Athletes Beyond Bartow: Lawrence, Jags prep for an AFC South showdown

December 3, 2025

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

Former Cartersville High School and current Jacksonville quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, leads the Jaguars this week in a pivotal NFL showdown with the Indianapolis Colts. The two teams are currently tied for the lead in the AFC South.

NFL

TREVOR LAWRENCE — Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL, 5th-year pro; Clemson; Cartersville HS)  … completed 16 of 27 pass attempts for 229 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions this past Sunday in the Jaguars’ 25-3 win in Nashville over the Tennessee Titans. Lawrence also had three rush attempts for 25 yards and ran for a two-point conversion. The Titans kicked a first-quarter field goal, but the Jags responded with 25 unanswered points. Jacksonville (8-4) shares the AFC South division lead with the Indianapolis Colts, with the Houston Texans one game back at 7-5. The Jaguars host the Colts on Sunday.

FOOTBALL

CARLOS DEL RIO-WILSON — Marshall University (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … in a battle for bowl eligibility this past Saturday, completed 9 of 16 pass attempts for 136 yards and added two rushing yards during a 24-19 home loss to Georgia Southern University. The Thundering Herd finished 5-7 overall and 3-5 in the Sun Belt Conference.

KAIL ELLIS — Auburn University (Fr., Cass HS) … was part of an offensive line rotation that helped produce 411 total yards, including 152 rushing yards in a 27-20 home loss to Alabama this past Saturday. Ellis, who saw action in eight games this season and made multiple starts, was the youngest college football FBS participant at 17 years old after leaving high school one year early. Auburn finished the year 5-7 overall and 1-7 in the Southeastern Conference.

MYLES FORRISTALL — Georgia Tech (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … did not have a stat line, but saw special teams action in the Yellow Jackets’ 16-9 loss this past Saturday to Georgia in Atlanta. Georgia Tech (9-3, 6-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) awaits its bowl assignment after missing the ACC championship game.

TOKYO GORDON — Sam Houston State University (Jr., Adairsville HS) … a linebacker, Gordon did not have a stat line but saw action this past Saturday in a 56-16 home loss to Florida International University.  He finished the 2025 season with 19 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack. The Bearkats finished 2-10 overall and 1-7 in Conference USA.

SHADRE HURST — Tulane University (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … a starting offensive lineman for the Green Wave that produced 463 yards of total offense in a 27-0 home win this past Saturday over Charlotte. Tulane (10-2, 7-1 American Athletic Conference) hosts North Texas in the conference title game on Saturday where they can secure a College Football Playoff spot with a win.

KHRISTIAN LANDO — Jacksonville State University (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … had one carry for one yard this past Saturday in the Gamecocks’ 37-34 home win over Western Kentucky. The victory advanced Jax State (8-4, 7-1 Conference USA) to the conference title game on Saturday where they will host Kennesaw State.

TYLER MARTIN — Berry College (Sr., Cass HS) … the Second Team all-conference offensive lineman helped the Vikings produce 315 total yards this past Saturday in an 18-14 NCAA Division III home playoff win over LaGrange College. The Vikings (10-1, 7-0 Southern Athletic Conference) have won eight straight and host conference-foe Trinity University (TX) in the national quarterfinals this Saturday.

SAM PHILLIPS — University of Iowa (Sr., Cartersville HS) … caught two passes for 12 yards last Friday in the 23rd-ranked Hawkeyes’ 40-16 win at Nebraska. Phillips has 16 receptions this season for 261 yards. Iowa (8-4, 6-3 Big Ten) awaits its bowl selection.

DEVONTE ROSS — Penn State University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … had two receptions for 29 yards this past Saturday in the Nittany Lions’ 40-36 win at Rutgers. Ross finished the regular season with 28 catches for 417 yards and five touchdowns. He added eight punt returns for 71 yards. Penn State (6-6, 3-6 Big Ten) won its final three games to become bowl eligible.

MALACHI TOLIVER — University of Georgia (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … was part of an offensive line rotation at center that helped produce 260 total yards, including 190 on the ground, in a 16-9 win over Georgia Tech this past Saturday in Atlanta. The 3rd-ranked Bulldogs (11-1, 7-1 Southeastern Conference) play Alabama on Saturday in the SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

SACOVIE WHITE-HELTON — University of Georgia (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … saw action and had a 15-yard punt return this past Saturday in the Bulldogs’ 16-9 win over Georgia Tech. Third-ranked Georgia (11-1, 7-1 Southeastern Conference) faces Alabama on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the SEC title game.

IAN WILLIAMS — University of Memphis (Fr., Cass HS) … saw action on special teams but did not have a stat line this past Saturday in a 28-17 home loss to Navy.  Williams has appeared in all 12 games for the Tigers this season. Memphis (8-4, 4-4 American Athletic Conference) lost its last three games and awaits its bowl assignment.

BASKETBALL

NA’YEL CAMPER — Reinhardt University (So., Cartersville HS) … made a start, but played only five minutes in a 70-51 win this past Saturday at Life University. Camper had one rebound and one assist. The Lady Eagles (5-4, 3-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference) visit Bryan College (TN) on Wednesday and Columbia College (SC) on Saturday.

CLAIRE DAVIS — University of North Florida (Sr., Cass HS) … had one rebound in a 61-57 home win last Friday over Bethune-Cookman. The Ospreys (3-4) also defeated Campbell University on Saturday to win the North Florida Invitational. UNF visits Georgia Southern on Thursday and UNC-Asheville on Saturday.

JA’KA’YAH DRAUGHN — Brewton Parker Christian University (So., Cartersville HS) … scored four points with six rebounds and one assist this past Saturday in an 82-73 loss at College of Coastal Georgia. The Barons (0-8, 0-1 Southern States Athletic Conference) host College of Coastal Georgia on Thursday and play at Point University on Saturday.

HALEY JOHNSON — Reinhardt University (Sr., Cass HS) … totaled six points with seven rebounds, four assists, and one steal in wins November 25 at home over Truett McConnell University and this past Saturday at Life University. The Eagles (5-4, 3-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference) make trips to Bryan College (TN) on Wednesday and Columbia College (SC) on Saturday.

KEARA McDANIEL — Toccoa Falls College (Sr., Cass HS) … scored three points and grabbed three rebounds last Thursday in a 77-36 loss at Johnson & Wales University (SC). The Screamin’ Eagles (2-9) play at Clinton College (SC) on Tuesday, Lees-McRae College (NC) on Wednesday, and Regent University (VA) on Saturday.

T.J. PRINTUP — Tusculum University (Jr., Adairsville HS) … totaled 17 points with six rebounds, three assists, and two steals as the Pioneers lost at Newberry University last Thursday (93-61) and defeated visiting Coker College on Saturday (70-68). Tusculum (3-3, 1-1 South Atlantic Conference) hosts The Crown College (TN) on Tuesday and Wingate University (NC) on Saturday.

LONDAISHA SMITH — Reinhardt University (Sr., Cass HS) … scored 13 points with 12 rebounds, two assists, and one steal on November 25 during a 61-43 home win over Truett McConnell University. Smith followed with 14 points, seven rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one blocked shot on Saturday in a 70-51 win at Life University. Reinhardt (5-4, 3-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference) visits Bryan College (TN) on Wednesday and Columbia College (SC) on Saturay.

ALISSA WINTERS — Turett McConnell University (So., Adairsville HS) …  scored seven points with two rebounds, one steal, and one assist on November 25 during a 61-43 loss at Reinhardt University. TMU (1-6, 0-4 Appalachian Athletic Conference) plays at Brenau University on Wednesday and entertains Union Commonwealth University (KY) on Saturday.