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Twice the talent: IMG football expands to two teams this fall

 
DL Tre’von Riggins 
(6-4, 240) is a Lakewood transfer.
DL Tre’von Riggins (6-4, 240) is a Lakewood transfer.
Published July 27, 2017

BRADENTON — When IMG Academy fielded its first varsity football team in 2013, there were 51 players on the roster. Since then, the roster has nearly tripled. With no junior varsity, it was difficult for some to find playing time, and players do not come to IMG to sit the bench.

The solution? Start another team.

Aside from the IMG Blue team — which plays a national schedule against traditional powerhouses, and finished 11-0 a year ago while being ranked fourth in the country by MaxPreps — there also will be an IMG White team this fall.

Technically the "B" team, the White team will play a Florida-only schedule that includes a season opener Aug. 25 against Nature Coast. The White team will also play at Berkeley Prep on Oct. 20.

"They've done this on campus with other sports (baseball and basketball)," third-year Blue coach Kevin Wright said. "For me, I've been at a couple high schools and the last one I was at, Carmel High School in Indianapolis, we had 240 kids on our football team. When you get to the varsity level, what do you do with seniors who may not play?

"It just made sense to us to at least attempt to play a second varsity team and give those kids the same type of experience. Logistically it's a challenge. We've added six new coaches and put more resources into it. That's the other thing, this is one of the few places where they are willing to add resources. It makes sense to us."

During the week, both teams will practice together. They will go their separate ways on Fridays, with Ken Stills taking over coaching duties for the White team. Wright said for the most part rosters will be set for each team. But there is a chance for players to be promoted — or demoted.

"I would look at it just like varsity and JV in Florida," Wright said. "Yes, a kid can play on either team, which is nice. You have flexibility. If a kid is ready to play at an elite level, then he can do that. You can put them in a situation where they can be successful based on their ability level."

Rosters aren't set just yet. One player who could wind up on either roster is Lakewood High sophomore transfer Tre'von Riggins. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound defensive lineman played varsity for the Spartans last season. He already has an offer from Miami, with more to come.

"I am aiming for the (Blue) team," Riggins said. "That's why I'm here. I'm going to compete as hard as I can to be on that national team as a sophomore."

But the White team won't lack talent. Wright knows no matter which team is playing, beating IMG is a big deal to opponents.

"This will be a learning experience," he said. "(The White team) is playing some tough teams, starting with Nature Coast (10-1 in 2016). You have to prepare like every team would because you're going to get their best. They don't care if you're a White team or a Blue team, they just want to beat IMG."

With a second team at IMG, it is quite possible that more players locally will transfer. While Wright does think the program may expand in the future, he doesn't believe that means a third varsity team.

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"I think the next step is going with a JV team," he said. "I think we'd do that before we go to a third (varsity) team. Ultimately, you're going to have younger kids on that second team and the more younger kids you get you don't want to put them in a situation where they are playing varsity. So (JV) would make the most sense."