Original subtitles

- [Narrator] Previously on Fourth And Forever,

(upbeat music)

At Glade Central,

a rollercoaster week capped by a tough loss,

saw the team's playoff hopes dash.

Only to be resurrected

when a forfeited victory was reinstated.

- People season still goes on

and the whole thing about the season going on is winning.

Just win.

Just win.

- [Narrator] Meanwhile, the Pahokee coaching staff,

took in a Glade Central game

and the rivalry in the stands became heated.

- He right on.

He putting it all for a crowd man.

(man in crowd chanting)

- Let me tell you something about

these two communities and football,

football is life to a lot of people.

That comes with the territory.

- [Narrator] And once the source

of the ineligibility scandal became clear,

Pahokee coaches shifted their attention,

to the impending Muck Bowl showdown.

- And we gon' win this game, period.

We're gon' put on for the city, we gon' light it up.

- [Narrator] Now with a single playoff spot,

and a year's worth of bragging rights on the line,

the two schools are finally set to square off.

- That's what it is.

Two cities are going to war.

- I had told the team like,

we not losing to them.

- That's my Super Bowl and guess what?

It's going down.

- It's, Muck Bowl time! (laughs).

- [Narrator] For 364 days, 21 hours and 30 minutes,

the residents of Pahokee and Belle Glade,

form a singular tight knit community known as Muck City.

But once again, it's that time of year,

where for two and a half hours,

the town's divide into rival camps

and hunkered down for the battle, known as the Muck Bowl.

- For the entire year we're family Pahokee and Belle Glade

but, on that one night you're sworn enemies.

- Muck Bowl Town coming around,

it's better than Christmas and Thanksgiving

and Halloween put together (laughs).

Muck Bowl is...

Look, my hands are sweating now.

- [Narrator] By the time game day rolls around,

each school's supporters, feel less like rival fan bases

and more like one big family.

- Good day for football, this all we've been waiting for.

Telling you, It don't get no better than this.

Showtime, let's get to it.

We're ready to go.

- [Narrator] In the pressure cooker that is Muck Bowl week,

perhaps nobody feels the heat

more than the two schools' head coaches.

Pahokee's DJ Boldin and Glade Central's Jessie Hester.

Both coaches have endured trying seasons.

For coach Hester,

this year, his players truly excelled in the classroom,

but the accomplishment has been overshadowed

by the ineligibility rule.

Now the team's playoff hopes and perhaps coach Hester's job,

are resting on the outcome of the Muck Bowl.

- The initial acknowledgement of it,

really broke the kids down emotionally

and awarded us that Wellington game, which is good.

So that kind of helps us out for the playoff chase

'cause we win this game against Pahokee,

we have a really good chance of making it in.

- [Narrator] For coach Boldin,

his first year on the job,

has seen him pulling triple duty,

as history teacher, mentor to his student athletes

and manager of the fans' sky high expectations.

(fans cheering)

- [Boldin] With all the adversity, with the losses,

with the injuries, with all of the hiccups,

there's a light at the end of the tunnel.

Making the playoffs,

if we don't win Muck Bowl, we don't make the playoffs.

And none of this even matters if you don't make the playoffs

'cause ultimately you want to go to state.

- [Narrator] For players on both teams,

the stakes are also sky high.

The stands will be filled with scores of college recruiters.

Success in the Muck Bowl could help secure

a slew of college offers.

- A lot of people dream about

playing in the Super Bowl or National Championsh

but for us it's, playing in the Muck Bowl.

It's definitely a game that we all look forward to.

- [Narrator] The fans and Scouts travel in,

from near and far eager to take in the showdown.

- Maybe 10,000, 15,000 people,

probably more than that.

Everybody wanna look good in front of everybody 'cause,

we 5 miles apart so everybody know everybody.

Probably one of the best feelings ever man at Muck Bowl.

- I guarantee you,

you will see the best game you gon' see.

Everybody will be pumped,

the fans and the teams.

You win,

that mean you got bragging rights.

(upbeat music)

- [Narrator] Undoubtedly,

one of the biggest fans at the annual matchup,

is local artist, Lester Finney.

