High school football schedule: No. 1 IMG Academy vs. No. 6 Duncanville headlines week's top games

Ascenders' first trip to Texas since 2015 a chance to solidify top spot while Panthers see opportunity to make statement.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Zack Poff
By
Oct 7, 2020, 10:20am
IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), the No. 1 team in the MaxPreps Top 25 high school football rankings, gets its biggest test of the year Saturday as the Ascenders travel to Texas to face No. 6 Duncanville (Texas). IMG has won its first four games and outscored the opposition 194-42 while the Panthers opened their season with a 41-3 win over South Oak Cliff (Dallas).

This is the Ascenders' first game against a Texas opponent since 2015 when Shea Patterson engineered a 47-29 win over DeSoto.

One of the game's biggest rivalries is featured this week as No. 48 Valdosta (Ga.) hosts No. 9 Lowndes (Valdosta, Ga.) in the Winnersville Classic. The Wildcats have won 37 of the previous 58 meetings but the Vikings own the last three victories. 

No. 4 St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia) and No. 14 De Smet Jesuit (St. Louis) each return to action this week. The Hawks face Life Christian Academy (Chester, Va.) and the Spartans take on rival Christian Brothers (St. Louis).

Arizona, New Jersey, Louisiana and Utah are also included in this week's slate of games.
No. 1 IMG Academy looks to take down No. 6 Duncanville (Texas) in the Ascenders' first trip to the Lone Star State since 2015.
No. 1 IMG Academy looks to take down No. 6 Duncanville (Texas) in the Ascenders' first trip to the Lone Star State since 2015.
Photo by Mike Janes
MaxPreps Top 10 Games of the Week

Saturday, noon (All times local) at Globe Life Park (Arlington, Texas)

Top players

IMG Academy: QB J.J. McCarthy (6-3, 190), OL JC Latham (6-6, 305), WR Jacorey Brooks (6-3, 185), OL Tyler Booker (6-4, 290), LB Malik Bryant (6-3, 220)

Duncanville: DL Omari Abor (6-4, 240), LB Kendrick Blackshire (6-2, 245), WR Roderick Daniels (5-9, 160), QB Grayson James (6-1, 200), OL Savion Byrd (6-5, 265)

A Duncanville win means there's a good chance the Panthers jump to No. 1 in next week's rankings, while an IMG victory solidifies the Ascenders' hold on the top spot. James threw for 206 yards and two scores in his Panthers debut with Daniels accounting for 183 of those yards. McCarthy is coming off a 271-yard performance as Brooks accounted for 161 of those yards and two scores. This game features 49 players who have landed at least one FBS offer.

Friday, 8 p.m.

Top players

Lowndes: QB Jacurri Brown (6-4, 205), LB Thomas Davis (6-0, 235), DB TJ Quinn (6-1, 200), DL Leon Williams (6-2, 215), WR Chase Belcher (6-1, 215)

Valdosta: LB Jaylin Alderman (6-1, 215), WR Tajh Sanders (5-11, 165), WR Javonte Sherman (6-1, 170), WR Aalah Brown (5-10, 185), DB Jadarian Rhym (6-1, 170)

This was set to feature 2021 USC commit Jake Garcia taking on Brown in a matchup of two of the best quarterbacks in the Peach State but Garcia was ruled ineligible by the Georgia High School Association last week. Amari Jones has filled in nicely under center for the Wildcats but will need a big showing if they want to pull the upset against the ninth-ranked Vikings.

*Game was canceled on Oct. 9 because a student-athlete tested positive for COVID-19.

Top players

Allen: WR Blaine Green (6-1.5, 205), WR Bryson Green (6-0.5, 205), QB General Booty (6-3, 195), OL Neto Umeozulu (6-4, 300), OL Jackson Newville (6-1.5, 295)

Cedar Hill: QB Kaidon Salter (6-1.5, 185), DL Charles Esters (6-3, 225), DB Jalon Peoples (6-0, 175), RB Kevin Young (5-8, 170), WR Brian Rainey (5-10, 170)

These Texas powers have won a combined eight state championships since 2006 — Allen (2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017) and Cedar Hill (2006, 2013, 2014). Booty has been efficient this year for the Eagles and completed 11-of-12 passes for 260 yards and three touchdowns in a 52-27 win over Atascocita (Humble). Senior Tennessee commit Salter led the Longhorns to a 28-21 win over Arlington.

Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Top players

Edna Karr: WR Destyn Pazon (6-0, 200), DL Tygee Hill (6-2, 280), WR Aaron Anderson (5-10, 175), QB AJ Samuel (5-11, 160), OL Kenneth Bannister (6-2.5, 255)

Catholic: OL Emery Jones (6-4, 330),  RB George Hart III (5-9, 190), QB Landon O'Connor (6-0, 185), DL Wesley Woodward (6-1, 240), DB Michael Cerniauskas (5-11, 195)

Originally scheduled for Thursday, the game was moved to Wednesday due to Hurricane Delta. Keep tabs on Samuel,  one of the top quarterbacks from the Class of 2023. He threw for 293 yards and four touchdowns in the Cougars' 45-20 season-opening win against Easton (New Orleans). The Bears beat University Lab (Baton Rouge) 27-7 in their season opener.

