Athletes Beyond Bartow: Locals make their mark across the sports landscape

November 9, 2026

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

Bartow County athletes and former standouts continued to make their presence felt across the professional and collegiate sports landscape this past week, with notable performances in the NFL, college football, cross country, volleyball, rifle, basketball, and wrestling. Trevor Lawrence helped lead the Jacksonville Jaguars to another victory, while Buck Brumlow advanced in his pursuit of a Korn Ferry Tour card. On the college front, several former local standouts contributed on the football field; Danielle Thayer helped Augusta capture a conference cross country championship, Lucy Evans delivered two strong performances in rifle competition, and several local wrestlers made their mark at the Georgia Open. Here's a look at the latest accomplishments of athletes with Bartow County ties competing beyond the high school level.

NFL

TREVOR LAWRENCE — Jacksonville Jaguars (6th-yr. NFL; Clemson; Cartersville HS) … completed 16 of 26 passes (61.5%) for 242 yards and one touchdown last Thursday night during a 33-10 road win over the Baltimore Ravens. Jacksonville (6-2, leading the AFC South) plays at the Tennessee Titans on Sunday afternoon.

KORN FERRY TOUR QUALIFYING

BUCK BRUMLOW — 2nd-year pro; age 24; Georgia; Cartersville HS) … shot 66-67-64-68 on Nov. 3-6 and tied for 12th (Top 16 advanced) at First Stage Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying held at Lake Caroline Golf Club in Madison, Mississippi.  Brumlow advanced to one of five Second Stage Qualifiers to be held Dec. 1-4. The Final Stage is Dec. 10-13 at TPC Sawgrass and Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

FOOTBALL

WESTIN CRISP — Centre College (Fr., Adairsville HS) … saw action, but did not have a stat line in the Colonels’ 16-13 home loss last Saturday to Trinity University (TX). Centre (4-5, 3-3 Southern Athletic Association) wraps up the 2026 season on Saturday at Southwestern University (TX).

KADEN ELLIS — Appalachian State University (So., Cass HS) … the defensive lineman made two tackles this past Saturday in a 39-23 home loss to Georgia State University. App State (5-4, 2-3 Sun Belt Conference) looks to snap a two-game skid on Saturday night at Marshall University.

KAIL ELLIS — Auburn University (So., Cass HS) … was part of the Tigers’ offensive line rotation that helped produce 352 total yards in a 26-23 home win over Arkansas. Auburn (5-4, 3-4 Southeastern Conference) visits Mississippi State University on Saturday.

TOKYO GORDON — Sam Houston State University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … played linebacker but did not record a stat line in the Bearkats’ 47-14 loss this past Saturday at Jacksonville State University. SHSU (1-8, 0-5 Conference USA) hosts Kennesaw State University on Saturday afternoon.

DEVIN HENDERSON — Appalachian State University (Jr., Cass HS) … made five solo tackles last Saturday in the Mountaineers’ 39-23 home loss to Georgia State University. App State (5-4, 2-3 Sun Belt Conference) looks to snap a two-game skid on Saturday night at Marshall University.

SHADRE HURST — University of Houston (Fifth Yr., Cartersville HS) … an offensive line starter in a unit that produced 468 yards of total offense this past Saturday in a 31-24 home win over the University of Cincinnati.  The 14th-ranked Cougars (7-2, 4-2 Big 12 Conference) play at Colorado on Friday night.

MALACHI JEFFRIES — Tennessee-Chattanooga (Sr., Cartersville HS) … saw action at running back but did not have a stat line last Saturday in the Mocs’ 14-7 home loss to 11th-ranked Mercer. Chattanooga (6-4, 5-2 Southern Conference) visits Furman University on Saturday.

BRAXTON KITCHENS — Georgia State University (So., Cartersville HS) … a long snapper for the Panthers in their 39-23 win last Saturday at Appalachian State University. Georgia State (5-4, 2-3 Sun Belt Conference) hosts Georgia Southern University on Saturday afternoon.

KHRISTIAN LANDO — Jacksonville State University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … carried three times for 15 yards in the Gamecocks’ 47-14 home win last Saturday over Sam Houston State University. JSU (7-2, 5-0 Conference USA) visits Western Kentucky University on Saturday afternoon.

TRENTON MAHAFFEY — Anderson University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … a starting offensive lineman for the Trojans last Saturday in their 17-14 home win over Mars Hill University. Anderson finished with 226 yards of total offense. Anderson (5-5, 4-4 South Atlantic Conference) travels to Newberry University (SC) on Saturday afternoon.

BRADY MARCHESE — Auburn University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … saw action but did not record a stat line in the Tigers’ 26-23 home win over Arkansas. Auburn (5-4, 3-4 Southeastern Conference) visits Mississippi State on Saturday.

