The national spotlight apparently missed one South Florida high school football powerhouse.

With a nationally televised showdown between Miami Central and Miami Northwestern less than a week away, Miami Booker T. Washington staked a claim for some national recognition of its own Saturday night.

Led by a stellar performance by its major-college prospect, defensive end Lyndon Trail, the Tornadoes upset Northwestern, ranked No. 4 nationally by ESPN, 35-28, in front of an estimated 7,000 fans at Traz Powell Stadium.

It was Booker T.'s first victory against Northwestern since the high school re-opened in 1999.

The Bulls (3-1), who entered the game ranked No. 1 in Class 6A and in the top five in every major national poll, lost for only the third time in their past 49 games.

Northwestern will play Miami Central on Thursday in a game slated to be televised nationally on ESPN2. It will limp into the game.

``Everyone has been doubting us this year,'' Trail said. ``That's OK. We like it like that. Don't jump on the bandwagon now.''

The Tornadoes defense came up with big play after big play, forcing Northwestern to commit six turnovers overall and its quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater, to throw three interceptions. Sophomore Amos Leggett had two of the interceptions at pivotal moments in the game, and junior Denard Turner had the other.

``They outplayed us,'' said Northwestern coach Billy Rolle, whose team played without senior defensive end Todd Chandler (sore knee).

``That's it. That's all I have to say.''

Trail earned the game's Most Valuable Player honors.

He recovered two fumbles, returning the first for a touchdown and the second 75 yards to set up another as Booker T. (5-0), ranked No. 2 in the state in Class 3A, erased an early 12-0 Northwestern lead.

And how did Trail celebrate? After shaking hands with Northwestern players, Trail and Booker T. wide receiver Quinton Dunbar each ran to midfield and donned University of Florida caps at midfield to announce their commitments to the Gators.

``I hope Coach [Urban] Meyer is still in town and he's watching this,'' said Trail, who had two sacks and eight tackles.

``This doesn't mean I won't take visits and that the recruiting process is over for us, but right now Florida is our team.''

Trail came up big late as Booker T.'s defense had to hold off a late Bulls comeback attempt.

Leading 35-20 with a minute remaining in the third quarter, Tornadoes kicker Oscar Diaz fielded a low snap, but put his knee down, giving Northwestern possession at the Booker T. 3-yard line.

Northwestern's Corvin Lamb scored the second of his two touchdowns on a 3-yard run, and Bridgewater ran in the 2-point conversion with 4:19 remaining. After forcing Booker T. to punt, Northwestern gained possession with 1:31 left at its own 39. Bridgewater picked up one first down on a completion to Roy Smith at the Booker T. 49.

After an incomplete pass, Bridgewater tried to run for the first down, but was stopped 4 yards short. Two plays later, Bridgewater's short toss fell at the feet of his intended receiver, Lorenzo Shinhoster.

Northwestern looked as if it would tie the game late in the third quarter, trailing 28-20. But after advancing to the Booker T. 3-yard line, continuous pressure ended the drive. On fourth-and-goal from the Tornadoes' 10, Bridgewater was sacked, fumbled, and Trail picked it up.

He thought about flipping the ball back to a teammate as he was being chased toward the sideline. Instead, he tucked the ball in, broke a tackle, maintained his feet inbounds by inches and completed a 75-yard fumble return that would eventually set up a 2-yard score by senior running back Eduardo Clements.