It’s the Dwayne Bowe Show in a Big Win
By Rudy Rodriguez-Chomat
Sept. 19, 2002

            It was expected to be a shootout. Two of Dade County's most potent offenses and scoring attacks, but that wasn't the case as it became a battle of defenses.

            Norland (3-0) and North Miami Beach (2-1) exchanged jabs and left hooks, but when all was said and done, Norland wide receiver Dwayne Bowe stood out about the rest with two touchdown catches in leading the Vikings to a 24-7 win at North Miami Stadium.

            At 6-3, 205, Bowe was able to make two touchdown grabs over highly touted Chargers cornerback Jemmy Jasmin and bring Norland a big district victory in what will probably decide at least the #2 team in the district that is led by Central.

            He finished the game with 4 catches for 74 yards, along with his two TD's.

            "I have coached Roscoe Parrish and Andre Johnson, and Bowe has the potential to be just as good as they are," Norland head coach Nigel Dunn said. "And Willie Pope isn't far behind. You saw that reverse. He is a great ball player also."

            Opening the scoring, the Vikings took possession at the Chargers 34-yard line after an interception by Chris Forbes that was returned 28 yards to the 24. On the ensuing play Bowe took a screen pass 32 yards to the NMB 7 yard line where he broke 5 tackles before finally being taken down. Two plays later Robert Spence found him in the corner of the end zone on a jump ball over Jasmin giving the Vikings a 7-0 lead.

            At the end of the first, the Chargers were able to tie it on a 4-yard run by Lewis Jackson. The drive was keyed by a 47-yard pass from E.J. Biggers to Jasmin down the left sideline.

            A fake punt inside NMB's own 10-yard line allowed the Vikings to take possession right before the half, and the Vikings were able to take advantage on a 23-yard field goal taking a 10-7 lead into the half.

            Bowe was able to bring down another TD pass from Spence in the 4th to seal the deal and interception return for touchdown by Omar Meza in the final minute closed the scoring.

            Penalties, though, plagued Norland as they had 2 touchdowns called back due to penalty and amassed 15 penalties for 95 yards in the game.

            "I am upset about us committing so many penalties, but it was a big win and overall, we beat a very good football team," Dunn said.