Athletes Beyond Bartow: Former Canes, Colonels head into the College Football Playoffs

December 9, 2025 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

Offensive linemen Malachi Toliver at the University of Georgia and Shadre Hurst at Tulane University helped their respective teams to important wins this past weekend as the Bulldogs and Green Wave advanced into the College Football Playoffs. Two other locals -- Sacovie White-Helton (Georgia Bulldogs) and Jordyn Woods (Ohio State Buckeyes) will also join teammates in the CFP.

In NFL action, another former Cartersville Purple Hurricane -- Trevor Lawrence -- had one of his strongest performances as a pro, guiding the Jacksonville Jaguars to a win over the Indianapolis Colts.

L-R: Malachi Toliver (Georgia Bulldogs), Shadre Hurst (Tulane Green Wave), and Trevor Lawrence (NFL Jacksonville Jaguars) -- all former Canes -- enjoyed important wins last weekend.

NFL

TREVOR LAWRENCE — Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL, 5th-year pro; Clemson; Cartersville HS)  …had one of his best games as a pro this past Sunday, leading the Jaguars in a 36-19 rain-soaked win over the Indianapolis Colts. Lawrence threw for 244 yards and two touchdowns with no turnovers to move Jacksonville to the top of the AFC South standings. He also connected on several key downfield plays to Brian Thomas Jr. and Tim Patrick. His touchdown throws went to Jakobi Meyers (14 yards) and Patrick (8 yards). Jacksonville (9-4) leads the Houston Texans and Indianapolis by one game in the divisional standings. The Jaguars host the New York Jets on Sunday.

FOOTBALL

SHADRE HURST — Tulane University (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … a starter on the Green Wave’s offensive line that helped produce 344 total yards, including 199 on the ground, in a 34-21 home victory over North Texas to capture the American Athletic Conference championship. The win, a fifth-straight for the Green Wave, advanced Tulane (11-2) to the College Football Playoffs against No. 6 seed Ole Miss in Oxford on December 20.

KHRISTIAN LANDO — Jacksonville State University (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … the Gamecocks’ running back had one reception for two yards last Friday in a 19-15 home loss to Kennesaw State University in the Conference USA Championship Game. Jacksonville State will play Troy University on Tuesday, December 16, in the Salute to Veterans Bowl played in Montgomery, Alabama.

TYLER MARTIN — Berry College (Sr., Cass HS) … a starter on the Vikings’ offensive line that helped produce 318 yards of total offense, including 178 on the ground, in a 31-23 home playoff win over Trinity University (TX) this past Saturday. The victory advanced No. 17 Berry (11-1) to the NCAA DIII Quarterfinals for the first time in program history, where the Vikings will host No. 9 John Carroll University (11-1) on Saturday at Valhalla Stadium in Mount Berry at noon.

MALACHI TOLIVER — University of Georgia (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … started on the Bulldogs’ offensive line in place of Drew Bobo at center and helped produce 297 yards of total offense, including 141 rushing yards, as Georgia beat Alabama 28-7 to win the Southeastern Conference Championship Game in Atlanta last Saturday. Toliver has appeared in five straight games and made two starts in November and December. Georgia (12-1) is the No. 3 seed in the College Football Playoffs and will play in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on January 1 against the Ole Miss/Tulane first-round playoff survivor.

SACOVIE WHITE-HELTON — University of Georgia (R-Fr., Cass HS) … had one reception for two yards this past Saturday in the Bulldogs’ 28-7 win over Alabama in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game in Atlanta. White-Helton has appeared in every game this season for Georgia, compiling seven receptions for 50 yards and five punt returns for 57 yards. Georgia (12-1) is the No. 3 seed in the College Football Playoffs and will face the Ole Miss/Tulane first-round playoff winner in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on January 1.

VOLLEYBALL

AILEE ENGLAND — Berry College (So., Cartersville HS) … saw action in all nine sets, contributing one service ace and one dig as the Vikings reached the NCAA DIII National semifinals in Bloomington, Illinois. Berry knocked off undefeated and top-ranked East Texas Baptist (25-18, 22-25, 25-14, 25-17) in the national quarterfinals before falling to national runner-up LaVerne University (CA) in five sets (28-26, 17-25, 22-25, 25-22, 13-15) in the semifinals. LaVerne fell to Wisconsin-Oshkosh in the championship match. England appeared in 107 sets across 34 matches this season, compiling 38 aces, 27 digs, and 11 kills as the Vikings finished 28-8.

