Second half surge sends Independence to the Super Six, 34-20 over Bluefield

November 26, 2021 - 5:11 pm

Bluefield’s Caleb Fuller (12) is tackled by Independence’s Logan Phalin (12) on a failed two point conversion attempt during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield’s Shawn Hale (33) celebrates during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield head coach Fred Simon shouts during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Independence’s Atticus Goodson (3) is tackled by Bluefield’s Shawn Hale (33) and Reginald Hairston (20) during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Independence head coach John Lilly shouts from the sideline during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield’s Amir Hairston (28) runs past Independence defender Atticus Goodson (3) during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield’s Sencere Fields (2) intercepts a pass intended for Independence’s Cyrus Goodson (2) during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

The Independence student section cheers during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Independence’s Atticus Goodson (3) is tackled by Bluefield’s Jamel Floyd (4) during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield’s Jaeon Flack (3) runs for yardage during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield’s Jaeon Flack (3) catches a pass as Independence’s Trey Bowers (1) defends during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Independence’s Atticus Goodson (3) celebrates after the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Independence’s Judah Price (10) runs past Bluefield defender Jamel Floyd (4) during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Independence’s Atticus Goodson (3) runs for yardage during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Independence’s Cyrus Goodson (2) runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Independence’s Cyrus Goodson (2) runs an intercepted pass back for a touchdown during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Independence players celebrate after Cyrus Goodson (2) runs an interception back for a touchdown during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Independence’s Cyrus Goodson (2) celebrates with teammate Trey Bowers (1) after running an intercepted pass back for a touchdown during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield’s Ryker Brown (8) makes a pass during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Independence head coach John Lilly kneels in a timeout during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Independence head coach John Lilly looks down the sideline during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield’s Amir Hairston (28) is tackled by Independence’s Logan Isom (69) for a turnover on downs during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Independence head coach John Lilly reacts during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Independence quarterback Logan Phalin (12) hands the ball off to Atticus Goodson (3) during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Independence’s Atticus Goodson (3) runs for a touchdown during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield quarterback Ryker Brown (8) makes a pass during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield quarterback Ryker Brown (8) is sacked by Independence’s Parker Withrow (60) and Jordan Harvey (36) during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Independence players Logan Isom (69) and Jordan Harvey (36) react during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Independence quarterback Logan Phalin (12) runs for yardage during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Independence head coach John Lilly celebrates after the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Independence players take the field before the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield’s Amir Hairston (28) runs for yardage during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield’s Jacorian Green (7) runs for yardage during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield’s Ryker Brown (8) celebrates after running for a touchdown during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Independence’s Judah Price (10) and Bluefield’s Bryson Redmond (11) dive after a fumbled football during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Independence’s Logan Phalin (12) dives into the end zone for a touchdown during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield’s Amir Hairston (28) is tackled by Independence’s Judah Price (10) during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield’s Ryker Brown (8) runs for a touchdown during the West Virginia high school football game between the Independence Patriots and the Bluefield Beavers at George D. Covey Field, Friday, November 26, 2021, in Coal City. Independence defeated Bluefield 34-20. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

COAL CITY, W.Va. — Independence erased a 13-point halftime deficit and outscored Bluefield 27-0 in the second half to claim their first trip to the Super Six, 34-20.

No. 14 Bluefield (7-4) jumped out to a 20-7 halftime lead on the strength of a pair of two-yard touchdown runs from Ryker Brown and a 17-yard fumble return for a score by Sencere Fields. Logan Phalin had a two-yard touchdown tote for the Patriots in the first quarter.

“We just told them to quit fumbling the doggone ball. I thought we could run on them and I told them to hang on to the ball. I told the offensive line to block their hind ends off and I thought we could come back,” said Independence head coach John Lilly.

No. 2 Independence (11-0) erased the deficit by the end of the third quarter after a pair of touchdown runs from senior Atticus Goodson. The scoring runs covered eleven and nine yards. The game was tied 20-20 at the end of the third quarter.

The Patriots took their first lead of the game on the opening play of the fourth quarter. Cyrus Goodson returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown, giving IHS a 27-20 lead. After a defensive stop, Independence scored their fourth touchdown of the half when Atticus Goodson found the end zone for the third time on a seven-yard run.

“It was a great performance by our seniors. Our two seniors, Logan [Phalin] and Atticus [Goodson], I just told them to leave it on the field. They did a heck of a job. I love my team. Everybody said we didn’t play anybody. Well, we played somebody now.”

Independence is headed to the Class AA state championship game December 3 at Wheeling Island Stadium. They await the winner of tonight’s semifinal between No. 16 Fairmont Senior and No. 5 Poca.

“We beat one of the best teams in the state. Coach [Fred] Simon does such a great job. It is a great honor for us to do this today.

“Right now, I am kind of speechless. I don’t know what to say other than I love my team and I love this community. We worked really hard to get here.”

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