Athletes Beyond Bartow: Beasley records two sacks in Falcons' win, Lawrence sets ACC passing mark
It was another big week for local athletes around the country. Adairsville’s Vic Beasley Jr., had a pair of sacks and forced two fumbles Sunday afternoon as the Atlanta Falcons routed the visiting Carolina Panthers 40-20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Cartersville’s Trevor Lawrence established a new Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game record with four touchdown passes as the Clemson Tigers blew out Virginia 62-17. In college hoops action, two local athletes recorded double-doubles while many others made major contributions in their teams’ performances.
NFL
VIC BEASLEY, JR. — Atlanta Falcons (5th year pro; OLB; Clemson; Adairsville HS)… Beasley had four tackles including a pair of quarterback sacks and two forced fumbles Sunday as the Falcons defeated the visiting Carolina Panthers 40-20. The 27-year-old now has 23 tackles and six sacks this season. Atlanta (4-9) travels to the west coast Sunday to challenge the San Francisco 49ers.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
KURTIS FEANNY — Lenoir-Rhyne University (So., OL, Woodland HS)… normally a starter at guard, Feanny was in the offensive line rotation as the Bears fell in the third round of the NCAA Division II playoffs Saturday to visiting West Florida, 43-38. The LRU offense powered to 438 total yards but lost to the high powered offense of the Argonauts. Feanny appeared in 10 of the Bears 14 games this season as Lenoir-Rhyne finished 13-1 and won the South Atlantic Conference title.
TREVOR LAWRENCE — Clemson University (So., QB, Cartersville HS)… set an ACC Championship Game record with four touchdown passes, three of which went to Tee Higgins. The Tigers scored on their first five possessions en route to 619 total yards and a 62-17 win over Virginia. Lawrence was 16-for-22 for 302 passing yards and extended his streak of consecutive games with three or more touchdown passes to eight. Clemson, which advances to the Fiesta Bowl and a fifth-straight College Football Playoff appearance against Ohio State, won its 19th ACC Championship. The Tigers are 13-0.
JACOB POTTER — Kennesaw State University (So., LS, Adairsville HS)… snapped for three punts, two field goals, and a pair of extra points in the 9th-ranked Owls’ FCS second round playoff loss to 3rd-ranked Weber State. KSU,who finished the season with an 11-3 record, led 17-9 late in the second quarter in Ogden, Utah, but Weber State scored 17 unanswered points in a 19-minute stretch across the second and third quarters on their way to a 26-20 win.
VOLLEYBALL
NEDU EVANS — Augusta University (Fr., MH, Cartersville HS)… the Jaguars’ historic season came to an end Saturday with a NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen loss to Carson-Newman 3-0. The match was the Championship match of the Southeast Regional. Evans was a starter and played in all three sets of the final match. She accumulated a dig, two kills, and four blocks in the loss. In the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament, Augusta beat USC-Aiken and Wingate. Evans totaled 15 kills and three digs in those two victories. Augusta finished the season with a 29-9 record and a Peach Belt Conference title.
WRESTLING
KYLE GOLLHOFER — University of Northern Iowa (Fr., Woodland HS)… placed fourth in the 125-pound division at the Buena Vista University Open Saturday in Storm Lake, Iowa. Gollhofer won by major decision over Dylan Albrecht of Wartburg; won by fall over Camron Neal of Ellsworth CC; and won by decision over Jake Gilva of Minnesota. He was injured in the semifinal match with Tanner Jordan of Jackrabbit Wrestling Club and was forced to medically forfeit the match. The Panthers host the UNI Open this Saturday.
BASKETBALL
JACQUEZ FOUNTAIN — Albany Tech (Fr., G, Cass HS)… had a double-double last Monday night with 11 rebounds and a blocked shot as the Titans beat Brewton Parker JV 89-79. He then scored 21 points with five rebounds and two assists Saturday in a 94-93 double-overtime loss at Enterprise State CC. Results for Sunday’s home game against Atlanta Community Christian were not available. Fountain is currently the second leading scorer for the Titans averaging almost 16 points per game. Albany Tech (7-4) plays at Florida Gateway College Tuesday night and at Tallahassee CC Thursday night.
ASHTON HAGANS — University of Kentucky (So., G, Cartersville, GA; Newton HS)… had a double-double with 11 points and 11 assists Saturday in the 8th-ranked Wildcats’ 83-52 home win over Fairleigh Dickinson. Hagans added a pair of rebounds and was 7-for-7 from the charity stripe. Kentucky (7-1) looks to continue a five-game winning streak Saturday at Rupp Arena against Georgia Tech.
