Posted on Sat, Oct. 20, 2007

Northwestern's defense demands perfection from itself.

Senior defensive captain Marcus Forston wasn't satisfied Friday night after his team gave up 12 late points to district rival American.

''We're trying to win every game, but we also don't want to give up any points,'' Forston said. ``We want to match the shutouts we had last season and keep showing we're one of the best defenses ever.''

Forston and his teammates delivered another dominating performance despite the late scores as Northwestern sacked American's Columbus Bryant five times and forced two turnovers in a 36-12 victory at Traz Powell Stadium.

Northwestern (7-0, 3-0 District 13-6A), ranked No. 1 in the country by every major national high school football poll, will prepare for its showdown against Central next Saturday night at the Orange Bowl. The Rockets (7-0, 3-0) also won Friday night.

''That's our goal, to win this district again and beating [American] was a big step toward accomplishing that,'' Northwestern coach Billy Rolle said.

The Bulls' offense had one of its best rushing performances of the season against the Patriots (5-3, 2-2), who were eliminated from playoff contention.

Northwestern's young group of tailbacks gained 212 yards, including a 78-yard touchdown run by junior Daquan Hargrett early in the third quarter that put the Bulls ahead 28-0.

Junior Tyresse Jones ran 11 times for 77 yards, a touchdown and a two-point conversion.

''We needed to keep them honest with our running game because American came in with a five and six defensive back look that was set to defend our passing game,'' Rolle said.

Senior Jacory Harris still directed the Bulls' passing game effectively. He completed 11 of 17 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception.

His second touchdown was hauled in by Michael Harris on a timely catch off a deflection that he ran in for a 65-yard touchdown in the second half.

In the first half, Harris completed a two-point conversion attempt to Forston, who lined up at tight end. It was the second game in a row the trick play worked.

• Homestead 7, Palmetto 0: Homestead (4-3, 3-0) outlasted Palmetto (2-5, 0-3) in a defensive standoff at Curtis Park.

The Broncos got the game's only touchdown on the opening drive of the second half as they moved the ball 70 yards on five plays. Raymond Watson capped the drive with a bruising 32-yard touchdown run three minutes into the third quarter. Watson finished the game with 111 yards on nine carries.

The swarming Broncos defense limited the Panthers to 182 yards. Sedrick Jean-Baptiste tied a school record with six sacks, and Dequan Kinsuy and James Walker each had an interception for the Broncos. Walker also blocked a 42-yard field-goal attempt early in the second quarter.

Panthers quarterback Tamu Damon was intercepted by Kinsuy, sealing the victory for the Broncos.

-- ANDREW DONOVAN