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JACKETS TAKE 27-13 VICTORY OVER KATHLEEN
The Bartow Yellow Jackets, behind seniors Shandrin Tollie and Marcus Floyd, led the Jackets to a 27-13 home opening victory over 4-A District 10 rival Kathleen Red Devils at Bartow Memorial Stadium before a crowd of 4,100 Friday night.
Floyd rushed for 152 yards, while Tollie carried the ball for 76 and threw for 111. The Bartow defense held the Red Devils to 95 yards rushing.
Bartow received the opening kickoff and from the first offensive play, the football spent a lot of time on the ground. Vince Brewer committed the first of his two fumbles within a three minute span.
Kathleen took over on the Bartow 25-yard line. However, the Devils were not free of turnovers, when Andre Shaw's first pass attempt was picked off by senior Ronald Daughtry.
But two plays later Brewer again loses the ball, and Kathleen is back in business at Bartow's 26. The very next play Kathleen gives it right back on the fourth turnover of the first four minutes of the game. Both teams seemed a little uptight and not into the game.
After exchanging punts, the Jackets set up shop at their own 14-yard line. But Floyd coughed up the ball for the quarter's fifth turnover. Kathleen's attempt at a 34-yard field goal was off to the left.
From its own 20, Bartow started to relax. Tollie sprinted for a 27-yard gain, then passed to Steve Morgan for 17, setting up Bartow on the one-yard line. Floyd then scored, leaping over the line, early in the second quarter, for the first touchdown. The point after by Jeff Watson was good. Bartow led 7-0.
Bartow kicked off and Kathleen started on its own 27. Shaw had his second pass of the night picked off, this time by Darek Smith.
Kathleen got on the scoreboard just before the half on a 50-yard punt return by Freddie Mitchell. The extra point was good by Matt Rials. Tied at 7-7. Bartow missed a field goal jut before halftime.
To start the second half, Kathleen's Mitchell returned Bartow's kickoff 70 yards to the Jacket 15-yard line. The Bartow defense made its stand, the Red Devils ran seven plays then tried a 24-yard field goal, which was blocked by Smith.
On the night's most bizarre play, Tollie faked a handoff to Floyd and took off around the right-side. However, the referee bit on the fake and inadvertently stopped the play, sending Bartow coaches and fans into a frenzy. On the next play Tollie threw an interception and Kathleen's Vic Stewart scored from 10 yards out, midway through the third quarter. Rials' extra point try was no good. Kathleen led 13-7.
On Bartow's next possession Floyd took off on a 60-yard gallop to Kathleen's four-yard line. Tollie then punched into the end zone for the score and Watson's kick was good. Bartow now led 14-13.
The Jacket defense, controlling the line of scrimmage all night, forced the third Red Devil fumble of the game, and Maurice Tucker recovered the loose ball in the endzone for the final touchdown of the game. Watson' kick was blocked. Final score, Bartow 27-13.
Bartow coach Danny Smith, back on the sidelines, "was very proud of both the offensive and defensive effort the players showed." Smith went on, "In spite of the early turnovers, the boys played 48 minutes of hard football. We worked hard on conditioning and tonight we had a whole team effort. I'm proud of the boys."
Bartow (2-0) entered the game ranked 10th in the 4-A state polls, with Kathleen (1-1) ranked 7th.
KATHLEEN 0 7 6 0 - 13
BARTOW 0 7 7 13 - 27
Second Quarter
Bartow - Marcus Floyd 1-yard TD run @10:55. Jeff Watson PAT good.
Kathleen - Freddie Mitchell 50-yard punt return @1:44. Matt Rials PAT good.
Third Quarter
Kathleen - Vic Stewart 10-yard TD run @6:18. Rials PAT good.
Bartow - Shandrin Tollie 4-yard TD run @13.1. Waton PAT good.
Fourth Quarter
Bartow - Terrell Parham 7-yard TD run @6:35. Waton PAT good.
Bartow - Maurice Tucker fumble recovery in endzone @6:22. Watson PAT good.
TEAM STATS KATHLEEN BARTOW
First Downs 6 16
Rushes/Yards 32/95 38/255
Passing 4/11/3 6/12/2
Pasing Yards 26 111
Total Yards 121 366
Fumbles/Lost 3/2 5/4
Penalties/Yards 3/30 3/30
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JACKETS WHIP BRAVES, 51-2
If Jacket fans liked the running of Marcus Floyd and the offensive line, then they were sure to love the passing performance of Shandrin Tollie on Friday night, in the 51-2 whipping of the Lake Gibson Braves, the second home game of the season in Bartow Memorial Stadium.
'Sleepy,' as he is known to his teammates, dwarfed the Braves' defense completing 12 of 15 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns.
"The defense scheme they (Lake Gibson) were using allowed the scoring to explode", said Bartow Coach Danny Smith, "Playing eight men up front left only three defensive backs cover four receivers." Coach Smith went on, "You take what they give you."
The Jacket defense continued to play tough, allowing only 76 total yards. Darek Smith picked off two Lake Gibson passes, an the Jacket defense forced three fumbles.
Bartow got on the scoreboard first with a 25-yard field goal by Jeff Watson. After a Lake Gibson drive stalled, Bartow took the ball and drove 60 yards. Tollie finished the drive with a two-yard touchdown run. The Jackets scored one more time in the first quarter when Tollie connected with Greg Moore on a 32-yard touchdown pass. Watson added the extra point after both touchdowns.
Midway through the second quarter, Tollie came out of the game for a couple of plays after suffering several hard tackles. Tollie's second and third touchdown passes came in the second quarter when he found Floyd for 37 yards, the Vince Brewer for 24 yards, just before halftime.
Tollie's final TD pass was his final play of the night, when connected with Brewer again this time for 22 yards.
Floyd had a quiet 101 yards rushing, including a five-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter.
With a 45-0 lead, Coach Smith let some second stringers get into the action, including back quarterback Hal Hawkins. It didn't take long for Hawkins exploit the Braves' defense with a 13-yard TD pass to Terrell Parham.
Lake Gibson prevented shutout when they sacked Hawkins in the end zone for a safety.
Coach Smith was asked about a let-down after last week's victory over Kathleen. "We were not afraid of any-let down. The team was ready and it was another good effort by the whole team, a great victory."
The game was not perfect for the Yellow Jackets. They committed eight offensive penalties for 105 yards.
Bartow improved to 3-0 on the season, while Lake Gibson fell to 0-3.
Bartow will travel to Mulberry next Friday to play the Panthers. The kickoff is at 7:30.
LAKE GIBSON 0 0 0 2 - 2
BARTOW 17 14 14 6 - 51
First Quarter
Bartow - Jeff Watson 25-yard field goal @7:01.
Bartow - Shandrin Tollie 2-yard TD run @2:14. Watson PAT good.
Bartow - 32-yard TD pass from Tollie to Greg Moore @1:03. Waton PAT good.
Second Quarter
Bartow - 37-yard TD pass from Tollie to Marcus Floyd @5:46. Watson PAT good.
Bartow - 24-yard TD pass from Tollie to Vince Brewer @9.1. Watson PAT good.
Third Quarter
Bartow - 22-yard TD pass from Tollie to Brewer @7:49. Watson PAT good.
