Football Recap: IMG Academy Junior National Comes Up Short

After flying high against Varsity Opponent last Friday, IMG Academy Junior National came back down to earth. The matchup between the Ascenders and the Manatee Hurricanes didn't end well, with the Ascenders falling 31-14. While losing is never fun, the Ascenders can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Florida football rankings (they are ranked 258th, while the Hurricanes are ranked 79th).

Max Jewett

Receiving Yards

09/19/25 @ Manatee	82
09/12/25 vs Varsity Opponent	32
08/22/25 @ Neumann	28
08/29/25 @ Key West	15

Despite the loss, IMG Academy Junior National saw an underclassman step up: freshman Nolan Downes threw for 261 yards and two touchdowns. A healthy portion of that aerial production (82 yards to be exact) went to Max Jewett, who also brought in a receiving touchdown.

Caedon White was nothing short of spectacular for Manatee: he rushed for 121 yards and a pair of TDs on only 11 carries. Those 121 rushing yards gave White a new career-high. Keith Smith also helped out as he racked up 114 rushing yards.

The defeat was their first on the road , dropping their record down to 3-2. As for Manatee, their victory bumped their record up to 2-3.

IMG Academy Junior National has already played their next game, a 41-0 win against Oasis on the 26th. As for Manatee, they also didn't take long to hit the field again: they've already played their next contest, a 42-7 victory against Pinellas Park on the 26th.