Story
Glades Central cruising after slow start to season
Thursday, November 29, 2012
by
Matt Porter
This version of Glades Central has few things in common with its football predecessors.
Glades Central, which went 243-30 in the past two decades, began this season 0-4, the worst start in program history. The Raiders are undersized, lack star power and aside from do-it-all senior Will Likely, don't inspire the same fear as Raiders teams of old.
And yet they've won eight consecutive games and will play in their fourth straight regional final Friday. They'll have to go through Miami Jackson (7-4) in a Class 5A regional final, but they'll have the crowd in Belle Glade behind them.
Some of that crowd called for coach Roosevelt Blackmon's job in September, but Blackmon said he didn't let it affect him.
"I kept it in perspective," Blackmon said. "We're going to get there. We've got to keep believing. So when we were losing, they could see I was still positive."
He saw the inexperience and believed the Raiders' problems were fixable, and it appears they were.
"Everyone knows what they're doing as opposed to early in the season," Blackmon said. "We were thinking, on both sides of the ball. Now they're just doing."
No one on Glades Central's offensive line -- comprised of left tackle Jashaun Seider (6-3, 238), left guard James Moore (5-10, 270), center Jarvis Philibert (5-6, 189), right guard Adrian Henry (6-2, 266) and right tackle Steven Leggett (6-2, 239) -- played on the offensive line last year. Leggett and Seider are sophomores; the rest are juniors. In the Raiders' playoff wins over Rockledge and Merritt Island, they made expert blocks to spring Likely on touchdown runs and kept quarterback T.J. Abrams protected.
Abrams beat fellow incoming senior transfer Antwan Washington for the job, and has thrown for 1,298 yards, 13 touchdowns and two interceptions. Junior Ronquavion Tarver, displaying potential at 6-foot-3 and 175 pounds, senior Yvesner Ferdinand and sophomore Jonathan Istache have been equally effective. Washington has become a versatile defensive player.
Neither senior David Bailey's size (5-10, 167) nor statistics (336 total yards, seven touchdowns) are impressive. But he lines up at safety and cornerback, adjusting his teammates as need be. He plays running back and receiver, taking advantage of opponents who key on Likely, who has 1,056 total yards and seven touchdowns.
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User Comments:
what ever commented on November 29, 2012 at 11:41 p.m.: report abuse
Gc better watch out for Hall, Jackson's split receiver he runs a 4.276 in the 40 the boy is like lightning. He's there play maker. The boy is good eastern on varsity scene 9th grade.
SHUT UP commented on November 30, 2012 at 7:47 a.m.: report abuse
STFU PPPPPPPLLLLLLLLLEEEEAAASSSSSSSEEEE......
Raider Lover commented on November 30, 2012 at 8:01 a.m.: report abuse
Way to turn it around Raiders.Give all the thanks to the offensive line,I love it. Abrams did not take Washingtons position, Washington decided to play on the other side of the ball... Nothing Major
Flat commented on November 30, 2012 at 8:05 a.m.: report abuse
For some reason someone overlooked GC Junior Offensive Guard Jacoby Blackmon . He has open some holes for Will Likely . It's about time somebody give him some respect.
@FLAT commented on November 30, 2012 at 9:17 a.m.: report abuse
stop trying to get some fame for one player. if he is good, someone will take notice.
@What Ever commented on November 30, 2012 at 9:49 a.m.: report abuse
We know about Hall #4 and his ability but what you have to realize is that Jackson has to have time to throw the ball. If you have any knowledge or have seen film on Miami Jackson they too at some time have had offense of line problems. We have two outstanding corners in Benard Willingham #24 and Will Likely #4 who can cover the best. I know a lot kids over the years can run 4.2-4.3 but can't catch a cold or get off the ball. Example Dwyer has two excellent WR in Dixon and Stephens both 4,3 and 10.5 sprinters but didn't have a QB to throw them the ball when it counted in the playoffs. We will be alright tonite and if we win I am more worried about next week because Immoklee has 7 D1 prospect that's real concern...see you tonight..Go Raiders
glades central commented on November 30, 2012 at 10:19 a.m.: report abuse
Gc WILL WIN TONIGHT TRUST ME BAILEY ARRON AND WILL AND TARVER WILL SHOW UP AND OUR DEFENSE NOT GIVING UP TOO MUCH POINTS CAUSE WE DO FORCE TURNOVERS AND JACKSON WILL NOT BOMB US ALL NIGHT SO GC WILL WIN BY 14 DEFENSE TOO GOOD TO GIVE UP MORE THAN 14 TRUST ME WILL AND BAILEY AND WILLINGHAM BACK THERE IS LOCK DOWN AND OUR LINE BACKERS CAN HIT WE GONE CONTAIN THE QB FLOWERS AND TAKE OVER THIS GAME
what ever commented on November 30, 2012 at 10:42 a.m.: report abuse
All I'm saying watch out for him. He scored all there touchdowns last game. He's one of the best receiver in dade county.
