Story
Glades Central 26, Merritt Island 10: Raiders reach fourth straight regional final
Friday, November 23, 2012
by
Jeff Greer
Sometime around 8 p.m. Friday night, an infusion of confidence and swagger found its way onto the Glades Central sideline.
It'd been hovering in the shadows for most of the season, as one of America's most famous high school football programs fumbled out of the gate and lost four straight games, but it never fully disappeared.
It's safe to say it's here to stay in Belle Glade this fall.
Glades Central rolled past Merritt Island 26-10 in the Class 5A regional semifinals to advance to its fourth consecutive regional final, setting up a chance for redemption after last season's disappointing loss in the same round.
"We're very confident," said Glades Central all-around star Will Likely. "Like I've said before, the first game of the season was a bad start, but it was kind of good because we had to find each other as team."
As long as Likely supplies the late-season heroics that he's provided through the first two rounds of the playoffs, Glades Central has a good a shot as any team in 5A at a state title.
Likely, a 5-foot-7, 170-pound senior with breakaway speed and Division I elusiveness, totaled 172 yards of offense, running for 78 and catching 94 yards' worth of passes. He scored the game's first two touchdowns.
And this year, in the place of Jaime Wilson, who's now starring at Western Michigan, Likely has help from fellow senior David Bailey. Both Likely and Bailey lined up and scored from quarterback spot in the Wildcat formation.
Bailey had five catches for 66 yards and a touchdown, snatching a 16-yard bullet from quarterback TJ Abrams to ice the win.
"They mean a lot to us," Central coach Roosevelt Blackmon said. "They lead by example on the field."
Abrams provided efficient quarterback play, completing 15 of 25 passes for 235 yards and the Bailey touchdown. At times this season, Abrams' holding onto the ball in the pocket has caused him problems.
He was more than effective in the pocket Friday night, finding five different receivers for completions.
"They've just got great athletes," said Merritt Island coach Jeff McLean. "They just do."
Merritt Island made it interesting with a sustained drive for a touchdown to cut Glades Central's lead to 20-10, but the Mustangs (10-2) never quite got over the hump, despite a few opportunities.
Taquan Kelly, Merritt Island's diminutive running back, posted 100 yards rushing on 19 carries. His touchdown was the only one for the Mustangs, who've lost two consecutive regional semifinals to Glades Central.
"We knew they were going to come out and play hard," Likely said. "They had a bad taste in their mouths from last year. We just had to match them on our home field."
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User Comments:
Slim commented on November 23, 2012 at 11:10 p.m.: report abuse
Move them Sticks, Raiders! Miami Jackson got Next.........
Raiders4Life commented on November 23, 2012 at 11:10 p.m.: report abuse
All I can say, "Go Raiders!"
Ronnie Bailey commented on November 24, 2012 at 4:21 a.m.: report abuse
Sixteen hundred mikes away and stll kive and follow my Raiders, take it to the State Raiders!!!!
glades central commented on November 24, 2012 at 6:27 a.m.: report abuse
Beat Miami Jackson In Belle Glade Next Week Cause Defense Ain't Letting Nobody Score Too Many Times #GoRaiders Statebound 2012 Y'all Ain't Ready This The Year Right Here!
Jay Rock commented on November 24, 2012 at 7:34 a.m.: report abuse
G.C most travel , north team on on the road this year .Jackson is a pass first team which play n gc favor. GC secondary n D have been looked over all season. Lets go Raiders . GC raiders 4 life!
D Muckateers commented on November 24, 2012 at 7:51 a.m.: report abuse
GC go hard, go long, we are guaranteed to show up, and we've never been scared, anytime, any place, any where. we're in it to win it
Toni commented on November 24, 2012 at 9:24 a.m.: report abuse
Raider Nation! Heart and drive all the way. Im proud of my Raiders!
South Florida Athlete Builders commented on November 24, 2012 at 9:39 a.m.: report abuse
Jackson travels to Belle Glade because they are the district runner up to Norland.. Just remember this will be the first true passing team GC faced all year and the first time they played a team with athletes since Dwyer and Plantation....Jackson QB is big time D-1 and have good wrs' and a nice RB. They are also battled tested winning at AH and at Norland; Remember they beat these two teams that has some great athletes and well coached.. The bigger question is who have GC beaten since their winning streak? This game will come down to your offensive line vs their defensive line... If they pressure your erractic QB with the front 4 and drop seven with their athletes then it will be another 3rd round exit for GC.... This is a game of athletes vs athletes so the difference will be in the schemes... Jackson have the better offensive scheme compare to GC one player offense but GC defensive coordinator is very very good to keep it close. However that is why they play the game...Good luck to both teams... just got to respect the history of the MUCK.
coast boy commented on November 24, 2012 at 9:56 a.m.: report abuse
Coach Blackmon hurry up and come to the coast. You know we have a job for you.
71 Raider commented on November 24, 2012 at 10:23 a.m.: report abuse
The Raiders are clicking on all cylinders now. They've got their confidence back. It's bad to kick a man when he's down. Shout out to the coaches. You hung in there when the fans didn't believe in you. Prayer changes things.
Jay-Rock commented on November 24, 2012 at 1:51 p.m.: report abuse
Well that changes everything. I don't see any team beating GC at home. I'll be the first to admit I douted the coaching staff could bring those kids to play as well as they are playing . This team may not have all the Big Name like teams of old , but there on point. UNITY!!!!!!! Great Job Coaches, Even better job players. Its hard to be a Raider .GC Raiders 4 Life!
coast boy commented on November 25, 2012 at 1:37 p.m.: report abuse
Coach Blackmon to the coast. They don't want you in the Glades, but we want you on the coast.
kesha right commented on November 26, 2012 at 10:56 a.m.: report abuse
RAIDERSSSSSSSSSSS yes we showed out they never would have expected us to be this far but raiders keep do yall thing #trust and believe im behind yall 10000% from east to west you knw dem RAIDERSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS are the best
coast boy@kesha right commented on November 26, 2012 at 5:56 p.m.: report abuse
Where were you at in the beginning. Coach don't fall for it. leave asap!
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