Summit unleashes new offensive scheme to defeat Independence in opener

SPRING HILL – Summit unveiled a new offense in its football opener Friday to defeat rival Independence 34-15.

It was a 15-14 game entering the fourth quarter until the Spartans scored 20 points in the final period to seal the game.

Sophomore quarterback Destin Wade went 12-for-19 with 155 passing yards and one touchdown, along with 16 carries for 82 yards and touchdown.

The Spartans are going with a spread offense after utilizing a Wing-T scheme a season ago. In his debut with the team, Wade was already liking the offense.

"I love the switch because it gets me more open and more ways to get touchdowns," Wade said. "I'm pretty used to it now, pretty cool right. I think I can get better learning the offense."

Wade says teammate George Odimegwu (four receptions, 71 yards and 20 rushing yards on four carries) "loved the switch because he wants to play wide receiver in college."

Odimegwu is expected to be Wade's top receiving target throughout the season.

Coach Brian Coleman said passing wasn't the No. 1 option for the team a season ago.

"We gotta use our skill sets," Coleman said. "We got a lot of skilled guys, but we don't want to lose, and we've talked about that, I don't want to lose that aggressiveness."

The opening result affirms Summit's progress since 2018.

"It's a big win for a community because we lost to them last year," Wade said. "We just got the momentum in the second half to lead us to the win and some turnovers."

Ethan Cash, who transferred to Independence from Summit, went 16-for-31 for 172 yards passing with two touchdowns.