A few minutes into the 3rd Quarter, the 2024 edition of the Battle of the South looked like a classic slugfest. An electric, emotional 2 quarters of football had left the two southern Williamson County rivals in a 1-point back and forth rivalry game.

Summit (3-7, 1-4) had started with a gritty scoring drive that led to a Dillon Pierce 1 yard touchdown punch in that lit the fuse of the Sparty Party student section and put them up 6-0. 

Indy (3-7, 2-3) sophomore quarterback Matthew Horner returned the favor in the 2nd Quarter with his own 1 yard plunge to pay dirt. And the difference going into Halftime was simply a missed extra point kick by Summit. 7-6.

Going into a crucial 2nd Half, the stakes were raised to almost unbearable heights. As Independence was playing with their playoff hopes on the line. 

Summit was coming off a massively emotional win over Nolensville. Their first win over NOLO in program history. While the Big One against their rivals is always huge, it is hard to stay up emotionally two weeks in a row.

Who would take over the 2nd Half and make a statement in the South? 

SENIORITY PLAY OF THE GAME:

SUMMIT: David Demorest (Decleater hit/tackle in the 3rd Quarter)

INDY: Hunter Reed (Punt Block Safety in the 3rd Quarter)

The Summit and Indy Bands and Color Guards put on a spectacular Halftime show. The Indy Dance Team also killed it during their performance. You can see photos via any of the buttons on this article.

A few minutes into the 3rd Quarter, it was time for the Eagles of Thompson Station to rise to the moment.

A 4th Down punt, deep in their own territory by Summit was blocked by senior Hunter Reed. Reed got so high in the air that the punt was actually blocked by his facemask. And it popped up into the air, for what seemed like forever. Reed and junior Mason Rogers watched the pigskin slowly float out of the end zone for a Safety and bedlam ensued.

Sure it put only 2 points on the scoreboard. But, the momentum set off a euphoric string of moments for the Indy faithful that seemed to break the will of the Spartans.

A 9-6 lead turned into a big one, when Indy rode a nice return on the punt after the safety into Summit territory. Then, junior star Hunter Mullen weaved in and out of traffic for 18 yards to the end zone for an emphatic score. The Indy student section, in their final home game, seemed to completely lose their minds and the wave of emotion strongly fueled the Eagle defense.

Indy started getting into the Summit backfield on the regular. Disruptive. Riding the emotion of what was at stake. 

The Station seemed to be taking in fuel, while The Hill's gauge was falling quickly.

SENIORITY LINEMAN OF THE GAME:

SUMMIT: Ian McCarthy OG

INDY: Syler Green LT

Austin Oakes and senior Eli Baumann each added touchdowns to widen the gap, while Summit’s only answer was a third-quarter score from Mason McElhaney that barely kept them within reach.

By the fourth, though, Independence’s will was clear. Oakes capped off the game with a three-yard touchdown, securing a playoff spot and sparking hope for a deeper postseason journey.

STATS OF NOTE:

Matthew Horner 11 rushes 45 yards 1 TD.

Mason McElhaney 18 rushes 104 yards. 7-17 for 217 yards.

Both teams finish the regular season 3-7.

The 3rd win in 4 games for Indy earns them a trip to Murfreesboro for a Class 6A playoff game vs powerful Stewarts Creek (9-1).

SENIORITY PLAYERS OF THE GAME:

SUMMIT: QB Mason McElhaney (317 total yards)

INDY: Hunter Mullen

Independence 30, Summit 12 SCORING:

SHS 6 0 6 0 – 12

IHS 0 7 16 7 – 30

Scoring Summary:

1Q 2:57 SHS – Dillon Pierce 1 run (Kick failed)

2Q 3:05 IHS – Matthew Horner 1 run (Landric Mayeski kick)

3Q 10:20 IHS – Safety (blocked punt); 3Q 5:30 IHS – Mullen 18 run (Mayeski kick)

3Q 1:42 IHS – Eli Baumann 3 run (Mayeski kick)

3Q .17 SHS – Mason McElhaney 13 run (Pass failed)

4Q 8:52 IHS – Austin Oakes 3 run (Mayeski kick)