Photo: Indian River linebacker Russell Hooper

The Indian River High School football team gave its district rival a game for a quarter before its own mistakes did it in in its season-opener.

The Indians committed two mistakes in their punting game and another on a kickoff return that were converted into three Sussex Central touchdowns.

The Indians pulled within 7-6 on a 1-yard run by Brandon Tinley late in the first quarter that was set up by an interception and return by linebacker Russell Hooper to the Sussex Central 12.

After that, though, Sussex Central asserted itself and the Indians fell apart with mistakes.

First, the Knights converted a fourth-and-goal with running back Jonathan Ricketts diving in from the 1 for a 13-6 lead. Then, on their next possession, the Indians committed a bad snap on a punt that Knight lineman Orlando Farrow recovered in the end zone to put IR down 21-6.

The Indians then fumbled the ensuing kickoff to set up a 35-yard TD pass from Knight quarterback David Pusey to Ricketts for a 28-6 Knight lead midway through the second period.

• Interception and return by Russell Hooper

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