I am new to the party when it comes to knowing who are the IMG Academy Ascenders. These football players, particularly at the offensive line position, are very large human beings. IMG is the best team in the state I am in shock they are ranked only second in the entire country in the eyes of many.
This week’s game of the week is the Ascenders hosting the Central Rockets.
Alabama recruit Trey Sanders and his Ascenders rallied to defeat No. 5 Miami Central 24-15.
The Ascenders hadn’t played in 20 days, and Central (3-1), which hadn’t played in two weeks – both due to Hurricane Irma – seemingly had the game locked up.
The Rockets leading 15-10 with under 6 minutes remaining, Sanders broke free around left end, stepping back before sprinting forward for 65 yards and the winning touchdown.
“I came up to my offensive line just like I always do and said, ‘It’s time. This is what we live for – it’s why we schedule the big games’,” said Sanders, who finished with 99 yards on 10 carries. “That’s why we’re at IMG.
Meanwhile, Central, which had knocked off No. 7 Bishop Gorman two weeks ago in Las Vegas, led 9-0 in the second quarter, sparked by a 22-yard touchdown run from James Cook, the highly rated running back whose brother Dalvin Cook plays the same position for the Minnesota Vikings.
“I don’t think the better team won tonight,” Central coach Roland Smith said.
Central led 9-3 at halftime, but IMG took a 10-9 lead when Xavier Thomas recovered a blocked punt in the end zone. It was IMG’s second blocked punt of the game. For the season, IMG has blocked four punts in three games, two of them for scores.
The game included a lightning delay that lasted over an hour.
The rockets were stranded a week earlier after taking down No. 7 Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas because of Hurricane Irma. Aided by the generosity of Bishop Gorman, several locals in Las Vegas and the Miami Dolphins, who all contributed both financially and with meals during their stay, the Rockets all finally made it back home a week ago.
This was the 31st straight victory for the Ascenders.
Photo/IMGAcademy/twitter