Bartow - Floyd 5-yard TD run @6:14. Watson PAT good.
Fourth Quarter
Bartow - 13-yard TD pass from Hal Hawkins to Terrell Parham @7:52. Watson PAT good.
Lake Gibson Safety @1:36, Hawkins sacked in the endzone.
TEAM STATS LAKE GIBSON BARTOW
First Downs 5 13
Rushes/Yards 22/67 38/168
Passing 6/12/0 15/20/0
Passing Yards 7 312
Totals Yards 74 480
Fumbles/Lost 3/3 2/0
Penaltie/Yards 4/35 8/105
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YELLOW JACKETS WIN 63-7 OVER PANTHERS
Basking in the glow of a full moon, the fourth-ranked Bartow Yellow Jackets improved their record to a perfect 4-0 Friday night with a 63-7 district win over the Mulberry Panthers, at the Phosphate Bowl.
Mulberry won the coin toss, took the opening kickoff, and impressively drove the ball down the field, led by quarterback Sheraton Fox. But Bartow's Darek Smith intercepted Fox and returned the ball to Mulberry's seven-yard line. For Smith, it was his sixth interception of the year.
Two plays later, Marcus Floyd scored from seven yards out, and Jeff Watson added the extra point.
Mulberry struck right back in less than three minutes, when Fox connected with Raymond Branch for a 67-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was good and the score was tied.
Bartow added one final score in the first quarter when Shandrin Tollie found Greg Moore to complete a 45-yard touchdown pass. Watson's extra point kick was good.
In the second quarter the Jacket offense, defense and special teams scored touchdowns. The first came when the Panthers' Cory Bowling's punt was blocked and picked up by Nakoa Woodruff, who scored from 10-yards out. Watson's extra point was good.
On Mulberry's next offensive play, Fox was intercepted by Jason Butler, who returned 23-yards for a touchdown. Watson again was good on the extra point kick.
The offense scored when Floyd went 10-yards, capping off a 66-yard drive. Watson was good on the kick.
The Jacket special team scored again when Bowling mishandled the long punt snap. Terrell Parham picked up the loose ball and sprinted 12 yards for the touchdown, just prior to the end of the first half.
It seems like a proper time for this word about Bartow's kicker, Jeff Watson. He kicked off eight times, putting five of those into the end zone, forcing the Panthers to start at their own 20-yard line. Watson was also a perfect seven for seven on extra point kicks. Watson's strong kicking ability will come in very handy in close ball games.
The second half was more of the same with Bartow scoring three more times, and the defense controlling the line of scrimmage.
Floyd finished the night on a 30-yard TD run, set up by a 40-yard pass play from Tollie to Moore.
Vince Brewer scored from 19 yards out. Parham added the final Jacket TD on a 29-yard TD run. The final two extra points were kicked by freshman kicker John Delegge.
Most of Bartow's second team players saw action in the final quarter. The coaching staff reports no serious injuries in the game.
Bartow coach Danny Smith said, "The offensive line performed very well and we had another good effort by the whole team, a great victory."
Bartow improved to 4-0 on the season while Mulberry fell to 1-3. Bartow will be at home friday night to play the Hardee Wildcats, ranked second in class 4A. This another revenge game for the Jackets, who lost twice to Hardee last year, first in the regular season, then in the playoffs, both games played down outh in Hardee. The kickoff is set for 7:30.
BARTOW 14 28 21 0 - 63
MULBERRY 7 0 0 0 - 7
First Quarter
Bartow - Marcus Floyd 7-yard TD run @6:24. Jeff Watson PAT good.
Mulberry - 67-yard TD pass from Sheraton Fox to Raymond Branch @4:50. PAT good.
Bartow - 45-yard TD pass from Tollie to Greg Moore @2:55. Watson PAT good.
Second Quarter
Bartow - Nakoa Woodruff blocked punt return for TD @7:22. Watson PAT good.
Bartow - Jason Butler 23-yard interception return for TD @6:41. Watson PAT good.
Bartow - Floyd 10-yard TD run @3:02. Watson PAT good.
Bartow - Terrell Parham fumble recovery return for TD @48.8. Watson PAT good.
Third Quarter
Bartow - Floyd 30-yard TD run @11:07. Watson PAT good.
Bartow - Vince Brewer 19-yard TD run @6:56 . John DeLegge PAT good.
Bartow - Parham 29-yard TD run @2:07. DeLegge PAT good.
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RAIN DRENCHES JACKETS IN 26-13 LOSS TO HARDEE
The second ranked Hardee Wildcats made it three for three friday night with a 26-13 win over the third ranked Bartow Yellow Jackets.
With rain falling for most of the first half, and a crowd of over 5,000 at Bartow Memorial Stadium, the Wildcats improved their record to 4-0, while the Jackets suffered their first setback of the year at 4-1.
In big games, turnovers and penalties play a big part, and the game Friday was no exception. A Hardee fumble turned into a touchdown for Bartow. A penalty against Bartow for too many men on the field led to a score for Hardee. Bartow quarterback Shandrin Tollie was intercepted four times.
Hardee kicked off to start the game, and Bartow drove down tothe Hardee 25-yard line before turning the ball over on downs. Both teams spent the first quarter marching up and down the field, but were not able to score.
Hardee got on the scoreboard first when senior Daniel Irby got into the endzone for the touchdown. The extra point kick was no good.
After the Hardee kickoff, Tollie was intercepted by Wildcat Enrique Retana, one of three for the junior. However, Hardee had to punt.
The big blow for Bartow came midway through the second quarter, when senior running back Marcus Floyd went out of the game with a broken collar bone. Floyd would be out of the lineup for six weeks. Nakoa Woodruff took Floyd's spot on the offense.
Bartow's first points came on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Tollie to Greg Moore. The pass was set up by a 22-yard run up the middle by Woodruff. The extra point attempt by Jeff Watson was no good after the snap was mishandled.
Watson kicked off for Bartow, and like many of his kicks, the ball sailed into the end zone. However, the Jackets were flagged for offside, and Watson had to re-kick. After the five-yard penalty, Watson promptly kicked the ball right back to the end zone for the touchback. The first half ended at 6-6.
Hardee took the second half kickoff and started to drive, when Bartow's Dante Roach recovered a fumble on the Hardee 44-yard line. A few plays later, Tollie, displaying more moves than Jell-O, and sending Wildcat players back to the sidelines scratching their heads, scored on a 34-yard run. Watson added the extra point. Bartow led for the first time, 13-6.
Hardee started its next possession on its own 35-yard line. The Jacket defense stiffened and forced Hardee to punt. However, Bartow was penalized for too many men on the field. Hardee was given the ball back with a first down. Moments later, Hardee's Charles Browdy sprinted 29 yards for a touchdown. Hardee attempted a two-point conversion but it failed.
The scoring in the third quarter finished when Tollie was intercepted by Retana, which led to a one-yard TD run by Elias Richardson. Again the two-point conversion try was no good, but Hardee took the lead, 18-13.
In the fourth quarter, Hardee finished the scoring with a two-yard run by Joe Rivers. The two-point conversion was successful.
Bartow tried to mount a comeback, with Tollie completing passes to Hank Stenger and Moore, and the running of Woodruff, but the Jackets fell short. Final score, 26-13.
