High school football: No. 9 Northwestern comes up big on defense in 21-14 win over No. 10 Miami Central

If the first quarter was any indication, Friday's high school football showdown in Florida between No. 9 Northwestern (Miami) and No. 10 Central (Miami) was going to be a track meet. Instead, the defenses stiffened, Northwestern got a difference-maker from Siddiq Jackson in the third quarter as well as a late defensive stand to down their crosstown rival 21-14.

The win by Northwestern sets up a monster matchup between the Bulls, who are sure to move up in next week's MaxPreps Top 25 rankings, and national No. 1 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) on Oct. 30.

The teams combined for 24 points in the first 12 minutes of play, but only Northwestern found the end zone the rest of the night as penalties in the season opener for each team and huge defensive stands dominated play toward the end. The Bulls had 10 sacks, including five in the fourth period.

Jackson scored the game-winner on a 46-yard scamper down the sideline and punctuated the TD with a stiff-arm heading into the end zone.

The Bulls opened the scoring with a 77-yard touchdown pass from Taron Dickens to Romello Brinson on the game's third play. On the ensuing Rockets' drive, Patrick Payton picked up a fumble on the 20 and raced to paydirt to put Northwestern up 14-0 with the scoop-and-score. But Miami Central answered both scores in the first period. Keyone Jenkins hit Zaylan Reese with a 9-yard TD pass to cap a nine-play, 80-yard drive and halve the lead. Then, toward the end of the first quarter, Jenkins found Robert McMinn on a 37-yard hitch-and-go route that tied the game at 14.

Northwestern had an opportunity to go up two scores late in the third period, but the Rockets forced a fumble in the red zone. Miami Central struggled to get its offense going during the second half.

The Rocket offense finally showed signs of life with under 4 minutes to play as Amari Daniels broke off a 75-yard run to the Bulls 12-yard line. But the Northwestern defense came up with back-to-back sacks to silence the drive.

After forcing the turnover on downs, the Bulls fumbled on their first play, giving the Rockets one last shot with about 90 seconds remaining. But a fourth-and-10 pass from the 25 was stopped a yard short.