No. 5 IMG Academy and No. 13 Bergen Catholic highlighted Thursday’s National Week 3 action, with both programs turning in impressive results during the Battle at the Beach in Ocean City, New Jersey.
In the afternoon showcase, Bergen Catholic of Oradell rallied for a 22-21 win over East St. Louis, the Flyers, after blocking a punt for a touchdown late in the game. Later, the evening finale featured IMG Academy of Bradenton, Florida, overcoming unranked Winslow Township of Atco, New Jersey, 35-14 to move to 3-0 on the season.
Thursday’s results also included a trio of notable wins from other top programs: No. 9 North Crowley defeated Lancaster 22-18; No. 37 Santa Margarita knocked off No. 11 Centennial 33-27; and No. 13 Bergen Catholic’s dramatic late rally came against a tough East St. Louis squad. This slate underlined the depth and national reach of high school football week three.
Lekhy Thompkins starred for IMG, racking up 166 yards and two touchdowns as the Ascenders rolled to victory and maintained their perfect start. IMG’s performance underscored why the program remains a top title favorite as the season progresses.
Looking ahead to the rest of the weekend, Friday’s schedule features several high-profile matchups involving ranked teams, with the slate including:
– No. 15 Thompson (Alabaster, Ala.) at No. 6 Grayson (Loganville, Ga.)
– NR Boyd Anderson (Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.) at No. 12 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
– No. 20 Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.) at McArthur (Hollywood, Fla.)
– NR Cathedral (Indianapolis) at Brownsburg (Ind.)
– NR Central Catholic (Toledo) at Cass Tech (Detroit)
– No. 24 Milton (GA) at Alpharetta (GA)
– No. 28 Grimsley (Greensboro, NC) at West Forsyth (Clemmons, NC)
– No. 36 Carrollton (GA) at Rome (GA)
– NR Newton (Covington, GA) at Douglas County (GA)
– NR Venice (FL) at Northwestern (Miami, FL)
– No. 17 Southlake Carroll (TX) at Midland (TX)
– No. 27 Westlake (TX) at Prosper (TX)
– No. 30 Summer Creek (TX) at Shadow Creek (TX)
– NR Midland Legacy (TX) at No. 44 Allen (TX)
– No. 46 Bryant (AR) at Benton (TX)
– No. 40 Atascocita (TX) at Lamar (TX)
– No. 14 Corner Canyon (UT) at Fremont (UT)
– NR Eastwood (TX) at No. 2 St. John Bosco (CA)
– No. 16 Mission Viejo (CA) at St. Paul (CA)
Saturday’s card continues with marquee clashes, including top teams from across the country, while Sunday features the return of some high-profile out-of-state showdowns.
For fans looking to watch, many Week 3 games are streaming on NFHS Network, with local broadcast options and free trials available on Fubo for eligible subscribers.
Takeaways and outlook:
– The Battle at the Beach delivered high-end, national-level competition early in the season, with Bergen Catholic and IMG Academy delivering standout performances and reinforcing the depth of talent across programs.
– The results set up several potential early-season landmarks, as ranked teams collide in what could become defining wins as the season unfolds.
– The continued mix of strong defense and explosive offenses on display signals an exciting and competitive year for national high school football.
In addition to Thursday’s results, the week’s slate continues to shape up as a proving ground for national contenders, with standout performances likely to influence rankings and playoff positioning in the weeks ahead.
Overall, the action on Thursday offered a hopeful note for fans: a growing field of elite programs delivering competitive, entertaining football and deep rosters that should keep the season compelling as it advances.