Story
Migration hurts Glades Central football team
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
by
Matt Porter
Glades Central players look on from the sideline before a home game against American Heritage this season. (Photo by Allen Eyestone/The Palm Beach Post)
The top-ranked team in Palm Beach County, stocked with future Division I players, prepared for a game as the sun set. They were ready to give the fans at Effie C. Grear Field a show.
But the players weren't wearing Glades Central colors.
They were from American Heritage, the Delray Beach private school which, like several other area teams, has left Glades Central behind.
For the first time in decades, the Raiders, a storied program boasting six state championships, more than 30 NFL alums and coast-to-coast name recognition, are losing.
Glades Central (0-3) is a home underdog Friday against fifth-ranked Park Vista. The Raiders haven't had a losing season since 1990, when they went 3-7 under Jay Seider. From then until 2012, they were 243-30, one of the best records in the country.
Though the Raiders are young and graduated several Division I-bound seniors, several factors cause observers to wonder if Glades Central's seemingly endless reservoir of football talent is in danger of drying up.
While Glades Central received two senior starters via transfer this offseason, movement from Belle Glade is significant.
John I. Leonard has nine starters born and raised in Belle Glade. Leonard's top three wide receivers -- juniors Jerry Jones, Kenute Morris and sophomore Tavares Martin - are Muck kids, as are the Lancers' starting offensive tackles.
Royal Palm Beach beat Glades Central in the preseason with seven starters from Belle Glade. Palm Beach Central has four natives including senior Lloyd "Bam" Howard, its leading rusher and top skill player.
"If you look at most of the rosters in Palm Beach County," Glades Central assistant coach Reidel Anthony said, "most of the kids making plays, they're from here."
They move for a variety of reasons, but the economy underlies it all.
Unemployment in the Glades is 32 percent, according to a June 2011 estimate by Workforce Alliance, compared with 11 percent for the rest of the county. The December 2011 closing of Glades Correctional Institution caused the loss of 250 jobs alone.
"There's a lot of fear out there with the decline," John I. Leonard coach Wayne Monroe said. "The parents are looking for a better opportunity. Different pockets of the county are getting really good kids from the areas around Glades Central. It's unfortunate for that school."
The generation of players who have stayed at Glades Central feels the weight of the same expectations -- realistic or not -- of the past four decades.
"We're not doing the job that we are expected to do," senior Will Likely said. "The people that went here before us expect greatness. We have to live up to it."
When they don't, the wave of backlash often hits the coach. Many fans have called for the firing of Roosevelt Blackmon, the school's sixth head coach since 2000.
Despite being outscored 78-22 in losses to Dwyer, Plantation and American Heritage, the Raiders were in each game at halftime. Glades Central Principal Anthony Anderson has expressed confidence in Blackmon and likes how players have handled themselves after losses.
"They still showed character," Anderson said. "That's what we want."
"I always felt the ones who were out there with something negative to say weren't the ones to help you raise money," said Royal Palm Beach coach Willie Bueno, a Belle Glade native who coached the Raiders from 2000-02. "Those ones where the last ones to help you anyway."
Willie McDonald, the public-address announcer at Raiders games, succeeded Al Werneke, who won the school's first state championships in 1971 and 1972. After a 6-4 season in 1975, McDonald's Raiders went 1-8 in his second year, the worst season since the school was created in 1970. He recalls dismissing several players -- "good players, too" -- from the team. "I was there to clean the program up," he said.
He says he knows what Blackmon is dealing with.
"We're young," he said. "We've got to correct the mistakes while the kids are young. We'll come back. We've got to rebuild. In the past, we've been reloading. We can't reload when kids are migrating. So you've got to rebuild now."
But the crowds in Belle Glade have never borne rebuilding well.
Anthony, who starred at Florida and spent five years in the NFL, stood at the edge of the field last Thursday, watching his team prepare to play American Heritage. As he spoke to a reporter, a stern voice called from the concourse:
"All right, Reidel, tighten up tonight."
"All right," Anthony shouted over his shoulder to the fan, then turned back to the conversation. "See what I'm talking about?"
Anthony shook his head.
"Tighten up," he said. "Ain't nothing positive."
.
User Comments:
Coach in PBC commented on September 18, 2012 at 8:54 p.m.: report abuse
You guys must keep your head up. You guys will be back. Players stay behinds your coaches. It's funny how the first word out fans mouth is " fired him". People it only a 3,000 job. How about get behind him.
Coach in PBC commented on September 18, 2012 at 8:55 p.m.: report abuse
You guys must keep your head up. You guys will be back. Players stay behinds your coaches. It's funny how the first word out fans mouth is " fired him". People it only a 3,000 job. How about get behind him.