WHITNEY HARRIS — Toccoa Falls College (So., G, Woodland HS)… totaled five points, three rebounds, one assist, and one steal while playing 54 minutes in a pair of losses this past week at Berry College (74-47) and at home to Pfeiffer Universitiy (61-42). Toccoa Falls (3-11) travels to Greenville, South Carolina this weekend to play in the Bob Jones University Classic Friday and Saturday.
CARTER HEDDEN — Hocking CC (So., G, Cass HS)… scored four points and had one assist in the Hawks’ 103-83 win at Ohio University Lancaster last Tuesday. Hedden added one rebound off the bench Saturday in a win over Terra State. Hocking (9-2) plays at University of Cincinnati Clermont Wednesday in their only game this week.
EVAN LEE — Northland CTC (Fr., F, Excel Christian Academy)… scored two points, collected two rebounds, and added one assist in a 72-62 win Saturday at Ridgewater College in Willmar, Minnesota. The Pioneers (3-3) host Rochester CTC Friday night and Western Technical College Saturday.
KIMORA McCLINIC — Middle Georgia State University (Jr., G, Cartersville HS)… scored eight points with four rebounds, one steal, and one assist in the Knights’ 79-55 home win last Wednesday over Carver Bible. MGSU (5-3, 0-1 Southern States Athletic Conference) has some time off before playing at Kennesaw State December 31.
KYLA MICHIENZI — Piedmont College (R-Fr., G, Cass HS)… totaled seven points, four rebounds, and four assists in a pair of home wins last Wednesday and Saturday over LaGrange and Covenant College. The Lions (6-3) play at Huntingdon College in Montgomery Saturday.
JANA MORNING — Berry College (Jr., G, Cass HS)… the Vikings’ starting guard totaled 13 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and four steals as Berry split a pair of games — a 74-47 home win over Toccoa Falls and a 66-36 road loss at Oglethorpe University. Berry (4-4, 0-1 Southern Athletic Association) is off until hosting Mississippi University for Women December 17.
JAYLON PUGH — Furman University (So., G, Cartersville HS)… scored 11 points and was 3-for-4 from behind the arc in last Thursday’s 81-78 loss at Auburn. Pugh also grabbed a pair of rebounds at Auburn. He made both three-point shot attempts, scoring six points, in Sunday’s 84-72 home win over USC-Upstate and also saw action in a 65-55 loss last Monday at South Florida. The Paladins (8-3) host North Greenville Wednesday night and will entertain Winthrop Saturday night.
ELIJAH ROBINSON — Atenas (3rd yr. pro; Argentina La Liga; F; Emmanuel College, Excel Christian Academy)… scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds Sunday, December 1 in an 83-79 home victory over Argentino. Atenas (2-4) hosts Hispano Americano De Rio Gallegos Monday and Bahia Basket December 16.
JOSIE SUMMERVILLE — North Park University (So., F, Adairsville HS)… helped her team remain unbeaten with wins over Carroll University and North Central College last week. Summerville scored seven points and grabbed five rebounds in the Vikings’ 62-54 win last Wednesday at Carroll. She then scored two points and had one rebound in North Park’s 68-58 home win over North Central (IL). NPU (7-0, 2-0 Collegiate Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin) travels to Wheaton College (IL) Saturday.
DARIUS THROWER — Truett-McConnell University (Sr., G, Excel Christian Academy)… scored two points and grabbed three rebounds in the Bears’ 90-66 home loss to Columbia International last Wednesday. He also played 14 minutes off the bench Saturday and had two rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in an 81-68 loss to visiting Tennessee Wesleyan University. TMU (5-4, 2-4 Appalachian Athletic Conference) plays at Union College (KY) Wednesday night and hosts Allen University (SC) Saturday afternoon.
ALEXIS WARE — Piedmont College (Fr., F, Cass HS)… grabbed four rebounds with one point, one assist, and one steal last Wednesday in a 66-62 home win over LaGrange. Ware also saw action in Saturday’s 80-58 victory over Covenant College. Piedmont (6-3) plays at Huntingdon College Saturday.
NAKIYAH WASHINGTON — Piedmont College (Fr., F, Adairsville HS)… scored 15 points with seven rebounds and one steal last Wednesday in a 66-62 win over visiting LaGrange College. She followed with 25 points, eight rebounds, six steals, and three assists in the Lions’ 80-58 home win Saturday over Covenant College. Piedmont (6-3) travels to Huntingdon College in Montgomery Saturday. CARROD WATSON — University of North Georgia (R-Sr., F, Woodland HS)… scored 10 points, collected four rebounds, and added two assists last Wednesday in a 77-64 home loss to Lee University. He then scored five points with four rebounds, one blocked shot, and one assist in a 71-68 win Saturday at West Georgia. The Nighthawks (5-3) open Peach Belt Conference play this Sunday night at home against USC-Aiken.
