Athletes Beyond Bartow: Lawrence leads Jags to comeback win over Ravens

Former Cartersville High quarterback Trevor Lawrence put together one of the most impressive performances of his young NFL career Sunday. The Jacksonville signal caller led the Jaguars to a come-from-behind home win over the Baltimore Ravens to headline this week’s Athletes Beyond Bartow update.

At the NCAA Men’s Soccer National Championship Tournament, Cartersville resident Russell Shealy earned his 10th shutout of the year Sunday as Syracuse advanced to the Elite Eight.

On the hardwoods, former Cass standout Braxton Benham poured in 21 points Saturday as Berry College stayed undefeated on the year. In women’s hoops, former Adairsville Lady Tiger — Nakiyah Washington — posted back-to-back, double-double performances over the weekend for Piedmont University.

NFL

TREVOR LAWRENCE — Jacksonville Jaguars (2nd yr. pro; Clemson; Cartersville HS) … put together one of the most impressive performances of his young NFL career Sunday as Jacksonville came from behind to defeat the visiting Baltimore Ravens. The 23-year-old was 29-for-37 (78%) for 321 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. His 129.5 passer rating was his best ever. His 28-yard touchdown pass to JaMychal Hasty in the second quarter gave the Jags a 7-6 lead. He added a 1-yard scoring pass to Jamal Agnew with 5:55 left in the game that narrowed the Ravens’ lead to 19-17. His final touchdown pass was a 10-yarder to Marvin Jones, Jr. with just 0:14 remaining and his ensuing two-point conversion pass to Zay Jones lifted Jacksonville to a 28-27 win. The game-winning, two-minute drill drive covered 75 yards on 10 plays. The Jaguars (4-7) play at Detroit this Sunday.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

JONATHAN CRUZ — University of Mississippi (R-Sr., Cartersville HS) … was 3-for-3 on field goal attempts, including a 49-yarder, and made his only PAT kick attempt but the Rebels lost the annual Egg Bowl game 24-22 to visiting Mississippi State Thanksgiving night. Cruz also booted three of his five kickoffs for touchbacks. Ole Miss (8-4, 4-4 Southeastern Conference) awaits their bowl selection.

JORDAN FERGUSON — Middle Tennessee State University (R-Sr., Cartersville HS) … made six total tackles including a pair of sacks and one more tackle for a loss in the Blue Raiders’ 33-28 victory at Florida International last Saturday. He is now one sack shy of the all-time career record. MTSU (7-5, 4-4 Conference USA) awaits its bowl destination.

JONAH GAMBILL — University of Memphis (So., Cartersville HS) … was a starter last Saturday afternoon on the Tigers’ offensive line that helped produce 439 total yards (287 passing / 152 rushing) in a 34-31 loss at SMU in Dallas. Memphis (6-6, 3-5) will receive its ninth-consecutive bowl invitation.

JaCOREY JOHNS — Wake Forest University (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … made two tackles, giving him 30 for the season, in the Demon Deacons’ 34-31 loss last Saturday at Duke. Wake Forest (7-5, 3-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) will learn its bowl destination this Sunday.

TITUS JONES — Colorado State University (Jr., Woodland HS) … was a participant but recorded no stats in the Rams’ 17-0 home win last Friday over New Mexico. Jones saw action in nine games this season on special teams as the Rams finished the year 3-9.

EVAN SLOCUM — Wake Forest University (So., Cartersville HS) … made five total tackles, raising his season total to 43, last Saturday in the Deacons’ 34-31 loss at Duke. Wake Forest (7-5, 3-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) awaits its bowl game assignment.

BRANDON WADE — University of West Florida (Grad Student, Cartersville HS) … made one tackle from his defensive line position last Saturday in the Argonauts 38-27 second round NCAA D-II playoff win at Delta State. UWF (11-1) now hosts Wingate University Saturday afternoon in the national quarterfinals.

SOCCER

RUSSELL SHEALY — Syracuse University (R-Sr., Cartersville resident, Darlington HS) … faced nine total shots, made two saves, and earned his 10th shutout of the season Sunday as the 3rd-ranked Orange blanked 12th-ranked Cornell 1-0 in the third round of the NCAA Championship Tournament. Syracuse (16-2-4) will host Vermont Saturday afternoon in the Elite Eight.

