St. Johns Fl- The Bartram Trail High School football team has opened the 2026 season with a statement.The Bears are 2-0 after impressive victories over Tocoi Creek and Middleburg, outscoring their opponents 60-15 through the first two games.
Bartram Trail has also shown that it can win in different ways—dominating from the opening kickoff in Week 1 before grinding out a hard-fought road victory in Week 2.
Bears Dominate Tocoi Creek in Opener
Bartram Trail began the season Aug. 21 with a convincing 37-3 victory over Tocoi Creek at home.
The Bears controlled the game on both sides of the football. Sophomore quarterback Xander Camus completed 12 of 19 passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Blake Soares delivered one of the night’s biggest performances with 111 rushing yards and two touchdowns on only 13 carries.
The defense was equally impressive, holding Tocoi Creek to just three points.
The victory gave Bartram Trail an early 1-0 record and provided a strong start under head coach Cory Johns. The Bears entered the season looking to build on a 4-8 campaign in 2025, and the opening-night performance showed a team determined to establish a different identity in 2026.
Bears Pass the Road Test at Middleburg
One week later, Bartram Trail faced a much tougher challenge at Middleburg.
The Bears responded with a 23-12 victory, improving to 2-0.
Once again, Soares was at the center of the offense. The running back rushed for 121 yards on 13 carries, giving him 232 rushing yards through two games based on the available game statistics. He has also scored three touchdowns during the young season.
Camus also contributed with his legs against Middleburg. The sophomore quarterback rushed for 41 yards and a touchdown, giving Bartram Trail another dimension in its ground attack.
The Bears’ offense produced a balanced 171 passing yards and 166 rushing yards in the victory, showing that Bartram Trail can move the football through the air while still relying on its ground game. The offensive line has been impressive behind big Gio Ferrara.
Soares, Camus Lead Offensive Attack
Through two games, Soares has emerged as the Bears’ primary offensive weapon. He is averaging 116 rushing yards per game and has three total touchdowns.
Camus has also made an immediate impact in his sophomore season. The young quarterback has thrown for two touchdowns while adding another rushing score against Middleburg.
Wide receiver Cam Ganther has been another player to watch. The sophomore currently leads Bartram Trail with 58 receiving yards per game, giving Camus a reliable target in the passing game.
Defensively, senior linebacker Griffin Szekeres has been a consistent presence, averaging eight tackles per game, while senior defensive lineman/linebacker Major Granados has already recorded two sacks.
A Fast Start for the Bears
Perhaps most impressive is the way Bartram Trail has combined offense and defense.
The Bears have scored 60 points while allowing only 15, an average of 30 points scored and 7.5 points allowed per game.
That formula has produced a perfect start and has Bartram Trail sitting near the top of the early District 5A-2 standings.
The Bears will now turn their attention to Bishop Kenny, with the matchup scheduled for Friday, Sept. 4.
After two games, Bartram Trail has sent a clear message: the 2026 Bears are back from a 4-8 season in 2025 and a 4-6 season in 2024. The 2026 team is one that can run the football, make plays through the air and play physical defense.
At 2-0, the Bears are off to the kind of start that can change the expectations for an entire season. Believe In Bartram.
Photos by Heather Isbell and Jessica Zlotowski Avance
