OCEAN CITY, New Jersey — The IMG Academy [Bradenton, FL] Ascenders started fast and finished strong in a 35-14 win over the Winslow Township [Atco, NJ] Eagles Thursday night.
In between, they got outplayed by the feisty defending champions of New Jersey's NJSIAA Group 4 ranks.
The Ascenders were expected to mostly have their way with the Eagles, and they did early. It took less than a minute for IMG to break the ice on a 38-yard aerial from Jayden Wade to Osani Gayles at the 11:07 mark of the first quarter. Chuck Roberts then made it 14-0 with an 84-yard pick six less than five minutes into the game.
By the time Le'khy Thompkins added an 8-yard touchdown run for the visitors from Florida, it was 21-0.
In the first quarter.
But the Eagles never played like they were underdogs, and they didn't fold despite being in a deep hole against the nation's No. 5 team. Instead, they went to work in the second quarter with Eagles' quarterback Jalen Parker turning heads with his play, eventually finding Nakeem Powell with a 7-yard delivery to trim IMG's lead to 21-6.
The PAT failed, but minutes later, Parker was working his magic again with a 13-yard scramble followed by a 2-point conversion. Suddenly, it was 21-14 heading into the half, and Winslow looked like a team that could compete with the kingpins of the Sunshine State.
Final from Ocean City📍
— Billy Tucker (@TheUCReport) August 29, 2025
No. 5 IMG Academy 35, Winslow Township (NJ) 14 pic.twitter.com/0vp0gaWxTY
But IMG's depth eventually began to wear the Eagles down, and Wade's 3-yard touchdown run near the end of the third quarter finally gave the Ascenders some breathing room again at 28-14.
Thompkins would finally put the game out of reach for good with a 56-yard romp through the Eagles' defense late in the fourth quarter, sealing the win for IMG.
Next up for IMG is a trip out west to take on the Coronado [Henderson, NV] Cougars on Saturday, September 13. Winslow Township's 14-game win streak is over, and they'll try to get back in the win column at the Highland Regional [Blackwood, NJ] Tartans next Thursday, September 4.
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STREAM: Watch No. 5 IMG Academy [FL] vs. Winslow Township [NJ]
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Refresh for updates
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FINAL — IMG ACADEMY 35, WINSLOW TOWNSHIP 14
|| FOURTH QUARTER ||
And that's your ballgame. IMG probably had a bigger fight on their hands than they expected, but they pull away late to beat the Winslow Township Eagles.
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Thompkins breaks through the line for a 56-yard touchdown run to put the capper on this Battle at the Beach. IMG now leads by three touchdowns with 4:25 to play.
4th Qtr — IMG ACADEMY 35, WINSLOW TOWNSHIP 14
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IMG misses a field goal attempt with 6:36 to play. It's 28-14, but they've left the door cracked ever so slightly for the Eagles.
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|| THIRD QUARTER ||
We've got a highlight of that last IMG touchdown.
Jayden Wade, the No. 1 recruit in the nation in the class of 2028, gets to the outside and scores. IMG Academy leads Winslow 28-14 with 1:00 left in the third quarter. @SJSportsZone 🏈@winslowtwpfb @WinslowRecruits @IMGAFootball @SCNext @Rivals @On3sports @LightsOutWade7 pic.twitter.com/SdnWdtthzf
— Kevin Emmons (@OfficialKEmmons) August 29, 2025
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Wade puts IMG back ahead by two touchdowns with a 3-yard touchdown run. Winslow's defense made them work for it, but the Eagles have their work cut out for them as we head to the fourth quarter.
End of 3rd Qtr — IMG Academy 28, Winslow Township 14'
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It's been a feisty game. A lot of jawing, and some flags flying for unsportsmanlike penalties. One thing's for certain, they might not have enough in the tank to beat IMG, but Winslow Township came to play tonight. They didn't show up like a team that was intimidated by the mighty Ascenders from Florida. They've played like it was an opportunity.
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We've got a highlight of Winslow's Parker scoring the touchdown earlier that pulled the Eagles to within 21-14.
JALEN PARKER. WHAT. A. PLAY. SAQUON BARKLEY WOULD APPROVE.
— Kevin Emmons (@OfficialKEmmons) August 29, 2025
Parker front flips into the end zone on a 4th down scramble. Winslow Township trails IMG Academy 21-14 with 1:16 left in the first half. @SJSportsZone 🏈#SCTop10 @winslowtwpfb @chillbelton @mylesonetwo @Yodruu pic.twitter.com/GA8NvUo6Gc
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Winslow was on the move, but Winslow's Parker throws his second interception of the game near midfield. But it doesn't cost them on the defensive side as they get the stop, forcing IMG to punt. It did cost them field position, however, as they are starting at their own 19. They were almost into IMG territory when they threw the interception.
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The third quarter is under way in New Jersey.
Halftime — IMG ACADEMY 21, WINSLOW TOWNSHIP 14
|| SECOND QUARTER ||
And that's where it stands headed to the lockers at halftime.
Halftime — IMG ACADEMY 21, WINSLOW TOWNSHIP 14
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Winslow came to play. Parker on a 13-yard scramble cuts into IMG's lead even further. The 2-point conversion is good, and we're back to a 7-point ballgame.
2nd Qtr — IMG ACADEMY 21, WINSLOW TOWNSHIP 14
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Winslow Township steadies the ship and drives down the field for a 7-yard Jalen Parker-to-Nakeem Powell delivery that cuts into IMG's big early lead. The PAT attempt is unsuccesful.
2nd Qtr — IMG ACADEMY 21, WINSLOW TOWNSHIP 6
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We're under way in the second quarter.
|| FIRST QUARTER ||
IMG adds an 8-yard run by Le'khy Thompkins before the end of the first quarter.
1st Qtr, 1:35 — IMG ACADEMY 21, WINSLOW TOWNSHIP 0
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IMG added a pick six on an 84-yard interception return by Chuck Roberts.
1st Qtr, 7:35 — IMG ACADEMY 14, WINSLOW TOWNSHIP 0
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IMG strikes quickly on a great 38-yard touchdown catch by junior WR Osani Gayles from sophomore QB Jayden Wade.
1st Qtr, 11:07 — IMG ACADEMY 7, WINSLOW TOWNSHIP 0
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We're under way in Ocean City!
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TOP 25 AND THE GAME OF THE WEEK ...
While you're getting ready for tonight's big game, get yourself up to speed on the preseason edition of The Sporting News High School Football Top 25.
Then check out Last week's Top 25 Roundup to see how the rest of our Top 25 fared in National Week 2.
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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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We'll check back in here in a while with a look at some more storylines and an update on the weather.
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