INDEPENDENCE, Kan.  - The Independence Football team picked up their first KJCCC win of the season on Saturday in large part to the big offensive performance from Sophomore Wide Receiver Ejani Shakir, this week's KJCCC Offensive Player of the Week. 

While the Pirate defense had a huge day keeping Highland off the scoreboard, offensively it was Shakir who played a crucial piece in the Pirates offensive success. 

Early in the first quarter, Shakir hauled in a nine yard pass for his first touchdown of the day, pushing the Pirates lead to 9-0. 

Late in the second quarter, with the Pirates backed up near their own endzone, and just a minute left to play, it looked as if the Pirates may play a bit conservative and take a 12-0 lead into halftime. The sophomore Wide Receiver from Pennsauken, New Jersey had other ideas, as he hauled in a quick pass over the middle, spun out of a tackle and streaked down the left sideline all the way to the endzone for an 87 yard touchdown, his second of the day to push the Pirate lead to 19 at halftime. 

Shakir ended the day with four catches for 143 yards and the two scores. Shakir has team highs in receptions (23), receiving yards (497), and touchdowns (5). His five scores also puts him in the top three of the KJCCC ranks. 

Shakir and the Pirates will hit the road this week as they prepare to take on nationally ranked Garden City CC on Saturday. 

Read the whole KJCCC Player of the Week release here: https://www.kjccc.org/sports/fball/2025-26/releases/POW/2025_FB_POW_-_Week_6