WEST PALM BEACH – Deerfield Beach was able to defeat Glades Central 35-21 in a spring game heavyweight matchup.

Both teams started out slow as they traded three-and-outs. But Deerfield Beach would eventually get on the board first, as quarterback Tyron Herring would connect on a deep pass to wideout Dashaun Davis with a little over five minutes left in the first quarter.

With the extra point, Deerfield Beach took a 7-0 lead over Glades Central.

Glades Central struggled to get anything going much of the first quarter and things began to look grim. Early in the second quarter, Deerfield Beach defensive back Anthony Prospere picked off a Glades Central quarterback pass and returned it for a touchdown to put the Bucks up 14-0 with 10:39 left.

It seemed as if Deerfield Beach was poised to post a shutout, but the Glades Central began to score in bunches. Quarterback Davious Richard and speedy wideout Jymetre Hester would hook up in the second quarter to cut the Bucks lead in half at 14-7.

Prior to kickoff, Glades Central rising defensive back Larmarcus McKay a.k.a ‘Wild Boy’ said he would score a touchdown. McKay did just that, as he would pick off a Deerfield Beach quarterback pass and return it for a touchdown to tie the game at 14-all with 6:25 left in the second quarter.

McKay, who also had a sack in the game, definitely made some scouts turn their heads with his high-intensity playing style and playmaking ability. And during his post-game interview with New Era Prep, McKay attributed his passion for football to just loving the game, loving Raider football, and being blessed.

“I’m proud to call myself a Raider,” McKay said.

The Bucks would get back to their scoring ways with a little over four minutes left in the second quarter. Rising senior Widmere Garçon scored the first touchdown of his high school career after picking off a Glades Central quarterback pass and returning it for a score to give his team a 21-14 lead.

“It felt electrifying with the coaching I’ve had all spring,” Garçon said. “My coaches put me in that position to be great.”

With 46 seconds left in the second quarter the Bucks would push their lead back to 14 after a pass from quarterback Derohn King to wideout Bryce Gowdy.

Deerfield Beach went into halftime with a 28-14 lead.

Both teams would go scoreless throughout the entire third quarter as the defenses kept one another’s offense in check.

The Raiders would break the seal later in the second half and score on a pass from Richard to wideout Odieu Hilaire, who made a diving catch in the corner of the end zone. Hilaire’s score would close the gap to 28-21 almost midway through the fourth quarter.

Glades Central held Deerfield Beach in check for most of the second half. But at the very end of the game, Bucks quarterback Derohn King scored on 2-yard option play to give his team a 35-21 lead with 18 seconds left.

POST-GAME NOTE: The Bucks handed the Raiders a heavy dose of their sophomore running back in Jaylan Knighton, who seemed to be unstoppable at times while running the ball and dragging defenders.

POST-GAME COMMENTARY: GLADES CENTRAL

Raiders senior athlete E.J. Jackson was a tackling machine as he seemed to knock down every ball carrier that came his way.

“I really surprised myself,” he said. “I think this was one of my best games so far. I just thank the Lord that I came and performed how I was supposed to.”

Glades Central speedy wideout Jymetre Hester made big plays on offense as he usually does.

“I think I played pretty good.” Hester said. “I always give 110 percent. I feel like everyone played their hardest.”

Glades Central head coach Jessie Hester wasn’t pleased with the loss. But he was pleased with his team’s efforts by never giving up in a game where they were predicted to lose in a blowout.

“I’m most certainly not proud of the outcome,” Hester said. “I’m most certainly proud of the kids effort tonight. They really fought hard.”

POST-GAME COMMENTARY: DEERFIELD BEACH

Quarterback Derohn King shared his sentiment during his post-game interview as he spoke on his team’s need to improve and become more cohesive this summer.

“Both sides could’ve did a little better,” King said. “But we’re coming together as a team.”

Head coach Jevon Glenn was pleased with his team’s performance, although there’s room for improvement.

“It was a really good game between two really good teams,” Glenn said. “I want to first and foremost give credit to Glades Central for fighting. We knew it wouldn’t be a cakewalk. We came out and do some good things. I don’t think we put together a full four quarters of football. But hey, it’s spring. You have to develop a kid’s hunger and thirst for W’s (wins), and I think we did that tonight.”

Glenn didn’t hold any punches when asked about how he and his team will handle having a target on their backs going into the fall season.

“We’re grinders.” Glenn said. “Have you ever seen a movie where a guy has a bunch of red dots on him, but he’s aiming back? That’ll be us.”