IMG Academy cruised past the Hun School on Halloween night, downing the Raiders 42-14.
The Ascenders looked every bit of a national championship team in the win. The offense was balanced and effective, the defense was suffocating, and a traditional national powerhouse in Hun School (6-4) had no answers on either side of the ball.
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“That’s the most complete game we’ve played all year long for four quarters,” said IMG head coach Greg Studrawa. “That’s how you win. That’s a hell of a football team, don’t get it twisted. And for us to play four quarters of football like that, physical up front on both sides, I’m so proud of them.”
IMG Academy (9-0) jumped out to an early lead on a short touchdown carry from Elijah Newman-Hall. Hun responded with a short touchdown carry of their own to start the second quarter, but it was the only answer they mustered in the loss. The Ascenders went on to score on six straight possessions, forcing a running clock in the third quarter.
IMG Academy last two home games required walk-off field goals from Zach Brien to remain undefeated. After being able to trot the backups out to start the fourth quarter, Studrawa said the resounding win was a nice change of pace.
“It’s nice,” Studrawa chuckled. “I can actually go home and have a nice beer and go to sleep!”
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This rendition of IMG Academy’s offensive line features no seniors. They’ve struggled to pick up blocks and communicate against well-disciplined defenses, and the Hun School could’ve pushed down on that pressure point.
Instead, the Ascenders front was light-out. Jayden Wade was rarely pressured, the running backs had massive gaps to work with, and pre-snap penalties were a nonfactor.
“Look, (the offensive line) opens up the Red Sea,” Newman-Hall said. “I just run. I love those boys to death. I told them after the season I got them because it’s crazy how I’m really just running behind my guys and can build that trust to run behind them. It’s insane. I just told them I got them after the season, just to treat them with something.”
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Wade went unsacked in the win as IMG Academy averaged nearly nine yards per carry.
Newman-Hall, an Ohio State commit, was dominant. The junior running back has been working to get back to 100%, and looked as healthy as ever in the win. He tallied over 100 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 15 touches.
“It feels great,” he said. “I’m just blessed to be able to just run the ball. I’m blessed to still be healthy.”
Hun School had no answer for the four-star tailback, who found as much success exploding on the outside as he did working the up the middle. For Studrawa, having Newman-Hall back at this level is invaluable.
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Wade, a five-star Georgia commit, was nearly flawless throwing the ball, going 12-of-15 for about 166 yards and a touchdown pass. His passes were on-time and on-target, he made the right checks and reads, and added a handful of chain-moving scrambles when the Raiders had his targets locked down.
His favorite target, Osani Gayles (Alabama commit), finished the night with six catches for around 107 yards and a touchdown catch which came in the form of a one-handed snag in coverage off a beautiful outside shoulder throw from Wade.
Gayles is lethal in the open field, and the Ascenders did a good job of getting him the ball in space. His yards-after-catch were impressive, and he refused to be tackled on the first hit.
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Indiana commit Lucas Prock is as polished and cerebral a quarterback the Ascenders have seen this year, Hun School had no rhythm offensively.
“Some of the throws he made man, wow,” Studrawa said. “That kid’s talented as hell. So to stay close and take him out of the game a little bit – I’m proud of the secondary and the defensive line got some pressure on him. He was running around too and I don’t think he ever got comfortable in the pocket, so both those things I’m very proud.”
The Ascender defense was sweltering up front and hawking in the secondary, The defensive front seven allowed less than 100 yards rushing, and the secondary held Prock to 7-of-17 in the air. Larry Moon III (Georgia Tech commit) shined, giving strong run support and even stronger coverage. He registered a pass breakup and a tackle for loss.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: These IMG Academy recruits shined in blowout win over The Hun School
