Written &. Photos by: Dante Quintela

Vero, Fl- Miami Northwestern left no doubt in its season opener, rolling past Lakeland 40 to 3 on Kick off classic at Vero Beach High School. The Bulls looked sharp on both sides of the ball, setting the tone early and never letting up.

Five star wide receiver Calvin Russell wasted no time making his presence felt. From the opening drives he was a constant target and delivered big plays that kept Lakeland’s defense on its heels. Lakeland struck first with a field goal, but that would be the only time they managed to put points on the board. From that moment forward, it was all Northwestern.

The Bulls’ defense was relentless. Defensive lineman Roderick McFadden created chaos in the backfield, linebacker Desmond Johnson racked up stops all night, and defensive back Amari Oquendo provided the exclamation point with a pick six that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Every level of the defense played with energy and discipline, suffocating Lakeland’s offense and forcing mistake after mistake.

On the other side of the ball, Northwestern’s offense kept rolling behind quarterback Leon Strawder. In the fourth quarter, he launched a deep ball that wide receiver Nicholas Lennear hauled in for a 55 yard touchdown, sealing the dominant performance. The play was a snapshot of how explosive this Bulls offense can be when it finds its rhythm.

The win marked an impressive debut for interim head coach Jaquatin Victrum, who had his team playing fast, physical, and focused. It was more than just a victory; it was a statement that Northwestern plans to be a force this season.

With their mix of star power, defensive toughness, and big play ability, the Bulls looked every bit like a team that is ready to chase championships.