FINAL — SN No. 3 IMG Academy [FL] Ascenders 57, Mandarin [FL] Mustangs 7

Kendall Webb

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FINAL — SN No. 3 IMG Academy [FL] Ascenders 57, Mandarin [FL] Mustangs 7 image

© Mike Lang / Sarasota Herald-Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

IMG Academy wide receiver Eric McFarland passes the ball for an 80-yard touchdown on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. The sophomore McFarland is the Ascenders' leading receiver in 2020 heading into their game at Mandarin Friday night.

JACKSONVILLE, Florida, Sept. 19 — The No. 3 IMG Academy [Bradenton, FL] Ascenders defeated the Mandarin [Jacksonville, FL] Mustangs Friday night, 57-7.

IMG was untested in a 79-6 win last week at the Coronado [Henderson, NV] Cougars while moving to 3-0 on the season. IMG has three straight games against Florida opponents starting with the game Friday night against Mandarin before finishing off with three big games against national opponents.

Mandarin, meanwhile, is 4-0 and looking to make a statement against the national power from Bradenton. If Florida No. 20 Mustangs are heavy underdogs, but a solid showing even in a loss, could raise their profile.

Both teams have mostly won in dominant fashion so far, but Mandarin was challenged in a 14-7 win over the Bradford [Starke, FL] Tornadoes last Friday.

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Refresh for updates

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|| FINAL — IMG Academy 57, Mandarin 7

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|| FOURTH QUARTER ||

After a scoreless third quarter played with a running clock, IMG tacks on a late touchdown.

4TH QTR — IMG Academy 57, Mandarin 7

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|| SECOND QUARTER ||

Halftime — IMG Academy 50, Mandarin 7

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An interception return for a touchdown adds to IMG's lead as the Ascenders' hit the half-century mark before halftime.

2ND QTR — IMG Academy 50, Mandarin 7

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The onslaught continues as IMG adds another first-half touchdown for an overwhelming lead.

2ND QTR — IMG Academy 43, Mandarin 7

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IMG answers the Mandarin touchdown with their fifth of the first half.

2ND QTR — IMG Academy 35, Mandarin 7

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Mandarin finally gets something going, and scores on a long touchdown pass to get on the board.

2nd QTR — IMG Academy 28, Mandarin 7

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And this one is pretty much over already in the first quarter. Mandarin can't do anything on either side of the ball.

1ST QTR — IMG Academy 28, Mandarin 0

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IMG is making quick work of the Mandarin Mustangs tonight.

1ST QTR — IMG Academy 21, Mandarin 0

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IMG gets the ball back and drives down for another touchdown with 6:42 to play in the opening period.

1ST QTR — IMG Academy 14, Mandarin 0

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IMG takes the early lead following an interception deep in Mandarin territory.

1ST QTR — IMG Academy 7, Mandarin 0

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We're under way!

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OUR PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA TEAMS ...

Finally, don't miss out on The Sporting News Preseason All-American Teams that just debuted today!

The Sporting News High School Preseason All-American Offense 2025

The Sporting News High School Preseason All-American Defense 2025

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Kendall Webb

Kendall Webb is a freelance writer with The Sporting News and the former publisher of the College Football America Yearbook. He is a proud alumnus of Kilgore College (AA), the University of Texas at Austin (BJ), Middle Tennessee State University (BS), and Harvard University (ALM). Webb has attended a high school or college football game in more than 40 states during his career as a freelance journalist, and he remains an avid follower of team sports at all levels.