Athletes Beyond Bartow: Barnett earns first MLB win and Lawrence leads Jags to victory in NFL opener

September 8, 2025 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

An update on professional and collegiate athletes with ties to Bartow County for the week ending September 7.

NFL

Trevor Lawrence

TREVOR LAWRENCE — Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL, 5th-year pro; Clemson; Cartersville HS) … completed 19 of 31 passes for 178 yards and one touchdown Sunday as the Jaguars won their season and home opener, 26-10 over the Carolina Panthers. Lawrence threw one interception. He also rushed four times for 12 yards. Jacksonville (1-0) plays at the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

MLB

Mason Barnett

MASON BARNETT — Oakland Athletics (Major League Baseball; 4th-year pro; Auburn; Cartersville HS) … earned his first Major League Baseball pitching victory last Friday with a five-inning start during an eventual 10-4 A’s win at the Los Angeles Angels. The 24-year-old hurler allowed four earned runs on three hits, five walks, and one hit batsman, while recording eight strikeouts. The Athletics begin the week 66-78 and in last place in the American League West. They are 12 games behind the division-leading Astros. Oakland hosts the Red Sox and the Reds this week.

Anthony Seigler

ANTHONY SEIGLER — Milwaukee Brewers (Major League Baseball; 8th-year pro; Cartersville HS) … made a start as the Brewers’ third baseman last Wednesday at home against the Philadelphia Phillies. He was 0-for-3 at the plate in Milwaukee’s 6-3 win. Since his July 1 promotion to the Brewers from Triple-A Nashville, Seigler is 12-for-62 (.194) with five RBI and two stolen bases. The Brewers entered the week with an 89-55 record and a 7-½ game lead over the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central Division. This week, they play three games at the Texas Rangers and host three with the St. Louis Cardinals.

MiLB

LOGAN MARTIN — Quad Cities River Bandits (Kansas City Royals High-Class A affiliate; 3rd-year pro; Kentucky; Cartersville HS) … made his 22nd start of the 2025 season last Wednesday and received no decision. He worked 4⅓ scoreless innings, scattering two hits and two walks while striking out four. Quad Cities went on to win the game 4-0 over the Cedar Rapids Kernels. The 24-year-old righty was 8-4 this season with a 3.45 ERA in 91-⅓ innings. He struck out 78. Quad Cities finished the second half of the season 35-31 and was 74-58 overall. They did not make the postseason playoffs in the Midwest League, but did have the best full-season record in their division. Unfortunately for the Bandits, the winners of the first half and second half advance to the playoffs.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

KAIL ELLIS — Auburn University (Fr., Cass HS) … saw his first collegiate action this past Saturday on the Tigers’ offensive line during a 42-3 home win over Ball State. He was part of an offensive line rotation that helped accumulate 495 total yards, including 224 rushing yards. Auburn (2-0) hosts the University of South Alabama on Saturday for its annual Homecoming game. 

MYLES FORRISTALL — Georgia Tech (R-So., Cartersville HS) … had three total tackles (two solo) in the Yellow Jackets’ 59-12 home win this past Saturday over Gardner-Webb. Georgia Tech (2-0) hosts Clemson on Saturday.

TOKYO GORDON — Sam Houston State University (Jr., Adairsville HS) … the Bearkats’ linebacker was credited with two solo tackles this past Saturday in a 37-20 loss at the University of Hawaii. He has 12 tackles and one sack in his team’s first three games. Sam Houston (0-3) has a bye week before traveling to face 7th-ranked Texas.

DEVIN HENDERSON — Liberty University (R-Fr., Cass HS) … saw action in the Flames’ secondary, but did not have a stat line in last Saturday’s 34-24 loss at Jacksonville State University. Liberty (1-1) plays at Bowling Green on Saturday.

KEVIN HENDERSON — University of Findlay (So., Cass HS) … a starter at linebacker last Saturday for the Oilers, Henderson had eight tackles, one tackle for a three-yard loss, one quarterback hurry, and an interception that he returned nine yards in a 38-35 home win over 17th-ranked University of Indianapolis. Findlay (1-0) hosts Wayne State on Saturday.

SHADRE HURST — Tulane University (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … a starter on the Green Wave’s offensive line that helped produce 406 total yards in a 33-31 win last Saturday night at the University of South Alabama. Tulane (2-0) hosts Duke University on Saturday night.

KHRISTIAN LANDO — Jacksonville State University (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … the Gamecocks’ running back was targeted as a receiver, but the pass was incomplete this past Saturday in the fourth quarter of a 34-24 home win over Liberty University. Jacksonville State (1-1) plays at Georgia Southern University on Saturday night.

TYLER MARTIN — Berry College (Sr., Cass HS) … a starter on the Vikings’ offensive line that helped produce 361 yards of total offense in a 58-28 home victory last Saturday over Huntingdon College. Berry (1-0) visits LaGrange College on Saturday night.

