It’s been a memorable ride for Bartram Trail in 2020. Yet that ride came to an end as Bartram Trail (10-2) fell to (10-2) Seminole 42-28 in the Class 8A Regional Final.
For Bartram Trail, it was tall order to go on the road in consecutive playoff weeks and face two incredibly tough teams. After defeating Spruce Creek the week before, the Bears needed to buckle their chin straps for another battle against Seminole. Seminole road a 9-game winning streak and came out of the gate hot versus Bartram.
Quarterback Timothy McClain broke free for a 50-yard touchdown run toward the end of the first quarter. McClain is a dynamic athlete which was the focus of the Bears defense. His ability to find his way to the end-zone early opened up the run game for Seminole.
Runnigback Javari Frederick would score on a 25-yard touchdown run for Seminole to kick off a big second quarter of points for the Seminoles. McClain got loose for a 40 yard run, and a few plays later for a 30-yard touchdown, his second of the game.
Trailing 21-0 and facing fourth down Bartram elected to punt from near mid-field. That decision was costly, as Seminole connected on a big pass play from McClain to wide receiver Jimmy Horn. The play set up a Donta Whack 7-yard touchdown and a 28-0 lead in the second quarter.
Bartram would temporarily stop the bleeding on special teams with a blocked punt and 20-yard return for a touchdown by Braylon Fowler late in the half.
It was only temporary as Seminole commenced to march down the field with 2 minutes to go in the half. McClain converted a 25 yard run to mid field, and then another long run to the Bartram 16-yard line. McClain finished the drive with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Lawrence Jones Jr to go into halftime leading 35-7.
A valiant effort ensued for Bartram in the second half, when they could have thrown in the towel. Led by senior A.J Jones III, Bartram scored 21 unanswered points to cut the Seminole lead to 7.
Jones would score from 1-yard out. Bartram would force a punt and Jones would score again on another short touchdown run. At the end of the third quarter, Bartram trailed 35-21 and gaining momentum by the moment.
That momentum carried over to the fourth quarter for Bartram, After quarterback Santino Marucci picked up 14 yards on a run, coupled with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the play on Seminole. The penalty put the Bears at the 10. Jones would score again on a 4th and 1, and all of a sudden Bartram trail by just one score in the fourth quarter 35-28.
It was a valiant effort by Bartram to claw their way back into the game. Seniors like Jones refused to let their team lose in such a fashion and gave it everything. Yet it wasn’t enough in the end as Seminole closed out the game with another McClain to Horn touchdown connection with 6 minutes to play in the game to close out the scoring.
This was considered Bartram’s best team since their state runner-up team and expectations were certainly high in St. Johns County. Navigating the 8A gauntlet can be a major task for any team, as you get one of the best teams in the state every week. Victories over Oakleaf twice, Sandalwood and 6A rival St. Augustine (all playoff teams). Yet this off-season, coaches and returning players will be left with pondering questions that have plagued every great 8A program in the area for decades. How do we get through the gauntlet and win the big game?