Raider84 commented on September 18, 2012 at 9:01 p.m.: report abuse
The talent is there its the play calling that's killing the team.my advice to coach Blacmmon is to get somebody else to run his offense cause all of your coaches are seniors if you get my drift.that means they will be coaching some where else
Raider98 commented on September 18, 2012 at 9:20 p.m.: report abuse
Most transferred players transfer because mostly because they think coaches have favoritism. Some of those transferred guys just want to shine independently on their team and I think thats the real reason why so many kids transfer from GCH!
MuckFan commented on September 18, 2012 at 9:23 p.m.: report abuse
Not to say that Blackmon would get fired, but when Glades Central finally decides to part ways with Blackmon, I personally think Glades Central should hire a real coach someone with experience and not just a alumni from the school!
Who's looking stupid now commented on September 18, 2012 at 9:27 p.m.: report abuse
Glade Central will recover, hopefully starting this week. And let’s hope that the fans will start attendance the games because overall support is need. Glade Central is a perennial power when it comes to football. So come out in support Raiders football. Some both within and outside the Raider football program has called us some the most loyal fans in the nation. This is our chance to prove this. We need to support these student athletes in every way we possibly can, and not just during football season also after the season is over. Our support needs to start this now. Be there to support these young men who deserve so much better than the hand they've been dealt.
But we can't end there. Every week, every chance we get, we need to reinforce to these young men our commitment to them and to this we need to show up every week through the end of this season, we need to be their rocks when they have none, and cheer them on regardless of the outcomes of each of these games.
As we've learned from the many fans of other schools that ventured onto Effie C. Greer Stadium this past month, being a fan of another team (even if that team resides in Royal Palm or Palm Beach Garden) doesn't mean you can't have the heart of a Raider. Come out in cheered for the maroon and gold and rally around our team. This group of young men has shown far more class, honor, and integrity than most of us could dream of showing at their age. These are the values that we profess to hold dear. Now is the time for us to prove that our words, past and present and future, are not hollow.
With regards to the supporting of this team, I don't care how, or what, you feel about the what’s going on. Not that it's old news--it's ongoing news. Not that we don't feel for the player--I know all of us are hoping for a change. This isn't about that. This is about the young men who suit up for Glade Central, for each other, and for us for ten weeks each fall. And they deserve better than an apathetic crowd, running away from the hardships facing this program. We've been told that Glade Central football is dead or dying. As of now, it's not. But it might be. It's up to us to help make sure that doesn't happen.
Support these young men. Support Glade Central football. Today, tomorrow, all season, and for the years to come. Why would we start to ignore our struggling team, when they were winning we were there. Look like to me Raider Nation is a fraud, because if the so call Raider Nation were real they would support this team win or loose. Everyone was there when they was winning now that they have lose three game in a row the stadium is empty. I remember last year when you went to watch Glade Central practice you could not find a parking spot because there were so many people they’re watching them practice. If you go in watch them practice now there my be a 4 or 5 peoples watching it's sad.
5*Recruit commented on September 18, 2012 at 9:29 p.m.: report abuse
Hey Reidel, don't worry bra. Just keep coaching, you guys (Belleglade) are finally experiencing what we have been going through over here sense the 1990s. I have posted this same issue several times (in the past) on this blog. FPC football program has been decimated several times sense the 90s do to new High Schools built and developing cities in the area. It was very depressing to sit back and watch our own kids go play for other schools in neighboring cities and whip us. for over a decade... Like us, you guess will get through it, though It may not be as soon as you think -- But for now don't worry, we'll continue to hold it down for yall bra. They call us Belleglade by the sea. Hahaha.. Some say, "The only difference is Ft. Pierce is on the Ocean". Ft. Pierce Central is ranked by ESPN, Rivals, and Max Sports as a top 100 in the Nation. Although Central started out ranked #6 in the state, somehow we fell to 8th and we've done nothing but win win win - In fact, last week we played 2 teams in four days and beat both of them AND THE refs - and we did it with out three of our starters including our 1st Team All State runnig back Marcus Levy. One of those teams was powerhouse Palm Bay Pirates (in Palm Bay). Keep yo head up Belleglade- You the Greatest!!