Riviera Beach commented on November 30, 2012 at 10:47 a.m.: report abuse
Jackson is a passing team. Secondary has always been a strength of Raider football. In the last three seasons they have lost in the playoffs to run first teams. Duke Johnson/ Norland and Chevy Buie and co/ Cocoa. Jackson QB is a stud but I like GC against a passing team. Will Likely will come to play!!!!!!!!
I Bleed maroon and gold commented on November 30, 2012 at 11:24 a.m.: report abuse
I really do feel sad for miami jackson if they think there going to come to glades with one good reciever because we all know what happens on thrill will island blackmon has done a great job staying positive through the season an i really do salute him an there coach staff lets go raiders its are time
vinny commented on November 30, 2012 at 11:27 a.m.: report abuse
there is never a shortage of Seiders in belle glade! lol
Flat commented on November 30, 2012 at 11:30 a.m.: report abuse
It's not about giving Jacoby Blackmon fame . This kid has done it on the field and in the classroom too. If some one going to write an article on G.C. Offensive Line , then Jacoby should be giving credit where credit is do , the kid has started everygame , except one on G.C.Offensive Line . This summer they moved him from defensive line to offensive line at tackle and now guard. By the way this kid was very impressive this summer in the Down and Dirty Camp , just ask the Head coach and the Offensive Line coach. They should be the one that gives him fame.
glades central commented on November 30, 2012 at 11:37 a.m.: report abuse
its hard to win in belle glade unless their qb flowers is a duke johnson or cheville buie then jackson will not win gc defense is fast and can hit and make turnovers and gc offense can score points and have great wr's and rb's gc defense will take control of this game and will be turned up tonight in belle glade and the raidernation is going to be there strong ready to cheer and run jackson away from belle glade its playoff time in belle glade them fans pumped up and them players go raiders jackson going down tonight in will likely and the defense we trust #goraiders
Clove commented on November 30, 2012 at 11:48 a.m.: report abuse
I concur with the good comments made about Jacoby Blackmon; he has held his own in the trenches all year long on the OL/DL. This is a kid who played on the J.V. team last year and could have easily been moved up to the varsity team as a 10th grader. I believe this kid will be one of the top players in the county next year, at his position. Go Raiders!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
open your eyes commented on November 30, 2012 at 12:45 p.m.: report abuse
Likely, Baker is the key to victory for GC. If GC doesn`t have Baker and Likely on the field all night on the offensive side of the ball, chances of A win is slim Baker will open thing up for likely and Likely will do same for baker. These kids are game breaker/CHANGERS, all those other kids on the team are OK they dont scare anyone GC HAVE TO SCORE A LOT OF POINTS THIS GAME. The secondary of GC is not that good Likely is the only kid who can hold up in a game like this the reciever will the advantage when everything seem even. that`s why I Believe Baker use`s this game is important A SMART COACH WILL NOT LET THE OPPONENT BEST PLAYER BEAT THEM. That being said likely will be getting alot of attention, use Baker Tonight A LOT. LET`S GO RAIDERS!!!
GCHS commented on November 30, 2012 at 4:08 p.m.: report abuse
I see ppl talking bout Jackson having guys that run 4.2's and what not...This Belle Glade we breed speed,Deonte Thompson,Travis Benjamin,Santonio Holmes unless that dude is Duke Johnson like then it doesnt matter how fast he is...But since they naming ppl i'll name 1 William Likely you can't understand how electrifying this dude is until yu play against him he's Mr.Doitall...
GCBAYBEE commented on November 30, 2012 at 8:44 p.m.: report abuse
GC Raiders have god on their side! they'll take this victory and make it to State & WIN! I believe in my boys, they had a rough start but are on the ball now. DON'T UNDER ESTIMATE THEM. These boys have talent & they're gonna play their hearts off till we win state. S/O to the Raiders C/O 2013 we gone leave GC state champs baby!!!!
Raiders4Life commented on November 30, 2012 at 10:07 p.m.: report abuse
Let's go Raiders!
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