The 2009 Great American Rivalry Series featured the 25th installment of the annual “Muck Bowl”. Muck is obtained after plants and other living organisms decay. It is a dark and moist substance, excellent as a fertilizer for plants around the house and for your garden soil. Belle Glade, FL is infamous for their rich farmlands and their miles and miles of sugar cane. The town is not only rich with muck, but also with talented football players. The “Muck Bowl” is full of tradition and pride, as football in this area is a way of life. On the night of the “Muck Bowl”, the towns of Belle Glade and Pahokee are spotlighted for their extraordinary football teams. The Marine Corps sponsored Great American Rivalry Series ended the season with one of the biggest rivalries in the country. The game was about more than a trophy, it was more than a spot in the playoffs; to some the game is a way out of a life of poverty.

MVP

Greg Dent

Glades Central

SCHOLAR ATHLETES

Tavares Crawford

Glades Central

Tavares Crawford is a member of the Glades Central varsity football team, playing defensive back. He was nominated Player of the Week during his junior year and has received scholarship offers from West Virginia University and the University of Miami. He plans to pursue a degree in business and criminal justice.

Jeffrey Davarne

Pahokee

Jeffrey Daverne has a 3.21 GPA and plays defensive back for Pahokee. Even through the loss of his father only a couple of years ago, Jeffrey has persevered to be an outstanding athlete, a great student, and a leader with respect among his teammates and the community.

HALL OF FAME

Brad Banks

Glades Central

Brad Banks was an all-star football standout. Banks attended Glades Central where he was a first-team All-Conference and All-State as a junior and senior. During his high school career, Brad was named Mr. Florida runner-up. He later attended college at Iowa where he led the team to an 11-2 record and was runner-up for the Heisman Trophy.

Janoris Jenkins

Pahokee

Janoris Jenkins attended Pahokee High School, where he was named first-team Class 2B All State as a senior and was listed No. 6 among corner back prospects in the nation. Jenkins became just the second true freshman in school history to start at corner back on opening day. He was named to the College Football News and Sporting News All-America teams. He currently plays for the University of Florida. Janoris’ father, William Jenkins, accepted the award on his behalf.

GAME SUMMARY

The halftime score was not what most expected. Pahokee was leading the highly talented Raiders of Glades Central 21-17. On paper, Glades Central was clearly the better team with the most experience, but in the "Muck Bowl" records and experience did not play a factor in the halftime score. The second half of the game, however, was a different story. Glades Central took the lead and never looked back. The selected MVP Greg Dent had a career day receiving. Dent finished the game with 6 catches for a career high 185 yards for a touchdown. The clock winded down and the final score was 47-21, with Glades Central as the victor. Sgt Michel presented Greg Dent with his MVP medal and trophy and then presented Head Coach Hester with the coveted Great American Rivalry Series Championship Trophy. The team excitedly celebrated their win and Coach Hester held the trophy in the air for all to see.