INDEPENDENCE, Kan. -The Independence Football team snapped their three game losing streak as they outlasted Dodge City on Saturday afternoon 6-3.
The win marks the second KJCCC victory of the season and the Pirates first win Since October 4th.
Independence entered the game fresh off the heels of their toughest stretch of the season as they faced three consecutive top-10 nationally ranked opponents including the top two teams in the nation in back to back weeks.
The Conquistadors came in with a three game losing streak of their own, and were also vying for their second conference victory of the year.
Both offenses struggled to move the ball for the majority of the day, but it was Dodge City’s defense that put them in position to grab the first points of the game. Early in the first quarter, Pirate quarterback Nathan Neal threw the first of three interceptions that set up the Conquistadors in Pirate territory. Dodge City was able to move the chains one time on the ensuing drive and that was enough to set them up for a 38 yard field goal to take the early 3-0 lead.
Late in the first quarter the Independence defense made the first of multiple big plays on the day as Donya Borden intercepted a Braxton Clark pass for the Pirates first interception since October 11th against Garden City.
The Pirates did string a few nice drives together down the stretch of the first half, as they made three trips into the red zone, but came up empty each time in large part to three missed field goal attempts, ultimately holding the Pirates off the scoreboard as the teams headed to the halftime locker rooms.
Early in the third quarter, the Pirates made a fourth trip into the red zone, but once again came up empty as the Conquistadors intercepted a pass in the end zone as Nathan Neal was looking for Mekhi Penix.
Later in the third, the Conquistador defense once again set their offense up with great field position after a third interception. The Pirate defense answered the call, not allowing a first down and forcing a field goal attempt that was missed, keeping the score at 3-0.
The Pirate offense fed off the momentum from a great defensive stand as they put together their best drive of the day. An eight play, 80 yard drive that was jumpstarted by freshman wide receiver Peter Edwards, who made two catches on the drive for 47 yards. Jimarion Guyton capped off the drive with a nine yard run for the score.
After the missed PAT attempt, Dodge City was still within a field goal, and a nine play, 48 yard drive set them up for a game tying kick from 33 yards out that was blocked by the Pirates, keeping their slim lead intact.
With the clock now on their side, the Pirates had an eight play, 36 yard drive that ultimately came up empty, but they were able to burn five minutes of game time. Lachlan Amore delivered his best punt of the day as he was able to pin the Conquistadors at their own three yard line.
With three and a half minutes to play, and Dodge City pinned deep in their own territory, they ripped off three consecutive positive plays and moved the ball all the way out to their own 41 yard line.
The Pirates were able to regroup during the two-minute timeout of the fourth quarter, as fresh out of the break, Kenneth Ford Jr came untouched off the edge for a crucial sack, followed by a Kamar Lhomme interception on third and long, his second interception of the day and third for the pirates.
Dodge City, with all three timeouts remaining still had a chance, but the Pirate offense fooled everyone in the stadium with a play action pass on second and seven, as Neal found a wide open James Resar for 27 yards, a first down, and a Pirate victory.
Neal ended the day 16 of 27 for 175 yards and despite throwing three interceptions, made some big time throws in the second half in just his second full time start. The Pirates found some success on the ground, as Ivan Johnson led the way with 61 yards on 15 carries, and Jimarion Guyton carried it six times for 35 yards and the one score. Peter Edwards had the best game of his young college career as he had six catches for 98 yards, both good for team highs.
Defensively, Roman Kupu and Donya Borden each led the way with 7 tackles, while Nasir Hudson had a team high two sacks.
The Pirates will hit the road next weekend, as they travel to take on another nationally ranked opponent in Iowa Central.