St. Johns Fl- The Bartram Trail senior class have battled for four years on the gridiron and progressively gotten better along the way. They started by losing five games in 2016, four games in 2017 and three games in 2018. Now in 2019, for the first time in the school’s 20 year history, the Bears ended their regular season undefeated capping off their season with a 38-15 victory over the back to back state champion Raines Vikings.
This game was a battle of Bartram’s high scoring offense that has scored a total of 327 points prior to the victory Friday and Raines’ talented defense, who have left two teams scoreless this season. The Raines’ defense held them to a quick three and out as the Vikings offense got the ball. However, Bartram’s Craig Sinclair would secure an interception and return it for a touchdown to give the Baers an early 7-0 lead.
The first quarter proved to be a chess match trying to figure out the other team’s counter move against the two stellar coaches. Coach Deran Wiley as a young offense at Raines, and they seemed to be overwhelmed by the pressure Bartram was bringing early, amassing over 100-yards worth of penalties throughout the night. The quarter ended with Raines having possession of the ball, but they weren’t able to capitalize on the momentum being in their favor.
Coach Darrel Sutherland’s offense kept the Raines’ on the field for a long time, with clock burning drives. Bartram’s Zach Rhodes was able to take it in the end-zone on Raines for a long touchdown giving the Bears a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.
Craig Sinclair showed everyone why Bartram is so talented on defense. He secured another pick six against Raines on their next drive, this time on the opposite side of the field. The costly turnover saw Bartram take a 21-0 lead with less than three minutes remaining in the half. Bartram was able to tack on three more points before the end of the half making it a three touchdown game at the half 24-0.
Raines started with the ball to start the second half and their young playmakers were able to start moving the ball down the field after a quarterback change bringing in veteran senior quarterback Adrian Williams over sophomore Carleton Butler Jr. The Raines’s duel threat quarterback was able to run for first downs. A questionable call cost them a touchdown, when sophomore Kareem Burke ran for a long touchdown but fumbled in the endzone, as Bartram recovered the fumble. Burke seemed to have crossed the endzone before the fumble occurred, but the line judge ruled the ball out before he crossed the goal-line. This took the wind out of the sail for the Vikings as the score remained 24-0 in the 3rd.
At the end of the third quarter, sophomore Kyree Hammond was able to pick off Bartram and score the first touchdown for Raines in the game less than one minute into the fourth quarter. The score was 24-7 in the fourth.
Bartram continued to run out time on the clock, keeping the ball on the ground and moving the ball down the field. Eric Weatherly and Aaron Jones were able to run the ball effectively on the night. Jones was able to score his first touchdown of the night with five minutes left in the game, putting the score at 31-7.
Raines switched back to Butler at quarterback, he wasn’t able to get anything going. Jones was able to score again at the two minute mark. Giving Bartram a 38-7 commanding lead.
Raines aired out the ball on their next possession scoring on a big touchdown catch by senior Dejohn Davis, to end the game. 38-15 Bartram.
Bartram Trail (10-0) was awarded a #2 seed in their region and will play host to Spruce Creek (6-3) this Friday. Raines (5-4) was awarded a #4 seed, but as District champions will host Westside (8-2) this Friday.
The final regular season game between these two teams revealed much for both squads to reflect on heading into the post season. Raines must clean up their mistakes if they hope to three-peat as champions. Bartram on the other hand is a complete team, one that completed a perfect season at 10-0.
