High school football: Ben Davis set to become first Indiana school to face national powerhouse IMG Academy in 2023

By Staff Report Jan 28, 2023, 11:00am

Giants will host Florida program Sept. 8.

Ben Davis (Indianapolis) will make a bit of history during the 2023 high school football season by becoming the first Indiana team to host a school from Florida. The Giants will welcome national powerhouse IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) to the Hoosier State for a Sept. 8 contest.

Ben Davis finished the 2022 season with a 6-4 record. The last time the Giants played an out-of-state opponent was in 2013 when it fell to St. Xavier (Cincinnati) 34-7.
Junior quarterback Thomas Gotkowski is expected to lead the way for Ben Davis after throwing for 2,400 yards and 24 touchdowns as a junior.

IMG Academy plays a national schedule with 53 out-of-state games since 2013. The Ascenders finished 8-1 last season, notching their eighth national top 10 finish in the last nine years.

MaxPreps Junior All-Americans David Stone and Jordon Johnson-Rubell are among the stars expected to return for IMG Academy. Stone, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound defensive lineman, is regarded as a top 10 prospect in the Class of 2024 by 247Sports. Johnson-Rubell is a playmaking safety with 33 FBS offers from the likes of Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Texas.
Ben Davis quarterback Thomas Gotkowski has offers from Ball State, Miami-Ohio and Western Michigan. (Photo: Tyler Hart)
Ben Davis quarterback Thomas Gotkowski has offers from Ball State, Miami-Ohio and Western Michigan. (Photo: Tyler Hart)