Independence High School (Charlotte, North Carolina)

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[edit] Academics

Independence is known locally for students' academic achievements. Independence is a CMS "magnet" high school, and has a baccalaureate program, as well as an intensive foreign language and business program. In 2006, more than twenty students participated in an exam to be able to attend the Governor's School of North Carolina, a state-sponsored program for extremely gifted students, begun by NC senator Terry Sanford. The previous year, six students from Independence met all the requirements to participate in the School. The requirements include writing two essays and receiving teacher recommendations. Though school officials expected more students to be accepted into the program, this year only two students made the cut.

[edit] Sports

In sports, the Big I is a member of the Southwestern 4-AA Conference, along with the following schools:

Ardrey-Kell "Knights"

Butler "Bulldogs"

East Mecklenburg "Eagles"

Myers Park "Mustangs"

Providence "Panthers"

South Mecklenburg "Sabres"

Weddington "Warriors"

Most notably, the Independence varsity football team, coached by Tommy Knotts, recently won their 108th straight game and have a streak of seven straight North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) State Championships (4-AA). As of November 24, 2006, the Big I held the longest current winning streak in high school prep football, and also held the most consecutive wins in US public high school football history. However, contrary to popular belief, the team has several more seasons of straight wins necessary to break the national prep record of 151 wins, set by De La Salle High School (Concord, California). De La Salle's streak ended on September 4, 2004, and was the longest winning record in any sport, at any level (high school, collegiate, and professional) in the United States. In order to break De La Salle's record, Independence would need to continue their momentum through the 2009 State Championship game.

Interestingly, the Patriots continued this winning streak even in the absence of Head Coach Tom Knotts. Coach Knotts left for a season to coach the Duke University (Durham, North Carolina) Blue Devils football program, but returned to Independence after a single season at Duke.

During the 2006-2007 season, ESPNU was prepared to televise the November 3 Independence vs. Butler matchup, but the North Carolina High School Athletic Association rules prohibit the live broadcast of regular season high school football contests on Friday night. Because it was the last Friday of the regular season the playoff brackets were scheduled to be published the next afternoon making a Saturday game impossible. In that game, the Patriots squared off against the RB Ryan Houston-led David W. Butler High School Bulldogs, another Charlotte-Mecklenburg School, located in neighboring Matthews, North Carolina. The game was played at American Legion Memorial Stadium, located in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina. Butler, a formidable adversary, was touted as the one team in that season which might actually chop the Patriots winning streak, but the Patriots squeaked out yet another win in double overtime. Butlers' Ryan Houston fumbled in the first half of the second overtime period. Independence RB Leak scored three plays later and the game was over.

The NCHSAA sold broadcast rights for the state finals to Time Warner Cable channel 14 and that game was carried live on December 9, 2006. The game was played at Duke University's Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, North Carolina, against the Riverside High School Pirates (Durham, N.C.). In that game, the Patriots handily defeated the Pirates 49 to 19.

In recognition of their long winning streak, the football team was invited to appear on the NFL pre-game show before the Carolina Panthers game on Sunday, October 1, 2006. Independence alums QB Chris Leak and WR Mohamed Massaquoi have gone on to impressive college careers in Florida and Georgia, respectively.

Independence athletics in general have a proud, rich history. The men's varsity basketball team also won the NCHSAA State Championship (4-AA) in 1998, and the women's varsity volleyball and softball teams each have state championships to their credits.

_____________________________________________________

100th Varsity Football Victory:

Day/Date: Friday, October 13, 2006

Independence 54

East Mecklenburg 22

_____________________________________________________

108th Varsity Football Victory:

Day/Date: Saturday, December 9, 2006

Independence 49

Riverside 19

GAME NOTE: This was the 2006 NCHSAA State Championship (4-AA), Independence's seventh in a row, and their 108th straight victory overall. _____________________________________________________

[edit] Controversy

There have been reports of 'recruiting' top middle school players and athletic prospects to Independence made by uninformed individuals that can't believe hard work, skill, and dedication are the keys to the programs success. The competing local schools and the Charlotte Mecklenburg school system are very careful to make sure that there is no validity to this charge. No one is more careful than the coaches and administration at Independence who would never jeopardize the program by committing an improper act or allowing an ineligible player to play. They know they are the most closely watched program in North Carolina.