St. Johns Fl- Bartram Trail and Apopka both came into their Friday night contest undefeated at 1-0 on the season. So something had to give when the two powerhouses collided in a much anticipated Week 2 contest. What eventually gave was the Bartram Trail run defense, who gave up over 600 yards rushing and five touchdowns on the night in the 33-28 defeat to Apopka.
The Blue Darter’s four headed monster backfield dominated the contestst. First it was #6 Cornelius Williams who scored on a 24 yard touchdown run with under a minute to play in the first quarter. It would be his fourth touchdown in two games as the talented back found the endzone in spectacular fashion. 
After seemingly being tackled after a 7 yard gain, Williams was able to stay on his feet and roll on top of a defender to regain his balance and scamper another 8 yards for the touchdown.Bartram Trail would respond. After driving the length of the field with big runs by runningback Devin Ellison. Bartram would dial up a trick play early when #5 Griffin Helm took the toss sweep and pulled up to complete a 41 Yd pass to #17 Zach Rhodes for a TD. Apopka 7, Bartram Trail 7. After the Bartram touchdown, Apopka would respond with the second head of their four headed monster. Eric Wright #2 began to find creases in the defenses, off tackle and around the edge. He would score on a belly play right up the gut following the block of #88 Jalen Carter, and Apopka would take the lead 13-7. A bad snap on the PAT kept the score at a 6 point differential.
Devin Ellison @__devn7__ with a great performance tonight in the loss to Apopka. Breaking several tackles, scoring touchdowns and catching out of the backfield! A Special talent! pic.twitter.com/6wmXkxgPwo
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) September 1, 2018
It would be time for the Bears to answer, and the one to pick up the receiver would be running back Devin Ellison. Ellison would burst up the middle for a 15 yard gain. He would then get a first down on a swing pass showing his versatility putting the ball at the Apopka 30 yard line. A pass by Chad Dodson to Griffin Helm moved the ball closer to pay dirt, and the very next play Gunner Hitzeman would sky for the reception to move the chains. The play set up #22 Devin Ellison with a 3 yard rushing touchdown with 5:47 to go in the 2nd. Apopka 13, Bartram Trail 14 after the succesful PAT by #43 Will Greig.
Unfortunately for the Bears it would be the last time they saw a lead on the night. On the ensuing kickoff a fumbled fake reverse on the return by Anthony Fieldings and Cornelius Williams went for a huge loss at their own 6 yard line. However on the first play from scrimmage, Akeem Brown would take a sweep and turn it up for the longest run of the night, a 56 yard romp behind his blockers as he was brought down by a shoe string tackle, putting the ball in Bartram territory. Quarterback Jackson Darlington would get a first down on the next play with a 12 yard run, and on the very next play #1 Jecoryan Davis-Hamilton took the handoff, raced around the right end breaking several tackles and lunged into the endzone for the score. Apopka would take the lead 19-14 with the failed 2-point conversion.
Cornelius Williams @therealneilw ran hard tonight for @ApopkaFootball powering his team to the victory over Bartram! pic.twitter.com/6IiZh4i0yn
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) September 1, 2018
Missed opportunites by Bartram would plauge the Bears on the night. After driving to the Apopka 25 yard line on the ensuing drive, the Bears would fail to convert a 4th and 5, giving the ball back to the Blue Darters. Apopka would make them pay as the law-firm of Hamilton, Brown, and Wright would get first downs running the ball. With the ball on the 7 yard line, #88 Jalen Carter would score with a 7 yard rushing TD. Apopka increased their lead over Bartram Trail 26-14. Carter showed the versatility of the Apopka arsenal. He played H-Back, Defensive End, and is on the hands team for special teams. Jecoryan Davis-Hamilton scored a touchdown and would be put in at safety late in the first half and secured an interception. The ability to make plays on both sides of the ball gave Apopka the advantage in the first half with a score of 26-14.
Jalen Carter is a man! @Jalen2rawcarter he plays DE, HB, and FB! Created havoc on the edge and scored a TD tonight rushing the ball for Apopka. His lead blocking led them to the over 200 yard total rushing effort! pic.twitter.com/aE7WejmPDn
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) September 1, 2018
A late surge by Bartram Trail kept it close in the second half. Ellison would get his second touchdown of the game, and #10 Chad Dodson completed a 5 yard touchdown pass to #7 Jackson Mayer to make it a close game. Yet it wouldn’t be enough as Apopka remained one step ahead of the Bears. A rushing touchdown by Apopka’s Eric Wright (his 2nd) proved to be all they needed in the second half, as the Blue Darters racked up 613 yards rushing to win the game 33-28.
Jecoryan Davis Hamilton with a spectacular rushing effort breaking several tackles and making people miss! Scored a TD and secured an interception at safety against Bartram in the win! pic.twitter.com/uI91DE6ZGT
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) September 1, 2018
Apopka improves to 2-0 on the season and will face Lakeland next, while Bartram falls to 1-1 and will take on Clay next week.
