The Independence Community College (ICC) Pirates opens the 2018 football season on the road Thursday, August 23, as they travel across southern Kansas to take on the Dodge City Community College Conquistadors.

The opening game is a rematch last year's battle on September 30, in which the Pirates won a close game in Dodge City with a fumble recovery in the end zone. The play sealed a 32-28 victory for the Pirates.

The intense conference game was featured on episode four (season three) of the hit documentary Last Chance U, available on Netflix.

ICC enters the game with high expectations, having won the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) championship last year. The Pirates went on to defeat the NEO A&M Norsemen (30-20) in the Midwest Classic Bowl in Miami, Oklahoma and finish the year with a 9-2 record.

The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) preseason poll ranks the Pirates at number 5 in the nation, while the Conquistadors enter Thursday's game unranked.

Kickoff is at 6 PM at Memorial Stadium in Dodge City, Kansas. Fans may listen to the game on KIND 94.9 FM or visit www.949kind.com.