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Marcus Benjamin
Miami, FL – Down two at the Glades Central 40-yard line, Miami Booker T. Washington (5-6) faced a fourth down and long with just over a minute to go in the game at Traz Powell Stadium. Quarterback Torrey Morrison sent a prayer to his junior receiver Theodore Richardson that was overthrown and fell to the ground incomplete. Suddenly the reality of Glades Central (Belle Glade) (8-3) defeating the Tornadoes became a reality.
“Once that ball hit the ground it was total jubilation,” said Head Coach Jessie Hester. “It was definitely a nerve racking deal we just knew we had to get that one stop.”
Both teams struggled to get any offense going as there were a total of seven turnovers in the first half alone between both teams. The Tornadoes scored on the only touchdown in the first half on a scoop and score by junior linebacker Drew Irvin. Starting quarterback Torrey Morrison for Booker T. sat out the first half for precautionary reasons due to a previous knee injury. Despite the inept offense, Booker T. Washington took a 10-2 lead into halftime.
Backup quarterback Corey Stanley Jr. struggled in this game as he first was unable to handle the pressure in his own endzone stepping out for a safety and later throwing a wobbly ball that was intercepted by Elie Fils-Aime and returned 22-yards down the sideline for a touchdown.
Senior Defensive Back Elie Fils-Aime
Booker T. Washington defeated 8A favorite Miami Southridge and kept it close with 8A favorite Columbus and 6A favorite Miami Carol City in the fourth quarter before suffering defeat. Head Coach Tim “Ice” Harris took responsibility for the loss.
“I really let you down tonight,” said Harris to the team after the game. “I apologize.”
After a field goal and the pick six by the Raiders the score was 11-10 due to a failed attempt at a two-point conversion. The struggles at quarterback continued as a fumble deep in their own territory setup the Raiders to extend their lead. Senior quarterback Davius Richard found senior receiver Odieu Hilaire for the touchdown to push it to a 18-10 game.
.@GCHSRaiders extends their lead with this touchdown catch by Odieu Hilaire. Score 18-10 with 2:16 left in the 3rd quarter. #upsetalert @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/cAdNy7tXRd
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminMoney) November 16, 2018
Sophomore Torrey Morrison was then inserted into the game with about 2 minutes left in the third quarter. The complexion of the game began to change as the Tornado offense suddenly started to move the chains. Booker T. did not get into endzone until the 3:48 mark in the fourth quarter when Morrison crossed the goal line on a quarterback scramble. The Tornadoes went for the two-point conversion to tie, but Morrison’s ball thrown across the middle was intercepted by Earnest Jackson. Score remained 18-16 with the failed attempt.
.@GCHSRaiders stop two point conversion as Earnest Jackson gets the interception. Score remains 18-16 as Glades Central clings to lead with 3:48 left. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/AD7mYmksPV
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminMoney) November 16, 2018
“We are a high pressure defense we pretty much play man to man across the board. We try to get pressure on the quarterback so our guys can go get it,” said Coach Hester.
Glades Central find themselves in the regional 4A final awaiting the winner of Gulliver (Miami) (8-3) and University School (Davie) (9-1). A University win would send the Raiders to Davie while a Gulliver win would keep the Raiders home to host in Belle Glade.
“It’s a big win for our program. For us to get over this hump it’s a big challenge overcome, no doubt.”
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