A HighSchoolOT Top 25 matchup in Charlotte was close at halftime, but ultimate No. 6 Independence pulled away from No. 24 Charlotte Christian in the second half.

The Patriots outscored the Knights 20-6 in the second half as Jayden Jones ran for three touchdowns and scored a two-point conversion. Independence won the game 34-13.

Charlotte Christian drew first blood early in the first quarter. Owen Farrell completed a 17-yard pass to Brandon Hettwer on third down to give the Knights a 7-0 lead, but that advantage was short lived. Two minutes later, Jones scored his first touchdown of the game on a 22-yard run to tie the score.

In the second quarter, Jones’ second touchdown gave the Patriots their first lead. Jones scored on a two-yard run, putting Independence up 14-7.

The Patriots had a chance to extend the lead just before halftime, but Charlotte Christian blocked a 27-yard field goal attempt late in the half leaving Independence’s lead at 14-7 at the break.

Early in the third quarter, Justin Little completed a long pass to Sadat Grant to the Knights’ 10-yard line. That drive stalled though and a bad snap on a field goal attempt left the Patriots without points on the drive.

That opened the door for Charlotte Christian to tie the game. Jamal Rule ran into the end zone with 1:24 left in the quarter, but Independence managed to block the extra-point attempt, leaving the Patriots with a 14-13 lead through three quarter.

Independence pulled away in the fourth quarter. Little and Grant connected again, this time for a 52-yard touchdown to give the Patriots a 20-13 lead. Later, Jones scored his third touchdown on a five-yard run to push the lead to 27-13.

Little finished the game 10-of-14 passing for 201 yards and a touchdown without any interceptions. Grant led the team in receiving with 125 yards and a touchdown on four receptions. Jones finished with 214 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries.

The final dagger from Independence came on a 15-yard rushing touchdown by Ricky Myers Jr. with 3:33 left in the game.

Independence (3-0) stays on the road next week with a trip to South Mecklenburg at 7 p.m. Meanwhile, Charlotte Christian (1-1) will host Ardrey Kell at 8 p.m.

Source: highschoolot.com