Two Hometown Heavyweights Fight for Hardware and Bragging Rights

With both the outright conference title, and the King of the Hill trophy up for grabs, there is much more at stake than just bragging rights between Butler and Independence

CHARLOTTE, NC — A packed house, a busy box score, an iconic interception. A longtime rivalry against the Butler Bulldogs renewed in spectacular fashion as the Independence Patriots were crowned the King of the Hill for the first time since 2014.

“Obviously it is an amazing feeling finally beating them. I mean they talk a lot about what hat happened in the past with Butler and Independence but then again I wasn’t here I couldn’t control it. I am one-and-one against them and it is just a blessing to have the trophy,” said Quentin Reddish, a senior defensive back for the Patriots, who snagged two game-sealing interceptions in last year’s match-up.

Last years victory also gave Independence the title of co-conference champions with both Butler and Charlotte Catholic. A false accolade that left a sour taste in Patriots head coach Darryl McFadden’s mouth. With both the outright conference title, and the King of the Hill trophy up for grabs, there is much more at stake than just bragging rights.

These two coaches are no strangers to eachother. McFadden lead the Patriots in high school at quarterback against head coach Brian Hales and the Butler Bulldogs. Later the two coached together on the Bulldog staff. Now they face off as colleagues both on and off of the field.

“Hales is an ultra competitive man just like myself. So he brings the best out of me as far as being able to prepare and lock in you know. I’ve been locked in all weekend because I know he’s been doing the exact same thing. I’ve been up all night cause I know he’s been doing the exact same thing. So I like to think he brings the best outta me and I bring the best outta him,” said McFadden.

That combination of animosity and respect trickles down to the players and community as well.

“I’ve been a part of that environment before. The crowd, sell out crowd always, it’s always jumping,” said Reddish.

“I think it is one of the best rivalries in the state. It has that Duke North Carolina feel, it always has,” said McFadden.

“With us being so close some of these neighborhoods are split right down the middle where you have a Butler family on one side of the street and an Independence family right across the street,” said Butler head coach Brian Hales. “It doesn’t just benefit Butler and Independence but East Meck benefits off it and Providence and Rocky River. Everybody benefits because the more kids you get playing, the more kids you get active, the more it benefits everybody.”

The Battle for the King of the Hill kicks off at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 27,  2023. You can catch all the highlights later that night on The Blitz, streaming live on-site at 11 p.m.