By SAM McGAW
Independence (1-0) at Centennial (1-0), 7 p.m. Friday
One week after stunning Franklin, the Centennial Cougars get their shot at taking down the defending Class 5A champion Independence Eagles.
Centennial scored two unanswered touchdowns in the final 73 seconds to defeat FHS 28-24 last Friday.
Independence, on the other hand, was almost on the wrong side of an upset, as it needed a fourth-quarter touchdown to defeat Brentwood 21-20.
“Our guys fought hard until the end,” Independence head coach Scott Blade said. “This game was nice for us to have to dig deep and pull out the win in the fourth quarter. I’m proud of our kids. At the end of the day, they did just enough to win, and we’ll take it.”
Both of Centennial’s losses last season were against Indy, including a 56-15 defeat in the state semifinals.
“We know it’s an inner-county rivalry, and both crowds will be great and the environment will be one like we had this past weekend,” Blade said. “We know we’re going to get their best effort, and they’re going to get ours, as well.”
Independence’s explosive offense will look to take advantage of a Centennial defense that had trouble defending the big play a week ago.
The Cougars allowed touchdown passes of 78 and 55 yards, as well as a 34-yard touchdown run.
Outside of those plays, however, the Cougars made Franklin fight for everything it earned.
“They get after the ball really well,” Blade said. “They do a good job of closing down the gaps inside and flying to the football.”
Independence junior running back Troy Henderson scored all three touchdowns for the Eagles last week.
He finished with 107 rushing yards and 84 receiving yards.
“We like to have a running back that can catch the ball and double as a receiver, if needed,” Blade stated. “Sometimes defenses are going to give us problems with matchups or numbers inside to run the ball, so in order to get one of your best playmakers the ball, he’s gotta be able to catch the ball and you have to get him outside.”
Indy quarterback Brandon Hines recorded 303 passing yards, 30 rushing yards and one interception in his starting debut.
His top targets at wide receiver were Landon Guidry (6 rec., 122 yds) and Kendrell Scurry (6 rec., 66 yds).
Centennial’s offense is led by senior wide receivers Austin Waddell and Devious Christmon, running back John Carter and quarterback Tre Stewart.
Waddell (6 rec., 137 yds) caught the game-winning touchdown passes of 66 and 34 yards last week.
“The two receivers are really special kids, as everyone saw last week,” Blade said. “We know they have big-play ability. Their offensive line is physical and big and gets after it, and they have a couple of really good running backs.”
Big plays will be difficult to create against an experienced Independence defense that’s allowed 20 points or less in 16 straight games.
Defensive end David Demke (13 tkls, 1 sack, 1 FF) and linebacker Hunter Dupree lead the front-seven, and safety Landon Guidry and cornerback Alan Watson headline the secondary.
Sam McGaw is sports editor of Home Page Media Group. Email him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter@SamMcGawSports.
