Football: Will Likely helps Glades Central advance

Friday, November 16, 2012
by Post Reports

Glades Central senior runningback Will Likely returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown, and Glades Central never looked back en route to a 34-12 victory over Rockledge in a Class 5A regional quarterfinal Friday night in Belle Glade.

The 5-9 180-pound Likely also scored two rushing touchdowns in the first half, the second a 51-yarder, as Glades Central (7-4) built a 20-6 halftime lead.

The strong ground attack opened up the passing of senior quarterback T.J. Abrams, who threw to several receivers, including Yvesener Ferdinand, Ronquavion Tarver, Jonathon Istache and David Bailey.

The Raiders' defense also forced Rockledge starting quarterback Alex Adler out with a shoulder injury on a sack late in the first half, curtailing any comeback hopes for the Raiders (7-4).

Likely finished with 124 rushing yards and four total touchdowns.

-- Bill Meredith

REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS

Class 8A

Tarpon Springs-East Lake 31, Treasure Coast 20: Devin Ferguson had an 80-yard touchdown reception from Willie Micco and also returned a fumble 39 yards for another score, but the Titans (5-4) fell to the Eagles (10-1) in Tarpon Springs.

Class 7A

Fort Pierce Central 41, Englewood-Lemon Bay 13: Marcus Levy rushed for three touchdowns, leading the Cobras (10-0) to the rout of the Manta Rays (7-4) in Fort Pierce. Jameel Jackson scored on a 41-yard pass from Sam Vaughn and J.J. Stevens added a touchdown run for Fort Pierce Central.

Martin County 35, Punta Gorda-Charlotte 32: Dan Filhaber's 1-yard touchdown dive with 2:13 remaining helped the Tigers (5-6) rally past the Tarpons (6-5) in Punta Gorda. Jermohn Queen ran for three touchdowns for Martin County.

Class 6A

Palm Bay 56, South Fork 7: Uzziah Davis' 75-yard kickoff return for a touchdown were the only points the Bulldogs (9-2) could muster in a loss to the Pirates (7-4) in Palm Bay.

Class 5A

Merritt Island 28, Jensen Beach 0: The Falcons (5-6) were shut down by the Mustangs (10-1) in Merritt Island.

REGIONAL SEMIFINALS

Class 4A

Miami-Gulliver Prep 25, Inlet Grove 7: The Hurricanes (5-4) fell to the Raiders (6-5) in Miami.

Cocoa 56, Clewiston 7: Virthavious Robinson had an 86-yard kickoff return, but the Tigers (4-7) lost in Cocoa.

Class 3A

American Heritage 30, Hollywood-Chaminade 14: After falling behind early, the Stallions (11-0) rallied for 30 consecutive points to beat the Lions (8-3) in Delray Beach.

Trailing 7-0, Marcus Davis found his brother, Trenard, on a 16-yard touchdown pass to tie the game.

Just before the half, the Stallions added a touchdown when Marcus Davis found Greg Bryant in the back of the end zone for a 21-yard scoring strike to make it 14-7.

Marcus Davis then ripped off an 83-yard touchdown run on third-and-13 in the third quarter to extend the lead to 20-7 for the Stallions.

Marcus Davis delivered the back-breaker to the Lions and their season with an 81-yard touchdown sprint to make it 30-7 and push the Stallions through to the next round. Marcus Davis finished with 206 yards on just eight carries. Bryant added 109 yards on 15 carries for the Stallions, who gained 347 yards as a team on the ground.

-- Brandon Wise

Fort Lauderdale-University 27, Cardinal Newman 0: The Crusaders (9-2) were shut down by the Suns (9-0) in Fort Lauderdale. Cardinal Newman threatened to score just once, but an interception at University's 15-yard line halted the drive. University earned its fourth shutout.

Class 2A

Glades Day 39, Hialeah-Champagnat Catholic 14: Kelvin Taylor rushed for 213 yards on 16 carries and scored four touchdowns, leading the Gators (8-2) over the Lions (2-8) in Belle Glade.

Taylor had touchdown runs of 11, 2, 12 and 33 yards, all in the first half to stake the Gators to a 29-0 halftime lead.

Taylor led seven different ball carriers for the Gators, who totaled 297 yards on the ground. Josh Carr threw for 40 yards for the Gators, who led 39-0 before Champagnat scored two late touchdowns.

-- Zack Duarte

Miami-Dade Christian 39, Village Academy 16: Larry Brihm threw for 196 yards and a touchdown and also ran for 46 yards, and Shawndarius Phillips scored two touchdowns, but the Tigers (4-6) fell to the Crusaders (10-0) in Miami9.