PAHOKEE – The 2018 Muck Bowl may not go down as a classic in this very historic game, but it did not disappoint.

After a few three-and-outs, it seemed like both teams were starting to feel each other out in the early going.

Then Glades Central senior quarterback and eventual Muck Bowl MVP Davius Richard happened.

Richard caught fire as his first touchdown came when he hit wide receiver Odieu Hilaire for an 18-yard touchdown pass. This gave Glades Central a 6-0 lead.

But the Blue Devils would not go out without a fight, as they answered on the following drive.

Senior quarterback Jaeze Tracey would scramble right and throw back across his body to hit Lamonte Graham wide open in the middle of the field. After breaking a few tackles, Graham would find the end zone to tie the game at 6-all.

That score would be the only one for Pahokee in the first half, and that’s where the Raiders would seize control of the game.

Richard would get the Raiders in scoring position on the following drive with his second touchdown. He would hit Jymetre Hester for a 17-yard touchdown with a defender draped all over him.

One the ensuing drive the Pahokee quarterback threw his first interception, which setting the Raiders up in Blue Devil territory.

Glades Central (7-3) would capitalize on it with about 1:30 left in the half, as Richard hit Ja’vontae Williams with a perfectly placed ball for the score. Glades Central would go on to take a 22-6 halftime lead over Pahokee in the Muck Bowl.

Pahokee (5-5) would not go out without a fight, as the second half started just as the game did. There were a few three-and-outs of feeling each other out and no scoring whatsoever in the third quarter.

Then with 10:13 left in the fourth quarter, Pahokee would score when senior quarterback Lavonski Williams took the hand off and punched it in for a 6-yard touchdown. It cut Glades Central’s lead to 22–12.

The game would go back-and-forth with no team in scoring position the rest of the way.

CLINCHING MOMENT

Late in the fourth quarter, it seemed as if the Blue Devils were gaining some traction. But Raiders senior  athlete EJ Jackson would make a play that would extinguish any hopes of a comeback by the home team.

Pahokee’s quarterback would go deep to DeAnte Nelson, but Jackson would make a play on the ball by coming away with the game-sealing interception.

MUCK BOWL EFFECT ON FHSAA PLAYOFFS

Glades Central: Regular season ends with 7-3 record, which will likely mean a No. 2 seed in and first-round bye in Region 4 of the Class 4A playoffs. The Muck’s best team this season currently has 39.56 points, behind No. 1 University School (41.44).

Pahokee: Regular season ends with a 5-5 record and three-game losing streak, which will almost certainly result in a No. 2 seed or lower in Region 4 of the Class 1A playoffs. Currently at 38.44 points, Pahokee is behind No. 1 Hawthorne (39.78 points). A first-round bye is no longer a guarantee for the Blue Devils.

NOTE: This was the final regular season game for high school football in Palm Beach County. Next up is the long-awaited FHSAA Selection Show, which will take place today at 11 a.m.

Ways you can watch the FHSAA Playoff Selection Show:

1. Visit the Web at www.wftv.com
2. Watch live on WFTV’s Facebook page
3. Download the WFTV Channel 9 News App (iPhone or Android)

The excitement begins in one hour. Don’t miss it!