The Ponte Vedra Sharks played well enough to defeat the Bartram Trail Bears Friday night but were unable to finish the deal.
The Sharks (3-4) led 24-23 late in the fourth quarter, but the Bears (5-1) went on top by two points following a field goal with less than a minute to go in the contest.
Ponte Vedra’s offense got the ball back with little time left but had proven all game that they could move the ball with success against Bartram Trail.
However, it was not to be in the end and Nathan Bunkosky threw an interception to seal the deal.
Despite the interception, Bunkosky played a great game behind center and looked in rhythm passing the ball.
Bunkosky spewed confidence as he picked up first downs left and right while involving several receivers in the process.
Some of his targets on the night included Griffin Owen, Wyatt Rogers, Adam Case and Alex Cotto.
It was a game where the physicality, head coach Steve Price has been preaching from the first day he stepped onto campus, was asked of the Sharks and they responded in a big way with the way they held their own against a playoff-caliber opponent.
One of those instances was when the Sharks won the physical battle was when the Bears were backed up and Layne Swafford busted through the line of scrimmage and dropped the quarterback for a safety and the Sharks’ first points of the night.
Davis Ashcroft kicked a field goal and Bunkosky connected with Luke Pirris on a touchdown pass for the second straight week as Ponte Vedra trailed 16-11 at halftime.
The Sharks take to the road to play district opponent Atlantic Coast at 6:30 p.m. next Friday.
