Miami Central vs. IMG Academy: Follow live, how to watch online, players to watch

Nationally-ranked teams from the Sunshine State set to meet for the first time since 2017.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Thomas Frey
By
Aug 23, 2022, 3:00pm
Two of the top high school football programs in Florida will hook it up Saturday when No. 4 IMG Academy (Bradenton) hosts No. 14 Central (Miami, Fla.).

IMG Academy is under new management this season as Billy Miller steps in as head coach for Pepper Johnson, who took a job in the USFL. Miller will be the program's third coach in three seasons but that hasn't stopped the Ascenders from winning (17-1 over the past two seasons) or attracting waves of college-bound talent from transferring in.

Central is on a quest for its fourth-straight state championship this season and ninth since 2010. The Rockets will also be operating under a first-year head coach in Jube Joseph, who was previously the program's defensive coordinator.

When these teams got together for their only meeting in 2017, Central trailed by just one point heading into the fourth quarter before IMG – which finished 9-0 and ranked No. 2 nationally that season – prevailed 24-15.

How to watch
When: Saturday, Aug. 27, 7 p.m. EDT
Where: IMG Academy Stadium, Bradenton, Fla.
Streaming: IMG YouTube
Following: MaxPreps live scoring

Players to watch

Miami Central: DL Rueben Bain (6-3, 245, Sr.), LB Stanquan Clark (6-2, 215, Sr.), QB Keyone Jenkins (6-0, 185, Sr.), WR Lamar Seymore (6-2, 185, Sr.), LB Ezekiel Marcelin (6-0, 195, So.)

IMG Academy: OL Francis Mauigoa (6-6, 315, Sr.), WR Carnell Tate (6-2, 185, Sr.), DB Desmond Ricks (6-1, 170, Jr.), DL Samuel M'Pemba (6-3, 240, Sr.), RB Jerrick Gibson (5-10, 195, Jr.)
IMG Academy starts the season ranked No. 4 in the country and will host Miami Central Friday.
IMG Academy starts the season ranked No. 4 in the country and will host Miami Central Friday.
Photo: Pete Wright

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