Northwestern's Bridgewater in complete command

As a sophomore, Teddy Bridgewater just tried to earn his position. As a junior, he attempted to find his footing and rhythm.

Now, as a senior, the 6-foot-3, 190-pound Northwestern (Miami, Fla.) standout and University of Miami commit has bridged all the gaps between potential and production, athlete and leader, comparisons and self-assurance.

He looks very much in complete command and truly like one of the nation’s top all-around quarterbacks.

Heading into tonight’s national showdown with Central (Miami, Fla.) at Florida International University Stadium, Bridgewater has completed a remarkable 72 percent of his passes (75 of 104) for 1,181 yards, 13 touchdowns and just one interception.

Far beyond his numbers, Bridgewater has shown a sense of calm and purpose, which was the only thing missing from his vast athletic repertoire the last two seasons.

“There were times last year – as good as he was – he looked kind of raw,” said Miami Herald Prep Editor Andre Fernandez. “He’d make some throws and you’d hear people saying, ‘What are you doing?’ But he looks much more polished this year. His throws have more zip and are more accurate. His decision-making is much better.”

Never was that more evident than in a critical 26-25 win over Booker T. Washington on Saturday.

With two starting offensive lineman suspended due to a brawl with Hialeah on Sept. 16, Bridgewater led the Bulls on a memorable game-winning drive, not only running in for a 2-yard touchdown but adding the game-winning two-point conversion toss to Eli Rogers.

Bridgewater did the same thing during a preseason one-point win over Norman.

It was the same calm and clutch play that Bridgewater’s predecessor, Jacory Harris, now the starter at Miami, displayed frequently while leading Northwestern to state and mythical national crowns.

Harris, in fact, directed a famous game-winning 99-yard scoring drive late in a 19-14 semifinal win over Deerfield Beach in 2007.

“Obviously, that was a much more dramatic and important moment, but (Saturday’s) drive reminded me of that,” Fernandez said.

The comparisons between Harris and Bridgewater have run rampant since Bridgewater won the starting job over Wayne Times, now a receiver at FIU, in 2008.

Bridgewater actually started that season at receiver, but Northwestern coach Billy Rolle made the switch Week 8 and the Bulls went on to a 13-3 season, losing in the state 6A finals to Seminole, 28-21.

Last season, Bridgewater put up some good numbers – he was 165 of 262 for 2,546 yards with 32 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also rushed for 358 yards.

But Central, which Northwestern had beat earlier in the year on national television 22-14, ended the Bulls’ season early with a 29-16 defeat in the second round of the playoffs.

Now the Bulls (4-0), ranked No. 1 in the state 6A poll, can gain a measure of revenge with a victory over No. 2 Central (4-1) tonight in a game that is expected to draw between 15-20,000 fans.

Fernandez thinks Bridgewater is slightly ahead of Harris athletically, but as a leader the current Miami starter is tough to top. Bridgewater is ranked the No. 5 dual-threat quarterback in the country by MaxPreps/CBS College Sports recruiting expert Tom Lemming.

“Teddy is probably more mobile and can throw on the run a little better than Jacory,” Fernandez said. “They have similar builds, both are slim, but I think Teddy might be a bit bigger in his upper body. He definitely has a longer wing span.”

Bridgewater will be measured against one of Dade County’s most prolific passers tonight in Central’s Rakeem Cato, who transferred from Miami Springs (Fla.) last school year.

Cato is on the verge of breaking Harris’ career marks and, according to the Herald, already has broken the gaudy school numbers put up by four-year Central starter Jeffrey Godfrey, who graduated last spring.

Cato, who has passed for 979 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions this season, has 7,402 career yards, passing Godfrey at 7,251. His 85 career TD passes is just two short of Harris’ Dade-record 87.

The 6-foot, 175-pound Cato, who has committed to FIU, has completed a staggering 456 of 741 for his career, and most of that was playing for Springs, which never made the playoffs.

Fernandez and others wonder how he’ll respond playing his first big game in front of more than 15,000 fans.

Clearly, Bridgewater is battle-tested in big games featuring big crowds. But once again, he’ll be playing with a depleted offensive line and a running game that has been pretty much non-existent.

“He’s confident though and flat-out has quiet leadership skills,” Fernandez said of Bridgewater. “He’s much more reserved than Jacory. He carries a serious demeanor.”

And some serious game.