Story
Robert Way gets serious for Glades Central as Raiders prepare for state championship
Thursday, December 10, 2009
by
Jason Lieser
(Damon Higgins / The Post)
The transformation of Robert Way began last spring in a white, metal-sided portable classroom behind Glades Central High School.
The building, which the Raiders normally use for watching game film, was the site of an intervention staged by his mother and several coaches that compelled Way to tears and was the catalyst for his development into one of the area's elite defensive ends.
Glades Central coach Jessie Hester said Way was on the brink of becoming just another 6-foot-2, 190-pound thug roaming the streets of Belle Glade. Part of Way wanted that life, actually. Stealing and fighting were viable paths to notoriety and it sounded easier than grinding through long, humid football practices.
But in that room, a short walk from the Raiders' practice field, Way was overcome by love and support. He recommitted himself and helped propel the Raiders to Saturday's Class 2A state championship at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando. Glades Central will face Cocoa at 7 p.m. in a battle of 13-0 powers.
"If that had never happened, I'd probably still be getting in trouble," Way said of the meeting in the film room. "That incident could've ended my career."
Instead, it kick-started him. Way, a junior, did not lock up a starting spot until the first week of the season, but he has been the best player on a defense that held nine opponents to 10 points or fewer. Way took down Tampa-Robinson quarterback Blake Rice five times last week, pushing his season total to 24 sacks, breaking the previous school record of 22 set by former Florida star and current San Francisco 49ers defensive end Ray McDonald, Jr. in 2001.
"I would have never seen this coming, not in a million years," Glades Central Assistant Principal Don Hoffman said. "If you would have asked me at the beginning of the season if Robert Way would do this, I would say you're crazy. He's proven a lot of people wrong."
It's easy to see why Hoffman, who has worked closely with Way during his resurgence, doubted this outcome.
As a sophomore, Way was a problematic student and an undedicated JV player brimming with anger. His behavior deteriorated to the point that his mother, Shawanna Evans, considered transferring him to Wellington High to get him away from bad influences.
The transgression that prompted the film room sit-down was the latest in a string of missteps, but it was Way's worst offense. He attacked a fellow student near the practice field and stole his iPod.
Way said police came to his home and he would have faced felony charges if Hoffman had not mediated the conflict with the victim's family.
"Everybody was disappointed," Way said, his voice wavering. "I thought it was over for me.
"I used to get in trouble just to do it. I was trying to be known and get popular. The popular kids were all the ones who got in trouble. They were always known and always with girls. My momma always told me I could do better, but it went in one ear and out the other."
In class, he hovered around a 2.0 grade point average. By contrast, Way posted a 3.1 in the first nine weeks of this school year.
"Not only is he the best d-end I've seen in a long time, but he's very advanced," defensive line coach Sherman Adams said. "I don't know too many 11th-grade kids taking trigonometry courses."
Way, 17, said he currently has an A in trig and also is enrolled in English and science honors classes.
But his transition is ongoing. He said he still has ties to some of the friends his coaches advised him to drop.
And he knows he needs to step up his training regiment if he wants to play in college.
For a defensive end, Way has the frame but lacks the necessary bulk and has drawn little attention from colleges. His wingspan is an imposing 80 inches, but he is 45 pounds lighter than Glades Central's other defensive end, BCS prospect Isiah Corbett, who is 6-foot-1.
"If he hits the weights and goes to camps, everybody in the country will want him," said Corbett, a senior with 12 sacks.
Way reluctantly attended Glades Central's weight room sessions last summer, but said he showed up in flip flops and spent most of that time idling on a couch.
He regrets it now and promised the upcoming off-season will be different.
"All the things I didn't do, I'm going to improve," Way said. "I'm going to hit the weight room hard. I'm going to get my teammates ready, too.
"Now I'm really interested. I found out what I could do and I see where I could go."
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User Comments:
BABY D commented on December 10, 2009 at 5:03 p.m.: report abuse
KEEP YOUR HEAD UP ROBERT. YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK. YOUR MOM HAS NEVER TOLD YOU ANYTHING WRONG. I SEE BIG THINGS HAPPENING FOR YOU IN THE FUTURE. STAY FOCUSED!!!