Bartow coach Danny Smith said, "They just beat us physically." Hardee coach Phil Rasmussen was aware of the potent passing game of Bartpw, but said, "We felt the wet ball hurt Tollie and helped us create mistakes."
Bartow will be on the road to Haines City for a district game Friday night. The kickoff will be at 7:30.
HARDEE 0 6 12 8 - 26
BARTOW 0 6 7 0 - 13
Second Quarter
Hardee - Daniel Irby 2-yard TD run @9:11. PAT missed.
Bartow - 20-yard TD pass from Shandrin Tollie to Greg Moore @3:34. Jeff Watson PAT missed.
Third Quarter
Bartow - Tollie 34-yard TD run @9:18. Watson PAT good.
Hardee - Charles Browdy 29-yard TD run @6:38. 2-point conversion failed.
Hardee - Elias Richardson 1-yard TD run @2:47. 2-point conversion failed.
Fourth Quarter
Hardee - Joe Rivers 1-yard TD run @8:51. 2-point conversion good.
TEAM STATS HARDEE BARTOW
First Downs 15 10
Rushes/Yards 45/186 27/130
Passing 5/8/0 11/21/4
Passing Yards 70 125
Total Yards 256 255
Fumbles/Lost 2/1 0/0
Penalties/Yards 4/40 2/10
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JACKETS RALLY TO NIP HORNETS 16-13
The eight-ranked Bartow Yellow Jackets remained undefeated in Class 4-A District 10 with a 16-13 win over the Haines City Hornets. It was a perfect football weather Friday night at Joe Stangry field in Haines City with clear skies and cool temperatures, but a sparse crowd of 2,300.
The Jackets were coming off an emotional loss to Hardee, and the loss of running back Marcus Floyd, out for four to six weeks with a broken collar bone.
Bartow's coaches had to focus the players on a tough Haines City defense the run to the playoffs, and maybe a rematch with Hardee. Bartow coach Danny Smith said, "They (Hardee) were last week. We need to show some pride on the field."
After receiving the opening kickoff Haines City was stopped by the Jacket defense. However, the Hornets converted a fake punt picking up 27 yards on a pass from Hornet quarterback Aaron Young to Marcus Wilson. A few plays later, Young handed off to Brian Chambers who threw 49 yards to Wilson for the touchdown. Scotty Bridger added the extra point and Haines City led 7-0.
After both teams exchanged fumbles, and punts, Bartow quarterback Shandrin Tollie had the offense moving down the field. On a questionable call, Tollie was intercepted by Hornet Terrence Jackson in the end zone. The turnover led to a 38-yard field goal attempt by Haines City, which was partially blocked by Jacket Darek Smith.
Bartow received the second half kickoff. The Jacket offense stalled and had to punt. Haines City also could not get going, and set up for the punt, but a high nap sent the punter scrambling, and the Jackets took over at midfleld.
Moments later, junior running back Maurice Tucker scored from nine yards out. Bartow converted the two-point play when Tollie completed a pass to Greg Moore. Bartow led for tbe first time 8-7. The Bartow defense forced Haines City to punt, but on the Jackets' next possession Tollie was intercepted for the second time by Jackson. The Hornets set up for a 22-yard field goal, but on the play, Bartow was flagged for offside. On the next play, Hornet
senior running back Ernest Wright scored on a three-yard run. Haines City failed on the two-point try, but the Hornets led 13-7.
Bartow finished the scoring and the comeback with an 89-yard drive, taking just under
five minutes, and capped off when Terrell Parham went four yards for the touchdown. Tollie
connected with Parham on the two-point conversion. Bartow led 16-13.
Haines City's attempted comeback was shattered when Jacket senior Jason Tyson intercepted Young.
Smith said, "Give Haines City credit, we had a poor first half." Asked about the replacement for the injured Marcus Floyd, Smith said "Marcus is hard to replace, but we have ability, and work hard on conditioning."
The Lake Wales Highlanders defeated Durant 38 to 6, so Bartow and Lake Wales are the only undefeated teams in the Clase 4-A District 10 race. Bartow plays Durant in two weeks, and Lake Wales in four.
The Yellow Jackets will celebrate homecoming Friday night as they play host to Arcadia-DeSoto. The kickoff is at 7:30.
BARTOW 0 0 8 8 - 16
HAINES CITY 7 0 0 6 - 13
First Quarter
Haines City 43-yard TD pass from Brian Chambers to Marcus Wilson @5:43.
Scotty Bridges PAT good.
Third Quarter
Bartow - Maurice Tucker 9-yard TD run @4:26.
Shandrin Tollie to Greg Moore for 2-point conversion.
Fourth Quarter
Haines City Ernest Wright 3-yard TD run @8:03.
2-point attempt is no good.
Bartow - Terrel Parham 4-yard TD run @3:14.
Tollie to Parham for 2-point conversion.
TEAM STATS HAINES CITY BARTOW
First Downs 10 14
Rushes/Yards 31/126 49/281
Passing 9/14/1 2/5/2
Passing Yards 111 47
Total Yards 237 328
Fumbles/Lost 2/1 5/2
Penalties/Yards 5/30 4/40
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JACKETS CELEBRATE HOMECOMING WITH WIN OVER DESOTO
The sixth ranked Bartow Yellow Jackets shutout the Bulldogs from Arcadia-DeSoto, 35-0, for a homecoming victory.
The Jackets were led by senior quarterback Shandrin Tollie with four touchdowns - three passing, and one running. Tollie was 11 of 17 for 121 yards, and rushed for 81 yards on 12 carries.
DeSoto received the opening kickoff, but could not move the ball against the tough Jacket defense. Bartow took their first possession and drove 61-yards for a touchdown, when Tollie connected with Greg Moore on a 7-yard pass. Jeff Watson added the extra point.
DeSoto put together a good drive behind the running of Seth Spires, and moved the ball down to Bartow's three-yard line. However the Bulldogs turned the ball over on downs. This set up Bartow for their next score, a 97-yard drive, all through the running game, and finished by Tollie on a 3-yard dive. Watson's kick was good.
Bartow's Darek Smith picked off his seventh interception of the year when he stepped in front of Bulldog quarterback Jerome Reaves' pass, at the Jacket 30-yard line. The Jackets converted the turnover into 70-yard drive, this time using the pass on every down, with Tollie finding Terrell Parham, for a seven-yard TD toss. Watson's extra point was good.
In the second half, more Yellow Jackets. Tollie to Parham for another seven-yard TD pass, capping off a 72-yard drive. The Jackets final touchdown was very quick. Taking only 51 seconds and driving 49 yards, Maurice Tucker sprinted 10-yards straight ahead to the endzone. Watson's extra point kick was good.
The Jackets did commit two turnovers, a Tollie interception, and Tollie stripped of the ball while scrambling. But the miscues did not hurt Bartow, thanks to the tough play of the Jacket defense. Junior defensive lineman Dante Roach, Kodi Wright, and Jason Butler were among others delivering hard hits, and timely tackles.
Bartow coach Danny Smith, "I think we just wore them (DeSoto) out. The offense played good, and the defense was very aggressive." Smith on the offense, "Tollie was good, Tucker and the offensive line are getting better."
