Story
Pahokee's forgettable season could be memorable with a Muck Bowl win
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
by
Jeff Greer
PAHOKEE -- Whiteboards line the hall leading to Pahokee's palatial locker room. It's on these boards that title-winning teams and great players in Pahokee's past are remembered.
There won't be a whiteboard commemorating a seventh championship team this season - the Blue Devils are 3-6 and will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2000.
But this is the Glades, where winning one game can make the forgettable memorable.
For Pahokee and neighboring Belle Glade, that game is the annual Muck Bowl. As former Pahokee coach Don Thompson joked, even a state championship doesn't suffice if you don't win the Super Bowl of the Glades.
"It's probably the biggest thing next to Christmas for us," Pahokee Mayor J.P. Sasser said. "If we can win the Muck Bowl, all would be forgiven."
But lately, beating Glades Central has not come easy ... or often.
Glades Central leads 17-8 in the series since the schools started keeping track. That includes a convincing 47-21 rout last year.
Plus, Glades Central, winners of six state titles, is 8-1 this season and favored to reach the Class 2A state finals.
That's why Pahokee coach Blaze Thompson, Don's son, hopes his team can find the passion and energy necessary to pull off a shocker.
"If you can't get motivated and pumped up for this game," Blaze Thompson said Monday, "then I don't know what's beating inside your chest."
One thing going for Pahokee is that Friday night's game will be played for the first time at the Blue Devils' Anquan Boldin Stadium, which is in its second year of use. As usual, the game likely will be sold out, filled with screaming fans of both teams.
But the Monday before the Muck Bowl, there was an eerie quiet around the stadium. As players trotted out to practice, the click-clack sound of cleats was the only noise louder than the ominous squawks of vultures circling a midday snack near the stadium press box.
Before the season started, Blaze Thompson tempered expectations, explaining that his team had 22 new starters and "a lot to learn."
But readying for a hard season is much different than suffering through one.
The players' quiet procession to the practice field said it all.
"They're down off that loss," said Thompson, referring to Pahokee's 42-0 loss to Fort Lauderdale-University last Friday.
"They're down off this losing season we've had."
In youth, potential
There's hope that this season is an aberration, a rare misstep in Pahokee's recent run of dominance.
After Pahokee graduated all of its starters, few can blame the team for struggling, even with its speed and athleticism. Plus, there are young talents like freshman quarterback Rashaun Croney and junior athletes Keithlin Patrick and Shaquille White.
"I'm sure we'll be back," Pahokee alum MacQuoria Hale said.
Her sister and fellow Pahokee grad Mikilriya added, "We can't win every year. We won't get there overnight."
It's hard to ignore the uncharacteristic year Pahokee has had.
The Blue Devils might not break 1,000 yards passing or rushing as a team: Through nine games, they have 778 rushing yards and 701 passing.
Their leading rusher last year, Fred Pickett, alone had 1,142 yards while quarterback De'Joshua Johnson had 964 passing yards.
Pahokee last year averaged 354.4 yards per game, more than double this year's total (164.3).
The Blue Devils' defense hasn't been much better. Opponents average 24.4 points and 148 yards rushing against them this year. Last year, Pahokee gave up 13.2 points and 63 yards per game.
But as MacQuoria Hale said: "When it comes to the Muck Bowl, records (and stats) don't matter."
Pahokee hopes so, especially the seniors who suffered through a hard final season. That includes South Florida-bound Rontavious Atkins, leading rusher Jamal Dortch, leading passer Joe Eason and 16 others.
"This is a big game," Blaze Thompson said, "and they understand it's something that will stick around with them for the rest of their lives."
When a Pahokee kid becomes old enough to play football, the goal is to make those whiteboards. They can have their name forever remembered by playing college or pro football, or by playing on a championship team.
But there's no whiteboard for 3-6.
Yet one 48-minute adventure, one victorious uprising on Friday could make the 2010 season hard to forget after all.
