BELLE GLADE – Jacob Camacho is the real deal.
All one has to do is take a look at the 4th and Forever: Muck City documentary series to see how the incoming senior defensive back played this past season. With his instinctive play and nose for the ball, Camacho was an emerging standout for most of his junior year.
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound safety, who started his high school football career at Glades Day before transferring to Glades Central after his sophomore year, put on a show in Week 6 against Cocoa. In what was his best overall game to date, Camacho had 12 tackles, in addition to his opposing man hauling in only one catch on four targets.
Camacho’s best play of the season was shown in the documentary series against Cocoa. This occurred when he made a goal-line stop at the 2-yard line, which prevented a potential touchdown by Cocoa’s running back.
Glades Central lost that Week 6 game to Cocoa, 27-20. But Camacho believes his team could have made the outcome different, give or take a play, two, or a few.
“When they scored the last touchdown, I had got a crack back,” Camacho said. “I was containing the outside and someone hit me from behind. They (the referees) didn’t call it and he broke free on the outside.”
Camacho went on to finish his junior season with 30+ tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble.
“The documentary series helped me out,” Camacho said. “It gave me more exposure. I could of had more interceptions, but my coaches had me playing linebacker.”
With a head coach change from Glades Central alum and legend Jessie Hester, Sr. to fellow alum Rashad Jackson in the offseason, Camacho expects to take his game to another level as a senior.
“I think he’s a good head coach,” Camacho said. “He’s getting us exposure, and I think he can change the program back to where it should be. Hopefully it’ll show this year.”
At this time, Camacho has an offer from Keiser. The breakthrough moment came for the Raiders defensive leader on June 22.
“It feels good,” Camacho said. “It gives me confidence that I can play at the next level. They gave me an opportunity, and hopefully it opens other schools’ eyes to look at me and give me an opportunity.”
The offseason has otherwise been a challenge due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Provided there is a football season – a decision by the FHSAA could be officially made tomorrow (July 20) – Camacho has been finding a way to keep himself in top shape.
“I do two workouts a day,” Camacho said. “I do field work in the morning, then work out with weights in the afternoon.”
Camacho, who is currently ranked as our No. 5 defensive back and No. 50 overall player in Palm Beach County, wants nothing more than to lead Glades Central to the Class 4A summit in his senior season.
“We think we have the team for it,” Camacho said. “I want to help my team anyway possible in making that happen. It’s my last season, so I have to go out with a bang.”
PHOTO CREDIT: Football Hotbed
