Story
Glades Central's Greg Dent quietly making mark as top area receiver
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
by
Jason Lieser
BELLE GLADE — Aside from the 300 or so text messages he sends each day, Glades Central senior Greg Dent has very little to say.
And that's fine, especially when his fingers are as nimble catching footballs as they are tapping on his Samsung flip phone.
Neither his size (5-foot-11, 182 pounds) nor his speed (4.6 seconds in the 40-yard dash) is considered elite for a wide receiver, but Dent's rigid route-running and instinctive ball skills have made him one of the area's most dangerous offensive threats. Through three games, Dent leads top-ranked Glades Central with 11 receptions and 229 receiving yards and has an area-best four touchdown catches.
'I'm starting off good, but as the season goes, I think I'm going to play much better,' said Dent, whose undefeated Raiders visit No. 8 Royal Palm Beach on Friday. 'I've made key blocks when I've needed to, caught the ball when I've needed to.'
Even if Dent prefers not to discuss his impressive performances — count that as another unusual characteristic for a receiver — other players and coaches are doing plenty of talking for him.
Prior to his team's season-opening game against the Raiders, Dwyer coach Jack Daniels interrupted a film session to emphasize the importance of monitoring where No. 5 — Dent — lines up before each snap, which is typically in the slot. Most of the pre-season hype surrounded Glades Central junior Kelvin Benjamin, a 6-foot-6 target who already has a scholarship offers from Florida and other BCS schools, but Dent was the one who worried Daniels.
'I've seen him run right by people,' Daniels said. 'He accelerates out of his breaks and creates separation.'
Dent confirmed Daniels' concern in that game, a 21-7 win by the Raiders, with a 63-yard touchdown catch and an interception at cornerback.
This week, when coaches from Florida State and West Virginia spoke with Daniels about his own players, they also asked his opinion on Dent. Daniels thinks both schools will offer Dent a scholarship soon. As of now, he has offers from Miami and Florida International, but he said this week he likely would commit to the Seminoles if they offer. He also ends every text message with 'FSU PLAYMAKER#5.'
One Florida State alum who thinks the Seminoles should offer Dent is Glades Central coach Jessie Hester. Hester played receiver in the NFL for 11 seasons at 5-foot-11, 175 pounds and thinks Dent is capable of achieving similar success.
Hester was furious with his receivers for running incorrect and sloppy routes in the team's pre-season loss to Miami Carol City, but Dent has been instrumental in that unit's improvement simply by the example he provides.
While some receivers tend to cut off a route early or improvise at the line of scrimmage, Hester said Dent is a patient technician who learns quickly.
'If we tell him to go 12 yards, he goes 12 yards,' Hester said. 'You only have to tell him once, which is helping the other kids. They see how he's doing it and the rest of them emulate that.'
Hester also credited him as one of the five or six hardest working players in Glades Central's practices and said he has been reliable off the field, as well. He could not recall a complaint from any of Dent's teachers.
Dent, 19, was not always so consistent. He did not start playing football until eighth grade in part because of his poor attendance at school and delinquent activities. He said he was arrested for once for fighting and another time for trespassing. Those issues led to him repeating fifth and seventh grade, Dent said.
As a seventh grader at Pahokee Middle-Senior High, Dent often rode the bus to campus, then immediately left with friends to spend the day 'looking at TV or whatever.' When his mother discovered his truancy habit, she sent him to live with a family friend in Belle Glade, where he attended Lake Shore Middle before enrolling at Glades Central.
'When I was young, I made dumb decisions,' said Dent, who is now a competent student particularly excelling in math and science. 'I wasn't hanging around the right people.
'I think that was my evil side. But I wanted to play football and I knew I had to go to school. I saw people on the streets that could've made it. That changed me, too.'
The difference is noticeable both in and out of football. On the field or in class, Dent follows a simple creed: 'I listen. I follow directions. I do my work.'
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User Comments:
PK OVERATED commented on September 24, 2009 at 8:09 a.m.: report abuse
NICE JOB GREG NOW LETS BRING HOME MUCK BOWL AND A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Coach Pickett commented on September 24, 2009 at 8:18 a.m.: report abuse
I had the pleasure of coaching this kid when he first came to Glades Central. It's true that he had some troubles early in his life but thats corrected now. This kid has grown so much on the field that its almost unbelievable. This kids story can truely be a testamony for many in our community. I have no doubt that before the football year is done many major universities will see his talent and give him a chance to be apart of there program. I love you son keep doing your best God will bless you.
fbguru commented on September 25, 2009 at 12:34 a.m.: report abuse
Nice story and I'm glad the kid turned his life around. Easy to see why he;s been so dominate on the football field, he stayed back twice, he should be a sophomore in college
Jason Lieser commented on September 25, 2009 at 1:13 a.m.: report abuse
fbguru, Your point is valid, but I don't agree. I don't think his age has any bearing on his play, relative to any other senior. He is no bigger than the kids he is facing; in fact, he is on the small side for elite players at his position. Couple that with the fact that he has only been playing football for a little over four years, compared to many kids who start playing when they are in grade school. I would be inclined to agree with you if he had the size or experience of a college sophomore, but he doesn't.
