But the Ascenders needed to hang on as the Hawks used two second-half scores, one on defense and the other on special teams, to cut into a 17-0 lead and make it interesting halfway through the fourth quarter. IMG's defense held on a fourth down with just over four minutes to play to allow the offense to run out the clock.
These national powers met in 2019, a 31-25 IMG victory that featured a star-studded cadre of players that included Marvin Harrison Jr., Eli Ricks, Kaytron Allen, Kyle McCord, J.C. Latham, Tyler Booker and Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
Saturday's game, televised on ESPN2, saw the Ascenders' defense set the tone early while the
Jayden Bradford-led offense methodically chipped away at a stout St. Joe's defense.
IMG's defense had three first-half takeaways with an
Ellis Robinson IV interception, a
T.J. Lindsey fumble recovery and a late pick by
Amari Jones. Robinson had six first-half tackles in addition to the takeaway.
IMG Academy quaterback Jayden Bradford helped the No. 4 Ascenders to a second-straight win over a MaxPreps Top 25 school. IMG took down No. 10 St. Joseph's Prep 17-14 on Saturday at the Battle at the Beach in New Jersey. (Photo: Carl Edmondson Jr.)
Meanwhile, the Ascenders' offense got rolling following the fumble as Bradford kept the ball on a zone-read and raced 51 yards untouched for IMG's first score midway through the second quarter. Head coach Billy Miller's squad added a 29-yard field goal for a 10-0 halftime lead.
IMG's first possession of the second half ended in points as Bradford hooked up with
Donovan Olugbode on a 45-yard catch and run score for a 17-0 lead.
The St. Joseph's Prep offense continued to sputter in the second half but the defense picked up the slack. Two takeaway touchdowns pulled the Hawks within three points.
Rameir Hardy scooped a blocked IMG punt and raced 32 yards for a score at the end of the third period to make it 17-7.
On the ensuing IMG possession,
Anthony Sacca picked up an
Alex Haskell strip sack and trotted five yards into the end zone to pull within 17-14 with 10:39 left in the game.
Army commit
Nick McGlynn stopped IMG on a fourth down, giving the Hawks' offense one more chance before the IMG defense stiffened on fourth down.
The Ascenders (2-0) opened the season with a 35-10 win over then-No. 19 Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, Tenn.). Next up for IMG Academy is Thompson (Alabaster, Ala.).
St. Joseph's Prep (0-1) hosts St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City, N.J.) on Saturday.
