It was a game that certainly caught the attention of the entire state. Two-time defending state runners up Venice at home against a Miami Northwestern program that was coached by Teddy Bridgewater and looking to jump back into the elite teams in the state.
It was a game that produced over 1,000 yards, 90 points and overtime before the Indians pulled out a thrilling 48-42 win and set the table for a run at a 7A state title.
For the Bulls, it was a game that would get them ready for a season that would end up at Pitbull Stadium on the campus of Florida International University and a 3A title.
Tonight, following a 3:30 afternoon matinee between Miami Central and Miami Edison, fabled Traz Powell Stadium will host Venice and Northwestern in a rematch of last year’s thriller.
While both teams lost on opening night, these two state champions are primed for what looks like the Game of the Week in the Sunshine State.
Senior quarterback Leon Strawder used this game last year as a springboard to a banner junior season with a 365-yard, 4 touchdown contest. It was also a game that receivers Nic Lennear (6 catches for 87 yards) and Syracuse commit Calvin Russell Jr. (6 catches for 151 yards and 3 touchdowns) showcased their many skills.
Two powerful offenses who combined for only 22 points on opening night. Something has to give.
Venice Indians
HEAD COACH: John Peacock
DISTRICT: 8-7A
2024 RECORD: 14-1 (7A State Champions)
2025 SCHEDULE:
Tampa Bay Tech, L 29-7
8/29 - @Miami Northwestern
9/5 – Fort Myers Bishop Verot
9/12 – Port Charlotte
9/19 – Orlando The First Academy
9/26 – Lehigh
10/3 – Bradenton IMG Academy
10/10 – Sarasota Riverview
10/17 – Clearwater Central Catholic
10/24 - @Sarasota
Miami Northwestern Bulls
HEAD COACH: Jaquatin Victrum
DISTRICT: 16-3A
2024 RECORD: 12-2 (3A State Champions)
2025 SCHEDULE:
Orange Lutheran, California, L 17-15
8/29 – Venice
9/4 – Miami Carol City
9/12 – Miami Norland
9/19 - @Miami Christopher Columbus
9/26 - @Miami Jackson
10/3 - @Miami Central
10/11 – Key West
10/17 – GMAC Week
10/24 - @Miami St. Brendan
In addition to the clash of state champions, here are some other games to watch this Friday:
Boynton Beach Somerset Canyons at Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy, 7
No. 14 Coconut Creek Monarch at Deerfield Beach, 7
Community School at No. 11 Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy, 7
Coral Springs Charter at Pembroke Pines Charter, 6
Fort Lauderdale at Hallandale, 7
No. 16 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons at Hollywood South Broward, 7
Fort Lauderdale Stranahan at No. 9 Fort Lauderdale Dillard, 7
Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy at Coconut Creek North Broward Prep, 7
Hialeah Miami Lakes vs. Doral Reagan (Milander), 7
No. 4 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna at No. 19 Hollywood McArthur, 7
Homestead South Dade vs. Homestead (Harris), 7:30
Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson at No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, 7
Miami Booker T. Washington vs. No. 10 Miami Palmetto (Tropical), 7:30
Miami BridgePrep Village Green at Miami Country Day, 7
No. 5 Miami Central at No. 17 Miami Edison (Traz), 3:30
No. 6 Miami Christopher Columbus at Olney Our Lady of Good Counsel, Maryland 7
Miami Immaculata LaSalle vs. Miami Jackson (Curtis), 7:30
Miami Ferguson at Miami Varela, 3:30
Miami Gulliver Prep at Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace, 7:30
Miami Krop vs. Miami Killian (Southridge), 7:30
Miami True North Classical Academy at Fort Myers Bishop Verot, 7
Miramar Everglades at Richmond Hill (Ga.), 7
North Lauderdale Somerset Prep at Deerfield Beach Somerset Key, 7
Parkland Douglas at Cooper City, 7
No. 15 Pembroke Pines West Broward at Camden County (Ga.), 7:30
No. 12 Plantation at Miramar, 7
Somerset South Homestead at Miami Westminster Christian, 4
South Plantation at Coral Springs Coral Glades (CS Sportsplex), 7
No. 18 Sunrise Piper at Coconut Creek, 7
Tavernier Coral Shores at Miami Palmer Trinity, 4
Westland Hialeah at Lakeland Victory Christian, 7
THURSDAY’S GAMES
Coral Gables 20 Hialeah ABF 0
Davie Nova 14, Coral Springs 12
Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian 21, Fort Lauderdale NSU University School 18
Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest 45, Pompano Beach 6
Hialeah 46, Miami Belen Jesuit 7
Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy 36, Doral Academy 6
Miami Coral Reef 23, Miami Sunset 0
Miami Norland 42, Miami Carol City 13
Miami Southridge 63, Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman 22
Miami Springs 52, Southwest Miami 14
Miami St. Brendan 28, Miami Beach 17
Oakland Park Northeast 40, Coral Springs Taravella 28
Pembroke Pines Flanagan 40, Weston Cypress Bay 24
Saturday, August 30
MIAMI-DADE
North Miami Beach vs. North Miami (Traz), 7
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