By Angela Brunk

Coach: Kendall Fiscus

SCHEDULE
9/5 vs Columbus
9/12 vs Mulvane

9/19 at Fort Scott
9/26 at Field Kindley
10/3 at Chanute
10/10 at Eudora
10/17 vs Labette County
10/24 vs Rose Hill

Part of the Southeast Kansas League is the Independence High School Bulldogs. This year, the football team is ready to take the field, led by coach Kendall Fiscus. One disadvantage the team faced last season was being young, but the team is building and growing together. Last year’s team had upwards of 15 freshmen and sophomores with significant playing time, but now these players have experience from last season, and hopefully, this will turn into an advantage for the team this year.

OFFENSE
Looking towards the offense, Independence will return to the field with the following starters: Quarterback Javen Colbert (5’10, 175, JR), Wide Receivers Kellen Lanning (6’2, 160, SR), Amare Brown (5’8, 155, JR), and Jace Dye (5’10, 165, SR), Offensive Tackles Stanley Kowalczyk, (6’3, 215, SR) and Ian Martinez (6’2, 200, SO), and Offensive Guard Jeremiah Melugin (5’10, 220, SO). Standout stats from last season include Quarterback Javen Colbert with 295 rushing yards and 394 passing yards. Wide Receiver Kellen Lanning found ways to be open to end the season with 448 receiving yards.

DEFENSE
On the defense, starters include Defensive Backs Javen Colbert (5’10, 175, JR) and Jace Dye (5’10, 165, SR), Amare Brown (5’8, 155, JR), Deion Jones, (5’10, 165, SR), and Heston Smith (6’0, 170, JR), Defensive Ends Stanley Kowalczyk (6’3, 215, SR), and Ian Martinez (6’2, 200, SO), and Defensive Lineman Jeremiah Melugin, (5’10, 220, SO). Last season, Ian Martinez and Reece Reichenberger stood out on the defense with 3 tackles for a loss, and Reece Reichenberger added an interception to his stats.