Butler football beats Independence football
November 2nd, 2007 Posted in High School Football
Butler football video vs West Charlotte
Independence football video vs West Charlotte
No North Carolina high school football team had beat an Independence High School football team since the year 2000. Rival Butler football almost pulled it off last year before Independence stormed back to win the game, on their way to their seventh consecutive state football championship. This year, Butler held it together and took down the giant on the eve of the high school football playoffs, defeating Independence 21-20 at Memorial Stadium, in a game that will have critical playoff seeding ramifications as well.
A second quarter Hawatha Bell TD run got the Bulldogs started on the right foot, before two quick Independence touchdowns at the end of the second quarter gave Independence the halftime lead. Rod Chisholm ran in the first TD, and Anthony Carrothers found Michael Rhynes on a long pass play for the second Patriot TD. In what turned out to be a key play, Butler blocked the PAT, so Independence hit halftime with at 13-7 lead, and looked good with Chisholm rushing for over 100 yards in the half.
In the third quarter, Hawatha Bell scored again on the ground for the Butler, as the Bulldogs reclaimed the lead at 14-13. Independence again answered the Bell with another long pass play - Carrothers to Lawrence Martin for the touchdown and a 20-14 lead.
In the fourth quarter, Butler QB Jacob Charest found Robert Blanton for what proved to be the game winning TD. Blanton, recruited by Notre Dame primarily for his cornerback skills, showed off his soft hands, hauling in the touchdown with one hand. Blanton and company then stopped Independence’s powerful offense to win the game and the 2007 4-A Southwestern conference championship.
Independence coach Tom Knotts was suspended for this game while an altercation at last night’s JV football game is investigated (Butler JV won that game by one point as well), but the key to this game was Butler’s ability to contain the explosive Independence offense in the second half. Butler will seek to carry their momentum into the NCHSAA football playoffs, while Independence will be gunning for their eighth straight state championship. The playoffs start next Friday, culminating with championship games on December 8th.
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