young Harris College (Jr., MF, Cartersville HS)… started, played 91 minutes, and took two shots Sunday in a 1-0 double-overtime win at Georgia Southwestern. Her shot in the 22nd minute was on goal, but stopped. YHC (5-6, 4-2 Peach Belt Conference) hosts Georgia College Wednesday night and travels to USC-Aiken Saturday night. Both matchups are conference contests.
ANTHONY ROBLEDO — Reinhardt University (So., MF, Cass HS)… saw 22 minutes of action in the second half off the bench last Tuesday in an 8-1 Eagles’ win over visiting Talladega College. He also played 22 minutes Saturday in an 8-1 home victory over Kentucky Christian University. Reinhardt (8-5-1, 6-2-1 Mid-South Conference) hosts Columbia International University Wednesday night and travels to Bluefield College (VA) Saturday afternoon.