This year, Glades central's hosting the Muck Bowl.

Which means Mr. Finney,

has the honor of creating the game's on-field logo.

- [Finney] Seriously, you have no idea how that feels,

to be one,

that painted The Raider in the center field.

When the coach asked me to do that I was like,

Oh! have I arrived.

(upbeat music)

Coming up to this particular game,

the most exciting game of the year, is the Muck Bowl.

And I'm gonna do just a little bit,

extra special touch to it.

This particular game, is where I go all out.

I put the banner down at a year.

For the Muck Bowl it's gonna be real good this year

and so the field's got to look to it's equivalent.

(players grunting) - [Man] Put it up.

- [Narrator] On the Glade Central practice field,

the elevated intensity is palpable.

- The rivalry that's gon' be,

a doozy, so to speak.

Because I know them guys are gonna be pulling,

some new tricks out,

out of hat to try to get us off-guard

and staying with us,

with some formation stuff that they haven't seen so,

like I said it's a bowl for a really good contest

so the teams that are better prepared,

really gon' be the team that come out with the victory.

- You can talk all you want,

but the school that got the trophy,

it speak for itself.

- [Narrator] That school right now, is Glade Central.

- I mean, you gotta win it for your community,

for your school and for the bragging rights.

- [Narrator] Two players

who seem particularly hype this week,

are Glade Central's number one all around player, Jim Davis

and junior defensive back, Jacob Camacho.

- The game, it should be packed,

a lot of people are gonna be here

from out of town and Scouts.

We just play our game,

play how we know we can play,

just play our best ability

and we should be able to come out with the win.

- [Player] Lay it out J.J. - [Hester] You all right?

Let's go, move it, move it, move it.

Feel pretty good about this practice,

the kids came out,

more in-tune, more physically and mentally,

ready to practice,

though this was one of our better practices this year.

(delightful music)

- [Narrator] In Pahokee,

senior quarterback and all purpose standout,

Jermaine Roberson,

is excited to show out in Saturday's game.

On the way to his next to last practice, Jermaine reflects

on the choices he's made in his personal life,

that have already made him a Blue Raider legend

and a potential game changer in this year's Muck Bowl.

- Wherever I go, I know that Pahokee fans love me

'cause of the great player I was

and all the great stuff I did

and not taking the wrong route.

I'mma take y'all through the neighborhood where,

I grew up in.

I grew up right here.

Projects, a lot of memories here.

Everybody says it's the bad side.

It's not bad though unless you make it bad.

I've played football for nine years.

I started,

my dad passed away.

Yeah he died.

When I was younger,

people tried to rob him, 'cause he had a lot of money,

they tried to take his money

and he wouldn't give it up to him and he shot him.

Thide here where my dad had got shot at.

He got shot right here.

I still like walk past it, every now and then,

to bring back memories.

(delightful music)

- [Narrator] During every game Jermaine wears a medallion

that bears a photo of his late father.

A reminder of what he's lost

and of what all he's accomplished.

- All my friends that I grew up with,

they either like, dead or in jail.

That could have been me going down that same path,

but I chose a different path.

To really stick to playing football.

- [Narrator] Jermaine's determination has made him

a linchpin on both sides of the ball for coach Boldin.

- He can play quarterback, he can play running back,

he can play receiver, he can play cornerback,

he can be the punter, he can be the kickoff returner,

he is the athlete and he's kinda like...

He's a gym.

- [Jermaine] At first I was scared like,

carrying the team alone but I kept playing,

h Boldin kept coaching me,

it's my senior year so,

you really gotta focus, mainly me 'cause,

I gotta make everything happen.

(upbeat music)

- [Narrator] Another pair of Blue Devils' two-way players

who rarely come off the field,

are Delonus Scooter Kabir and Tamerick Caveman Best.

- We need many more points on the block,

we need more tackles so we can win this game

and bring the Muck Bowl trophy back to Pahokee.

- [Narrator] As for Scooter,

a year ago he won the Muck Bowl.

Not for Pahokee,

but as a member of Glade Central's frontline.

