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Pushed for first time, Independence beats Hillsboro

Independence quarterback Andrew Bunch sneaks into the end zone for a first-quarter touchdown during the Class 5A quarterfinal against Hillsboro on Friday, November 20, 2015.

Independence quarterback Andrew Bunch sneaks into the end zone for a first-quarter touchdown during the Class 5A quarterfinal against Hillsboro on Friday, November 20, 2015.

Independence wide receiver Pierre Watkins looks for running room after fielding a first-quarter reverse during the Class 5A quarterfinal against Hillsboro on Friday, November 20, 2015.

Independence wide receiver Pierre Watkins looks for running room after fielding a first-quarter reverse during the Class 5A quarterfinal against Hillsboro on Friday, November 20, 2015.

THOMPSON’S STATION — After jumping out to a quick two-touchdown first-quarter advantage over visiting Hillsboro, it appeared as though unbeaten Independence would roll to yet another lopsided victory in Friday’s Class 5A quarterfinal matchup.

That wasn’t the case, though.

“Our kids went to the mat for the first time all year,” Independence coach Scott Blade said after his team’s hard-fought 28-20 win. “This is about making just enough plays and just enough first downs to give us a chance.

“We did that tonight.”

The Eagles (13-0) will host rival Centennial in next Friday’s semifinals.  Independence won 49-6 in Week 2 over the Cougars.

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“The past is the past,” Independence receiver Nate Johnson said of the first meeting with Centennial. “That was the second game of the season and I’m sure they’re better than they were then. You’ve got to be ready for anything.”

Independence quarterback Andrew Bunch scored twice in the opening 10 minutes against Hillsboro, first finding running back Daniel Wright for a 10-yard touchdown pass before barreling into the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown run.

“In the first half I was a little disappointed with some of our kids,” said Hillsboro coach Craig Clayton, whose squad ended the half down 14-0. “I thought our body language was bad and there were a few guys that probably didn’t play as hard as they should have.”

“We were down 14, but that’s nothing,” added Hillsboro running back Jeremy Hill, who hauled in a pair of second-half touchdown receptions. “That’s just two plays.”

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The second half started much the same for the Eagles (13-0), who began the third quarter by marching 72 yards in 12 plays, capping a momentous scoring drive with a 1-yard touchdown run from Wright.

“Even though they drove 72 yards, we made them earn every bit of it,” Clayton said. “After that we just kind of got going, and we answered every score after that.”

Hillsboro quarterback Daylon Murphy fired a pair of third-quarter touchdown passes — first finding Hill for a 65-yard score before hooking up with JaVonta Payton from 30 yards out — bringing the Burros to within 21-12 with 3:28 remaining in the third.

“We came out a little slow in the second half; we were too comfortable with the lead,” said Johnson, who finished with 10 receptions for a team-leading 117 yards. “You have to expect everything in the playoffs, especially against a team like Hillsboro.”

Independence, which piled up 22 first downs and 317 yards, responded on the ensuing possession, stringing together a 10-play, 63-yard drive that was capped with a 8-yard touchdown pass from Bunch to Johnson.

Hillsboro (9-4) found the end zone once more as Murphy hooked up with a Hill for another scoring strike — this time from 10 yards out — trimming the deficit to just one score.

However, the Burros came up empty on the ensuing onside kick attempt, all but sealing the win for Independence

Bunch threw for 237 yards on 24-of-35 passing, while Wright finished with 66 yards on 11 carries.

Reach Michael Murphy at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports. 

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