HIGH-SCHOOL

Run it back: 5 St. Johns County teams primed for championship run next season

Myer Lee
St. Augustine Record

ST. AUGUSTINE — Losing hurts. 

But how and when a team loses can make it even more painful. 

Seven St. Johns County teams were crowned state champions in the 2020-2021 season. So, that means every other county team felt the pain of defeat. 

Then there are those teams that came close to being champs, but fell just short. 

Here’s a look at five St. Johns County programs that have unfinished business going into next season. 

1. St. Augustine football loses in heartbreaking fashion 

Two points stood between the Yellow Jackets (11-3) and a trip to the 6A state championship. St. Augustine lost 49-48 in triple-overtime to Lake Minneola in the state semifinal.

Yellow Jackets stunned:Lake Minneola outlasts St. Augustine in 3 overtimes to earn spot in 6A title game

The Yellow Jackets will lose many seniors to graduation but still boast an experienced team that will have a vivid memory of the painful loss. 

The St. Augustine girls' basketball team couldn't get by Palm Bay in the state semis.

2. St. Augustine girls basketball falls in final four 

Another Yellow Jackets squad made it to the state semifinal this year but couldn’t make  the last dance. Although the ladies didn’t lose as dramatically as the football team, they still felt the pain of defeat after being close to the championship game. 

St. Augustine girls lose heartbreaker:St. Augustine High girls fall in Final Four, 67-36, to Melbourne Palm Bay

Two of the Yellow Jackets’ top three scorers will graduate, but their exit opens an opportunity for younger players to step and build on their previous 26-2 season last winter. 

Bartram Trail lost to eventual state champion Seminole in the playoffs.

3. Bartram Trails loses to champ Seminole 

Is it more painful or encouraging to lose to the eventual champs? The Bartram Trail football team’s second loss of the season came against Seminole in the 8A region final. The Seminoles went undefeated and won the state title. 

Bears lose to state champs:Top-ranked Sanford Seminole bounces Bartram Trail

The Bears, however, are motivated going into next season and believe they have a good chance to will it all. 

The St. Augustine and Bartram Trail football teams suffered late-season heartbreak in 2020.

4. Bartram Trail lacrosse loses star, trip to state finals

Ryann Frechette, Bartram Trail’s girls lacrosse freshman star, suffered a season-ending injury before their final four matchup against Vero Beach. The Bears would then lose that game. 

Frechette tears ACL:Bartram Trail lacrosse star Ryann Frechette fights to recover from torn ACL

Head coach Meghan Jackowiak said she believes the Bears would’ve won if they had Frechette. The young star is recovering well and could be ready to go for the upcoming season. The Bears will be primed to make a title run. 

Ponte Vedra won a district title this spring but couldn't get by Lake Highland Prep in the Final Four.

5. Ponte Vedra lacrosse falls in state semis 

Ponte Vedra boasts three state champions this year and almost had a fourth. The Sharks' girls lacrosse team (17-4) lost in the 1A state final four against Lake Highland Prep.  

More:FHSAA girls lacrosse playoffs: Bartram Trail, Ponte Vedra exit in semifinals

The lady Sharks will lose a lot of seniors for the upcoming season and will have to rely on their new core — and the memory of their bitter final four loss — to propel them back to the state semifinals and beyond.