After spotting Independence a touchdown midway through the opening quarter, the 14th-ranked Cardinals took over and put a 28-15 road win in the books to get the 2025 football season off to a positive start.
The Cardinals get this week off. They are scheduled to return to action Saturday, Sept. 6 against Monroe in a game set for Wildcat Stadium in Palestine. Game time is 6 p.m.
The Cardinal defense played a big role in the win, holding Independence to 55 rushing yards and producing three turnovers. Marquel Hambric intercepted two passes and Christian Houston recovered a fumble.
Ryan Pelly, Xyarius Sheppard and Lazavier Amos had seven tackles each to lead the defensive effort. Jussiah Ali had three of the seven Cardinal sacks of three different Independence quarterbacks.
Independence scored on a one-yard run with 7:38 remaining in the first quarter. After that, it was all Cardinals until the issue had been decided. The Cardinals led 21-7 at the half and going into the fourth quarter.
Redshirt sophomore quarterback got the Cardinals on the scoreboard with 7:09 showing on the first quarter clock with a 50-yard pass to Demetrius Peace. Cash Hernandez tacked on his first of four PATs in the game.
Brown had the Cardinals in the end zone again less than two minutes later after an Independence turnover on an eight-yard run.
In his first start at quarterback, Brown completed 15-of-28 passes for 207 yards.
Rayshaun King scored on a 16-yard run with 4:08 left in the second quarter to give the Cardinals their 21-7 halftime advantage.
The Cardinals put the game away with 6:44 to go in the fourth quarter. Taj Wilson picked up an errant snap from center and converted into a five-yard run.
Independence added a touchdown and two-point conversion with 25 seconds to go in the game.
Jamary Williams led the Cardinals' ground effort with 32 yards on three carries.
Peace caught two passes for 62 yards and Chauncey Hogg and Jake Peveto had four receptions each.
Punter Max Zuluaga punting three times, averaging 54.0 yards per boot.
SCORING SUMMARY
- 1Q, 7:38 -- INDY -- Jordan Morales 2-yard run. (Colton Brunke-Brown kick good.)
- 1Q, 7:09 -- TVCC -- Kaden Brown 50-yard pass to Demetrius Pearce. (Cash Hernandez kick good.)
- 1Q, 5:34 -- TVCC -- Brown 8-yard run. (Hernandez kick good.)
- 2Q, 4:08 -- TVCC -- Rayshaun King 16-yard run. (Hernandez kick good.)
- 4Q, 6:44 -- TVCC – Taj Wilson 5-yard run. (Hernandez kick good.)
- 4Q, :25 -- INDY -- Keegan Anderson 6-yard pass to Phillip Defelice. (Anderson run good.)