Bartow improved to 6-1, while DeSoto dropped to 1-6. Bartow will face district opponent Durant Friday night at Bartow Memorial Stadium. A win by the Jackets, will assure them of a playoff spot. Kick is set for 7:30pm.
DESOTO 0 0 0 0 - 0
BARTOW 7 14 14 0 - 35
First Quarter
Bartow - Greg Moore 9-yard TD pass from Shandrin Tollie @4:03. Jeff Watson PAT good.
Second Quarter
Bartow - Tollie 3-yard TD run @3:21. Watson PAT good.
Bartow - Terrell Parham 7-yard TD pass from Tollie @2.0. Watson PAT good.
Third Quarter
Bartow - Parham 7-yard TD pass from Tollie @9:05. Watson PAT good.
Bartow - Maurice Tucker 10-yard TD run @6:03. Watson PAT good.
TEAM STATS DESOTO BARTOW
First Downs 6 20
Rushes/Yards 43/123 41/307
Passing 1/2/1 11/17/1
Passing Yards 3 121
Total Yards 126 428
Fumbles/Lost 2/0 4/1
Penalties/Yards 1/5 5/40
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BARTOW CLINCHES POST SEASON SPOT
The Bartow Yellow Jackets have achieved their first of three goals - make the playoffs. Bartow made the post season with a blowout of district opponent Durant 66-0, Friday night at Bartow Memorial Stadium.
Bartow Head Coach Danny Smith outlined the three goals for the football squad this year, "number one make the playoffs, two a district title, and three a state championship."
Bartow senior quarterback Shandrin Tollie was the offensive leader, rushing 11 for 100 yards and four touchdowns; and passing 8 of 11 for 156 yards and two touchdowns.
The Bartow defense welcomed the return of two key starters from last year, Kenny Thornton and Fudial Donald. Smith said, "those guys are team leaders, they were dominant." They were previously academically ineligible.
It was a perfect night, clear skies, and a full moon, with moderate temperatures. Durant received the opening kickoff, but was forced to punt after a big sack on 3rd down by Thornton.
Bartow did not waste any time scoring. They put together a 64-yard drive with Tollie hooking up with Greg Moore for a 39-yard touchdown, all in about a minute. Jeff Watson had a rare miss on the extra point.
Durant tried a fake punt on their next series, but the Jacket defense was not fooled. However the Jackets could not move the ball, and turned the ball over on downs. Durant then put their best drive of the night, moving to Bartow's 27-yard line, but the Jacket defense held.
Just under way in the second quarter, Tollie scampered 19-yards for a touchdown. Then Tollie connected with Terrell Parham on the two-point conversion.
Hal Hawkins recovered a fumble from Cougar running back Broadnax, leading to a 46-yard field goal by Jeff Watson.
Bartow scored three more touchdowns before the end of the first half. Tollie had two 1-yard TD runs, and a 15-yard TD pass to Parham. Watson made all three extra points.
If things were not going bad enough for Durant on one Bartow drive, the Cougars were flagged for three unsportsmanlike penalties, one right after another on the same play. Later, Cougar defensive back Rooster Geiger was ejected.
The second half was more Bartow, including a defensive touchdown when Kodi Wright picked up a Cougar fumble, and rumbled 7-yards for a score.
Finishing the scoring in the third quarter was Nakoa Woodruff on a 34-yard touchdown run.
Most of the fourth quarter was played by the Bartow second teamers, including quarterback Hal Hawkins. Hawkins ended the Jacket onslaught, with a 53-yard touchdown run. John DeLegge made the extra point.
Smith talked about the game, "the kids played hard, and give credit to our coaching staff. I think we out-classed and out-played them, they were over matched."
With the Yellow Jacket win and the Lake Wales loss, Bartow is now alone atop the class 4A-District 10 standings at 4-0.
Bartow improved to 7-1 overall, while Durant dropped to 4-3. Bartow will enjoy an open week, getting ready for the showdown with Lake Wales at Legion field on Nov. 8th. Kickoff is set for 7:30pm.
DURANT 0 0 0 0 - 0
BARTOW 6 32 21 7 - 66
First Quarter
Bartow - Greg Moore 39-yard TD pass from Shandrin Tollie @8:41. Watson PAT missed.
Second Quarter
Bartow - Tollie 19-yard TD run @11:15. Two-point conversion good.
Bartow - Watson 46-yard Field Goal @8:02.
Bartow - Tollie 1-yard TD run @5:12. Watson PAT good.
Bartow - Tollie 1-yard TD run @55.3. Watson PAT good.
Bartow - Terrell Parham 15-yard TD pass from Tollie @2.4. Watson PAT good.
Third Quarter
Bartow - Tollie 1-yard TD run @8:09. Watson PAT good.
Bartow - Kodi Wright 7-yard fumble recovery@6:52. Watson PAT good.
Bartow - Nakoa Woodruff 34-yard TD run@2:16. DeLegge PAT good.
Fourth Quarter
Bartow - Hal Hawkins 53-yard TD run @52.7. DeLegge PAT good.
TEAM STATS DURANT BARTOW
First Downs 2 20
Rushes/Yards 26/58 36/293
Passing 1/5/1 8/11/0
Passing Yards 5 156
Total Yards 63 449
Fumbles/Lost 5/3 2/1
Penalties/Yards 8/100 8/95
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BARTOW NAILS TITLE WITH WIN OVER HIGHLANDERS
The Bartow Yellow Jackets traveled east to Legion Field in Lake Wales and claimed the district-10 title with a 33-13 victory over the Highlanders. With a crowd of over 7-thousand, and a crisp cool night, the 4th ranked Jackets took control of the ball game early, and then left the defense set to tempo the rest of the game. Bartow will face Pasco County on Nov. 22nd, at home, in the first round of the playoffs.
With the Lake Wales loss coupled with a Mulberry loss, the Highlanders will hold on to the runner-up spot, and play at Tampa Jesuit Nov. 22nd.
The weather outlook was clear skies, cool temps, and a persistence wind from the north, that blew from goal post to goal post, and played havoc with passing, punting and kickoffs.
The Highlanders received the opening kickoff. Bartow kicker Jeff Watson put four of six kickoffs into the endzone, forcing Lake Wales to start on the 20-yard line. After one first down the Highlanders were stopped and had to punt. Bartow's first possession resulted in a 65-yard drive that took just under five minutes, and was capped off by Shandrin Tollie on a 1-yard touchdown run. Jeff Watson added the extra point.
The Highlander's next possession was no better, when quarterback Doug Demyer was intercepted by Jacket Darek Smith. With that turnover Smith set a county record with 8 INT's this year. Smith returned the ball 40-yards, down to the Lake Wales 3-yard line. On the next play Nakoa Woodruff ran around left end for the second touchdown of the first quarter. Watson's kick was good.
The Jackets scored again just prior to the end of the first quarter when Tollie found Vince Brewer sprinting down the middle of the field and fired a pass in stride for a 40-yard touchdown pass. Watson missed the extra point kick.
The Highlanders got on the scoreboard with a 3-minute, 30-yard drive, finished by Billy Dee Washington on a 1-yard dive for the touchdown. Chris Kirkner missed the extra point. The first half ended with Bartow in front 20-6.
The Jackets received the second half kickoff, but they were stopped and had to punt. Lake Wales took over, but fumbled and Bartow had the ball back. Again the Highlander defense stiffened, and Bartow punted.
