Story
Dwyer tops Glades Central 30-9 for first victory over Raiders
Friday, August 31, 2012
by
Jeff Greer
Glades Central hooted and hollered as it warmed up, but it just didn't feel like the same old, six-time state champion Raiders, a team known for its intimidating size and speed.
That early feeling matched the performance Friday night, as Dwyer, which hadn't beaten Glades Central in its first six tries, pulled away late to a dominant 30-9 win in a contest more anticipated for the school names on the jerseys than the evenness on the field.
This is supposed to be a bit of a drop-off year for Central, which graduated four offensive linemen and a crew of Division I-level athletes. Dwyer is supposed to be a state-title contender. But there still remained hope for a close, exciting game between the two powerhouses, something that's happened for local football fans the past few meetings.
Instead, fans got a penalty-filled game that took more than three hours to finish. Even in its win, Dwyer committed 25 penalties for 149 yards and two turnovers.
"I feel awful," Dwyer coach Jack Daniels said. "Our team played awful. We're certainly not going to beat teams who are just as good as us when we play like that."
But Dwyer did do a lot right, particularly whenever Ezra Saffold had the ball. Saffold, a junior receiver often overshadowed by speedsters Johnnie Dixon and Clint Stephens, was sterling, catching four passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns.
And while he was a bit shaky, senior quarterback Clay Meister made his debut as the Panthers' full-time starting quarterback, apparently edging out junior Rob Nittolo for the job - for this week. Meister was 6-of-14 passing for 83 yards and a touchdown, running for two more scores, while Nittolo threw for a 38-yard touchdown to Saffold on his only pass of the game.
"(Meister) did some good things, and he also missed some throws," Daniels said. "We'll evaluate it."
Dwyer's defensive line, for all the penalties it racked up, still overwhelmed Glades Central's enough to stunt two long Raider drives, forcing Glades Central to settle for field-goal attempts. The Panthers tallied six sacks, and kept Glades Central to minus-18 yards of rushing.
Central mustered a few threatening drives, but blocking failed Central in each critical moment, including its second field-goal try, which was blocked. The Raiders' only touchdown, a 57-yard pass from Abrams to Ferdinand, did its job, putting a scare into Dwyer, but Glades Central ran out of gas.
It's the fourth consecutive loss for Glades Central dating back to last fall's playoff against Miami Norland. Glades Central has scored 18 points in its three games in the 2012 calendar year.
"No excuses," Glades Central coach Roosevelt Blackmon said. "We have to turn it around. We have to find a way to win. We're young but have to get better."
Dwyers quarterback Clay Meister completes a touchdown pass to Ezra Saffold at the end of the second quarter.
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User Comments:
"CK" commented on September 1, 2012 at 6:48 a.m.: report abuse
Keeping the faith, No "Jeff" We're not going to Panic.We'll take some losses this year,But in the end we will be there.'GO RAIDERS"
Buddy Landel commented on September 1, 2012 at 7:18 a.m.: report abuse
A very sloppy game on both sides. Probably over 40 penalties in the game. Both teams have a lot of work to do.
dorsey1 commented on September 1, 2012 at 7:48 a.m.: report abuse
Gladers Central is down this year make no mistake about it-Dwyer is the best team in Palm Beach County this year again.
I expect another Dwyer vs. St.Thomas Aquinas regional final-these two along with Bradenton Manatee,Lakeland and First Coast will compete for the 7A state title this year.
Jwa commented on September 1, 2012 at 7:49 a.m.: report abuse
Sloppy game, but at least they picked the right QB!!!!! Sorry Tollo:(
Dot commented on September 1, 2012 at 7:52 a.m.: report abuse
Don't count Rob out!!!!! He is clearly the best player on the team!!!! Next chance he gets he will make coaches look like fools for not picking him!!!
Maine West commented on September 1, 2012 at 7:54 a.m.: report abuse
This was not a good showing for Dwyer. GC is a good time but, the Defense and O-line is not the same. I can not agree with Jack on this lie. Lot more work before this is the best D-line you ever had.
