INDEPENDENCE – The only thing that the Independence Tigers did not accomplish in the first round of the playoffs was pitching a shutout. With that said, the Tigers basically did just that as visiting Plaquemine scored their only touchdown with just ten seconds left in the game.

11th seeded Independence beat 22nd seeded Plaquemine in every phase of the game as the Tigers rolled to a big 28-6 win over the Green Devils. The Tigers are now 9-2 on the season and they will travel five miles north this week to face rival Amite in a local playoff showdown.

The Tigers defense could not have played any better. Independence completely shut down the Green Devils in the game. The Tigers limited the Green Devils to just 22-yards rushing and 34-yards passing for a total of only 58-yards of offense.

The Tigers used strong physical play on both their offensive and defensive lines to set the tone in the game. The Tigers piled up 328-yards of total offense behind the solid blocking of the offensive line.

The Independence o-line paved the way for 296-yards of total offense and they opened huge holes for all of their running backs. Marshall Bellazen rushed for 156-yards on twenty-two carries and one touchdown.

The Tigers began the game with a 23-yard scoring run from Senior Quarterback Chris Carter in the first quarter. James Cervantes then tacked on the PAT and the Tigers had a 7-0 lead after the first quarter.

With their defense playing with a physical, disciplined style, seven points would be more than enough for the Tigers to come away with the win. But the Tigers gave their defense more breathing room with two big scores in the second quarter.

Desmond Copeland scored on a seven-yard run and then Elroy Duncan hauled in a 17-yard touchdown strike from Chris Carter to blow the game wide open. James Cervantes was good on PAT’s and the Tigers led 21-0 at halftime.

The Tigers then put the nail in the coffin when Bellazen scored on a 49-yard run and the Tigers then coasted to a 28-6 win. Independence also won the turnover battle in the game as they recovered a fumble and picked off a pass.

Now the Tigers are 9-2 on the season and will hit the road to take on rival Amite. The winner of the Amite versus Independence Game will face the winner of the Richwood versus E.D. White game in the Class 3A quarter-finals.