Fourth quarter scores lift Independence past Crestwood

CRESCO - Crestwood tied the score at 27-all after three quarters before Independence rallied for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to down the Cadet varsity football team, 41-27, on Friday, Sept. 6 in a non-district contest.

Crestwood (0-2) will travel to Decorah (2-0) on Friday, Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m. to take on the Vikings in a non-district game.

Cadet Head Coach Justin Denner was proud of the effort his squad gave throughout the game against a stout Independence team.

“Independence had some big (scoring)  plays and we knew they had the opportunity to make those plays,” Denner noted. “We did everything we could to try and stop them.”

The Mustangs also caught the Cadets off-guard at times. Independence took a 34-27 lead with 10:12 left in the fourth on a one-yard run by Christopher Meyer and the point after touchdown kick. The Mustangs then recovered an on-side kick at the Cadets’ 48 yard line. Six plays later, quarterback E. J. Miller completed a 17-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Roth with 6:36 remaining. The extra point gave Independence a 41-27 lead.

Crestwood was able to move the ball to the Mustangs’ 38-yard line with under two minutes left before turning the ball over on downs.

“When Independence scored after recovering that on-side kick, that gave them a 14-point lead,” Denner said. “However, our guys improved so much and fought hard. We got so much better from week one to week two, which was great but it’s not enough yet."