THRILL WILL commented on September 1, 2012 at 7:54 a.m.: report abuse
NO EXCUSES DWYER WAS THE BETTER TEAM LAST NIGHT.......RAIDER NATION
nuffsaid commented on September 1, 2012 at 8:21 a.m.: report abuse
I smell a coaching change at GC coming on at the end of the season. Down year, what is that does that mean your Coaches cant coach none talented players like they would the D-1 propects? Now you will see if they are coaches or not. Good luck GC the same goes for our neighbor PK.
Raider Fan commented on September 1, 2012 at 9:32 a.m.: report abuse
@ muff said, dont go criticizing and assuming someone is calling for a new coach. Down year just means when we compare talent against talent, The Raiders do not have what they had in the previous years. Succinctly, there is more work to be done in developing these young athletes who are are mostly 9th, 10th, and some 11th graders. This can ge looked at two ways, down this year with the potential to be even better over the next two or three years. No matter how great a coach you are, you cannot turn inexperience into experience overnight. This will take time, patience, team and talent evaluation through great observations with effective coaching and planning. One thing about the Raiders, you never know what to expect next, So Stay Tuned..........
@dorsey commented on September 1, 2012 at 9:34 a.m.: report abuse
Royal Palm Beach will beat Dwyer. Watched both GC games and RPB better . They easily could have put up another 3 or 4 TD's if it was regular season. Better coached and better Defense and Offense for RPB
Muck Love commented on September 1, 2012 at 9:39 a.m.: report abuse
Not trying to be a hater and I know it's only been 2 games vs. good teams but I hope that the Administration of GCHS starts to grow a pair and stops letting "community" run coaches out every 3 years. Should have let Jet keep building it and now we need to give Tadpole a chance to bring in good coaches and build a total program. GCHS and community need to realize that a program needs continuity in the development of young homegrown talent. TALENT IS NOW ALL OVER THIS COUNTY ! Can't just out athlete everybody anymore. It is ridiculous that our O-Line is so overmatched agility,footwork and strength wise and missing blocks AND that we are relying again on a Senior transfer to learn a new system and be our QB (no offense to TJ ). You are telling me that an athletic kid that has been at GCHS for 2 or 3 years now hasn't been groomed to be a QB who can run and pass.
Riviera Beach commented on September 1, 2012 at 10:01 a.m.: report abuse
holy refs!!! That was the most boring big game I have ever been too. Sure alot were because of early season mistakes but wow. Flags are one thing but it took these refs forever just to move the ball. Also Dwyer's crowd was embarrassing. After one sack only about 10 people cheered. Dwyer has been unbeatable at home but it's not because of crowd noise. As for GC, I was impressed. They could have won this game. Honestly I was expecting a blowout early. If Baker and Tarver don't get hurt for one. Will had having issues all night as well. Also TJ looked good at times. At one point Dwyer was punting deep in their own territory and Likely was returning. Dwyer wad only up six and it wad the second half. It felt like the classic GC late game big play. Still plenty of talent in Belle Glade. 2 and 44 were some who stood out.
@ Raider Fan commented on September 1, 2012 at 10:01 a.m.: report abuse
Raider Fan, we don't have 3 or 4 years! Winning is about the year you're in, not in the future. These kids practice hard with blood, sweat, tears, injuries and pain and it's not for next year - it's for this year. I was at the game and I saw a young team that has a lot of potential this year. The Defense is an animal, they are awesome, but the Offense is lacking a good QB, the one they have now has to go...with 4 times in the red-zone, he couldn't score. And the HC needs to stop making excuses, saying that "we have a young team." Yes they are young, but them boys, especially the "D" can play their butts off. Also, we have Antwan Washington @ like 6-5, Yvesner Ferdinand, Ronquavion Tarver and of course Will Likely, who are all beast and can catch anything their way - - but no real QB to throw to them! Therefore, being a 1-dimensional team! Fix the O-Line and find another QB that can throw the ball and our "D" will do the rest...."State Bound Baby!"
raider 83 commented on September 1, 2012 at 11:50 a.m.: report abuse
gc better change qb or we want win 4 games.let 5 qb and 10 play wr
Yoyo commented on September 1, 2012 at 12:09 p.m.: report abuse
Actually, the real key here is coaching. You must teach the kids how to play mistake free football. It begins with basic fundamentals (learned from say 5th-8th grade). By the time they enter HS, they should know not to hold, how to put the ball away, how to wait on the snap count, not to make late hits, etc, etc. If the yellow hankies fly all night, you won't be in contention for a state championship. You will be beating yourselves and having very close games. Don't get me wrong, talent is very important but, like it or not, fumbles, picks, and penalties will make a good team look bad. Quiet confidence and team mentality goes a long way too. I see too many teams "stroke" individual players. Coaches should focus on the entire team, not the individuals. Don't forget, football games are won and lost at the offensive line, period. Cant set up the run with no line.
