Bartow continues undefeated run by topping Auburndale on the road

Bartow wins the battled of two unbeaten teams, improves to 5-0 with new head coach Tyler Eden

AUBURNDALE, FLORIDA – Someone had to lose.

Bartow came away with a 14-6 win at Auburndale in a battle of Florida high school football undefeated teams Friday in a game that was cluttered with penalty flags at Bruce Canova Stadium.

“We knew this was going to be a dogfight,” Bartow first-year head coach Tyler Eden said. “We knew we were going to have to scratch, claw and fight all the way to the end. I am just so proud of how our boys responded over and over again.”

Bartow wide receiver Ka'marion Thomas (4) celebrates his 40-yard touchdown reception with an air-bump in end zone. He is joined by Dayrel Glover (23) and Dayton Ball (34) / Photo by Bill Kemp

Eden said he is not surprised at the undefeated start, and when he took over the program earlier this year, he envisioned the Yellow Jackets holding a 5-0 record.

“Absolutely, this is Bartow. Home of champions,” he said.

Bartow senior quarterback Kaleef Valentine connected with junior wideout Ka’marion Thomas on a 40-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, and then scampered into the end zone on a 7-yard touchdown run in the second, to stake the Yellow Jackets to a 14-0 lead.

“I got open, and I struck. What can I say,?” Thomas said. “We are gritting and grinding.”

 Bartow running back Dayrel Glover (23) is dragged down by an Auburndale tackler on Friday at Bruce Canova Stadium in Auburndale / Photo by Bill Kemp

It was Thomas’ third touchdown catch of the season. His longest was a 48-yarder.

“He is such a special player," Eden said. "To be a junior and have the pose and mentality that he has, along with his grit and determination. That was not an easy touchdown. He makes runs that are tough. He is such a great kid.”

Valentine now has eight touchdown passes on the season while throwing four interceptions. However, he threw no picks against Auburndale.

"Coach (Eden) is doing a great job coaching us. He keeps the offense straight, the defense straight,” Valentine said. “On the 40-yard touchdown pass, I trusted my receiver. I saw him down the field and I just trusted him and threw it.”

Auburndale narrowed the lead to 14-6 with 10 seconds remaining in the first half, picking up a 3-yard touchdown run from freshman running back Charles Calhoun.

Bartow’s defense has only surrendered 40 points through the five games for a stingy 8-point average.

Additionally, Bartow has reeled off three road wins on its way to a 5-0 start, also beating Marion County and Naples Golden Gate. The Jackets have home wins against Kathleen and Ridge Community.

Bartow senior quarterback Kaleef Valentine unleashes a punt against Auburndale on Friday at Bruce Canova Stadium in Auburndale / Photo by Bill Kemp

Bartow hosts cross-county rival Winter Haven (2-2) Friday at Memorial Stadium in a Class 4A, District 8 showdown while Auburndale (3-1) travels to Lake Region in a 3S-District 8 matchup.

“Winter Haven is well coached, and they have a lot of talent. We are going to enjoy this. We say the best thing about 5-0, is we have a chance to go 6-0,” Eden said.

-- Bill Kemp | billkempchief@gmail.com | @sblivfl