Outlook: Independence is living up to its mascot, flying higher than an Eagle. The team has averaged more than 50 points a game in the last five games and they show no sign of slowing down. Much has been written of the balanced offense of quarterback Andrew Bunch, receivers Nate Johnson (who is committed to Purdue but picked up an offer from Vanderbilt last weekend), Adam Swayze and Seth Huner and the impact of a bulldog runner in Daniel Wright. But it’s the defense that, like Centennial and Ravenwood, has been the big key. The Eagles have given only 106 points all season.
Besides the obvious of moving to the next round, the Eagles may be motivated as much by last year’s 49-20 loss at Hendersonville in the first round of the playoffs. The Wing-T offense gave Independence fits in that contest, something the Eagles have been waiting over a year to prove was a fluke.
Bunch eclipsed the 2,000-yard passing mark last weekend, a feat done in just seven games after coming back from an injury.