FPC 4 Life!!!
true raiders fans????? commented on September 18, 2012 at 11:37 p.m.: report abuse
The above comments have question the bare essences of true raider fans. The real reason why there is so much hate has nothing to do with the game itself, but about their gambling on the kids. Betting on first downs,touchdowns , punts etc. If you really want to keep it real, it doesn't matter who the coach is, this is a on-going occurrence in the stands. Have you ever thought about how the 230 teams felt losing to the raiders. Sure we are facing some hard times so far this season. But i know for a fact that not one coach show up to prepare a team to lose. So for the little bunch that sits on the northern section of Effie C. Greer field and bet all your money. We hope you go broke because the true losers are you not the kids. Funny when you are winning, none of this is stated.
The Truth commented on September 19, 2012 at 5:09 a.m.: report abuse
The truth of the matter is that the Raiders has had 2 decades of consistant winning seasons and winning their district in each of those years. Now, name another team in PBC that has accomplished that or even come close. But, I've stated for many years that the decline of the economy will eventually effect the football programs in the Glades. It started with Clewiston Tigers, soon after the Sugar Mills and agricultural companies begin to sell back land to the state for Everglades restoration. Next, Pahokee Blue Devils fell victim to the declining economy after their Sugar Mills, Juvenile Detention Center and local businesses begin to close down. Sports Illustrated recently completed a documentary in the Underdog section on the effects of their economy in the Underdog section of their site. Here is the link to view the video through CNN sportsillustrated.cnn.com/specials/underdogs/episode-4.html to the story. The economy in Pahokee wasn't able to even support the only fast food business there (Burger King) which eventually closed. Finally the Glades Central Mighty Raiders which I am an alumni of is experiencing similar effects as the other two storied programs. Just imagine the Sugar Mills or GCI closing its doors and how that would impact the city of Belle Glade. Life is about survival, so families will have to migrate to other cites to sustain a health quality of life for their love ones. The city needs new business that will support a variety of professional jobs to retain GC alumni that graduates from college and would like to practice their profession within the city they were raised or born. The high number of kids from the Glades playing at other schools are in the hundreds if you venture throughout PBC. It starts in middle school with the students participating in athletic programs. History is on our side and The Mighty Raiders will bounce back! Now that's the Truth!
Raider-diva commented on September 19, 2012 at 6:11 a.m.: report abuse
Its so nice for once to see true support for the Glades and not so much negative talk as seen in the past. I do believe most of what's been posted especially the news about our players having to leave their hometown because of the downfall of the economic conditions in the Glades. @Raider98 kids do want recognition but it's not the kids that make the decisions to move and relocate. That decision is made by the parents(breadwinners) of the family. But I wish most of all that our kids have more of listening ears and hear the knowlege that parents, teachers and other adults and leaders of our community is trying to impart in them. It is so vital that you know children that they have your best interest at heart. To our football team lets bring the power back I believe in you 100%
nomad commented on September 19, 2012 at 8:15 a.m.: report abuse
Well.....Coach Anthony must not remember the days when he was with the bucs and he was on the Raider's sidelines YELLING at the stupidy of the Raider coaches ..... who, i may add, won 3 state championships in a row!!!! HMMMMM.......what goes around............
Question for Matt commented on September 19, 2012 at 8:25 a.m.: report abuse
What are the enrollment figures for GCHS over the past 3-4 years ? Have they actually went down ? This is the key figure in a story like this. Surprised you missed it.
Riviera Beach commented on September 19, 2012 at 8:28 a.m.: report abuse
They have lost to Dwyer and American Heritage. The best two teams in this county and state contenders. They were underdawgs in those games. I can't speak on Plantation but the other two are very good. The true Raider fans should be able to tell that last week was a huge improvement. They had the Stallions on the ropes. Raiders will beat Vista this Friday. D is too fast for Quad and company. GC's secondary is still one of the best and showed that against Dwyer and Heritage. Still a long season and the Raiders haven't played a district game yet. They will be in the playoffs and a young hungry team. This team has talent.
Get Off the Coach - - DO SOMETHING! commented on September 19, 2012 at 8:54 a.m.: report abuse
Yeah, this GC team is very talented!!!! I'm so tired of everyone saying that the GC team is a young team! Yes they are a young team, but they too have all the talent that past GC teams had!
I was at all the games and they SHOULD NOT HAVE LOST TO: RPB!!!!!....Dwyer!!!!!....Plantation ("Really")!!!!....and AH!!!!!
OC HAS TO GO!!! He is killing our kids with all his negativity and he has NO love for our GC kids....And, o'yeah, his play calling is horrible; he's in over his head!!!
And the lack of action by GC adminsitration; the admin is doing nothing - - this is way beyond me? GC Principle Anderson must be taking a bribe to say that as long as the team "shows character", he's ok with them losing every game so far!!!....really??@#!
