As the resurfacing work continues on the track, the Independence junior varsity football squad had to give up a home game and travel to Porter Ridge High School for a game that would determine first place in the Southwestern 4A Junior Varsity Conference. Both teams entered the game undefeated, Porter Ridge had a 7-0 record while Indy entered the game at 6-0.
After taking the opening kickoff on their own ten yard line, the Pirates used a ground game to drive the ball 90 yards for the game’s first score. Pirates’ Brandon Perry scored on a five yard run at the 4:53 mark in the first quarter to put Porter Ridge in the lead 7-0.
On Indy’s first possession the Patriots drove 70 yards and scored on a ten yard run by quarterback Davyne Simpson. The run for the two point conversion failed and Indy trailed by one 7-6 with 15 seconds left in the first quarter.
In the second quarter the Pirates intercepted an Indy’s pass and drove to Indy’s 20 yard line. On second down play the snap was fumbled by the Pirates’ quarterback but Porter Ridges’ Brandon Perry picked up the loose ball and ran 29 yards for the touchdown making the score 14-6 with 4:15remaining in the first half.
Indy took the kickoff and moved the ball to the Pirates’ 24 yard line. After a holding call, Indy faced a fourth and ten from the original line of scrimmage. Simpson picked up the first down on a run to the 9 yard line. The Patriots moved the ball to the four yard line but were penalized for holding. On the next play, Simpson dropped back to pass and found Shai Wheeler open in the end zone for the score. Once again Indy went for two but was stopped short, and Porter Ridge led 14-12 with only 13 seconds left in the first half.
The Patriots started the second half on their own 30 yard line. Simpson’s pass to Wheeler put the Patriots on the Pirates’ 25 yard line. Davion Nelson’s off tackle run moved the ball to the ten yard line. After a one yard gain to the nine, Simpson scored on a quarterback keeper giving Indy its first lead 18-14 with 5:24 left in the third quarter.
With 3:14 remaining in the third Porter Ridge faced a fourth and inches. The Pirates’ coaching staff made the decision to go for the first down and quarterback Mason Cox picked up a first down on a quarterback sneak. On the next series of downs Porter Ridge faced a fourth and three with a minute left in the third quarter. The Pirated picked up the first down as the quarter ended with Indy leading 18-14.
Porter Ridge re-took the lead when the Pirates’ Brandon Perry scored his third touchdown on a nine yard run to make the score 21-18 with 7:42 remaining in the game.
On Indy’s first possession in the fourth quarter, they faced a fourth and one on Porter Ridge’s 40 yard line with 4:58 left in the game. The Patriots fumbled the ball on the hand off, and the Pirates recovered on their own 43 yard line.
On the Pirates’ first play Ralph Covington went off right tackle for a 43 yard touchdown run to increase their lead 28-18 with 4:04 left in the game.
On the ensuing kickoff Porter Ridge fooled everyone with an onside kick which they recovered. Then Brandon Perry went to work and scored his fourth touchdown on 33 yard run making the score 35-18 with 3:03 remaining in the game.
On Indy’s next and last possession, the Pirates picked off a Simpson pass with 2:47 left to play. The Pirates ran the clock out taking a 35-18 victory.
The Pirates stayed undefeated and went to 8-0 for season. Indy lost its first game and dropped to 6-1.
Next week the junior varsity will travel to Butler. Kick off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
