Athletes Beyond Bartow: Lawrence, Jaguars drop sixth straight in loss to Texans

Staff
Dec 21, 2021
3 min read

ree — Trevor Lawrence makes a throw in Sunday's game against the Houston Texans.

The firing of Urban Meyer led to a much better performance from Cartersville High standout Trevor Lawrence, but the Jacksonville Jaguars still saw their losing streak extend to six games.

After throwing a career-worst four interceptions in a loss Dec. 12 at Tennessee, Lawrence didn't toss a pick at all Sunday. However, Jacksonville dropped a 30-16 decision to Houston at home.

Meyer saw his first year in the NFL come to an end after 13 games when he was fired last week.

Lawrence's passer rating was 73.4 Sunday — a marked improvement over the 35.5 he posted the previous game. The Jaguars, who are in line to receive the No. 1 overall pick for the second straight season, close out the year against the Jets, the Patriots and the Colts.

PRO FOOTBALL

Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars; Rookie season; Cartersville HS) — Lawrence finished with 231 total yards in a 30-16 loss Sunday at home to Tennessee. The rookie quarterback completed 22 of 38 passes for 210 yards, while adding 21 yards on the ground. Over his past seven games, the former national champion has just one touchdown pass. Next up for Lawrence is a trip to New York to face a Jets franchise that until the final weeks of the 2020 season looked destined to earn the No. 1 pick that Jacksonville ultimately used to select the two-time state champ.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL Jordan Ferguson (Middle Tennessee State R-Jr., Cartersville HS) — Ferguson recorded three tackles and a 4-yard sack in a 31-24 victory over Toledo in the Bahamas Bowl. On the season, the Cartersville High graduate totaled 58 tackles (30 solo), 17.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks. Ferguson forced three fumbles and recovered two.

PRO BASKETBALL

Ashton Hagans (Raptors 905, NBA G League; Cartersville native) — Raptors 905 fell twice to College Park, dropping road games Tuesday and Thursday. Hagans started both games. He finished Tuesday's 118-108 defeat with 10 points, five rebounds, three assists and a steal in 24 minutes. During Thursday's 120-104 loss, he posted five points, three boards and two assists.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Justice Hayes (South Georgia Tech So., Cass HS) — Hayes came off the bench to score five points, pull down three rebounds and record one steal in 15 minutes of a 69-60 home win over Chattahoochee Valley CC last Wednesday.

DiAnthony Heathcock (Columbia International University, So., Woodland HS) — Heathcock started a pair of games last week at Warner University. CIU fell 94-78 to the hosts Thursday before beating Florida National 70-62 the following day. The former Wildcat totaled 16 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block.

Jaylon Pugh (Furman University Sr., Cartersville HS) — In a pair of losses to major conference foes North Carolina (74-61 last Tuesday) and Mississippi State (69-66 Friday), Pugh played a total of three minutes, pulling down one rebound and posting one steal.

SWIMMING Harper Powell (Florida Tech Fr., Adairsville HS) — Powell placed second in the 50-yard freestyle and also helped Florida Tech's 200 free relay team finish runner-up in a dual Saturday at Lynn University. Powell also competed individually in the 100 free, placing seventh, and on the Panthers' B team for the 200 medley relay, placing fourth.

WRESTLING Jahvar Lewis (Midway University Jr., Woodland HS) — Lewis dropped his lone match at 133 pounds during the NAIA Challenge Duals at Lindsey Wilson. Overall, Midway finished 3-2 in the event, defeating Texas Wesleyan (29-18), Bluefield (57-0) and West Virginia Tech (51-4). Jabril Williams (Midway University Fr., Cartersville HS) — Williams matched Midway's results in the event, emerging with three wins and two defeats. Wrestling at 174 pounds, he earned a forfeit win against Texas Wesleyan and pinned opponents from Bluefield and West Virginia Tech, while losing against Lindsey Wilson and Life University foes.