Gavin Bridgewater chases down Independence's Marcus Beatty during the Trojans' 48-7 loss to the Mustangs on Sept. 24. -- Photo by Darvin Graham

South Tama football got a rude awakening last Friday night in a 48-7 demolition at the hands of Class 3A No. 8 Independence (5-0) at home, falling to 1-4 on the season.

The Trojans failed to score until the fourth quarter of play, allowing the Mustangs to score 42 points unanswered in the first three quarters.

Independence senior running back Marcus Beatty and the Mustang’s line ran roughshod over the Trojans to the tune of 227 yards and four touchdowns. Beatty is being recruited at the college level for both baseball and football and Friday broke the career rushing record at Independence with 3,282 total yards.

South Tama’s Kyler Smith threw for 28 yards on six passing attempts and threw two interceptions. In 29 rushing attempts, the Trojans gained 81 yards (2.8 yards per carry). The lone STC touchdown was scored by Jacob Collision, who carried three times for 10 yards and a score. Rudy Papakee led the team in rushing with 25 yards on seven carries.

Collison also led the STC defense with 10 tackles including the team’s only sack and two tackles for a loss.

Trojans quarterback Kyler Smith is sent airborne by Independence’s Mitchell Johnson (15) after tucking and running the ball in the second quarter of STC’s home game on Sept. 24. Smith was held in check by a talented Mustangs defense who allowed the senior only 28 yards passing and 17 yards rushing. Photo by Darvin Graham

This week things don’t get any easier for Coach Nate Doran and the Trojans. They will hit the road to face 3A No. 2 West Delaware in Manchester Friday night.

The Hawks so far have featured a run-first offense that includes a two-headed monster of an attack. Senior back Kyle Cole has led with 457 yards on 97 carries and behind him appears an equally capable rusher in senior Conner Funk who has 267 yards on 50 carries but nearly as many touchdowns as Cole.

South Tama’s rushing leader so far has been senior Boden Koehler with 420 yards, though the Hawks have still out-rushed STC as a team by nearly 400 total yards.

Quarterback Kyler Smith gets a block from Jacob Collison (56) as he runs up the field last Friday against Independence. -- Photo by Darvin Graham

Sophomore Gavin Bridgewater puts a stiff arm out to try and open a running lane against the Independence defense last Friday. The Mustangs frustrated South Tama’s run game, holding them to 87 total yards on the ground. Photo by Darvin Graham

Independence running back Marcus Beatty (25) skates by STC’s Nolan Upah (8) and Andres Lugo (4) en route to one of several devastating runs that totalled 227 yards for the the senior Mustang. Independence defeated South Tama by a score of 48-7 last Friday. -- Photo by Darvin Graham