JAKE PARKER — Cumberland University (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … the quarterback was listed as a participant, but had no stat line in last Saturday’s 30-18 home win for the Phoenix over Reinhardt University. Cumberland (1-1) hosts Ave Maria University on Saturday night.

SAM PHILLIPS — University of Iowa R-(Jr., Cartersville HS) … a starter for the Hawkeyes at wide receiver, Phillips had a 15-yard reception in the second quarter during a 16-13 loss at 14th-ranked Iowa State. Iowa (1-1) hosts UMass on Saturday night.

DEVONTE ROSS — Penn State University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … caught three passes for 61 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown in the third quarter during the Nittany Lions’ 34-0 home win last Saturday over Florida International University. Ross added two punt returns for a total of 23 yards, including a 17-yarder. Second-ranked Penn State (2-0) hosts Villanova on Saturday.

SACOVIE WHITE-HELTON — University of Georgia (R-Fr., Cass HS) … had two receptions for 12 yards this past Saturday in the 6th-ranked Bulldogs’ 28-6 home win over Austin Peay. Georgia (2-0) opens play in the Southeastern Conference on Saturday at Tennessee.

VOLLEYBALL

AILEE ENGLAND — Berry College (So., Cartersville HS) … saw action in two sets of a five-set victory last Friday over Elmhurst University at the Wisconsin-Whitewater Invitational. The Vikings also had a win over Concordia University and a loss to the 2nd-ranked hosts, UW-Whitewater. Berry (5-1) hosts the Mount Berry Invitational on Friday and Saturday with matches against LaGrange College, Texas Lutheran University, and Emory University.

VANESSA JOHNSON — Georgia Highlands College (So., Cartersville HS) … saw action in five sets and made one start last week in losses to the Reinhardt University JV and at Cleveland State CC. In her start against Reinhardt, Johnson had seven kills, three blocks, and three digs. In a reserve role against Cleveland State, she had one block. The Chargers (0-8, 0-1 GCAA) visit the Reinhardt JV on Tuesday night and travel to Wesleyan College on Saturday.

MADELYN ORTON — LaGrange College (Sr., Cartersville resident, Cornerstone Prep) … played in seven sets across four matches last week as the Panthers went 1-3 in Montgomery. LaGrange defeated Piedmont University on Saturday, but had losses to the University of St. Thomas (TX), Millsaps College, and Huntingdon (AL) College on Friday and Saturday. LaGrange (2-6) hosts Fort Valley State on Wednesday and will face Berry College, Emory University, and Texas Lutheran University on Friday and Saturday at the Mount Berry Invitational.

MEREDITH ORTON — LaGrange College (Sr., Cartersville resident, Cornerstone Prep) … the right side hitter was active in six sets for the Panthers as they finished 1-3 this past weekend in Montgomery. LaGrange had a win over Piedmont University and losses to the University of St. Thomas (TX), Millsaps College, and host Huntingdon (AL) College. In the four matches, Orton totaled seven kills, one assist, and two digs. The Panthers (2-6) host Fort Valley State Unversity on Wednesday before taking on Berry College, Emory University, and Texas Lutheran University this weekend at the Mount Berry Invitational.

SOCCER

ABBEY CRAIG — Reinhardt University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … the Eagles’ defender started and played all 90 minutes this past Saturday in a 3-0 conference win at Bluefield (VA) University. Reinhardt (1-1, 1-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference) hosts Dalton State College on Wednesday and Milligan (TN) College on Saturday. 

LIBBY MORGAN — Shorter University (Fr., Woodland HS) … the Hawks’ midfielder logged 26 minutes in a 2-1 loss at Faulkner (AL) University on Tuesday, September 2, and 44 minutes in a 2-0 home victory last Thursday over Albany State University. Shorter (1-1) hosts Newberry College on Wednesday and King University on Saturday.

MACI NICKLAS — Truett McConnell University (So., Cartersville HS) … appeared in both Bears’ games and totaled 17 minutes on the pitch last Wednesday and Saturday against Southeastern (FL) University and Montreat College (NC). TMU (3-0-1) played Southeastern to a scoreless draw and defeated Montreat 3-1. The Bears travel to Columbia (SC) College on Wednesday. 

HALEY SKLBA — Point University (Fr., Cass HS) … made a start as a defender on Sunday, played all 90 minutes, and scored a goal in the Skyhawks’ 15-0 home win over Oakwood (AL) University. She also saw seven minutes of pitch time last Wednesday in a 7-1 home win over LaGrange College. Point (5-1-1) plays next at Life University in Marietta on Wednesday, September 17.

CROSS COUNTRY

McKINLEY CHAPPELL — Berry College (Sr., Woodland HS) … finished seventh of 24 competitors in 28:10 as the Vikings defeated Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University in the Equal Distance 8K in Rome. The next event for Berry is the NCAA D3 Pre-Nationals at USC Upstate in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on September 20.