IMG Academy escaped with a 45-42 win over The St. James Performance Academy, using a field goal at triple zeroes to remain undefeated on the season.
The Ascenders were short-handed on Saturday, Oct. 3, missing star wide receivers Eric McFarland III (Texas A&M commit) and Eric Whitfield. Starting running back Cayden Gould went down with injury during the game, and Elijah Newman-Hall (Ohio State commit) saw limited carries after missing last week's game.
In the end, the Ascender defense kept IMG in the hunt with four takeaways. A fumble recovery on the Stivers' opening drive, plus three interceptions, kept the Ascenders alive.
Here are three stars from IMG Academy's nailbiter over The St. James Performance Academy:
Censere Gaylord, 2027 S
Gaylord was exceptional in the win.
On top of adding some much-needed strong run support, the Washington commit reeled in two interceptions, both with the Strivers in scoring position and posied to take a two-score lead.
His first interception was a one-handed snag on a tip-drill, but no play was bigger than Gaylord's interception in the third quarter, when he reeled in a bad pass at the 3-yard line before returning it for a pick-six.
"We didn't come flat, but we didn't come out how we wanted to come out," Gaylord said. "Games like this prepare us for moments when we need it — this was a great team we played and we're going to play some other great teams, so we needed to play against a team like this."
Osani Gayles, 2027 WR
Gayles, an Alabama commit, was foundational for a short-handed IMG offense. He finished the night with seven catches for around 180 yards and two touchdowns. A 63-yard catch set the stage for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, and had a 73-yard kick return that set up the game-winning field goal.
"I kind of blacked out, I'm not going to lie," Gayles said of his kick return in the fourth quarter. "I don't even really remember it. I just remember before the kick I told our other returner that I've got it. That no matter what happens, I've got it. Then I had to go out and take advantage of the opportunity."
Zach Brien, 2027 K
When you boot the game-winner, you get your flowers. The Cal commit never surrendered good field position on kickoffs, and finished the win 3-for-3 on field goal attempts, including the 47-yard game-winner as time expired.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: These IMG Academy football stars shined in win over St. James Academy
