REMINDER! Tomorrow, September 25 is an Early Release Day for CMS. School will dismiss three hours earlier than designated bell schedule end times. Middle and early colleges remain on their normal schedules. Contact your school directly for questions.

Independence RB Jayden Jones is The Observer's HS football player of the week for Week 4. His story: bit.ly/3XAJHwj This week's nominees: bit.ly/4gwQkbH

💨 @JonesJayden21 just keeps RUNNIN’🔥 The @BigIFootball’s RB found the end zone twice as the Patriots defeated South Meck 40-13 to remain undefeated 4-0‼️

Tonight we have a battle of unbeaten schools with Independence High School (@BigIPatriots) V Charlotte Christian (@CharChristAD ). Indy's Head Coach @Dj_Mcfadden11 joined @JasonHarperTV and me this morning on @Queen_City_News to talk about the game. @mikelacett will have the highlights from the matchup tonight on @CSLonQCN

INDEPENDENCE CONTINUES THEIR WINNING STREAK AND ADVANCE TO 3-0 WITH A 34-13 WIN OVER CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN!!! @BahakelSports @JTBahakelSports @BigIPatriots #football #highschoolsports #northcarolina #final

🤯 @JonesJayden21 KEEPS RUNNIN💥 Jayden Jones rushed for 3️⃣ TDs & 214 yards in @BigIFootball’s 34-13 victory over Charlotte Christian on the road‼️ The Patriots are now 3-0 on the season🏈

Live on scene pregame at the Keep Pounding Classic as the @BigIFootball have taken the field

FINAL: @BigIFootball & @JonesJayden21 kickoff the season with a HOT start, fending off Myers Park in the Keep Pounding Classic, 24-21🏈 Jayden Jones led the Patriots with 2 rushing TDs🔥

💥@BigIFootball stops Myers Park with a game-winning INT from @TreGarnes‼️ Garnes grabbed a pass that was tipped into the air by other defenders to seal the game🏈

Jayden Jones is a PROBLEM😤 @JonesJayden21 rushed for 198 yards & 2️⃣ TDs to start the season with a bang for @BigIFootball in their win over Myers Park🏈

Keep Pounding High School Classic….@BigIPatriots defeated @myersparkfball 24-21….#greatgame #cmsrepresenting @CMSAthletic1 @CharMeckSchools

What a night! Thanks to all our teams and community members who came out and helped make the Keep Pounding High School Classic an unforgettable evening. @WeddingtonHSNC, @PDS_ChargersFB, @MyersParkHS, @bigipatriots @charmeckschools, @Panthers, @JCSUniversity and @CLTgov!

After Independence beat Myers Park in its season-opener at Bank of America Stadium, coach DJ McFadden and the Patriots met with the media @Dj_Mcfadden11 l @BigIFootball l @CMSAthletic1 Story/Photos: shorturl.at/W3lYf

Indy XC @ the Providence Invitational!!

Appreciate the work tonight with @BigIPatriots and HC @Dj_Mcfadden11 hate the weather didn’t hold out but both teams showed they are ready to make a run at it this season! Good Luck Coach! #Chasing19

First Race of the season today!

Congratulations to @BigIPatriots Brisa Hawthorne @NCADA1970 Jerry McGee Scholarship recipient

Congratulations to Brisa Hawthorne from @BigIPatriots….She is one of the recipients of the @NCADA1970 Jerry McGee Scholarship @NCHSAA @CMSAthletic1 @ElijahAshley9

Independence is looking for a soccer coach in interested please email athletic director Elijah Ashley @Elijah1.ashley@cms.k12.nc.us. We do have teaching positions available

Coming Tuesday, the Mecklenburg County girls basketball game of the year (so far): Sweet 16 No. 2 Charlotte Catholic at No. 1 Independence TALE OF THE TAPE Independence 7-0, 0-0 Southwestern 4A Head Coach: Lauren Galvani Key Players: Kam Kitchen (19.1 ppg, 3.9 apg); Kaylee Carson (17.9 ppg), Jessica Worthey (10.6 ppg, 8.4 rpg) Notable: Patriots winning by an average of 28 points per game this season. They have beaten two ranked Sweet 16 teams, including former No. 1 Mallard Creek. Charlotte Catholic 5-0, 1-0 Southwestern 4A Head Coach: Bobby Conrad Key Players: Gracynn Gough (17.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg); Blanca Thomas (17.8 ppg, 11.5 rpg); Harper McCain (8.8 ppt, 3.0 spg) Notable: Catholic has advanced to the past two NCHSAA 4A Western Regional championship games, or state semifinals. @IndependenceGBB l @CatholicWBB l @CCHSCougarNews l @BigIPatriots l @CMSAthletic1 l @theonerc l @Coach_Rick57