Athletes Beyond Bartow: Lawrence, Jags to host Chargers in NFL playoffs Saturday night

Former Cartersville High School quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, will help lead Jacksonville in their first NFL playoff game since 2017 following the Jaguars’ 20-16 win this past Saturday over the Tennessee Titans. It will be just the third playoff game for the Jags since 2008.

This week’s report on college and pro athletes from Bartow County also includes action from the NBA G-League, the National Basketball League of Canada, college wrestling, and college basketball.

NFL

TREVOR LAWRENCE — Jacksonville Jaguars (2nd yr. pro; Clemson; Cartersville HS) …

was 20-for-32 passing last Saturday night for 212 yards and one touchdown as Jacksonville upended visiting Tennessee 20-16. The Jaguars’ victory secured the AFC South Division title and a No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs. Jacksonville’s first score was a 25-yard touchdown pass from Lawrence to Christian Kirk with 2:36 remaining in the second quarter narrowing the Titans’ early lead to 10-7. Jacksonville’s other true scoring drive was 64 yards on 12 plays early in the third quarter that settled for a Riley Patterson 26-yard field goal. The Jags’ fourth quarter scores were created by their defense. Tyson Campbell returned an interception to the Tennessee 25-yard line and Jacksonville failed to pick up a first down. They settled for another Patterson field goal to narrow their deficit to 16-13 just 11 seconds into the final period. The go-ahead touchdown for Jacksonville was a Josh Allen 37-yard fumble return for a touchdown with 2:51 left in the game. Jacksonville (9-8) will host the Los Angeles Chargers Saturday night in the Jags’ first playoff game since 2017 and just the third playoff appearance since 2008.

MANNY JONES — Arizona Cardinals (Rookie; Colorado State; Woodland HS) … made three tackles Sunday in the Cardinals’ season-ending 38-13 loss at the San Francisco 49ers. The 23-year-old defensive tackle appeared in four games during the year and finished his rookie season with five total tackles. Arizona finished with a 4-13 mark.

PRO BASKETBALL

ASHTON HAGANS — Greensboro Swarm (3rd yr. pro; NBA G-League; Cartersville native; Kentucky; Newton HS) … totaled nine points, four assists, one rebound, and two steals in games last Friday and Sunday at the Delaware Blue Coats. Greensboro won 118-113 Friday night but lost 121-117 Sunday. The Swarm plays at the Westchester Knicks Tuesday night and at the Lakeland Magic Friday and Saturday nights.

A.J. MOSBY — Sudbury Five (6th-year pro; NBL-Canada; Alcorn State; Cartersville HS) … started the first two games of the 2023 season for the Five last Saturday and Sunday as Sudbury swept two home games over the Oakland County Pharoahs. Mosby scored 16 points with six assists and one rebound in Saturday’s 122-96 win. He then scored 15 points with four rebounds, four assists, and a pair of steals in a 125-119 victory Sunday. Sudbury (2-0) hosts Windsor Express this Saturday night in their next game.

COLLEGE WRESTLING

BANDA, ANGEL — Reinhardt University (Jr., Adairsville HS) … went 4-1 in his bouts as the Eagles’ finished 3-2 and placed seventh at the NAIA NWCA National Duals this past weekend. Banda had a pinfall win over his opponent from Indiana Tech although the Eagles lost the dual. He had a technical fall win in a team win over Ottawa University, a major decision win in the seventh-place match, and a win in the opening round over his Lindsey Wilson College opponent. His loss was by pin as the Eagles were blanked by Grand View (Iowa) University.

KYLE GOLLHOFER — University of Northern Iowa (R-So., Woodland HS) … won his bout 6-3 as UNI defeated Wyoming 33-3 last Thursday night at home. Sunday in a 24-12 loss to 10th-ranked Missouri, Gollhofer lost his bout by technical fall to Nick Surtin who is ranked 13th nationally in the 125-pound division. Northern Iowa travels to Orem this Friday to wrestle at Utah Valley University.

CALEB HENSON — Virginia Tech (Fr., Woodland HS) … Henson, the 11th-ranked individual in the NCAA’s 149-pound division lost a 6-2 decision last Friday night to nationally top-ranked Yianni Diakomihalis of Cornell in the 8th-ranked Hokies’ 22-12 home loss to the 12th-ranked Big Red. He bounced back Sunday with a pinfall win as Virginia Tech beat George Mason 34-3. The Hokies also defeated American University Sunday evening, 35-9. Next for Virginia Tech is a match at Appalachian State this Friday.

