HS Football: Independence pulls away from Lincoln in the second half

Brock Green throws for 282 yards and two touchdowns for the Patriots

photo courtesy of Stacy Pack-Miller

Independence started slow, but finished strong to beat Lincoln, 42-17 in the opening round of the AA football playoffs in Coal City.

Cole Laxton was the difference maker on defense with a key interception and a 48-yard scoop and score for the only touchdown of the third quarter.

Brock Green led the Patriots on offense completing 16-of-22 passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns.

Christian Linksweiler had four grabs for 131 yards and two touchdowns (21, 58), while K.J. Viars had eight receptions for 129 yards.

Cougars quarterback A.J. Bart completed 34 passes for 346 yards and two touchdowns.

Jacob Bart hauled in 16 passes for 145 yards and one touchdown for Lincoln.

No. 4-seed Independence will host No. 5 seed Doddridge County in the quarterfinals. The time and date will be announced Sunday.

L: 3 7 0 7 - 17

I: 7 7 7 21 - 42

First quarter

L: Cade Riley 26 FG

I: Christian Linksweiler 21 pass from Brock Green (Micah Cuthbert kick)

Second quarter

L: Jacob Bart 1 pass from A.J. Bart (Riley kick)

I: Sylas Nelson 9 run (Cuthbert kick)

Third quarter

I: Cole Laxton 48 fum rec

Fourth quarter

I: Green 2 run (Cuthbert kick)

L: Riley 12 pass from A.J. Bart (Bart kick)

I: Christian Linksweiler 58 pass (Cuthbert kick)

I: Paxton Myers 9 run (Cuthbert kick)

Stats

Rushing: (L) Connor Rice 22-51, Cade Mooney 1-1, A.J. Bart 8-(-49), Jacob Bart 1; (I) Nelson 8-54-1, Myers 8-46-1, Green 4-1-1

Passing: (L) A.J. Bart 34-49-346-2-1; (I) Green 16-22-282-2

Receiving: (L) Brody Barnes 1-7, Colton Edwards 9-114, Jacob Bart 16-145-1, Cade Riley 6-65-1, Rice 2-15; (I) K.J. Viars 8-129, Linksweiler 4-131-2, Kaden Bradbury 2-15, Nelson 1-5, Cuthbert 1-2.