Athletes Beyond Bartow: Former Canes’ QBs deliver impressive performances

November 18, 2025

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

Three former quarterbacks from Cartersville High School delivered impressive performances this past week, showcasing the impact of local athletes in professional and college sports nationwide.

Trevor Lawrence guided the Jacksonville Jaguars to a 35-6 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers. Carlos Del Rio-Wilson accumulated over 400 yards of offense in a win against Georgia State, while Jake Parker had a six-touchdown day to lead Cumberland University (TN) to a triumph over Faulkner University (AL).

Moreover, former Canes' wide receiver Devonte Ross caught two touchdown passes in Penn State's victory over Michigan State.

NFL

TREVOR LAWRENCE — Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL, 5th-year pro; Clemson; Cartersville HS) …completed 14 of 22 pass attempts for 153 yards and one touchdown with one interception this past Sunday as Jacksonville beat the visiting Los Angeles Chargers 35-6. Lawrence also had nine rushing yards on five attempts with one touchdown. The Jaguars (6-4) play at the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

FOOTBALL

JOHNATHAN CLINE — East Tennessee State University (R-So., Cartersville HS) … saw action with the Buccaneers’ offensive line that helped produce 638 yards of total offense in a 52-35 win last Saturday at Western Carolina University. ETSU (6-5, 4-3 Southern Conference) hosts The Citadel on Saturday.

Carlos Del Rio-Wilson

CARLOS DEL RIO-WILSON — Marshall University (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … completed 22 of 27 passes for 321 yards and three touchdowns this past Saturday in a 30-18 home win over Georgia State University. He also had 97 rushing yards on 17 attempts. The Thundering Herd (5-5, 3-3 Sun Belt Conference) visits Appalachian State on Saturday.

KADEN ELLIS — Appalachian State University (Fr., Cass HS) … made his first collegiate appearance this past Saturday in a 58-10 home loss to 21st-ranked James Madison University. The Mountaineers (4-6, 1-5 Sun Belt Conference) host Marshall University on Saturday.

MYLES FORRISTALL — Georgia Tech (R-So., Cartersville HS) … the Yellow Jackets’ linebacker saw action, but did not have a stat line in Tech’s 36-34 win at Boston College. Georgia Tech (9-1, 6-1 Atlantic Coast Conference), ranked No. 15,  hosts Pittsburgh on Saturday night.

TOKYO GORDON — Sam Houston State University (Jr., Adairsville HS) … the Bearkats’ linebacker made one tackle this past Saturday in a 26-23 home win over Delaware. SHSU (2-8, 1-5 Conference USA) visits Middle Tennessee on Saturday.

DEVIN HENDERSON — Liberty University (R-Fr., Cass HS) … made four solo tackles this past Saturday in a 34-27 loss at Florida International University. The Flames (4-6, 3-3 Conference USA) play at Louisiana Tech on Saturday.

KEVIN HENDERSON — University of Findlay (So., Cass HS) … made seven tackles (five solo), including one tackle for a loss, but the Oilers lost for the first time this season to Tiffin University 23-21. Findlay finished the regular season with a 10-1 mark and is ranked No. 12 in the final NCAA D-II coaches poll prior to the playoffs.

SHADRE HURST — Tulane University (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … a starter on the Green Wave’s offensive line that helped produce 403 yards of total offense in a 35-24 home victory over Florida Atlantic Universitiy last Saturday. Tulane (8-2, 5-1 American Athletic Conference) plays at Tulane on Saturday.

KHRISTIAN LANDO — Jacksonville State University (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … saw action but did not have a stat line in the Gamecocks’ 35-26 home win last Saturday over Kennesaw State University. Jax State (7-3, 6-0 Conference USA) travels to Miami to face Florida International University on Saturday.

TYLER MARTIN — Berry College (Sr., Cass HS) … a starter on the Vikings’ offensive line that helped produce 499 yards of total offense this past Saturday during a 49-7 win at Southwestern University (TX). 17th-ranked Berry (9-1, 7-0) won the Southern Athletic Association’s conference title and will begin the NCAA D-III playoffs on Saturday, November 29, against Saturday’s LaGrange College/Framingham State winner.