Lake Wales then scored on a 60-yard bomb from Doug Demyer to Tavarus Johnson. Kirkner was good on the extra point. Lake Wales trailed by just six points.
Now in the fourth quarter, and the wind behind Bartow, the Jackets drove 79 yards, controlling the ball on the ground, and keeping the clock running, when Maurice Tucker scored from 4-yards out. The two-point conversion attempt was no good.
Bartow finished the scoring when Tollie went 11-yards on touchdown run with 5-minutes left in the game. Tollie's score was set up by a Lake Wales fumble which was recovered by Jason Butler, on the Highlander 11-yard line.
When the Jackets had the ball, they used the "ram" formation on running plays to control the ball, and the game. The "ram" is a formation is familiar to Jacket fans, it resembles the "hammer", back to smash-mouth football.
For second-year Bartow coach Danny Smith, it was his first win over Lake Wales, and his first District-10 title. Smith talked about the game, "I think we got too much too early, the team though it was over in the first quarter". "Defense played great, and the title feels great."
Lake Wales coach Rod Shafer, "Bartow was tough. We had some injuries, and some players going both ways."
It should be noted that in both Lake Wales and Bartow, we have athletes that exhibited pride, class and sportsmanship. At the end of the game both teams met at midfield and offer congratulations, and all players made a point to find all the members of both coaching staffs, and shake hands, with smiles, and pats on the back. It was pleasant to see, and both schools and cities have alot to be proud of.
Bartow improved to 8-1, while Lake Wales dropped to 6-3. Bartow will end the regular season at home next week against Auburndale. Kickoff is set for 7:30pm.
BARTOW 20 0 0 13 - 33
LAKE WALES 0 6 7 0 - 13
First Quarter
Bartow - Shandrin Tollie 1-yard TD run @4:47. Watson PAT good.
Bartow - Naoka Woodruff 3-yard TD run @2:53. Watson PAT good.
Bartow - Tollie to Vince Brewer 40-yard TD pass @58.2. Watson PAT missed.
Second Quarter
Lake Wales - Billy Dee Washington 1-yard TD run @7:01. Kirkner PAT good.
Third Quarter
Lake Wales - Doug Deymer to Tavarus Johnson 60-yard TD pass @5:34. Kirkner PAT good.
Fourth Quarter
Bartow - Maurice Tucker 4-yard TD run @7:12. Two-Point Conversion failed.
Bartow - Tollie 11-yard TD run @5:05. Watson PAT good.
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JACKETS FINISH REGULAR SEASON AT 9-1
The Bartow Yellow Jackets wrapped their regular season Friday night with a 35-13 win over the Auburndale Bloodhounds. It was senior night at Bartow Memorial Stadium, seniors and their parents were recognized before the game.
The weather was much like last week in Lake Wales, clear skies, and very windy.
Auburndale received the opening kickoff, and drove to Bartow's 45, when the tough Bartow defense stopped the Bloodhound offense. The Jackets went three and out, then punted. Auburndale got on the scoreboard first with a 65-yard drive using just over five minutes. Allen Reese finished the last 2-yards with the touchdown run. Brian Morton added the extra point.
Bartow started their next drive on their own 20. Jacket quarterback Shandrin Tollie lost the ball on the first play, and the Bloodhounds recover on the Bartow 13-yard line. Again the Jacket defense stiffened and force Auburndale to try a 27-yard field goal, which Morton pushed wide left.
Bartow started on their own 20, after the missed field goal, but again Tollie fumbled and the Bloodhounds recovered. Hounds quarterback Robert Brown, was intercepted by Jason Butler, who returned the ball for 45-yards, down to the Auburndale 35-yard line. The Jackets drove down the 5, when Tollie connected with Terrell Parham for a touchdown, but the Jackets were flagged for illegal procedure. The next play Tollie found Greg Moore for a 10-yard touchdown pass, but the Jackets were penalized for holding. Now from the 20, Tollie passed to Vince Brewer who carried the ball down to the 5. Tollie then set a 5-yard touchdown pass to senior Charlie James. Jeff Watson was good on the kick. Bartow lead 7-6.
Before the first half ended, Tollie teamed up with Moore for an 11-yard touchdown pass. Watson added the extra point.
The Bartow defense would set the tone for the rest of the game.
Just before halftime, Auburndale kicker Morton attempted a 51-yard field goal that came up short.
In the third quarter, the Jackets drove 80-yards in three and half minutes for a touchdown. Vince Brewer ran for the final 10 yards, and Watson was good on the kick.
The Jackets scored to start the fourth quarter on a 41-yard pass from Tollie to Moore. Watson's kick was no good.
Auburndale scored one more time when Adrin McGough sprinted 4-yards for the touchdown. Morton added the extra point.
The Bloodhounds tried an on sides kick, but Bartow recovered the ball, and started their next drive on their own 45-yard line.
Parham finished the drive and the ball game when he leaped over the pile from the 4-yard line in the end zone for the final touchdown. The extra point kick was an adventure, when the snap from center was low, and holder Darek Smith could not the ball set in time for kick. Smith scampered around the left end and turned the kick in a 2-point conversion.
Bartow coach Danny Smith talked about the game, "we worked hard to get here, Auburndale played very hard tonight." Smith about the slow start, "we were skilled enough to come back in the 2nd half."
The 'Yellow' in Yellow Jackets was very prominent in the game. Bartow was flagged for about 150 yards in penalties. Smith said, "I just don't know."
Bartow finished the regular season with 9 wins and 1 loss. Next week the second season begins, when Bartow will host the Pirates of Pasco County in the first round of the playoffs. Kickoff set for 7:30.
AUBURNDALE 6 0 0 7 - 13
BARTOW 0 14 7 14 - 35
First Quarter
Auburndale Allen Reese 2-yard TD run @2:36. Brian Morton PAT missed.
Second Quarter
Bartow - Shandrin Tollie to Charlie James 5-yard TD pass @6:41. Watson PAT good.
Bartow - Tollie to Greg Moore 11-yard TD pass @2:44. Watson PAT good.
Third Quarter
Bartow - Vince Brewer 10-yard TD run @7:46. Watson PAT good.
Fourth Quarter
Bartow - Tollie to Moore 41-yard TD pass @11:32. Watson PAT missed.
Auburndale Adrin McGough 4-yard TD run @6:33. Morton PAT good.
Bartow - Terrell Parham 4-yard TD run @3:03. Darek Smith run for 2-point conversion.
TEAM STATS AUBURNDALE BARTOW
First Downs 12 18
Rushes/Yards 31/75 36/188
Passing 11/22/1 11/14/0
Passing Yards 173 196
Total Yards 248 384
Fumbles/Lost 1/0 3/2
Penalties/Yards 4/35 14/147
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JACKETS SINK PIRATES
The Bartow Yellow Jackets began their drive for state football title Friday night, hosting the Dade City Pasco Pirates. In front of 3,300 at Bartow Memorial Stadium, on a cold and blustery night, the Yellow Jackets pounded Pasco 49-3.
The Jackets were sparked by the return of the senior running back Marcus Floyd, who carried 20 times for 180 yards. Floyd returned to lineup after suffering a broken collar bone in the loss to Hardee back on Oct. 4th. Bartow coach Danny Smith said about Floyd's return, "Marcus did a great job, and the offensive line played well."
