Miami Northwestern Shatters Expectations with Stunning 40-3 Victory Amidst Turmoil
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.
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.”Northwestern’s players already had their hands full with their quest to repeat as Class 3A state champions.”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.
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 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.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.
VERO BEACH — Preseason games don’t count, but they do matter.Vero Beach set the stage for a preseason showdown that, while technically unofficial, carried all the weight of a championship battle. Miami Northwestern’s interim head coach, Jaquatin Victrum, took the reins amidst a whirlwind of off-field turmoil and steered his talented squad to a resounding 40-3 victory over Lakeland in the Kickoff Classic on August 16. This wasn’t just a win—it was a bold statement. The team, still adjusting to the loss of former coach Teddy Bridgewater and the shadows cast by administrative drama, responded not with hesitation but with grit and unity. Victrum’s words echoed the mindset of a squad forged through adversity: it’s not about the hits you take, but how you bounce back. As the Bulls chase a repeat as Class 3A state champs, this performance hinted at something special brewing beneath the surface—a brotherhood thriving under pressure and ready to make noise all season long. LEARN MORE
“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.””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.”
But to beat Lakeland with a running clock on a nuetral field shows the resolve Northwestern’s players have going into the season.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.”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.”
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