No. 4 IMG Academy dominates No. 2 Grayson 26-7

By Lynden Ostrander Aug 27, 2016, 10:00pm

Behind quarterback Kellen Mond, Ascenders prove they are the real deal on a national stage.

Video: No. 4 IMG Academy @ No. 2 Grayson
View images by photographer Dennis Carter of this showdown in Georgia.

With over 50 Power 5 conference offers between them, No. 2 Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) and No. 4 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) showcased arguably the most talent high school football fans have ever seen in one game on Saturday night.

But IMG had more star power, cashed in on turnovers and quarterback Kellen Mond was not to be denied.

The Ascenders scored 26 unanswered points and came away with a convincing 26-7 victory over Grayson. After committing to South Carolina just three hours before the game, four-star wide receiver/cornerback Jamyest Williams gave Grayson an early spark with a brilliant 58-yard touchdown reception from four-star quarterback Chase Brice.

But Grayson coughed up two costly fumbles and IMG took advantage.
IMG Academy quarterback Kellen Mond
IMG Academy quarterback Kellen Mond
Photos by Dennis Carter
Mond, the nation's No. 3 dual-threat quarterback, took over and shredded the Rams with his legs. The Texas A&M commit executed a sensational 15-yard touchdown run on an option fake to tie the game late in the second quarter.

Then Cooper Graham drilled a 37-yard field goal with five seconds left in the first half to give IMG a 10-7 lead heading into the locker room.



View the MaxPreps High School Scoreboard for Aug 27

IMG's monstrous line wore down Grayson's defensive line in the second half and Mond went to work, gashing the Rams time and again with long runs. He punched in his second touchdown rush of the game with a two-yard second-effort plunge to give IMG a 17-7 lead with 1:48 left in the third quarter.

Mond also showed he can sling the ball. He put the game away with a perfectly lofted 5-yard touchdown pass to LSU commit Jhamon Ausbon with under five minutes left in the contest.

Mond finished with 136 passing yards, 136 rushing yards and accounted for all three IMG touchdowns. Graham netted two field goals.
Grayson quarterback Chase Brice
Grayson quarterback Chase Brice
IMG Aacdemy tight end Tre' McKitty
IMG Aacdemy tight end Tre' McKitty