St, Johns Fl- It’s was the “Ultimate Challenge” for both Bartram Trail (7-0) and Buchholz (6-0) as the faced each other in a class for the District 4S-3 title. The matchup featured some of the top Prep players in the nation including 247/Rivals 4-Star, and Duval Sports 5-Star rated Sharif Denson of Bartram Trail. As well as Buchholz’s quarterback 247 Sports 4-star Creed Whittemore. The game would live up to the immense stakes at hand.
The first quarter saw both teams trade blows on defense. It was a fumble recovery by Bartram that was the difference on defense for the ball clubs. Bartram came into the game with 7 interceptions and 4 fumble recovries on the season. Adding another fumble recovery by Sergio Lanzas, combined with defensive efforts by Shane Armstrong (sack), kept Buchholz out of the end-zone in the first half for the first time all season.
Bartram would strike first on offense when Riley Trujillo would run it in from 30-yards out for a touchdown giving Bartram a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. Trujillo, used his arms and legs in the first half, hitting several different receivers to keep the Bobcat’s defense on their heals.
Leading 7-0 Bartram would score again in the 2nd quarter when Laython Biddle added his 12th rushing touchdown on the season on a 4-yard touchdown run. The Bears would take a 14-0 lead into halftime, as they completley dominated the first half of th game.
The second half was more of the same for Bartram as the defense continued to dominate. Linebacker Fred Bender would pick off a Buchholz pass, stopping an early Bobcat drive at the Bear’s 1-yard line. Then Zeke Cromwell would pick off another Buchholz pass, as the Bobcats would never recover from the demoralizing doomsday defense of Bartram.
In the fourth quarter, Bartram completely shut down any thoughts of a comeback when Laython Biddle would run wild on his way to a 100-yard rushing effort and seal the win with a 2-yard touchdown. Bartram would hold Buchholz to it’s lowest point out-put of the season. The Final, Bartram Trail 21, Buchholz 6.
Bartram Trail (8-0), wrapped up the district title with the win, and will look to remain undefeated against Oakleaf (4-4) who defeated Madison County tonight 27-21.
