Football Game Preview: Walnut Ridge Scots vs. Independence 76ers

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Previous Games

10/25/24 - Away	46-8 W
10/20/23 - Home	30-54 L
10/21/22 - Away	8-28 L
10/22/21 - Home	6-38 L
10/09/20 - Home	42-38 W
+ 5 more games

Walnut Ridge and Independence are an even 5-5 against one another since October of 2016, but not for long. The Scots will be playing in front of their home fans against the 76ers at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.

For some reason, the away team has come away with the win the last four times Walnut Ridge and Africentric Early College have met, but the home crowd finally got their W on Saturday. The Scots blew past the Nubians 26-6.

Meanwhile, Independence hadn't done well against Eastmoor Academy recently (they were 1-8 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Friday. The 76ers put the hurt on the Warriors with a sharp 52-32 win. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the 76ers.

Independence had a senior duo take command as Gabriel Ogbara rushed for 339 yards and a pair of scores while picking up 12.6 yards per carry and Darren White-Tyler gained 222 total yards and five touchdowns. White-Tyler also rushed for 178 rushing yards, which is notable because the 76ers are undefeated when he posts at least 80 rushing yards, but 2-3 otherwise.

Independence was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 560 rushing yards. That's the most rushing yards they've managed all season.

Walnut Ridge's victory bumped their record up to 6-3. As for Independence, their win bumped their record up to an identical 6-3.

Everything came up roses for Walnut Ridge against Independence in their previous matchup back in October of 2024, as the team secured a 46-8 victory. Will the Scots repeat their success, or do the 76ers have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.