INDEPENDENCE, Kan. - The Independence Football team will host their annual spring game this Saturday, April 26th, to culminate a month's work of spring practices.

The Pirates kicked off their spring practices back on April 1st, and will look to round out a solid offseason program with their intersquad spring football game on Saturday. 

“The spring game is a pivotal moment for our team,” said Head Coach Keith Donerson, “It's a chance to see our hard work in action and gauge our readiness for the season ahead.” 

The Pirates are coming off of a 3-8 season in the fall of 2024, but with a few new coaching additions and a fresh outlook, the Pirates are ready to turn the tides in 2025. 

“The excitement is palpable, and we're eager to demonstrate our skills and teamwork,” said Donerson.

Spring practices are an excellent chance for football programs around the nation to build the excitement and anticipation for the season ahead, and that is no different for Independence, who looks to get back atop the KJCCC in 2025 for the first time since the 2021-2022 season. The spring game allows the coaching staff to evaluate their team as a whole one last time before returning in the summer to hit the ground running. 

“We're looking for strong performances, and a glimpse of the potential each player brings to the field,” says Donerson.

The game will kick off at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 26th, at Shulthis Football Stadium, with free admission for fans.