The Mint Hill Times

The Independence Patriot football team defeated South Meck 42-28 on Thursday night.  After trailing 21-7 at halftime, the Patriots scored on all five possessions in the second half to earn the win. Continue reading »

The Independence Patriots Football team dropped a physical game to conference foe Ardrey Kell 23-21 last Friday.  After averaging 45 points a game in the first five contests, Indy’s offense had trouble finding any kind of rhythm against the tough Knight defensive front. 

Quarterback Evan Guest hit 20 of 49 passes, throwing for 289 yards and two touchdowns.  It’s the 65-yard game-winning touchdown pass to Dequan Barnes in the fourth quarter that was taken off the board, however, that gave the Patriots their first loss of the season.  After Barnes crossed the goal line the officials huddled at midfield and then dropped a flag for an “illegal shift” penalty on Independence.  It was the first and only illegal shift penalty called against either team the entire game. 

Obviously many Patriot players, coaches , and fans had sour feelings after the loss.  Head Coach Bill Geiler may have said the most poignant remarks to move his team forward after the dismaying setback.

“If we score more than 21 points, we don’t have to worry about the officiating.”

 Ardrey Kell’s running back Quay Gilmore was almost unstoppable in the contest, rushing for 137 yards and two touchdowns. 

The Patriots will need to improve their special teams unit in order to compete in the competitive Southwestern 4A Conference.  Their punt team gave up a safety on a blocked punt, and had a punt returned for a touchdown.  Getting their offense back  in a rhythm and staying on the field will be the best remedy for this team right now, and will eliminate the special team’s woes altogether. 

Austin Duke was in his usual form on Friday.  He caught ten passes for over a hundred yards.  His two touchdowns puts him at 13 scores for the season.

Defensive end Brandon Jackson recorded three sacks, and T’shun Byers had six tackles to help shut down the Knights in the fourth quarter.  It wasn’t enough, though, as Ardrey Kell held on for the win.

Many young players might hang their heads after suffering a bitter defeat, especially when some questionable officiating calls seem  to have cost them the game.  Hopefully the Indy players know that an injustice happening to you can become a small thing if your response to it is a noble one.

We’ll see how this Patriot team responds on Friday night at Providence.

The Independence High School football team defeated East Meck 49-0 Friday night.  The win improves Indy’s record to 5-0 on the season.

Quarterback Evan Guest threw for over 250 yards with five touchdowns.  Guest also rushed for two scores.

“We had plays called for me to pull the ball and run if it was open,” said Guest.  “I saw some opportunities and I took advantage of them.  All the credit goes to my teammates and coaches.  We had a great week of practice, and all that goes into what we do on Friday night.”

Dequan Barnes and Austin Duke each scored twice on receptions from Guest.

Credit the Indy defense and special teams units for the team’s first shutout of the season.  The Patriots recovered three fumbles and blocked a field goal attempt.  Jack Tocho picked off an Eagles’ pass to end one of East Meck’s offensive drives.

Independence’s coaches and players certainly did their homework this week.  Their offensive and defensive game plans dominated both sides of the ball.

“East Meck’s defense is very aggressive,” said Indy Head Coach Bill Geiler.  “We figured we could let Evan loose a couple of times.  When he could pull it, we let him pull it and run with it.”

Independence hosts Ardrey Kell this Friday.

Follow the Independence Patriots and other local teams and sports on Twitter at @JJamisonMHTimes

Independence’s varsity football team defeated Hough 38-33 Friday night in front of a hostile crowd in Cornelius.

The Patriots’ defense was solid early, shutting out the Huskies in the first half.  Kahlil Gonzales and Jack Tocho both had interceptions for Indy.

After rushing touchdowns by RJ Baker and Evan Guest, the Patriots took an early 14-0 lead.

Hough made some amazing halftime adjustments and put 31 points on the board in the last 24 minutes, scoring 21 in the fourth quarter.

The hot, humid weather looked to take its toll on both teams’ defenses.  The Indy unit looked exhausted at the end of the game, having spent the majority of time on the field.

Brandon Jackson’s two sacks and Austin Duke’s late interception sealed the win for the Patriots.  The result was a pleasant contrast from the first game Indy played last season.

“We were in the first game last season and we just wore out,” said Head Coach Bill Geiler.  “This year we wore out a little bit, but our seniors just refused to lose.  They had to make the plays at the end and they did.”

Quarterback Evan Guest threw for 237 yards and one touchdown.  Baker rushed for two scores, and Duke went 95 yards receiving with a touchdown and a kickoff return for a score.

“The coaches asked me to step up, so I have to make some plays to help the team win,” said Duke.  “It’s not about me, it’s about the team.  We’ve gotta keep working hard right now.  This wasn’t a satisfying win, but we got the win.”

Even with Duke’s versatility on the field, he was not considered as valuable as the new kicker by Coach Geiler.  Morgan Boyle is a junior on Indy’s soccer team who played his first football game on Friday.

“I can’t say enough about my kicker,” said Geiler.  “I’ve never had a soccer player before.  Kicking in the end zone on kickoffs, and that field goal was huge.  He was awesome today.  I think the MVP was the kicker.”

As the weather cools and the players develop more stamina, look for the Patriots’ defense to play more effectively at the end of games this season.  This Friday at North Meck will be the perfect litmus test for Indy’s defensive unit.