But, like I said, it is fair to bring that up. It was relevant to the story so we had to include it and explain why he is that age. I just don't agree that it gives him an advantage over other kids in his grade.
Riviera Beach commented on September 25, 2009 at 10:10 a.m.: report abuse
Miami Hurricanes!!!!!
fbguru commented on September 25, 2009 at 10:17 a.m.: report abuse
A 19 year old playing against mostly 16 and 17 year olds doesn't have much of an advantage? Again it's a great story but the maturity level of a 19 year old is substantialy higher then that of a 16 or 17 year old, you'll find most of these underclass phenoms are all kids who staye back in grammar school
sayWHAT!! commented on September 25, 2009 at 11:40 a.m.: report abuse
I agree with Jason. I don't think a one or two age difference make a big different when it comes to how somebody plays football. According to the story, Dent started playing in the eighth grade, not long compared to others from the Glades.
I remember when Deonte Thompson started playing Varsity when he was in the 9th grade and was making more noise on the field then a lot the other players who had been on varsity for years. So to me I don't think being 19 is a big deal... there are plenty of 19 year olds playing varsity around the country.
PK OVERATED commented on September 25, 2009 at 2:05 p.m.: report abuse
JASON SHOULDN'T PUT THE PART ON THE ARTICLE BOUT HIM STAYING BACK BECAUSE PEOPLE ALWAYS FIND A WAY 2 SAY SOMETHING BAD ABOUT KIDS FROM THE GLADES SO WAT HE'S 19 HALF OF THE KIDS ARE 17,18, AND 19 SO YALL STOP HATING ON GREG HE'S GOING 2 MAKE IT IN FOOTBALL THANK YOU.
CK commented on September 25, 2009 at 5:32 p.m.: report abuse
Hey Guys
He made a valid points, But as we all know cream always rises to the top.
And Greg is the "CREAM OF THE CROP"
Old Wildcat commented on September 25, 2009 at 10:36 p.m.: report abuse
Hey "PK Overated," first the CAPS aren't necessary, and if you really feel that "people always find a way to say something bad about...the Glades..." let me say this: the GC vs. RPB game tonight was not a stellar one but GC played a good game as they always do. Also, just as they have been for years, the GC fans that trek all the way out from the Muck are a stand-up group of folks, always the enthusiasts and fun to be around and talk to. It's a shame that all fans of our local schools aren't as dedicated and fun. The same can be said for the Pahokee fans too. Ever since my playing days (that ended 10 years ago) I've loved playing against those two teams and being in that environment because of the great players and fans.
I see the validity of fbguru's points, but I have to agree that the age difference isn't that big of an advantage, especially when you have kids like Taylor at Glades Day that was dominating as an 8th grader!!! South Florida has an abundance of football talent from (cough, cough) the Treasure Coast down to Miami, with a huge pocket of that talent in the Glades, the age just doesn't matter!! :)
PK OVERATED commented on September 26, 2009 at 9:55 p.m.: report abuse
YOU JUST AN RAIDER HATER AND YOU MAD BECAUSE ROYAL PALM LOST GET OVER IT YALL NOT GOING TO STATE ANYWAYS................. GET USED TO LOSING TO MUCK LIKE YOUR DADDY USED TO LOL
Old Wildcat commented on September 27, 2009 at 1:58 a.m.: report abuse
"PK Overated," I'm certainly not one to engage in ridiculous message board personal attacks, but you sound absolutely ignorant. Your posts are never anything substantial except for garbage like "everyone hates on the glades," or "no one is as good as GC," blah, blah, blah. Don't waste the time of those that are attempting to have legitimate debate and conversation with your non-sense. To say I'm a "RAIDER HATER" after I say nothing but good things about the kids and fans from the muck is just ridiculous!! Re-read because I said it was a good game by GC and never bashed them! And for the record I've always been a fan of the Muck schools, even when I was an opposing player years ago!! Even living 1300 miles away now I still have nothing but pride when I see those boys representing Palm Beach County on tv Saturdays and Sundays. Cut your crap and try being worthwhile for a change.
OLD DEVIL 84 commented on October 6, 2009 at 3:53 p.m.: report abuse
It's good to see that Greg Dent has matured into a fine young man as well as a football player and as a parent I know his parents are pleased with the out come. Fbguru it appears that for some strange reason you want to hate on a 19yr old young who has college coaches scrambling to offer this young man a scolarship, whats wrong they never wanted you, you must learn to rejoice when something good happens for someone else and not just for yourself. GOD BLESS keep up the good work greg.
redman commented on October 12, 2009 at 12:57 p.m.: report abuse
A greg dis sandman cousin from palm beach. I see u doing your thing man keep up the good work,and I think your da best player at your position coming out of the county. I don't care who they talk about,you just keep doing your thing and make the haters mad,isee nobody stoping you
Cuz Law commented on October 13, 2009 at 1:32 p.m.: report abuse
We are all face with thing in our life and we get over them it is a blessing that things are working in his favor
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