Josh Glisson rushed for two scores as Butler hangs on for its ninth-straight win.
Butler notched a big win over fierce rival Independence.
Photo by Randy Rimland
Running back
Josh Glisson scored two touchdowns, including a 1-yard score late in the fourth quarter to help
Butler (Matthews, N.C.) hold off rival
Independence (Charlotte, N.C.) 38-26 on Friday night.
The battle of North Carolina heavyweights got underway with Butler going 50 yards and scoring on a 16-yard Glisson run to take a 7-0 lead.
Independence came right back, answering with an
Evan Guest touchdown pass to senior wide receiver
Austin Duke to even the score at 7-7.
Following a Butler field goal, Independence took a brief 14-10 lead with a touchdown at the end of the first quarter.
After Butler quarterback
Riley Ferguson was intercepted at the 1-yard line, Independence failed to capitalize. Butler scored two quick touchdowns at the end of the second quarter, a 23-yard pass from Ferguson to older brother
Zach Ferguson and a 22-yard pass to
Tyrin Edwards to take a 24-14 lead into half time.
On its first possession of the third quarter, Independence scored on a 2-yard run. However, a blocked extra point left the score at 24-20.
Butler's defense made stops
when it counted.
Photo by Randy Rimland
Following another interception of Ferguson, Independence had a chance to take the lead but stalled out.
Neither team scored again until Butler junior defensive back
Malachi Hanes took an interception 42 yards for a touchdown giving Butler a 31-20 lead.
Refusing to go away, Independence battled back and scored on an
R.J. Baker touchdown. However, the extra point was blocked again, making the score 31-26.
Butler, however, wouldn't budge. Glisson plunged into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown to make the score 38-26, extending Butler's lead. The win was Butler's ninth in a row. It has not lost since a season-opening setback to Mallard Creek.