Bartow's victory can again be pinned to the outstanding performance of the defense. "The defense played good," Smith said, "I think we are getting better with every ball game." Pasco first, first down came with only a minute left in the first quarter.
Floyd started the Jacket scoring with a 3-yard run in the first, capping off a 46-yard drive. The two-point conversion was good when Darek Smith connected with Jason Tyson.
Later in the first, Shandrin Tollie hit Terrell Parham for a 40-yard touchdown pass. Jeff Watson added the extra point.
In the second quarter, Tollie plunged over from 1-yard for a TD. Floyd set up that Jacket score with a big run up the middle of 52-yards. Watson was good on the kick.
After a partially blocked Jason Butler punt the Pirates' Jeremy Gude converted a 37-yard field goal, just before halftime.
In the second half, more Jacket offense, and more Jacket defense. Sporting a sprained angle, Marcus Tucker rumbled 37-yards for the score. And later in the fourth, defensive lineman Fudial Donald, (a.k.a. the Fridge) scored on a one-yard run.
Bartow added more points with Parham on a 19-yard run and Vince Brewer with a 3-yard run.
Pasco finished the year at 8-3.
"I think we (Bartow) wore them out," said Smith, "we were happy, the guys played 48 minutes of ball."
Bartow improved to 10-1, and will play Hardee next week in the second round of the state playoffs. The Wildcats eliminated the Jackets in last years playoffs, and has beat Bartow three times in a row, including earlier this year 26-13. "We felt off beat against Hardee," Smith added, "the boys will get their chance right here next week."
Hardee moved into the second round with a 33-15 win over Englewood Lemon Bay.
PASCO 0 3 0 0 - 3
BARTOW 15 7 7 20 - 49
First Quarter
Bartow - Floyd 3-yard run @8:35. Smith to Tyson for 2-point.
Bartow - Tollie to Parham 40-yard pass @1:00. Watson PAT good.
Second Quarter
Bartow - Tollie 1-yard run @11:09. Watson PAT good.
Pasco - Gude 37-yard Field Goal @0:29.
Third Quarter
Bartow - Tucker 37-yard run @9:43. Watson PAT good.
Fourth Quarter
Bartow - Donald 1-yard run @8:37. PAT no good.
Bartow - Parham 19-yard run @3:46. Delegge PAT good.
Bartow - Brewer 3-yard run @2:10. Delegge Pat good.
TEAM STATS PASCO BARTOW
First Downs 5 20
Rushes/Yards 32/99 48/431
Passing 1/11/1 2/5/2
Passing Yards 8 48
Total Yards 107 479
Fumbles/Lost 1/1 0/0
Penalties/Yards 3/18 8/90
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BARTOW ADVANCES WITH BIG WIN OVER HARDEE
Friday night at Bartow Memorial Stadium, in front of a crowd over 5,500, the 4th ranked Bartow Yellow Jackets pounced on the Wildcats of Hardee 56-6. Bartow, who had lost three straight to Hardee, had to come from behind for the win. The Jackets, 11-1, will move on the quarter finals of state playoffs on the road to Belle Glade Glades Central, a winner over Miami Pace, 28-7.
Hardee's only score came within the first three minutes of the game, when a pass was deflected and managed to find a Wildcat player, who ran for 67 yards down to the Jacket 14. Moments later Josh Wilson scored from one-yard out, but the extra point kick failed. The Jacket defense would control the Wildcats the rest of the game.
Bartow came right back with a 60-yard drive, taking just over three minutes. Bartow quarterback Shandrin Tollie scrambled four yards for the touchdown. Jeff Watson added the extra point and Bartow never looked back.
The Jackets outstanding defensive back, Darek Smith recovered a fumble, and moments later Tollie connected with Greg Moore on a 24-yard touchdown pass.
By halftime the Jackets were leading 29-6.
The Bartow defense, anchored by lineman Fudial Donald, with linebackers Jason Butler and Ronald Daughtry, halted the Wildcats running game to 61-yards. Donald on one play actually tackled both the Hardee quarterback and running back, during the handoff. Donald would also score a touchdown in the third quarter, his second TD in as many games.
"I think this was the best effort I've ever been around," said Bartow coach Danny Smith, "we wanted to be physically."
Bartow senior running back Marcus Floyd carried 14 times, picking up 62 yards. Floyd said, "they were keying on me all night long, but the other players stepped up." Floyd was referring to the speedy tandem of Terrell Parham and Vince Brewer. Junior Parham ran a sweep around the left side and sprinted 72-yards for a touchdown, on the second play of the third quarter. Parham would finish with 121 yards. Brewer ran for 140 yards on 10 carries, including a dash up the middle of 75 yards for a score in the fourth quarter.
Hardee coach Phil Rasmussen said, "Bartow had good focus, more than we can deal with." Hardee finished the year at 8-3.
"We had intensity for 48 minutes", said Smith, "great team effort."
The weather was perfect, a calm breeze and pleasant temperatures.
Bartow heads south to Belle Glade Glades Central in round of eight, next Friday night.
HARDEE 6 0 0 0 - 6
BARTOW 14 15 14 13 - 56
First Quarter
Hardee - Wilson 1-yard run @9:00. PAT was no good.
Bartow - Tollie 4-yard run @5:38. Watson PAT was good.
Bartow - Tollie to Moore 24-yard pass @5:15. Watson PAT was good.
Second Quarter
Bartow - Floyd 6-yard run @8:26. Watson PAT was good.
Bartow - Tollie to Parham 25-yard pass @0:57. Smith to Daughtry for 2-point.
Third Quarter
Bartow - Parham 72-yard run @11:18. Watson PAT was good.
Bartow - Donald 2-yard run @0:30. Watson PAT was good.
Fourth Quarter
Bartow - Tollie to Moore 40-yard pass @9:11. Delegge PAT good.
Bartow - Brewer 75-yard run @1:11. Delegge PAT no good.
TEAM STATS HARDEE BARTOW
First Downs 8 19
Rushes/Yards 30/61 42/351
Passing 4/9/1 7/12/0
Passing Yards 86 142
Total Yards 147 493
Fumbles/Lost 3/1 0/0
Penalties 10/80 7/70
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BARTOW SLIPS PAST GLADES CENTRAL
Friday night at Glade Central Memorial Stadium down south in Belle Glade, the Bartow Yellow Jackets came back from a two touchdown deficit to defeat the Raiders of Glade Central 14-13. Bartow now advances to the final four in the state playoffs and face archrivial Lake Wales, who won over Fort Lauderdale Stranaham 28-7.
The tough Bartow defense held powerhouse Glades Central to just under 200 yards for the game. Bartow coach Danny Smith said, "we needed to stop the run, and force them to throw the ball." The Bartow defense stuffed the running game of Glades, allowing only 7 yards on 14 carries.
The Jackets defense would again prove to be the difference in the game, as the offense came out flat in the first half. The offense had success moving the ball, but a fumble at the Raiders 45 halted a drive, and then a 52-yard interception return on the next drive killed another Jacket drive, and led to the first Raider touchdown. Quarterback Brad Banks connected with Wilhelman Lebrum on a 12-yard pass. Kicker Mark Huerta was good on the extra point.
