FLEMING ISLAND – It was hyped as how would one of the top ranked defenses in the area Fleming Island, be able to handle one of the top ranked offenses Bartram Trail in the area.
Turns out though it was a coming out party for the Bartram Trail defense. A defense, which had given up 54 and 31 points in losses to Cartersville and St. Augustine, has only given up 30 in the last three weeks combined.
While that top ranked Fleming Island defense, which had only allowed Ridgeview to score more than one touchdown on them, wore down in the second half in 32-16 loss to the Bears.
The under appreciated Bears defense held Fleming Island offense out of the end zone for the final 40:30 minutes of the game as well.
Things started well for the Eagles early on Noah Hamlett nailed a 35 yard field goal and Isaiah Walker’s interception returned to the 2 on the ensuing play after the field goal led to Dean Hyams 2 yard sneak and 9-0 lead with 6:26 left in the first quarter.
That’s when Bartram Trail settled down and slowly went to work on that top ranked defense led by Jackson Bull, Jack Surgeoner, Ryan Smenda and Jalen Robinson.
They had no answer for tackling quarterback Joey Gatewood (176 yards on 16 carries), the Auburn commit, who several times broke off long runs on designed draws.
Gatewood raced 50 yards up the middle and then down the sideline before being pushed out at the 21-yard line. He followed with a 10 yard scamper to the 1 before his helmet was ripped off causing him to leave the game for one play. Devin Ellison followed with a 1 yard run cutting the lead to 9-7 just two minutes later.
Josh Follenweider made a diving interception near the sideline off a low Dean Hyams pass giving the Bears the ball back near midfield.
Alternating possessions, Riley Smith came in at quarterback and connected with receiver Gunnar Hitzeman twice on the drive for huge gains of 19 and 27, the latter of which put the Bears at the 1. Ellison rumbled in from the 1 a play later giving the Bears their first lead at 13-9 with seconds remaining in the first quarter.
The game stayed that way until just before half, when the Bears were knocking on the door again at the 1-yard line, but a fumbled exchange between Smith and Ellison fell into the hands of Surgeoner, who picked it up and raced 99 yards untouched the other way giving the Eagles a stunning 16-13 lead with seven seconds before the half.
The huge momentum swing at the end of the half gave the Eagles some confidence going into the locker room.
Unfortunately it didn’t last too long.
Three possessions into the second half, the Bears retook the lead back for good as Gatewood ran 12 yards up the middle untouched giving the Bears a 20-16 lead with 2:16 left in the third.
A combination of a turned up defense by the Bears and questionable play calling by Fleming Island, forced several three and outs in the second half as the Eagles kept trying to establish their non existent running game.
Yet despite the offensive struggles, Fleming Island remained in the game trailing 20-16 as the game spilled into the fourth quarter.
The quick three and outs kept the Eagles lethal defense on the field to long as the Bears began to wear them down.
Harry Bowker picked off Hyams on a diving interception at the 29-yard line that appeared to hit the ground initially.
Gatewood found Xavier Hutchinson for a 11 yard gain and Gatewood found a hole and took off down to the 3-yard line on the ensuing play. However, Bull and Surgeoner sacked Gatewood for a 6 yard loss and the Bears settled for a 29 yard field goal from Ethan Dudley to lead 23-16 with under eight minutes to play.
Still despite how poorly the offense was playing, the defense was keeping them in the game down seven in the fourth quarter.
Another three and out forced another punt by Smenda. Smenda rugby style punting eventually caught up to him as Corbein Hagans came through to block his second punt of the game before falling on the ball for a safety and 25-16 lead minutes later.
The play sent many of the Eagles fans to the exits and out of the stadium as many began to realize their undefeated season was coming to a close.
The resulting safety meant the Eagles would have to kick off to the Bears and chose to kick down field instead of the onside kick.
It didn’t matter, Smith found Griffin Helm for a 20 yard gain, Ellison broke off a 31 yard scamper to the 8 and Smith followed with a surprising 8 yard touchdown run increasing their lead to 32-16 with under five minutes left in the game.
Games against powerhouses Cartersville and St. Augustine had prepared the Bears for tough games like this one as the Bears were finally on the winning side for once.
The often under respected Bartram Trail defense held Fleming Island to 115 total yards (88 rushing, 34 passing) to get the huge win. While the Bears accumulated 310 yards on the ground against the top ranked Fleming Island defense.
Bartram Trail (5-2, 3-0) took control of District 3-7A with the win and can clinch the district title and playoff spot with a win at Buchholz Oct. 27 in Gainesville. Before that though, the Bears have another chance to pick up more vital playoff points hosting state power Cocoa (6-0) next week.
Fleming Island (6-1, 2-1) travels to Creekside (3-4, 0-2) for another critical District 3-7A game.
The Eagles must regroup and pick up as many playoff points as they can to earn one of the four wildcard spots in the region.
Despite the loss there is still plenty to play for with three winnable games remaining against Creekside, Ed White and Orange Park. It’s hard to imagine a potential 9-1 Fleming Island team being left out of the playoffs.
