The Miami Killian football team hasn't played in a game this big since 2004. That was the state championship. Friday night  they'll be playing the team which has won the last two state championship titles. Miami Northwestern.

Northwestern is a powerhouse in Miami-Dade County football. They have won 41 of their last 42 games and are looking for their third straight state title. The question is, though, will they look ahead and be caught facing a team that is looking directly at them. The Cougars from Miami Killian have defeated Miami Sunset and Miami Palmetto the previous two weeks to put themselves in this position for the Friday night "under the lights" matchup at FIU Stadium. 

Last week they were led by star running back Lamar Miller who ran for 202 yards on 24 carries.  Miller told me he sat out of practice on Tuesday, but he looked to be in normal shape practicing on Wednesday and is ready to go on Friday. "I will be practicing hard and come gametime I'll just go out and play as hard as I can," Miller said. "I like that there will be a lot of people there so I can show my talent, it'll get me going." Miller was referring to the expected large crowd at FIU Stadium for this Regional Final.

Killian also has the ability to throw the ball thanks to talented quarterback Ricky Rowe. It's not everyday in high school football where you can have a great running back and a go-to quarterback when called upon. Rowe shows a type of leadership on the field and while speaking to him off the field that is different from many others. "I have to thank my great offensive line, first and foremost," Rowe said. "They block for me and the receivers get open and I just throw the ball out there."

Head coach Steve Smith had the team out there on the practice field knowing what they were about to go up against.  Not only is coach Smith ready for this game, it sounded like his kids were too. "The kids know where they are at, they know what the goal was at the beginning of the year," Smith said. "They were to make it to the state championship and they know they're only two games away from doing it."

Friday night's game may not be a low scoring affair. Northwestern is known for putting points up on the board. Last week they scored 38 against Central. Will Killian be able to withstand a power house offense? "We've got enough athletes on our team," Smith stated. "Whatever we have to do, we're going to lay it all out on the line."

Even though Killian has made it this far and they are playing real well, it seems the consensus is that people are not giving them a shot to beat Northwestern. "The (students) want to come out and see a good game," Rowe said. "Some of them don't count on us to win, but this team is just out to prove everybody wrong."

Friday night. Under the lights. FIU Stadium!