Football Game Preview: Riverview Sarasota Rams vs. IMG Academy Junior National Ascenders

The Riverview Sarasota Rams will take on the IMG Academy Junior National Ascenders at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. The two teams are strolling into their matchups after big wins in their previous games.

IMG Academy Junior National will be up against a hot Riverview Sarasota team: the squad just extended their winning streak to five. The Rams claimed a resounding 56-20 win over Sarasota. Given the Rams' advantage in MaxPreps' Florida football rankings (they are ranked 51st, while the Sailors are ranked 241st) , the win on Friday wasn't entirely unexpected.

Isaiah Belt

Rushing Yards

09/26/25 vs Sarasota	188
09/19/25 vs North Port	22
09/12/25 vs Melbourne Central Catholic	305
09/05/25 vs Palmetto	43
08/29/25 @ Riverview	40
+ 1 more games

Isaiah Belt was his usual excellent self, rushing for 188 yards and three scores while picking up 9.0 yards per carry. With that strong performance, he is now averaging an impressive 106.7 rushing yards per game. Riverview Sarasota also got help from Trenton Huffman, who showed off his sure hands for 84 receiving yards.

They were just one part of a punishing run game: Riverview Sarasota was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 486 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 167 rushing yards in five consecutive games.

Riverview Sarasota didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Leroy Minnis and Snead Tyree.

Meanwhile, IMG Academy Junior National got themselves on the board against Oasis on Friday, but Oasis never followed suit. They simply couldn't be stopped as they easily beat the Sharks 41-0. That looming 41-0 mark stands out as the most commanding margin for the Ascenders yet this season.

A big part of IMG Academy Junior National's victory came down to the chemistry between Nolan Downes and his top target Deno Dalacas. Downes threw for 182 yards and four touchdowns while Dalacas picked up 124 receiving yards and three TDs. IMG Academy Junior National is undefeated when Downes posts three or more passing touchdowns, but 1-2 otherwise.

IMG Academy Junior National's win bumped their record up to 4-2. As for Riverview Sarasota, their victory bumped their record up to 5-0-1.