Athletes Beyond Bartow: Lawrence, Jags drop home opener

Sep 20, 2021

6 min read

Trevor Lawrence made his home debut in Jacksonville Sunday leading the Jaguars to an early 7-0 lead, but Jacksonville eventually fell to the Denver Broncos 23-13.

Meanwhile Major League Baseball has reached the home stretch of the regular season, minor league baseball winds down, and almost two dozen local college athletes made their marks this past week with their respective programs.

PRO FOOTBALL

TREVOR LAWRENCE — Jacksonville Jaguars (Rookie season; Cartersville HS)… starting his second NFL regular season game and his 2021 home opener, the 21-year-old quarterback was 14 of 33 for 118 yards and he was intercepted twice in a 23-13 loss that dropped Jacksonville to 0-2 for the year. Lawrence started hot — completing 5-of-7 attempts for 73 yards and a 25-yard touchdown toss to Marvin Jones. The TD capped an 11-play, 83-yard drive that gave the Jaguars a 7-0 lead. Jacksonville hosts the Arizona Cardinals next Sunday at 1 p.m.

PRO BASEBALL

SAM HOWARD — Pittsburgh Pirates (8th-year pro; Cartersville HS) . . . made three, one-inning appearances last week — two at home against the Cincinnati Reds and one at the Miami Marlins. He was charged with a blown save last Tuesday when he gave up a two-out, solo home run to Reds’ shortstop Kyle Farmer in the eighth inning. The home run tied the game 4-4, but the Pirates scored a run in the ninth to secure a win. The next day, the 28-year-old was inserted in the fourth inning against the Reds and worked a shutout frame. He allowed a hit and a walk but also recorded a strikeout in the Pirates’ 1-0 loss. In last Saturday’s 6-3 win at Miami, the southpaw struck out two while working a 1-2-3 seventh inning. The former Georgia Southern hurler has appeared in 49 games for Pittsburgh this season with a 3-4 record. He has a 5.80 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 40.1 innings pitched.

CONNOR JUSTUS — Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (6th-year pro; Miami Marlins organization; Cartersville HS)… started all six games for the Jumbo Shrimp last week in their final regular season series of the year at the Norfolk Tides. The 26-year-old infielder finished the series going 7-for-24 at the plate including a walk, two doubles, one RBI, and scored three runs. In 2021, Justus has a .205 batting average in 258 official at-bats splitting time between Double-A Pensacola and Triple-A Jacksonville. He has two home runs and had 25 RBIs. Jacksonville finished the regular season portion of the schedule 69-51 and in second place in the Triple-A East-Southeast Division behind the Durham Bulls. The League now enters an extended 10-game schedule to determine a Triple-A Final Stretch champion based on winning percentage. The move by MiLB recovers games that were canceled at the beginning of the year.

LUKE SCHILTZ — Arizona Complex League Rangers (3rd year pro; Cartersville native; Stoneman Douglas HS) … made his eleventh relief appearance of 2021 last Thursday against the ACL Cubs. He entered in the fourth inning and worked 2-and-1/3 innings allowing one, unearned run on two hits and three walks. He struck out one. For the season, the 6-5 right hander has a 7.71 ERA in just over 16 innings with 19 strikeouts. The Rangers (31-28) finished in ninth place in the 18-team rookie level league. The Texas organization team was third in the ACL West Division.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

CHRIS BLACKSTON — University of West Georgia (Sr., Adairsville HS)… the Wolves’ starting safety made a pair of tackles, both solo, in a 27-26 win Saturday over 22nd-ranked Delta State. 18th-ranked UWG (3-0, 1-0 Gulf South Conference) plays at Shorter Saturday afternoon.

BRYCE BURGESS — Reinhardt University (Jr., Adairsville HS)… had five carries for 21 yards and caught one pass for 29 yards as the NAIA 7th-ranked Eagles pounded visiting Campbellsville 52-7 in Waleska. He now has 53 rushing yards and 32 receiving yards for the season. Reinhardt (2-1) travels to Bethel University Saturday.

TREY CREAMER — UNC Charlotte (R-Sr., Cartersville HS)… started in the 49ers’ secondary Saturday as Charlotte lost at Georgia State 20-9. UNCC (2-1) hosts Middle Tennessee Friday night.

JONATHAN CRUZ — UNC Charlotte (Sr., Cartersville HS)… made his only PAT kick attempt and booted both of his kickoffs for touchbacks in the 49ers loss Saturday at Georgia State.

JORDAN FERGUSON — Middle Tennessee State University (R-Jr., Cartersville HS)… made eight total tackles (3 solo) including a sack, two for loss, and had four quarterback hurries in the Blue Raiders 27-13 loss Saturday at Texas-San Antonio. MTSU (1-2, 0-1 Conference USA) plays at Charlotte Friday night.

DYLAN FORMAN — Shorter University (R-Fr., Woodland HS)… saw action for the Hawks in their 38-17 win Saturday at Clark Atlanta University. Shorter (2-1) begins Gulf South Conference play this week against University of West Georgia at Barron Stadium.

