_{August 23rd, 2025}
by Josh Zedner
Miami, Fla. | “Lancers Evade Bulls”

Florida Man Sports is back with more week 1 coverage of the South Florida high school football season. Tonight we had another anticipated contest between the visiting Orange Lutheran Lancers and the reigning state champion Miami Northwestern Bulls. In one of those classic early season matchups where an out of state team comes down to the 305, this Californian squad came to visit a loaded stable of talent. It was sure to be a great night at Traz Powell Stadium (newly enshrined as Adidas Field).

As we kicked off, the Lancers took the ball first. After 2027 RB Jae Nembhard showed a boost for an early first down, the ferocious Bull defense came alive after a nice tackle by 2026 DB and FSU commit Tedarius Hughes (transfer from South Dade) and a sack by 2026 DE and Miami commit Jordan Campbell (transfer from Carol City) forced the Lancers to punt.

2026 QB Leon Strawder took command and delivered an early first down to 2026 WR and FAU commit Nicsaint Joseph Jr.. That was followed by two strong first down totes from 2026 RB Irwin James (transfer from Booker T.), and then another completion from Strawder to stud 2027 WR Nicholas Lennear. Once the West got to the goal line the Orange Lutheran defense stood up, with huge PBU’s from 2028 DB CJ Washington and 2027 DB Matthew Zapien to force the Bulls to turn it over on downs.

The strong defense continued on both ends for a good while after this. 2026 DB Citrus Baker had a TFL to force a Lutheran punt. After a few more first downs by Northwestern on their next drive from James, Lennear, and 5-star 2026 WR and Syracuse commit Calvin Russell Jr., 2028 DE Marcus Fakatou put some pressure on Strawder to force him to throw a pick into the waiting arms of Washington.

2026 DL Roderick McFadden and 2027 DL Jaylen Thanis appeared to have had a combined TFL that caused the Lancers to punt the ball away, but the West muffed said punt and left Lutheran on the doorstep of scoring. They got even closer with another first down run from Nembhard. Campbell made it hard for them to score with another monstrous TFL, but 2027 QB Reagan Toki threw a ball that was missed by a Bull corner and landed into the waiting arms of 2027 WR Nicholas Bland for a touchdown.

Enter 2028 QB Neimann Lawrence (transfer from Ransom). After a sack by Fakatou early on the drive, Lawrence found Russell for a first down, ran for another, and gathered a couple of penalty yards from the Lancers to get inside the 20. He delivered an absolute dime to Lennear in the back of the endzone to knot this game up at 7 going into the half.

With the second quarter ending so strong, it seemed like momentum was back on the West’s side. And they had first down plays to Lennear and James to open the half. But the Lutheran defense rose up with a huge sack by 2026 LB Mason Reyes to cut the momentum short. And the offense responded to that stop, with another touchdown by the combination of Toki to Bland. It was pretty easy, as Bland was wide open in the middle of the field, and after he caught the ball, ran untouched into the endzone.

The West put Strawder right back into the fire. And they started churning those legs. Strawder, 2026 RB Tarvail Mathis and brother 2027 RB Ryan Mathis (transfer from Hialeah) all ran for first downs. Strawder also completed a first down pass to 2026 WR Kenyan Thompkins on the drive. Mathis (Tarvail) finished off the drive with a touchdown where he took an angle to the outside and drove his way in. But the extra point was fumbled, and while trying to run it in for 2, Fakatou booked it and stuffed the holder at the goal-line. What an individual effort.

There was a stalemate for a while, due to good play by both defenses. But we made it to the 4^th quarter with Lutheran leading by 1. Toki found his No. 1 Bland yet again for another first down, and also ran for another first down with a hell of a lot of grit. The drive was once again stifled by Northwestern’s defense, with 2027 DB Amari Oquendo having a PBU and a TFL on the same drive, and Campbell forcing the field goal unit to come out with another sack. 2026 K Aiden Migirdichian drilled the kick to bring the lead up to 4.

It was time for the West to put together a drive. And what better man to get it going than Calvin Russell Jr. Strawder found him twice on first downs to get the ball into Lancer territory. But as time started flying, the play-calling got shaky. After a missed fade on third and medium, it was 4^th down. Strawder took a direct snap looking to do it himself on a QB draw, but was CRUSHED in the backfield by none other than Fakatou. A huge stop by the big man.

McFadden and Campbell tried their best to get the ball back for the Bulls, but after Toki ran for another huge first down, the game was salted away, and Lutheran had their hands on a huge season-opening upset win on the road. Far from home, they found a way to get the job done.

What a great game this was. Lutheran showed a lot of heart for being considered a heavy underdog in this matchup. Toki, Fakatou and Bland led the way for an incredible win for these California kids. Toki has moxie. He put his offense on his back at the end of the game to get to the finish line. This is a young team that lost a lot of seniors last year. They will likely only get better with some impressive youngsters like Washington, Fakatou and 2029 WR Raiden Velasquez helping them out so early in their athletic career. Good luck to them for the rest of the season out in the west coast.

Northwestern had their opportunities in this game. They seemed to be getting the ball past the 50 pretty easy and often, but just couldn’t punctuate drives with scores. The talent on this team is absolutely incredible. The receiving core is amazing. They added some great transfer runners. That defense looks monstrous with the additions of Campbell and Hughes. Now this big question remains: What about this quarterback situation? Strawder led you to a state title last season with Teddy Bridgewater at the helm. But Teddy is gone. And for a lot of the game, Strawder struggled tonight with missing open men. You picked up Lawrence, who looked sharp tonight and has a ton of zip on his ball. This is a decision that needs to be made before things get late early. Because despite the loss tonight, this team still looks like one that has state title written all over it because of their talent. They will face Venice next in what will be another tough test.

FINAL SCORE:
Orange Lutheran beats Miami Northwestern 17-15

Florida Man Sports Co-Players of the Game:

2027 QB Reagan Toki (2 passing TD’s)

2027 WR Nico Bland (2 receiving TD’s)


About Josh Zedner:
Joshua Zedner is a beat writer covering high school football for Florida Man Sports. A native of Miami Beach, he attended Florida International University before finishing his undergraduate Business Administration degree at the University of Florida. Josh is an avid Miami sports fan, and he also writes a music review blog as a passion project under the @AlbumAnalysisWithZ handle on Instagram.