- On the other side of the line,

It's going to be my former teammates from last year

and talk about trash to them

and then after the game, just going to hug it out,

good game.

- [Boldin] Do it again.

Right idea quarterback but you're short-arming it man.

This is an emotional week,

I mean it's the Muck Bowl and it carries his own weight,

it carries its own message,

it carries its own intensity.

So for me, as the head coach and the leader,

I kinda want to feel to my guys' emotions

and channel those emotions into the right times.

- Well all got field?

This is gonna be more of a passing game.

Glade Central will pass the ball,

more than any team that we have faced

and you need depth and defensive lines,

especially if you catch a man trying to,

just contain their vaunted pass and attack.

The next, boom!

- [Narrator] Coach Boldin is hopeful

that the momentum from their two-game winning streak,

will help them pull off just their 15th Muck Bowl victory

in the last 40 seasons.

- [Boldin] Great ball!

We have all our arsenal,

We have all our weapons,

to push through this one-eight football playoff run.

- [Player] Family on three.

One, two, three. - [Players] Family.

(delightful music)

- [Narrator] Across the Glade's region,

local businesses like for Pahokee's Town Center Cafe,

are also getting in on the Muck Bowl action.

With the menu specially designed for Muck Bowl Week,

Lateresa Jones' restaurant is a hotspot

for both Raider and Pahokee fans alike.

- [Lateresa] Saturday we'll have our,

Blue Devil Fire chicken wings

and what are we gon' do for the Raiders?

We all support Pahokee of course 'cause we in Pahokee

and that's the team we want to win,

but they gon' win anyway.

- Right, I think Pahokee's gonna win.

- Yeah, so that's not an issue.

What makes us so unique and special is that,

we're in the heart of Pahokee.

Everybody has to pass by us.

Now I'm telling you, I'm sitting here going crazy,

I'm thinking, The Muck Bowl?

I need to make sure we have a menu.

- Nachos, Raiders nachos.

- Raiders nachos.

- Raiders nachos.

- [Lateresa] But I know we need to be set up in here

so we can be accommodating

to the people that are coming here for the traffic.

For the Muck Bowl we're gonna open all weekend long,

just so people can kinda,

have a good time, talk trash to each other.

I'm not necessarily,

a football person,

but I am a person that wanna see us to come together

and to kinda unite a just .

- This is in your blood, growing up here,

in Pahokee being a Blue devil's fan,

far as the Muck Bowl, everybody know each other so,

wow! we're gonna have fun.

This happens once a year,

there's gonna be a bunch of chanting and screaming

and yelling and horn blowing.

(delightful music)

- [Narrator] Back in Belle Glade,

Lester Finney has finished painting the field

and has turned his focus,

to printing another massive batch

of his one of a kind Muck Bowl T-shirts.

- [Finney] Muck Bowl time is coming up.

I got a lot of T-shirts to make.

This is my Muck Bowl Center.

It turns into the Muck Bowl Center.

We gon' be Muck Bowling it and it's the thing that we all do

and we love the Muck Bowl

and after Muck Bowl we all friends and loving again.

- [Narrator] Many locals say Lester's T-shirts,

are where the name Muck Bowl first originated.

- Mr. Finney started making T-shirts

and when he was making thehirts,

this kinda caught on,

so he made the first group of T-shirts.

He made it for Pahokee High School

and the Belle Glade players only.

That's what the two T-shirt for.

And everybody saw the T-shirts and they wanted T-shirts too.

And then it evolved

they thought having a little one made in the community

and it was coming up to the Muck Bowl.

So that's how that Muck Bowl name caught on.

- [Narrator] Though the T-shirt feature both schools,

Lester is crystal clear, who he's rooting for.

- Go Raiders!

It's Muck Bowl time.

(delightful music)

- [Narrator] Kickoff is slated for 6:00 PM Saturday,

but for die-hard fans on both sides,

tailgating starts three nights before.

- It's a holiday.

It's a holiday weekend right here in Muck City.

I mean, it's just festivities everywhere.

It's a holiday, people wait all year for that.

This is a holiday.

