DAYTONA FL- How do you erase the memory of losing to a top ranked team on the road? Simple, you go on the road the very next week and defeat another top ranked team. Bartram Trail did just that, when they defeated the #3 ranked Class 6A power Daytona Beach Mainland on the road Monday night 35-24. Bartram (1-1) fell last week to the top ranked Cartersville Canes after bad weather delayed the game. Ironically, the week two game between Bartram and Mainland that was scheduled for Friday September 1st, was presented with bad weather as well. The game was postponed until Monday night September 4th at 7pm.
The rescheduled game didn’t seem to affect Bartram as they came out in the first quarter like lightning in bottle. After Mainland turned an early interception into three points with a Noah Gettman’s 37 yard field goal, the Bears responded with a drive of their own which culminated with a 17 yard touchdown run by running back Devin Ellison. 
Bartram lead 7-3. Bartram would get on the board again in the second quarter when Quarterback Joey Gatewood rumbled off a jaw dropping 57 yard touchdown run putting Bartram up 14-3.
The big plays wouldn’t end with the Bears, as the Bucs responded to the 57 yard run with a 62 yard touchdown run by running back D’Andre Mcmillian. The score would cut the lead to 14-10 with 6:00 minutes to play in the first half. Quarterbacks Riley Smith and Joey Gatewood would rotate series throughout the game. However it would be the 247.com and Rivals four star Gatewood that would put the Bears on the board again. Gatewood connected with Gunner Hitzeman on a 60yd touchdown pass to increase the Bears lead to 21-10 going into halftime.
Mainland’s last regular-season home loss: Nov. 12, 2010
That streak is in serious jeopardy as we enter the second half.
— Chris Boyle (@ChrisBoyleDBNJ) September 5, 2017
For the Bears it would be a statement half that shocked everyone in attendance as the Mainland seven year regular season undefeated home winning streak was seriously threatened. The Bears would be certain to get the Buc’s best effort in the second half, so they knew they couldn’t afford to let up on their aggressiveness. That was proven to be true in the third quarter when a 74-yard punt return by Mainland’s Brian Jenkins cut the Bear’s lead to 21-17. Bartram would turn to Gatewood again to make big plays. After hitting Griffin Helm for a 44-yard gain on 3rd and long, Gatewood tossed a 20 yard touchdown pass to Xavier Breuer to respond to the Mainland score 28-17. After a Latavies Sylvester screen pass reception went for six cutting the Bartram lead to 28-24, Quaterback Riley Smith finished off the scoring for the night. Smith connecting with Xavier Hutchinson for a 25-yard pitch and catch to pay dirt as Bartram defeated Mainland 35-24.
For Bartram it was a statement on many levels. It was a statement for their duel Quarterback offensive system. It was a statement for their Head coach Darrel Sutherland who celebrated his birthday. But in particular for their defense. After giving up over 400 yards passing to Cartersville in their game last week, The Bears defense intercepted Mainland four times on the night. Connor Sutton and Harry Bowker made plays all night for Bartram. Bowker tipped a first quarter pass in the air with Sutton coming down with it to secure the first interception of the night. Sutton would get his second interception of the game to end the first half, and Bowker would nab his second pick in the third quarter. In the end it was TreVez Johnson’s interception in the endzone that sealed the upset victory for Bartram, and their statement that they are one of the best in the state.