Its a Wrap commented on September 19, 2012 at 9:06 a.m.: report abuse
Like I always said in this forum, GC has benefited from all of the kids going to one school, unlike in Riviera Beach where a lot of their kids go to a number of different schools because of the magnet programs. Same with back in the days Suncoast. Kids from Riviera Beach went to Suncoast, North Shore, PBG, Jupiter etc. People are moving out of the Glades. Its sad because of the rich tradition but families are looking for better opportunities for their kids. Sorry GC, but its downhill from here.
GC Grad 2000 Back to Back commented on September 19, 2012 at 9:23 a.m.: report abuse
This story is so true, and it hurts so bad. I am a product of Belle Glade. I graduated from Glades Central in 2000, won two state championships under Coach Milton Watson and was granted a scholarship to a D-1 University. The fact of the matter is the community and the county expects Glades Central to be the same every year (15-0) and a state title. But were talking about children, kids that have their entire life to live and the pressure is on as soon as they put on a uniform. Com-on Man!! Why can’t we do the same with academics? Let’s talk about how the school has let three great coaches (Bueno Snead and Hester) leave the school because of the idiots in the stands. Let’s talk about how many different principals have been there since Dr. Grear retired in 2000. All of these factors count as well. Football is going to be there no matter what, as long as there is a school. Again I state that I am a product of Glades Central. Football was a catalyst for my life. As a whole the Belle Glade economic community has gone to mediocrity. People and their kids are leaving for a brighter future somewhere else, why not? I have family that remains in Belle Glade only because they can survive on stable employment. All of the news that comes out of Belle Glade is about Football or Crime, nothing positive. Palm Beach is one of the richest counties per capita income in the state at $28,801 only third behind Martin $29,584 and Collier $31,195. But when it comes to Belle Glade, Belle Glade is 825 out of 887 with a median income of a meager $11,159 per capita. To see all the negative comments on this post. I bet you couldn’t hold those kids jock strap. And to the person(s) stating that the OC needs to go, he left a very good school in the Tampa Area to come back home and coach. This guy loves the hell out of the program that’s why he is back at GC. The story states it in the title “Migration hurts Glades Central football team” meaning coaches too. The HC drives from Delray every day to coach if that’s not love I don’t know what love is. I love my GC Raiders and the Community but they both need help.
Lakes alum commented on September 19, 2012 at 9:28 a.m.: report abuse
Now yall see what we have been going through with Dwyer taking all of our kids. Yours is more of an economic situation and I feel for your community. But from a football and basketball standpoint, Dwyer has done this for years and its catching up with them.
football supporter commented on September 19, 2012 at 9:32 a.m.: report abuse
Glades keep your heads up, My child plays with Heritage and you kept up with us til the fourth. I have to give you your props. Everyone has their down season, you will blossom again. Good luck.
Matt Porter commented on September 19, 2012 at 9:33 a.m.: report abuse
To answer a question:
Glades Central enrollment is down six percent over the last 5 years and now stands at 1,050. That was a fact that was cut for space reasons. Unfortunately, a lot of good stuff didn't make the article for space reasons. I could have done a three-part series on this topic.
This is about Football! commented on September 19, 2012 at 10:04 a.m.: report abuse
To All Statisticians and Educators out there...this website/blog is about sports!....Football! Keep the subject on football....And last time I checked, the game is about "Wins" and "Losses!" Not economics, world peace, migration, etc....just football!
@This is about football commented on September 19, 2012 at 10:25 a.m.: report abuse
You are an idiot. Its never just about football fool, even at the high school level. Great players are the key to any teams success. The kids are moving from the glades and its affecting the program. That's what the article speaks to and its true. Get your head outta ya azz fool.
What Ever! commented on September 19, 2012 at 10:58 a.m.: report abuse
You must be one of the coaches at GC???hummmmm. Maybe the OC??? Cause all I hear is Excuses...blaming the players!...hummm!
@What Ever! commented on September 19, 2012 at 11:05 a.m.: report abuse
@What Ever! You are a loser. Players play, coaches coach and people like you well let’s just say you sat the bench your entire life and probably live through your children.
SLIENT OBSERVER!! commented on September 19, 2012 at 11:14 a.m.: report abuse
I like what GC GRAD 2000 said... they let three great coaches go due to stupidity!! I played football at glades central and went on to play in college and professional. Roosevelt underminded the last 2 head coaches at glades central and he's being punished for what he did. God dont like ugly and he's paying the consequence. I dont feel sorry for him not one bit!!! i feel bad for the kids because there future is at stake with these inexperience coaches. Hopefully the kids stay together and finish off a good season, because if your waiting for the coaches to do it your chances are slim to none.....