BRYCE KRESHO — Franklin & Morris College (Fr., Cass HS) … finished 2-2 in his 149-pound bouts last Friday as the Diplomats hosted the F&M Lehman Open. He beat opponents from Millersville and American University. His losses came to an opponent from Princeton and Matt Laurie of Sacred Heart who is ranked 11th nationally. Next for Franklin & Morris is a home match with Drexel on Saturday.

JABRIL WILLIAMS — Midway University (So., Cartersville HS) … lost his 165-pound bout but the Eagles defeated St. Andrews University 45-12 last Saturday. Midway also had a 23-22 loss at Montreat University Saturday. The Eagles return to action this Saturday at the Central Baptist College (Arkansas) Invitational.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

CLAIRE DAVIS — Palm Beach Atlantic University (Fr., Cass HS) … made her first collegiate start in a home game Saturday against Florida Tech and led the Sailfish in scoring with 18 points. Davis also had four rebounds, two blocked shots, one assist, and one steal in a 70-65 win. Last Wednesday, she scored five points with two boards and one blocked shot during a 73-53 loss at Lynn University. Palm Beach Atlantic (8-6, 4-4 Sunshine State Conference) hosts Embry-Riddle Saturday afternoon.

JUSTICE HAYES — Point University (So., Cass HS) … a starting guard for the Skyhawks, Hayes scored 10 points, grabbed three rebounds, and had one assist last Tuesday in a 69-59 win at Bluefield (Virginia) University. He then posted five points with four assists and three rebounds Saturday in an 81-69 home victory over Milligan (Tennessee) University. Point (10-7, 10-4 Appalachian Athletic Conference) plays an exhibition at NCAA D-II West Georgia Wednesday night and returns to conference play Saturday at Montreat (North Carolina) University.

DiANTHONY HEATHCOCK — Columbia International University (Jr., Woodland HS) … the Rams’ starting forward averaged 14 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one blocked shot in three wins last week over Truett-McConnell (109-74), at Kentucky Christian (90-85), and at home over Montreat (89-88). CIU (8-7, 7-5 Appalachian Athletic Conference) travels to Dayton, Tennessee Saturday to play at Bryan College.

T.J. HORTON — Georgia Highlands CC (So., Cartersville HS) … finished with eight points, three steals, and one rebound last Tuesday in the Chargers’ 114-42 home win over Action Sports Academy. Georgia Highlands (6-8) starts GCAA conference play Thursday night at Central Georgia Tech CC in Macon.

HALEY JOHNSON — Central Georgia Tech CC (Fr., Cass HS) … scored two points with three rebounds, three steals, and one assist in a Titans’ 78-64 loss to Middle Georgia Prep last Thursday at home. CGTCC (5-12, 1-5 GCAA) hosts Brenau University JV this Thursday evening.

KEARA McDANIEL — Toccoa Falls College (Fr., Cass HS) … did not score but had three assists in limited playing time as the Screaming Eagles won at Mississippi University for Women last Saturday afternoon, 75-39. Toccoa Falls (9-4) hosts Mississippi University for Women Saturday evening.

JAYLON PUGH — Lander University (Grad student, Cartersville HS) … did not score but had one rebound last Thursday in an 83-70 home loss to USC-Aiken. Then in a 76-75 home win Saturday over the 22nd-ranked University of North Georgia, he added three more rebounds. The Bearcats (10-3, 2-1 Peach Belt Conference) play at Augusta University Wednesday night and at Clayton State Saturday afternoon.

ABIGAIL TAYLOR — Centre College (Fr., Woodland HS) … scored two points off the Lady Colonels’ bench Sunday in a 77-48 home win over Hendrix College. Centre also had a 70-62 home victory during the week over Rhodes College. The Colonels (9-5, 3-0 Southern Athletic Association) play at Oglethorpe University Friday night and at Berry College Sunday afternoon in a trip to Georgia.

LONDAISHA SMITH — Alderson Broaddus University (So., Cass HS) … scored eight points with three rebounds, two steals, and one blocked shot last Wednesday in an 84-72 loss at Fairmont State. She then scored seven points, grabbed five rebounds, and had two steals and two blocked shots in a 94-81 home loss Saturday to Frostburg State. The Battlers (4-9, 3-5 Mountain East Conference) host the University of Charleston (West Virginia) Wednesday night and travel to West Virginia State Saturday.

NAKIYAH WASHINGTON — Piedmont University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … led the Lions last Friday with 24 points, 13 rebounds, three steals, and a pair of assists in a 68-59 win at Huntingdon College. Last Saturday Washington scored 11 points, grabbed seven boards, and added two steals in a 76-40 victory at Agnes Scott College. Piedmont (7-5, 3-0 Collegiate Conference of the South) plays conference games this Saturday at Maryville (Tennessee) College and Sunday at Berea College (Kentucky).