Most of the players who helped Northwestern win consecutive state championships and gain the longest winning streak in state history are gone.

But the Bulls aren't ready to give up just yet.

Northwestern (2-0) used a balanced running game and a tough defense to defeat Homestead 28-14 on Friday at Harris Field to extend its winning streak to 32 games.

''They came up watching those kids,'' Northwestern coach Billy Rolle said of his players. ``We have as much talent, but these kids are still learning. We just have to continue to hammer at it.''

Northwestern led 14-7 at halftime and put the game away with a dominant third quarter.

After both teams went three-and-out to start the half, Northwestern pounded the ball into the heart of Homestead's defense on an 80-yard touchdown drive that lasted nearly seven minutes.

Isreal Linder and Corvin Lamb combined for 51 rushing yards on the drive, which culminated with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Times Times to Michaelee Harris.

Northwestern's defense came up with the play of the game on the next play from scrimmage.

Safety Adolphus Melvin intercepted an underthrown deep pass by Homestead quarterback Travis Lovejoy, and then made several players miss on the return to Homestead's 5-yard line.

Times put the game away three plays later with a 3-yard touchdown run to give Northwestern a 28-7 lead.

Northwestern totaled 182 rushing yards on 38 carries against Homestead (0-2). Linder led Northwestern with 85 yards on 12 carries and Lamb added 59 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown.

''The [offensive line] was playing pretty good,'' Rolle said. 'They actually told us, `Let's keep pounding it.' That's what we did.''

Northwestern led 14-0 lead, but Homestead put together an 18-play drive at the end of the first half that ended with a 2-yard touchdown run by Darrin Kitchens with nine seconds left in the half.

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