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(2) Northwestern Bulls (3-0) vs. Bradenton IMG Academy (Fl.) Ascenders (3-0)
Saturday at IMG Academy, 7 p.m.
Northwestern is the third team that South Florida is sending to Bradenton this year. And I’m going to stand by a statement that I made to a friend before the season even started: “Northwestern has the best chance to knock off IMG Academy because they are playing them last out of all the South Florida teams we’re sending up there.”
My theory, which I even think I shared on Twitter when I broke the news of the three Dade County teams going up there this year, is that IMG will have some “starch” knocked out of it because it’s lining up against three South Florida teams in the same year – two in consecutive weeks.
Central fought the Ascenders to the bitter end before falling 24-15. But I guarantee that IMG left the field that night knowing it was in a football game.
The Bulls looked “meh” in a 14-7 win over rival Booker T. Washington this past week. Northwestern got two big touchdown runs from quarterback Chatarius “Tutu” Atwell and the defense forced the Tornadoes offense into four turnovers.
However, if the Bulls want to be victorious against IMG they have to cut down on self-inflicted wounds – namely penalties.
Northwestern had two touchdowns called back due to penalties this past week and it has been something that the team has dealt with since their preseason classic at Tallahassee Rickards.
When you’re going up against a team that is considered the No. 1 team in the nation – which is a fair assessment of IMG Academy – you cannot take points off the board because of penalties.
The Bulls defense gave up a significant amount of rushing yards to Booker T. last week, but the Ascenders would be foolish to think that they’re going to see the same kind of front that Northwestern showed to the Tornadoes.
Northwestern head coach Max Edwards will dial up the pressure and will make life tough on IMG’s standout runners Noah Cain and Trey Sanders.
Also – and this might end up being the deciding factor in this game – the Bulls have “Tutu”. Atwell, similar to Roscoe Parrish when he was at Miami High, will always be one of – if not – the most explosive players on the field anytime he laces up his shoes.
If all else fails, give it to “Tutu”.
Bald Prediction = Northwestern wins 22-20
