Port Orange FL- In any other year, the Spruce Creek team that faced Bartram Trail in their Regional Semifinal playoff game might’ve given the Bears a tough test. Spruce Creek came into the contest at 6-3 with close losses to Seminole (9-0), Deland (4-2), and Daytona Beach Mainland (8-1) with Deland’s two losses coming to Seminole and Mainland. But this isn’t any other year for Bartram. This is a year where the Bears have played the best, beaten the best, and a reason why they bested Spruce Creek 35-13 Friday Night in the playoffs.
Quarterback Santino Marucci picked up where he left off last week, as he took the ball around the left side to run in a 10-yard touchdown run giving Bartram an early 7-0 lead. Kemp would also add a field goal in the first to give Bartram a 10-0 lead.
After a Spruce Creek field goal in the second quarter, Bartram’s Ajay Jones gave a them a 16-3 advantage when he rocketed around the right side for a score. The touchdown run was set up by great blocks from by wide receiver Braylon Fowler and Tight End Eli Sutherland.
After another stop by the Bears defense, Bartram would again get into the end-zone, courtesy of the “weatherman” Eric Weatherly. On perhaps the biggest play of the night, Weatherly took the pitch right and cut up through the Hawks defense for 50-yards and a back breaking score.
Leading 23-6 at the half, Bartram still didn’t let up off the gas. Jones would score his second touchdown on an 11-yard score, and Marucci would hook up with Braylon Fowler for a touchdown in the second half.
On defense, Dylan Chiedo made stops at linebacker and Arion Stith created havoc on the defensive line. Evan Eilers secured an interception in the contest while a Bryce Johnson interception stifled any hope of a Spruce Creek comeback in the second half.
Santino Marucci ( Wake Forest Commit) passed for 228 yards, a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown. Jones led on the ground with 107 yards and two touchdowns, as Bartram finished off Spruce Creek 35-13.
Bartram has defeated Oakleaf 51-7, and Spruce Creek 35-13 in consecutive weeks. Two mammoth tests that they have surmounted with ease. These games have them battle tested going into their Regional Final versus Seminole (9-0) next Friday. Seminole defeated Sandalwood to advance, and Bartram knows that in order to return to the Final 4 for the first time since 2017, they’ll have to trudge into battle once again. Yet this season has proved, they’re tested and ready.
