Raiders make a statement in rivalry game

Washington rushes for 2 TDs to lead Glades Central

WELLINGTON—Glades Central senior running back Desmond Washington rushed for two touchdowns and the Raiders hadperformance from start to finish as they rolled past Pahokee 38-0 in the Muck Bowl at Wellington High School on Saturday night.

Despite playing in front of a smaller crowd and different venue, Glades Central (3-0) made a statement in the annual fierce rivalry game being held in Wellington for the first time.

The Raiders have outscored their opponents 125-6 through their first three games.

Glades Central coach Rashad Jackson had his team deliver a strong showing in front of his father Rickey Jackson, who was a Hall of Fame linebacker in the NFL. Hewas also joined by fellow Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor at the game.

“We wanted to establish the run early and just did a great job of executing the gameplan and I was impressed and very proud of our kids,” Rashad Jackson said. “I knew Iwas going to come in looking to build a culture and identity with the team and the kids have been focused and disciplined.”

Glades Central had an impressive opening drive as they moved downfield behind their strong running game with Jaheim Humphries and Washington

both leading the attack. Quarterback Zo’Marion Harper delivered a third down completion to An’tavious Tarver for 19 yards deep into Blue Devils territory. Washington finished off the drive with a 1-yard score to give the Raiders a 7-0 lead.

Pahokee (1-2) was unable to capitalize on a scoring chance during their first possession after a defensive penalty negated an interception for the Raiders. On fourth-and-5 at the Raiders 11-yard line, the Blue Devils failed to convert after an incomplete pass toward the end zone.

The Raiders started to pull away in the second quarter. On fourth-and-4, running back Jamari Steward raced past the Blue Devils defenders for a 39-yard touchdown run to make it 14-0 with 9:47 left in the first half.

Jose Garcia converted a 47-yard field goal attempt for the Raiders on their next possession, but they took the points off the board after the Blue Devils committed a roughing the kicker penalty.

Garcia stepped up again later in the driveby connecting for a 37-yard field goal to extend the lead to 17-0 with 3:57 left in the second.

The Raiders capitalized with a short field late in the first half after the Blue Devils punt attempt failed to travel past the line of scrimmage. Sophomore Carjuan Perkins powered his way up the middle for an 8-yard touchdown run to push the lead to 24-0 entering halftime.

The Raiders defense recovered a fumble on the Blue Devils’ opening drive of the second half and they