Jumping out to a 14-0 lead over Independence (2-3) early early in the second-quarter, the Redhawks (0-5) football team was off to its best start of the year as the team looked to end its 25 game losing streak on Thursday at the Ford Center. But it wasn’t to be as Independence slowly began to pull away in the second half to win 35-14.

“We came out of the gate really well,” head football coach Matt Swinnea said. “I was proud of the defense for playing well early as well as the offense putting points on the board. When we are focused and fresh, we can do great things.”

Trailing 14-3, in the second-quarter, the Knights scored a touchdown before the halftime break to cut the Redhawks lead to 14-10.

“I think it was a combination of Independence gaining the momentum by scoring before the half, as well as our lack of execution offensively in the second,” Swinnea said. “Once we became fatigued, errors began to mount.”

The Redhawks offense was clicking early with senior Khaleb Cooper carrying the load. First it was a swing pass for a 45-yard touchdown, then with the team pinned deep at its own 3, Cooper broke loose and ran 97 yards for the score.

“It feels amazing,” Cooper said. “That’s probably the longest TD run I have ever had.”

It was the final touchdown of the night for the Redhawks, but the team was able to hold on to the lead through the third-quarter which saw the Knights score the only points on a field goal.

Visions of a win slowly slipped away in the fourth-quarter as the Knights running game, powered by Ryder Grajo (203 yds), scored 22 unanswered points.

“I apologized to them for not being able to take the pain away. This one stung. A lot,” Swinnea said. “We are all learning the lesson that life is not fair. Playing 5A football with 2A numbers is really hard. But, I continue to applaud their willingness to fight each week and look forward to practice on Monday. I love our team, and I told them that. I hate that it hurts so deeply.”