By: Ross Van De Griek
TAMPA, Fla.- Coming into the 2019 season, Gaither (Tampa) senior quarterback Tony Bartalo had some unfinished business to take care of. Bartolo hasn't beaten Plant, Plant City or the likes of Armwood in his high school career.
Bartalo, can now mark two of those three achievements off his to do list as he defeated Plant, 35-28 back on August 30 & defeated Plant City, 28-23 back on September 7. So far in 3 games, the senior quarterback is completing nearly 64% of his passes, he's thrown for 816 passing yards, 12 touchdown passes & he's only been picked off once this season.
Bartalo has just one scholarship offer from Tennessee State, but has also received interest from schools such as Cincinnati, Harvard, Miami (Ohio) & Minnesota. Bartolo led the Cowboys to a 8-4 record in 2018, leading them into the playoffs, where they would lose to Plant, 36-16. Bartolo said his goals for this season, "Come in first in the district, get a home playoff game & just go from there."
Bartalo has already surpassed his passing touchdown total from last season, and could pass his passing yard totals from 2018 later this season. Gaither (3-0) has a home game on Friday vs East Bay (1-2). Bartolo also is ranked in three of the top 5 records for most passing yards in a game, held by Alex McGough, who has just recently signed with the Houston Texans active roster.