National Notebook

END OF THE LINE

The second-longest winning streak in high school history was snapped last Saturday when Independence ( Charlotte) blew a 13-point halftime lead and fell to Elder ( Cincinnati), 41--34 in OT. Independence had won 109 straight games by an average of 34.6 points, going seven years without a loss. (De La Salle of Concord, Calif., holds the record, with 151 straight from 1991 to 2004.) Elder QB Johnny Groene (above) completed a 34-yard pass to 6' 7" tight end Kyle Rudolph on 4th-and-l5 to set up the tying score with 35 seconds left in regulation and then threw the winning 14-yard TD pass to wideout Josh Jones on the second play of overtime. "I was not prepared [to lose]," said Independence coach Tom Knotts. "Our hearts were set on breaking the record."

HOT START

Hamilton ( Chandler, Ariz.) senior Gerell Robinson showed his versatility in a 29--6 win over Brophy Prep ( Phoenix). The 6' 4", 210-pound Arizona recruit scrambled for a 30-yard TD on Hamilton's opening drive at quarterback, moved to wideout and hauled in an 18-yard reception, and later, back at QB, threw a 42-yard completion to set up another score.