JONAH GAMBILL — University of Memphis (R-Fr., Cartersville HS)… the Tigers’ offensive lineman was part of a rotation that accumulated 87 rushing yards and 159 yards passing in a 31-29 win over Mississippi State. Memphis (3-0) hosts Texas-San Antonio this Saturday afternoon.

ZAY JACKSON — Missouri Baptist University (Fr., Cass HS)… had one tackle on kickoff team coverage in the Spartans 42-24 win Saturday over Madonna University. Missouri Baptist (3-0) travels to Indianapolis Saturday afternoon to take on NAIA 9th-ranked Marian University.

JaCOREY JOHNS — Wake Forest University (R-So., Cartersville HS)… made four tackles (3 solo) including a 10-yard sack in the Deamon Deacons 35-14 home win over Florida State. Wake Forest (3-0, 1-0 ACC) plays at Virginia Saturday night.

MANNY JONES — Colorado State University (Grad Student, Woodland HS)… had one tackle on a third quarter run in the Rams’ 22-6 win Saturday afternoon at Toledo. CSU (1-2) plays at Iowa this Saturday.

TITUS JONES — Colorado State University (R-So., Woodland HS)… had one tackle on kickoff team coverage as Colorado State won at Toledo Saturday, 22-6. The Rams make the trip to Iowa to take on the Hawkeyes this Saturday afternoon.

LA’KWAYME JUPITER — North Carolina Wesleyan (Fr., Cartersville HS) … the Battling Bishops’ starting nose guard had one tackle Saturday in a 32-7 home loss to Brevard. North Carolina Wesleyan (0-3) plays at LaGrange College this Saturday.

JACOB POTTER — Kennesaw State University (Sr., Adairsville HS)… the Owls’ long snapper for punts, field goals, and extra points in a 31-10 win at Wofford Saturday night. KSU (2-1) has a bye week before hosting Jacksonville State October 2.

JOHN SCIFERS — University Incarnate Word (Grad Student, Woodland HS)… was 6-for-6 on PAT kicks and had 2-of-7 kickoffs go for touchbacks in the Cardinals 42-34 win Saturday at Texas State. UIW (2-1) hosts McNeese State this Saturday in San Antonio.

EVAN SLOCUM — Wake Forest University (Fr., Cartersville HS)… made five tackles, all in the second half, in the Deacons’ 35-14 home win over Florida State. Wake Forest (3-0, 1-0 ACC) plays at Virginia Saturday night on ESPN2.

MATTHEW SURRETT — Olivet Nazarene University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … the starting center for the Tigers’ offense Saturday that accumulated 398 total yards in a 52-28 loss at Indiana Wesleyan. ONU (1-1) hosts Taylor University Saturday night.

BRANDON WADE — University of West Florida (R-So., Cartersville HS) … had four tackles including a sack Saturday night as the 2nd-ranked Argonauts won at 13th-ranked Texas A&M-Commerce, 35-17. UWF (3-0) will host University of Fort Lauderdale this Saturday night.

K.J. WEAVER — Shorter University (Fr., Adairsville HS) … the defensive lineman saw playing time Satuday in the Hawks’ 38-17 win at Clark Atlanta University. Shorter (2-1) entertains Gulf South Conference foe West Georgia Saturday afternoon at Barron Stadium.

BRYCE WILKINS — Reinhardt University (So., Cartersville HS)… a starter on the Eagles’ offensive line at left guard as the offense compiled 562 total yards including 334 net rushing yards in a 52-7 home victory over Campbellsville (KY). Reinhardt (2-1), ranked 7th in NAIA, makes the trip to Bethel University (TN) this Saturday afternoon.

CROSS COUNTRY

PARKER BREEDLOVE — Reinhardt University (So., Cartersville HS) … ran 155th of 174 competitors Friday at the 8K North Alabama Showcase in Huntsville. His time of 29:34 was fifth for the Eagles who finished 17th competing against 14 NCAA Division I opponents in the field. The next race for Reinhardt will be Saturday, October 2 at the ASICS Invitational in Fairburn.

SOCCER

MADISON SHOOK — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (Fr., Cass HS)… was a starter in Tuesday’s 3-0 loss at South Georgia State CC and took one shot. The Fillies (1-1) play at Andrew College Monday and at Georgia Military College Friday.

GOLF

CHANC WILLIS -- Reinhardt University (So., Cartersville HS) ... shot rounds of 69 and 70 to finish sixth individually September 11-12 at the Point University Fall Invitational in Lanett, Alabama. Reinhardt placed third behind Point and Truett-McConnell with a 3-over-par team total. Next for Reinhardt is the Invitational at Innisbruck September 27-28.

DALTON HENSON -- Reinhardt University (So., Cartersville HS) ... had rounds of 78 and 73 and tied for 21st in the 46-player field at the Point Invitational.