BELLE GLADE – The Glades Central Raiders have a lot of talent at the wide receiver position.
One of them is Chris Pompilus, a 6-foot-6, 170-pound wideout who is in the Class of 2025.
Prior to the Glades Central Spring Jamboree on Friday, May 17, there were a couple of highlight moments to glean from.
One of them was in Week 8 of this past season, when Pompilus helped account for Glades Central’s 7-6 home win over Inlet Grove. He caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from 2026 quarterback Taj Barnes in the effort.
“Inlet game was a good game,” Pompilus said. “As you know it was Coach [Rashad] Jackson’s homecoming, and we needed to win out for hopes of making the playoffs. So it was personal, as going against our district rivals wasn’t going to be an easy task. But we got the job done.”
The basketball-first athlete completed his first varsity football season with the following statistics:
•2 receptions for 28 yards; 22-yard reception in Week 9 against Suncoast (41-3 home win)
Pompilus reflected on his junior season with Glades Central.
“I started playing last year and worked my way to the starting job,” Pompilus said. “It was all a learning process. I went through adversity and didn’t quit. I was working hard to earn the coaches trust and then I fell in love with the sport.”
Two head coaches have played a role in the development of Pompilus: former head coach Travis Moore (2022/2023 seasons) and current head coach Omar Haugabook (2024 season). Moore helped start the building process, while Haugabook is now here to continue it on behalf of Pompilus.
Speaking of the current situation, Pompilus had a breakout spring football performance. In Game 2 against Wellington, he caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Barnes to help account for Glades Central’s 7-0 win in the spring jamboree finale at Effie C. Grear Stadium.
“Coach Haugabook knew how to break the other schools coverages when he dialed up the plays we answered,” he said.
In the two games – including Game 1 against Park Vista for a 7-0 win – Pompilus finished with three catches for more than 40 yards.
Pompilus reflected on his overall spring football experience.
“My spring experience during the spring football season with Coach Haugabook was extremely great,” Pompilus said. “Right after our playoff loss during basketball season, he asked me how many days do I need off. I told him I’m coming the next day. I have been training hard ever since. I knew he expected big things out of me this season, so I had to work hard to improve my skills and I trusted him on and off field as a coach in helping me becoming a young man. He’s like another parent to me. We are all family in this program, and we’re going to continue to get better, brick by brick.”
Pompilus shared his summer offseason plans for the months of June and July.
“My summer goals are to get better with my team by showing leadership skills on and off the field, while getting scholarships,” he said. “I will attend a lot of camps this summer, get more eyes on me, and ball out. I already started my summer workouts by getting stronger and faster in the weight room. We as a team will attend a lot of 7-on-7’s this summer. Stay tuned for that.”
Pompilus went on to reveal his aspirations for the upcoming fall season with Glades Central.
“My individual goals are 700+ receiving yards, 8+ touchdowns, and Division 1 offers,” he said.
“My team goals for my senior season at GC: I want to see us improve week by week and go undefeated, and the No. 1 team goal is going to states.”
Pompilus did not stop there.
“We want to bring the community back together because when Glades Central is winning, the whole community is a better place,” Pompilus said. “All it takes is hard work and effort from me and my teammates, and the community will support and encourage us. Our job is not done. We’re striving for excellence, not the standard.”
PHOTO CREDITS: Jarrod Mapp
Muck City Media Enterprises 
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