Story
No. 10 Glades Central 40, Boynton Beach 6: Raiders clinch District 14-5A title
Friday, November 02, 2012
by
Steve Dorsey
Glades Central is back on top and a sense of normalcy has returned to Belle Glade.
The 10th-ranked Raiders rolled to a 40-6 victory Friday night against Boynton Beach to clinch the District 14-5A title, spoiling Boynton Beach's playoff bid.
It's the fifth consecutive win for Glades Central (5-4) after the Raiders started the season with an unprecedented four consecutive losses.
"It was a tough September," said Glades Central coach Roosevelt Blackmon, whose team rebounded to win all four of its district games. "We kind of put ourselves in a hole and had to crawl our way out. We all signed a commitment to finish 6-0."
That goal will be reached if the Raiders defeat rival Pahokee in the annual Muck Bowl next weekend in the regular-season finale.
Boynton Beach (4-4) had no success trying to corral Glades Central's speed, particularly seniors Will Likely and David Bailey, each of whom scored three touchdowns.
Glades Central's defense held Boynton Beach senior quarterback Jake Lutzen in check. Lutzen, who entered the game with a county-leading 22 touchdown passes, did not throw any against the Raiders and finished with only 108 passing yards.
Lutzen, who has received interest from Florida Atlantic, accounted for Boynton's only score, however, with a 10-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter. That was the last time the Tigers saw the end zone, though.
Bailey, who caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Giovanni Lugo on Glades Central's first possession of the game, snagged an 8-yard scoring pass from Lugo on the Raiders' second possession to give Glades Central a 13-6 lead late in the first quarter.
Likely made it 20-6 when he returned an interception 69 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the first quarter.
Likely struck again midway through the second quarter with a 4-yard touchdown run. The highly recruited all-purpose senior rushed for 86 yards on only four carries, including a 50-yard run that set up his third touchdown, a 2-yard run just before the end of the third quarter.
"Is Will Likely ever going to graduate?" Boynton Beach coach Rick Swain said while praising Glades Central's effort. "Anybody who thought they were done (after the 0-4 start) didn't understand they were just putting it together. We had a real hard time covering them. We probably had about 200 yards in drops, but that's a good football team. I think they'll represent our district very well in the playoffs."
Bailey's third touchdown reception, a 20-yard pass from T. J. Abrams in the fourth quarter, punctuated his performance and the victory.
.
User Comments:
Lady Raider commented on November 3, 2012 at 12:17 a.m.: report abuse
As I stated earlier in the season, the RAIDERS are compared to a hurricane as it starts to form. First, it is weak but as it starts to develop it intensifies, gets stronger, better organized and becomes a threat to anything in it's past. Just WAIT, WATCH and SEE the final outcome. Stay Tune......We're NOT done yet!!!
Raiders stay loyal to each other and to your commitment to finish what you vowed and MORE... So Glad I'm one of the True fans who have stuck with you through the good times and the bad times. No matter what happens, WE BELIEVE IN YOU!
Congrats Raiders and Coaches for clinching your division as District Champs!!!
Lady Raider commented on November 3, 2012 at 12:21 a.m.: report abuse
Oops typo, meant becomes a threat to anything in it's path.....
BIGDAWG commented on November 3, 2012 at 5:45 a.m.: report abuse
Mad props go out to the Raiders and the Coaches. I stand corrected Coach Blackmon. way to bring your team back. you just may be the sleeper Coach of the year. g
Once again Great job.
I am still riding with D-Block
you knowwwww
But it is still great to see you all back in settle and riding high.
Hope to see Pahokee come back soon.
MustangFan commented on November 3, 2012 at 7:43 a.m.: report abuse
You guys take care of Rockledge, we will take care of Jensen Beach. Here on the Island or down there in the Muck, the Mustangs will take down the Raiders this year.
Well commented on November 3, 2012 at 10:51 a.m.: report abuse
I figured GC would salvage the season after their competitive game with AHS. I'm truly happy they did, but let's not over react. Boynton Beach is just not that good a team, and I see GC having some trouble in their first round matchup for the playoffs. I don't see them getting past the second round. Not hating, I wish them the best, but I don't think they have the horses this year.
QUESTION commented on November 3, 2012 at 11:51 a.m.: report abuse
Who is the starting quarterback at Glades Central?
Somebody (with knowledge) please explain the saga of all 3 this season.
Simple commented on November 3, 2012 at 1:12 p.m.: report abuse
There is no saga. Washington went to defense, Lugo is the kicker and backup, Abrams is the starter.
Riaders4Life commented on November 3, 2012 at 11:52 p.m.: report abuse
Go Raiders! I am so proud of you...somehow you kept your focus even when some of your fans doubted your abilities. I knew you would rebound from your season start. Good luck in the playoffs and at the Muck Bowl next week!
Riaders4Life commented on November 3, 2012 at 11:53 p.m.: report abuse
Go Raiders! I am so proud of you...somehow you kept your focus even when some of your fans doubted your abilities. I knew you would rebound from your season start. Good luck in the playoffs and at the Muck Bowl next week!
coast boy commented on November 5, 2012 at 2:42 p.m.: report abuse
Coach Blackmon come to the coast. We will treat you right. Belle Glade does not appreciate you.
glades central commented on November 7, 2012 at 10:41 a.m.: report abuse
Gc Statebound 2012 we here Rockledge merritt island norland we coming for yall this our defense crackin this year we going to state just sit back an watch Go Raiders!
coast boy commented on November 8, 2012 at 12:17 p.m.: report abuse
I hope the season end soon, so that Coach Blackmon can come over to the coast. We want him.
Add Your Comment:
We'd like your thoughts on this topic. I appreciate your willingness to share them. We want to avoid comments that are obscene, hateful, racist or otherwise inappropriate. If you post offensive comments, we will delete them as soon as we can. If you see such comments, please flag them to notify us. -- Tim Burke, Publisher and Executive Editor, The Palm Beach Post