Miami Fl-With 20 seconds remaining in the second quarter the Raines Vikings trailed the Northwestern Bulls 7-0 in the close Class 3A contest. However, the score quickly ballooned to 21-0 by the middle of the third quarter, as Raines fell behind by three scores within a matter of three football minutes. That was the major momentum shift that saw the Miami Northwestern Bulls widen the gap in a the game to capture their eighth state championship as a school, and Teddy Bridgewater’s first state championship in his first season as head coach of the Bulls.
The anticipated matchup saw Raines come into the game boasting a 13-0 record. The Vikings led by head coach Donovan Masline were riding high after a dominating playoff run and a regular season that saw them average 46 points per game. Yet in the championship game, Raines was held scoreless.
Northwestern with a goal line stand preventing a Raines TD. Score Northwestern 7 – Raines 0 5:27 left in 2nd Quarter. pic.twitter.com/SJ0nxdIOmV
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) December 15, 2024
A major tide turned when Raines had first and goal inside the Northwestern 10-yard line, and was held out of the endzone on the one yard line in the first quarter. That score would’ve tied the game for the Vikings, instead Miami Northwestern led by quarterback Leon Strawder marched down the field to increase the lead. Strawder was spectacular, tossing four touchdowns in the game.
Leon Strawder to Calvin Russell Jr TOUCHDOWN!! Northwestern 14 Raines 0 , :19 seconds in the first half pic.twitter.com/r15ZjLfpb6
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) December 15, 2024
His first, a fade to wide receiver Calvin Russell Jr gave Northwestern a 14-0 lead going into halftime. After halftime, Strawder would hit Elijah Hardy for a 65 yard bomb and back breaker. Hardy scored the first touchdown of the game, a short dive play in the first quarter as he put together an impressive night with a receiving touchdown and a rushing touchdown.
Elijah Hardy from Leon Strawder!! Touchdown Northwestern 21-0 leading Raines 3rd , 10:35 pic.twitter.com/dUV8Uc8c1i
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) December 15, 2024
Strawder wasn’t finished, as the junior signal caller tossed another touchdown, this one was to Calvin Russell Jr again. Russell was un-guardable in the game. As the five star junior simply was too tall of a tree to climb for the Raines smaller defensive backs.
No answer for the junior Calvin Russell jr the 6'5, 5-star wideout scores on 4th down from Strawder! Northwestern 28 Raines 0 , 3rd pic.twitter.com/nScQeeP0dn
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) December 15, 2024
Leading 28-0 in the third quarter, Strawder would then hook up with Nicholas Lennear for a long 52 yard touchdown. Head coach Teddy Bridgewater clearly identified a mismatch on defense and dialed up fly patterns down the sideline to different playmakers. Lennear’s touchdown came after a would be touchdown that was taken off the board when referees ruled Lennear did not catch the touchdown reception inbounds.
Leon Strawder hooked up with Nick Lennear for a 65-yard touchdown in the 3rd quarter to blow open the game 21-0. But it was this catch called a non catch that motivated Northwestern to connect the two playmakers again later in the game. @_youngshiner_n1 pic.twitter.com/nHQsqC1iUy
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) December 15, 2024
Lennear also made plays on defense, nabbing an interception in the second half. The Northwestern defense was dominant all game, completely shutting down the Raines wide receivers. They also made punishing blows on every tackle. In the end, the Northwestern defense out scored playoff opponents 262-12.
Nicholas Lennear Interception by Northwestern! The tipped pass ends p in he hands of the 4-star athlete! pic.twitter.com/XtP6dyCDNb
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) December 15, 2024
Strawder’s last touchdown came in the fourth quarter, a short run up the middle that he took himself capping, an impressive and improbable journey for the quarterback who came over from Miami Central and started this season for the West.
Leon Strawder touchdown run. Northwestern 41 Raines 0 pic.twitter.com/DVFwZTztrt
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) December 15, 2024
As for Raines, this defeat stung a little harsher as the Vikings suffered their worst loss of the season in the last game of the season. Still, Raines has nothing to hold their heads down about. Quarterback Timothy Cole made spectacular plays all year, and even made impressive moves in the state championship game.
One in particular led to a bit of chirpiness from both teams when Miami Northwestern linebacker Desmond Johnson levied a blow on Cole after Cole made several defenders miss. The hit led to several players pushing and shoving which eventually led to the ejections of two Northwestern players and one Raines player.
Desmond Johnson with an absolute smash of Timothy Cole Jr! After 3 ejections. #18 ejected for Raines was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct after the play! pic.twitter.com/QyExSa1iuk
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) December 15, 2024
Tempers flared from the Raines sideline, embarrassed by the score, but also by the chants of “Duuuuval” by the Miami Northwestern, faithful in attendance. The high drama led to another altercation on the field coming from an ensuing hit by Northwestern.
However cooler heads would ultimately prevail. And though the final score showed a lopsided loss for Raines, the effort all around was evident. The atmosphere was electric on both sides as both bands impressed with style and showmanship dazzling on-lookers and fans.
Raines and Northwestern have entered the stadium! pic.twitter.com/Bg0l0klbSX
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) December 15, 2024
It was a positive conclusion to a game that featured two of Florida’s oldest historically black high schools. Only one team could win, and that team was the Northwestern Bulls. Ending their season with a 12-2 record, and champions once again.
