Independence recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff of Friday’s non-conference showdown with visiting James A. Rhodes at Stan Skoczen Field at Alumni Stadium.
The Blue Devils then scored on their first offensive play and cruised to a 50-24 win over the Rams.
“I was nervous coming in because Rhodes has a really good tailback,” said Independence coach Rick Adams. “The kids came out and played well. Our line, offensively, pushed them off the ball and defensively they controlled the line.”
Rhodes running back Jovan Benton scored on a 95-yard kickoff return and ran for 100 yards, but the night belonged to Independence.
Kyle Stefanski’s 32-yard play action touchdown pass to Owen Ramm on the first play from scrimmage set the tone.
Stefanski went on to throw three more touchdown passes and completed 11-of-16 passes for 201 yards and added 67 yards on the ground, including a 5-yard touchdown run.
“Scoring a touchdown on the first play of offense always gets the guys going,” Stefanski said. “Offensively, we were able to march the ball throughout the game and my receivers made some good catches with good runs. The line dominated once again and Nick (Mroczynski) was able to break some good runs.”
Mroczynski rushed for 100 yards and scored on a 1-yard run. Mason Crist, who caught a 35-yard TD pass, also rushed for a 1-yard score. Trevor Thompson also caught a 35-yard touchdown pass.
The Blue Devils also recorded a safety in the game as they built a 50-6 lead when the starters departed the game early in the second half.
Independence’s starting defense didn’t allow a point to the dangerous Rams offense.
“(Benton) was kind of the X-factor,” Adams said. “You do what you’re taught as a player but you can’t really simulate what that kid does in practice. That was the one key, we had to really make sure we kept our eyes on him and we did a nice job of that.”
Independence improved to 2-1. The Blue Devils open Chagrin Valley Conference play at Cardinal on Sept. 15.
