Northwestern Comeback Sets Up Potential Liberty City Showdown with Miami Central

Michael Miller

The Rockets are coming...

​Buy your tickets early: this one's sure to be a sellout.

Northwestern's dramatic come-from-behind victory over Columbus last night set up a potential high-powered rematch against arch-rival Miami Central next Friday. The Rockets beat the Bulls in the playoffs last year for the first time in school history.

But the Liberty City showdown depends on Central overcoming Miami High tonight.

That shouldn't be too tall a task for the Rockets, who would be undefeated were it not for a last-second loss in the first game of the season against Camden County, Georgia.

New Times has been following Central all season, long before the Rockets stomped Northwestern to establish themselves as tops in District 13.

With quarterback Rakeem Cato breaking nearly every record on the books, Central has cruised since its opening day loss. So far this season, Cato has thrown for 2,128 yards, 21 touchdowns, and only four interceptions.

Running back Devonta Freeman -- committed to Florida State University -- has added an NFL-worthy 1,177 yards and 15 touchdowns in ten games. And star receivers Tommy Shuler, Charles Gaines, Jr., and D'Andre Randle have combined for nearly 1,400 more yards and 14 TDs.

Miami High, on the other hand, has been a surprise this season, beating both Coral Park and Coral Gables en route to a second-place finish behind dominant Columbus.

But Central's high-octane attack is likely too much for Miami High. Expect the Rockets to go off tonight, before squeaking out a third win in a row against Northwestern next week.

Miami Central and Miami High kick-off tonight at Traz Powell Stadium at 7:30 p.m.

Here's a bracket for all you Bulls and Rockets fans to chart your team's progress:
Florida 6-A Football Bracket