Raiders take down Stallions
Turnovers help Glades Central stay in playoff contention.
Glades Central wants you to know something: The Raiders are back.
They took one step toward getting back to the state-title level No. 7 Glades Central is known for, beating No. 10 American Heritage 21-7 on the road Friday night.
“Let everybody know that we’re back,” senior defensive back Jamarian “Trey” Green said of the 5-2 Raiders.
Green played a large part in proving that Friday night. The senior intercepted two passes from American Heritage quarterback Ryan Rizk and has eight interceptions this season. E.J. Jackson had Glades Central’s third interception, which he took to the end zone on the game’s final play, and a pair of fumble recoveries.
The Raiders’ defense held the Stallions (4-4) to 290 offensive yards, 220 of which came on 38 pass attempts from Rizk.
“Our defensive front did a great job of putting pressure on the quarterback,” Glades Central coach Jessie Hester said. “He just wasn’t comfortable standing in the pocket, stepping through and making those throws. So he had a couple just hanging up there, and our guys were able to get to them.
“That’s the key to a good secondary.”
Glades Central quarterback Davious Richards got his one interception out of the way early, tossing a pick to American Heritage defensive back Dallis Small on the first play from scrimmage. But after his defense forced a punt, the junior quarterback put his team ahead quickly.
He carried the ball 20 yards on the drive’s first play, then tossed a 47-yard strike to junior wide receiver Jymetre Hester to put the Raiders up 8-0 following a successful two-point conversion. Hester had four catches for 92 yards.
“He’s really stepped up as that big-play guy,” Jessie Hester said of his son.
The teams traded fruitless drives for much of the first half, and Glades Central took an 8-0 lead into halftime. They added to their lead with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Richards to DeJuan Miller midway through the third quarter following a series of penalties on both teams.
“I think (Richards is) the guy that can lead us where we want to go,” Hester said. “He’s got about five kids that can really get it and go. He understands that all his job is ... to get the ball to those kids’ hands and let them operate.”
American Heritage threatened to get back in the game late, scoring on a 7-yard pass from Rizk to Micangelo Joseph. The Stallions got the ball back with 1:59 remaining, trailing by a score, and got to the Raiders’ 20-yard line. But Rizk took a 20-yard sack, then heaved a prayer that Jackson intercepted and took into the end zone with no time on the clock.
The win keeps Glades Central in playoff contention, as their points average should increase and they are less than one point behind Miami-Gulliver Prep. And the victory gives the Raiders confidence, as they snap a five-game losing streak against the Stallions.
“(Cardinal) Newman, we’re coming,” Jackson said of the Raiders’ next opponent. “Flex up. Raider nation, we’re coming.”