Athletes Beyond Bartow: Lawrence, Jags offense continue struggles; locals earn FCS playoff spots

A difficult season continued for former Cartersville High and Clemson quarterback Sunday in a 30-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville. The Jaguars dropped to 2-8 on the season and have an offense producing an NFL-low 14.7 points per game. The team has scored just four offensive touchdowns in their last four games. In that same stretch, the offense has produced just seven plays of 20 or more yards. The Jags longest play Sunday was a 22-yard pass from Lawrence to Marvin Jones, Jr. when Jacksonville trailed 30-3 late in the fourth quarter. Lawrence was frustrated in post-game comments Sunday, but assured his coach and fans that he will keep fighting. "There's not much left to say," Lawrence told reporters after the game. "I'm not going to sit up here and say all the positive things that came out of it. There's not much out of today. We got our butt kicked, didn't look good all the way around, so, where you go from here is just keep going to work. Everybody has to stay together and keep fighting. I know I will. I'm never going to quit." On the college football front, a pair of local specialists -- Kennesaw State long snapper Jacob Potter and Incarnate Word placekicker John Scifers -- have helped their respective teams earn spots in the NCAA FCS playoffs that begin this Saturday.

NFL

TREVOR LAWRENCE — Jacksonville Jaguars (Rookie season, Cartersville HS) … finished 16-for-25 passing for 158 yards Sunday in a 30-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Lawrence also rushed for 23 yards on three attempts as the Jaguars fell to 2-8 on the season. Jacksonville hosts the Atlanta Falcons Sunday in a 1 p.m. kickoff.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

TERRY BERDIN — Reinhardt University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … had one carry for two yards Saturday in Reinhardt’s 16-13 NAIA playoff loss in Waleska to Keiser University. The Eagles’ season ended with a 9-3 record.

CHRIS BLACKSTON — University of West Georgia (Sr., Adairsville HS)… had one tackle Saturday as the Wolves defeated Albany State 23-7 in the opening round of the NCAA D-II playoffs. West Georgia (9-2) advances to play at No. 1-ranked Valdosta State Saturday at 1 p.m.

TREY CREAMER — UNC Charlotte (R-Sr., Cartersville HS)… made two tackles Saturday in the 49ers’ 49-28 home loss to Marshall. Charlotte (5-6) has another chance to become bowl eligible Saturday at Old Dominion.

JONATHAN CRUZ — UNC Charlotte (Sr., Cartersville HS)… made all four PAT kick attempts but missed a 44-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter during Charlotte’s 49-28 home loss Saturday to Marshall. Cruz also kicked off four times with two going for touchbacks. The 49ers (5-6) play at Old Dominion this Saturday.

JORDAN FERGUSON — Middle Tennessee State University (R-Jr., Cartersville HS)… the Cartersville High graduate who prepped at St. Francis High School in Milton had three tackles in the Blue Raiders’ 24-17 home loss to Old Dominion Saturday. The starting defensive lineman now has 49 tackles this season. MTSU (5-6) travels to Boca Raton, Florida Saturday night to play at Florida Atlantic University.

MANNY JONES — Colorado State University (Grad Student, Woodland HS) … made one tackle in the Rams’50-45 loss Saturday at Hawaii. CSU (3-8) hosts Nevada this Saturday night.

TITUS JONES — Colorado State University (R-So., Woodland HS) … made one tackle in CSU’s loss Saturday at Hawaii. The Rams (3-8) close out the 2021 season Saturday at home against Nevada.

JACOB POTTER — Kennesaw State University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … snapped for field goals, extra points, and punts in KSU’s 49-17 Big South Conference clinching win over Monmouth University. Fifth-ranked KSU (10-1) opens the 2021 FCS playoffs Saturday at home against Davidson (8-2) at 2 p.m.

