INDEPENDENCE—Independence rode a big second quarter to a 27-6 nonconference win over visiting Conneaut on Friday.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Blue Devils scored three touchdowns to take a 20-0 lead into the locker room, and then outscored the Spartans in the second half, 7-6.
“We had our backs against the wall on that first drive,” said Independence head coach Rick Adams. “We weathered the storm, stepped up, and made some good plays. Offensively, we were able to take advantage of (Conneaut’s) empty holes in the stack defense. We knew they would have a hard time covering our empty sets. (Dominic Narduzzi) did a really good job of not forcing the game. When he didn’t have (anybody open), he ran, which gave us a lot of momentum.”
Maverick Durden’s 30-yard run set up Narduzzi’s 23-yard touchdown pass to Sam Bernhardt.
Conneaut generated some momentum when Thaddaeus Huya picked off a Narduzzi pass, but Independence’s Bobby Jackson wrestled the ball away from Davonte Harris to steal the ball back for the Blue Devils.
Narduzzi’s 28-yard run set up his second TD pass of the night, this one a 23-yarder to Ryan Suhy.
Independence’s defense then pinned the Spartans deep in their own territory and Liam Rienerth recovered a Ronin Tschetter caused fumble in the end zone for another Blue Devil touchdown.
“Our defensive coordinator Matt Burns and the entire defensive staff had an awesome game plan,” Adams said of his defense. “After the first drive, we really shut (Conneaut) down on the run game. We work on (forcing turnovers) every week. It’s a momentum-changing play, and when we come back offensively, we did a good job not being too greedy.”
Narduzzi, who completed 12-of-20 passes for 179 yards and three touchdowns, threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Rocco Ressler in the third quarter and Conneaut avoided the shutout with a Colby Stiltner three-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Narduzzi also ran for 83 yards on seven carries.
“We had a slow start to things, but then we found their weaknesses,” Narduzzi said. “I was able to escape tackles and make plays. I just worked with what I could get.”
Narduzzi’s performance didn’t surprise his coach.
“He’s really stepped up,” Adams said of Narduzzi. “It’s his third year starting as a quarterback, and when you have that experience, you almost become a coach on the field. He did a great job of letting the clock wind down in the second half. He took what the defense was giving him all night.”
Stephen Mylnarczyk led the team with four receptions for 50 yards. Ressler caught three passes for 48 yards and a touchdown, while Bernhardt hauled in three receptions for 30 yards plus a score. Suhy caught one pass for 23 yards and a touchdown.
The Blue Devils got back on track after opening the season with a 41-20 loss at Columbia.
“Last week, we had too many negative plays,” Adams said. “Coming into the game, we talked about getting more positive plays, and they guys did a fantastic job tonight. We had limited penalties and negative yards. We won the turnover battle, too, that’s important.”
Turner led the Spartan offense with five catches for 90 yards.
Independence hosts John Hay on Friday while Conneaut, who fell to 1-1, hosts Berkshire.
“We just have to stay focused and healthy,” Adams said of what it’ll take to beat the Hornets. “We have some guys with bumps and bruises and that’s always an issue. It’s on us as coaches to keep them focused and keep them grounded. We have to keep working harder and keep our eyes on the prize.”
