BARTOW, Fla. — You don’t achieve perfection without putting in the work — and the Bartow Yellow Jackets have been putting in the work.

What You Need To Know

  •  The last time Bartow had a perfect season was 1977, when they won their first state title

  •  The Yellow Jackets are riding a six-game win streak

  •  They'll face their biggest test against Lakeland, the reigning 4S state champs

You can’t question Bartow’s work ethic. And that blue collar approach has led to six straight wins. They’ll be going for seven in a row against Polk County’s standard bearer, Lakeland. That’s added a little extra oomph in the Yellow Jackets workouts this week.

“Where else would you rather be? In the Sunshine State, in the best football state in America with the best group of young men,” head coach Tyler Eden said.

That’s high praise coming from a guy who grew up in football obsessed Ohio. But Bartow’s first-year head coach Tyler Eden has quickly adapted to Florida high school football. The fact that his players have bought in has made that transition much easier.

“They’re winners. They just find a way to win,” Eden said. “They’re resilient, they’re tough, and they stay together. But most of all, they know how to win.”

That was most evident in the Yellow Jackets’ come-from-behind victory against Winter Haven. Down 13-0 late in the fourth quarter, Bartow scored 13 unanswered points and ended up winning 20-19 in overtime.

A win like that can bolster a team and propel them through the rest of the year. That’s what the Yellow Jackets are banking on as they prepare for Lakeland, their biggest test of the season.

“We’ve got a huge challenge, but we’re excited,” Eden said. “That’s one thing I love about these young men. They’re not afraid of it. They run to a challenge so we’re excited to get to it.”

Perfection requires work. The last time Bartow posted a perfect season was 1977, a year they capped off perfection with their first state title. The past has come up a lot during this season. Bartow is a special place, a place for winners, as the water tower hovering above the school proclaims the home of champions. The 2023 Yellow Jackets are hoping to add to that legacy.

“We have an incredible rich tradition here that these young men are adding to,” Eden said. “The past has helped these young men to understand what they’re playing for, but more importantly, they understand that they have an opportunity to write the next chapter.”