Despite a fast start to the 2025 season, the Independence Pirates could not find the win column against the No. 14 Trinity Valley Cardinals, falling 28-15 on Saturday afternoon.

 

The Pirates defense would make their presence known early, with Donya Borden recording an interception on the game's first drive, leading to a Jordan Morales touchdown run to finish off a nine-play 57-yard drive.

 

Starting quarterback Reeves Taylor, a transfer from Michigan State, would finish 12 of 15 for 119 yards before leaving the game with an injury. Keegan Anderson would replace Taylor, and finished 15 of 18 for 151 yards and a touchdown.

 

The Cardinals would respond from the early deficit, scoring 28 unanswered points, to take a commanding 28-7 lead in the fourth quarter. A late score and two-point conversion from the Pirates would be the final score on the season opening afternoon.

 

ICC will look to have a short memory, as they begin a stretch of three consecutive road games, which opens with the Ellsworth Panthers on Saturday.