On Thursday Oct. 30, the Emerson Mavericks defeated the Independence Knights with the final score recorded at 62-0. The location of the game was at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, and the game started at 7:00 pm. Independence fought hard but Emerson maintained speed and technique to secure the win.
Independence kicked off the first quarter, but Emerson quickly got positive yards with Presha Allen,12, No. 7, securing an early touchdown. The score landed at 7-0 with the Mavericks obtaining the extra field goal point. As the knights ran for yards, Emerson stopped every play that came their way, ending with Independence at fourth down. The ball was back in the Mavericks’ hands, with Dean Waldron, 10, No. 9, to obtain a first down. Waldron feels like he has improved over the course of the season, picking up new important habits for his career in football.
“I feel like I’ve done better at dipping my shoulder… so people won’t push me off”, Waldron said.
Emerson continued to make more positive yardage, which eventually paved the way for Allen to dash into the Knight’s endzone for another touchdown. Independence struggled to keep Emerson’s offense at bay. Blake McLane, 12, No. 2, and Waldron, scored touchdowns both having an extra point. The score to end the first quarter was 21-0. Andrew Adame, 10, No. 3, notes the importance of not letting an expectation of another team’s playing level get in the way of how well Emerson plays.
“You know, we still came in there with the right mindset and just did our job,” Adame said. “Took care of business as we should have.”
Starting the second quarter, McLane scored a touchdown, the Mavericks obtaining an extra point via a field goal. Emerson gained momentum with well structured plays and got four more touchdowns to end the first half. The score to end the first half was 48-0. Waldron makes known of team energy.
“Just being happy, congratulating everyone on what they did good, and just having a great time,” Waldron said.
Emerson kicked off to start the second half with their defense guarding the Knight’s defense diligently. After the Knight’s fourth down, the Mavericks picked up their ball, relatively close to the Knight’s goal. Allen ran to Independence’s endzone, landing Emerson with another touchdown. Emerson scored another touchdown, ending the game with a Maverick victory. The team fought hard, battling through the season with high energy and support for each other. Adame reflected on one of the last games with the seniors.
“It was kind of bittersweet. I mean, that was probably one of the best games we played all season,” Adame said.
