TOP GAMES OF THE WEEK PREVIEW: IMG Academy at Venice

IMG Academy Ascenders at Venice

When: Friday

Where: Powell-Davis Stadium, Venice

Kickoff: 8 PM ET

TV: ESPNU, ESPN App

Coaches: Bobby Acosta, IMG Academy; John Peacock, Venice

Last Two Meetings
2019: IMG Academy 46, Venice 7
2017: IMG Academy 38, Venice 12

Key Players: IMG Academy: OT JC Latham (2021), QB J.J. McCarthy (2021), WR Jacorey Brooks (2021); OLB Xavian Sorey (2021); RB Lovasea Carroll (2021), OC Greg Crippen (2021), CB Markevious Brown (2021); SAF Kamari Wilson (2022), OT Tyler Brooker (2022), RB Kaytron Allen (2022), CB Daylen Everette (2022), OT Dayne Shore (2022), DT Dominick Jones (2022). SAF Trevon Howard (2022); Venice: QB Stefan Johnson (2021), CB Charles Brantley (2021); TE Weston Wolff (2021), OT Ethan Mort (2021)

Skinny: Some will say this game is a total mismatch on paper, but because of the national hype it will receive as being one of the only games that will be shown Friday night on national television, the spotlight is here for the second straight year, and third time in four years. First, IMG Academy has their third head coach in program history when Bobby Acosta was announced as the new head coach earlier this year taking over from Kevin Wright who stepped down after five seasons. Acosta will have no shortage of talent. One of the key names that will be heard from is former Booker T. Washington WR Jacorey Brooks who as an impressive stand out last season, claiming FloridaHSFootball.com Class 4A Offensive Player of the Year honors. Brooks who had an impressive 86 receptions for 1,187 yards and 16 touchdowns leading the Tornadoes to their first Class 4A State Championship in four years, transferred to IMG Academy during the summer. The Alabama commit will certainly be a target for McCarthy who is likely to be in the starting role for his position this season. For Venice, some talent is going to have to step and fill the shoes of key players like all-state WR Malachi Wideman, OL Thomas Shrader, and LB Rowan Foskin who have all graduated. However, players that showed promise last included Johnson (404 passing yards, 5 TDs, 6 INTs, and 984 yards rushing and 13 TDs) while others like Brantley (83 tackles, 3 TFL, 7 INTs, 5 pass breakups, 3 FR, 1 FF, 1 blocked punt) has already shown they are top-caliber players in the eyes of college coaches. If anything, this game could provide some moments for the Indians who don’t get the looks and mentions to be able to get the spotlight in what will be an unprecedented school year for the recruiting world.

Joe Pinkos’ Forecast: IMG Academy by 28

Twitter Poll

https://twitter.com/FlaHSFootball/status/1300960308933079041?s=20