Bulls capture second straight state title

AL DIAZ / MIAMI HERALD STAFF Northwestern's Devin Willis (18) joins the celebration on the field following the Bulls' 41-0 victory against Orlando Boone on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. Class 6A State Football Championship High school teams bring back winning feeling Joy and pain in Harris' finale Naples wins Class 3A title

Northwestern continued rolling through its opponents as the Bulls won their 30th consecutive game, capturing the Class 6A title.

Perfection achieved.

On a night when the Florida High School Athletic Association honored the best teams of the first century of Florida high school football, Miami Northwestern made its case to be placed at the top of the list.

Like they did for most of the past two seasons, the Bulls won their second consecutive Class 6A state championship Saturday night by thoroughly dominating Orlando Boone 41-0 in front of a crowd of 22,752 at the Florida Citrus Bowl.

Forty years to the day after the FHSAA's overall ''Team of the Century,'' the 1967 Coral Gables squad, won a mythical national championship, Northwestern (15-0) likely claimed one of its own by recording the largest shutout in state finals history.

30TH VICTORY

The Bulls won their 30th consecutive game, breaking the Miami-Dade County record for the longest winning streak previously held by Southridge and Carol City. They also became only the third team in Dade history to win back-to-back state titles since the state went to a playoff system in 1963. The others were Coral Gables twice in the 1960s and Carol City (1996-97).

If Northwestern is voted national champions as expected, they will be the first since the Coral Gables 1969 championship team.

''There's no doubt in my mind that they are the best team in the country,'' said Christopher Lawlor, the director of the ESPN High Elite Top 25 poll in which Northwestern entered the game ranked No. 1. ``You just don't see teams with this much talent often.''

The victory capped a historic weekend in which three South Florida teams -- Northwestern (6A), St. Thomas Aquinas (5A) and Booker T. Washington (4A) -- swept the biggest three football classifications for the first time. The Bulls and Tornadoes became the first Dade public schools to win state titles in the same year.

Northwestern players showed their emotions on a day where they paid tributes in their own ways to people that meant a lot to them through the difficult times the past two years. Several players went up to their former coach Roland Smith, who was on the field during the trophy presentation, and gave him hugs.

''We felt bad for those guys because they weren't able to be directly involved in this victory,'' said Northwestern defensive coordinator Rodney Harris.

Senior offensive lineman Terrell Killings also wore the initials ''R.I.P.'' and ''J.T.'' on the tape under his eyes in honor of his best friend and former teammate James Anderson, who was shot and killed in Liberty City two years ago.

''I never thought it was possible to fall in love with a group of young men,'' said senior defensive lineman Marcus Forston, who was named the game's Most Valuable Player. ``These guys, we all have a special bond on this team. They are my brothers and I'll never forget this. I'm going to be there for these guys.''

The Bulls' record-setting quarterback Jacory Harris didn't finish the game after leaving with a left knee injury with 11:41 left in the fourth quarter. Harris completed 17 of 32 passes for 281 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, but fell two short of breaking the state single-season record of 51 set by Tampa Plant's Aaron Murray this season. Harris said the team trainer said he injured his left meniscus and said he will undergo an MRI Monday.

LOOKING SCARED

Forston finished with eight tackles and three sacks to lead Northwestern's defense, which carried the team while its offense struggled early. The Bulls recovered three fumbles and limited Boone (14-1) to 100 total yards and 16 passing.

''They look like they're scared,'' Forston said during the game after a drive. ``They're looking at me with eyes wide open.''

Northwestern scored twice on special teams and once on defense. Sophomore Khalid Marshall recovered a fumble on Boone's four-yard line and returned it for a touchdown to give Northwestern a 12-0 lead.

On the ensuing possession, junior Tevin McCaskill blocked Boone punter Greg Carlsen's punt and senior Sean Spence picked it up and returned it six yards for a touchdown.

With seven minutes left in the third quarter, senior Kendal Thompkins returned a punt 69 yards for a touchdown.