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Marcus Benjamin @_BenjaminReport
Orlando, FL – This was not a typical Miami Northwestern championship season. The Bulls lost their district games to district favorites Miami Carol City and Miami Central by a combined score 66-17 during the regular season. The Bulls made the playoffs but would have to win games on the road to make it to semifinals as a six seed. The Bulls advanced to the state semifinals, won the rematch against Central 19-15, blew the doors off of Naples 40-7 and shut out Armwood (Seffner) 22-0 in the 6A state final Saturday to claim their 6th state title. A team from district 16-6A has won the state championship every year on the field since 2009.
“It was awesome this time,” said Head Coach Max Edwards. “Due to the type of season we had and people counting us out, because we’re in the district with two of the best in the state, Carol City and Central, and we got through that playoff atmosphere, it’s awesome to be the team that wins it.”
Along with the shutout, the defense helped to put 15 points on the board and helped the Bulls run to back to back state titles, and now have the titles in Dade County.
“The defense came through with the two touchdowns and it’s twenty-two zip, that says a lot,” said linebacker Samuel Brooks.
Senior Samuel Brooks
Both teams played a scoreless first quarter feeling each other out. Armwood would lose their grip on the game by making mistakes that would ultimately cost them. Senior Calijah Kancey had quarterback Cam’ron Ransom in his grasp when Ransom threw the ball into the arms of Timothy Burns Jr.
Senior Calijah Kancey
The sophomore got a crushing block from senior Leslie Smith and tiptoed down the sideline for the 23-yard pick six.
Sophomore Timothy Burns
The Bulls took a 7-0 lead into the half.
The energy shifted fully to the Bulls sideline when Isaiah Velez connected with junior Nathan Noel for a 65-yard touchdown.
Senior Isaiah Velez
Junior Nathan Noel
The North Miami transfer Velez took over for graduating senior “Tutu” Atwell and was doubted to lead the Bulls to back to back championships.
“Don’t ever count me out,” said Velez. “Going through adversity is hard, it’s not really good for other people. We just kept our heads up, kept pushing and look where we are right now.”
Terrence Lewis was another defender terrorizing Ransom in the backfield. The sophomore had eight tackles, two tackles for loss and two sacks. Lewis stripped Ransom of the football and Brooks recovered the ball up and ran down the sideline for a 56-yard scoop and score. Kancey was at it again just a minute later forcing a safety.
“This is the best defense in the state,” said captain and linebacker Samuel Brooks.
Brooks suffered a devastating ACL injury last season and returned to anchor the defense for this championship squad.
