Independence High Wins 100th Straight Game

             

Charlotte Observer | 10/14/2006 | 100 and counting

It was hard to tell if Independence was happier winning its 100th straight, or that it earned a day off.

"No practice (today), and that's a good thing," receiver Jason Barnes said.

The Patriots earned rest with a 54-22 romp at East Mecklenburg on Friday, rolling up 523 yards, forcing seven turnovers and scoring two touchdowns in each quarter.

It looked a lot like most of the victories in the six-year stretch of perfection. Eighty of the wins have been by 20 or more points.

The streak is the second-longest in U.S. history, behind the 151 of De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) from 1991-2004.

"We talk about the streak all the time," said Barnes, a senior. "That's the main goal. It's a lot of pressure, but we try to come out and have fun. As long as we do what the coaches say, we'll win."

Offensive lineman Guard Willie Simmons broke the postgame handshake, pointed at the scoreboard and yelped: "Yeah, we did that. It's 100, baby."

Independence's routine romps since 2000 made the three games decided by 11 or less this season a surprise. The Patriots beat Vance and Providence on last-minute defensive plays. The offense sputtered in long stretches.

That all changed against East Mecklenburg.

Darryl McFadden passed for 201 yards and two TDs, and ran for 84 yards and a score, despite not playing the fourth quarter. Fernando White caught five passes for 127 yards and a touchdown.

Jerlando Kasey bolted 91 yards on a scoring run. He and Dequan Leak had two rushing touchdowns apiece.

"We answered everything (East Meck) did," coach Tom Knotts said. "We made big plays offensively, and when they needed big plays, we got stops and turnovers."

Independence (8-0, 4-0in Southwestern 4A) dominated the first half with 323 yards. East Meck (5-3, 1-3) closed to 26-14 on Mike Mayhew's TD run in the third quarter.

Hope evaporated when the Eagles muffed a punt, which led to McFadden's 9-yard touchdown pass to Barnes.

Four minutes later, Leak sprinted 35 yards for a touchdown, and 40-14 lead.

"Really, 100 isn't that much different than 99 or 95," Knotts said. "The 152 will be special. That's the coaches' goal. The players just want to play and have fun. Our goal is to win a state championship."