HS Football: AA Independence stands tall against AAA Herbert Hoover

Patriots lose a 23-point lead, but answers late for a 37-34 win over the Huskies

For just over three quarters it was deja vu for the Independence football team.

Last year in Elkview, the Patriots built an early lead, only to see Herbert Hoover rally to grab the opening season win.

Thursday night in the 2025 opener, Independence raced out to a 30-7 lead, but once again the Huskies roared back.

Securing a 34-30 lead early in the fourth on a 12-yard run from Blake Fisher, the visitors once again looked as if they would spoil the Patriot party.

Not this time.

Guided by a gutsy drive late in the final quarter which featured two crucial fourth down conversions, Independence answered with a Brock Green one-yard quarterback sneak to earn a 37-34 win.

The first half resembled a wild west shootout where the Patriots held a slim 30-28 lead at halftime.

Micah Cuthbert hit a 35-yard field goal on Indy's first drive before the fireworks commenced - literally.

Hoover sophomore quarterback Peyton Grisby then hit Lance Williams for an 81-yard touchdown strike on the Huskies opening possession for a 7-3 lead.

Independence wasted no time answering with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Green to freshman K.J. Viars who went up over the defender in the end zone to secure the score.

Things went from bad to worse for Hoover on the next possession when Isaiah Conley sacked Grisby forcing the ball loose. Isaac Redden was there to pick the ball up just outside the goal line and carried it in for the score.

The Patriots momentum flowed over to the second quarter where Green hit Cole Laxton for a 43-yard score for a 23-7 lead.

Sylas Nelson then intercepted a Grisby pass just across midfield stripe on the next Husky drive, taking it to the house for a 30-7 lead and the Patriots appeared to be in full control.

Looks were deceiving.

Blake Fisher rallied Herbert Hoover in their time of desperate need.

The 5-foot-10 senior hauled in a 28-yard pass for his first score of the quarter before scoring on the ensuing drive from three-yards out to get his team back in the game at 30-21.

Disaster then struck the Patriots on the kick-off with just over 30 seconds to play.

A fumble on the return was scooped up by senior Dalton Myers who rambled 15 yards to paydirt, cutting the deficit to 30-28.

Hoover not only took the momentum into the locker room, the visitors also received the kick to open the second half.

The Huskies drove the ball into Independence territory on the first drive of the third period, but the Patriots defense was up to the challenge, forcing a turnover on downs.

Both teams threatened in the third period, but were stopped by untimely interceptions.

Early in the final quarter, Fisher gave his team the lead on a nice 12-yard run where he cutback across the defense for a touchdown.

However, Independence responded by driving the ball into Herbert Hoover territory, but faced a crucial fourth-and-three just inside Husky territory.

Electing to go to the pass, Green rolled out against his body and hit Kaden Bradbury who made a nice catch in traffic for a 25-yard gain.

The Green to Bradbury magic was just the first crucial play of the game winning drive. Green's one-yard plunge also came on fourth down with 4:07 to play in the contest.

Herbert Hoover had two tries for a game winning touchdown or a tying field goal, but could not score.

Bradberry stopped the first drive with a crucial interception before a huge sack from Alex Blankenship ended Hoover's final hope.

HH: 7 21 0 6 - 34

I: 17 13 0 7 - 37

First quarter

I: Micah Cuthbert 35 FG

HH: Lance Williams 81 pass from Peyton Grisby (Voss Duernberger kick)

I: K.J. Viars 30 pass from Brock Green (Cuthbert kick)

I: Isaac Redden 1-yard fumble recovery (Cuthbert kick)

Second quarter

I: Cole Laxton 43 pass from Green (kick no good)

I: Sylas Nelson 52 INT return (Cuthbert kick)

HH: Blake Fisher 42 pass from Grisby (Duernberger kick)

HH: Fisher 3 run (Duernberger kick)

HH: Dalton Meyers 15-yard fumble recovery (Duernberger kick)

Fourth quarter

HH: Fisher 12 run (rush failed)

I: Green 1 run (Cuthbert kick)

Stats

Rushing - HH: Fisher 11-37-2, Grisby 17-(-15); I: Nelson 23-73, Green 9-32-1

Passing - HH: 22-33-332-2TD-3INT; I: Green 14-26-234-2TD-2INT

Receiving - HH: Williams 1-81-1, Fisher 7-80-1, Hernandez 5-36, Hampton 6-87, Kee 3-48; I: Christian Linksweiler 3-14, Bradbury 3-51, Nelson 2-15, Viars 5-104, Laxton 1-48