The Streak Is Over: Independence Stuns No. 1 Frankfort 49-14, Ending 36-Game Win Streak

Friday night lights in Short Gap delivered one for the ages. The Independence Patriots rolled into Mineral County and handed Class AA No. 1 Frankfort its first loss of the season, 49-14, bringing the Falcons' remarkable 36-game winning streak to an end.

Frankfort came into the night unbeaten and carrying a streak that had stood for years, the kind of run that turns a program into the measuring stick for everybody else. The Patriots from Raleigh County didn't seem to mind one bit. Independence jumped out to a 28-7 lead by halftime and kept right on scoring after the break.

Quarterback Brock Green was the engine of it all. He threw for 330 yards and three touchdowns and ran for two more scores himself, a five-touchdown night against the top-ranked team in the class.

The win lifts Independence to 6-2 on the season, and the Patriots have now won five of their last six games. They've been putting up points in bunches during that stretch, averaging close to 40 a game, and Friday's performance on the road sent a loud message as the regular season winds down and playoff positioning comes into focus.

For Frankfort, the loss stings, but the Falcons are still 8-1 and very much in the thick of things. Streaks like 36 straight wins don't happen by accident, and that run deserves its own round of applause from every corner of the state. Frankfort will look to bounce back next Friday night against Keyser.

It was also a big night elsewhere on the high school slate, but nothing quite matched the sound of a long streak finally snapping. From the coalfields to the Potomac Highlands, this is exactly why West Virginians pack the bleachers every fall: on any given Friday, anything can happen.

Congratulations to the Patriots on a statement win, and hats off to the Falcons for a streak that will be talked about for a long time.