JOHN SCIFERS — University Incarnate Word (Grad Student, Woodland HS) … had ten kickoffs, six for touchbacks, in the Cardinals’ 55-14 win at Houston Baptist to capture the Southland Conference championship and an automatic FCS playoff bid. UIW (9-2) opens the playoff bracket at home Saturday at 3 p.m. against Stephen F. Austin (8-3).

EVAN SLOCUM — Wake Forest University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … had three tackles in the Deamon Deacons’ 48-27 loss Saturday at Clemson. Wake Forest (9-2) travels to Boston College Saturday.

BRANDON WADE — University of West Florida (R-So., Cartersville HS) … saw action but did not record any stats in the Argonauts’ 33-30 NCAA D-II home playoff loss to Newberry. The defensive lineman finished the season with eight tackles. UWF finished the season 9-2.

SWIMMING

GRAYSON BREEDLOVE — Lenoir-Rhyne University (So., Cartersville HS) … was the first leg of LRU’s 400 yard medley relay B team that placed 17th at the Kellianne Nagy Fall Frenzy hosted by Queens University of Charlotte this past Friday through Sunday. Her 200-yard medley relay team placed 16th Saturday and her 400-yard freestyle relay team was 17th Sunday. The Bears return to action December 17-20 at the University of Tampa Spartan Invitational in Clearwater, Florida.

HARPER POWELL — Florida Tech (Fr., Adairsville HS) … competing with the Panthers at their own Invitational Friday through Sunday in Melbourne, Florida, Powell was a member of the 5th place 200-yard freestyle relay team; 7th place 200-yard medley relay team; 8th place 400-yard freestyle relay team; and finished 10th in the 50-yard freestyle as an individual. Florida Tech returns to action Saturday, December 18 at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida.

WRESTLING

RASHAR LOCKLEAR — Central Methodist University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … went 0-2 in the Freshman/Sophomore 174-pound Black Division of the Lindenwood University (Missouri) Open. Next for the Eagles is the Drury Open Saturday in Springfield, Missouri.

CADEN McCRARY — University of North Carolina (Fr., Woodland HS) … went 0-2 at the Life University Freshman/Sophomore Open Saturday in Marietta. North Carolina also had a 24-12 win Sunday night at home over Campbell. The Tar Heels will face Wisconsin and Rutgers Saturday night in the Garden State Grapple in Newark, New Jersey.

BASKETBALL

DiANTHONY HEATHCOCK — Columbia International University (So., Woodland HS) …

started both home games and totaled 49 minutes across the two wins last week for the Rams. CIU defeated Reinhardt Wednesday and Montreat Saturday. Heathcock scored nine pointss with seven rebounds and one blocked shot in the 90-85 win over Montreat. He scored 13 points with 21 rebounds and two blocked shots against Reinhardt. The Rams (4-3) play at Point University Tuesday and have an exhibition at NCAA D-I Gardner-Webb Wednesday night.

T.J. HORTON — Georgia Highlands College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … scored eight points with three rebounds, one assist, and one steal last Tuesday in an 82-78 win at Chattahoochee Valley CC. He also had seven points, three rebounds, and one assist Friday in an 88-82 home loss to State College Florida-Manatee/Sarasota. Sunday, Horton scored 12 points with four boards and one assist in a 102-64 home loss to Chipola College. Georgia Highlands College (3-2) plays Thursday against Indian River State College at SCF-Manatee, Friday at SCF-Manatee, and Saturday against Eastern Florida State in Bradenton, Florida.

JAYLON PUGH — Furman University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … played two minutes off the bench in the Paladins’ 95-89 loss at Belmont last Monday. Furman also beat Radford Friday night and lost to Navy Sunday. The Paladins (3-2) play at USC-Upstate Saturday afternoon.

JOSIE SUMMERVILLE — North Park University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … totaled four points and six rebounds with three assists and one steal coming off the bench in two wins this past week. The Vikings beat Rose-Hulman Tech Friday and Bethany Lutheran Saturday. NPU (4-1) hosts Olivet College Saturday afternoon.