On Wednesday afternoon at Independence High School, the Patriots’ junior varsity football team played host to the Mallard Creek junior varsity Mavericks.  The game’s first quarter turned into a punting contest as neither team could move the ball.  However, with 33 seconds left in the period, Mallard Creek punted from mid-field, but Indy fumbled the ball, and the Mavericks recovered the ball on Indy’s 28-yard line as the first quarter ended with no score.

In the second quarter, the Mavericks moved to Indy’s 19-yard line.  On the next play, Mallard Creek ran for a 19-yard touchdown, but the play was called back due to a holding call on the Mavericks.  After the mark-off for the penalty, Mallard Creek picked up a first down on Indy’s 13-yard line.  On the next play, Mallard Creek moved to the three-yard line and scored on an off-tackle run to take a 6-0 lead with 7:42 left in the first half.  The Mavericks lined up for the 2-point conversion.  After the snap, Indy’s defense dropped Mallard Creek’s quarterback in the backfield and the attempt was no good. The Patriots started their next possession on their own 21-yard line with 7:24 showing on the game clock.  After a couple of running plays, Indy’s tight end Deshaun Wilkes got open, and quarterback Justin Little connected with Wilkes for the first down on Indy’s 45-yard line with 4:50 remaining in the first half.

After Justin Little ran the ball to mid-field, he threw downfield to Brian Crowder for a 50-yard touchdown pass to tie the score.  The Patriots made the extra point kick and took the lead 7-6 with 1:55 left in the half. On the ensuing kickoff the Patriots’ defense held, and the Mavericks had to punt with 0:47 showing on the game clock.  Indy took over on its own 37-yard line with 0:37 left to play in the half.  The Patriots decided to let the clock run out with a 7-6 halftime lead. Mallard Creek attempted a squib kick to start the second half, but Indy recovered the ball on its own 40-yard line.  Indy’s Deshaun Wilkes picked up a first down on a pass from Justin Little giving the Patriots the ball on Mallard Creek’s 48-yard line with 8:10 left in the third quarter.

After mounting some offense, the Patriots were facing a third down and needing four yards for the first down. However, Indy was called for a false start, and the situation changed to a third and nine.  Indy’s pass attempt was broken up and the Patriots had to punt.  Mallard Creek was called for running into the kicker.  But being only a five-yard penalty, it was not enough to give Indy the first down.  Facing a fourth and four the Patriots decided to go for the first down.  Justin Little completed the pass down to the eight-yard line with 5:19 left in the third quarter.  Once again, Indy faced a fourth down with 3:26 showing on the clock.  Mallard Creek’s defense tackled Little for a loss and took over on downs on its own 38-yard line. With 1:53 remaining in the quarter, Mallard Creek attempted a long pass but Indy’s Warren Bryant made the interception giving the Patriots the ball on the Mavericks 48 yard line with 1:53 remaining in the third period.

The third quarter ended with Independence leading 7-6. Indy had to punt with 9:00 left in the game.  The Mallard Creek returner fielded the punt on his own 40-yard line.  After finding running room down the right side of the field, Indy’s defense made the stop on its own 13-yard line. The Mavericks were unable to move the ball and faced a fourth and ten with 8:06 left in the game.  Having to go for the first down, Indy’s defense caught Mallard Creek in the backfield and forced a fumble.  Indy’s Warren Bryant came up with the loose football on Indy’s 22-yard line.  The fumble recovery was Bryant’s second big defensive play in the second half.

After a Mallard Creek faces mask penalty, Indy had a first and ten at its own 38-yard line.  On the next play, the Mavericks jumped offsides giving Indy a first down and five.  On a third and one Justin Little ran for a first down on a quarterback keeper with 3:50 left to play. With 1:44 left in the game, Indy was facing a fourth and one and had to kick the ball away.  A bad snap caused Indy’s kicker to fall on the ball, giving Mallard Creek the football on Indy’s 40-yard line. Indy’s defense held and the Mavericks faced a third and long.  On Mallard Creek’s pass attempt, Indy’s defense chased the Mavericks’ quarterback out of the pocket.  All Mallard Creek receivers were covered, and the quarterback attempted to unload the ball but was called for intentional grounding.

Looking at a fourth and thirteen and with time running out, the Mavericks’ quarterback attempted a long pass but Indy’s defense knocked the pass down on the 12 yard line with 0:38.3 remaining in the game. Indy took possession of its own 45-yard line.  The offense lined up in victory formation and Justin Little took a knee.  Mallard had no time-outs left, and the Patriots came away with a 7-6 home win. Indy’s varsity had a bye this week but will be back in action on September 24th when they travel to Charlotte Catholic for a conference match-up against the Cougars.