1 of 30
Hoover wide receiver Jonah Winston (4) outruns the defense on the way to a Hoover touchdown during a game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL.
2 of 30
Hoover wide receiver Jonah Winston (4) protects the ball after a catch during a game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL.
3 of 30
Hoover safety DJ Waluyn (1) brings down an IMG ballcarrier during a game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL.
4 of 30
Hoover running back JR Mosley (3) runs the ball during a game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL.
5 of 30
Hoover head coach Chip English watches a play during a game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL.
6 of 30
Hoover wide receiver Jonah Winston (4) is tackled during a game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL.
7 of 30
Hoover wide receiver Jonah Winston (4) runs the ball during a game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL.
8 of 30
Hoover running back JR Mosley (3) is tackled by a number of IMG players during a game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL.
9 of 30
A Hoover running back is tackled by IMG players during a game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL.
10 of 30
Hoover linebacker Trey Sanders (6) celebrates a sack on the IMG punter during a game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL.
11 of 30
Hoover Cheerleaders during a game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL. Photo by Barry Stephenson
12 of 30
Hoover defensive end Jovon Pulliam (7) tackles IMG running back Le'Khy Thompkins (2) during a game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL.
13 of 30
Hoover wide receiver Jeremiah Tabb (2) carries the ball during a game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL.
14 of 30
Members of the Hoover band perform during a game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL. Photo by Barry Stephenson
15 of 30
Hoover Cheerleaders during a game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL. Photo by Barry Stephenson
16 of 30
Hoover Game captains wide receiver Jonah Winston (4), defensive tackle Tyson Bacon (44), offensive lineman Lincoln Anderson (54), and linebacker Trey Sanders (6) head to midfield for the coin toss prior to a game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL.
17 of 30
Hoover band drum majors before a game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL. Photo by Barry Stephenson
18 of 30
The colors are presented during a game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL.
19 of 30
Members of the Hoover Girls 7A State Championship team are recognized before the game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL. Photo by Barry Stephenson
20 of 30
Members of the Hoover Boys 7A State Championship team are recognized before the game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL. Photo by Barry Stephenson
21 of 30
Hoover linebacker Jarrett Goldsby (19) makes a tackle during a game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL.
22 of 30
Hoover linebacker Jarrett Goldsby (19) puts a big hit on IMG quarterback Jayden Wade (7) during a game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL.
23 of 30
Hoover wide receiver Jonah Winston (4) runs the ball during a game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL.
24 of 30
Hoover defensive end Jovon Pulliam (7) makes a tackle during a game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL.
25 of 30
Hoover cornerback Jordan Williams (2) tackles an IMG ballcarrier during a game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL.
26 of 30
Hoover quarterback Kaleb Freeman (7) looks for running room during a game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL.
27 of 30
Hoover linebacker Jarrett Goldsby (19) puts a big hit on IMG running back Le'Khy Thompkins (2) during a game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL.
28 of 30
Hoover safety Anquan Allen (3) makes a nice open field tacle on IMG tight end Judah Lancaster (10) during a game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL.
29 of 30
Hoover cornerback Jordan Williams (2) wraps up a IMG receiver during a game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL.
30 of 30
Hoover linebacker Trey Sanders (6) stops IMG quarterback Jayden Wade (7) during a game between Hoover High School and IMG on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Hoover Met in Hoover, AL.
Hoover struggled to stop the run Friday night.
IMG Academy leaned on its star running back and dominant offensive line, riding Le’Khy Thompkins to a 34-13 win over Hoover.
“We know there is going to be adversity,” Hoover head coach Chip English said. “We were hoping it was not going to be that score, but the realization of it is that our guys never quit. That’s what kind of team we are and I am proud of them for that.”
Thompkins carried the load early, rushing for 139 first-half yards and two touchdowns as the Ascenders built a 20-7 halftime lead. The Louisville commit finished with three touchdowns and 168 rushing yards on 19 carries.
Thompkins opened the scoring on third-and-2 during IMG’s opening drive, slicing through the Hoover front before sprinting past the secondary for a 59-yard touchdown. The extra point was blocked, leaving IMG with a 6-0 lead.
Hoover responded quickly behind senior receiver Jonah Winston, who turned a short screen into a highlight-reel play, weaving through and ducking under defenders for a 39-yard score and a 7-6 lead with 7:53 remaining in the opening quarter.
IMG regained control late in the first quarter, capitalizing on a short field. Thompkins capped the drive with his second touchdown.
On the opening play of the next drive, IMG’s AJ Marks intercepted Hoover quarterback Kaleb Freeman and raced 28 yards for a pick-six, stretching the lead to 20-7 with just over a minute remaining in the first quarter.
Hoover had chances to close the gap — including a stop on a fake punt and a trip inside the 10 — but came away empty after a mishandled field goal attempt.
IMG shifted gears to open the third quarter, turning to the passing game after establishing the run. Quarterback Jayden Wade faked a handoff and delivered a strike to Eric McFarland, who darted through the middle for a 29-yard touchdown and a 27-7 advantage.
Thompkins’ final score came late in the third quarter, when he muscled across the goal line from 9 yards out to cap a two-play, 19-yard drive that extended the lead to 34-7.
Hoover found the end zone one more time in the closing minutes. Senior wideout Jeremiah Tabb elevated over a defender for a highlight-reel catch at the goal line, cutting the deficit to the final score, 34-13.
Freeman — making his first career start for Hoover after transferring from Pleasant Grove — finished 11-of-20 for 123 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Winston paced all players with 77 yards receiving on seven catches, while Tabb totaled 40 yards on three receptions.
IMG has now won all four meetings between the programs.
Next week does not get much easier for Hoover, which travels to face crosstown rival Spain Park. The Jaguars are coming off a 12-1 season in their return to Class 6A and opened with a 48-21 win Friday night.
Follow Under the Lights on social media and sign up for the weekly newsletter at this link.
Southlake Orthopaedics is a proud sponsor of Hoover football coverage all season long.
