Senior Kenneth Dillard spent the past couple of years preparing for the day he would be called upon to be a leader on the Northwestern defense.

Dillard started occasionally, and often made big plays as a reserve, during the Bulls' back-to-back championship seasons while learning from linebackers Sean Spence and Quavon Taylor, both of whom are now playing college football.

Dillard used his experience to his advantage Thursday to make a pair of clutch plays on defense and special teams that led Northwestern to a 47-6 victory against Southridge at Traz Powell Stadium.

Dillard picked up a blocked punt and returned it for a touchdown and returned a fumble for another score as the Bulls (4-0), ranked No. 3 in the state in Class 6A, extended their Miami-Dade County-record winning streak to 34 games.

''Those guys left it up to me to keep the tradition going,'' said Dillard, a 6-0, 190-pound linebacker. ``One thing I've tried to help the younger guys is to play with discipline. That's something the seniors that graduated always maintained when they were here.''

Dillard, who has not received a scholarship offer, but has drawn interest from Middle Tennessee State, picked up an errant option pitch by the Spartans (0-3) in the first quarter and returned it 22 yards for a score to give Northwestern a 14-0 lead.

Early in the second quarter, senior Tommy Addison blocked a punt and Dillard tracked the ball down near the sideline, picked it up, and returned it 16 yards for another touchdown.

''Whenever we've needed a play, [Dillard's] been in the mix,'' Northwestern coach Billy Rolle said.

Northwestern's offense was led by senior running back Daquan Hargrett's 110 yards on seven carries, including two touchdowns. Junior Corvin Lamb had an 88-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Southridge's Brandon Oliver had 94 yards on 22 carries with a touchdown.

• Coral Gables 29, Jackson 13: Coral Gables used four long scoring drives and a solid defensive performance to outlast Jackson at Tropical Park Stadium.

The Cavaliers (4-0), which had contained the Generals (1-4) to just 11 yards on the ground, gave up six points in the final minutes of the game before stiffening again behind Denzel Perrymans interception deep in Cavaliers territory.

''Denzel does all the little things for our defense and so much more,'' Coral Gables coach Joe Montoya said of his sophomore standout. ``Thats a kid with offers from big-time Division 1 schools already. He has it all.''

Perryman posted a 13-tackle game and added two tackles for losses, including a sack.

Coral Gables was led by junior running back Jarvis Bridge, who had a 115 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries, including a 90-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter.

-- MELISSA ARTEAGA

''We've not been good on special teams it's something we've been working on,'' said American coach Ben Aarestad. ``We needed the first [win].''

Early in the second quarter the Patriots were able to block a Krop (1-4, 1-0) field goal deep in their own territory and run the ball back across the 50-yard line.

A couple of play later freshman quarterback Abe Coleman connected on a 47-yard pass to wide receiver Lamonte Collier. Collier took a vicious hit from the Krop safety, but was able to stay on his feet and ran 33 yards after the catch for the touchdown.

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