In a highly-anticipated high school football showdown in Florida, No. 6
IMG Academy (Bradenton) used a pair of explosive first-half touchdowns to upend No. 19
Venice 21-16 on Friday.
IMG Academy opened the game with a trick play on the first play from scrimmage as freshman receiver
Eric McFarland took a toss to the right before finding Kansas State commit
Adonis Moise streaking down the sideline uncovered for an 80-yard touchdown.
Venice responded with a methodical 16-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. Former IMG Academy standout
Winston Watkins capped the drive with a four-yard rushing touchdown to tie things at 7-7 with 4:49 to go in the period.
SMU commit Ty Hawkins stands tall in the pocket Friday against Venice. The San Antonio native threw a 62-yard touchdown pass in the battle of nationally-ranked teams. (Photo: Jeff Robertson)
Senior Michigan commit
Donovan Johnson put the Ascenders on the board again in their second drive of the game with a six-yard touchdown scamper with 10:42 to go in the half.
Following a turnover on downs, IMG Academy scored on another quick-strike scoring drive five minutes later. SMU pledge
Ty Hawkins connected with Missouri commit
Donovan Olugbode for a 62-yard touchdown.
The Indians cut the lead to 21-10 with a 44-yard field goal from South Florida-bound kicker
Brunno Reus with 3.6 seconds remaining before half.
After each team traded turnovers on their opening drives of the second half, the IMG Academy defense stepped up again with their second big stop on fourth down and short in the contest.
The Venice defense responded by forcing IMG Academy into a three-and-out. A 42-yard reception from
Malakai Corbett set up a 1-yard touchdown on fourth-and-goal from from Northern Iowa commit
Jayce Nixon, cutting the deficit to 21-16 with 11:08 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Although the Ascenders were held out of the end zone after midway in the second quarter, an impressive defensive effort held up as they moved to 5-1.
IMG Academy has now held its last five opponents to 16 points or less following a 35-34 season-opening loss to
Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah).
Coming into Friday's showdown, Venice had scored 48 or more
points in each of its first six games this season and averaged 55.8
points per contest.
Venice (6-1) looks to bounce back Thursday against
Riverview Sarasota (Sarasota, Fla.) while IMG Academy doesn't play again until Oct. 25 against
East St. Louis (Ill.).
IMG Academy running back Tyson Park looks to shake free from a Venice defender Friday night. (Photo: Jeff Robertson)
