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Northwestern might play on TV
The Bulls will play the top-ranked team in Texas, Southlake Carroll, in a game that is expected to be nationally televised.
BY ANDRE C. FERNANDEZ
a1fernandez@MiamiHerald.com
Miami-Dade County has developed a reputation over the years for producing plenty of NFL talent.
But none of its teams has had the chance to play on national television.
That will likely change next season.
Northwestern, which will likely enter the season ranked in the top five in the nation and No. 1 in the state of Florida, will play Southlake Carroll, the top-ranked team in Texas, in what is expected to be a nationally-televised game Sept. 15.
''This is a major honor for us because this will be the first time Northwestern will play a team outside the state of Florida,'' Northwestern coach Roland Smith said.
The game is expected to be held at a college-sized stadium before an estimated crowd of 25,000 to 30,000 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Smith said the site will likely be Gerald J. Ford Stadium, where Southern Methodist University plays its home games.
But Rashid Ghazi of Paragon Marketing Group, the company organizing the event, said no site or TV network coverage has been determined yet.
''We're still exploring TV options and where it will be hosted,'' Ghazi said. ``From a fan's perspective, this should be one of the most anticipated high school games ever if you consider that you have the best team from Florida playing the best team from Texas -- two states that are known for having great football.''
Paragon Marketing Group has worked in recent years in conjunction with ESPN to promote several high school football and basketball events, including Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James' high school game against Oak Hill Academy (Va.) while James was at Cleveland's St. Vincent/St. Mary's High School.
There is a strong possibility that each team will be ranked No. 1 and 2 in the nation by the time they play.
The Bulls went 15-0 and won their third state championship in the past 12 seasons last season and return 13 starters, several of whom are expected to sign with Division I-A colleges. Northwestern finished last season ranked fifth in the nation by three national prep polls.
Southlake Carroll was voted national champions by USA Today last season.
The Dragons have gone 79-1 since 2002 and will begin the season on a 48-game winning streak. Carroll has won three straight state titles and will be led by two University of Texas commitments -- quarterback Riley Dodge and running back Tre Newton, the son of former Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Nate Newton.
Dodge was the Texas Class 5A Player of the Year, passing for 4,184 yards and 54 touchdowns. Newton ran for 2,010 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Northwestern, which will host Class 3A state champion Belle Glade Glades Central for its spring football game in late May, returns several of its weapons on offense. Leading the way are quarterback Jacory Harris, who threw for a Dade single-season record 2,920 yards and 37 touchdowns, and wide receivers Aldarius Johnson, who set records for catches (72), yards (1,391) and touchdowns (19), and Tommy Streeter (57 catches, 804 yards, 14 TDs).
The Bulls' defense returns two of the state's top prospects in linebacker Sean Spence (160 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 INTs) and defensive lineman Marcus Forston (92 tackles, 20 sacks).
LINK
The Bulls will play the top-ranked team in Texas, Southlake Carroll, in a game that is expected to be nationally televised.
BY ANDRE C. FERNANDEZ
a1fernandez@MiamiHerald.com
Miami-Dade County has developed a reputation over the years for producing plenty of NFL talent.
But none of its teams has had the chance to play on national television.
That will likely change next season.
Northwestern, which will likely enter the season ranked in the top five in the nation and No. 1 in the state of Florida, will play Southlake Carroll, the top-ranked team in Texas, in what is expected to be a nationally-televised game Sept. 15.
''This is a major honor for us because this will be the first time Northwestern will play a team outside the state of Florida,'' Northwestern coach Roland Smith said.
The game is expected to be held at a college-sized stadium before an estimated crowd of 25,000 to 30,000 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Smith said the site will likely be Gerald J. Ford Stadium, where Southern Methodist University plays its home games.
But Rashid Ghazi of Paragon Marketing Group, the company organizing the event, said no site or TV network coverage has been determined yet.
''We're still exploring TV options and where it will be hosted,'' Ghazi said. ``From a fan's perspective, this should be one of the most anticipated high school games ever if you consider that you have the best team from Florida playing the best team from Texas -- two states that are known for having great football.''
Paragon Marketing Group has worked in recent years in conjunction with ESPN to promote several high school football and basketball events, including Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James' high school game against Oak Hill Academy (Va.) while James was at Cleveland's St. Vincent/St. Mary's High School.
There is a strong possibility that each team will be ranked No. 1 and 2 in the nation by the time they play.
The Bulls went 15-0 and won their third state championship in the past 12 seasons last season and return 13 starters, several of whom are expected to sign with Division I-A colleges. Northwestern finished last season ranked fifth in the nation by three national prep polls.
Southlake Carroll was voted national champions by USA Today last season.
The Dragons have gone 79-1 since 2002 and will begin the season on a 48-game winning streak. Carroll has won three straight state titles and will be led by two University of Texas commitments -- quarterback Riley Dodge and running back Tre Newton, the son of former Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Nate Newton.
Dodge was the Texas Class 5A Player of the Year, passing for 4,184 yards and 54 touchdowns. Newton ran for 2,010 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Northwestern, which will host Class 3A state champion Belle Glade Glades Central for its spring football game in late May, returns several of its weapons on offense. Leading the way are quarterback Jacory Harris, who threw for a Dade single-season record 2,920 yards and 37 touchdowns, and wide receivers Aldarius Johnson, who set records for catches (72), yards (1,391) and touchdowns (19), and Tommy Streeter (57 catches, 804 yards, 14 TDs).
The Bulls' defense returns two of the state's top prospects in linebacker Sean Spence (160 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 INTs) and defensive lineman Marcus Forston (92 tackles, 20 sacks).
LINK