Raider Fan commented on September 1, 2012 at 1:18 p.m.: report abuse
@YoYo and responding to @ Raider Fan, That's EXACTLY my point.... If the offensive line is NOT good in the trenches, they cannot win games and they will continue to struggle. Young men like Will, Ferdinand, Washington and Tarver will NOT be able to deliver on big plays no matter how great they are or how wide open they are because they need help from the O-Line. No one is making excuses, just stating the facts.... The potential is there without a doubt, but there is more work to be done, and YES they can and will get better with the proper adjustments. As someone mentioned earlier, talent is now all over the county, so it will take more than talent to beat talent. Effective coaching and necessary adjustments must be made by our coordinators which can be done, and as YoYo said we must develop and entire team, not individual players. The truth is, NO man does it all by himself, he ONLY adds to the teams success and dynamics. As I stated earlier, even IF this proves to be a down season, we still have so much to look forward too. Right now, we are in the beginning of the storm, with so much potential to get better, stronger and more organized. So Stay Tuned....................
D-Block Fan commented on September 1, 2012 at 1:24 p.m.: report abuse
With only two days of practice and having to adjust to the "Powerhouse" DT Mark Kelly being out, Dwyer Defense did an Excellent Job!
@ Raider 83 commented on September 1, 2012 at 1:25 p.m.: report abuse
You are right! They need to change the QB; #10 can't score...we made 5 trips to the red-zone and walked away with no score!!! And the only TD last night came from a 10-yd pass from the QB to Ferdinand and he took it about 45-yds to the house.
Riviera Beach commented on September 1, 2012 at 1:36 p.m.: report abuse
not many o lines look good against Dwyer. GC you won't face another d like that this season. Last year Dwyer D line destroyed St. Thomas's o line and they are consider the best group in the nation. GC might lose one more regular season game to AH but they won't lose to anyone else. People, Dwyer is really good!!
IceMan commented on September 1, 2012 at 1:54 p.m.: report abuse
in reply to @ Raider 83's comments: 2012 season = Wasted!!!! Get rid of #10, too short to see over the line and did not score all night with plenty of opportunities. Also, he can't make plays with his legs! Also, need to fix the O-Line, it's bad. Coaching changes won't take effect till the season is over, then it's too late and this season will be a waste - - so this we can't change...But what we can change right away is the QB and O-Line. Defense is awesome....then maybe we can salvage the 2012 Season!!!
@Iceboy commented on September 1, 2012 at 2:05 p.m.: report abuse
You are dreaming #10 is the only QB with have. You must be Tollos daddy, #10 is our QB deal with it!
@Iceman commented on September 1, 2012 at 3:20 p.m.: report abuse
Ok.... which team are you referring to. Both teams looked pretty weak on the o-line. Sorry to say both #10's were struggling. Think the quarterback needs to show confidence out there. Dwyers #11 looked better. Just saying.
@@iceman commented on September 1, 2012 at 3:35 p.m.: report abuse
How can you say #11 looked better? He ran 1 play, threw into double coverage, and got lucky. Ball bounced off two db's right into dwyers hands. That pass should have been picked if you ask me. Not trying to take anything away from tollo but you can't compare the qb's play from last night (they basically played in two different games). It's apple and oranges.
IceMan commented on September 1, 2012 at 4:43 p.m.: report abuse
I was referring to the qb from gc that's all. Sorry to hear you guys have such a qb war over there at Dwyer.
Transfer athletes commented on September 1, 2012 at 6:07 p.m.: report abuse
Can anyone elaborate on the talk Tollo Sr had with Coach Daniels. I heard it was spirited.