ZAY NALLS — Anderson University (So., Adairsville HS) … made four tackles (three solo), including one tackle for a three-yard loss. He also forced one fumble in the Trojans’ 17-14 home win last Saturday over Mars Hill University. Anderson (5-5, 4-4 South Atlantic Conference) travels to Newberry University (SC) on Saturday afternoon.

JAKE PARKER — Cumberland University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … completed 9 of 21 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns with one interception last Saturday in a 30-7 win at Faulkner University (AL). He also rushed for 9 yards and one touchdown.

STEPHEN ROWSER — Morehouse College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … made four tackles (two solo)  in the Maroon Tigers’ 34-10 loss last Saturday at Kentucky State University. Morehouse finished the season 3-7 and 3-5 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

BRAXTON RYAN — Kentucky Wesleyan College (So., Adairsville HS) … a starter on the Panthers’ offensive line that helped produce 233 total yards in a 48-6 loss at Walsh University (OH). KWC (0-10, 0-8 Great Midwest Athletic Conference) finishes the season on Saturday at Thomas More University (KY).

MALACHI TOLIVER — University of Georgia (Jr., Cartersville HS) … was part of an offensive line rotation last Saturday night that helped generate 481 yards of total offense in the Bulldogs’ 42-7 win at Ole Miss. Top-ranked Georgia (8-1, 6-1 Southeastern Conference) hosts Missouri on Saturday afternoon.

SACOVIE WHITE-HELTON — University of Georgia (Jr., Cass HS) … had one rushing attempt for 18 yards, and fielded two punts for minus-3 yards last Saturday in the Bulldogs’ 42-7 win at Ole Miss. Georgia (8-1, 6-1 Southeastern Conference) welcomes Missouri for another conference game on Saturday afternoon.

IAN WILLIAMS — University of Arkansas (So., Cass HS) … saw action but did not have a stat line in the Razorbacks’ 26-23 loss last Saturday at Auburn. Arkansas (3-6, 1-5 Southeastern Conference) hosts 20th-ranked South Carolina on Saturday night.

CROSS COUNTRY

ADDISON BROWN — Truett McConnell University (Fr., Woodland HS) … finished 59th (27:14.69) of 110 runners last Friday in the 6K Appalachian Athletic Conference Championships in Knoxville. TMU placed sixth out of 14 teams, with Milligan University (TN) taking the women’s title.

WILL PARKER — Truett McConnell University (So., Woodland HS) … finished 74th (30:19.50) of 125 runners last Friday in the 8K Appalachian Athletic Conference Championships held in Knoxville. TMU finished fifth out of 13 teams, with Milligan University (TN) winning the team title.

DANIELLE THAYER — Augusta University (Sr., Woodland HS) … finished 23rd (19:36.4) out of 106 runners in the 5K Peach Belt Conference Championships held last Saturday in Macon. The Lady Jaguars won the PBC title by three points over Flagler College (FL) and 36 points ahead of Georgia College. The NCAA D-II Southeast Regionals are in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on November 21.

VOLLEYBALL

AILEE ENGLAND — Berry College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … saw action in 10 sets this past weekend as the Lady Vikings beat Washington & Lee and Huntingdon College, but lost at Emory University in five sets. England totaled seven digs and three aces across the three matches. Berry (23-5, 14-2 Southern Athletic Association) plays the Trinity/Millsaps winner on Friday afternoon in the SAA Tournament in San Antonio, Texas. The tournament finals will be played on Saturday.

RIFLE

LUCY EVANS — Morehead State University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … was sixth in the individual standings on Saturday as the Eagles lost 4715-4672 at the University of Memphis. Evans was eighth in individual smallbore and third in air rifle. In Sunday’s 4671-4594 win at UT Martin, Evans placed second in the individual standings, third in smallbore, and third in air rifle. Morehead State (7-2) hosts Akron University on November 16.

WRESTLING

NATHAN CATES — Truett McConnell University (Fr., Woodland HS) … finished 3-2 in his 149-pound bracket and placed fourth in the Silver Division at the Emmanuel University Georgia Open in Franklin Springs this past Sunday. TMU competes at the King University (TN) Open on Sunday.

DAVID COON — Reinhardt University (Fr., Adairsville HS) … went 1-1 in his 141-pound Silver Division bouts at the Georgia Open in Franklin Springs. Reinhardt wrestles Tuesday at the University of North Georgia and Thursday at the University of Montevallo (AL).

CHARLES HIGDON — Ferrum College (Sr., Woodland HS) … finished fourth this past weekend in the 197-pound weight class in Harrisburg, Virginia, at the James Madison University Invitational. 

