IMG completes third straight perfect season
IMG quarterback Zack Annexstad saved his best for last.
He led the Ascenders to a 48-0 home win against Virginia Beach (Va.) Bishop Sullivan Catholic to close the season Saturday night. The senior completed 12 of 19 passes for 214 yards and four touchdowns despite not playing in the second half.
“Yeah, he’s a little bit under the radar, but I think he’s played his best football when it’s mattered most,” Ascenders coach Kevin Wright said. “The kid’s a winner.”
The Ascenders (8-0) won their 37th consecutive game, a streak that began in 2014. Whether they could add another win to that total wasn’t in doubt for long Saturday against the Crusaders (5-5).
Annexstad threw for a touchdown in the first quarter and three more in the second. Backup quarterback Artur Sitkowski added a 1-yard rushing touchdown for a 34-0 lead going into halftime. The Ascenders outgained the Crusaders 239-116 at halftime and forced a mercy-rule running clock early in the third quarter.
“They were in man (coverage) all game and we were just throwing and it was working,” Annexstad said. “Everything was working, really. On film, we saw a lot of things to attack and we did. They have athletes, but we just kept attacking them.”
The Ascenders defense also performed well.
Bishop Sullivan didn’t reach IMG territory until three seconds remained in the second quarter and collected just 155 yards for the game. It committed 18 penalties for 135 yards.
Saturday completed a two-game series between the two programs, who may continue to play each other in the future. IMG defeated Bishop Sullivan 16-6 on the road last season.
IMG’s well-rounded performance allowed it to complete its third consecutive perfect season, all of which have come since Wright took over the program for the 2015 season.
“It’s not old hat just because the schedule every year has gotten tougher,” Wright said. “We’re probably the only team, maybe ever in high school, college, pro, to play in all four time zones in a given season. That’s asking a lot. A couple weeks ago, we’re in the Rocky Mountains playing in 40-degree weather and then we’re in Hoover, Ala., and then we’re back here.
“There is a feeling of accomplishment. You don’t get tired of that.”
He can credit Annexstad, who is heading to Minnesota as a walk-on and threw for a season-high in touchdowns after entering the game with just six, for part of the accomplishment.
“He does a lot of little things I think build confidence within the team, within the guys around him,” Wright said. “He’s been able to elevate other guys’ play. Somebody’s going to get a heck of a quarterback.”
This story was originally published November 11, 2017 at 11:06 PM with the headline "IMG completes third straight perfect season."