IMG-Northwestern: Is This The Game of the Year?
Many programs across the state and nation will never schedule IMG Academy on the football field. Miami Northwestern is not one of them.
The Bulls have never backed down from any opponent nationally, including national power Lowndes County, Ga. and IMG Academy.
Head Coach Max Edwards and the Bulls are always up for a challenge – as the three-time defending state champions.
After beating rival Miami Central (21-14) to open the 2020 season – two months late – the Bulls ride into Bradenton for this evening’s (7:30) game against the best football team in America.
The Ascenders are stacked on both sides of the ball – with high-level college athletes all over the field under first year head coach Bobby Acosta. But so does Northwestern – with as many as 15 Power 5 recruits for classes 9-12.
Once again, we understood that with last year’s 24-7 win in Miami, IMG has a major advantage, but the Bulls have athletes. Enough to pull off this major upset? That is something that will be answered by late tonight.
If you have watched the Ascenders this year – in wins over Venice (49-13), Orlando Edgewater (48-7), Ravenwood, Tennessee (45-14), Life Christian Academy, Virginia (52-8), Duncanville, Texas (41-14) and Bishop Sycamore, Ohio (56-6), you already know and fully understand that this is a machine that is deep and talented.
If the Bulls are to win, they have to play mistake free football, unleash a very underrated running game and use those Power 5 prospects to make a difference.
THE ASCENDERS FILE
SCHOOL: Bradenton IMG Ascenders
HEAD COACH: Bobby Acosta
2020 RECORD: 6-0
CLASSIFICATION: Independent
ASCENDERS TO WATCH IN 2020
2022 – Kaytron Allen Kaytron Allen 5'11" | 205 lbs | RB Bradenton IMG Academy | 2022 State FL , RB
2021 – Jared Behrens Jared Behrens 6'3" | 225 lbs | LB Bradenton IMG Academy | 2021 FL , OLB
2022 – Tyler Booker Tyler Booker 6'4" | 290 lbs | OL Bradenton IMG Academy | 2022 State FL , DT
2021 – Jacorey Brooks Jacorey Brooks 6'3" | 185 lbs | WR Bradenton IMG Academy | 2021 State FL , WR
2021 – Markevious Brown Markevious Brown 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Bradenton IMG Academy | 2021 State FL , CB
2021 – Omar Burroughs Omar Burroughs 5'10" | 170 lbs | DB Bradenton IMG Academy | 2021 FL , FS
2021 – Lovasea’ Carroll, RB
2022 – Daylen Everette, CB
2021 – Greg Crippen Greg Crippen 6'4" | 275 lbs | OL Bradenton IMG Academy | 2021 State FL , OL
2021 – Trevon Howard Trevon Howard 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Bradenton IMG Academy | 2022 State FL , CB
2021 – Anthony Hundley Anthony Hundley 6'3" | 275 lbs | DL Miami Booker T. Washington | 2021 State FL , DL
2022 – Dominick James Dominick James 6'2" | 270 lbs | DL Bradenton IMG Academy | 2022 State FL , DL
2021 – JC Latham, DE
2021 – J.J. McCarthy J.J. McCarthy 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Bradenton IMG Academy | 2021 State FL , QB
2021 – Malik McClain Malik McClain 6'5" | 195 lbs | WR Bradenton IMG Academy | 2021 State FL , WR
2022 – Shawn Miller Shawn Miller 6'1" | 190 lbs | WR Bradenton IMG Academy | 2022 State FL , WR
2021 – Jake Renda Jake Renda 6'5" | 230 lbs | TE Bradenton IMG Academy | 2021 FL , TE
2022 – Dane Shor, OL
2021 – Xavian Sorey Xavian Sorey 6'3" | 215 lbs | ATH Bradenton IMG Academy | 2021 State FL , OLB
2022 – Kamari Wilson Kamari Wilson 6'1" | 195 lbs | DB Bradenton IMG Academy | 2022 State FL , S
2021 – Pete Zuccollo, FS
Miami Northwestern Bulls
HEAD COACH: Max Edwards
2020 RECORD: 1-0
CLASSIFICATION: 5A
WHO ARE WE LOOKING AT FOR 2020:
2021 – Steve Augustin, WR
2022 – Jason Bissainth, OL
2021 – Timonthy Bostic TE/FB
2021 – Kahlil Brantley Kahlil Brantley 6'2" | 200 lbs | TE Miami Northwestern | 2021 State FL , TE
2021 – Romello Brinson Romello Brinson 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Miami Northwestern | 2021 State FL , WR
2021 – Timothy Burns Jr., DB
2022 – Jai-Ayviauynn Celestine, Athete
2022 – Jael Cuellar, DB
2023 – Taron Dickens, QB
2021 – Jermarba Evans, LB
2021 – Henry Farmer, G
2021 – Ja’Corey Hammett Ja’Corey Hammett 6'3" | 195 lbs | LB Miami Northwestern | 2021 State FL , LB/DL
2022 – Khalil Hunter, DE
2021 – Siddiq Jackson, RB
2023 – Andy Jean, WR
2021 – Kamren Kinchens Kamren Kinchens 6'0" | 190 lbs | DB Miami Northwestern | 2021 State FL , S
2021 – Okino King, G
2022 – Tellek Lockette Tellek Lockette OL Miami Northwestern | 2022 FL , OL
2022 – Darveed Lollar, OL
2021 – Vincent Martin, DB
2021 – Antwan Massie Antwan Massie 5'9" | 175 lbs | DB Miami Northwestern | 2021 FL , FS
2021 – Amahri McCray, LB
2021 – Travis McNichols, FS
2022 – Dylan Milbry, DT
2021 – Zuberi Mobley Zuberi Mobley 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Miami Northwestern | 2021 FL , RB
2023 – Fatoma Paulk, WR
2021 – Patrick Payton Patrick Payton 6'5" | 210 lbs | LB Miami Northwestern | 2021 State FL , DE
2021 – Kareem Roberts Kareem Roberts 6'2" | 225 lbs | DL Miami Northwestern | 2021 FL , LB/DL
2022 – Jalen Rogers, WR
2022 – Jamari Sharpe, WR
2021 – Ricky Taylor, C/G
2021 – Antonio Tharpe, OL
2022 – DeShawn Trowers, RB
2021 – Leonardo Zuazo Leonardo Zuazo K Miami Northwestern | 2021 FL , K
OTHER GAMES THIS WEEK
Besides this interesting match up between IMG and Northwestern, there are some impressive games statewide:
For more statewide games, check out Florida High School Football: https://floridahsfootball.com/2020/10/27/statewide-week-9-football-schedule/#.X5rti1hKjcs
You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Foridakids1@aol.com. We are also on Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl.