By Dave Morrison
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
At least for Independence.
Despite entering the season with as many as eight new starters on either side of the ball, the results were largely the same as they were the last couple of seasons as the defending state champions opened the season with a 68-0 victory against rival Liberty.
The second half as played in two four-minute quarters, reminiscent of last year when the Patriots only played a full game four time, three of those in the postseason.
And if you’re looking for more solid
evidence, try this: Independence scored on all 10 of its possessions until in went to victory formation at the end of the game and the defense held the Raiders to just four yards of total offense, including 26 rushes for minus-4 yards.
Offensively the question was the line, with four new members and Independence delivered an emphatic answer.
The state’s leading offense last year, the new-look group of Patriots rolled up 505 total yards, 300 on the ground.
“We’ve worked really hard on the line,” coach John H. Lilly said. “They’ve been getting beat up a lot by the coaches, but they came out tonight and did really well. I’m happy for them.”
Liberty coach Mark Workman said that was really the key to the game.
“We just got overpowered,” Workman said. “Our kids have got to learn that we’ve got to get in the weight room. We’ve got to get stronger, and we’ll get those results. (Independence) gets in the weight room, they are big and strong up front, and we’re young up front. When you have three backs like they have, you give them a crack and they can go a mile. Not the outcome we wanted but we’ll rebound.
Tailback Tyler Linksweiler had 136 yards rushing and three touchdowns. He ran behind what was dubbed a once-in-a-lifetime of the last two years and the new line.
“It was good, it surprised me,” Linksweiler said. After last year’s line, you don’t find another line like that. But these guys were pushing it, man. They did really good.”
Quarterback Trey Bowers completed 6 of 9 passes for 205 yards and three touchdowns, all the completions went to Sylas Nelson. Nelson emerged as a big play reiver for the Patriots, with his 205 yards receiving game, which is the most by a receiver in the John H. Lilly Era at Independence.
“We knew Sylas was going to be good last year and we have another good in (Brady) Rose and Resean Simms,” Lilly said. “But tonight was (Nelson’s) night and we had the matchups we thought we would have. They put three different guys on him.”
“All over June we were connecting, and it was an automatic thing,” Nelson said. “I was kind of nervous, first game I starred at wide receiver ever. And big shoes to fill. Cyrus Goodson was a dog. It was awesome. I’m happy.”
After coming over from Liberty. Connor Bradford scored on his first carry as a Patriot, from 54 yards, and he had 60 yards total.
“They kind of stacked it up on the left side and I just used my vision,” Bradford said. ”I saw the hole open, I shot the hole, and I made one cut, and it was to the house. I was so pumped to get that first carry. I’m glad to get it behind me. It was a long few months dealing with things, I’m glad to get it over with.”
Tyler Waddell added a touchdown on a 15-yard run.
The day was a long-time coming for Linksweiler, who had backed up two previous Kennedy Award winner (state’s top player) the last two years.
“I’ve been waiting three years for this day, and I finally get to show everybody what I can do out here,” Linksweiler said. “That I’m just as good as Judah and Atticus.”
He didn’t just sit, gaining over 1,000 yards with 11 touchdowns the last tso years. But he also learned from watching the stars ahead of him.
“I was talking to Judah earlier today and he was hyping me up before the game,” Linksweiler said of his former teammate who now plays football at WVU. “Watching them is where I got all my wisdom from.”
Independence is at Oak Hill next Friday while Liberty remains home to host PikeView.
Independence 68, Liberty 0
Independence 27 27 7 7 – 68
Liberty 0 0 0 0 – 0
First quarter
I – Tyler Linksweiler 3 run (kick failed), 8:41
I – Silas Nelson 46 pass from Trey Bowers (Micah Cuthbert kick), 6:14
I – Connor Bradford 54 run (Cuthbert kick), 2:32
I – Tyler Linksweiler 30 run (Cuthbert kick), 0:04
Second quarter
I – Bowers 1 run (Cuthbert kick), 8:51
I – Bowers 25 run (Cuthbert kick), 6:21
I – Nelson 59 pass from Bowers (Cuthbert kick), 3:39
I – Bowers 4 run (pass failed). 0:10.0
Third quarter
I – Linksweiler 1 run (Cuthbert kick), 3:35
Fourth quarter
I – Lucas Waddell 15 run (Cuthbert kick), 0:09
INDIVIDUAL STATS
Rushing –I: Linksweiler13-136-3, Bowers 8-78-3, Connor Bradford 2-60-1, Lucas Waddell 3-46-1. L: Issac Williams 6-10, Brayden Houck 10-(-1), Trenton Clay 3-(-4), Riley Marty 1-(-1), Colton Tolliver 1(-1), Chase Shea 2-(-7).
Passing – I: Bowers 6-9-0-205-2. L: Brayden Houck 3-12-0-8-0, Riley Marty 0-1-0-0-0.
Receiving – I: Silas Nelson 6-205-2, L: Kris Bowman 1(-3), Riley Marty 2-11.
