Athletes Beyond Bartow: Updates on local pro and college contributions for the week ending October 26

October 26, 2025

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

Former Cartersville High School quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars were on a bye week, but this week’s collegiate update includes contributions from fifteen athletes in five sports.

FOOTBALL

JOHNATHAN CLINE — East Tennessee State University (R-So., Cartersville HS) … was part of an offensive line rotation that helped the Buccaneers produce 323 total yards this past Saturday in a 14-10 home win over Wofford College (SC). ETSU (4-5, 2-3 Southern Conference)  enjoys a bye week before traveling to Birmingham to face Samford University on November 8.

KAIL ELLIS — Auburn University (Fr., Cass HS) … made a start at center and was part of an offensive line rotation that helped produce 380 total yards in the Tigers’ 33-24 win this past Saturday at Arkansas. Auburn (4-4, 1-4 Southeastern Conference) hosts Kentucky on Saturday night.

KEVIN HENDERSON — University of Findlay (So., Cass HS) … a starting linebacker, Henderson made seven tackles and broke up two passes this past Saturday as the 14th-ranked Oilers beat visiting Ohio Dominican 27-20. Findlay (8-0, 6-0 Great Midwest Athletic Conference) visits Northwood University (MI) on Saturday. 

TYLER MARTIN — Berry College (Sr., Cass HS) … a starter on the 21st-ranked Vikings’ offensive line that helped produce 447 total yards in a 43-20 home win over Millsaps College (MS) this past Saturday. Berry (6-1, 4-0 Southern Athletic Association) travels to Danville, Kentucky to play at Centre College on Saturday.

XAVIOUS NALLS — Anderson University (Fr., Adairsville HS) … had one tackle in the Trojans’ 30-3 home loss to Wingate University this past Saturday. Anderson (5-4, 3-4 South Atlantic Conference) hosts Newberry College (SC) on Saturday.

JAKE PARKER — Cumberland University (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … completed 22 of 34 passes for 289 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions this past Saturday during a 35-33 home win over Campbellsville University (KY). The Phoenix (5-3, 1-2 Mid South Conference) host the University of the Cumberlands (KY) on Saturday.

SAM PHILLIPS — University of Iowa (Sr., Cartersville HS) … had one catch for 11 yards in the Hawkeyes’ 41-3 home win this past Saturday over Minnesota. Iowa (6-2, 4-1 Big Ten Conference) has a bye week before hosting 6th-ranked Oregon on November 8.

BRAXTON RYAN — Kentucky Wesleyan College (Fr., Adairsville HS) … a starter on the Panthers’ offensive line that helped produce 254 total yards in a 49-14 home loss to Northwood University (MI). Wesleyan (0-8, 0-6 Great Midwest Athletic Conference) plays at Tiffin University on Saturday.

IAN WILLIAMS — University of Memphis (Fr., Cass HS) … was a participant but did not have a stat line in the 25th-ranked Tigers’ 34-31 home win this past Saturday over the University of South Florida. Memphis (7-1, 3-1 American Athletic Conference) plays at Rice on Friday night.

CROSS COUNTRY

DANIELLE THAYER — Augusta University (Jr., Woodland HS) … ran to a 17th place finish in 19:30 as the Lady Jaguars finished runner-up to Flagler College (FL) at the 11-team Peach Belt Conference Championships this past Saturday. Next for the Jaguars is the NCAA Southeast Regional on November 8 at Wingate, North Carolina.

TENNIS

EMILY BUSH — University of North Georgia (Sr., Cartersville HS) … won the Flight C Singles draw at the UNG Invitational this past weekend. Bush defeated her opponents from Young Harris College and Columbus State University in the first two rounds before defeating Claudia De Lucas Rivera of Columbus State 6-4, 6-3 in the bracket finals. She also paired with teammate Sofia Giraldo in doubles and went 1-2 in three matches.

SOCCER

ABBEY CRAIG — Reinhardt University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … logged all 90 minutes on defense as the Lady Eagles won 2-1 at Brenau University on October 22. Reinhardt (8-5-2) opens the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament at Columbia International (SC) on Saturday.

LIBBY MORGAN — Shorter University (Fr., Woodland HS) … made a start at Emmanuel University on October 21 and logged another 40 minutes this past Saturday in a home match against Ferrum College. The Hawks lost 1-5 at Emmanuel and 0-1 to Ferrum. Shorter (1-10-2) hosts Southern Wesleyan University (SC) on Tuesday and visits Young Harris College on Saturday.

VOLLEYBALL

MADELYN ORTON — LaGrange College (Sr., Cartersville resident, Cornerstone Prep Academy) … totaled one kill and eight digs this past Saturday as the Panthers lost to host Covenant College, but defeated Piedmont University. LaGrange (11-17, 9-5 Collegiate Conference of the South) hosts a conference tri-match Saturday with Asbury University (KY) and Wesleyan College (GA).

MEREDITH ORTON — LaGrange College (Sr., Cartersville resident, Cornerstone Prep Academy) … recorded one service ace and three digs this past Saturday as the Panthers split conference matches with Covenant College and Piedmont University in Lookout Mountain. LaGrange (11-17, 9-5 Collegiate Conference of the South) hosts a conference tri-match Saturday with Asbury University (KY) and Wesleyan College (GA).