Not SWVA, but Independence (NC) lost to a NC school last night...

[Bluefield_Rules 46]

It's the first loss to a NC school since 2000 for Independence; quite an impressive run to say the least.

 

http://www.charlotte.com/109/story/346034.html

 

BUTLER 21, INDEPENDENCE 20

 

The Butler did it, Bulldogs beat Patriots 21-20 at Memorial Stadium

 

CLIFF MEHRTENS

cmehrtens@charlotteobserver.com

 

Butler's victory against rival Independence -- a pulsating 21-20 affair that wasn't decided until the last 11 seconds Friday -- was redemption for more than the 53 Bulldogs in uniform.

 

All day, Butler coach Mike Newsome received good-luck text messages from former players.

 

"There were hundreds of players in the stands," quarterback Jacob Charest said, pointing to the delirious Memorial Stadium crowd. "And every one of them is as excited as we are."

 

With good reason.

 

Butler (9-2, 6-1 in Southwestern 4A) became the first N.C. team to beat Independence since 2000. The Patriots, who had their 109-game winning streak stopped in Ohio in September, played without coach Tom Knotts. He was suspended indefinitely after an altercation with a player's father after a junior-varsity game Thursday.

 

"That's an excuse," said assistant Bill Geiler, who filled in for Knotts. "The kids have to respond, and they have to play. I won't use that as an excuse."

 

Robert Blanton caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Charest in the corner of the end zone -- one-handed -- to tie the game at 20 with five minutes left. Kyle Searles' extra-point kick gave Butler a 21-20 lead.

 

Butler stopped two Independence fourth-down passes in the final four minutes. The last was Anthony Carrothers' incompletion at the Butler 15 with 11 seconds left.

 

Deep inside the swarm of hugs between players and fans, Blanton screamed "You see us? You see us?"

 

Folks across North Carolina will now, as the Bulldogs escaped the shadow of their rival seven miles away. Independence (9-2, 6-1) has won seven straight state titles, and eliminated Butler the past two seasons in the playoffs.

 

"This will move us up, as a program, to the next level," Newsome said.

 

Charest was 16-of-28 passing for 191 yards. Ten of the completions went to Jarrett Boykin, for 139 yards. Hawatha Bell ran for two touchdowns.

 

Butler's defense contained Independence most of the second half. Rod Chisholm ran for 126 yards and a touchdown on 32 carries, but had only 18 yards on 11 carries after halftime.

 

"The difference this year is we didn't think just about Independence all season," Charest said. "The whole game, everyone just kept saying `We're going to win.'

[coachftbl 10]

the head coach at independance has been put on leave until his altercation with a fan/parent has been reviewed by the police i think he hit a jv parent

[JGray 60]

HE was arguing with a parent through a chain linked fence and then pushed the fence into the mans face. This was in Friday's paper. I was at the game last night and it was a hell of a game. Plenty of athletes out there. Butler has 5 Div 1 players, 1 is going to Va. Tech.

[vt_keeper 10]

Butlers QB is going to Illinois, they have a WR that is more than likely going to VT but he also has an offer from Illinois and Appy State, a CB that is committed to Notre Dame, a S that is a 4 star that can go about anywhere he wants and they have a CB that is committed to VT but is out for the season with a torn ACL he had before the year. They deff. have plenty of talent and alot of potential college stars.