IMG Academy takes down Venice in battle of Florida's top teams

Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy, the No. 1 team in Florida, hit the road Friday night to take on the second-ranked Venice Indians. After accumulating a 21-10 lead, IMG held off Venice’s second-half comeback to win 21-16.

The Ascenders opened with a trick-play touchdown on the very first play of the game to jump out to a 7-0 lead. Freshman wide receiver Eric McFarland hit Kansas State receiver commit Adonis Moise for an 80-yard score.

Venice four-star wide receiver Winston Watkins Jr. knotted the score at 7 before IMG added two more scores to the board before halftime. Those two scores came courtesy of Michigan running back pledge Donovan Johnson and Missouri wideout commit Donovan Olugbode. Venice added a field goal to make it 21-10 at the break.

The second half was silent on offense for IMG, but the Crusaders managed to hold off the Indians’ comeback attempt. Venice punched it in from the 1-yard line at the start of the fourth quarter but could not capitalize on a late drive.

IMG improved to 6-1 on the season ahead of its clash with East St. Louis — the No. 1 team in Illinois — on Oct. 25. On the flip side, Venice dropped a game for the first time this year after opening with six straight wins. Next up for the Indians is Riverview on Oct. 10.