Independence line answers the call

Independence coach Scotty Cuthbert knew he had a wealth of skill-position players coming into this season.

Linemen were another question.

The Patriots returned just one starter, center Adam Buchanan, plus a couple of part-timers.

Everyone else was new. Yet, the line pulled together and Independence, on seven-game winning streak, is in the playoffs Friday night against Tolsia.

“They were a big question mark for us,” Cuthbert said of his senior-dominated, but inexperienced line.

“But they improved as the season went along and our offense got better, based on their improvement.”

It wasn’t a smooth start for Independence, which dropped its first three games by a total of 10 points.

But the Patriots turned things around with another close game, an 8-6 win over county rival Shady Spring.

Buchanan, a three-year starter, knew the line would be better than people expected.

“Everybody got into the weight room this summer,” he said. “We all hung out and got close, and that’s what it takes to be a real good line.”

Cuthbert calls Buchanan, a 6-foot, 210-pound senior, the foundation of the line.

“Adam is pretty steady in there. He doesn’t panic in situations where the defense is blitzing,” he said. “He does a good job with the regular set, the shotgun and in kick snapping.”

The guards are Jeremy Stewart (5-9, 190, Sr.), Justin Ward (5-10, 175, Sr.) and Cecil Sargeant (5-9, 170, Jr.).

Stewart was injured all of last season, but worked hard to get himself back in shape to play. Ward, a former end, and Sargeant rotate at guard.

All three are quick enough to pull, and Stewart and Sargeant can bench press 250 pounds.

Josh Buchanan (6-2, 215, Jr.) and Cody Irvin (5-11, 190, Jr.) start at tackle, backed by David Kennedy (6-1, 300, Sr.)

Buchanan is a former tight end while Irvin, who was out last year with an injury, played running back as a freshman. Kennedy spent several years in Florida before returning home to West Virginia.

“David’s the big one if we’re trying to run,” Cuthbert said. “If teams have quick defenses, we’ll use Josh or Cody. Especially if we’re passing.”

Justin White (6-1, 185, Sr.) is another solid blocker at tight end.

“Not everybody started last year, but now people are starting to know how everybody does and when someone needs help,” Adam Buchanan said.

The Patriots will play Tolsia at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Huntington High School. The play of the line will be critical against the quick, aggressive Rebels.

“We have to be able to block their blitzes and pick up the defensive ends or we won’t be able to move the football,” Cuthbert said.

Adam Buchanan is ready for the challenge.

“We’ve heard they’re a real quick defense, so we’ll have to step up our game,” he said. “But we have the ability of blocking anyone we see.”