The first quarter of the rivalry game between Independence and Butler started out as a defensive battle. Both schools tried to convert fourth down plays but the opposing team always held and the ball was turned over on downs with the first quarter ending 0-0.
However, the second quarter was an entirely different story. The Bulldogs started the second period with the football on Indy’s forty yard line. Butler’s Christian Peters found an opening and ran down the right side line for a forty yard touchdown run to take a 7-0 lead with 10:11 remaining in the first half.
Independence High School. (Ron Morris)
After a few exchanges, Butler was facing a third and ten from the fifty when Damel Hckman came open across the middle and took the pass for a fifty yard touchdown to make the score 14-0 with 5:57 to go in the second quarter.
On Indy’s next possession Butler’s Kinson Bridgers picked off quarterback Luke McPhail’s pass and returned it for a thirty yard touchdown putting Butler up 21-0 with 5:06 remaining in the half.
Indy took the kickoff and drove down to the Butler twenty five yard line. The Patriots fumbled on an off tackle play. Butler’s TJ Cusack picked up the loose ball and returned it 75 yards for a touchdown with 2:15 remaining in the first half and to increase the score 28-0.
In the next series Indy was unable to move the ball and Butler took over on Indy’s thirty yard line. With 8.2 second left Butler’s I’zure Glover ran for a thirty yard touchdown to make the halftime score 35-0.
Butler took the second half kickoff and returned it to its own 41 yard line. Indy’s defense held and the Patriots took over on their own 28 yard line. With Indy was facing a fourth and seven on the 28 yard line, McPhail dropped back and attempted a pass across the middle, but Butler’s Quaseean Holms picked off the pass and returned it to Indy’s 38 yard line with 7:33 left in the third quarter. Peters found an open receiver and completed the pass to make the score 42-0 with 3:11 left in the third period.
Once again Indy could not move the ball and had to punt. Butler’s I’zure Glover took the punt and returned it for a 60 yard touchdown to Make the score 49-0 with 7:45 to go in the football game.
With 3:17 to go McPhail found Dylan Bryan open for the score. The run for the two point conversion failed and Indy trailed 49-6.
With 32 seconds left Butler’s quarterback took a knee to end the game.
