Butler (Matthews, N.C.) at Independence (Charlotte, N.C.)For the fifth time in six seasons, this game will help decide the Southwestern 4A conference championship. Butler hasn't lost a league game since 2008, when it fell to Independence, 42-31, on the final week of the regular season. The Bulldogs can lock up a third straight league title with a win Friday night. They are unbeaten since losing the opener to nationally ranked Mallard Creek (Charlotte). According to the
Charlotte Observer, Butler tallied more than 500 yards of offense in last week's 52-14 rout of South Mecklenburg (Charlotte). Standout junior quarterback
Riley Ferguson threw four first-half touchdown passes.
Independence – a program that strung together the second-longest winning streak in history (109 games from 2000-07) – hit rock bottom in 2010, going 3-8 in its first season after longtime coach Tom Knotts left for Dutch Fork (Irmo, S.C.). The Patriots have bounced back this year, winning nine of 10 games and having a chance to share a league crown. Indy has averaged 52 points per game since its Sept. 23 loss to co-league leader Ardrey Kell. Last week, it beat Myers Park (Charlotte) in overtime, 56-55.
Mitch Stephens: Butler 42, Independence 28
Steve Montoya: Butler 24, Independence 14
Stephen Spiewak: Butler 35, Independence 10
Kevin Askeland: Butler 42, Independence 27
Jamie DeMoney: Butler 35, Independence 23
Riley Ferguson and Butler will look to keep their league winning streak alive against Independence.
File photo by Randy Rimland