OWEN JONES — Truett McConnell University (Fr., Woodland HS) … lost his bout in a home dual against the University of Montevallo (AL), but the Bears won the team competition, 24-19. TMU competes at the King University (TN) Open on Sunday.

EAIDEN NEAL — Reinhardt University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … went 1-1 in his 141-pound bouts in the Gold Division at the Georgia Open at Emmanuel University on Sunday. Reinhardt wrestles Tuesday at the University of North Georgia and Thursday at the University of Montevallo (AL).

ERASMO RABANALES — Shorter University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … went 0-2 in his Silver Division bouts of the 285-pound weight class at the Georgia Open in Franklin Springs on Sunday. Shorter faces Ferrum College and host University of Mount Olive on Wednesday in North Carolina.

KRIECG ROE — Lindsey Wilson University (So., Cass HS) … finished 2-2 in the 174-pound bracket of the Gold Division and placed fifth at the Georgia Open at Emmanuel University on Sunday. The Blue Raiders compete Saturday at the Grand View Open in Des Moines, Iowa.

HAYDEN SANTORA — Reinhardt University (Jr., Woodland HS) … finished 3-1 and was runner-up in the 157-pound Gold Division at the Georgia Open at Emmanuel University this past Sunday. Reinhardt wrestles Tuesday at the University of North Georgia and Thursday at the University of Montevallo (AL).

ZACH WALLACE — Life University (So., Woodland HS) … finished 3-1 and was third in the 174-pound Silver Division at the Georgia Open in Franklin Springs this past Sunday. The Running Eagles visit Brewton-Parker College on Wednesday.

BASKETBALL

KAYTLIN ARNOLD — Columbus State University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … scored seven points, grabbed four rebounds, and added four steals and two assists Monday night in the Cougars’ 71-61 home win over the University of West Alabama. CSU (1-0) plays Tusculum University on Friday night and Catawba College on Saturday afternoon at the D2 Region Crossover in Salisbury, North Carolina.

SE’NAI CAMPER — Montreat College (So., Cartersville HS) … has averaged 11.4 points per game, 4.6 rebounds, and totaled 16 assists, 10 steals, and one block through the Cavaliers’ first five games. She has started each game. Montreat (3-2) has wins over Carolina University (NC), Voorhees (SC), and Bob Jones University (SC). The Lady Cavs host Union Commonwealth University (KY) on Wednesday, Nov. 9, and Columbia International University on Wednesday, Nov. 18.

JA’KA’YAH DRAUGHN — Brewton-Parker Christian University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … has averaged 8 points, 1.2 rebounds, 8 total steals, and 8 assists through the Barons’ first five games. BPCU (3-2) has wins over College of Coastal Georgia, East Georgia, and Webber International University (FL). The Barons visit Thomas University (GA) on Thursday and Andrew College on Saturday.

ZION HAYES — University of North Georgia (Jr., Cass HS) … saw three minutes of floor time on Monday night, but had no other stat line in the Nighthawks’ 69-49 home win over Albany State University. UNG (1-0) hosts Emmanuel University (GA) on Friday and Young Harris College on Saturday.

ZYON HEATH — LaGrange College (Jr., Woodland HS) … scored seven points with three rebounds, two assists, and one blocked shot last Saturday in a 77-54 home win over Brevard College. LaGrange (1-0) visits Berry College on Tuesday, plays an exhibition at Kennesaw State University on Thursday, and plays Baptist University of Florida in Montgomery on Saturday afternoon. 

T.J. PRINTUP — Tusculum University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … scored seven points with four rebounds, two assists, and two steals on Nov. 2 during a 98-74 home exhibition win over Alice Lloyd College (KY). The Pioneers open the season on Friday night against Clayton State (GA) at the Southeast Region Challenge in Hickory, North Carolina. They will also play Chowan University (NC) on Saturday afternoon.

NAXYRIA ROBERTS - Truett McConnell University (So., Adairsville HS) … has averaged 1.8 points and one rebound through the Bears’ first five games. She has also totaled eight steals and eight assists. TMU (1-4) hosts Bryan College (TN) on Thursday and plays at Johnson University (TN) on Saturday afternoon.

ALISSA WINTERS — Truett McConnell University (Jr., Adairsville HS) … has averaged two points and 2.2 rebounds through the Bears’ first five games. She has started each game and has totaled four assists. Truett McConnell has a win over Toccoa Falls College and losses to Talladega College, Georgia Gwinnett College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (AZ), and Arizona Christian University. They host Bryan College (TN) on Thursday before visiting Johnson University (TN) on Saturday.