The IMG Academy football team successfully arrived in the Baltimore area before a nationwide ground stop was issued by the Federal Aviation Administration on Friday, Nov. 13.
The “nationwide ground stop” was ordered due to communication issues affecting air traffic control systems across the United States, according to USA TODAY.
The team departed from Tampa International Airport at 11:22 a.m. and landed safely at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport at 1:34 p.m.
IMG spokesperson Mike Lovecchio confirmed the team avoided the travel chaos, stating, “We can confirm that IMG Academy’s national football team arrived safely in Baltimore prior to the FAA ground stop.”
The FAA implemented the order as a safety precaution while technicians worked to resolve serious communications failures that impacted aircraft movement between airports.
While departing flights were grounded nationwide, the disruption will not impact the highly anticipated matchup between IMG Academy and St. Frances Academy.
The game remains scheduled to take place on Saturday night, Nov. 14, at Bowie State University in Prince Georges County, Maryland.
This “marquee matchup” serves as the USA TODAY Game of the Week and represents a significant test for both programs.
St. Frances Academy is widely recognized for its national prominence and a roster featuring over 80 players with at least one Division I scholarship offer.
According to original reporting by USA TODAY, the event is the only ranked high school football matchup in the country this week.
The FAA order, which grounded departures while allowing flights already in the air to reach their destinations, is expected to remain in effect until at least 11 p.m. ET.
Despite the broader national air traffic challenges, the Ascenders are prepared to face their opponents under the lights as originally planned.