Charles Chaney
Sports Editor
Revenge is best served on television. The 10th-ranked Butler Grizzlies took down the fifth-ranked Independence Pirates in a thrilling 31-27 game on Saturday, Nov. 4 to improve to 8-2 overall.
“I’ve been reminded by multiple media outlets about last year’s game,” Butler Head Coach Tim Schaffner said. “We definitely played with a chip on our shoulder.”
Last season, Butler blew a 21-point lead as Independence hit a field goal to beat Butler 31-28.
“The way they ran us off the field,” Schaffner said. “We remember that.”
The Grizzlies opened the scoring up with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Chris Helbig to Gerrit Prince, giving Butler a 7-0 lead with 11:10 to go in the first quarter.
While Independence would strike back, equalizing the scoreboard, it was Kevon Abrams who dominated the contest. Butler’s first play after Independence tied the game, Abrams took one move, darted to the end zone for a 75-yard score.
Abrams finished with 190 yards on 28 carries and two touchdowns as the sophomore moved into ninth place all-time on the career rushing yards list.
Special teams are often only remembered when they have an influence on the game. A missed extra point, a missed field goal, blocked punt and blocked field goal, which was returned for a touchdown, all played their part tonight.
After the Pirates blocked a field goal, returned it by Dorian Williams for a touchdown, Independence missed the extra point, leaving the game 27-24 with 10:36 left in the fourth quarter.
When Abrams scored his second touchdown with 3:44 left, the extra point gave Butler a four-point advantage, forcing Independence to play for a touchdown instead of a field goal.
“That was huge,” Schaffner said. “It gave us the energy we needed to finish the game.”
Butler went down and scored, giving the Grizzlies a 31-27 lead with 3:44 on a 25-yard touchdown by Abrams, his second of the night.
Freshman defensive back Alexander Lofton who spent spring practice in Independence, came up with a diving interception on the ensuing drive, ending a chance of a Pirates comeback.
“I was going to get beat deep,” Lofton said. “I knew I had to undercut it and just made a play.”
With the win Butler won their 499th game in school history.
