Team Preview: Independence Patriots

The Independence Patriots had a bit of a return to glory last year, going 11-2 and making a run to the 3rd round of the State Playoffs. But Independence Head Coach DJ McFadden isn't satisfied with just one year of success and has some talented players returning to help make another run at a potential state championship this season. Playing in a tough Southwestern 4A Conference, it will be important for these key players to stay healthy as some young guys step up at the wide receiver and running back positions in particular on the offensive side of the ball. Let's take a look at some of the key players for the Patriots this year.   OFFENSE   QB [player_tooltip player_id='828612' first='Justin' last='Little']   Little had an incredible sophomore campaign as he threw for 3642 yards and 41 touchdowns in leading the Patriots' offensive attack. Little does an excellent job in the RPO game, consistently making the right reads and delivering the football with great placement and accuracy for receivers to make plays after the catch. He has offers currently from Jackson State, James Madison, Alabama A&M, Georgia Southern, Old Dominion, Charlotte, and Campbell.   TE [player_tooltip player_id='822247' first='William' last='Brown']   Will has been impressive in my eyes the past two years - he routinely has performed well in camps and showcases as one of the top tight ends in the Charlotte Metro Area. At 6'1 and 220 pounds, he is coming off of an All-Conference season and can win in the passing game against linebackers and safeties in the middle of the field. He can also be a multiplier in the run game as an in-line blocker and also in the H-Back/Move position in an offense. He has started to get deserving recruiting attention, with offers from NC Central, Johnson C. Smith, Ferrum, UNC Pembroke, and Morgan State.   OL [player_tooltip player_id='1093144' first='Jmari' last='Parker']   In a recent interview, Coach McFadden stated that Jmari is the guy that makes things go up front on the offensive line. At 6'3 and 290 pounds, he is a strong run blocker with very good feet to provide excellent pass protection in their offense. Usually, offensive linemen with that skill set attract a good amount of attention from a recruiting perspective, but it is just really getting started for Jmari as he got his first offer from Morgan State.   DEFENSE   DB [player_tooltip player_id='620254' first='Quentin' last='Reddish']   A long-armed and athletic safety prospect, Quentin rightfully was highly recruited by several Power 5 programs but ultimately decided to commit to Virginia Tech. The Hokies are getting a young man with great speed and ball skills - he recently posted an impressive diving interception in 7 on 7 competition this summer. At 6'3 and 185 pounds, he was All-Conference last season and should be a leader for this Patriots defense.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='771231' first='Dallas' last='Brannon']   Dallas is a very talented Class of 2026 prospect standing at 6'2 and 200 pounds. Per Coach McFadden, he will be playing at the middle linebacker position this upcoming season, and he has received a ton of recruiting attention throughout the offseason. Dallas currently has offers from North Carolina, Missouri, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, East Carolina, Miami, and Charlotte. Dallas has excellent athletic ability, is a true 3-down linebacker that shows coverage skills and is not afraid to be physical in taking on blocks, shedding blocks, and making the tackle in the run game.   LB Keegan Queeglay   An All-Conference linebacker last season, Keegan stands at 5'11 and 195 pounds as a Class of 2024 prospect. He received an offer from Ferrum recently and should continue to see recruiting attention with a strong start to the season. Keegan is an aggressive player in the run game and tackles well in open spaces. He also can show discipline in zone drops and has good ball skills with the ball in the air over the middle of the field.   DL/LB [player_tooltip player_id='868145' first='Kaden' last='Thomas']   I have seen Kaden in person, and I love his athleticism from the traditional linebacker position. He has worked on that a good bit in the offseason to add to his ability to play the EDGE position, where he was recognized as an All-Conference player last season. Standing at 6'0 and 200 pounds, he recently received his first offer from Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte.

The Independence Patriots had a bit of a return to glory last year, going 11-2 and making a run to the 3rd round of the State Playoffs. But Independence Head Coach DJ McFadden isn't satisfied with just one year of success and has some talented players returning to help make another run at a potential state championship this season. Playing in a tough Southwestern 4A Conference, it will be important for these key players to stay healthy as some young guys step up at the wide receiver and running back positions in particular on the offensive side of the ball. Let's take a look at some of the key players for the Patriots this year.