Miami Northwestern routs Lakeland 40-3 in Kickoff Classic

VERO BEACH — Preseason games don’t count, but they do matter.

The adage was certainly true for Miami Northwestern’s football team as interim coach Jaquatin Victrum guided the team to a dominant 40-3 against Lakeland in a Kickoff Classic on Aug. 16.

“I always tell the guys, adversity is going to strike,” Victrum said. “It’s about how we respond to it. I think they responded well. They continue to grow. They grew a brotherhood. They still came to work even when adversity did strike. And when adversity poured on more, they worked harded. To see them flourish (against Lakeland), it feels really good.”

Northwestern’s players already had their hands full with their quest to repeat as Class 3A state champions.

Unfortunately, the Bulls had to deal with off-the-field drama that saw former coach Teddy Bridgewater suspended for alleged impermissable benefits and ultimately leave the team to return to the NFL. Northwestern’s program was thrown into a national spotlight for something that had nothing to do with football.

But, less than two weeks after Bridgewater signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Victrum led the uber-talented team he inherited to a statement win against a perennial power.

“It feels awesome,” Victrum said. “I’ve been around the program for a while, but as head coach it feels awesome to get my first one under my belt. But I’m more happy for the kids and the community because that’s ultimately who we’re doing it for.”

While it wasn’t a perfect performance — a scary thought for future opponents — Northwestern showed why it opened the season at No. 2 on the USA Today Florida Network Super 25.

The defense swarmed to the football and kept the Dreadnaughts out of the end zone. After Lakeland capitalized on a special teams miscue and kicked a field goal on its opening drive, the Bulls speed and pressure created problems.

Miami commit Jordan Campbell got into the backfield multiple times, had a big tackle for loss on the opening drive and later hit Lakeland quarterback Joaquin Kavouklis as he threw, leading to a pick-six by Amari Oquendo. Texas commit James Johnson had a half sack and Shane Rochelle added an interception that led to the Bulls first score.

“It was obviously great (to win), with all the adversity we faced with our head coach Teddy Bridgewater,” said Northwestern safety Tedarius Hughes, a Florida State commit. “He obviously couldn’t be here because of all the things that transpired. Our goal is just to come out here and do what he would want us to do.

“We play Miami Northwestern football and I feel like no one can compete with us. That’s the mentality we have each and every game.”

It took a few drives to get into a rhythm, but the Bulls offense showed flashes of what it can be. Syracuse commit Calvin Russell Jr. and four-star junior wide receiver Nicholas Lennear both had touchdown catches.

But to beat Lakeland with a running clock on a nuetral field shows the resolve Northwestern’s players have going into the season.

“It was great,” said Bulls linebacker Desmond Johnson, a Pitt commit. “We had Coach Q (Victrum) come in. We just responded. We just kept answering every day.”