St. Augustine Fl- It was that time again, the annual football contest between Bartram Trail and St Augustine. Both teams came into the game with only one loss, and looking to have bragging rights for the 2021 season. Bartram, after losing 19 straight to St. Augustine have won 4 straight, including a 26-14 win Friday night. The seniors on Bartram Trail are the only ones in the history of the school who have never lost to St. Augustine. One might say, their confidence from seeing the team win four years ago, resonated with each win and each player.
The same seems to be happening in the 2021 season. With every win, Bartram seems to be getting more confident, finding way to win unconventionally on offense and with defense. Against the Jackets, Bartram quarterback Riley Trujillo tossed a touchdown pass to Elo Modozie. Trujillo had missed multiple games due to a hand injury, but he and Cade Duncan worked at quarterback Friday. Duncan ran a touchdown in the game, as Bartram deployed their signature duel quarterback system.
St. Augustine prepared for Eric Weatherly to command the attention in the run game, however it was AJ Megas who lead the way with 62 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
St. Augustine looked as if they were going to finally stop the new streak by Bartram early on. A pass from Trevon Dirden to Riley Stevens put the Jackets up early 7-0.
In the fourth quarter, a touchdown catch by Myles Simmons gave St. Augustine a 14-10 lead. The Jackets were supremely confident as they had held Eric Weatherly to 9 total all purpose yards for the game. Yet Bartram never lost their confidence and found other ways to score points.
Kicker Liam Padron bunted two field goals in the game to keep Bartram in striking distance and their defense did the rest. Two sacks by Dylan Chiedo and Mason Mozo were contributing factors, holding their rivals high scoring offense to their lowest point total this year.
When a team can get everyone involved, and not rely on their top recruits to carry the team that builds confidence inside the locker room. Sure we know the undeniable talent of the Eric Weatherly, Hayden Swartz, Segree Graham, Sharif Denson and Micah Pollard on the team, but it’s the other contributors that are a big reason Bartram took down St. Augustine and is instilling confidence in their team.
