Highland, Kansas –Sunday, October 15, 2017 –The Independence Community College Pirates edged out the Highland Scotties in a defensive battle in Highland, Kansas with a 9 – 6 victory. In a game that was postponed for 24 hours due to severe thunderstorms, both teams had a hard time getting their offenses going on the soft, soggy field, when the game finally got underway Sunday at 1 PM in Highland, Kansas
The #6 ranked Pirates have won six straight games after losing the home opener and remain unbeaten, going 4-0, in the tough Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference.
The Pirates received the opening kick, but starting quarterback, Brandon Bea threw an interception on the Pirate's initial drive with 14:04 left in the first quarter. The Scotties capitalized with a Will Solomon field goal from 45 yards out with 12:50 remaining in the quarter after the Pirate defense held Highland to three and out.
The Pirates answered with a short drive, but lost possession on a turnover on downs.
On the ensuing drive, the Scotties fumbled the ball on a high-snap, and Pirate defensive lineman, Jequaries Martin pounced on top of the loose ball giving ICC possession in the red-zone.
Following a couple of short yardage plays, Bea would scramble from eight yards out to score the game's lone touchdown. The Pirates missed the extra point, but took the lead 6-3 with 7:56 in the first quarter.
Highland struggled with the snaps in the shotgun formation multiple times in the first quarter. After a couple of three-and-out series by both teams, the Scotties lost their second high-snap to the Pirates, resulting in a 32-yard field goal from Pirate kicker, Nino Alibegic with 3:15 left in the first quarter.
Highland's troubles with turnovers continued in the second quarter when the Scotties fumbled on first and goal from the 6-yard line. The Pirates recovery was negated by an illegal hands to the face call against ICC, giving the ball back to Highland first and goal from the 3 year line.
ICC's defense dug in on first down and benefited from a false start flag against the offense on second down. Highland quarterback, Tristan Speer would be denied the end zone by defensive lineman, Delrick Abrams on a QB scramble.
The Scotties would settle for a field goal attempt from 20 yards out, which was missed by Solomon, keeping the score at 9-3 for the rest of the half.
The Scotties received the opening kickoff of the second half and went three and out.
Malik Henry started the second half for the Pirates but was intercepted on his initial drive by Highland linebacker, Jeremiah Hill.
The Scotties would convert the turnover into three points with a Solomon field goal from 23 yards out, making the score 9-6 with 10:42 in the third quarter.
Neither team would score for the remainder of the game, as the Pirate secondary dominated Highland limiting the Scotties to only 55 yards passing.
The Pirates have a bye week, before hosting Hutchinson Community College at 9 PM on Oct 28 in Independence for homecoming. The Purple Dragons enter the game with an identical record of 6-1 overall and 3-0 in the conference. The Dragons have now won five straight, while ICC is currently riding a six-game win streak.