The high school football season in Florida came to a close over the
weekend with championship games in all eight classifications at Doak Campbell Stadium on the campus of Florida State University in Tallahassee.
As an independent school, IMG Academy (Bradenton) does not compete for a state title, but an 8-0 record combined with tremendous play this season makes the Ascenders the 2020 MaxPreps Champion for the state of Florida.
IMG Academy is ranked No. 1 in MaxPreps Top 25 national rankings after a dominant campaign that saw them defeat their opponents by an average of 37 points per contest.
A balanced offensive attack was led by five-star senior quarterback
J.J. Mccarthy. The Michigan signee completed 91 of 157 passes for 1,440 yards and 16 touchdowns without an interception.
The backfield accounted for over 1,319 yards, led by four-star junior
Kaytron Allen, who ran for 515 yards on 68 carries and nine touchdowns. Georgia signee
Lovasea’ Carroll rushed for 464 yards on 42 carries with seven scores.
Just as dominant was the Ascenders' defense, which didn't allow more than 14 points in a game this season, holding opponents to just 10 points per game.
The defensive unit forced 21 turnovers in eight games this season, led by senior Kansas signee
Omar Burroughs, who caused five turnovers with three interceptions and a pair of forced fumbles.
Other state champions in MaxPreps Top 25 include No. 16 St. Thomas Aquinas, the 7A winner; No. 17 Central, the 6A champion; No. 22 American Heritage, the 5A victor; and 4A winner No. 24 Cardinal Gibbons.
2020 FHSAA state championsClass 1A – BakerClass 2A – Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah)Class 3A – Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville)Class 4A – Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale)Class 5A – American Heritage (Plantation)Final Florida MaxPreps Top 25