- They traded the Muck Bowl.

- It's the Muck Bowl.

I'm excited that they having it.

I'm just hoping there won't be no problem, issues, no drama,

no none of that right there.

I mean everybody come out and have fun.

- And enjoy one another.

- This is rivalry week.

I mean, for two cities to be so close to each other,

I mean we all right year round until right now.

Hey but it's bigger than football though,

I mean like, bigger than football.

- [Narrator] But like so many communities across America,

Muck city is no stranger to gun violence.

In less than 72 hours before kickoff,

it is rocked by a deadly shooting.

- [Reporter] Right now in Belle Glade,

an investigation is underway into a shooting,

that let two people dead and two people two others injured.

- [Narrator] The incident was in no way connected

to either high school,

but out of an abundance of caution,

administrators decide to move the kickoff

up from 6:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

- Just for safety reasons for our kids,

the game is gonna start a couple of hours earlier.

I think that's what's best, for everybody that's involved,

but most importantly for the kids.

- It's a lot going on in the community.

I mean I won't put nobody in harm,

coming to the game that night.

Now everybody got it in daytime

so they could see everything.

- Last night, it was just sad.

Reminder to just keep me focused on my path

and let me know there is something

that I can do in the future to help out

and make sure the violence level goes down.

- [Narrator] Under this cloud of sadness and anxiety,

the coaches must do everything they can

to keep their players focused on the task at hand.

- Our motto this year was no?

- [Players] Distractions.

- No distractions.

And we were just pulled out over the place

and since y'all always let so much stuff

come inside of our circle and just break us apart.

The fact that we cannot allow that to happen this Saturday.

Think about it guys,

seniors, this could it.

Your last shot at it.

- [Jim] Yes sir.

- Right on me, right on three,

one, two, three. - [Players] Right!

- This is the best week of practice y'all had all year.

I am so confident in y'all,

going in this game.

Really proud of y'all.

I really wanna win tomorrow for y'all.

They said y'all weren't good enough.

They said y'all schedule was two to all,

We're gon' go home with 10.

That's what they said, about y'all, about us.

I wanna prove so many people wrong though.

- [Player] BGC on three,

one two three, - [Players] BGC!

- [Narrator] The night before the game,

both teams come together for a long standing tradition.

The annual Muck Bowl Banquet,

where community leaders and former NFL stars,

gather to wax nostalgic,

about heroes of Muck Bowl's past

and celebrate the current generation

of high achieving scholar athletes,

like Glade Central's defensive leader, Jacob Camacho.

- [Jacob] Mom?

- Yes.

- Can you help me with the sleeves?

- Yes.

Showing your chest a little bit?

That's different.

You look nice.

Fits you good?

Yeah?

Tonight's the big banquet night,

we're really excited for Jacob,

so he gets to experience his first Muck Bowl Banquet.

They have this banquet as a tradition,

to get all the players and coaches together

so they can just enjoy each other

before the big day.

Seeing Jacob all dressed up it's really nice

because Jacob really doesn't like to dress up at all.

He's all ready.

- What's up man?

Looking sharp.

- Can we get a picture?

Here's okay?

- One, two, three.

- Right now I'm currently getting ready for

Muck Bowl Banquet.

It's my last Muck Bowl Banquet in high school, I'm a senior.

It's like a get together where both teams,

like Glade Central and Pahokee coming together.

- [Narrator] Like Jacob Camacho,

Pahokee's Tamerick Caveman Best,

is excited for the Banquet.

But he knows that after tonight's pleasantries,

it's all business.

- [Tamerick] We actually lost last year

so it'll feel even better to,

bring the trophy back home this year.

And I know that I'll leave my legacy in Pahokee.

Everything that we're doing tonight,

is out of my mind like,

it's time to play.

No friendly, no nothing,

we gotta do what we gotta do.

All right, see you later.

- All right, have a good time.

(upbeat music)

- [Narrator] As Glade Central and Pahokee come together

to break bread,

both teams feel a sense of unity and family.

(upbeat music)

First on the agenda, the principals from each school,

present players with academic awards,

to celebrate their scholastic achievements

throughout the current year.