Jake Parker

JAKE PARKER — Cumberland University (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … accounted for 216 yards and six touchdowns last Saturday in a 72-14 home win over Faulkner University (AL). Parker completed 10 of 16 pass attempts for 111 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed 15 times for 103 yards and four touchdowns. The Phoenix finished the regular season with a 7-4 record and were 3-3 in the Mid-South Conference.

SAM PHILLIPS — University of Iowa (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … started at wide receiver and was targeted, but did not have a stat line in the Hawkeyes’ 26-21 loss at 17th-ranked Southern California last Saturday. Iowa (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) hosts Michigan State on Saturday.

DEVONTE ROSS — Penn State University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … made two receptions, both for touchdowns, in the Nittany Lions’ 28-10 win last Saturday at Michigan State. His catch and run of 75 yards was good for a touchdown in the second quarter that gave Penn State a 14-10 lead. He also caught a 4-yard touchdown throw in the fourth quarter for a 21-10 advantage. The Nittany Lions (4-6, 1-6 Big Ten) host Nebraska on Saturday night.

BRAXTON RYAN — Kentucky Wesleyan College (Fr., Adairsville HS) … a starter on the Panthers’ offensive line that helped produce 243 yards of total offense in a 14-11 loss to Thomas More University. KWC finished the season 0-11 overall and 0-9 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.

MALACHI TOLIVER — University of Georgia (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … saw action on the Bulldogs’ offensive line that helped produce 357 yards of total offense in last Saturday night’s 35-10 home win over Texas. The 4th-ranked Bulldogs (9-1, 7-1 Southeastern Conference) host Charlotte on Saturday.

SACOVIE WHITE-HELTON — University of Georgia (R-Fr., Cass HS) … saw action but did not have a stat line in Georgia’s 35-10 home win last Saturday over Texas. Georgia (9-1, 7-1 Southeastern Conference) hosts Charlotte on Saturday afternoon.

IAN WILLIAMS — University of Memphis (Fr., Cass HS) … made one tackle this past Saturday in the Tigers’ 31-27 loss at East Carolina. Memphis (8-3, 4-3 American Athletic Conference) hosts Navy on November 27.

VOLLEYBALL

AILEE ENGLAND — Berry College (So., Cartersville HS) … had six aces, four digs, and one assist as the Vikings won three straight-set matches in Atlanta over Rhodes College, Southwestern University (TX), and 8th-ranked Trinity University (TX) last Thursday through Saturday to capture the Southern Athletic Association conference title. Berry heads to the NCAA D-III Regionals to face Washington and Lee University in the first round in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on Thursday.

MEREDITH ORTON — LaGrange College (Sr., Cartersville resident, Cornerstone Prep Academy) … appeared in five sets and recorded one dig as the Lady Panthers defeated Huntingdon College (AL), but lost to top-seeded Asbury University (KY) last week in the Collegiate Conference of the South tournament.  The season ended for LaGrange with a 13-20 record.

WRESTLING

BRYCE KRESHO — Franklin & Marshall College (Sr., Cass HS) … lost his bout at 141 pounds as the Diplomats defeated Long Island University 27-11 this past Saturday. Next for Franklin & Marshal is the Keystone Classic on Sunday, hosted by Penn University.

KRIECG ROE — Lindsey Wilson College (Fr., Cass HS) … lost two bouts at 174 pounds to opponents from Grand View College (IA) and Campbellsville University (KY) this past Saturday at the Grand View Open in Des Moines. The Blue Raiders will wrestle at Life University on Saturday in the Lucha Open.

JAXON SMITH — University of Maryland (R-Sr., Woodland HS) … the All-American defeated his opponents at 184 pounds as the Terrapins defeated Gardner-Webb and The Citadel this past Saturday at the Throwdown on the Yorktown in Charleston, South Carolina. Maryland heads to Baltimore to wrestle at Morgan State on Friday.

ANETRA WITHERSPOON — Life University (So., Cartersville HS) … won her bout at 207 pounds as the Runnin’ Eagles defeated Indiana Tech 30-12 this past Saturday. On Sunday, Witherspoon went 2-3 and placed sixth at the Presbyterian College Blue Hose Challenge in Clinton, South Carolina. Life returns to the mats on December 5-6 at the Patriot Duals in Williamsburg, Kentucky.

