Schools
Bulldog Recap: Batavia vs. Bartlett Pictures
As Batavia heads into its Homecoming game against St. Charles East, take a look at their performance against Bartlett.
You can count on the Bulldogs.
Batavia defeated Bartlett’s Hawks 35-13 on Friday at home. Once again the city showed up in force to support the team in a strong sea of crimson in the stands.
Bartlett was the first division 8A team that Batavia beat this season.
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“We had a victory against a very good program,” said Dennis Piron, head football coach. “Honestly, we could have played a lot better, we probably should have scored a lot more. The sky is the limit—we’re a very good football team.”
Big Plays Won the Game
The first half started off slow with no score at the end of the first quarter. Near the end of the second quarter Anthony Thielk, Batavia Sophmore RB, scored the first touchdown of the game with 3:33 left on the clock.
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Starting the second half Batavia made a point to show Bartlett that they had come out to play tough. Jon Gray, Batavia Senior WR/DB, intercepted a pass from Bartlett and ran the ball 79 yards for the Bulldog’s second touchdown.
After many great defensive stops, Batavia got the ball on Bartlett’s 19 yard line. Noel Gaspari, Batavia Senior QB, passed the ball to Zach Strittmatter, Batavia Junior WR, for Batavia’s third touchdown.
Gaspari also made a lot of large gains through QB sneaks and draws.
“I didn’t expect to get that many carries but the offensive line again did an unbelievable job,” Gaspari said. “We knew it was going to be the test of the year, we were predicted to lose 21-17, we came out and won 35-13.”
Thielk kept Batavia’s momentum even after Bartlett scored their first touchdown by answering with a 99-yard kickoff return into the end zone, scoring Batavia’s fourth touchdown.
Consistency is Key
While big plays certainly made up the bulk of Batavia’s points. The final scoring drive of the game showed Batavia’s consistency in their running game. Alex Moore, Senior RB, scored the final Bulldog touchdown at the end of a 4-running play drive.
Batavia’s Kicker Brandon Clabough, Senior, scored five points of his own by successfully completing every extra point attempt after the touchdowns.
Batavia finished the game with five touchdowns.
Bartlett also felt the pressure of needing to be more consistent.
“[Batavia] took us out of our game a little bit, they had some easy ones too but, we were expecting better from our guys,” said Tom Meaney, Bartlett Head Coach, “We can’t turn the ball over is the key, but we’ll bounce back and play better.”
Bartlett ended the game with two touchdowns and one extra point.
The final score of 35-13 keeps Batavia undefeated, 4-0.
Quick Batavia Play by Play
End of 1st Quarter no score 0-0
End of 2nd Quarter Batavia, 7 - Bartlett, 0. TD by Thielk and PA by Clabough
End of 3rd Quarter Batavia, 28 - Bartlett, 13. TDs by Gray, Strittmatter, Thielk and PAs by Clabough
End of 4th Quarter Batavia, 35 - Bartlett, 13. TD by Moore and PA by Clabough
Season So Far
Batavia (4-0)
Aug. 26 Batavia 36, Marmion 7
Sept. 2 Batavia 48, Plainfield East 7
Sept. 9 Batavia 50, Elgin Larkin 6 (Conference play)
Sept. 16 Batavia 35, Bartlett 13
Who's Next?
The Bulldogs take on St. Charles East for Batavia's Homecoming on Friday, Sept. 23.
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