IMG Academy Blue overcomes slow start to rout Venice, improve to 5-0

For a while Friday night, it looked like IMG Academy’s shortest road trip might result in its longest night.

But the Ascenders, who were playing against a Southwest Florida opponent for the first time since the unique college-feeder program began in 2013, rebounded from an early nine-point deficit and rolled past Venice 38-12 in a non-district game at Powell-Davis Stadium.

“It was a hard-fought game,” IMG coach Kevin Wright said. “I think we kind of wore them down a little bit.”

IMG committed 22 penalties for 220 yards.

“We can’t have that many penalties and kill drives or extend drives,” Wright said.

The Indians (4-1) struck first as Zack Sessa capped a 10-play, 92-yard drive with a 40-yard field goal to put the Indians up 3-0 with 7:56 remaining in the first quarter.

Venice took advantage of a personal-foul penalty against the Ascenders after an IMG punt and had a first down on the IMG 38-yard line. A few plays – and several other major IMG penalties – later, Venice quarterback Bryce Carpenter found Jaivon Heiligh for a 30-yard scoring pass and a 9-0 Indians lead with 8:35 left in the second quarter.

Venice fans were thinking upset against the team ranked No. 2 in the country by USA Today. But their euphoria was short-lived as Sessa’s ensuing kick, which had been pushed back by a Venice personal foul, was blocked by IMG (5-0).

On the Ascenders’ next possession, Zack Annexstad connected with Brian Hightower for a 21-yard touchdown pass, capping an 80-yard drive. Aidan Swanson converted the kick to close the gap to 9-7 with 6:52 remaining in the half.

A short touchdown run by the Ascenders was called back because of a holding penalty. But after an Annexstad pass was broken up in the end zone, Swanson made a 36-yard field goal to put IMG up 10-9 with 3:30 left in the half.

IMG never looked back.

The missed Venice point after loomed large, at least for the moment.

On the Indians’ next possession, Carpenter was drilled out of bounds on a late hit by IMG’s Brendan Radley-Hiles. On the next play, Carpenter was intercepted by Greg Newsome, leaving some wondering if he was playing with an injured shoulder. The Ascenders took the ball at the Venice 49 and scored again, as Noah Cain ran in from 11 yards out. Swanson’s kick gave IMG a 17-9 lead with 1:01 remaining and the idea of a close game or an upset seemed to slip away for Venice fans.

Sam Whitney returned the ensuing kickoff to the Venice 43 but Radley-Hiles picked off Carpenter and IMG. Carpenter threw interceptions on back-to-back plays for the first time this year.

Annexstad completed 8 of 13 passes for 73 yards in the first half. T.J. Pledger rushed five times for 58 yards. Cain rushed five times for 31 yards.

IMG’s Charles Thomas intercepted a Carpenter pass and gave the Ascenders a first down on their own 46 with 11:11 remaining. Trey Sanders followed with a 39-yard scoring run and the kick gave IMG a 24-12 lead with 9:17 left.

The Ascenders scored two more touchdowns late as the Venice defense tired.

Sessa made a field goal in the third quarter that followed a blocked punt.

After a bye week, IMG will play at Salt Lake City East on Oct. 20 at 7 p.m.

The Indians will host Lakewood Ranch in a 7A-District 11 game Monday at 6 p.m. in a rescheduled game.

This story was originally published October 6, 2017 at 11:48 PM with the headline "IMG Academy Blue overcomes slow start to rout Venice, improve to 5-0."