WRESTLING

COLTON BISHOP — Reinhardt University (Sr., Woodland HS) … went 2-1 in his 125-pound bouts at the Carolina Clash hosted by Lander University (SC) this past Sunday. The Eagles defeated Coker College, Mount Olive University, and Lincoln Memorial University. The next event for Reinhardt is the Rocky Top Duals on Saturday in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

LEE CAMP — Reinhardt University (So., Cass HS) … went 2-1 in his 133-pound bouts at the Carolina Clash hosted by Lander University (SC) this past Sunday. The Eagles won dual matches against Coker College, Mount Olive University, and Lincoln Memorial University. Reinhardt heads to the Rocky Top Duals on Saturday in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

CHAMP HIGDON — Lander University (Jr., Woodland HS) … went 2-0 in extra bouts in the 184-pound weight class hosted at the Carolina Clash by Lander. Higdon had wins over opponents from Newberry University and Coker College. Next for the Bearkats is the Midwest Classic this weekend in Indianapolis.

LIAM EAIDEN NEAL — Reinhardt University (So., Cartersville HS) … went 1-2 in his 141-pound bouts at the Carolina Clash at Lander University (SC) last Sunday. The Eagles defeated Coker College, Mount Olive University, and Lincoln Memorial University. The next event for Reinhardt is the Rocky Top Duals on Saturday in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

KRIECG ROE — Lindsey Wilson College (Fr., Cass HS) … won his 174-pound bout as the Blue Raiders won at Rio Grande (OH) last Friday 42-3. Lindsey Wilson College hosts Rochester Christian University (MI) and Midway University (KY) on Monday, Dec. 15.

ANETRA WITHERSPOON — Life University (So., Cartersville HS) … went 2-4 in her 207-pound bouts at the University of the Cumberlands Patriot Duals. She had wins over opponents from Indiana Tech and Rochester Christian University during team victories. The Runnin’ Eagles finished 9-4 at the 16-team event. The next event for Life is the Midlands Women’s Championship on December 30 in Evanston, Illinois.

BASKETBALL

TAFF BRADLEY — Huntingdon College (So., Cartersville HS) … saw her first action as a Hawk, scoring two points and grabbing two rebounds last Saturday in a 69-45 loss at Berry College. Huntingdon (1-6) visits Warren Wilson College (NC) on Saturday and the Mississippi University for Women on Monday.

NA’YEL CAMPER — Reinhardt University (So., Cartersville HS) … had one rebound on Dec. 3 during a 67-60 loss at Bryan College (TN). She also had two rebounds, two assists, and one steal this past Saturday in a 68-47 win at Columbia College (SC). The Eagles (6-5, 5-1 Appalachian Athletic Conference) play at Union Commonwealth University on Wednesday before hosting Columbia International University (SC) on Saturday.

SE’NAI CAMPER — Montreat College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … scored six points and grabbed two rebounds in a 70-55 win last Saturday at Bluefield University (VA). The Cavaliers (5-5, 3-2 Appalachian Athletic Conference) host Bryan College (TN) on Wednesday and Milligan University on Saturday.

JA’KA’YAH DRAUGHN — Brewton Parker Christian University (So., Cartersville HS) … scored 11 points with five assists, one rebound, and one steal last Thursday in a 90-86 home loss to Coastal Georgia. Draughn then scored 13 points with five rebounds and four assists in a 75-47 win at Point University last Saturday. The Barons (2-9, 1-1 Southern States Athletic Conference) play at Jacksonville State on Tuesday and will face the University of the Cumberlands (KY) and Southeastern University (FL) next Monday and Tuesday in Lakeland, Florida.

ANSLEY GRIFFIN — North Carolina Wesleyan University (So., Cartersville HS) … in three home starts against Brevard College, Christopher Newport University, and Pfeiffer University, Griffin totaled two steals, one assist, and one rebound as the Battlin’ Bishops lost all three games. NCWU (1-6, 0-2 USA South Athletic Conference) visits Regent College (VA) on Wednesday and plays at Southern Virginia and Mary Baldwin University (VA) on Monday and Tuesday.

