Post by DECKS on Dec 10, 2006 9:42:59 GMT -5
Independence wins 4AA state title, 108th straight game
Cliff Mehrtens
cmehrtens@charlotteobserver.com
Game summary
DURHAM - Championship football games aren't much of a challenge for Independence.
The Patriots crushed Durham Riverside 49-19 in the N.C. 4AA title game at Duke's Wallace Wade Stadium on Saturday.
Independence (16-0) has won seven straight championships, a state record. The first title in 2000 was by five points, followed by margins of 24, 21, 47, 34, 19 and 30.
"The offensive line started dominating in the playoffs," coach Tom Knotts said. "We knew after a couple of plays we could run the ball. We called some passes to soften up the defensive backs, then pretty much ran it at will."
The victory was Independence's 108th in a row, the second-longest streak in U.S. history.
Unlike the quick-strike title teams led by All-American quarterbacks Chris Leak and Joe Cox, this season's Patriots gained more yards on the ground than in the air. Dequan Leak ran for 204 yards and four touchdowns on 33 carries, and followed an offensive line that was the team's most consistent performers.
Leak, a senior, was named the game's most valuable player.
The Patriots rolled up 473 yards (314 on the ground) and scored in every quarter.
Riverside (11-5), playing in its first title game, took a 7-0 lead on quarterback James Lundsford's 20-yard run on its first possession.
Independence wasn't fazed. The Patriots responded less than two minutes later on Jason Barnes' 13-yard touchdown catch from Darryl McFadden. It was Barnes' seventh scoring catch in the playoffs.
The methodical Patriots scored second-quarter touchdowns on Dequan Leak runs of 10 and 3 yards for a 21-7 lead. They had 248 first-half yards.
Riverside, a No. 11 seed, scored twice in the second half, but each of those was followed by Leak touchdown runs (5 and 1 yards).
"There is extra pressure to keep the legacy going," Leak said. "You don't want to be the (senior) class that ends the streak. This week was more mental for us, but this was a lot of fun."
The seventh title team was the first with more rushing yards than passing. It didn't crimp their scoring, as the Patriots averaged 44 points in five playoff games.
"Running it isn't my style; I want to throw it all over the field," Knotts said. "I think the kids have more fun playing that way. But we did what we do best, and it worked tonight."
Darryl McFadden, 13-of-20 passing for 159 yards a touchdown, was named Independence's offensive player of the game. Linebacker Justin McFadden, who had 11 tackles, a sack and forced a fumble, was the defensive player of the game.
Knotts, who played and coached at Duke, stood quietly as the postgame trophies were awarded.
"I just wanted to soak it in," he said. "Other times, it's been a blur in these games. This place has special meaning to me."
www.charlotte.com
Cliff Mehrtens
cmehrtens@charlotteobserver.com
Game summary
DURHAM - Championship football games aren't much of a challenge for Independence.
The Patriots crushed Durham Riverside 49-19 in the N.C. 4AA title game at Duke's Wallace Wade Stadium on Saturday.
Independence (16-0) has won seven straight championships, a state record. The first title in 2000 was by five points, followed by margins of 24, 21, 47, 34, 19 and 30.
"The offensive line started dominating in the playoffs," coach Tom Knotts said. "We knew after a couple of plays we could run the ball. We called some passes to soften up the defensive backs, then pretty much ran it at will."
The victory was Independence's 108th in a row, the second-longest streak in U.S. history.
Unlike the quick-strike title teams led by All-American quarterbacks Chris Leak and Joe Cox, this season's Patriots gained more yards on the ground than in the air. Dequan Leak ran for 204 yards and four touchdowns on 33 carries, and followed an offensive line that was the team's most consistent performers.
Leak, a senior, was named the game's most valuable player.
The Patriots rolled up 473 yards (314 on the ground) and scored in every quarter.
Riverside (11-5), playing in its first title game, took a 7-0 lead on quarterback James Lundsford's 20-yard run on its first possession.
Independence wasn't fazed. The Patriots responded less than two minutes later on Jason Barnes' 13-yard touchdown catch from Darryl McFadden. It was Barnes' seventh scoring catch in the playoffs.
The methodical Patriots scored second-quarter touchdowns on Dequan Leak runs of 10 and 3 yards for a 21-7 lead. They had 248 first-half yards.
Riverside, a No. 11 seed, scored twice in the second half, but each of those was followed by Leak touchdown runs (5 and 1 yards).
"There is extra pressure to keep the legacy going," Leak said. "You don't want to be the (senior) class that ends the streak. This week was more mental for us, but this was a lot of fun."
The seventh title team was the first with more rushing yards than passing. It didn't crimp their scoring, as the Patriots averaged 44 points in five playoff games.
"Running it isn't my style; I want to throw it all over the field," Knotts said. "I think the kids have more fun playing that way. But we did what we do best, and it worked tonight."
Darryl McFadden, 13-of-20 passing for 159 yards a touchdown, was named Independence's offensive player of the game. Linebacker Justin McFadden, who had 11 tackles, a sack and forced a fumble, was the defensive player of the game.
Knotts, who played and coached at Duke, stood quietly as the postgame trophies were awarded.
"I just wanted to soak it in," he said. "Other times, it's been a blur in these games. This place has special meaning to me."
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