After squeezing by in Dodge City last week the Highland football team hit the road again and faced another Top 20 team this season squaring off with #15 Independence.

Scotties struggled on the road in the contest plagued by turnovers and injuries adding up leading to a Scotties loss 61-14 to Independence.

It was a stalemate early between the two teams until Independence capped a drive with a one-yard touchdown run with 4:37 left in the first quarter to give the Pirates a 7-0 lead. Highland looked to answer but the Scotties next drive was ended by the first of four Highland turnovers in the contest and Independence took advantage of the turnover turning it into a 19-yard field goal with 11:41 left in the first half to lead 10-0.

Scotties managed to get the ball back on the only turnover by the Pirates as Highland punted the ball and it hit an Independence player making it a live ball and Highland recovered on the Pirate 36-yard line. Forty eight seconds later Highland finished the endzone on a 22-yard touchdown pass from Kenny Mayberry to tight end, Andrew Kelow drawing the Scotties to within a field goal down 10-7 with 9:01 left in the first half.

Independence controlled the rest of the first half finishing the first half with 28 unanswered points capitalizing on two more Highland turnovers to lead 38-7 at the half.

Out of halftime the Scotties started the second half strong marching down the field with the opening drive of the second half and capped it with a 46-yard touchdown pass from Mayberry to Kelow making it 38-14. The Scottie defense then forced a three-and-out on the Pirates but the deficit proved to be too much for the Scotties as Independence found the momentum again and added to the lead. Pirates got a rushing touchdown and pick six in the third quarter and another rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter along with a safety to finish the game 61-14.

Scotties in the contest were outgained 484 to 287 total yards and were plagued by four turnovers in the loss.

Leading the offense in the loss was Mayberry who was 21-34 for 243 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions, while Kelow caught four passes for 82 yards and both touchdowns. Defensively, Johnathan Butler posted another double figure tackle game with 12 tackles and a ½ sack, while William McCall had 11 tackles.

The loss sends the Scotties to 5-4 on the season and will finish the Scotties with a 3-4 KJCCC record for the 2019 season. Highland will wrap up the season at home on Saturday, November 9^th against #11 Iowa Western at 1:00pm.