Knotts: Patriots don't recruit

[AggieMike]

Knotts: Patriots don't recruit
Allegations irk coach; Chisholm staying put

LANGSTON WERTZ JR
[e-mail]

News this week that two high-profile high school football players were considering transferring to Independence has made for long days for Patriots coach Tom Knotts.

"I get tired of people saying I recruited these kids," Knotts said. "We got an e-mail from some lady and it said, `They cheat.' I could just hear the tone of her voice in the e-mail. It gets to draggin' you down after a while, but it's nothing I can't handle."

West Charlotte running back Rod Chisholm, the 2006 Observer player of the year, considered a move so he could play for Independence, but his stepfather told the Observer that Chisholm has decided to remain at West Charlotte.

The parents of Vance quarterback Anthony Carrothers said they will be moving into Independence's district and that Carrothers will begin attending school there this month.

Knotts said a steady flow of players and parents tour the school. Five players from out of state have enrolled since last season, Knotts said, including two from South Carolina, one from Ohio, one from Mississippi and one from Georgia.

Knotts said as the Patriots have run up a 108-game win streak, the stream of visitors has gotten larger.

"They used to just call," Knotts said. "Now they are coming over here, touring the school and checking it all out. I guess everybody wants their children in the best situation for their kids."

• Chisholm's stepfather, James Wallace, said the family decided to remain at West Charlotte after a positive meeting with principal John Modest about concerns the family had with the school and football team.

West Charlotte coach Pete Gilchrist, whose team will play N.C. 4AA runner-up Butler and Independence in consecutive weeks next season, said he was happy to get this behind him.

"We're glad he made the decision to finish out his career with teammates he's been a part of for three years," Gilchrist said.

• Knotts said Independence will play Cincinnati's Elder High on ESPN over Labor Day weekend in Ohio. Elder was 6-4 last season. The game is part of the Herbstreit Ohio vs. USA Challenge series, put on by ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit. The two-day event matches top teams in Ohio against some of the best in the nation.

Knotts said event organizers are paying to cover travel expenses for 75 Patriots players and staff. Independence also will receive $15,000, he said.

Knotts said he didn't expect to play in future events like this.

"We've got an extremely tough league," Knotts said. "(Durham) Riverside (which lost to Independence 49-19 in the 2006 state final) would've finished sixth in our league. We don't need a national game when all the competition we need is right here, so we're not going to play anymore national games unless the deal is too good to turn down money-wise. We're like anybody else. We don't have any money."

'07 Patriots schedule

Aug. 17: Open

Aug. 24: at Olympic

Sept. 1: vs. Elder (Ohio)

Sept. 7: W. Charlotte (I'm going home for this one!)

Sept. 14: Vance

Sept. 21: At Myers Park

Sept. 28: South Meck

Oct. 5: at Ardrey Kell

Oct. 12: Providence

Oct. 19: at Weddington

Oct. 26: at East Meck

Nov. 2: Butler

They don't recruit but people do make the move to be a part of something BIG like Independence football...

[aggieengr]

Those 108 consecutive wins does the recruiting for him!!

[Bornthrilla]

If A&T was a high school, parents would probably be trying to move out of our district right now.

[4XLAGGIE]

Thats cold...

[AggieMike]

If A&T was a high school...Move out of our district and go where? Elon? We don't have an AREA powerhouse (I don't consider App to be in this area and Winston isn't a powerhouse)

[truthseeker]

Why don't Indy play those SC schools who are dying to play them..... HUMMMMMMM.....

[antfan2003]

the NCHSAA wont allow them to dip too far outta state to play games..

[truthseeker]

To antfan2003: If the NCHSAA won't allow them to dip to far outta state then why are they going to Ohio this fall??? Gaffney and Byrnes are only 60mi from Chararlotte----- Rockhill Northwest is only 20mi!!! Is Indy scared of those kids from SC?? You know they lost they're last 2 scrimmage games to Byrnes. If Indy played Byrnes that game would have to be played at Panther Stadium----- It would be the largest attended HS game in NC history..... I'm surprised no businessmen in the area has tried to pull it off----- I'd be there!!!!

[DECKS]

Truthseeker you are almost hilarious. Gaffney nor Byrnes can hold a candle to Indy. Byrnes did defeat Indy in a scrimmage back in 2005 but Indy won the most recent one this season. It's not unusual to see Independence lose a scrimmage because Knotts just doesn't put that kind of emphasis on em. His focus is on execution regardles of his team scoring or not. Hell, he's lost at least 3 scrimmages in the last few years.......big deal.

[antfan2003]

Yeah they are doing the Ohio game but that wasnt without a whole lotta red tape.. the NCHSAA is as crazy as the NCAA. That Ohio game has been three years in the making. I simply say that something like that would be the exception not the rule for NCHSAA... As for dem boyz in SC.. totally different breed of athlete.. they bring it every week.. Indy would have a time dealing up with several of those teams down there.. Gaffney, Dorman, Rockhill, Spartanburg High, Byrnes..just to name a few..