IMG flexes in Orlando: Ascenders top The First Academy 41-7 in Kickoff Classic

ORLANDO — In a much-hyped preseason Kickoff Classic at Warden Stadium, national power IMG Academy overpowered The First Academy (TFA), 41–7, on Thursday night. The matchup drew national attention as a tune-up that felt closer to a regular-season test, pitting IMG’s blue-chip depth against a revamped Royals roster on its home turf.

Note: Kickoff Classics are a preseason exhibition under FHSAA rules and do not count toward regular-season win–loss records. So both teams’ official regular-season records remained 0–0 after this game.

Final: IMG 41, The First Academy 7

The scoreline underscores IMG’s early readiness under new head coach Greg Studrawa, who debuted in charge of the Ascenders.

What we learned about TFA

• High-end talent is real. TFA’s roster includes multiple Power-Four commits/targets, led by S Devin Jackson (Oregon pledge), all-purpose athlete Brian Dillard, EDGE Kingston Shaw (Illinois commit), and rising 2027 QB Landen Holley. Their individual flashes showed why the Royals will be dangerous against standard schedules, even if IMG’s depth was overwhelming.

• Context matters. The Royals enter 2025 after last year’s forfeits and FHSAA sanctions; they’re still re-establishing rhythm and continuity. Against a national-schedule juggernaut like IMG, that process was always going to be tested. The Royals are a high caliber team and no doubt they will bounce back for the rest of the season.

IMG headlines you could feel from the sideline

• Edge pressure travels. Newly committed Oklahoma EDGE Jake Kreul (Central Florida native) and five-star pass-rushing mates repeatedly collapsed the pocket, forcing hurried throws and short fields.

• Blue-chip depth everywhere. With top prospects across the secondary (e.g., Georgia-bound Zeke Fort) and offensive line (USC/Alabama/Miami commits among others), IMG rolled out wave after wave of FBS-level rotations.

What’s next

• The First Academy turns quickly to a showcase vs. Milton on Aug. 22 as the Royals shift from national-brand measuring stick to games that better calibrate their 2025 ceiling.

• IMG Academy heads to national travel mode with a marquee at Hoover (AL), continuing a schedule stacked with ranked opponents.