Independence held off a furious comeback attempt by Myers Park to win the first game of the 2024 Keep Pounding High School Classic. The game was played on Thursday evening, a day before most of the high school football teams in North Carolina got their official start.

The Patriots, No. 6 in the HSOT Statewide Top 25, defeated the No. 21 Mustangs by a score of 24-21.

Independence led 24-0 at halftime, but Myers Park crept back into it with a gutsy performance by hobbled senior quarterback Jared Lockhart. It was Lockhart’s first game with Myers Park. The Division I prospect previously played at Porter Ridge.

The Patriots started the game faster than Paul Revere on horseback.

Senior quarterback Justin Little hit new wide receiver Sadat Grant for 41 yards on the first play of the game. Junior running back Jayden Jones weaved into the end zone from 39 yards out on the second play.

Myers Park went three-and-out on its first possession.

Independence put together a solid drive on its second effort. The Patriots used a quick passing game and rushes by Little and Jones to pick their way down the field. The drive concluded with a successful 36-yard field goal from Lyric Kopera. That gave Indy a 10-0 lead with 5:43 left in the first.

A couple of drives later, the Mustangs advanced into Independence territory. They attempted a third-and-17 from the 30-yard line. In the play, Lockhart was forced out to his right and almost hit a man in the end zone for a touchdown. On fourth down, Lockhart hit 4-star junior wide receiver Brody Keefe short of the sticks.

In two plays, Jayden Jones scored again. He rushed for 30 yards on the first play and then for a 50-yard touchdown on the next play. A personal foul penalty on Myers Park was called to be enforced on the kickoff.

Kopera pulled off a surprise onside kick to give Independence the ball back in optimal scoring position. Independence head coach D.J. McFadden said after the game that the Patriots had planned that call in practice earlier in the week. A few plays later, Little hit junior running back Travis Hill out of the backfield for a 23-yard touchdown.

Independence suddenly found itself up 24-0 with 10:32 left in the first half.

Neither offense was able to find success for the first of the half.

Myers Park received the second half kickoff. It wasn’t able to score on its first drive of the second half, but Lockhart did connect with Chaz Portis for a 42-yard pass. Portis is the son of former NFL player Clinton Portis.

On Independence’s first drive of the second half, Myers Park 4-star edge rusher prospect Rodney Dunham sacked Little for the second time of the game. The Patriots eventually punted on fourth-and-7 from midfield.

Myers Park scored quickly after that. Lockhart lofted a 49-yard bomb to Portis for a touchdown with 6:53 left in the third.

After a nice start to the next Independence drive, the Patriots were stopped on a fourth down. The Patriots took a 24-7 lead into the fourth quarter.

The next Mustang drive saw a 25-yard pass from Lockhart to Keefe down to the Independence 25-yard line. Senior running back R.J. Alexander finished off the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run.

Independence was forced to punt on a fourth down.

Myers Park faced a fourth-and-13 on the next drive. On the crucial play, Lockhart hit Portis on a beautiful 42-yard throw into the end zone. That play made it a 24-21 game with 5:50 left.

On a third-and-1 on the next Independence drive, Myers Park stopped Jones for a three-yard loss. After a punt, Myers Park took over on its own 18-yard line with 2:06 left.

Lockhart orchestrated a nice drive all the way down to the Independence 27 yard line. Myers Park called its last timeout with 28 seconds left. On the next play, Lockhart tried to throw a up ball to Keefe in the end zone, but it was intercepted by Tre’jaon Garnes of Independence after it was tipped away.

Independence (1-0 overall, 0-0 Southwestern 4A) will travel to Hickory Ridge in week two. Myers Park (0-1 overall, 0-0 So Meck 4A) is set to travel to Hough next week.

Source: highschoolot.com