Miami, FL — One of the fiercest and talent-laden rivalries in Dade County took place on the high school gridiron in front of an enthusiastic crowd Friday night at the “Mecca,” Traz Powell Stadium. Miami Central and Miami Northwestern are separated by just 2.5 miles, and the Bulls separated themselves on the scoreboard in the second half to defeat the Rockets 30-20. Senior running back Nathaniel Noel scores two second-half touchdowns for the Bulls in his final game against the Rockets. The back-to-back 6A state champions scored all 30 points in the second half after trailing 14-0 in the third quarter. The Bulls claim the Commissioner’s Cup with the victory in the rivalry game.
“It feels amazing,” said Noel. “We were down 14 zip and overcame adversity.”
Both schools are historically two of the best programs in South Florida and both came into tonight’s game in the top five of the Football Hotbed Week 6 Rankings with Miami Central ranked third and Northwestern ranked fifth. This season, due to realignment of the state classes in the off-season, the two teams will only meet once a year as opposed to previous years when the two teams would meet twice a year at times. In 2018, Central won the regular-season matchup easily 38-10 only to fall to the eventual 6A state champions 19-15 in the regional finals. Northwestern has dropped down to 5A this season with no worry of a rematch in the playoffs.
“The kids now have bragging rights for 365 days,” said Head Coach Max Edwards. “We got one year on them and that means a lot when you’re in a big rivalry like this.”
The game started with a bang with Noel taking it to the house on the first play from scrimmage for a 76-yard touchdown. The score, however, was taken off the board because of contact made with an official on the Northwestern sideline. Noel would have another big touchdown run taken off the board due to an illegal procedure penalty in the first half.”
“My O-Line was keeping my head up high the whole game,” said Noel. “They just kept opening up holes.”
After a scoreless first quarter, senior Ronald Delancy blocked a Central field goal to help keep points off the scoreboard. The Rockets would eventually put points on the board first as junior Yulkeith Brown, the Gulliver (Miami) mid-season transfer, beat junior Kamren Kinchens on a go route to put Central up 7-0. Kinchens would get one back locating an errant throw for an interception later in the half, but the Bulls would find themselves down a touchdown at halftime. On the first play of the second half, a busted coverage left Miami Hurricanes commit Chamon Metayer (6’3″ 220 pounds) wide open for a 65-yard touchdown. The junior has converted from linebacker and plans to play more football as a pass-catcher.
“I consider myself a full-time offensive player,” said Metayer. Miami Hurricanes Head Coach Manny Diaz was in attendance and Metayer said the Hurricanes are well aware of his position change. “Coach knows I’m switching to tight end. That’s the position that I want to play.”
Metayer also plays basketball and played both sides of the ball against Miami Booker T. Washington, but was on offense for the entire game tonight against Northwestern.
On the ensuing possession, the Bulls were able to score as Miami commit Romello Brinson scored with a 15-yard catch and reach over the goal line.
Noel would go in for his first score with just under a minute to go in the third quarter. The extra point would bounce off the upright so the Bulls were still trailing 14-13 going into the final period.
Fourth Quarter: Miami Northwestern @MNW_Bulls1955 RB @NNoel_2 is having a strong game. The senior gets on the board officially for the first time to inch Bulls closer. Extra point missed as Rockets hold on to a slim 14-13 lead as 3rd quarter comes to a close. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/AbKBmDs35m
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) October 5, 2019
“I missed it, but I had to get it out of my head,” said kicker Leo Zuazo. “I knew I had to make up for it.
Zuazo would get another opportunity in the fourth quarter and convert from 36 yards to give his team the lead for good.
The SportsCenter top ten moment of the game came from Miami commit Marcus Fleming. Freshman quarterback Taron “Tiger” Dickson lofted a ball deep toward the end zone and the senior receiver caught the ball on the back of the defender with one hand for a 45-yard touchdown.
Dickson would finish the game completeing 16 of 23 passes for 204 yards and 2 touchdowns. His counterpart, Utah commit Katravis Marsh, went 10 of 20 for 194 yards and two touchdowns and two interceptions. The Rockets also could not get the ball going on the ground as they had only 31 yards on 16 attempts. Marsh would add a rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to make it a 23-20 game.
Noel would take over on the next drive.
Noel had four carries for 66 yards including the game-clinching 19-yard touchdown run. He would finish with 19 carries for 99 yards and two touchdowns.
Senior running back @NNoel_2 goes in for his second official score of the game to put @MNW_Bulls1955 up by two scores 30-20 over Central with 1:53 left. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/Mgk1AVFq5N
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) October 5, 2019
“He’s one of the best backs in the state, said Edwards. “He’s an underrated guy. He won’t be underrated anymore.”
Noel has Toledo and Kent State as his top two offers with Maryland recently showing interest in the 2020 back.
Miami Commit Tim Burns intercepted the last pass of the game to close out the Rockets. The junior also got an interception in the first half that was called back due to a roughing the passer penalty.
Each team experienced lopsided losses to out of state opponents this season. Central was dominated by St. Frances (MD) 49-13 in the regular-season opener while Northwestern lost to IMG Academy (Bradenton) 24-7 and to Lowndes (GA) 48-21. Although the losses do not affect their postseason hopes, the results serve as building blocks for another championship run.
Central is striving for a sixth state title while Northwestern is going for number seven and three straight. If Central fails to win a state title this year, it would be the first time that a senior class did not win at least one state title since 2009.
Northwestern (4-2) is back at Traz to take on Miami Springs next week while Central (5-2) takes on Miami Norland next week at North Miami Stadium.
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