TEAM OF THE WEEK: Independence Eagles

By Kevin Warner

Independence High School soared to new heights last season going undefeated and capturing its first state championship in school history.

Defending TSSAA Division I 5A champ Independence has had a fair amount of success since its founding in 2004. Since 2005, its first varsity season, the Eagles boast a 71-45 overall regular-season record and a 12-7 playoff mark. Prior to last season, the school’s greatest success came in 2007, when the team reached the 6A State Championship, falling to Smyrna 46-20.

Former Eagles defensive-back Isaac Baugh and linebacker Scott Pettigrew from that 2007 team continued their careers at the University of Buffalo.

In recent years Independence has sent many players to Football Bowl Subdivision schools. Punter Landon Foster signed with the University of Kentucky in 2012 Vic Wharton III and Rashaan Gaulden signed with the University of Tennessee in 2014 after receiving All State honors. After one season, Wharton III transferred to the University of California-Berkeley and will be eligible to play this year.

Gaulden’s former teammate, Finnis Stribling IV, joined him in the Southeastern Conference as well, signing with Missouri. His brother, 2015 corner Kylan Stribling will begin his college career at MTSU this fall, while All State wide –receiver Nate Johnson will play his college ball at the University of Michigan.

That drive from Thompson Station to Ann Arbor, Michigan covers 554.4 miles. Johnson’s former team will not cover half that distance traveling to their away games this season. The Eagles will travel just 421 miles from their home at 1776 Declaration Way in Thompson Station combined for their road games. Their furthest road game will take place Oct 21 at Lincoln County after a 93.5-mile trek. The shortest being a 5.4-mile trip to Summit Sept 16.

Head Coach Scott Blade will have a team filled with upperclassmen.  The Eagles come into 2016 with a 92-man roster, according to Max Preps.com. Upperclassmen make up 62 of those spots, with a breakdown of 26 seniors and 36 juniors, the rest sophomores.

For a detailed breakdown of how the 5A champs look going into the season, check out our Indy season outlook.