Gallery by Heather Belcher
Media and fans alike have flocked to Coal City this season to see if any team could derail the Independence juggernaut.
Friday night the Class AA No. 3 rated Patriots faced their biggest challenge of the season when No. 7 Nicholas County came calling at George Covey Field.
The challenge was bigger, but the result was the same.
Led by four touchdowns and 212 rushing yards from Judah Price – all in the first half – Independence ran roughshod over the Grizzlies, 58-7.
“I think our kids were up to the challenge. We all know that Bluefield is a good football team and we know that Oak Hill is a good football team. But, all we read is that we haven’t played anybody,” Independence head coach John H. Lilly said. “That kind of infuriates our kids because they work hard and practice hard. They want a little bit of respect beside their name. They wanted to come out and execute really well and I think they did. I was really proud of them.”
The high-powered Patriots executed with precision from the opening snap. Quarterback Trey Bowers started the game with a 19-yard jaunt and seven plays later Price was in the end zone on a 15-yard scamper.
The home team then forced a punt and was back in the end zone in a blink. Price rambled 25 yards and backed that up with a 28-yard burst for his second score of the night.
However, before anyone could settle back in their seats, Wes Hill took the ensuing kick-off 79 yards to cut the Independence lead in half at 14-7.
Unfortunately for the the visiting crowd, that was the last burst of excitement the rest of the night.
After having a 67-yard touchdown run called back for holding, Bowers hit Cyrus Goodson for a 73-yard strike to push the lead to 20-7.
“They were doing a pretty good job containing Judah early, but we have Cyrus out there,” Bowers said. “We have (Colten) Caron and Tyler Linkswiler as well. I have so many weapons out there that I can throw too and the line keeps giving me all that time to throw. Me and Cyrus got our opportunities tonight and we took full advantage of it.”
Things went from bad to worse for Nicholas County when a fumble on the next series gave the ball back to Indy at the Grizzlies’ 25-yard line.
Bowers then whipped a quick pass out to Goodson on the outside who juked a defender and rolled into the end zone for a 28-7 lead after a Price run for the conversion.
“I have been kind of silent all year, but when Judah is running like that, I just stay patient and wait for my turn,” Goodson said. “I guess I have to say thanks to my mom and dad for giving me all this athleticism to be able to go out there and make plays. And also thank God too for helping me come out here and play every night.”
Knowing defenses are packing it in and have him as the main focus, Price loved what he saw from his teammates on the outside Friday.
“They are everything and they block for me too. They can go deep and get it and they can go up and get it,” Price said. “They can run a short route and run to the end zone. It keeps the defense on their toes and makes my job a lot easier. They make it fun.”
Bowers connected on his third touchdown pass in the first 12 minutes when he hit Linkswiler for a 62-yard score on the final play of the opening quarter. Linkswiler also added a 49-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter.
“They just spread you out and they have so many weapons. It is tough to matchup and they are really good up front. They have a solid team from top to bottom and that’s all there is to it. We came out and moved the ball a little bit, but we couldn’t really muster much to threaten them with,” Nicholas County head coach Gene Morris said. “Defensively we couldn’t stop them. Judah is just a really good running back. He is the best that we have played against in years that I can remember. They beat us tonight and they beat us soundly.”
Price added two more scores to his total in the second quarter with the first one coming on a 70-yard burst that looked like a video game run.
“I have been trying to make highlights look a little better,” Price said, smiling. “I have just been focused on getting yards recently and trying to score. I really want to show people what I can do.”
On a night where the seniors were celebrated before the game, they were also able to walk of the field knowing they hadn’t lost a regular season home game in two straight seasons.
“It shows how far we have come as a group. It is dedication, preparation and competing every week,” Price said. “It is us not wanting to lose. After losing to Liberty our sophomore year, we knew we needed to turn this around”
Independence is on the road next week to close out the regular season against Wyoming East. While the Patriots clearly want to finish with an undefeated record, they will also have another goal on their minds.
Price is now just 19 points away from breaking the state scoring record of 276 points set by Ethan Payne from Poca in 2019.
“It is something that we all have been looking at since the Bluefield game. I think they all want to see me do it. It is not a selfish thing or individual thing. It is a team thing and it would be special to have,” Price said. “They say my name and then they say Independence High School football team. It is special for everybody.”
Nicholas County is back on the road next Friday when it travels to Lindside to face James Monroe.
NC: 7 0 0 0 – 7
I: 36 22 0 0 – 58
First quarter
I: Judah Price 15 run (rush failed)
I: Price 28 run (Cyrus Goodson pass from Trey Bowers)
NC: Wes Hill 79 kick return (Johan Villasenor kick)
I: Goodson 73 pass from Bowers (rush failed)
I: Goodson 25 pass from Bowers (Price rush)
I: Tyler Linkswiler 62 pass from Bowers (Price rush)
Second quarter
I: Price 70 run (Goodson pass from Bowers)
I: Price 11 run (Price rush)
I: Linkswiler 49 run (rush failed)
Stats
Rushing: (NC) Kaleb Clark 15-33, Bryson Morriston 6-9, Alex Pritt 1-5, Wes Hill 1-4, Eden Addair 1- (-2); (I) Price 14-212-4, Linkswiler 5-104-1, Bowers 6-43.
Passing: (NC) 1-4-4; Bowers 4-5-175-0-3
Receiving: (NC) Pritt 1-4; (I) Goodson 2-98-2, Caron 1-15, Linkswiler 1-62-1
