RICHMOND HEIGHTS—Independence scored 42 first quarter points on the way to pounding Richmond Heights, 55-6, on Friday.
Jack Giganti had a big night for the Blue Devils. He picked off three passes and returned two for touchdowns.
“I don’t think I’ve scored two touchdowns in my career,” Giganti said. “It was fun to score. I’m happy to help our team towards our goal.”
Independence ran for 250 yards in the game with 13 different players contributing. It started with Ben Artrip’s 26-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage.
Ian Smith also recorded a pick-six in the game and Jake Mitrisin also had an interception.
Junior Sincere Mills began the second quarter at quarterback for Richmond Heights and brought some life to the team. He had a 76-yard scoring run negated by a holding penalty and finished the half with five carries for 51 yards. He would end the game with 10 carries for 94 yards.
The lone score of the game for the Spartans was off of a 12-yard throw from Mills to Malik Tucker in the fourth quarter.
“Mills is a goof ball off of the field, but on the field he is a different person,” said Richmond Heights coach Tim Glodowski. “He is a complete athlete, you could ask him to play quarterback, running back, wide receiver, safety or any position and he could do it. He’s a young guy and he certainly has a bright future.”
Independence’s defense picked off a total of five passes and allowed just two completed throws.
The Blue Devils, who improved to 6-2 overall and 4-1 in the Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division, host Berkshire on Friday. The Spartans, who dropped to 0-8, 0-5, travel to Cardinal.