BASKETBALL

NA’YEL CAMPER — Reinhardt University (So., Cartersville HS) … in three starts last week, totaled 12 points with six rebounds and one blocked shot during a 79-62 win over Tennessee Wesleyan and road losses at Lindsey Wilson College (KY) and Campbellsville University (KY). The Eagles (2-4, 1-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference) visit Alabama-Huntsville on Wednesday and Spartanburg Methodist on Saturday.

SE’NAI CAMPER — Montreat College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … scored 13 points with five boards, three assists, and one steal last week in an 81-74 win at Union Commonwealth University (KY). Montreat (3-3) plays at Columbia International University on Wednesday and hosts the University of Pikeville on Saturday.

CLAIRE DAVIS — University of North Florida (Sr., Cass HS) … scored five points with two rebounds on November 12 in a 77-54 loss at Tulane. Davis saw action at South Alabama, but had no stat line last Friday in an 83-46 loss.  The Ospreys (1-3) play at Georgia on Thursday.

JA’KA’YAH DRAUGHN — Brewton Parker Christian University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … totaled 37 points with five rebounds, five steals, four assists, and one blocked shot last Friday and Saturday in losses to 6th-ranked Freed-Hardeman (TN) and Xavier (LA) in Marietta. The Barons (0-6) play at Life University on Saturday.

ANSLEY GRIFFIN — North Carolina Wesleyan (So., Cartersville HS) … totaled five points, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal in a 69-60 home victory over Averett University (VA) and a 65-50 loss to Lynchburg State University (VA) this past Saturday and Sunday. Wesleyan (1-2) visits Roanoke College (VA) on Saturday.

HALEY JOHNSON — Reinhardt University (Sr., Cass HS) … totaled 14 points, six rebounds, one blocked shot, and one assist in three games with the Lady Eagles last week, Reinhardt beat Tennessee Wesleyan 79-62 on November 12 before losing 68-50 at Lindsey Wilson College (KY) and 63-50 at Campbellsville University (KY) over the weekend. The Eagles (2-4, 1-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference) visit Alabama-Huntsville on Wednesday and Spartanburg Methodist on Saturday.

KEARA McDANIEL — Toccoa Falls College (Sr., Cass HS) … totaled 13 points, six steals, five rebounds, and three assists in losses on November 11 and last Saturday to Columbia International University at home and at Cumberland University (TN). The Screamin’ Eagles (2-6) play at Erskine College on Wednesday, host Clinton College (SC) on Thursday, and visit Newberry University (SC) on Friday.

T.J. PRINTUP — Tusculum University (Jr., Adairsville HS) … made starts Friday at home and Saturday on the road. Printup scored 13 points with 12 rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and one steal in a 97-72 home win over Clayton State. He scored 17 points with five rebounds, five steals, two assists, and three blocked shots in a 75-68 loss at Chowan University. The Pioneers (1-1) visit North Greenville University on Tuesday and host Trevecca Nazarene (TN) on Saturday.

MEGAN SCHULTZ — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (So., Woodland HS) … scored three points and grabbed two rebounds this past Saturday in a 93-53 loss at Georgia Gwinnett College. The Fillies (1-3) play at Thomas University on Saturday and host College of Coastal Georgia on Monday.

LONDAISHA SMITH — Reinhardt University (Sr., Cass HS) … in three starts last week, totaled 22 points, 13 rebounds, six steals, three assists, and three blocked shots in a win at Union Commonwealth University (KY) and losses at Lindsey Wilson College (KY) and Campbellsville University (KY). Reinhardt (2-4, 1-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference) visits Alabama-Huntsville on Wednesday and Spartanburg Methodist on Saturday.

ALISSA WINTERS — Truett McConnell University (So., Adairsville HS) … totaled six points, two rebounds, and one blocked shot in losses on November 12 and this past Saturday to Bryan College (TN) and Johnson University (TN). The Bears (1-4) host Tennessee Wesleyan University on Wednesday.

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