Athletes Beyond Bartow: Lawrence sets franchise record as Jags win AFC South

January 5, 2025

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

NFL

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) runs the ball past Tennessee Titans outside linebackers Truman Jones (56) and Jaylen Harrell, far right, during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

TREVOR LAWRENCE — Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL, 5th-year pro; Clemson; Cartersville HS)  … completed 22 out of 30 pass attempts for 255 yards and three touchdowns last Sunday as the Jaguars dominated the visiting Tennessee Titans 41-7. Lawrence also had two rush attempts for 11 yards. His five-yard touchdown pass to Quintin Morris marked his 38th of the season, setting a new single-season record for the Jaguars' franchise. He also threw touchdown passes to Parker Washington (23 yards) and Brenton Strange (7 yards). Lawrence has completed 61 percent of his passes for 4,007 yards and 29 touchdowns, with 12 interceptions. He rushed for 359 yards on 82 attempts during the regular season, scoring nine touchdowns. Jacksonville won the AFC South and is the No. 3 seed in the playoffs. The Jaguars (13-8) enter the NFL playoffs on an eight-game winning streak and will host the Buffalo Bills (12-5) on Sunday at 1 p.m. in the opening round.

FOOTBALL

KADEN ELLIS — Appalachian State University (Fr., Cass HS) … saw action in the defensive line rotation but did not record an individual stat in the Mountaineers’ 29-10 loss to Georgia Southern at the Birmingham Bowl on December 29. Appalachian State finished the season with a 5-8 record.

SAM PHILLIPS — University of Iowa (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … saw action but did not have an individual stat line in the Hawkeyes’ 34-27 ReliaQuest Bowl win over Vanderbilt in Tampa on December 31. Phillips, a transfer from UT-Chattanooga, played in all 13 games this season and totaled 16 receptions for 261 yards. Iowa closed out the 2025 season with three straight wins to finish 9-4.

MALACHI TOLIVER — University of Georgia (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … started at center and was part of an offensive unit that produced 343 total yards, but lost to Ole Miss 39-34 in the Sugar Bowl and quarterfinals of the College Football Playoffs. Toliver saw action in the Bulldogs’ final six games. Georgia finished the season with a 12-2 mark.

SACOVIE WHITE-HELTON — University of Georgia (R-Fr., Cass HS) … had one catch for 20 yards in the Bulldogs’ 39-34 loss to Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl and quarterfinals of the College Football Playoffs. He appeared in all 13 games this season and had eight catches for 70 yards. He also returned five punts for 57 yards during the year. Georgia was 12-2 this season.

FISHING

COOPER MOON — University of Montevallo (Fr., Cartersville HS) … won a gold medal and represented the United States with the 13-member USAngling Youth Bass Fishing team at the Tri-Nations Cup in mid-December at Loskop Dam in Mpumalanga, South Africa.  The U.S. team finished more than 100 pounds ahead of the host country in the victory. Moon was the first Georgian to earn a spot on the U.S. youth team, according to Georgia Outdoor News. The tournament included teams from South Africa and Zimbabwe.

BASKETBALL

SE’NAI CAMPER — Montreat College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … saw ten minutes of court time, but did not record a stat line this past Saturday in the Cavaliers’ 69-54 home loss to Union Commonwealth University. Montreat (5-9, 3-5 Appalachian Athletic Conference) visits Brenau University on Wednesday and hosts Spartanburg Methodist College on Saturday.

ANSLEY GRIFFIN — North Carolina Wesleyan University (So., Cartersville HS) … entered off the Battlin’ Bishops’ bench, but did not have a stat line last Saturday in a 67-61 win at William Peace University (NC). NCWU hosts Greensboro College (NC) on Tuesday and Southern Virginia University on Saturday.

ZION HAYES — Vincennes University (So., Cass HS) … scored 13 points with six rebounds, five assists, and one steal in the Trailblazers’ 78-60 home win last Friday over Jackson College (MI). Vincennes (9-6) hosts Shawnee CC (IL) on Wednesday and travels to Rend Lake College  (IL) on Saturday.

ZYON HEATH — LaGrange College (So., Woodland HS) … totaled nine points, four rebounds, and one assist last Friday and Saturday as the Panthers beat Covenant College 128-93 and lost to Maryville College (TN) 85-64 in home games. LaGrange (8-5, 1-1 Collegiate Conference of the South) travels to Belhaven University (MS) on Tuesday.

T.J. PRINTUP — Tusculum University (Jr., Adairsville HS) … scored 11 points with nine rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocked shots this past Saturday in a 78-71 home win over Bluefield University (VA).  The Pioneers (7-5, 3-3 South Atlantic Conference) visit Lincoln Memorial University (TN) on Wednesday and Anderson University (SC) on Saturday.

ALISSA WINTERS — Truett McConnell University (So., Adairsville HS) … did not score, but had three rebounds, three steals, and one assist in a start and 67-58 home win last Saturday over the University of Pikeville (KY). The Bears (4-11, 3-5 Appalachian Athletic Conference) host Bryan College (TN) on Wednesday before visiting Bluefield University (VA) on Saturday.