Pirates Sunk By Greyhounds 

September 22, 2018 

INDEPENDENCE, Kan. – Looking to bounce back from a rough start to the season, the Independence Pirates were at home again hosting the Fort Scott Greyhounds. The Pirates were unfortunately outmatched in every way possible, being shutout 33-0. 

"We beat ourselves tonight," head coach Jason Brown said. "We didn't play like a team, but we'll work on some things and get it together."  

"We're a young team and it's hard when you lose like this, but as a coach I'll take responsibility for this one, we'll move forward and find out what we're made of the rest of the season." 

In the first quarter, the Greyhounds received the opening kickoff and were moving the ball effectively with the passing attack of quarterback Gunner See but on fourth down a sack from Kailon Davis gave the Pirates their first offensive possession. 

Independence came out passing, but the Fort Scott defense forced a punt from Adam Barry that was fielded at the 12-yard line. See completed a 25-yard pass to Jon Jiles to move the sticks and the Greyhounds were in business as plays later a completion to Jaylen Jenkins followed by a 16-yard run from Kareem Walker put Fort Scott ahead 7-0 with 8:24 remaining in the opening period. 

The Pirates came out passing efficiently, but a pass from Malik Henry was intercepted by Charles Peeler and taken 93 yards back for a touchdown and Independence trailed 14-0 at the 5:17 mark. The following drives saw one first down for the Pirates as Henry found Matthew Wilcox for an 11-yard gain, but that was all as the Fort Scott defense forced another three and out. 

Independence's defense held off another scoring opportunity as another deep pass by See fell incomplete giving the ball back to the Pirates at midfield following the punt.  Independence moved the ball well with passes to Markiese King and Roy Livingstone, but as time expired Henry was picked off again at the nine-yard line. 

The second quarter began uneasy for the defense as the Pirates had to get the ball back but See continued to split defenders with rapid completions. The Greyhounds would not score this time as Kuony Deng sacked See for a loss and Fort Scott settled for a field goal from Dustin Rieser to push their lead to 17-0 with 9:37 left in the half. 

Another three and out was the story of the following drive as Independence once again came up empty handed but a fumble recovery by Jermaine Johnson gave Independence a chance to score before halftime. 

The Pirates converted a much need fourth down as Henry found Wilcox for a 6-yard gain, but plays later Henry was picked off for the third time on the night. Fort Scott was unable to score again and Independence headed to the locker room trailing 17-0. 

In the third quarter, the Pirates continued to struggle going three and out to open the second half. The defense held off an offensive attack, but a punt from Rieser pushed Independence back to their own one yard line and a tackle in the endzone for a safety pushed the lead to 19-0  Fort Scott with 12:54 remaining in the period. 

See completed a pass to Jesse Thomas that bounced off of several defenders for a first down and a facemask penalty put the Greyhounds into scoring position. Fort Scott scored on a two yard rush from Walker pushing the lead to 26-0. 

The Pirates broke into Fort Scott territory on a massive run by Tyrone Taylor and a much needed big gain on the ground by quarterback Jay Jones, but on fourth down the Greyhounds answered the call and forced yet another turnover. 

Fort Scott burst back into Independence territory on another huge rush from Walker and minutes later found the end zone again on a 25-yard completion from See to Jiles to give the Greyhounds a 33-0 lead with 23.6 seconds remaining in the period and into the final minutes of play. 

The fourth quarter saw AJ Wright in at quarterback, but poor blocking caused him to exit early giving the reins to Chase Hildreth who completed a first down pass to Marqwell Odom before the same fate caused another turnover for Independence. 

The defense held off another score and Wright returned to the game at the quarterback position. Wright gained successful yards converting first downs along with Otumous Payemanu, but a sack took Wright out bringing Hildreth back in.  The Pirates failed to convert on fourth down and took their third straight loss 33-0. 

Independence, now 1-3 has a bye next week before traveling to El Dorado, October 6th  to face the Butler Grizzlies.