BUSA 1300 commented on December 10, 2009 at 8:11 p.m.: report abuse
DEAR ROBERT WAY JUST REMEMBER YOUR WANTS WHATS BEST FOR YOU. GOD ONLY KNOWS YOUR POPOTENTIAL. IM 40 PLUS AND ALWAYS CATCH MYSELF SAYING ONLY IF I WOULD OF LISTEN TO MY PARENTS WHERE I SHOULD OF COULD OF BEEN LEARN FROM SOME OF THE GREATEST PLAYERS TO EVER PLAY THE AT GC AND USE THAT AS YOUR TOOL TO PUSH YOURSELF HARD YOU HAVE A GOOD COACHING STAFF THAT HAVE PLAYED AT ALL LEVELS SO DON'T BE SHAME TO GET ALL THE KNOWLEDGE YOU CAN GET AND I LOVE WHEN YOU SAID YOU WILL HELP YOUR TEAM GET READY FOR NEXT YEAR THAT SHOW ME YOU ARE A LEADER. THE SKY IS THE LIMIT SON LIKE BABY D SAY'S STAY FOCUS AND WELL GROUNDED. ALWAYS LISTEN TO YOUR MOM SHE KNOWS BEST.
Riviera Beach commented on December 10, 2009 at 8:12 p.m.: report abuse
This is why athletics is so important. Great article
Former Teacher commented on December 11, 2009 at 12:23 a.m.: report abuse
I agree Riviera Beach, Great article! Robert I am so proud of you! Sounds to me like you are heading in the right direction-FORWARD! Stay focused, positive and prepared for every opportunity that leads your success. Working hard is most essential, to develop yourself to your potential. Wishing only great things for you.
jay commented on December 11, 2009 at 7:12 a.m.: report abuse
DATS MY BRO LET PROVE IT AT STATE
Leila from "The Muck" commented on December 11, 2009 at 9:13 a.m.: report abuse
This is a great article. Children and young adults need to read this article. Robert stated he did what he did to be popular (doing wrong that is). Robert you could be the perfect role model to many who feel that way. We need young men like you to motivate your peers. This could be a wake up call to the Administrative Staff at Glades Central as well. G.C. coaching staff has a way of getting to the core problem in these children. My advice to the Administrative staff is to try to implement this same motivation tactic to other areas in your school. If is my opinion that you should look at the make up of that staff. These are people from the community who understand these children. They have been there and done that. I know you have great staff at G.C but I also know if your staff can not relate to the students you will not succeed. Cultural diversity is very important here in Belle Glade but diversity alone will not help. Your staff will need cultrual competency as well.
To the parents, Robert's mother did not give up on her child because she knew what her child could do. It was a matter of getting him to understand and realize that. His mother should be a motivator for other parents. Robert you have brought tears to my eyes and I am so proud of you and your accomplishments. You can succeed, just believe in yourself and your team. That ring belongs to Glades Central this year and I know you guys will bring it to the Muck. I will see you in O Town Saturday. Go Raiders..........!
S.Luma commented on December 11, 2009 at 11:26 a.m.: report abuse
This is what I like to hear and read, because there are so many people on the coast that think football players are just that FOOTBALL PLAYERS! But we have some that want to do the right thing they just need the encouragement to do it and people who care for them to push them in the right direction!
I am proud of you Robert on the field and most importanly in the books!
DINERA BELL commented on December 11, 2009 at 2:16 p.m.: report abuse
ROBERT WE MAY NOT KNOW ONE ANOTHER BUT FROM WHAT I JUST READ ABOUT YOU WAS NICE TO HEAR BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW THAT THERE'S A TIME TO PLAY AND NOT TO PLAY SO I HAVE ONE THING TO TELL YOU AND THAT IS TO KEEP YOUR HEAD UP CAUSE YOU HAVE A WHOLE LIFE & CAREER AHEAD OF YOU!!!!!!!GO RAIDERS!!!!!MAKE US PROUD
GC Raider Fan commented on December 11, 2009 at 8:16 p.m.: report abuse
Well Robert I'll see you 2morrow so go out and sho those Cocoa Tigers how we get down in the muck!!! Tell dem other boys good luck and bring the trophy home!!!
College Readiness commented on December 12, 2009 at 7:16 a.m.: report abuse
It is so amazing to watch all this unfold for both Robert and some of his team mates. It just shows that when the parents, educators and mentors come together it's not impossible to reach our troubled youths. Robert just remember to keep your eyes and ears open to the positive on and off the field and the sky is the limit.
Scoota commented on December 12, 2009 at 6:58 p.m.: report abuse
Let go raiderz pahokee out we on top play good 2 nite
Nepoleon T. Collins commented on November 20, 2010 at 7:25 p.m.: report abuse
I'm very proud of My Nephew. I remember when jun jun Was born & I spent alot of time with him when He was young. He was so small, I would have never thought in a Million years He would be an assett on the football field but the most important thing is his education. My sister & I speak about that all the time. Football is great and I'm sure He's going to make it but We always need something to fall back on. Keep up the good work Jun Jun
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