ZION HAYES — Vincennes University (So., Cass HS) … totaled 42 points, 17 rebounds, six assists, and two steals as the Trail Blazers beat Lewis & Clark CC on December 2, but lost to Three Rivers College (MO) on Dec. 3.  Vincennes (5-4) visits John A. Logan College on Wednesday and hosts Lincoln Trail College on Saturday.

HALEY JOHNSON — Reinhardt University (Sr., Cass HS) … totaled two points with four rebounds, three assists, and one steal as the Lady Eagles lost at Bryan College (TN) and won at Columbia College (SC) last week. Reinhardt (6-5, 5-1 Appalachian Athletic Conference) travels to Union Commonwealth University (KY) on Wednesday and hosts Columbia International University (SC) on Saturday.

KEARA McDANIEL — Toccoa Falls College (Sr., Cass HS) … in wins last week at Clinton College (SC) and at Regent University (VA), she totaled 24 points with eight assists and seven rebounds. The Screamin’ Eagles (4-8) visit Emmanuel University (GA) on Tuesday, Wesleyan University (GA) on Thursday, and Young Harris College on Saturday.

T.J. PRINTUP — Tusculum University (Jr., Adairsville HS) … totaled 38 points in three starts last week as the Pioneers went 1-2 with a win over The Crown College (TN) and losses to Wingate University (NC) and East Tennessee State. Printup added 16 rebounds, five steals, four assists, and two blocked shots across the three games. Tusculum (4-4, 1-2 South Atlantic Conference) entertains Carson-Newman University on Wednesday and Catawba College on Saturday.

MEGAN SCHULTZ — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (So., Woodland HS) … scored two points and had one rebound this past Saturday in a 68-50 home loss to Life University. She also saw playing time, but had no stat line in a 60-51 win Dec. 2 at Thomas University (GA) in Bainbridge. The Fillies (3-6, 1-2 Southern States Athletic Conference) host Georgia Gwinnett College on Wednesday and Trinity Baptist College (FL) on Monday.

LONDAISHA SMITH — Reinhardt University (Sr., Cass HS) … totaled 20 points with nine rebounds, five steals, and three assists in starts at Bryan College (TN) — a 67-60 loss — and Columbia College (SC) — a 68-47 win. The Lady Eagles (6-5, 5-1 Appalachian Athletic Conference) travel to Union Commonwealth University (KY) on Wednesday and host Columbia International University (SC) on Saturday. 

ALISSA WINTERS — Truett McConnell University (So., Adairsville HS) … scored 14 points with six rebounds, three steals, and one assist Dec. 3 in a 68-56 win at Brenau University (GA). She added four rebounds and four assists last Saturday in a 73-65 home loss to Union Commonwealth University (KY). The Bears (2-7, 1-5 Appalachian Athletic Conference) host Columbia College (SC) on Wednesday before visiting College of Coastal Georgia on Saturday.

INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD

ANDY FORSYTH — Berry College (So., Woodland HS) … placed 10th (4:33.26) in the one-mile run at the 33-team Birmingham Indoor Icebreaker last Friday. Next for the Vikings is the Samford Multi and Invitational on January 15-16.

TYLER JONES — University of West Georgia (So., Woodland HS) … ran third with a personal best time of 4:43.48 at the 10-team Commonwealth Collegiate Opener in Louisville this past Saturday. West Georgia won the team title, finishing 15.5 points ahead of Lindsey Wilson College (KY) and 27.5 points ahead of third-place University of the Cumberlands (KY). The next event for UWG is the Samford University Invitational on January 17.

KENDRICK PRICE — Troy University (So., Cartersville HS) … placed 36th (23.23) in the 200 meters at the 33-team Birmingham Indoor Icebreakers last Friday. The Trojans return to Birmingham on January 10 for the UAB Vulcan Invitational.

ZACHARY WIGGINS — University of West Georgia (So., Woodland HS)   … placed seventh (8.60) in the 60-meter hurdles at the Commonwealth Collegiate Opener in Louisville this past Saturday, helping West Georgia to the team title over nine other schools. The next event for the Wolves is at Samford University on January 17.