BASKETBALL

BRAXTON BENHAM — Berry College (So., Cass HS) … scored 21 points with three rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block in the Vikings’ 93-84 win last Saturday at home over Pfeiffer University (North Carolina). Berry (6-0) plays at Maryville (Tennessee) Tuesday night and will host Oglethorpe University Saturday night.

CLAIRE DAVIS — Palm Beach Atlantic University (Fr., Cass HS) … grabbed five rebounds with one assist and scored one point in nine minutes off the bench as the Sailfish beat Purdue Northwest last Friday 59-52. She then led PBAU in scoring and rebounds, with 18 points and 11 boards, in an 83-77 loss to Minnesota-Crookston last Saturday. She also chipped in one assist, one steal, and one blocked shot in the loss. The Sailfish (2-2) begin Sunshine State Conference play Wednesday at home against Rollins and travel to Saint Leo Saturday afternoon.

DiANTHONY HEATHCOCK — Columbia International University (Jr., Woodland HS) … totaled 16 points, 16 rebounds, five steals, two blocked shots, and one assist as the Rams split games last Friday and Saturday in Kingsport, Tennessee at the NAIA Show. CIU beat Washington Adventist University 76-73 and lost to Trinity International (Illinois) 75-70. The Rams (4-4, 3-2 Appalachian Athletic Conference) play an exhibition game at USC-Upstate Wednesday night before traveling to conference foe Reinhardt on Saturday.

T.J. HORTON — Georgia Highlands CC (So., Cartersville HS) … scored five points off the bench with three rebounds, a steal, and an assist last Saturday in a 94-72 loss at Indian River State CC. The Chargers (2-7) also had losses at Polk State CC and State College of Florida last Thursday and Friday at the Thanksgiving Classic in Bradenton. Stats from those games were not available. GHC has a week off prior to playing New Rock Prep on December 9.

HALEY JOHNSON — Central Georgia Tech CC (Fr., Cass HS) … scored three points last Tuesday in an 89-66 home loss to East Georgia State CC. The Titans (1-6, 0-3 Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association) entertain Andrew College Saturday evening in Macon.

KEARA McDANIEL — Toccoa Falls College (Fr., Cass HS) … collected four rebounds and sank one three-point shot coming off the bench in the Screaming Eagles’ 57-34 loss last Saturday at Queens University (North Carolina). Toccoa Falls (4-4, 0-1 USCAA) hosts Wesleyan Tuesday before traveling to Florida for three games next weekend against Trinity Baptist, Trinity College (Florida), and Johnson University (Florida).

JAYLON PUGH — Lander University (Grad Student, Cartersville HS) … scored six points, grabbed a pair of rebounds, and added one steal and one assist off the Bearcats’ bench in a 65-57 loss at Newberry last Tuesday. He then scored 12 points with three boards, two steals, and one assist last Sunday in a 106-72 home win over King (Tennessee). Lander (5-1) hosts Morris College (South Carolina) Thursday night.

ABIGAIL TAYLOR — Centre College (Fr., Woodland HS) … scored five points in the Colonels’ 75-49 home win last Tuesday over Maryville College (Tennessee) and did not score but had one steal last Sunday in 65-47 home loss to Hanover College (Indiana). Centre (3-3) hosts Sewanee-University of the South Saturday afternoon.

LONDAISHA SMITH — Alderson Broaddus University (So., Cass HS) … finished with 12 points, six rebounds, and two assists last Tuesday in the Battlers’ 91-66 loss at Wheeling University (West Virginia). ABU (1-4, 0-2 Mountain East Conference) plays at California University of Pennsylvania Monday night, hosts Concord College (West Virginia) Wednesday night, and travels to Glenville State (West Virginia) Saturday afternoon.

NAKIYAH WASHINGTON — Piedmont University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … posted back-to-back, double-double performances last Friday and Sunday as the Lions split home games with Greensboro College and Sewanee-University of the South. Washington scored 24 points, collected 14 rebounds, and added three steals and two assists in an 84-78 loss to Greensboro. She followed with 28 points, 12 rebounds, two steals, and one assist in the Lions’ 75-57 win over Sewanee. Piedmont (4-2) hosts Tufts University Sunday afternoon.