IMG Academy (Florida) is no stranger to the National Football League.
The Ascenders have been coach by former NFL players. The national power has produced plenty of NFL talent. And, on Wednesday, the No. 10 team in the High School Football America 300, powered by NFL Play Football, was visited by the man, who owns eight Super Bowl rings, Bill Belichick.
The 72-year old Belichick, and former New England Patriots head coach, attended IMG’s practice Wednesday in New Jersey. On Thursday, the Ascenders will take-on No. 11 Bergen Catholic in one of this weekend’s high-profile national games.
The BC/IMG game is part of the 14-game Battle at the Beach that will be played this weekend in Ocean City’s Carey Stadium and Egg Harbor Township High School. The event is run by the West Jersey Football League Coaches Association.
Wednesday, Belichick was joined by former Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia, who served as the future Hall of Fame coach’s offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator with the Patriots.
Podcast: The GOAT at IMG Practice
Collingswood (New Jersey) head coach Mike McKeown, one of the founders of the Battle at the Beach, got a thrill Wednesday night when he was able to give tickets to Belichick for the IMG/BC battle.
The Jersey/Florida showdown has been on Coach Belichick’s radar since he talked about it during the NFL Draft in Detroit in April when he was on the Pat McAfee Show.
