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Miami-Northwestern returns to limelight despite adversity

By CARLOS FRIAS

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Saturday, December 15, 2007

MIAMI — They can understand why you think what you do about Miami-Northwestern.

If you've heard of the school at all, you know this much: A year ago, a 19-year-old star football player had sex with a 14-year-old freshman - a crime by state law, regardless of whether it was consensual - on campus.

His coaches knew it. His principal knew it at least two days before the state title game. And still they let him play. Northwestern won handily.

There was a grand jury investigation and a principal was dismissed. Nearly the entire coaching staff, including the head coach, was fired. The athletic director resigned a month before this season started, The girl was sent to counseling. The boy, Antwan Easterling, lost several scholarship offers and ended up at a small school in Mississippi.

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ESPN - Miami Northwestern goes wire-to-wire as No. 1 - High School Sports

ORLANDO, Fla. -- It started in the third quarter. What began as a few voices became an ocean of sound crashing down to the field of the Florida Citrus Bowl.

The chants of "We're No. 1" cascaded from the upper reaches of the Northwestern (Miami) cheering section. The words, and the win that accompanied them, validated a season in which the Bulls captured their second straight Florida Class 6A state championship Saturday night before 21,235.

Northwestern, No. 1 in the ESPN HIGH Elite 25, also can lay claim to a national championship following a 41-0 lopsided victory over Boone (Orlando).

The second half was a countdown to greatness as Northwestern fans pointed their index fingers skyward, signifying another championship. The game was so one-sided heading into the fourth quarter that a running clock was used for the final 12 minutes.

"Our goal was to win a state championship but if they want to throw in a national championship I'm for it," Northwestern coach Billy Rolle said.

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Bulls capture second straight state title - 12/16/2007 - MiamiHerald.com

Northwestern continued rolling through its opponents as the Bulls won their 30th consecutive game, capturing the Class 6A title.

Perfection achieved.

On a night when the Florida High School Athletic Association honored the best teams of the first century of Florida high school football, Miami Northwestern made its case to be placed at the top of the list.

Like they did for most of the past two seasons, the Bulls won their second consecutive Class 6A state championship Saturday night by thoroughly dominating Orlando Boone 41-0 in front of a crowd of 22,752 at the Florida Citrus Bowl.

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