BELLE GLADE – It is refreshing to learn and grow at the same time.
This is what we are seeing right now with Taj Barnes, who is the starting quarterback for the Glades Central Raiders. The ‘26 team leader experienced a host of highs and lows as a sophomore last season, but looked at them as a way to take accountability and become better for them all.
In nine games this past season, Glades Central finished with a 2-7 record. But if one takes a much closer look at Barnes and his team, there were flashes of greatness on display.
Let us take a look at the final sophomore statistics for Barnes at the quarterback position.
PASSING
•100-of-199
•1,350 yards
•10 touchdowns
•8 interceptions
RUSHING
•32 carries
•151 yards
•3 touchdowns
BEST INDIVIDUAL GAME: Week 9 vs. Suncoast in 41-3 home win
PASSING
•14-of-22
•186 yards
•3 touchdowns
•1 interception
RUSHING
•6 carries
•47 yards
•2 touchdowns
TOTAL YARDS: 233
“I love just having fun with my teammates and how we just played loose,” Barnes said. “And it was also homecoming, so that boosted the morale up going into it.”
Barnes had one 300-yard passing game. It came in Week 5 at home against Dwyer, a 24-21 overtime loss.
•12-of-25
•312 passing yards
•2 touchdowns
•0 interceptions
TOTAL YARDS: 318
“I had a chip on my shoulder because last year they had beat me and I knew I had to show out because of the doubters and naysayers,” Barnes said. “So I had to show em. I’m not one of them. I’m one of them ones.”
Barnes recapped his sophomore season at Glades Central.
“It went okay,” Barnes said. “I could’ve done way better. I’ll rate my season like a C-. The highs were Seminole Ridge, Dwyer, and Suncoast. Those games I showed my potential. The lows were the amount of interceptions I threw – most of where I knew not to throw – and going 2-7 again.”
The Muck Bowl for Glades Central – a 55-22 road loss to Pahokee in Week 11 – was literally a tale of two halves for Barnes.
The Raiders sophomore quarterback was 12-for-27 passing with 218 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception in the Muck Bowl. It may come across as an up-and-down game for him, but it was better than expected.
“It went well offensively,” Barnes said. “We started fast, which we didn’t really do all season. Defensively, they were holding their own.”
Glades Central took a quick and early 7-0 lead over Pahokee and kept the Muck Bowl competitive throughout the first half. A 14-14 tie lasted for much of the second quarter, but a costly pick-six thrown by Barnes contributed to Pahokee’s 21-14 halftime lead that would only grow from there.
“I should’ve just kneeled or ran on my part,” Barnes said. “But the bounce back is gonna be real.”
Interestingly, Barnes played against his new head coach in his last game. Now for this year’s Muck Bowl against Pahokee – it will be at Glades Central – we could see a different outcome.
Having Omar Haugabook as the next Glades Central head coach is already a positive move for Barnes and his entire team.
Haugabook, who was the Pahokee Blue Devils offensive coordinator for two seasons, earned the Glades Central interim head coach position not long after its 2023 season ended in November. But he became the permanent head coach as of Feb. 1.
“It feels normal honestly because he’s a former Glades Central Raider, so he knows the history,” Barnes said. “Plus he’s the school police. He beat me for those two years. I’m just glad I ain’t gotta go against him now. I can be with him. He’s gonna help elevate my game because he also played quarterback at a high level. He can help me excel and be great and teach me things that I never learned before, so it’s a win.”
At this time, Barnes has two offers from Western Kentucky and Rutgers. The Western Kentucky offer was the first one for Barnes and it came from Hilltoppers defensive backs coach/Belle Glade native Da’Von Brown.
“For the Western Kentucky offer, I was at spring practice last year and was showing what I can do,” Barnes said. “Coach Brown was very cool and he told me to keep my confidence up and keep grinding. I’m very thankful for Coach Brown giving me my first offer.”
As for the Rutgers offer:
“I was in Ohio and was speaking to their quarterbacks coach,” Barnes said. “They liked me.”
As Barnes works hard on improving his craft with workouts, speed training, mechanics drills, and strength training in the weight room, he is looking forward to what should be an exciting junior season this upcoming fall.
“My team goals are to go to the playoffs and make it to state by having more discipline,” Barnes said. “My goals are less than six interceptions, 40+ touchdowns, 2,500 passing yards, 10+ rushing touchdowns, 400+ rushing, 3-4 more offers, and a state ring.”
We are expecting a resurgence from Barnes and the Glades Central Raiders this upcoming season. We will see how it unfolds over the next several months ahead.
“Look forward to a better Taj this year,” Barnes said.
PHOTO CREDITS: Jamarrion Green
Muck City Media Enterprises 
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