No. 2 IMG Academy rolls early, steamrolls past No. 17 St. John's

Video: No. 17 St. John's @ No. 2 IMG Academy
View images by photographer Mark Camp of this showdown in Floirda.

BRADENTON, Fla. — IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) just keeps on rolling.

It was supposed to be a close contest between No. 2 IMG and No. 17 St. John's (Washington, District of Columbia). But Texas A&M commit Kellen Mond was simply too much to handle and carried the explosive Ascenders to a 35-14 victory over the visiting Cadets on Saturday night.

IMG's offense came out firing on all cylinders and Mond set the tone.

The nation's third-rated dual-threat quarterback raced down the right sideline untouched for a 49-yard touchdown run to open the scoring. The Texas A&M commit then lofted a 65-yard touchdown pass to four-star receiver Brian Hightower in perfect stride making it 14-0 with 5:36 left in the first quarter.

Kwincy Hall gave the Cadets life, though. Hall somehow reeled in a fourth-down 26-yard touchdown pass from Maryland-bound quarterback Kasim Hill that was tipped in double coverage. That closed the gap to 14-7 with 15 seconds left in the first quarter.

After a scoreless second quarter, Mond helped put IMG back in control with timely runs and crisp throws. The smooth operator finished with 189 passing yards, 77 rushing yards and accounted for five touchdowns. 

Three-star Oregon commit Tre' Mckitty was the prime target and recorded two touchdowns, including a 6-yarder reception from Mond early in the third quarter to make it 21-7. Hill responded with a 4-yard keeper for a score to make it 21-14 with 3:38 left in the third quarter.

But a 36-yard TD bomb from Mond to Brock Annexstad quickly made it a two-touchdown cushion again. Four-star all-purpose back Asa Martin was also a pivotal play-maker for IMG and tallied 140 total yards.

The Ascenders improved to 4-0 while St. John's dropped to 3-1.