By Mitch Stephens
MaxPreps.com
DALLAS, Texas - Hate to break it to you but today's monumental showdown between Southlake Carroll (Texas) and Northwestern-Miami (Fla.) is a repeat.
Yes, in what is billed as the Clash of the Champions; as the most anticipated prep football game in history; as the game to decide the 2007 national championship, I have on VHS.
From everything that I've gathered, this is De La Salle-Concord (Calif.) versus Long Beach Poly in 2001, which means De La Doom for Northwestern.
Yes, Southlake Carroll, with all its precision and perfection, looks very much the part of the Concord school and Northwestern, with their roster filled with blue chip recruits, mirrors Poly.
De La Salle had its way in that one, winning 29-14 on the road, as Maurice Jones-Drew (then just Drew) had his coming out party with four touchdowns.
The two California schools met up the following year in Berkeley and De La Salle, with even less talent, was more dominant, winning 28-7.
In both those cases, the teams entered No. 1 and 2 in national polls, just as Southlake and Northwestern are ranked by many today.
I witnessed both games. I spent both weeks breaking down the teams. I entered both games thinking De La Salle - in the middle of a 151-game win streak - was finally going to lose.
They didn't and it wasn't even close.
Does that mean Carroll, riding its own remarkable streak - 49 straight Texas big-school wins - is going to win going away?
That's hard to fathom.
Here's how one reporter - albeit from California - picks a fantastic looking game on paper pitting teams from states I've never witnessed a game live.
We'll use a 10-point must system like boxing.
Southlake Carroll QB-WRs versus Northwestern DBs: SLC QB Riley Dodge (4,237 yards passing, 54 TD, 1,140 yards rushing last year) is simply off the charts running this offense. Though unimposing at 6-0, 180 (he's closer to 5-10, 170) he might just be the best player on the field. His receivers of Chris Brainard, Blake Cantu, Ethan Cunningham, Jared Freeman and Ford Renfro will find creases. This is Northwestern's Achilles heel on defense. CARROLL 10-8.
Southlake Carroll RBs versus Northwestern LBs: SLC RB Tre' Newton, son of former Cowboys lineman Nate Newton, very well might key the game. He's a specimen who is likely the only Dragon to help keep the pressure of Dodge and the passing game. He rushed for 2,031 yards and 20 TDs last year. NW LB Sean Spence led the team in tackles last year (197) and can match up with Newton alone. Quavon Taylor (6-0, 190) and Levonte David (6-1, 195) and Anthony Jackson (6-0, 190) lack size but tremendous quickness to help chase down the flies. NORTHWESTERN 10-9.
Southlake Carroll OL versus Northwestern DL. You can probably say this about every game but this likely is where the game is won or lost. Even with all the playmakers. This is also the most even battle. SLC's Nick Leppo (6-3, 260), Jake Jackson (6-5, 275) and Sam Schwartzstein (6-5, 270) are all D-I prospects. They'll have hands full with game's top overall recruit, Marcus Forston (6-3, 305) along with Todd Chandler (6-2, 250), Jamal Collins (5-3, 220) and Anthony Jackson(6-2, 200). EVEN 10-10.
Northwestern QB-WRs versus SLC DBs: QB Jacory Harris (6-4, 175), who threw for 2,920 yards and 37 TDs last year, is the nation's fourth best QB according to rivals.com. He's throwing to the best WR tandem in the nation, Tommy Streeter (6-6, 215) and Aldarius Johnson (6-3, 180), who combined for 129 catches for 2,120 yards and 33 TDs. Safety Luke Anderson (5-11, 185) is the only returning starter however sophomore Tommy Avers (5-7, 155) has impressed. NORTHWESTERN 10-8.
Northwestern RBs versus SLC LBs: NW has unproven RBs in Dequan Hargrett (5-9, 175) and Tyresse Jones (5-9, 200) but the Bulls don't run much anyway. LB Derek Tomlin (6-1, 215), who had 185 tackles last year and returned three interceptions for TDs is one of the best players on the field. Stand-up ends Braeden Burnett (6-3, 250) and Jason Richards (6-4, 245) show great potential. CARROLL 10-9.
Northwestern OL versus SLC DL: Another war should ensue up front as Miami-bound and transfer Brandon Washington (6-4, 315) leads the OL for NW, which also has big man Terell Killings (6-4, 320). Benjamin Jones (6-6, 280) is another specimen. SLC better be quick as Robert Prigmore (5-11, 200), Ben Carroll (5-11, 205) and Jackson Beall (6-0, 240) hardly matchup. NORTHWESTERN 10-9.
MORE PREDICTIONS
Total passes: 83.
Combined total yards: 707.
Total points: 59.
First touchdown scored: Carroll on defense.
Time of first TD: 1st quarter, 7:30 left.
Interceptions: 4.
Turnovers: 6.
Penalties: 16.
Length of game: 3:05.
Crowd: 24,500.
Final score: Carroll 31, Northwestern 28.
What do you think? E-mail Mitch Stephens at mstephens@maxpreps.com.
