Tyler Godwin
Student Sports Media
A strong defensive outing helped the 19th ranked Grizzlies past the unranked Independence Pirates, 17-14.
Independence took the early momentum in the game by recovering a fumble of of the opening drive. Sophomore quarterback Trae Self would complete a pass over the middle to sophomore receiver Alex Bott, who would than be hit by two Indy defenders and would fumble the ball. Independence sophomore linebacker Jamar Montgomery would pick up the ball and return it to the Butler 9-yard line.
Three plays later, sophomore Pirate quarterback Chase Hildreth would run the ball in for the first score of the game, putting Independence up 7-0 three minutes into the game.
The Grizzlies would respond with a four play, 69-yard scoring drive, which was led by three straight runs by sophomore running back Ja’kevious Vickers, with runs of 26, 18, and nine yards. The drive was finished off with a 17-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Makiya Caesar.
The Pirates would punt the ball on the next drive, but a high snap would cause Pirate punter Adam Barry to do down the ball at the two yard line. Butler would not make it in to the end zone on the drive, and were forced to settle for a 27-yard field goal, made by sophomore kicker Ty Zentner, which would give Butler a 10-7 lead with 6:57 left in the first quarter.
Butler’s defense would hold the Pirates for the remainder of the half, as Indy would punt the ball on three straight drives, and two straight turnover on downs. The Grizzlies would add on for 14 tackles for losses and four sacks on the night.
Even when the Pirates were moving the ball down field, they weren’t able to come away with points.
Indy would have a 10 play, 66-yard drive halfway through the second quarter that would halt on the Butler 3, as Indy would elect to go for it on a 4th and goal, but the pass by Hildreth would fall incomplete.
The Pirates also successfully moved the ball down the field to the Butler 5 on their opening drive of the third quarter, but tried for a 22-yard field goal attempt, which was blocked by sophomore Charlie Gray.
Freshman linebacker Juwan Mitchell would finish with a team high 10 tackles and 2.5 tackles for losses. Sophomores Amare Barno and D’Anthony Bell would both finish with nine tackles, while defensive ends Jacoby Jones and Jordan Smith would both have three tackles for losses.
Caesar led Butler with 108 rushing yards of 12 carries, while Vickers would have 66 yards on 14 carries.
Self would finish with only 58-yards and a touchdown, while going 6-for-14 on passes.
“Coming into the game we were very committed to running the ball,” Head Coach Tim Schaffner said. “It allowed us to keep longer possession of the ball and give our defense plenty of rest.”