The MaxPreps National Game of the Week saw No. 5
IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) dominate No. 15 Northwestern (Miami) on defense and special teams to capture a 24-7 win Friday night.
After a defensive battle in the first half saw the Ascenders lead just 3-0, fireworks began early in the second half.
A 56-yard pick six by
O.J. Burroughs got things started on just the second play of the third quarter, giving IMG Academy a 10-0 advantage.
Video: Top 10 Games of the Week IMG vs. Northwestern headlines this week's look at the nation's best matchups.
The Bulls quickly responded with a long touchdown of their own on a 74-yard screen pass to Kahlil Brantley just 50 seconds later to cut the deficit to 10-7 with 10:05 remaining in the third quarter.
The Ascenders answered back with a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by
Ari Allen on the ensuing kickoff to stretch the lead back to 17-7.
Just minutes later IMG Academy special teams answered the call again, blocking a punt on the two-yard line that led to a 2-yard touchdown run by
Kaytron Allen with 6:54 to go in the third quarter.
IMG Academy (2-0) will travel to the City of Brotherly Love next week to take on another Top 25 foe in No. 18
St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia, Pa.), while Northwestern (2-1) will travel to
Killian (Miami) looking to recover from a tough loss.
Lovasea' Carroll of IMG Academy on the move in the first half against Northwestern.
Photo by: Daniel Galarza
