Ricky Rowe still remembers the long talk he had with Billy Rolle before his first career start at quarterback as a sophomore. It kind of went like this.

'He called me into his office, sat me down and said, `We're not expecting you to win the game, but we don't want you to lose it,' '' recalled Rowe, now a senior at Killian.

'He said, `If you ever are one thing as a quarterback, make sure you're efficient.' ''

Rowe has done a good job heeding his former coach's words this season.

While just about everyone has kept their eyes on the legs of University of Miami-bound running back Lamar Miller, Rowe has quietly led the Cougars (10-2) deeper into the playoffs than they have been since they won it all under Rolle in 2004.

Rowe has complemented Dade's leading rusher by throwing for 1,055 yards and 11 touchdowns while completing 59 percent of his passes. He has thrown just two interceptions.

But Friday night when Rolle sees his old quarterback again for the first time since he left Killian in 2006, his plan will likely be to try to force Rowe -- and not Miller -- to beat his Northwestern Bulls.

''I don't think people give Ricky enough credit for where we are,'' said Miller, who has run 1,644 yards and 22 touchdowns on 209 carries this season. ``He makes plays, he knows how to win and he's a great leader. And I know he's going to have a great game on Friday.''

Rowe's family is counting on it. His younger sister Trish, a 16-year old sophomore and student trainer, says she didn't develop all those bumps and bruises on her hands catching passes from her brother in the front yard to see him fall short of a state title as a senior.

''The boys aren't afraid at all,'' says Trish, who rides to school with her brother and several of his teammates during the week. ``They respect Northwestern. They know they are the two-time defending champions. But they aren't scared.''

The noise coming out of Killian's locker room Wednesday night would suggest that. Center Gian Carlo Revilla, who is likely headed to FIU next fall, said a phone call earlier from Bulls junior defensive tackle Todd Chandler has gotten him and his teammates excited.

So far, it has led to plenty of dancing, bouncing around and shouting in the Killian locker room before the game.

''Ninety-five told us to get in the weight room,'' Revilla said, referring to Chandler. ``We got something for him and Coach Rolle, we want to show him what he left behind.''

Most of the pressure could fall to Rowe. Northwestern will likely put as many as eight players in the box to try to shut down Miller.

Rowe, who has spent the week breaking down film at home with his father (a former cornerback at Texas Tech), said his plan is to be efficient.

''Northwestern has a great defense, they're fast, they fly to the ball,'' said Rowe, who has a college offer from Northeastern and interest from Middle Tennessee State, Temple and Pittsburgh. 'But they can be stopped. I just got to do what coach Rolle used to tell me and what [quarterbacks] coach [Clark] Eakes tells me now: `Protect the football.' ''

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