After a short-handed Ascender offense needed a last second field goal to down The St. James Performance Academy, IMG Academy dropped down from No. 2 in the USA TODAY National Super 25 to the No. 4 spot.
This week, IMG Academy (6-0) is looking to stay unbeaten with a road test at New Palestine (IN) on Friday, Oct. 9.
It will be the biggest test of the year for New Palestine (5-2), which ranked as the No. 11 team in Indiana by MaxPreps. Headlining the Dragons' roster is four-star junior DL Sam Hirschy and TE Mason Oglesby (Kansas commit).
Here are three players to watch at the Ascenders travel to Indiana to take on the Dragons:
2027 LB Amarri Irvin
Irvin, a Virginia Tech commit, was effective against The St. James' run game. He and the rest of the Ascender linebacker
corps held the second line as the defensive line struggled inside, and their ability in coverage was invaluable. Irvin finished with six total tackles, a sack, two TFL, and two hurries.
New Palestine has a potent rushing attack, and how Irvin and the rest of the linebackers get downhill will be a key tone-setter for the game.
2027 RB Keith Smith
Smith may be RB No. 3 on the depth chart, but he'll be the most important part of the offense against the Dragons. IMG's starting running back Cayden Gould didn't finish last week's game against The St. James and was seen on the sidelines in crutches. Elijah Newman-Hall (Ohio State commit) has seen limited carries since missing Week 6 against Legacy Sports Sciences, and Smith was the main ball carrier for the Ascenders by the fourth quarter last week.
The Ascenders are a run-heavy offense and lean on their backers in key situations. Smith will be key in this week's matchup for a depleted offense. New Palestine's two losses this year came when their opponents had good nights running the ball.
2028 QB Jayden Wade
Wade is obviously a player to watch in every game — but the offensive burden will be particularly heavy this week. The IMG offense is not healthy by any means, with star receiver Eric McFarland III and Gould out, Newman-Hall getting back healthy and Eric Whitfield missing time, too.
Wade is still immeasurably spoiled with weapons and can make the most of them, but will have to be much more intentional in his effort on Friday. Even with two key pass catchers out last week, Wade still tossed for 348 yards and three touchdowns last week. Expect a lot of design runs for the five-star Georgia commit, who is probably the best ball-carrier the Ascenders have 100-percent ready to go.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Why this Virginia Tech commit is key to IMG Academy football road game
