CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW: Miami Northwestern and Raines meet in what could be an offensive showdown

#3 MIAMI NORTHWESTERN (11-2) VS. #1 RAINES (13-0)

When: Sat. Dec. 14th

Where: South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium, Miami

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. EST

Live Broadcast: NFHS Network – Click To Watch Here

MIAMI NORTHWESTERN BULLS (11-2)

• Head Coach: Teddy Bridgewater (1st year, 11-2 overall)
• State Finals Appearances: 10 – 1995 (5A)*, 1998 (6A)*, 2001 (6A), 2006 (6A)*, 2007 (6A)*, 2008 (6A), 2017 (6A)*, 2018 (6A)*, 2019 (6A), 2024 (3A)

KEY PLAYERS

• #12 QB Leon Strawder (Jr.): Strawder has thrown for 2,677 yards and 41 touchdowns this season. He has a QB rating of 113.9 and has thrown for 2,882 total yards.
• #6 WR Darius Johnson (Sr.): Johnson is the Bulls’ leading receiver with 785 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on the season.
• #14 LB Desmond Johnson (Jr.): Johnson leads the Bulls with 83 tackles.
• #10 DE Deangelo Thompson (Sr.): Thompson leads the Bulls with 10 sacks.

2024 RESULTS – HOW THEY GOT HERE

* – District Game
*** – Playoff Game

• 8/22 – at Coconut Creek, 45-0 (W)
• 8/30 – at Venice, 48-42 (OT) (L)
• 9/6 – at Carol City, 42-7 (W)
• 9/13 – at Miami Norland, 21-17 (L)
• 9/20 – BYE
• 9/27 – Miami Jackson*, 48-6 (W)
• 10/5 – Miami Central, 1-0 (F) (W)
• 10/11 – at Key West, 50-14 (W)*
• 10/17 – Columbus (Miami), 23-18 (W)
• 10/25 – St. Brendan (Miami), 57-7 (W)*
• 11/1 – BYE
• 11/7 – BYE
• 11/15 – Barron Collier (Naples), 69-0 (W)***
• 11/22 – Lely (Naples), 64-12 (W)***
• 11/29 – Cypress Lake (Fort Myers), 48-0 (W)***
• 12/5 – at Eau Gallie (Melbourne), 40-0 (W)***

TEAM STATS

• Passing Yards: 2739
• Passing Yards per Game: 210.7
• Rushing Yards: 2164
• Rushing Yards per Game: 166.5
• Rushing Yards per Carry: 8.5
• Receiving Yards per Catch: 17.4
• Yards per Game: 377.2
• Sacks: 25.5
• Interceptions: 8
• Fumble Recoveries: 6
• Caused Fumbles: 6
• Average Score: 45.4

RAINES VIKINGS (13-0)

• Head Coach: Donovan Masline (5th year, 48-15 overall)
• State Finals Appearances: 6 – 1973 (4A), 1997 (4A)*, 2015 (4A), 2017 (4A)*, 2018 (4A)*, 2024 (3A)

KEY PLAYERS

• #4 QB TJ Cole (Jr.): Cole has thrown forfor 2,812 yards and 43 touchdowns this season. He also threw seven interceptions. He has 3,689 total yards on the season.
• #21 RB Tadarius Washington (Jr.): Washington has rushed for 939 yards and 17 touchdowns this season. He also has 1,174 all-purpose yards.
• #15 DE King Massey (Sr.): Massey leads the Vikings with 23 tackles for a loss.
• #9 DT/DE Jyon Simon (Sr.): Simon leads the Vikings with 11 sacks this season. He has committed to Rutgers. He also received an offer from NC State.
• #1 OLB Tony Williams (Jr.): Williams leads the Vikings with 101 tackles this season.

2024 RESULTS – HOW THEY GOT HERE

* – District Game
*** – Playoff Game

• 8/23 – at Bolles (Jacksonville), 32-23 (W)
• 8/30 – at Sandalwood (Jacksonville), 43-0 (W)
• 9/6 – Trinity Christian (Jacksonville), 48-23 (W)
• 9/13 – Mainland (Daytona Beach), 35-14 (W)
• 9/20 – BYE
• 9/27 – Riverside (Jacksonville), 62-42 (W)
• 10/5 – Ribault (Jacksonville), 52-12 (W)*
• 10/11 – BYE
• 10/18 – at Creekside (St. Johns), 44-14 (W)
• 10/25 – at Yulee, 47-0 (W)*
• 10/31 – Atlantic Coast (Jacksonville), 48-0 (W)
• 11/7 – BYE
• 11/15 – Bay (Panama City), 53-14 (W)***
• 11/22 – Wakulla (Crawfordville), 63-7 (W)***
• 11/29 – Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville), 44-15 (W)***
• 12/5 – Booker T. Washington (Miami), 28-23 (W)***

TEAM STATS

• Passing Yards: 2966
• Passing Yards per Game: 228.2
• Rushing Yards: 2207
• Rushing Yards per Game: 169.8
• Rushing Yards per Carry: 7.7
• Receiving Yards per Catch: 16.8
• Yards per Game: 397.9
• Sacks: 53.5
• Interceptions: 15
• Fumble Recoveries: 10
• Caused Fumbles: 14
• Average Score: 46.1

THOUGHTS ON THE GAME

The Class 3A State Championship features two historic Florida programs with high-powered offenses.

Miami Northwestern is looking to win its first state championship since 2019, while Raines is seeking its first state title since 2018. Both teams have a wealth of talent on both sides of the ball and are led by experienced coaching staffs.

Miami Northwestern will look to establish the passing attack led by quarterback Leon Strawder and wide receiver Darius Johnson. The Bulls’ defense will be led by linebacker Desmond Johnson and defensive end Deangelo Thompson.

Raines will be looking to establish a balanced attack with quarterback TJ Cole and running back Tadarius Washington. Raines’ defense features a strong front seven, led by defensive end King Massey and defensive tackle Jyon Simon.

This game is expected to be a close, high-scoring affair. Both teams are familiar with playing in big games. The outcome could be determined by whichever team can limit turnovers and make the most plays on special teams.

PREDICTIONS

• Josh’s Pick: Miami Northwestern
• Chris’s Pick: Miami Northwestern
• Reno’s Pick: Miami Northwestern
• Massey Ratings (via On3): Miami Northwestern 38, Raines 20

An asterisk (*) next to a year in the State Finals Appearances section indicates the team was the state champion that year.