CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Two nationally ranked teams meet for bragging rights in North Carolina. Butler and Independence are ranked No. 1 and 2 respectively in the state. Butler has scored 434 points in nine weeks, nine fewer than Independence (443 points) has scored in 10. Butler's defense has allowed 82 fewer points than Independence (123-205). Independence, though, has lost only once on its home field since the 1999 season and has dominated the head-to-head series, winning 14 of 16 meetings. Butler last won in 2007. No tickets will be available at the gate Friday at Independence's 4,250-seat stadium. Butler Coach Mike Newsome said on Tuesday that each coach and each player for his team are only allowed four tickets. "It's tough to get a ticket for this one. It would have been nice to have been able to play at Panthers Stadium, Mr. Richardson," Newsome said, directing his comment to Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson. Butler and Independence usually play at Memorial Stadium in uptown Charlotte, but the stadium is undergoing maintenance and isn't available to host the game.
