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All-area football, small schools defense: Glades Central's Will Likely was a human-highlight film all year
Friday, December 23, 2011
SMALL SCHOOLS FOOTBALL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
By MATT PORTER
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Will Likely made an impact from the first moment of Glades Central's season to the last.
In an ESPN-televised season opener against Dwyer, he returned the opening kick 99 yards for a touchdown and made SportsCenter's top-10 plays with a pair of acrobatic catches.
In the Raiders' final game - their only loss of a 12-1 season - in the regional finals against Miami Norland, Likely had an interception, a 70-yard kick return, a 33-yard catch, a 44-yard run and a 26-yard run.
He was the county's most dangerous all-around player, a threat to score any time.
As a cornerback, the 5-foot-8, 175-pound junior led his team in interceptions (7) and was a huge reason it allowed just 42.8 passing yards per game.
As a specialist, he returned five kickoffs for 294 yards and eight punts for 151 yards.
He rushed for 823 yards and 11 touchdowns, was second on his team in receiving yards (632) and had 6 receiving touchdowns.
He averaged just shy of 10 points per game - by himself - for a team that often had its opponent put away by halftime.
He was named the Gatorade Florida Player of the Year and Lou Groza Player of the Year, and colleges like Alabama, Florida State, Florida, Miami are trying to land him. At this rate, there could be more hardware in his future.
"I just have to stay humble," Likely said.
SMALL SCHOOLS FOOTBALL FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE
Blake Davis
American Heritage
Senior, DL
UCF commit (6-4, 225) registered 14 sacks and 16 tackles for loss.
Justin Russ
Inlet Grove
Senior, DL
Posted 102 tackles, five sacks and two fumble recoveries and helped Inlet make playoffs.
Jason Ballestero
Cardinal Newman
Senior, DL
6-foot-2, 205-pounder was critical for Crusaders (9-2) on both sides of the line.
Mike Wallace
American Heritage
Senior, DL
Put up 25 sacks and 32 tackles for loss for a combined 245 yards lost.
Silmore Dallaway
American Heritage
Senior, LB
Smart, speedy and tough, put up 101 tackles (12 for loss) and four sacks.
Jatavis Brown
Glades Central
Senior, LB
One of area's hardest hitters had 15 tackles for loss and a team-best nine sacks.
Dominique Gibson
Glades Central
Senior, LB
Multipurpose threat on offense and defense, he racked up 18 tackles for loss.
Don'Kevious Johnson
Glades Central
Senior, LB
Team-high 112 tackles, including 15 against Miami Norland in Raiders' only loss of the year.
Davison Colimon
Suncoast
Senior, DB
Florida International commit had sprinter's speed and played several defensive positions.
Crevon LeBlanc
Glades Central
Senior, DB
Patrolled safety and came up with big hits for defense that allowed 7.9 points per game.
John Brockman
Glades Central
Senior, DB
Intercepted six passes (ran back three for TD), helped Raiders allow 43 passing yards per game.
Nate Cannon
Jupiter Christian
Sophomore, DB
Led Eagles in interceptions (4) and tackles (66) and produced 1,033 yards of total offense.
Nick La Sala
American Heritage
Senior, K
Lou Groza place kicker of the year finalist had a big leg and could expertly place kickoffs.
SMALL SCHOOLS FOOTBALL SECOND-TEAM DEFENSE
DL - Giancarlo Bennardo, American Heritage, Jr.
DL - Robert Mitchell, Village Academy, Sr.
DL - Arthur Crouse, American Heritage, Sr.
DL - James Berger, Jupiter Christian, Sr.
LB - Audrey Dieujuste, Boynton Beach, Sr.
LB - Zach Slafsky, American Heritage, Sr.
LB - Lavonte Williams, Inlet Grove, Sr.
DB - Abiade Granger, Suncoast, Sr.
DB - Shawun Lurry, Inlet Grove, Soph.
DB - Isaiah Nelson, Jupiter Christian, Sr.
DB - Marcus Houston, King's Academy, Jr.
K/P - Giovanni Lugo, Glades Central, Fr.
SMALL SCHOOLS FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Brandon Collins, Jupiter Christian; John Hardin, Benjamin; Wiltschneider St. Jean, Village Academy; Willie Floyd, Glades Central; Taylor Heinz, Jupiter Christian; Kyle Mahoney, American Heritage.
LINEBACKERS: Zach Fraga, King's Academy; Dane Sellers, Cardinal Newman; Colton McKillican, Glades Day; Warren Henderson, Boynton Beach; Sean Mooney, St. Andrew's.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: David Bailey, Glades Central; Zach Lowe, King's Academy; Chris Machiela, King's Academy; Fritz Narcisse, Village Academy; Drew Spagg, Benjamin; Xavier Swinton, American Heritage; Johntavious Worthen, Pahokee.
User Comments:
Terrance Brockman commented on December 23, 2011 at 1:44 p.m.: report abuse
Mr. Porter my Brother john brockman lead GC with 8 INT.
Sickened Belle Glade resident commented on December 23, 2011 at 1:46 p.m.: report abuse
I see one (maybe two) of the GCCHS palyers who had sex in the bathroom with a 14 yr old made this list. Hmmmmmm....
Really commented on December 23, 2011 at 4:23 p.m.: report abuse
I believe I counted 18 players from American Heritage listed as first team, second team or honorable mention... I guess if you win a stat championship, everyone gets a trophy.
Really commented on December 23, 2011 at 4:28 p.m.: report abuse
*state
darin commented on December 23, 2011 at 5:35 p.m.: report abuse
this is such a bs post, I see names on there that should not be on there and others left totally off. so it is what it is and just a persons opinion.
LB's commented on December 24, 2011 at 10:09 a.m.: report abuse
Matt, you missed Dane Sellers as voted on the 1st Team Linebackers with 135 tackles for the season. He is Listed on the 3-5-6 District All-Conference Linebackers. Why was he not mentioned in this news? other than a mention?
@ LB's commented on December 25, 2011 at 7:43 a.m.: report abuse
Dane Sellers was BEAST ... should have HEADLINED list of LB's ... NO other player made as much of an impact on defense in this county for their team this year ..
You two proved once again that you just don't know FOOTBALL ... cover chess or debate next year.
JDa commented on December 26, 2011 at 3:14 p.m.: report abuse
I would like to thank Olympic heights, and it's former screw ball head coach for producing all of those players who went to AH. I would also like to thank their do nothing AD, and last years clown of a coach, and staff. However, the new principal made a great hire, and he promptly filled out a tremendous staff. Please Mr. D, do not bad mouth OH, or we will come around to see if you coach. Congrats to all. As for Dane he is good, and the stuff his dad gives him is better.
CFA commented on December 27, 2011 at 7:45 p.m.: report abuse
@JDa, Willie D. has never coached, nor does he have the capacity to coach. Yes, the last coach, and his staff at OH provided us with a real circus. This was a result of the AD, and her group. OH does have a great staff, but is the cupboard bare? We will see. The team will be well coached. Happy New Year.
Bristol Airport Hotels commented on April 19, 2012 at 6:28 a.m.: report abuse
4092Jy Major thankies for the article.Really thank you! Really Great.
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