Saturday, noon

Top players

De Smet: CB Jakailin Johnson (6-1, 175), DL Mekhi Wingo (6-0, 280), RB Taj Butts (5-11, 205), OL Brody Wisecarver (6-4, 315), RB Rico Barfield (6-0, 215)

Christian Brothers: WR Chevy Brenson (6-4, 195), DB Jordan Marshall (6-1, 205), WR Zach Hahn (5-11, 165), QB Ayden Robinson-Wayne (5-10, 170), WR Dakotah Mayo (5-8, 165)

The big question surrounding the defending Class 6 state champs was if they would be able to play football this fall? Cleared last week to play, the Spartans take on a Christian Brothers team coming off a 42-14 win over Eureka.

Thursday, 7 p.m. - Watch Live on NFHS Network

Top players

Corner Canyon: QB Jaxson Dart (6-3, 210), OL Jackson Light (6-3, 285), WR Noah Kjar (6-0, 180), WR Cody Hagen (6-0, 175), LB Harrison Taggart (6-2, 200)

Skyridge: QB McCae Hillstead (5-11, 175), WR James Palmer (6-2, 190), DT Stone Mulitalo (6-3, 280), DB Jackson Lambert (5-10, 175), DB Smith Snowden (5-9, 160)

Corner Canyon won its 34th consecutive game last week and all eight wins this season have come by double digits. Dart has emerged in the National Player of the Year conversation. accounting for 3,416 yard of total offense and 47 touchdowns. Skyridge looks to bounce back after its first loss of the season, 37-20 against Lone Peak (Highland).

Saturday, 1 p.m. - Watch Live on NFHS Network

Top players

Don Bosco Prep: DB Nick Alvarado (6-0, 190), OL Chase Bisontis (6-5, 275), RB Ronnie Heath (5-9, 180), OL Michael Entwistle (6-4, 270), QB Jake Robbins (6-2, 200)

St. Peter's Prep: QB Tahj Bullock (6-4, 225), DL George Rooks (6-4, 260), OL/DL KJ Miles (6-3.5, 260), DB Christian Lebrun (6-1, 210), WR Jaylan Sanchez (6-1, 190)

The defending Non-Public Group 4 champs had a flawless season-opening 62-21 win over West Orange. Bullock threw for over 200 yards and five touchdowns as the 2021 Virginia Tech commit added another score on the ground. The Ironmen rolled past Paramus Catholic (Paramus) 34-13 in their opener. The Marauders and Ironmen met in last year's championship game, a 21-14 St. Peter's Prep victory.

Thursday, 7 p.m.

Top players

Carroll: QB Quinn Ewers (6-3, 195), RB Owen Allen (5-10, 180), DB Cinque Williams (5-10, 185), WR RJ Maryland (6-4, 210), DB Avyonne Jones (5-11, 165)

Rockwall: QB Braedyn Locke (6-0, 180), RB Zach Hernandez (5-8, 170), WR Caden Marshall (6-4, 175), DB Corey Kelley (5-11, 180), WR Jax Johnson (5-11, 175)

Ewers, the top-rated player in the Class of 2022, threw for 388 yards and five touchdowns in a 72-57 season-opening win over Rockwall-Heath (Rockwall). The Yellowjackets also have a big-time quarterback as Locke has thrown for 655 yards and eight touchdowns while leading his squad to a 2-0 start.

Saturday, 7 p.m.

Top players

Life Christian Academy: LB Aaron Willis (5-11, 205), DL Bryce Carter (6-2, 240), RB Anthony Turner (6-1, 190), LB Reid Pulliam (6-3, 170), DB Antonio Cotman (6-2, 185)

St. Joseph's Prep: QB Kyle McCord (6-3, 215), WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (6-3, 190), LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (6-0, 210), DB Keenan Nelson Jr. (6-1, 200), WR Sahmir Hagans (5-9, 170)

The back-to-back 6A state champs begin their season Saturday against a Life Christian Academy that lost 52-8 last week to IMG Academy. The Philadelphia power has loads of talent with Harrison, McCord and Trotter leading the way. Don't be surprised to see the Hawks compete for the No. 1 spot in the MaxPreps Top 25 rankings this season.


Top players

Pinnacle: WR Dorian Singer (6-0, 170), DL Anthony Franklin (6-4, 240), QB Devon Dampier (6-0, 185), TE Duce Robinson (6-6, 210), OL Jake LeBlanc (6-0, 285)

Chandler: DL Brandon Buckner (6-1, 235), QB Mikey Keene (5-11, 175), WR Kyion Grayes (6-1, 170), RB Eli Sanders (6-0, 190), DB Kentrell Williams (5-11, 185)

Both teams looked impressive in season-opening wins last week as Arizona got underway. The Wolves won their 27th straight game with a 44-10 victory over Liberty (Peoria). UCF-bound Keene and 2022 Arizona commit Grayes connected on four touchdowns while 2021 Boise State commit Eli Sanders rushed for 132 yards and a score. Sophomore quarterback Dampier accounted for seven touchdowns in the Pioneers' 52-13 win over Horizon (Scottsdale).

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