MIAMI, Okla.  - The Independence Football team picked up their second straight win on the road and their second straight win overall as they rallied in the fourth quarter to knock off Northeastern Oklahoma A&M 21-11 on Saturday night.

Indy found themselves playing from behind for much of the game after NEO connected on an 86 yard touchdown strike early in the first quarter. After missing the extra point the NEO lead sat at 6-0. 

NEO was able to tack on a field goal in the second quarter to take a 9-0 lead into the final minutes of the first half. Looking to finally crack the scoreboard, the Pirates put together their best drive of the day to that point, and capped it off with a 24 yard touchdown strike from Keegan Anderson to freshman Tight End, Phillip DeFelice to cut the score to 9-7 heading into half. 

In the second half the Independence defense remained strong, keeping NEO out of the endzone for the whole half. The only score came after NEO pinned the Pirates deep in their own territory and made a play in the backfield from the one yard line resulting in a safety to push the lead to 11-7. 

The fourth quarter was all Independence, as an interception gave the Pirates great field position and they were able to cash in to take the lead when Anderson found DeFelice for a second time. DeFelice ended the night with five catches for 55 yards and the two scores, while Anderson did a great job of taking care of the ball, while delivering 160 yards through the air. 

Now leading 14-11, and with NEO backed into a corner, the Independence defense once again came up big to ice the game when Terrell Lowery intercepted a pass over the middle and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown to push the Pirates lead to 10. The long touchdown pass in the first quarter ended up being the only touchdown that the Pirate defense surrendered on the night. 

Offensively, Ivan Johnson and Ejani Shakir both had multiple receptions as Johnson had two for 30 yards, and Shakir had three for 25 yards. Jimarion Guyton was the Pirates leading rusher with 20 yards. 

Defensively, Kenneth Ford Jr. and Nasir Hudson led the way with seven tackles. Ajahvea Robinson added in five tackles and had two sacks, while Josiah Raven added in five tackles of his own, one of which was a tackle for loss. Defensive Back Kamari Williams had two of the Pirates three interceptions, while Zion Sims recovered a fumble, on a night where Indy forced four turnovers. 

The win moves the Pirates one game over .500 at 2-1, and they now get a week to rest and recover as they are on a bye next weekend, before gearing up for their first KJCCC game, when they travel to Butler on Saturday, September 20th, a 1:00 pm kickoff.