National Media & Showcase Platform
FloridaHigh School Football

IMG Imposes Will On American Heritage

0 Comment097
Email, RSS Follow
Pin It
Print


Plantation, FL — The state championship is one thing, but the national championship is another.  To be considered the best high school football team in the land by the end of the year, the schedule has to include the best the nation has to offer.  On Friday night, it would be difficult to find a venue with better high school football players than at Heritage Field.  

IMG Academy, the reigning national champions traveled from Bradenton, FL to face-off against one of South Florida’s best in American Heritage.  At the end of the night, the visiting Ascenders handled the Patriots with a 35-15 victory.  Penn State commit Katyron Allen and Stacy Gage scored two touchdowns apiece as the IMG rushing attack was relentless in this preseason kickoff classic.

“They’re a good football team,” said Head Coach Pat Surtain.  “They’re tough, they’re physical, they run the ball, they have two terrific running backs, but we’re also a really good football team. And like I told the team, nobody else is beating us this year.  That was a test, it was a kickoff classic that doesn’t count against the standings.”

It Was Over When…

IMG converted a 4th and 18 from their 21-yard line into a touchdown throw and catch from AJ Duffy to Carnell Tate.  Duffy, a Florida State commit originally from Moreno Valley, CA, found Tate on an inside slant. 


The score made it a 28-6 game in the second half and Tate was also very impressive in the return game. The 2023 receiver (featured image), took his first punt return of the game for a touchdown, but the play was called back due to a block in the back penalty.

“We showed up ready to play,” said Tate.  “It was a great connection between me and AJ, he put the ball right where it needed it to be.”

IMG, although located in Florida, is an independent school that gets some of the top players from across the country to play at its educational institution.  Allen, originally from Norfolk, VA (6-0,200) was tough to bring down and found creases in the Heritage defense to break big runs. 

The same can be said for 2024 back Stacy Gage. The Tampa native, more of an elusive back, is shifty once getting to the second level, and scored in the second quarter to make it a 14-3 game. Gage would score his second touchdown late in the fourth quarter.  

Heritage would get on the board with a touchdown from 2023 running back Mark Fletcher to make it a close 14-9 game at the break (extra point blocked by Jihaad Campbell).  


The Ascenders would extend the lead with Allen’s second touchdown on the first drive of the second half.


The Patriots never gave up in this game and fought to the very end.  Quarterback Blake Murphy found Brandon Inniss for a touchdown in the second half and a Damari Brown interception gave the Pats a chance to make it a once-score game. 


However, the drive stalled, and James Smith‘s sack of Murphy after splitting a double team on fourth down ended all hopes of a comeback.


“Those guys get guys from all over the country to come there,” said Surtain.  “But we fought, maybe we could have punched it in more. We turned the ball over, we can clean that up, we gave up a lot of big runs, we gave up a lot of kickoff returns, we definitely can clean that up. So we’ll go in on Monday, watch the film, fix the things we need to correct, and move on.”  

American Heritage hosts Treasure Coast next week and IMG travels to Columbus to take on Bishop Sycamore.

Share
Deerfield Defense Dominates Tru Prep In First True Test Previous post

Marcus Benjamin works as the senior writer and editor for FootballHotbed.com. He attended Florida A&M and Florida Memorial University completing a bachelors degree in communications in 2010. He's covered high school football in the South Florida area since 2010 for the Miami Herald, Miami Sports Tribune and ShawSports.net. He is married and lives in Fort, Lauderdale, FL.

