IMG Academy Improves to 2-0 by Defeating Winslow Township NJ) at the Battle at the Beach

One of New Jersey's rising powers set to challenge the nationally ranked Ascenders

IMG Academy improved to 2-0 with a 35-14 win over New Jersey's Winslow Township, Friday in Ocean City, New Jersey. / Mike Lang / Sarasota Herald-Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Game Recap

IMG Academy, the No. 6 team in the country, struggled offensively at times, but made enough big plays on both sides of the ball to pull away from New Jersey power Winslow Township, Friday at the Battle at the Beach in Ocean City, New Jersey, for a 35-14 victory and a 2-0 start in 2025.

After building a 21-0 first quarter lead, IMG saw Winslow Township pull within one score with a pair of unanswered second quarter touchdowns, but the Ascenders stepped it up defensively in the second half and pulled away

For all the details follow our Live Update thread below.

Preview

The first day of the Battle of the Beach at Carey Stadium in Ocean City, New Jersey will conclude with Winslow Township, the state's No. 6 team, matching up against IMG Academy, the No. 1 team in Florida and the No. 6 in the High School On SI High School Football Power 25 National Rankings.

Pick 'em

Play High School On SI's Pick 'Em and choose who you think will win below.

Winslow Township (NJ) vs. IMG Academy (FL): Live Score Updates from Battle at the Beach - Aug. 28, 2025

Updates will be placed here when the game begins. Refresh for the latest update.

	1	2	3	4	F
IMG Academy	21	0	7	7	35
Winslow Township	0	14	0	0	14

Pregame

The kickoff is seconds away. IMG will receive. The Ascendars are in blue jerseys with white numbers, white pants and white helmets. Winslow Town is in white jerseys, grey pants and green helmets.

1st Quarter

IMG returns the kick to its own 37, where it will start.

IMG QB Jayden Wade gets off to a quick start with a first down throw to Eric McFarland at the Winslow Township 40.

TOUCHDOWN! That didn't take long. Wade threw a high, arching ball into the end zone where 4-star WR Osani Gayles got under it and IMG leads, 7-0, less than a minute into the contest.

Big gainer. Nyqir Helton nearly breaks it with a 30-yard gain on a wide receiver screen from Jalen Parker. Winslow Township is at midfield.

On a third and one, Parker goes up top and connects with TJ Maddox for a gain down to the IMG 16.

Winslow Township calls timeout to talk about a 3rd and 10 from the 16 with 7:48 to play in the first quarter.

PICK SIX! As Helton was attempting to secure a short reception he was drilled by Censere Gaylord, popping the ball into the air where it was snared by Chuck Roberts, who returned it 80 yards for the touchdown. IMG goes up 14-0, just like that.

Another IMG pick six was negated by a roughing the passer call, as Winslow Township dodges a bullet.

A short punt by the Eagles, sets IMG up with another first down at its own 42 with 5:28 to go in the opening quarter.

Tight end Judah Lancaster makes his first catch of the evening, taking the Ascendars into WT territory.

Wade, with no one to throw to, keeps the play alive before running for a first down inside the 30. IMG on the march again.

TOUCHDOWN! After converting a 4th and 2 with a nice gain, Le'Khy Thompkins got the ball again and scored from 10 yards out. IMG is rolling, 21-0.

Winslow Township picks up a first down on its first series and faces a 2nd and 7 as the first quarter comes to an end. The Eagles will now have the wind at their back.

2nd Quarter

Parker is sacked on the first play of the second quarter.

Similar to his first quarter catch, TJ Maddox gains a first down on a slant pass from Parker. Winslow Township moves the chains. First down for the Eagles at their own 44.

A pass interference penalty puts the Eagles at the IMG 41. It's their second trip across midfield.

The Eagles have advanced into the red zone with 8 minutes to play in the second quarter.

Helton draws a pass interference call in the end zone, giving Winslow Township a first and goal at the IMG 8.

TOUCHDOWN! Winslow Township gets on the scoreboard as NaKeem Powell breaks a tackle after catching a short swing pass from Jalen Parker and gets into the end zone. The extra point kick was blocked, as IMG leads 21-6.

The Winslow Township defense keeps the momentum going by forcing an IMG punt. The Eagles have the ball at their own 40 with 5 minutes left in the half.

A NaKeem Powell first down run, followed by an offides foul by IMG, allows the Eagles to move back across midfield.

Powell catches a quick hitter, sheds several tackles and moves the ball to the IMG 13 with 2:31 to go in the second quarter.

Cameron McHaney gets IMG's third sack of the first half, dropping WT back to its 26.

TOUCHDOWN! Jalen Parker who has taken several massive hits in the pocket, including two roughing the passer calls, runs 20 yards for the touchdown, flipping into the end zone after a massive collision at the goal line. Powell, the holder on the extra-point, then executes the fake kick and runs in a two-pint conversion. With 1:16 to play in the first half, Winslow Township is back within one score, at 21-14.

IMG continues to struggle with penalties and their drive goes no where as the first half comes to an end the Ascendars clinging to a 21-14 lead.

3rd Quarter

Winslow Township gets the ball first as we open the second half.

Right off the bat, the Eagles cross midfield on a reception by Nyqir Hilton. Winslow Township has weathered IMG's early punch and appears ready to make a move.

On a huge play early in the third quarter, Parker connects with Powell to convert a fourth down play. Winslow Township is at the IMG 41.

INTERCEPTION! Amari Irvin shuts down the drive with an interception. IMG now has the ball for the first time in the second half, at its own 48. There is 8:45 left in the third quarter.

The Ascenders continue to struggle offensively and they punt it back to WT, which has a first down at its own 18 with 8:15 to play in the third quarter.

The defenses have gained the upper hand. Winslow Township punts it away. With the wind at their back, the Eagles boom it down to the IMG 25. The clock has 5:29 to play in the quarter.

Le'Khy Thompkins has back-to-back strong runs and IMG has moved the ball inside the Winslow Township 40.

The play is getting chippy and a brief scuffle broke out near the IMG bench.

IMG converts a 4th and 2 with 6 yard run by Thompkins. It's 1st and Goal at the six for IMG.

TOUCHDOWN! After a face-mask call gave IMG a 1st and Goal at the 2, the Ascenders score on a 2-yard sprint by Wade. The Ascenders get back on the scoreboard and lead 28-14 with a minute to play in the third quarter.

Jalen Parker finds TJ Maddox on a corner rout to push Winslow Township down to the IMG 41 with 13 seconds to go in the quarter. The pair connect again and the Eagles move it to the 20 as the 3rd quarter comes to an end.

4th Quarter

Parker is dropped for a six yard loss on a sack by Carmelo Mckenzie on the first play of the quarter.

TURNOVER ON DOWNS! Penalties stalled the Winslow Township drive and IMG has the ball back at its own 35 with 9:10 left in the contest.

MISSED FIELD GOAL! IMG missed an opportunity to stretch its lead. Winslow Tournship still has a pulse as it trails, 28-14, with 6:30 left.

INTERCEPTION! A tipped ball came down in the hands of Washington commit Ksani Jiles and IMG gets the ball back. The Ascenders are closing in on victory with 4:38 to play.

TOUCHDOWN! IMG caps the win with another huge play from Le'Khy Thompkins, who breaks off a 56-yard TD run. IMG leads, 35-28

That's your final from New Jersey. IMG Academy was not sensational, but was just too talented for the feisty Eagles.