Independence broke open a close game with three long touchdown runs in the second half, and the Eagles handed Centennial its first loss of the year, 31-3 on Friday.
The Eagles completed only one pass, but they rushed for 316 yards and dominated the line of scrimmage.
"Our line was tough on both sides of the ball," Independence coach Kevin Dyson said. "Our plan was to run the ball and keep their offense off the field, and that starts up front."
The high-powered Centennial offense never got past the Eagles 15-yard line.
"They've been averaging over 40 points a game, " Dyson said. "They have the best quarterback in the county, but it's hard to score when you're on the sideline."
The backfield trio of Vic Wharton, Zak Steele and Jaylen Wade each broke touchdown runs of longer than 35 yards for Independence (3-2, 1-1 11-AAA), which outscored Centennial 21-0 in the second half.
"Those guys didn't just run well; they blocked well," Dyson said. "They were unselfish and helped each other."
The Cougars (3-1, 1-1) never got their passing game in rhythm and were hurt by two turnovers in the second half.
"We got outplayed and outcoached, pure and simple," Centennial coach Brian Rector said. "They played great defense and did what they needed on offense. Usually we can flip the field when we get behind, but we just never got going."
Centennial drove 51 yards on its first possession and kicked a field goal for an early 3-0 lead. But the Cougars didn't cross midfield again until the third quarter and never led again.
Independence jumped ahead late in the first quarter when Steele scored the first of his two touchdowns on a 4-yard run. Wade, who rushed for 162 yards, broke a long run in the second quarter to set up a field goal and a 10-3 Independence lead at the half.
"Those touchdowns in the third quarter made them lose hope," Dyson said.
Rector agreed"We got down after those runs, and we never answered," he said. "I'm disappointed in our effort, but the finger should point at me. I just didn't prepare the team."
Said Dyson: "We're in the hunt now. This was one of the best games we've played since I've been here."
