Indees blanked by Cardinals in last game

The Independence/Gilmanton football team couldn’t find the end zone in its last regular season game, falling 36-0 to Eleva-Strum on Friday.

The Cardinals were able to do what they wanted early in the game as quarterback Reede Brown threw three touchdown passes, including two 20-yard strikes — one to Brayden Szelecki and the other to Bryce Knutson — and a 60-yard toss to Elliot Walsh. E-S also got rushing touchdowns from Luis Kinser and Brayden Olson.

Brown finished six for 10 with 136 yards and three touchdowns. The Cardinals ran for 160 yards, led by Kinser’s 50 on six attempts. 

Chase Back and Payton Hovey split the quarterbacking duties for I/G. Hovey completed three of 10 passes for 28 yards while Back was two for five for 13 yards. Both threw one interception. Back was also the team’s leading rusher, managing 46 yards on 14 attempts. 

The Indees finished the 2025 campaign with a 1-7 record, though being able to play that many games could be seen as a victory. I/G had just 16 players out at the beginning of the season and injuries left them with fewer as the regular season kicked off. The team was able to pick up a few more players after school started and only forfeited its season opener, finishing the season with 21 players on the roster. 

The Indees will graduate seven players. They are expected to have nine seniors next year, but only have five other players from this year’s roster who could return to the program next year.

Independence/Gilmanton

Rushing (att./yds.) — Back 14/46 Klimek 3/8 Solberg 1/8 Hovey 1/0

Receiving (rec./yds.) – Solberg 2/20 Klimek 2/10 Hovey 1/11

Passing (comp./att./yds.) — Hovey 3/10/28 Back 2/5/13

Tackles (solo/assists) — Back 1/5 Slaby 1/0 Klimek 6/5 Kreibich 1/0 Hovey 1/3 Carillo-Taylor 4/2 Gierok 1/2 Turner 0/5 McHugh 0/2 Solberg 1/2