High school football rankings: IMG Academy wins big in season opener, remains No. 1 in MaxPreps Top 25

Ascenders dominate Venice 49-13 as No. 5 Grayson, No. 9 Lowndes also roll in season opener.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Zack Poff
By
Sep 7, 2020, 10:45am
Three Top 25 high school football teams kicked off their 2020 season Friday, headlined by the nation's No. 1 team IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.). The Ascenders cruised to a 49-13 road victory against Venice (Fla.) as 2021 Michigan commit J.J. McCarthy looked impressive in his school debut throwing for over 300 yards and five touchdowns.

Malik McCain hauled in two scores while Ari Allen, Jacorey Brooks and Jake Renda each added another. IMG Academy is off this week before hosting No. 28 Edgewater (Orlando) on Sept. 17.

No. 5 Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) showed why it's a threat to capture a first state championship since 2016, beating Jones County (Gray, Ga.) 51-13 in the Rams' season opener.

No. 9 Lowndes (Valdosta, Ga.) started slow but exploded toward the end of the first half against Archer (Lawrenceville, Ga.), winning 35-21. Four-star quarterback Jacurri Brown threw two touchdowns and rushed for two more.

No. 14 Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah), No. 20 Thompson (Alabaster, Ala.) and No. 23 Pickerington Central (Pickerington, Ohio) all were winners of Friday.

No. 15 Trinity (Louisville) is the lone Top 25 team to play its season opener this week as the Shamrocks host Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati) on Sept. 11.
No. 1 IMG Academy raced to a season-opening victory with a 49-13 win over Venice (Fla.) on Friday.
No. 1 IMG Academy raced to a season-opening victory with a 49-13 win over Venice (Fla.) on Friday.
Photo by Annette Wilkerson
MaxPreps Top 25 High School Football Rankings

Record: 1-0
Last week: Beat Venice 49-13
Next week: Idle

Season opener: Sept. 25 vs. No. 16 Shadow Creek (Pearland)

Season opener: TBD

Season opener: TBD

Record: 1-0
Last week: Beat Jones County (Gray) 51-13
Next week: Sept. 11 at McEachern (Powder Springs)

Season opener: Sept. 25 vs. Nolan Catholic (Fort Worth)

Season opener: Oct. 2 at Liberty (Peoria)

Season opener: Sept. 25 vs. Clear Springs (League City)

Record: 1-0
Last week: Beat Archer (Lawrenceville) 35-21
Next week: Sept. 11 vs. Griffin

Season opener: TBD

Season opener: Oct. 2 vs. Rockwall-Heath (Rockwall)

Season opener: TBD

Season opener: TBD

Record: 4-0
Last week: Beat Jordan (Sandy) 51-14
Next week: Sept. 11 vs. Alta (Sandy)

Season opener: Sept. 11 vs. Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati)

Season opener: Sept. 25 at No. 2 North Shore (Houston)

Season opener: Oct. 2 vs. West Orange

Season opener: Sept. 25 vs. White Knoll (Lexington)

Season opener: Sept. 25 vs. Martin (Arlington)

Record: 3-0
Last week: Beat Tuscaloosa County (Northport) 49-7
Next week: Sept. 11 at Spain Park (Hoover)

Season opener: Oct. 9 vs. Hammond

Season opener: Sept. 18 at Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood)

Record: 2-0
Last week: Beat Newark 49-0
Next week: Sept. 11 vs. Central Crossing (Grove City)

Season opener: Sept. 25 vs. Plano East (Plano)

Season opener: Oct. 3 at St. Joseph Regional (Montvale)

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