@jeff_greer@pbpost.com
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User Comments:
Jeff Greer commented on November 10, 2010 at 8:32 p.m.: report abuse
Wow, thanks for the productive comment. Glad you were able to convey your arguments without tossing around insults. Keep reading; we love your input.
yikes commented on November 10, 2010 at 8:50 p.m.: report abuse
please stop the madness the muckbowl is the game everybody waits on each year!! it will be sold out dont matter what the record is fort pierce westwood and central aint got nothing on that game!!! just come get you a ticket win lose or draw we still got mad love for each other lets go raiders and devils put on a show!!!! p.s remember 2003 g.c was 6 and 3 heading into muckbowl and and with losses to suncoast hallendale and clewiston and pahokee was underfeated that game was still sold out g.c was eliminated with that lost to hallendale a week before muckbowl so what im saying is expect it to be a crowd with people still pulling for the devils we all have a down year!!! its how u bounce back!!!!!
TWIN commented on November 10, 2010 at 9:14 p.m.: report abuse
for all you Pahokee fans Glade Central will let do work that they do speak for them selfs for friday it would not just be a MUCK BOWL in Pahokee for it would be one in Haven for (#13)Ju-C and (#7)Pooh have already kick things off for the GLADES i pray that the fans have fun and enjoy themself for its hard being a G.C fan............
proof commented on November 10, 2010 at 9:42 p.m.: report abuse
Now I vehemently disagree with the Muck being GOTW as I think there are a number of other more compelling matchups. However, not only do I disapprove of 5Star's personal attacks, but his premises are simply false. Gardens just beat Centennial last week- so much for your claim that "no team in St. Lucie County (Treasure Coast) has lost to a Palm Beach County team". It's one thing to spout off, but at least get your facts straight.
Muck City 1984 commented on November 11, 2010 at 12:34 a.m.: report abuse
Maybe Ft Pierce is hating on the legacy the Muck Bowl has over their fine season. You guys have played pretty good ball this year can't argue that much, but do realize this is a game that has been the hype for a number of years across the COUNTRY not just the county. Let these guys go out and play for the moment and stop envying others success in the past. I've played in numerous amounts of Muck Bowl's even when we had bad season it was still the hype of the county as well as the states. If I'm not mistaken I think you guys were playing good ball then so why all of the sudden you guys complain now? All I'm saying is this is a game that's nationally known.
5star Recruit commented on November 11, 2010 at 1:56 a.m.: report abuse
Ok poof or proof, whatever it is that you're calling yourself today. You got it right, Palm Beach Gardens did actually win vs. Centennial this past Friday (14-7). The game was so recent I forgot those to had played. Nevertheless, I hope you understood my synopsis in reference to "The Game of The Week". It just wouldn't be right to say you channeled and expended most of your energy toward finding out what the St Lucie County vs Palm Beach County record was (for this year). It probably would be unfair to say you failed to comprehend the underlining argument, that Glades Central vs. Pahokee was a horrible pick for Game of The Week. It might be dead wrong to say you are a very sensitive guy. So I will protect your feelings and not (spout out) address you using negative bywords or proverbs. In fact, I never addressed you or commented on any of your comments pryor to now. I have only commented to references Jeff and or Matt has posted, directing my comments to them only. Needless to say, You have chosen to make a direct remark to me. However, I refuse to say you are sensitive Sir.
proof commented on November 11, 2010 at 7:33 a.m.: report abuse
Oooh, this is titillating, let me try: Ok 1star or 5star, whatever is you're calling yourself today. Did you see what I did there? Pure unadulterated brilliance, I know. Tomfoolery aside, as I noted above, I totally agree that this is not GOTW material. I think the headline "Glades Central will control Muck Bowl" makes this apparent, especially in light of the fact that there are a handful of other more compelling, more competitive matchups.
