IMG Academy Rallied Past The First Academy
The Ascenders overcame an early 17-point deficit to defeat The First Academy 48-27 on Friday night.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Football
IMG Academy rallied from a 24-7 first-half deficit to secure a 48-27 victory over The First Academy. The win keeps the Ascenders undefeated with a 4-0 season record.
Why it matters
The victory demonstrates the resilience of the IMG Academy roster, which managed to sustain a 27-point unanswered scoring run to overcome a significant early-game hurdle. This result impacts the standing of both teams as they progress through their respective seasons.
IMG Academy improved to 4-0 on the season following a 48-27 victory over The First Academy, which dropped to 4-1. The comeback was fueled by 27 unanswered points and a 99-yard kickoff return touchdown.
The players
IMG Academy
This boarding school in Bradenton, Florida, operates a nationally recognized sports training program.
The First Academy
Based in Orlando, Florida, this private school competes in regional high school football.
Osani Gayles
He is a playmaker for IMG Academy who contributed both a receiving touchdown and a 99-yard kickoff return.
Anthony 'Deuce' Woods
He is a running back for IMG Academy who powered the team's offense with two rushing touchdowns.
Jayden Wade
He serves as the quarterback for IMG Academy and provided a critical touchdown pass during the comeback.
The details
After trailing by 17 points in the first half, the Ascenders mounted a massive comeback fueled by rushing touchdowns from Anthony Deuce Woods and Elijah Newman Hall. The momentum shifted definitively when Jayden Wade connected with Osani Gayles for a touchdown, followed by a 99-yard kickoff return from Gayles and an interception return by Aaryn Washington.
Timeline
The football game between IMG Academy and The First Academy took place Friday night.
Season Trajectory
This win reinforces IMG Academy's standing as a dominant program in the national high school football landscape. The performance helps maintain their momentum toward postseason contention while significantly affecting the competitive balance in their high-profile schedule.
The Ascenders remain unblemished at 4-0, significantly boosting their strength-of-schedule metrics for end-of-season state and national rankings. Conversely, the loss forces The First Academy to adjust their trajectory to maintain their standing within the regional playoff picture.
The takeaway
The game illustrates that even high-profile programs with significant momentum can be challenged early in a contest. For other teams, the key takeaway is the importance of maintaining focus and executing special teams plays, as evidenced by the 99-yard kickoff return that shifted the game.
Further reading
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