The Jackets took the kickoff and started their next drive, moving the ball down to the Glades 24 yard line, before turning the ball over on downs. The Raiders mounted a 75-yard drive taking just over 5 minutes, and capped off on a 4th down touchdown pass from Banks to Mike Alford for 32-yards up the middle. Huerta's kick was wide right, and Glades led 13-0.
Bartow would put a TD on the board before halftime on an 80-yard drive, and taking just over 2 minutes. Nakoa Woodruff scampered for 3-yards with one minute left in the first half. Jeff Watson added the extra point.
After a slow start in the first half, the Jackets opened the 3rd quarter, looking like a different team. The defense stopped Glades on the opening possession, aided by a big sack on Banks by Maurice Whitaker. The Raiders would have to punt from their own goaline, the Jacket offense would start on the Raiders' 27-yard line. Bartow would take the lead on a 1-yard run by Marcus Floyd. Tied at 13-13, Jeff "Mr. Dependable" Watson converted the extra point.
The Raiders would try a 27-yard field goal late in the 3rd quarter, but it failed.
The final five minutes of the game were played around the Raiders' 20-yard line. Both teams could not move the ball and turned it over on downs. At one point Bartow had a first and goal from the 5, but penalties pushed them back. Again give credit to Bartow's defense for stopping the precision passing of Banks.
Smith was asked about the slow start in the first half, "we just asked to boys to do what they knew they had to do."
The weather was ideal, a calm breeze and pleasant temperatures.
Bartow (12-1) will host the Lake Wales Highlanders (10-3) Friday night at Bartow Memorial Stadium. Kickoff set for 7:30pm. Get your tickets early as a standing room only crowd is expected.
BARTOW 0 7 7 0 - 14
GLADES CENTRAL 7 6 0 0 - 13
First Quarter
Glades - Banks to Lebrum 12-yard pass @2:06. Huerta PAT good.
Second Quarter
Glades - Banks to Alford 32-yard pass @3:12. Huerta PAT missed.
Bartow - Woodruff 3-yard run @1:15. Watson PAT good.
Third Quarter
Bartow - Floyd 1-yard run @8:41. Watson PAT good.
TEAM STATS GLADES BARTOW
First Downs 9 15
Rushes/Yards 14/7 47/101
Passing 11/29/0 16/25/1
Passing Yards 182 188
Total Yards 189 289
Fumbles/Lost 0/0 1/1
Penalties 6/40 6/35
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BARTOW ADVANCES TO 4A TITLE GAME IN DAYTONA
From little league to the Super Bowl, there is an old football phrase, "Defense wins championships".
Friday night, before an overflow crowd of 7,500, at Bartow Memorial Stadium, Bartow defeated rival Lake Wales 13-7, in the semi-finals of the state playoffs. The 4th ranked Jackets earned a trip to the class 4A state championship Saturday in Daytona Beach.
The Jacket defense was again the difference in the ball game, allowing only 65 yards, and picking off two interceptions, and controlling the line of scrimmage.
Bartow coach Danny Smith said, "I didn't think they could score on us."
Bartow's offense scored just enough, despite a strong defensive effort by Lake Wales. "They did a great job, we just did a little better", said Smith.
Bartow won the coin toss and deferred to the second half, Lake Wales would go on offense first.
Lake Wales scored in the first 15 seconds of game, when Willie Burton returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. Chris Kirkner added the extra point. That was to be the only points scored by the Highlanders.
Trailing in playoff games is nothing new to Bartow. In the second round Hardee scored first, and last week Glades Central enjoyed a two touchdown bulge, before Bartow would pull out the victory.
Bartow could not move the ball in the first quarter, and slipped a trick play past Lake Wales. On fourth down, lining up in punt formation, punter Jason Butler passed to Jason Tyson, resulting in a 29-yard play and a first down. But the play was flagged for illegal substitution. "We fooled the official, too; he said he didn't see Tyson report to the huddle", said Smith. After the penalty, Bartow would punt.
Lake Wales was forced to punt, and punter Doug Deymer hit a huge kick, pinning Bartow back on their own 2 yard line.
Bartow would use over seven minutes of the second quarter on a 15-play 98-yard, ball controlling, drive, that proved to be the turning point of the game. Bartow was aided by Lake Wales offside penalty on 4th and 3, giving the Jackets a first down. The drive was finished by senior running back Marcus Floyd, when he ran up the middle for seven yards, and the TD. Kicker Jeff Watson, and Holder Darek Smith set up for the extra point kick. Jacket fans have seen this play before, with Watson faking the kick, Smith rolled to the left and connected with Nakoa Woodruff, in the end zone, for the two-point conversion. Bartow took the lead 8-7.
Just before halftime Bartow kicker Jeff Watson put a 24-yard field goal on the scoreboard. The field goal was setup by a 55-yard punt return by Terrell Parham.
In the second half, both defenses were in charge. Lake Wales forcing a Tollie fumble, while Bartows' Woodruff picked off two passes from Lake Wales' Billy Dee Washington.
In the third quarter, with the Highlanders forced to punt from their own end zone, Coach Rod Shafer told punter DeMyer to take a safety by stepping out of the end zone. "We were already down by four, and by giving up the safety, we still needed a touchdown", said Shafer, "We didn't want to risk a block."
The Highlander defense was able to keep the Jacket offense in check for the rest of the game. Lake Wales, with no timeouts, had a last chance, moving the ball from their own 44 to Bartow's 36, however Bartow defensive lineman Fudial Donald sacked Washington, and moments later defense end Kodi Wright, sacked Washington again to end the game.
"It was a tough game, I'm proud of the boys, and I wish Bartow luck against Bolles" said Shafer. Lake Wales finished the year at 10-4.
"I'm very proud of the players and coaching staff", said Smith, "they worked hard everyday."
Bartow (13-1) will play Jacksonville Bolles, the country's top-ranked high school team according to USA Today. Bolles (14-0) beat Jacksonville Lee 33-10. Game time is 1pm, Saturday afternoon at Daytona Municipal Stadium.
LAKE WALES 7 0 0 0 - 7
BARTOW 0 11 2 0 - 13
First Quarter
Lake Wales Burton 95-yard kick-off return @11:45. Kirkner PAT good.
Second Quarter
Bartow - Floyd 7-yard run @5:46. Smith to Woodruff for 2-point conversion.
Bartow - Waston 24-yard Field Goal @0:11.
Third Quarter
Bartow - Saftey, LW punter DeMeyer stepped out of end zone @4:32.
TEAM STATS LAKE WALES BARTOW
First Downs 4 17
Rushes/Yards 17/53 61/258
Passing 1/9/2 1/6/0
Passing Yards 12 7
Total Yards 65 265
Fumbles/Lost 0/0 1/1
Penalties 11/61 6/40
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BARTOW BEATS BOLLES - CLAIM STATE 4A TITLE
In what could only be called a David versus Goliath story, the Yellow Jackets of Bartow upset powerhouse Jacksonville Bolles 14-13, in the class 4A final.
On a chilly, windy Saturday afternoon, over 51-hundred high school football fans gathered at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium for the class 4A state championship game. The south regional winner Bartow Yellow Jackets would play the Bolles School of Jacksonville, the Bulldogs, the champs of the north regional.