One of tonight's speakers is Glade Central alumni,

Antonio Thomas.

His time playing football led him out of the Muck

and onto a successful career.

- I would like for everyone, in this building,

to stand.

Stand one second, put your plate down, stand.

Because we are indeed a family.

When I go places,

no matter where I go,

I always represent Muck City.

I don't represent Belle Glade,

I don't represent Pahokee,

I represent Muck City.

This place is really really legendary.

When all I have to say is Muck City

and people know exactly, where we are

and they know what it takes to make it from here.

And so on the count of three,

I want all of you to say family, 'cause that's what we are.

One, two, three.

- [Crowd] Family!

- Thank you.

(crowd applauding)

- Even though it's a rivalry, but there has to be unity

because after the game then what?

So you gotta have both communities on the same page.

This is our village

and everybody that's responsible for each.

- [Narrator] Next, coach Boldin and coach Hester,

speak to the players on both teams,

about rising to the occasion

and giving 100% effort on the field tomorrow.

- Opposition is opportunity.

It is a vehicle to something great.

Whenever you face opposition, don't quit, embrace.

Allow it to push you to something greater than yourself.

- The moment in time that you guys will co to yourself,

that you wanna be the absolute best

that you can possibly be, right?

That's when your whole life will change.

As a player, as a person,

I want each and every one of you guys,

Glade Central, Pahokee,

make that commitment,

to be the absolute best you can possibly be.

(crowd applauding)

- [Narrator] The evening's keynote speaker,

is Glade Central graduate and MVP of Super Bowl 43,

Santonio Holmes.

Santonio reflects on how much Muck City and the Muck Bowl,

still means to him.

- In 2009, I was asked to write down,

what I wanted to say on the side of my Super Bowl trophy.

I wrote down these few words.

This one is for the Muck.

We believe in what the Muck Bowl stands for.

We believe in the family and the camaraderie

We have the utmost respect for each and every one of you.

I'm asking each one of you guys

that are playing this game tomorrow to stand up.

These words right here are for you guys.

I dare you to be great.

I dare you to be great.

It's time to be great.

If you wanna leave a legacy,

this is the time that you step up

and you be a part of history.

You got the privilege to be a star today.

(crowd applauding)

- [Narrator] It's finally game day,

as the air around the Glade Central Stadium,

fills with smells from everything

from hotdogs and hamburgers to char-grilled gator meat.

Fans from both teams pack the parking lot

for pregame revelry.

- It's a big event.

We have to tailgate,

food everywhere, everybody's cooking,

playing music,

rooting on the team.

- [Fans] Let's go Raiders.

- Glade Central gon' win all the way.

Ain't Muck one team, Glade Central.

- If it was Glade Central,

I mean, I'll just say my condolences now,

Pahokee's gonna win.

I'm sorry that we had to do this again on your home field.

- [Announcer] Fans enjoy yourselves tonight.

This is one of a kind.

This is the Muck Bowl.

Fasten your seatbelt.

- [Narrator] As both teams warm up,

the energy on the field reaches a fever pitch.

(players grunting)

But then just minutes before kickoff,

Glade Central calls an audible

in the traditional pregame warmups and leaves the field.

- Hey man, we up, we live, it's been a good fight.

We finna get started, you heard me?

- [Narrator] Pahokee seems unfazed

by the Raiders disappearing act.

But Glade Central's Willie MccDonald,

knows if the Raiders are late for kickoff,

they'll be hit with a 15 yard penalty on the first play.

- It's four o'clock already.

- [Man] That's crazy.

- Yeah it's not goodht now.

- [Man] I don't see them yet.

- Let's get ready, we gon' get ready to perform.

- [Narrator] In the Raiders locker room,

the players seem just as confused,

until coach Hester shows them exactly

why he's called them back.

(players chanting)

To swap out their gold jerseys for all-black uniforms,

custom made for the Muck Bowl.

- I'll show you how exclusive they're doing them.

Oh my goodness!

(upbeat music)

(crowd cheering)

- [Narrator] The all-black uniforms

have the Raiders and their fans fired up.

