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Bartlett shuts out Fenton, improves to 4-1

Bartlett linebacker Bryce Kim enjoyed a homecoming game to remember during the Hawks' 43-0 Upstate Eight Conference football triumph over Fenton Friday night.

With his team ahead 29-0 early in the fourth quarter, Kim put an exclamation point on the evening when he stepped in front of a pass and returned it 33 yards for a touchdown as the Hawks (4-1, 4-1) recorded their first shutout of the season.

"During practice, our coach draws up every single play (by opponents), so I just knew it was going to happen," said Kim. "I saw him (Fenton receiver) coming out and I did what my coach taught me."

His pick-six capped a dominating game by the Hawks' defense, which held the Bison (0-5, 0-5) to 92 total yards of offense and 4 first downs.

"That's the best part of it," Kim said of his homecoming interception. "It's my senior year - I'm not going to get another one. I'm glad I could do it like this."

"Bryce is a playmaker," said Hawks coach Matt Erlenbaugh. "Picking that off, I'm proud of the kid. That's our goal - to score on defense."

Led by defensive linemen John Tarasiewicz, Charlie Weithofer, Thomas Hubbard, and linebackers Gabe Bemont and Dominic Harris, the Hawks made it a long night for Bison quarterbacks Nathan Stewart (4 for 9, 57 yards) and Michael Warkentien (0 for 2).

Jalen Davis and Malachi Montijo also added interceptions for the Hawks - Davis' pick came late in the first half to thwart Fenton's best scoring threat.

"It's always good to have a goose egg," said Erlenbaugh.

Bartlett scored on its opening drive as quarterback Jacob Scearce capped the 9-play, 73-yard march with a 1-yard TD run.

Montijo (3 carries, 42 yards) added a 21-yard TD run in the closing seconds of the first quarter to extend the margin to 14-0.

"He's a senior who decided to come out this year," Erlenbaugh said of Montijo. "It's kind of new to him, but he's got wheels. As we go through the season, he's getting a much bigger role. He's a good weapon to have."

A 28-yard touchdown run by junior tailback Koleman Salyers (19 carries, 185 yards) upped the Hawks' lead to 21-0 after 3 quarters.

Scearce added his second TD of the game on a 2-yard keeper, and freshman Filip Szeszko capped the night with his first varsity touchdown - a 1-yard run with 7:28 remaining.

Bartlett finished the night with 332 yards rushing.

"That's the guys up front," said Erlenbaugh. "They were moving the line of scrimmage."

Fenton, which has yet to score this season (2 games forfeited due to COVID-19), was led by senior fullback Andrew Flint (20 carries, 55 yards).

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