FAA ground stop doesn't affect massive IMG Academy vs. St. Frances football game

BALTIMORE, MD — IMG Academy's football program avoided a potential travel disruption ahead of its biggest game of the season.The Ascenders arrived in the Baltimore area before the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a nationwide ground stop Friday afternoon, Nov. 13, halting departing flights across the United States after communication problems affected the nation's air traffic control system.The disruption will not affect IMG Academy's highly anticipated matchup against St. Frances Academy, which remains scheduled to be played Saturday night, Nov. 14, at Bowie State University (Prince Georges County, MD).“We can confirm that IMG Academy’s national football team arrived safely in Baltimore prior to the FAA ground stop," IMG spokesperson Mike Lovecchio said. IMG flew out of Tampa International Airport at 11:22 a.m., safely landing at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport at 1:34 p.m. The FAA issued the ground stop after communications failures affected air traffic control centers responsible for directing aircraft between airports. The agency ordered the halt as a safety precaution while technicians investigated the issue.Flights already in the air were allowed to continue to their destinations, while departing flights were grounded. The order is expected to remain in effect until at least 11 p.m. ET.IMG Academy's trip to Maryland comes ahead of a marquee matchup against St. Frances Academy, one of the premier high school football programs in the country. It's the only ranked matchup in the country and is the USA TODAY Game of the Week.The game represents a significant test for the Ascenders, who will face a St. Frances team known for its collection of high-level talent and national prominence. Over 80 players possess at least one Division I offer.The Ascenders and St. Frances are still scheduled to meet Saturday night, under the lights in a big rivalry game.Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X at @AlexMartinUSAT or via email: amartin@usatodayco.com. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow USA TODAY High School Sports on Instagram and X.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: FAA ground stop doesn't affect massive IMG Academy vs. St. Frances football game