Miami- Traz-Powell Stadium is synonymous with South Florida high school football. Whenever a local great is discussed, whether he makes it to the NFL or not, his performance in the Traz is mentioned.
In 2022, leading up to Super Bowl LIV in Miami Gardens, Nike invested in renovating the shared stadium, laying turf, upgrading locker rooms and even painting a mural beneath the home and away bleachers to showcase the region’s best. players.
The first player on the visiting team was former Miami (Fla.) Northwest quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who was wearing a New Orleans Saints uniform. The recently retired quarterback returned to the iconic stadium Thursday night, this time leading the Bulls as the new head coach.
The program was called “The West,” where the Blue and Gold’s spring scrimmage took place, and the game was a big one given the large number of fans, college coaches, NFL and college players watching Bridgewater Traz-Powell’s debut. Quickly went from showcase to spectacle as a head coach. Even Miami Dolphins star Tyreek Hill was on hand to cheer on the receivers.
“It was fun, a lot of fun,” Bridgewater told his opponent after the scrimmage. “I’m happy for the guys. They’ve got to come out and show what we’ve done over the past few weeks.
“Seeing guys like Tyrik come out, it’s a motivation for them. You see all these college coaches coming out … it should make them want to do their best when they get out of here.
That level of enthusiasm and sweeping support speaks to the influence Bridgewater has had on him, not to mention the expectations surrounding the program he led to the state finals nearly 20 years ago. Those in attendance also recalled the former NFL first-round draft pick’s workday when he took over at quarterback and ignited his offense on a breakaway, finishing 3-for-3 with a seemingly easy touchdown. touchdown.
“I’m trying to show my quarterback that what we’re doing is working,” Bridgewater said. Team’s 10-year NFL career. “Sometimes you come into a game and forget about everything you’ve been doing all week. You start doing it your own way. I try to remind them that our way works.
“So I’m the quarterback and I dunk. This is high school football. You don’t have to make all these magical plays. You just get the ball to your teammates. Calvin (Russell) takes it The ball. Booby (Darius Johnson) caught the shallow pass and ran for 40 yards. I try to remind my guys that it doesn’t take much.
The measure worked.
On the ensuing field goal, 2026 quarterback Florentino Lopez made his best field goal of the night, spraying the ball down the field. The game climaxed with a touchdown run by underclassman Nick Lennar.
“He just showed us, take what’s empty. Throw it away before it opens,” Lopez said. “Anticipate. Follow him.
“It gave me a spark. Seeing him go out and do it, I knew I could do it. So why not?
Taking on quarterback wasn’t the only unconventional move for the self-proclaimed “rookie” head coach Thursday night. The scrimmage started off with some lopsidedness, so Bridgewater blew the play and transitioned into a one-on-one competitive situation.
Hill — not to mention college coaches from Miami, Florida State, Michigan State, Texas A&M, Auburn, Missouri, Louisville, Syracuse, Pitt, Florida International University and many others — is particularly interested in identifying who is who. Even after the format switched back to a traditional 11-on-11 scrimmage, the energy came back from there.
The energy was at its peak when the local legend took the photos himself.
Sure, Bridgewater experienced six NFL teams on his journey from Northwestern to Louisville, but he smiles knowing he still has a lot to learn. He said that in the coming months and years, he will rely on many mentors, from the preparatory to the professional level.
There is also internal wisdom as his Bulls team attempts to return to elite status in the Sunshine State after just four wins in 2023.
“I learned a lot from them,” Bridgewater said. “I wrote a reminder on the phone note: have fun. Just like these kids. My fledgling career was so serious that I lost sight of the true joy of the game. Money, business, different things like that…but that’s why I chose this level.
“It’s so pure. You make people transition from young people to adults. I just love it.
