Independence, KS

The 12th ranked Iowa Western Football team scored early and often en route to a 70-21 season opening victory over the 17th ranked Independence CC Pirates on Saturday night. The Reivers used a punishing rushing attack and efficient arial assualt.

The Pirates had no answer defensively as the Reiver ground game broke the will of the Pirate defense and marched right down the field on the opening drive. T'boy White punched it in from 11 yards out and the route was on. The duo of White and Mekhi Sargent combined for 264 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Sargent led the team with 166 yards on 28 carries.

The Reivers were just a effective through the air as Kurt Walding and Kai Locksley went 24-31 for 372 yards and three scores. Vincent Perry hauled in a 25 yard strike from Walding in the first quarter to put the Reivers up 14-0 and on the very next possession, Walding stayed hot, finding a wide open Sargent streaking down the sideline to put IWCC up 21-0.  Anthony Turner hauled in a strike from Locksley who also picked up a pair of scores on the ground.

The Darkside Defense played relentless throughout the game harassing the Independence quarterback, Malik Henry, while stiffling the Pirates ground game. The Reivers were led by Desmond Lockett who picked up six tackles and one pass defensed from his cornerback position. The defensive line tallied three sacks as Daviyon Nixon, Malcolm Lee, and Josh Wegener all picked up their first sacks of their career.

The Reivers will return to action next week at home when they take on the Hutchinson CC Blue Dragons. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m and will be sponsored by Barley's Bar & Grill at Titans Stadium.  It will be First Responders Day as well as a Blue out.  All First Responders will be admitted for free with ID and all fans are encouraged to wear blue. The first 100 fans will receive a free Fueled By Blue t-shirt.