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6h ago

IMG Backs Out of Rescheduled St. Frances Showdown, Canceling This Season’s Matchup

The school cited a six-week gap before a mid-December date as a risk to player health, including senior college transitions.

St. Frances Academy Panthers quarterback Michael Van Buren scores a touchdown past IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) Ascenders defensive back Jordon Johnson-Rubell (23) during a national high school gridiron top 25 game at University of Maryland Friday., Nov. 18, 2022. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)
From left, St. Frances’ Jireh Edwards and Zion Elee battle each other for possession of a punt in a high school football game against Hewlett Sports Academy at the .Under Armour Stadium. (Kim Hairston/staff).
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Overview

  • IMG announced Friday it will not participate in a rescheduled mid-December game with St. Frances, ending plans to play this season.
  • The matchup was originally set for Nov. 7, then pushed to mid-December for national TV exposure, with reports citing Dec. 10 or Dec. 12.
  • In its statement, IMG pointed to the nearly six-week layoff between games as the basis for concerns about athlete welfare and seniors’ college timelines.
  • St. Frances coach Messay Hailemariam called the decision a disappointment and an excuse in comments reported by On3 and USA TODAY.
  • Players and supporters voiced frustration on social media, and the future of the annual series remains unclear despite the matchup’s national title implications in various rankings.