Independence, Kansas – No. 7 Butler opened their season Friday night playing their first football game in 474 days and they did not find the outcome they had hoped as a late score by the Pirates propelled them to a 31-24 victory over the Grizzlies.
Butler fell into an early 17-0 deficit after early scores from Independence running back Tavion Thomas who finished with all four of the Pirate's touchdowns in the game. Butler's offense also came out cold as the Grizzlies only advanced into Independence territory once in the 1st quarter and that possession resulted in a missed 42-yard field goal.
The Grizzlies offense was able to get a bit of a spark in the 2nd quarter as Nick Davenport checked into the game midway through the 2nd. Davenport led to the Grizzlies to their only points of the half on their final drive of the half which came on a 22-yard field goal from John Hankinson.
The Grizzlies came out of the half roaring as they scored on their second play of the half on a 78-yard pass from Davenport to Eddie Lewis.
Butler followed that with a high pooch kick that was not fielded by any Independence player allowing the Grizzlies to recover and take over at the Independence 30-yard line. This led to a quick score by freshman running back Kevontae McDonald who punched the ball in from three-yards away. In just 86 seconds, Butler had scored twice and tied the game at 17 with 13:36 to go in the 3rd quarter.
After a couple punting drives from both teams, Norman Massey intercepted a pass from Independence quarterback Brock Domann to set the Grizzlies up at the Independence 30-yard line. This set a beautiful, one-handed 28-yard touchdown reception by sophomore Darrius Lassiter, giving Butler their first and only lead of the game at 24-17, but the lead was short-lived.
Independence's Thomas quickly powered the Pirates to a touchdown to tie the game at 24-24 just three minutes after Butler took the lead.
The 4th quarter was one that featured many punts as neither offense could get anything going. The game looked like it was going to be destined for overtime, but after Butler jumped offsides on a 4th and two to give Independence a new set of downs, Thomas would run right through the Grizzlies for a 26-yard score giving Independence a 31-24 lead with just .47 seconds to play.
Although they completed two passes in their final possession, the Grizzlies were unable to mount a last-minute drive to tie the game and fell to Independence 31-24 in their season opener.
Butler was lead on the ground by sophomore running back Jordan Kempf who had 16 carries for 109 yards averaging 6.8 yards per carry. Nick Davenport led the Grizzlies through the air who, after coming in in the middle of the 2nd quarter, completed 9-19 for 190 yards, 2 TD's and no interceptions. Wide receiver Eddie Lewis had a phenomenal game as he had five catches for 136 yards and a 78-yard touchdown reception.
NEXT UP: Butler (0-1, 0-1) will look to bounce back at home this coming Saturday, April 3rd as they host rival school and the No.1 ranked team in the nation in the Hutchinson Blue Dragons. Hutchinson defeated Coffeyville 0-0 on Friday night picking up their first win of the season.
NOTES: Independence has now won 3 of the last 5 matchups with Butler, who still holds a 54-27-3 lead in the series.... Indy has won the last two matchups vs Butler.... Schaffner is now 4-2 vs Independence.... 24 points is the most points scored in a road loss since last year when they lost to Hutchinson 35-27....
