One of the Charlotte area’s top-ranked high school football teams goes down hard

There was actually a point fairly early in Independence’s 35-0 shellacking of Mallard Creek on Friday night, when the visiting Mavericks had a chance to make a game of it.

Mallard Creek was down 7-0 late in the first quarter, when quarterback Cailen Napier connected with Mason Kelley on a 42-yard touchdown pass.

But that play, like dozens of others in this Power Six 7A/8A game, ended with a penalty flag on the ground. The Mavericks were whistled for holding, the touchdown was nullified, and Independence went back to work.

“Back to work” Friday night meant senior Jayden Jones carrying the ball.

Jones, who started the season surrounded by all-state conversation but missed two games due to injury, turned in his best performance of the season Friday night. He rushed for 180 yards and scored a touchdown from 63 yards out.

Add in three touchdown passes from Jared Street and a suffocating defense, and you have a lopsided victory for the 10th-ranked Patriots (6-2, 2-1) over No. 4 Mallard Creek (5-3, 1-2).

“This was our best game of the season,” Independence coach D.J. McFadden said. “We played well against Gaffney, but this game was even better.”

McFadden said his team showed “immaturity” in its losses to Hough and West Charlotte.

“This team has been up and down all season,” he said. “Against Hough and West Charlotte, we displayed immaturity. It was different this week, though. Since we started preparing last Saturday, everyone was locked in.”

“We worked hard in practice every day,” McFadden added. “Even on game day, these guys were locked in.”

With games remaining against North Mecklenburg and neighborhood rival Butler, Independence has a chance to make a big finish to the season.

“But to do that, we have to work hard and prepare properly,” McFadden said. “That will be the key.”

Meanwhile, Mallard Creek coach Kennedy Tinsley was left frustrated with his team’s performance. This is the same team that knocked off Virginia power Warwick and perennial N.C. giant Cardinal Gibbons in September.

Tinley gave an impassioned speech to his players after the game, telling them they were capable of great football but reminding them they’d have to work for it.

“First of all, Independence did a fantastic job,” Tinsley said after addressing his team. “And we didn’t utilize our bye week (last Friday) very well.”

“But this was disappointing,” he said. “This team has the potential. We’ve already accomplished a lot, but we’ll need to put in the work if we want to finish well.”

Three who made a difference

Jayden Jones, Independence: Jones, a senior running back, carried 18 times for 180 yards. He scored one touchdowns, on a 55-yard run.

Nick Reddish, Independence: Notre Dame-bound Reddish, a senior defensive back, usually discourages opponents from throwing the ball toward him, as was the case Friday. But he took away a part of Mallard Creek’s air game with his defense and made several tackles.

Jared Street, Independence: A junior quarterback, Street completed 6-of-11 passes for 127 yards and three touchdowns. He ran 12 times for 138 yards and another score after a 55-yard run.

Just noting

One of Independence’s two standout running backs, Travis Hill, was injured in the second half. The Patriot medical staff told McFadden that the injury appeared to be a knee sprain, but Hill will be checked again over the weekend.

Perhaps the standout for Mallard Creek on Friday night was its punter, Ashton Blevins. He kicked five times for an average of 38 yards and had three kicks of 40 yards or more.

The game was a penalty-fest. Independence was flagged 17 times for 152 yards, and Mallard Creek had 14 penalties for 145 yards.

Mallard Creek is known for its stout defense, but the Patriots piled up 327 rushing yards Friday night — and 453 yards in total. The Independence defense held Mallard Creek to 116 total yards.

Mallard Creek hosts Butler next Friday, while Independence travels to North Mecklenburg.

Game summary

Mallard Creek 0 0 0 0 — 0

Independence 14 7 6 8 — 35

First quarter

I — King Rhodes 15 pass from Jared Street (Thomas Flores kick)

I — Jayden Jones 63 run (Flores kick)

Second quarter

I — Rhodes 22 pass from Street (Flores kick)

Third quarter

I — Jones 55 run (pass failed)

Fourth quarter

I — Ricky Myers Jr. 22 pass from Street (Jones run)

This story was originally published October 18, 2025 at 12:14 AM.