Bartram Trail’s Conundrum In Cartersville

Cartersville Ga- On one of the biggest stages for High School Football in 2017, the Bartram Trail Bears faced the Cartersville Cavs on national television. The game was billed as a battle of the border states (Florida vs Georgia); a battle of best teams (2016 records/ Cartersville 15-0, Bartram 8-5 playoff team); and a battle of the brightest stars (Cartersville QB Trevor Lawrence, Bartram QB Joey Gatewood). The game certainly lived up to the billing, as both teams combined for 97 points and tons of offense.

Cartersville Quarterback Trevor Lawrence (Clemson Commit) finished the game 18 of 23 for 404yds passing and 5 touchdowns. He guided the Canes to a 31-3 lead in the first half over Bartram. A performance that led Duval Sports analyst Aaron Jones to note “This kid is the real deal”. It was the perfect start that Cartersville dreamed of, and a nightmarish start which Bartram dreaded. Yet the Bears would make a comeback.

Senior quarterback Joey Gatewood of Bartram rallied the team, starting with a five yard touchdown run in the second quarter. He would also tie the game in the 4th quarter on a 34 yard pass to Gunnar Hitzman to make it 45-45. Gatewood (Auburn commit), completed 11 of 14 passes for 191 yards and 1 touchdown while rushing 20 times for 135 yards and two scores. He showcased just why he is one of the best Quarterbacks in the country.

Bartram is also led by another Quarterback, the ultra talented Riley Smith. Smith rotated in with Gatewood guiding the Bear offense on several drives. He finished the game 16 of 20 for 175 yards and three passing touchdowns. Having two great quarterbacks is a problem many coaches dream to have, but the game of football is one of inches which can result in one play determining the outcome. Here in lies the conundrum, with two Quarterbacks, who do you put in for that one last play if it comes down to it? Well Bartram Head Coach Darrell Sutherland was faced with this exact scenario in Cartersville. With 0:03 seconds to play in the game from the Cartersville 12 yard line, Sutherland went with Smith over Gatewood. The play ended with Smith being tackled at the 11 yard line without an attempt to the endzone. The Bears valiant effort fell short 52-45.

With the loss, the decision to play Smith over Gatewood at Quarterback on the final play is one that raises question. The 6’4, 230lb Auburn committed Quarterback seems to be the obvious choice, yet he was not behind center on the final play. It’s a problem that only persists with losing, and Bartram dropped their first contest of the year. The problem is it doesn’t get any easier for the the Bears. They visit Mainland (Daytona) this week, a team they fell to last year and have Oakleaf, Clay, and St. Augustine on the schedule. A playoff rematch with Lee could also be ahead. So the possibility for close games in the future is quite probable, and everyone will look to see who is under center on the potential game deciding play. It’s definitely a difficult decision when you have two capable Quarterbacks. But for Sutherland and the highly touted Bears, continued losses can quickly turn a conundrum into a QB controversy. Which is what a team with high expectations on the season certainly doesn’t need.