Independence and Hough each took down one of South Carolina's best to open the season. Now the two North Carolina powerhouses will square off in a rematch from last year's state playoffs.
The Huskies blew out the Patriots 47-3 in the second round of the NCHSAA 4A bracket last fall, so Independence will have revenge on its mind as it hosts junior quarterback Ethan Royal and Hough on Friday.
Royal rushed for both of Hough's touchdowns in a 14-10 win over South Pointe last weekend, while also completing 12 of 21 passes for 132 yards in a game played at Bank of America Stadium.
Independence, meanwhile, is coming off a 27-21 road win at Gaffney in which new quarterback Jared Street completed 18 of 24 passes for 261 yards and also rushed for a TD. Pairing Street, a junior transfer from West Cabarrus, with star senior running back Jared Jones (63 yards rushing, two TDs last week) gives Indy a dynamic one-two punch on offense.
Who will prevail Friday night? Here's how to watch all the action from Charlotte.
How to watch Independence vs. Hough football
- TV channel: N/A
- Live stream: NFHS Network
Fans can catch the Independence vs. Hough showdown live on NFHS Network.
Many North Carolina high school games are available via NFHS Network, which streams everything high school from across the country live. If there's a big-time game, you can bet it's probably live on NFHS.
Independence vs. Hough kickoff time
- Date: Friday, Aug. 29
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
The Independence vs. Hough game is set to begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 29. The game will be played at Independence High School in Charlotte.
Sporting News Top 25 High School Rankings
The Sporting News Top 25 gives a snapshot of the strongest high school football programs across the country. While Independence and Hough aren’t in the national rankings, the list is a good way to see where the bar is set at the top. No. 25 Grimsley, the lone North Carolina school in this week's rankings, knocked Hough out of the state playoffs in the fourth round last year.
Here's the complete list:
- Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA) Monarchs
- Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, NV) Gaels
- St. John Bosco (Bellflower, CA) Braves
- St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, MD) Panthers
- IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL) Ascenders
- Duncanville (TX) Panthers
- Grayson (Loganville, GA) Rams
- American Heritage (Plantation, FL) Patriots
- Centennial (Corona, CA) Huskies
- St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, FL) Raiders
- Buford (GA) Wolves
- North Crowley (TX) Panthers
- Orange (CA) Lutheran Lancers
- Thompson (Alabaster, AL) Warriors
- DeSoto (TX) Eagles
- Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, FL) Lions
- East St. Louis (IL) Flyers
- Bergen Catholic (Oradell, NJ) Crusaders
- Mission Viejo (CA) Diablos
- Edna Karr (New Orleans, LA) Cougars
- Corner Canyon (Draper, UT) Chargers
- Southlake (TX) Carroll Dragons
- Milton (GA) Eagles
- Liberty (Peoria, AZ) Lions
- Grimsley (Greensboro, NC) Whirlies