For Bartow the task was huge. Bolles was ranked number one in the nation in two prep polls, the defending 4A state champions, and sporting a 27-game winning streak. Add to that the Bulldogs claim to have over a dozen college prospects, among the starters.
Bartow coach Danny Smith talked about getting the team ready, prior to the game, "we fell good, the boys are loose, and all the hard work to get here was worth it." Some of Bartow's starters had to battle the flu this week, and final exams. "Its game time and all that is behind us," said Smith.
Like a good mystery novel, this ball game would take different twists and turns.
Bolles would receive the opening kickoff, but on the play their starting offensive guard Scott Anderson suffered a concussion, and would not return. Things seem to get back on track for the Bulldogs. Bolles mounted a 17-play, 66-yard drive, down to the Bartow 5, with 1st and goal.
The drive and the game were stopped for about 15 minutes when Bolles senior quarterback Chris Reier was injured on a 1-yard run. Reier, who has given a verbal commitment to Alabama, would leave the game with a broken ankle. Bolles Coach Cory Rogers said, "He is about 65 percent of our offense."
Reier, who throw for over a thousand yards, sixteen TD's and only one interception on the year, would be replaced by two underclassmen, and forced to the use the running game.
The Bolles ended the opening drive when kicker Dez White made a 19-yard field goal.
With two Bulldog starter's out, the Jackets might have felt momentum swing their way. However it was short lived, when Shandrin Tollie, throwing a sideline pass was intercepted by Bolles saftey Mark DeOrio. A few plays later, the Bulldogs star running back William McCray would score from 4-yards out. White added the extra point, and Bolles ended the first period leading 10-0.
Bartow's second turnover came after the teams exchanged punts. Bartow setup offense on the Bolles 46. Senior running back Marcus Floyd would fumble, and Bolles recovers. This turnover would not hurt the Jackets, thanks to the defense, which stopped the Bulldogs. After the Bolles punt, Bartow would start their next drive on the Bolles 44.
Bartow's offense, very sluggish 3/4 of the first half, would get on the scoreboard with an 8-yard run by Tollie. The run was set up by a 31-yard pass up the sideline from Tollie to Greg Moore. Moore made a spectular, turn around, reaching, fingertip catch at the Bolles 7 yard line.
The play of the game came on Bolles next possesion, and it was very fitting that the Bartow defense would have it.
Senior defensive tackle Kenny Thornton, a 6-foot-4, 270-pounder, read a screen play and picked off the pass at the Bulldogs 45, and rumbled , untouched, into the endzone. Watson's extra point gave Bartow a 14-10 led with only a minute left in the first half.
Bolles would add another field goal midday through the third quarter. White converted a 47-yard kick. Bolles only getting the field goal, instead of a touchdown, was thanks to the tough Bartow defense, keeping the Jackets in games all year long. In fact, the defense had a magic number of 13. In 14 of the 15 games this year, the defense never allowed more than 13 points.
The Bartow offense managed to start controlling the ball, using the clock, and getting first downs, keeping the Bulldog offense off the field.
In the final minutes of the game, it was the Bartow defense, on the field, who stop the Bulldog offensive. Bartow's linebacker Jason Butler led in tackles with 14. Saftey Darek Smith picked off his ninth INT of the year. Fudial Donald, Ronald Daughtry and Courtney Young all had a big game on defense.
Jacksonville Bolles, who will drop to 3A next year, finished the year at 14-1, and the state 4A runner-up.
"I can look back to the Hardee game (Oct 4) as the turnaround," said Smith, "After that we started to play as a unit."
Bartow finished at 14-1, and were the third Polk County school to play for the state title. Frostproof took second in 3A and Lakeland winning in 5A. It was the first time two Polk County schools had won state championships in the same year.
BOLLES 10 0 3 0 - 13
BARTOW 0 14 0 0 - 14
First Quarter
Bolles - White 19-yard Field Goal @4:22.
Bolles - McCray 4-yard run @2:00. White PAT is good.
Second Quarter
Bartow - Tollie 8-yard run @3:39. Watson PAT is good.
Bartow - Thornton 45-yard Interception return @0:59. Watson PAT is good.
Third Quarter
Bolles - White 47-yard Field Goal @6:59.
TEAM STATS BOLLES BARTOW
First Downs 13 7
Rushes/Yards 42/149 29/107
Passing 7/14/2 3/7/1
Passing Yards 52 61
Total Yards 201 168
Fumbles/Lost 2/0 1/1
Penalties 10/80 8/70
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 1996 Bartow High School Varsity Football Roster
Number Name Position Height Weight Grade
1 Vince Brewer RB/LB 5'9" 195 10
2 Steve Morgan WR/DB 5'11" 161 11
3 Darek Smith RB/DB 5'11" 175 12
4 Charlie James WR/DB 5'11" 131 12
5 Dante Roach RB/DL 5'9" 176 11
6 Therman Stephens RB/DB 5'5" 181 11
7 Ronald Daughtry RB/LB 5'10" 181 12
8 Jason Tyson WR/DB 5'10" 159 12
9 Terrell Parham RB/DB 5'11" 170 11
10 Nakoa Woddruff RB/DB 5'10" 170 12
11 Shandrin Tollie QB/DB 5'11" 170 12
12 Greg Moore WR/DB 5'11" 161 11
13 John DeLegge K 5'10" 120 9
14 Hal Hawkins QB/DB 6'0" 175 11
17 Randall Stenger TE/DE 6'4" 205 10
18 Jeff Watson SE/K 5'9" 161 11
19 Hank Stenger TE/LB 6'0" 175 12
21 Maurice Tucker RB/LB 6'0" 175 11
24 Marcus Floyd RB/LB 5'10" 180 12
32 Dan Longham OL/DL 6'1" 175 11
54 LeRoy Baker OL/DL 6'0" 190 11
55 Courtney Young DL 6'4" 260 10
56 Aaron Adams OL/DL 5'9" 225 10
58 Josh Palmer OL/DL 5'9" 245 11
59 Mike Shihaber OL/DL 5'7" 170 10
63 James Simpson OL/DL 5'9" 181 12
64 Jason Butler OL/DL 6'1" 220 12
66 Scott Brown OL/LB 6'0" 215 10
69 John Nelson OL/DL 6'2" 262 10
70 Matt Chinault OL/DL 6'2" 230 12
71 Ken Stolzman OL/DL 5'9" 221 12
72 Nick Lisbon OL/DL 5'11" 281 12
76 Justin Sheridan OL/DL 6'0" 245 10
77 Mitch Murphy OL/DL 6'2" 245 11
80 Kodi Wright TE/DE 6'2" 220 12
82 Ryan Sherrard TE/DE 6'0" 184 10
99 Maurice Whitaker TE/DE 6'3" 215 12
Head Coach: Danny Smith
Assistant Head Coach / Offensive Line: Ken Brannen
Defensive Coordinator: Carl Howell
Defensive Line / Strength: John Creech
Defensive Backfield: Dwayne Cameron
Linebackers: Glen Vinson
Offensive Line / Equipment: William Merritt, Jr.
Offensive Receivers: Bernard Stephens
Offensive Backs: Michael Crouch
Defensive Line: Kevin Wells
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