Related Articles

FloridaHigh School Football October 26, 20240

JV Championship Series: Homestead Outlasts North Miami 26-22

Follow Miami Gardens, FL- The Homestead Broncos Junior Varsity Team earned a birth in the inaugural Football Hotbed JV Championship Series Final this week outlasting the North Miami Pioneers 26-22.  It was a thrilling match that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle. The Broncos showcased their resilience and teamwork, coming from behind to secure the victory. The game was marked by impressive plays, with standout performances from both teams.  The game’s overall MVP was 2027 quarterback Jahmir McCall of Homestead High.  The Broncos’ quarterback delivered a stellar performance, throwing two touchdown passes and maintaining composure under pressure. Freshman running back Jermaine Green caught the first touchdown reception out of the backfield and the go-ahead touchdown was secured by 2028 wide receiver Gemani Smith. Meanwhile, the defense held strong during critical moments, thwarting the Pioneers’ advances with key tackles and interceptions.  The game sealing pass deflection was made by 2028 defensive back Leone Leonidas. The Pioneers played an excellent game, especially offensively led by their sophomore quarterback, Chammbrayy Campbell.  He hooked up with North Miami 2027 wide out Michael Cabre to open the game’s scoring.  The post-corner pass was perfect and Cabre made a great adjustment to the ball for the touchdown reception. Overall, the Pioneers couldn’t overcome playing sloppy toward the end of the game as turnovers and penalties killed drives.  They turned the ball over with a fumble into the endzone and had an interception on the 1-yard line on drives that would have probably ended up as scores. On the final drive of the game, the Pioneers were thwarted by the Homestead defense that had bended but not broken all game.  As the Broncos celebrated their hard-fought win, they set their sights on the upcoming final, determined to bring home the championship trophy. The team’s coaches praised the players’ dedication and spirit, acknowledging their hard work and commitment throughout the season. Fans and community members eagerly anticipate the final match, ready to support their team with unwavering enthusiasm.The historic Football Hotbed event for Junior Varsity teams is full-sanctioned by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) who is enthusiastic about the events promise in years to come.  Homestead will play Miami Central in the championship held this coming week.   Jahmir McCall with the Portal 305 and Olin Cushion, III JV Championship Series Highlights: Check out this amazing pass and catch from @NMPioneer_FB junior varsity standouts 2027 QB CHAMMBRAYY CAMPBELL to WR MICHAEL CABRE #hotbedworld vid by @ChrisFodde @FHSAA pic.twitter.com/aFXfa8zLf6— Football Hotbed (@FootballHotbed) October 26, 2024 Photos: JV Championship Series @HSHBroncos and @NMPioneer_FB made history. #hotbedworld https://t.co/VWfp1x7Npw— Football Hotbed (@FootballHotbed) October 26, 2024 Arties Knight, head JV Football Coach, Homestead High

Florida May 21, 20240

Spring Football Excitement Across South Florida

Follow There has been a tremendous amount of excitement across South Florida the past several weeks as teams have begun wrapping up spring practices and having inter-squad scrimmages and spring games. These scrimmages and games are an early indicator of the skill and talent level each school will look to display come the fall.  Once again, South Florida took the majority of the state’s football championships at the Metro Division level that is now defunct. Columbus, St. Thomas Aquinas and Chaminade won the 4M, 3M and 1M titles respectively.  Miami Norland finished as the runner up to Tampa’s Berkley Catholic High School.  This spring, established coaches like Southridge’s Pierre Senatus are upbeat about their program’s potential after having a few seasons under his belt.  In juxtaposition, Miami Northwestern’s first year head coach, NFL Veteran Teddy Bridgewater, is working out the kinks after his first intersquad scrimmage and spring game.  Stay with Footballhotbed.com for the developments of this off season across the Southeast. SPRING PRACTICE: Caught up with head coach Pierre Senatus @LifeCoachPierre on the first day of spring practice in year three of his tenure, fresh off a deep playoff run. #hotbedworld @Brandon_Odoi pic.twitter.com/z0u6AQzqjh— Football Hotbed (@FootballHotbed) April 30, 2024 Coach @teddyb_h2o 🗣️NFL Veteran QB Teddy Bridgewater in his first appearance as head coach at Miami Northwestern during his school's first spring scrimmage talks organization and effort. #hotbedworld pic.twitter.com/r7oOKmiew7— Football Hotbed (@FootballHotbed) May 5, 2024

Brandon OdoifeatureFlorida April 25, 20240

Under the Radar Spotlight: 2026 LB Demitris Mincey

Follow Fort Lauderdale, FL– The linebacker position is…

Leave a Reply