I can commented on September 1, 2012 at 9:30 p.m.: report abuse
This isn't the Social Club. If Robs dad keeps talking like a B. he's gonna get slapped like a B.
@I can commented on September 1, 2012 at 10:01 p.m.: report abuse
Maybe Rob Sr should pack up his family & try another school. His son not starting big deal he got lucky off a tip pass and scored. He's on the bench for a reason, he's not good enough for us!!!!! His dad needs to keep his mouth shut, we are sick of hearing what he thinks!,,,,
Class of 2002 commented on September 1, 2012 at 11:48 p.m.: report abuse
For some reason people seems to forget that we won a state title with an in-experienced team in 1999 as soph.. I was part of that team that had Curtis, AL, Santonio, Mario, G-Head, Kobuki, John, lil Fred, "RIP" Trooper, Willingham, Jose, McDonald, Beckford...etc We all were starters with 90% of the starters was 10th graders…. Glades Central is not like most schools I.E. Immokalee whom have a very good team every 3yrs or like most schools teams are growing projects…
Glades Central is always talented no matter what the grade levels are but as someone whom has experienced it; I know with the right mentality and schemes you can still be the best no matter the experience level…It is called Coaching… We came from JV 9th grade and won titles my 10th and 11th grade year only to lose to Rockledge my 12th grade year (we won the title my 9th grade year with a senior laden team but I was on JV)..
This year’s team is not like past Glades Central teams but nor has Coffey, Snead or Jet teams (all Finesse) … We were like ALABAMA is today but Friday night the Defense played a good game however the offense has no identity, direction, schemes, coaching, or leadership.. The OC is the worst since Chris Davis was at GC…Sorry fellow alum but you are not an OC maybe a position coach but not an OC!!!!! TAT party friends don't make good hires!!!!!!!!
C/O ‘02
RonJ commented on September 2, 2012 at 10:11 a.m.: report abuse
@ Class of 2002: You are so right!!! Everything you have said! I also believe we can go to State with the "Young" team we have at GC! HC needs to stop making excuses and calling the team young....and start coaching them boys up! Also, HC needs to fire his TAT party buddy the OC! Lets organize and get OC fired, and bring someone in who really cares about our kids and knows what he is doing (offensively and strategically)!!!!!
Let get this sorry OC off our team and find someone else who will lead our kids and help us win games!!!!! Because the kids are NOT responding to him...he is constantly beating them down and insulting them and telling them that they are nothing, etc.
Maine West commented on September 2, 2012 at 11:13 a.m.: report abuse
@ RonJ and @Class 2002. I feel that with proper coaching a team does not have to be good ,but they will learn the proper skills to do there job on the field. Everyone will not be a star ,however with the proper coaching it will develop them in to better players. I think you should never go tell a player he is nothing. So, GC has issues this year coach them up and teach them the correct skills to be a better player.
glades central commented on September 3, 2012 at 12:42 a.m.: report abuse
Point blank tj.abrams suck that's why he couldn't start at royal palm how you think he's going to be good at gc if he sucked at royal palm really glades central head coach coach blackmon you are not a real coach and yo play calling suck. Then our o-line and D-line sorry to small don't block or nun the whole team is a disgrace y'all are really ruining the legacy players before y'all left at gc and coach blackmon is helping as well cause he can't coached and his players isn't coached all them penalties gc will not get to state with that trash offense and soft defense and o-line maybe the playoffs and get ready for american heritage cause greg bryant gone run all over y'all ima a gc fan to I die but trash is trash and gc suck this year start antwan washington bench tj he's too small can't throw and fumbles too much #goraiders
@ glades central commented on September 4, 2012 at 12:12 p.m.: report abuse
yeah, I heard that the 2nd string QB is also changing position; he's moving to defense. That will be the 2nd qb that has moved to defense (antwan was the 1st)!!! Offense must be really that bad under the OC!!!!! go raiders.
Raiders4Life commented on September 4, 2012 at 11:10 p.m.: report abuse
Coach Blackmon stop being stubborn and give the Washiington kid a chance to throw the ball. Go Raiders@ Bring a win home on Friday against Plantation.
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