IMG Academy (Fla.) leads Hoover (Ala.) in 2nd half: Live updates, score of huge interstate high school football clash

IMG Academy (Fla.) leads Hoover (Ala.) in 2nd half: Live updates, score of huge interstate high school football clash
originally appeared on The Sporting News

Two of the top programs in the southeastern United States collide in a nationally televised matchup.

IMG Academy, ranked No. 5 in the latest national Top 25 by The Sporting News, travels to Alabama to take on a longtime power in that state, Hoover.

How to watch Hoover vs. IMG football: Channel, live stream, kickoff time for Friday high school game

Follow The Sporting News correspondent Buck Ringgold (@Bucks_Ballpark) for all of the live updates and scoring from Hoover.

Scroll down for live score and game updates from kickoff to the postgame. Refresh this page for the latest.

IMG ACADEMY 34, HOOVER 13 4TH QTR.

Refresh for latest

FOURTH QUARTER

– TOUCHDOWN HOOVER. Bucs break IMG’s 28-0 run with a TD pass from Kaleb Freeman to Jeremiah Tabb from 32 yards out. (IMG, 34-13 | 4:45, 4th)

– IMG in command with 12 more minutes left to play.

THIRD QUARTER

– TOUCHDOWN IMG. It’s a hat trick for Le’Khy Thompkins, as the Louisville commit scores from 9 yards out for his third TD on the night. (IMG, 34-7 | 1:15, 3rd)

– IMG defensive tackle and Indiana commit Cameron McHaney with a huge sack. He had two in last week’s win. Then Oklahoma commit Jake Kreul comes up with his second sack on the night, forcing a fourth-and-36 for Hoover deep in its own territory.

– TOUCHDOWN IMG. Ascenders march down the field to start the second half and score on a 29-yard pass to Eric McFarland, which was his first reception on the night. IMG went 65 yards in eight plays on that drive. (IMG, 27-7 | 7:58, 3rd)

– The second half is now under way.

HALFTIME

– Le’Khy Thompkins has rushed for 139 yards and two TDs to pace IMG. Hoover has 57 yards rushing and 57 more yards passing in the first half.

– Time runs out in the first half, and IMG will take its 13-point lead into the locker room.

SECOND QUARTER

– Hoover forces a punt and gets the ball back near midfield with 31 seconds left.

– IMG holds in the red zone, forcing Hoover to kick a 27-yard field goal. But the kick goes wide right and the Bucs come away empty-handed. IMG ball with 1:42 left in the half.

– Hoover is driving, as the Bucs have a first-and-goal inside the 10 with less than three minutes left in the first half.

FIRST QUARTER

– PICK-SIX IMG. The Ascenders extend their lead as defensive back AJ Marks picks off a pass and returns it untouched 25 yards to the end zone. (IMG, 20-7 | 1:06, 1st)

– TOUCHDOWN IMG. Le’Khy Thompkins scores his second TD on the night, going in from 10 yards out after the Ascenders take advantage of field position, forcing a short Hoover punt deep in Bucs’ territory. (IMG, 13-7 | 1:15, 1st)

– TOUCHDOWN HOOVER. Bucs come right back and take the lead, as Jonah Winston catches a screen pass and then takes off, going in from 39 yards out. The PAT is good, putting the Bucs in front. (Hoover, 7-6 | 7:42, 1st)

– TOUCHDOWN IMG. Le’Khy Thompkins takes a handoff at his own 40 and is off to the races, going in for a 60-yard jaunt. The PAT is blocked. (IMG, 6-0 | 9:42, 1st)

– Hoover gets the opening kickoff but can’t move the ball and the Bucs will punt it to IMG. Scoreless 1:15 in.

PREGAME

– Live from the Hoover Met, the hometown Buccaneers are getting set to take on the Ascenders from IMG.

ABOUT IMG (1-0)

IMG got its season started last week on a high note with a 41-17 win against The First Academy. Le’Khy Thompkins and Eric McFarland combined to score six touchdowns in the win.

ABOUT HOOVER

The Bucs reached the 7A semifinals a season ago and are back to try and put together another deep playoff run this season. Among the players to watch are defensive end Tyson Bacon and receiver Jonah Winston.