ORLANDO – After years of falling just short of the state championship game, Bartram Trail finally reached the promised land advancing to play for a state title.
However waiting for the talented team from St. Johns County was the Venice Indians, who were just as hungry to win a title.
Venice would hit Bartram Trail with a barrage of weapons to which they had not seen before, pressuring them in every facet of the game.
This class 7A contest between two number one teams would test not only Bartram’s individual pride, but also their collective togetherness. And in the end, the 2017 Bears would show exactly why they went further than any other team in the school’s eighteen year history.
Trailing 20-3 at halftime, Bartram found themselves with their backs against the wall. Venice’s aggressive rushing attack had completely overwhelmed the Bears to the tune of 185 yards on the ground.
Quarterback Bryce Carpenter accounted for 142 of those rushing yards, scoring on an 18 yard touchdown run with 7:33 to go in the first quarter.
Carpenter led his team on a 12 play drive 77 yard drive to put the Indians up 7-0. After a Zack Sessa field goal put Venice up 10-3, Carpenter would score on a two yard touchdown run in the second quarter to increase their lead to 17-3. Sessa would tack on a 45 yard field goal to end the half and Bartram found themselves in a very precarious position in the most important game of their lives.
The Bears just had no answer for the Venice offense in the first half. Venice found success running the ball with counter action up front pulling backside lineman at the point of attack.
Bartram’s quick but smaller defenders were swallowed by the Indians bigger and stronger offensive line. Carpenter would follow his blocks and seemingly spurt from behind his lineman to break free on several runs.
They had success running to the right side of the Bears defensive line as Carpenter walked into the end zone untouched on both of his touchdown runs.
Bartram’s first drive led by quarterback Riley Smith looked promising as he and Devin Ellison chunked out five yards a play.
However Bartram’s drive stalled on the Venice eight yard line, and the Bears had to settle for an Ethan Dudley 25 yard field goal.
If Bartram was to get back into the game, they would need more plays like they received from defensive back Chase Ruskin, whose first quarter interception saw him dawn the turnover chain.
Chase Ruskin bling! bling! After the interception! @andreellis55 @wwbrown19 @JustinBarneyTU @ByCoreyDavis pic.twitter.com/P1VAio8ZdZ
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) December 9, 2017
In the second half, Venice increased their lead early in the third quarter.
After forcing a Bartram Trail punt, it took Venice just two plays to score when Carpenter hit his big play receiver Jaivon Heiligh for a 64 yard bomb. On the next play, Carpenter would score on an 8 yard touchdown run and Venice built a twenty four point lead 27-3.
On the next drive, disaster struck for Bartram again when Robert French fumbled the ball and it was recovered by Jeremy Trebbles and returned to the Venice 49 yard line.
With the ball at midfield, Venice went on a 12 play drive culminating in another short Bryce Carpenter touchdown run to put the score at 34-3.
It was a perfect time for Bartram to throw in the towel but instead they stayed loyal to their coach, loyal to their fans and loyal to each other as they began to stage a comeback.
On the next drive, quarterback Joey Gatewood was inserted to run the possession. He started the drive with a 10 yard run then completed a 22 yard pass to Jake Navin. A 23 yard pass from Gatewood to Kevin Mauer set Bartram up in the red zone on the Venice 11 yard line.
Then on fourth down, Gatewood found Devin Ellison on a swing pass where Ellison ran 12 yards for their first touchdown of the game.
The celebration was short lived when on the next drive Carpenter found his big play receiver Javion Heiligh on a 44 yard pass play, setting up the Indians in scoring position to close the third quarter.
However the Bartram defense would hold Venice to another field goal to make the score 37-10.
Next drive Smith was reinserted into the game at quarterback as Bartram rotates its two quarterbacks every series. It took jut three plays for the senior to put his team in the end zone.
After a 6 yard run by Smith, he then connected with Xavier Hutchinson for a 20 yard pass play. On the next play Smith found Griffin Helm for a wide open 54 yard touchdown. After the extra point, Bartram trailed 37-17 and all of a sudden had life again.
The defense took its cue from the offense on the next drive, making a much needed play. On the first play Bartram’s Harry Bowker intercepted Carpenter who threw into tripple coverage looking for Heiligh again. Bowker would be tackled at the the Venice 41 yard line.
It would be Joey Gatewood’s turn to lead the offense. The senior Auburn commit began the drive with a complete pass to Hutchinson followed by a run for a first down. After a nice gain by Ellison Gatewood dropped back and completed a long pass to his big play Hutchinson for 39 yards.
Two plays later, Gatewood would use his legs on a zone read keeping it himself and lowering his shoulders over the defenders at the goal-line for a touchdown.
Suddenly, the game was 37-24 with 9:19 to play as Bartram refused to throw in the towel. They erased a 31 point lead and got it down to 13 midway through the fourth quarter.
And all they needed was a stop on defense to get themselves within one score of tying the ball game. The Bears defense would do just that by forcing Venice to punt on their next drive.
Senior Parker Devine would sack Carpenter to the eruption of the Bartram Trail crowd. Carpenter played a good game pressuring the quarterback during the game. His big play gave the ball back to his offense, in hopes of galvanizing his team.
Smith and Gatewood entered the game with the offense on the next drive. Smith drove the team from his own 25 yard line to the Venice 18 yard line.
His two biggest plays were to Gatewood who now lined up at wide receiver for the Bears. Smith hit Gatewood for a 39 yard pass reception.
He and Gatewood hooked up again for a 9 yard pass on the drive. They attempted to make third times a charm when Smith lofted a pass deep to the end zone for Gatewood, however the pass was broken up by defensive back Jared Bailey.
Two plays later on fourth down, Riley Smith couldn’t connect with Ellison spoiling a golden opportunity for Bartram to turn the tide of the game.
Venice would chew 3:47 seconds off the clock with big first down runs by Carpenter. The talented quarterback finished the game with 40 carries 226 yards and 4 touchdowns.
The bulk of his 180 passing yards went to wide receiver Jaivon Heiligh who finished with 8 receptions for 159 yards. Their incredible play carried Venice to it’s second state championship (2000) 37-24.
After the game, Bartram Trail held their head high knowing they gave it their all but came up short in the championship game.
“I love each and everyone of these men, they believed in each other and fought to the last minute, “said Bartram Trail Head Coach Darrell Sutherland.
His team finished the year 11-4 playing the toughest schedule in Northeast Florida. Their fight till the end is a testament to the players true heart that many of them built by playing together for several years.
“From JV, to starting my junior year, to making it here (State Championship), it’s a dream come true,” defensive tackle Parker Devine said.
The senior’s accomplishments can carry them on to the next level whether it’s on the football field or not.
For Gatewood, college coaches believe his intangibles can definitely work in his favor at the next level.
An Auburn coach in attendance at the game said, ” He (Gatewood) is extremely loyal and a dedicated person. He’s truly special.”
Other teams in Northeast Florida knew how special Gatewood was, but his loyalty remained with the Bears.
“I didn’t plan on leaving, we have great coaches and great teammates, I knew this team was special and I knew I couldn’t leave,” Gatewood said. “Loyalty doesn’t change and I plan on taking this to my next chapter”.
Bartram Trail Seniors walk of the High School Football field for the last time… @Joey1gatewood @rileysmith_9 #4 Xavier Hutchinson #34 Isaiah Andrews pic.twitter.com/3c7Th1kQ6M
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) December 9, 2017
Photography by Aaron Jones ( DuvalSports.com / Eagles Eye Photography)
