Glades Central Looks To Restore Tradition

To know about Glades Central’s storied football past, you must understand that this is not just a game they are playing every Friday night – a way of life. Grow up along Lake Okeechobee and the options are slim, in and around this slice of Florida’s nature, at its very finest. <img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-111050" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/02/OntheSideline-Logo-6-300x188.jpg" alt="Glades Central Raiders Football" width="300" height="188" />For as long as anyone can remember, Belle Glade and neighboring Pahokee have been the epicenter for grooming athletes to head off to the next level and beyond. The rabbit chasing on the hills as sugar cane burns nearby. Legend still has it that chasing those rabbits made these “Muck”-raised youngsters faster than the rest. When the Raiders were winning, they would pack every seat in any stadium they played in, and you were treated to a game that you would talk about pretty much for the rest of your days. Over much of the past decade, the decline of football in this community has not been pretty. A program that was used to competing for state titles had found that playing “average” football would be the norm. At a time when even area icons had found that building a program would be tough, enter <strong>Rashad Jackson</strong>, who came in and tapped into the always impressive talent – while restoring the faith in a long-standing tradition. In finishing 5-1 this past season, losing only to Fort Lauderdale Dillard in the title game of the Tri-County Championships, there were many athletes who stepped up to make a difference. What the season did was pump life into rising seniors (2022) such as quarterback<strong> Zo’Marion Harper</strong>, a 6-1, 210-pounder who has been impressive since he began playing. In six games this past season, he was 6- of 89 for 1,321 yards and 11 touchdowns. But as good as he is – and colleges are looking at him all the time – the team captain is not alone as this program gets ready for 2021. There are prospects such as <strong>Ja’Kavion Nonar</strong> (OL/DE), <strong>Keon Kindred</strong> OL/DL, 6-6, 275), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50300" first="Robert" last="Harris"]</strong> (CB, 6-0, 180) and <strong>Chri’shaun Burgess </strong>(WR/CB, 5-10, 170). The talent parade continues with the Class of 2023 – where the Raiders are building for the future – while making things happen now. Among that rising junior group are <strong>Robert Luckas</strong>, a 6-3, 200-pound receiver, who had 24 catches and 5 touchdowns this past season. A gifted athlete that was the top target in the red zone. Capable of moving the chains on a short screen pass as he has enough juice and power to shed tackles. Lukas is definitely going to turn heads in 2021, but fellow rising juniors such as <strong>Casey Felton</strong> (QB, 6-1, 200), athletic (KR/PR/WR) <strong>CarJuan Perkins </strong>(5-8, 160), <strong>Tavales Curry </strong>(DL/OL, 6-2, 265), <strong>Danvonte Tarver</strong> (WR/CB, 6-1, 190) and <strong>Kienaskia Workman </strong>(RB/WR, 5-8, 180) are also going to give this program a lift as well. <strong>FUTURE TALENT LOOKING GOOD</strong> If the Raiders are going to build this for the long run – the underclassmen will have plenty to say about – starting with this rising sophomore group in the Class of 2024. Among those game-changers include <strong>Ethan Thomas</strong> (OL, 6-6, 300), quarterback <strong>Henry Boyd Jr </strong>( 5-10, 180) and fast-emerging <strong>Santonio Minus</strong> (DT/ OG, 6-1, 290). <strong>PHOTO COURTESY OF GLADES CENTRAL FOOTBALL</strong> <strong>Y<em>ou Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Foridakids1@aol.com. We are also on Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl.</em></strong>