So I'm totally in agreement with your conclusion, but I think you distract the reader from the merits of your argument when you start calling people or morons or making up facts about PB vs. TC football (is it really that special for Vero or T-Coast to beat Jupiter when Ridge did so 35-0?). I mean look at Jeff's reply- instead of viewing you vitriolic monologue as an invitation to debate the relative merits of each game and validate the Post's decision to anoint the Muck Blowout GOTW, he gets defensive about your personal attacks. If your object was simply to offend, then mission accomplished. I prefer to convince others to come over to my side which is less easily achieved when your opening salvo is "you are both morons".
raider nation commented on November 11, 2010 at 9:01 a.m.: report abuse
FT PIERCE!!!!!! Come on dude the raiders blew Westwood out in the Kickoff or Spring game. NO Comparison
5star Recruit commented on November 11, 2010 at 6:20 p.m.: report abuse
Hey raider nation- Guess what? The kick off classic did not count genius. It is essentially nothing more than a scrimmage game of Varsity and JV each playiing a half of football. The game means absolutely nothing in tems of win/loss bragging rights or ranking. If Glades Central would have played FP Westwood in the regular season it would've been tough to say GC would win. FP Westwood, (for one) has one of the very best defenses in the state of Florida, (for two) they are ranked 5th in the State class 3A. Last, Glades Central lost to one of the worst football teams in Broward County (Dillard) which didn't even make the State Playoffs this year. An even better matchup would be FP Central vs Glades Central. The reason being is simple, "strength against strength". FP Central is geared (well coached) against the pass and has a very strong run defense led by 6' 7" 265lb All American Defensive End Georgio Newberry, which also happends to be the 5th Best defensive end in The Nation. GC raider fan you have no validation for your conclusion hence your statement is garbage and has been disposed.
Jay-Rock commented on November 11, 2010 at 7:31 p.m.: report abuse
5star we know you need your five min of fame , with all those 5star players that we blew out. Talk to the coach and ask him to make it happen next year. any were any time G.C.Raiders .
Smdh commented on November 11, 2010 at 8:07 p.m.: report abuse
Please ur commentors if u really goin to be negative about both Matt nd Jeff... Keep them to YOURSELVES..... these guys put the dedication and time into makin this website a huge success nd is ten times better than pretty much any other palm beach website... They have all the lastest info, stats, etc. Nd is kind enough to share them with ervybody... They pick a GREAT 30 year old rivalry nd u guys COMPLAIN bcuz u want ur school to be the GOTW?? u guys are really rude nd pathetic nd don't need to be using this website if u don't like it... Great job Matt and Jeff... I personally thank u for the information u provide to the county.... Thank u.... (by the way I am a player who is being scouted by top colleges and I know what Im talkin bout when I say this)
THRILL WILL commented on November 11, 2010 at 8:41 p.m.: report abuse
GO RAIDERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Truth commented on November 11, 2010 at 9:25 p.m.: report abuse
This comment is for smdh. Dude those guys get paid to write, it is there job. They (Mathew and Jeff) are not doing any of us readers a favor. Like many other PB Post readers, I have been reading the sports section for many years long before they joined the staff, and will continue as long as I live in the area. Furthermore, they are employed by Palm Beach Post. They have a boss and like any other News Media they have an obligation to constantly do better in their reporting. It is their job, you must understand your own arguments before you began posting ridiculous comments. Otherwise, you continue to show how uneducated you are, much like your 3rd grade level grammar and spelling you graciously displayed. I hope you are really good at cheating because from the looks of it, that's about the only way you will pass the SAT/ACT not to mention F-CAT. Good luck though!
MuckCity1984 commented on November 12, 2010 at 8:23 a.m.: report abuse
LOL!!! @ The Truth. No one is being sensitive here except you two (proof and 5Star recruit). I'm only stating to just let the GOTW in PALM BEACH COUNTY be recognized as the GOTW. Not to add injury to insult but you guys aren't even in Palm Beach County. So pick up your feelings and head back to the house because regardless of what anyone has to comment on the GOTW will remain the same.
mikeria@ commented on November 12, 2010 at 9:22 a.m.: report abuse
that what up blue
Matt Porter commented on November 12, 2010 at 12:42 p.m.: report abuse
Not really sure why some of you are bringing the ugly, but if that's what makes you feel better, go ahead.
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