(crowd cheering)

- [Announcer] Ball to be received.

Glades to kick the ball.

- [Narrator] And the surprise move,

seems to have temporarily taken

the wind out of Pahokee sails.

After just three plays,

the Blue Devils are forced to punt.

- Punt! Punt!

- [Announcer] Smith, punt.

Nice punt to Davis.

- Let's go Jim.

(crowd chanting)

- [Announcer] Nice block on the drop,

Davis on the carry,

outside inside,

he's still on his feet,

laid it on the sideline.

(upbeat music)

- [Narrator] Jim Davis' 40 yard punt return,

sets up Glade Central deep in Pahokee territory

and the Raiders waste no time going back to number one.

- Football means a lot, that's my dream.

So that come with, hardworking, being humble, patient

and you gotta make sacrifices.

- [Announcer] Touchdown, Raiders' ball.

- [Narrator] Two plays later,

Glade Central running back, Steven Beldor,

slashes up the middle for the game's first touchdown,

putting the Raiders up by seven.

In the home team stands,

it's a party-like atmosphere.

- That's what we do.

- Raiders, Raiders!

- [Narrator] On the Pahokee side, not so much.

And when the Blue Devils' next possession

begins in similarly low cluster fashion,

coach Boldin decides he's seen enough.

- [Boldin] Time out ref.

- [Player] Hey, water, water, water.

- Hey listen!

All that flashy stuff is out the window.

Tuck your surf, pull that you got their neat pass.

Let's go man.

- [Narrator] Despite Coach Boldin's efforts

to fire up his team,

Jim Davis, Jacob Camacho and the rest of the Raider defense,

continue to smother Pahokee.

- Good job Jim.

- Jim Davis on the tapper.

- [Narrator] Senior Blue Devil QB, Jermaine Roberson

and his receivers can't find a rhythm.

And the Blue Devils punt it away again.

(dramatic music)

Now back at receiver,

Davis picks apart the Blue Devils' defense

for back to back fast down receptions.

- Get him.

(crowd applauding)

- [Narrator] It looks like the start

of a second consecutive Raider touchdown drive.

But the Blue Devils make a defensive shift,

prior to the next play.

- Hey Carey gotta come out soon.

- Carey. - Carey,

you gotta come out soon.

- [Narrator] The move put standout linebacker,

Carrie Mullins in the perfect position

to make a much needed interception.

(Upbeat music) (crowd cheering)

- Let's fire it up, let's fire it up.

(crowd cheering)

- [Narrator] Pahokee is now within striking distance

and a pair of handoffs to senior running back,

ie Pope, make it a seven to six game.

(crowd cheering)

Pahokee can tie it with the extra point.

(crowd cheering)

But Glade Central blocks the kick

and goes into halftime with a one point lead.

- Let's go guys, let's go take it in.

- [Narrator] In his halftime speech,

coach Hester urges his players to focus on the fundamentals

and play smart physical football.

- Off of the line, off of the line.

This half man you gon' put your hands on somebody, right?

And you're gon' control that person.

In defensive guys, eyes on that ball.

We gotta line up properly, be patient

and move on the snap.

When that balls there we have to attack them.

Dominate this half guys.

we gotta dominate this half.

- [Narrator] Pahokee's first year coach, DJ Boldin,

takes a more emotional approach.

- Listen up.

What I saw the first quarter was,

not some guys that's ready to play football.

Just being honest.

Second quarter was much better.

Let's put ogether third and Fourth quarter.

It's time for us to do our part.

Let's start executing.

If you don't fix it we will lose.

Let's come back this second half like our hair on fire.

All offense let's get this ball going.

Defense ready together.

Here with your coaches.

(upbeat music)

- [Narrator] As the teams take the field

for the second half,

who will claim the coveted bragging rights in the Muck?

Next time on Fourth and Forever.

(suspenseful music)

Glade Central continues to have its way with the Pahokee.

But the Blue Devils refuse to give up

and in the game's reigning moments,

with everything on the line,

- Robinson, back throws.

- [Narrator] It all comes down to one final play.