Video: IMG Academy vs. St. Frances Academy preview
Ascenders put 11-game winning streak on the line against Panthers.
Earlier this summer, we knew Oct. 18 was a date to remember — No. 3
IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) and No. 5
St. Frances Academy (Baltimore) announced they were playing each other.
The
Ascenders have won 50 of their last 51 games while the Panthers have
reeled off 29 of their last 30. The only loss for each? The
current No. 1 team in the country, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.).
This
game features well over 40 players who have at least one offer from
an FBS school and 27 players are already committed to a Power 5 school.
Michael Redding III, IMG Academy
Photo by Mike Janes
These
two powerhouse programs have only played once before — back in 2016 when the Ascenders rolled to a 38-0 win as
Kellen Mond,
Trey Sanders,
Dylan Moses and
Grant Delpit all put on a show. That was the last loss St. Frances Academy suffered before the Panthers had their 26-game winning streak snapped against Mater Dei earlier this season.
They've bounced back since losing their first game in three years and have won three straight outscoring the opposition 126-7. In the six wins they've outscored opponents 294-20 with two victories against a Top 25 team.
IMG Academy is 7-0 and has been just as dominant. The Ascenders are winning by nearly 30 points per game and have two wins over Top 25 opponents. A statement win against the Panthers would give them a strong case at competing for the national title with Mater Dei, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) and Duncanville (Texas).
This is the last big opportunity for both teams to leave a statement on the 2019 season because neither plays a Top 25 team after this. The Ascenders have Norland (Miami) and Hoover (Ala.) left on the schedule and St. Frances still has games against St. Thomas More (Oakdale, Conn.), Clarkson Football North (Mississauga, Ontario), Life Christian Academy (Chester, Va.) and Royalty Institute (Landover, Md.).
Demon Clowney (3), St. Frances Academy
Photo by John Jones
