St. Johns Fl-It was evident from the moment Coach Darrel Sutherland saw his team at the beginning of fall practice, that this group of young men were special. Sutherland has had many great teams at Bartram Trail. There was the 2016 team that fell to Lee in the regional finals. The 2015 squad who couldn’t get passed Columbia in the regional finals. And no one can forget the 2013 Bears who made it all the way to the state semifinals only to fall to Armwood by one touchdown 35-28. Great teams indeed, but no rings to show for it. So when the clock struck zeros in the 2017 Class 7A state semifinals and the Bartram PA announcer played “Big Rings” by artists Drake & Future, everyone knew that this team were truly trailblazers. Their 34-29 victory over Plant High School paved the way for them to play for a “really big ring” in the Florida High School Athletic Association State Championship.
Just like any trailblazing journey, Bartram’s state semifinal game against Plant was filled with wild and unexpected events. The perennial powerhouse out of Tampa boasted five state championship rings on their knuckles, and were ready to fight as the 2016 Class 7A state runners up. 
Yet when the Panthers saw themselves down 14-0 early in the first quarter, they knew they would have to fight in order to have a chance against the hungry Bears. Shock and awe riddled the faces of players and fans in attendance when on the second drive of the game for Bartram, quarterback Joey Gatewood shot around the right side on a zone read untouched for a touchdown. The 6’5 230lb Auburn commit left Panther defenders in the dust racing 30 yards to give the Bears a 7-0 advantage. Before Plant could blink, Bartram went up 14-0 in the first quarter.
After Bartram quarterback Riley Smith was intercepted by Plant’s Smoke Mungin, Bartram returned the favor and then some when defensive back Tim Adams picked off Plant QB Jordan McCloud for a 34 yard pick 6. The big time interception and score put Bartram in a familiar position up early on teams as they’ve down all year. However Plant found themselves in a very unfamiliar position down two touchdowns in the first quarter.
The Panthers and coach Robert Weiner would respond quickly. They countered the aggressive Bartram front defensive linemen by rolling out McCloud. This strategy paid dividends when McCloud hit Alex Carvajal on a sprint right and toss to the end zone to a wide open Carvajal. 
The play took advantage of the aggressive Bartram defense who pressed the line of scrimmage to stop the rushing attack of Plant. The score made it 14-7 early in the second quarter. It was now time for Bartram to answer the score and they would do so in emphatic fashion. Quarterback Joey Gatewood entered the game for the next series, with spectators holding their breath for a breath taking play. He wouldn’t disappoint. Gatewood took the shot gun snap and took off straight up the middle,. He then cut right following the block of his wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson, and swan dove into the end zone for his second score of the half. A 50 yard scamper by Gatewood put Bartram up 21-7. After another stop by Bartram, quarterback Riley Smith would drive the Bears down field at the close of the second quarter. After a big run by the talented quarterback put his team deep in the redzone. Smith would roll to his right and find Kevin Maurer for a 2-yard TD. Bartram Trail would take it to halftime wit ha 28-7 lead leaving spectators in attendance surprised and perplexed.
In the second half Plant made adjustments and it showed on both sides of the ball. On offense, they began to run the ball with their bruiser Walter Wilbon III. Plant would drive down the field and cap their opening second half drive with a 20 yard touchdown run by Wilbon. The extra point would fail as Bartram led 28-13. After forcing the Bartram punt, Plant would drive down the field and get the ball to the one yard line thanks to the running by Wilbon. However big defensive end Kolton Mc Daniel and company would stuff a quarterback sneak by McCloud to turn them away. A personal foul penalty on Plant pushed the ball back to the 16 yard line where outside linebacker Johnny Amell would sack McCloud on fourth down to prevent Plant from bringing the score closer. It would remain 28-13 for the remainder of the third quarter as Bartram took a fifteen point lead into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth, Bartram would tack on a field goal by Ethan Dudley to push the lead to 31-13. Yet Plant would stage a comeback. Jordan Mcloud would roll to his right but throw back to his left to a wide open Leonard Parker. Parker did the rest, racing 72 yards for a Panther touchdown. McCloud would find Frank Murphy Jr on the two point conversion to make the score 31-21. Riley Smith would drive Bartram down field with an opportunity to put the game away, however a jump pass from the five yard line was broken up by Smoke Mungin and the Bears settled for another Dudley field goal. The score was 34-21 in the fourth quarter when McCloud hit Frank Murphy on a long 51 yard pass play. Leonard Parker would score on the next play and McCloud would score on a naked bootleg for the 2-pt conversion as Plant pulled to within five points, 34-29. However the onsides kick by Plant was unsuccessful, to the elation of the Bartram Trail sidelines as the Bears to three kneel downs for the win 34-29.
Bartram Trail will face Venice in the Florida Class 7A State Final on December 9th at 3pm. Venice upset St. Thomas Aquanis 27-20 in their semifinal contest Friday night. For Head Coach it’s another opportunity to do what he loves.
“I just thank God for the opportunity to have one more game with these great young men, we are looking forward to playing for a State title”.
Quarterback Joey Gatewood scored two touchdowns in the game yet understands it’s a team effort for his success. “I just give credit to the offensive line for opening holes and our defense for making plays tonight. We aren’t done yet”. The dynamic duo of Gatewood and Smith has both of the twin towers fueling each other.
Said Riley Smith after the game, “We are hungry, we have an awesome offensive line, great skill guys, and they do a great job of making me look good. We reppin the 904 out here, and we’re just trying to bring a championship back!”
Featured story images by Eagles Eye Photography ( Aaron Jones)
Photo Gallery by Andre’ Ellis