THRILL WILL commented on September 19, 2012 at 12:55 p.m.: report abuse
@MATT WHEN DOES PART 2 & 3 OF THIS TOPIC COMES OUT....LMAO
Pahokee To My Heart commented on September 19, 2012 at 4:39 p.m.: report abuse
At least coaching is not killing you guys, in PK its a totally different story. Football is one of the biggest ways our boys make it out, and PK has a Principle who could care less and allows this coaching staff to stay, which is hurting our kids! Keep your heads up... yep the GC Crowd has high expectations but somebody has to be realistic.Rebuilding is inevitable at some point in time! Keep Coaching, keep trying to build the character of Champions, you cant please everybody, so just do your job and all you know to do! Just like Pahokee Greatness will Return b/c our Muck Heritage Breeds Greatness! God BLess!
c/o 72' GCCHS commented on September 19, 2012 at 5:47 p.m.: report abuse
The talent is on the muck. A lot of the kids have left because of Reidel Anthony's pompus attitude and his pablum spewing rhetoric, constantly degrading and using deragotry comments at the boys. Tad can't do anything, so his last hope is
R. Anthony and Lawd, what kind of hope is that. Kids will come back to GC when
they relaize they have a staff who cares about them. Not a thing wrong with
hard, stern discipline, but constant screaming and hollering, plus talking bout
people's family.......Lawd, how can an asst. coach get away with that?
Twin commented on September 19, 2012 at 6:04 p.m.: report abuse
There's still hope raider family....back in 2006 we lost 3 games and still won the state championship....don't blame Blackmon for the losses he's just the coach...he's not on the field playing... just know that there's a lot of talent out there still!!
drop d ball commented on September 20, 2012 at 1:31 a.m.: report abuse
no red zone,bring no point,blame the kids blackmon but your boy is the reason man up tat your heart is to weak step up man you can do it
THE TRUTH SAYS commented on September 20, 2012 at 6:49 p.m.: report abuse
We all have good things to say about the kids out in the glades but lets remember it's about the kids not the adults. It's funny how when tadpole got the job everyone was happy they had bad things to say about jet but you failed to realize during the good years for tadpole those kids were under jet and now tadpoles coaching skills are showing and you all are ready to run him out of the glades. If you get rid of the coaches in the stands and let the coaches on the field coach it might be a better out come . Leave the kids alone so they can concentrate on the coaching staff giving directions. I have always known that with age comes wisdom so to surround yourself with seasoned and young coaches that a smart head coach. Tadpole (coach) build your legacy from the ground up if you don't get a chance they all are crazy out there you can't win all the time.
Proudteach commented on September 22, 2012 at 7:10 a.m.: report abuse
Many of these strong, hearty young men are my students. I am proud of them as they sit in my class on Thursdays and Fridays in their uniforms. Even when they know they have a game that evening and are probably reviewing plays in their heads and wondering how it will go, they still concentrate, participate and deliver their best academically! I am proud of my young atheletes. This is my first year teaching 10th/11th and 12th and the pride they take in their team and their school is wonderful. People are often so quick to turn on a team that is not winning. When they give their atheletic endeavors as well as their academic ones, their greatest effort, they make me proud. I have their picture on my door and I stand by them!! Go Raiders!!!
Football Boots commented on September 25, 2012 at 7:09 p.m.: report abuse
Now it is time for roject Runway?alumni from seasons past to have their say about the. More than 50 roject Runway?designers from each previous season all submitted their fantasy sketches for how they would dress Kate Middleton for her big day.
StateChamp commented on October 16, 2012 at 10:22 a.m.: report abuse
The bottom line.... They shouldn't have fired Hester! At least he took them to the show. And in order for a team to win they first have to believe they can win. The coaches they have now, are and always have been some whining cry babies. Players do feed off the vibe from their coaches and whether we won't to believe it or not players look up to coaches and it effects the confidence they have going into the game starting at practice! There will always be talent in the glades so the migration talk is a mere excuse. You can't expect the coaches to coach on a HS championship level if they haven't even had that experience of winning one... Allah Bueno! It's no coincidence Bueno has a winning program. Bueno knows how to win because he has been there. If GC wants to reclaim that championship swag then get some champions on the sideline who know what it takes to win a State Championship!!
duffy westmoreland commented on May 13, 2013 at 9:44 p.m.: report abuse
i coached bkb in belle glade and the have talent they need someone who cares for them not only what they can do in sports i coached jesse in middle school and he is a winner. believe in your kids and they will believe in you .
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