Video: (23) IMG Academy vs. DeSoto - High school football preview
Stars abound in this interstate matchup. MaxPreps breaks it down.IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) at DeSoto (Texas)Why it's big: It's still big, but much this game's luster evaporated when early losses resulted in both teams dropping down from their preseason Top 5 rankings. Officially, No. 23 IMG Academy is still 1-0, but that doesn't include a 19-7 loss against No. 19 American Heritage (Plantation) in the preseason. The Ascenders looked much sharper in last Sunday's nationally televised 38-14 win over Miramar.
Then-No. 5 DeSoto fell completely out of the Xcellent 25 after a humbling 46-26 home loss against Martin (Arlington) last week. The Eagles, who averaged 48 points per game the last three seasons, were held scoreless by Martin until late in the third quarter.
Names to watch: There are stars aplenty in this game, especially at the quarterback position. IMG's
Shea Patterson, a Mississippi recruit and the nation's top-rated pro-style prospect by 247Sports, threw three touchdown passes against Miramar last week before sitting out much of the second half. On defense, Ohio State-committed senior tackle
Malik Barrow controlled the middle with five solo tackles, including three for losses.
For DeSoto, quarterback
Tristen Wallace struggled last week against Martin, completing under 50 percent of his passes and throwing a pair of interceptions. But the Ohio State commit still flashed his dual-threat ability with three passing touchdowns to go with a team-high 70 rushing yards.
Photos by MaxPreps Photographers/Graphic by Ryan Escobar
