After each having a week off, the IMG Academy White Ascenders and the Hawthorne Hornets will shake off the cobwebs and take on one another at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. IMG Academy White will be looking to keep their seven-game home win streak dating back to last season alive.
Hawthorne better have a healthy lead at halftime, because if last week is any indication, that's when IMG Academy White really get things going. Everything went IMG Academy White's way against Fort Meade last Friday as IMG Academy White made off with a 35-9 victory. Considering the Ascenders have won four matches by more than 20 points this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.
Shepherd Miller continued his habit of posting crazy stat lines, rushing for 160 yards and two touchdowns while picking up 8.4 yards per carry. Ian Olsen was another key player, picking up 101 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given the score, IMG Academy White was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 258 rushing yards. That's the most rushing yards they've managed all season.
Hawthorne aren't just finding success at home, as their game last Friday extended their overall winning streak to three. They put the hurt on Zephyrhills Christian Academy with a sharp 39-14 win. Given the Hornets' advantage in MaxPreps' Florida football rankings (they are ranked 56th, while the Warriors are ranked 331st), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.
It was another big night for Keenon Johnson, who rushed for 224 yards and four touchdowns while picking up 8.6 yards per carry. His rushing production has been exceptional recently as that marked his third straight game with at least 209 rushing yards dating back to last season. Willie Sutton was in the mix too, providing Hawthorne with a touchdown.
Hawthorne didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Leland Johnson and Naziy Gent.
IMG Academy White's victory bumped their record up to 5-1. As for Hawthorne, their win bumped their record up to an identical 5-1.
Friday's matchup might be decided in the on the ground. IMG Academy White has been excellent on the ground this season, having averaged 154.8 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Hawthorne struggles in that department as they've been averaging 148.2. It's looking like Friday's contest might have some serious battles in the trenches. Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other football content.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
