By David Rogers. BRISTOL, Tenn. — With almost half of the top 15 girls competing in the 2023 Run for the Hills middle school girls cross country race wearing Pioneer colors, including four in the Top 10, Watauga ran away with the team title on Aug. 26.

MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS 2400-METER FINAL (252 runners competing)

• No. 1 – Cali Townsend (8th Grade)
• No. 5. – Kate James Moore (6th Grade)
• No. 10 – Maia Carter (6th Grade)
• No. 11 – Ayla Tunstill (7th Grade)
• No. 12 – Lillian Kimbrough (8th Grade)
• No. 13 – Sophia Stull (7th Grade)
• No. 22 – Eva Hannon (7th Grade)
• No. 23 – Grace Scantlin (8th Grade)

TEAM SCORES

• No. 1 – Watauga Middle School
• No. 2 – Liberty Bell Middle School
• No. 3 – Indian Trail Middle School

“What can you say about our girls except they are terrific competitors?” said Watauga Middle School cross country head coach Scott Townsend. “We won this meet as a team for the third year in a row, with a first place score of 19 points (15 points is perfect). Moreover, our entire girls team finished ahead of 99 other athletes. Out of 299 runners in the race, placing all of our top scoring five in the top 12 is pretty remarkable.”

Townsend also noted that his daughter, Cali Townsend, set an all grades course record by three seconds, a record previously set by current University of North Carolina runner Sasha Neglia. He also reported that Watauga 6th grader Kate James Moore now holds the course record previous held by… Cali Townsend… beating the former mark by 10 seconds.

MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS 2400-METER FINAL (300 runners competing)

On any other day, a Sean Rea’s No. 34 finish in the Run for the Hills middle school boys cross country race might go unnoticed. But considering the Blowing Rock 7th grader was No. 34 out of 300 runners in the race and on an unfamiliar course, Rea’s finish is noteworthy.

And although he beat the Watauga Middle School team record, Rea wasn’t even the best Watauga runner to finish the race. That honor goes to fellow 7th grader Jonah Pearson, who finished No. 15.

• No. 15 – Jonah Pearson (7th Grade)
• No. 34 – Sean Rea (7th Grade)
• No. 91 – Asa Freed (6th Grade)
• No. 95 – Caleb Duvall (7th Grade)

As a team, Watauga finshed No. 9 out of 21 teams.

“Our kids came out like prizefighters today, looking to cause some serious hurt!” said  Townsend after the race. “Our boys are growing and getting better each week. The difference in scoring positions for the No. 1 boy runner and the No. 5 has been cut in half. Every single one of our boys improved on their mile pace from last week.”

By David Rogers. DOBSON, N.C. — Several Watauga runners finished at or near the top of various race classifications on Aug. 26 at Fisher River Park. The Pioneer performances were led by Will Bradbury, Janie Beach-Verhay and Elliott Taft.

Highlights, as reported by NCMileSplit

High School Men’s 5K Championship (112 runners competing)

• No. 1 – Will Bradbury (Junior)
• No. 9 – Sam Nixon (Senior)
• No. 10 – Calvin Zwetsloot (Sophomore)
• No. 15 – Zeke Walker (Sophomore)
• No. 16 – Sam Rex (Junior)
• No. 17 – Grady Gates (Freshman)
• No. 18 – Davis Crymes (Senior)
• No. 19 – Haines Heistand (Junior)

TEAM RESULTS

• No. 1 – Grimsley
• No. 2 – Watauga
• No. 3 – Calvary Baptist Day School

High School Women’s 5K Championship (70 runners competing)

• No. 4 – Janie Beach-Verhay (Sophomore)
• No. 7 – Rachel Cathey (Senior)
• No. 9 – Maggie Visser (Freshman)
• No. 11 – Sydney Cate Townsend (Sophomore)
• No. 15 – Winter Shaw (Freshman)
• No. 18 – Lainey Johnston (Freshman)

TEAM RESULTS

• No. 1 – Watauga
• No. 2 – Grimsley
• No. 3 – Northwest Cabarrus

High School Girls and Boys 2-Mile (119 runners competing)

• No. 1 – Elliott Taft (Sophomore)
• No. 62 – Julia McKinney (Sophomore)
• No. 67 – Samantha Perry (Freshman)

By Katherine Jamtgaard for App State Sports. BOONE, N.C. – The App State volleyball team closed out its season-opening tournament on Saturday with its third sweep over the weekend, defeating Tennessee Tech, 3-0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-22). The Mountaineers had opened the tournament with an afternoon 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-19) victory over William & Mary before defeating Bellarmine 3-0 (25-18, 25-14, 25-19) on Friday.

The tournament has marked the best start of the season for App State since the 2018 campaign, where the Mountaineers posted four consecutive 3-0 sweeps from Aug. 24 to Aug. 31.

“I’m so proud of the start that our team had this weekend,” said head coach Sarah Rumely Noble. “We made plays and made things happen for ourselves and we controlled our side at a really high level. We can’t wait to get back in the gym and get better next week.”

Freshman Delanie Grevengoed, sophomore Maya Winterhoff, and fifth-year senior McCall Denny earned spots on the Mountaineer Classic All-Tournament team. Denny was also named Tournament MVP after posting 25 kills, 24 digs, four aces and four solo blocks on the weekend. In her App State debut, Grevengoed tallied 23 kills and a hitting percentage of .364 on the weekend. She also totaled seven block assists and six digs through three matches. Winterhoff totaled 17 blocks (six solo, 11 assists) during the tournament as well as 19 kills and a hitting percentage of .317 through three matches.

App State 3, Tennessee Tech 0
Against Tennessee Tech, Denny led the Mountaineers in the kills category with ten, while sophomore Kenady Roper led the team in digs (13). Senior Sophie Cain and sophomore Katie Cruise both tallied 15 assists on the afternoon. Winterhoff posted six blocks against the Golden Eagles. Grevengoed matched her single match high of nine kills, set the night before against Bellarmine, and recorded a hitting percentage of .438.

App State and Tennessee Tech kept a tight team comparison, with the Mountaineers holding a lead in the points, aces, blocks, and digs category.

The Mountaineers battled through long rallies and tight leads in the first set. A kill from Denny broke a 10-10 tie and was followed by an ace from Roper, kill from Winterhoff, and a Golden Eagle error. A five-point run that included kills from freshman Ava Leahy, junior Lulu Ambrose, and an ace from Cruise, extended App State’s lead, 23-17. A kill from Denny secured the set for the Mountaineers, 25-18.

In the second set, App State pulled ahead to an early 14-6 lead. A five-point run that included a pair of kills from Denny, a block from Grevengoed/Winterhoff, and a kill from Grevengoed, launched App State to a 19-9 lead. After junior Lulu Ambrose and junior Lauren Pledger slammed down kills to bring App State to set point, the Golden Eagles held the Mountaineers to four set points before Denny secured the set for the Black and Gold, 25-22, with a kill.

Grevengoed opened the final set with a kill before Tennessee Tech found momentum for a 12-8 lead. A kill from Grevengoed, a block from Grevengoed/Winterhoff, an ace from Roper, and an error from the Golden Eagles tied things up at 12-12 all. The Mountaineers and Golden Eagles fought point-for-point until the Mountaineers managed a 21-17 lead with kills from Pledger, Denny, and Grevengoed. A kill from Denny and an error from Tennessee Tech brought the Mountaineers to set point. The Mountaineers battled through three set points before winning the set and the match with a kill from Leahy.

Up Next

The Mountaineers head to Greenville, N.C. for the ECU Tournament on Sept. 1-2. There, the Black and Gold will clash with Bethune-Cookman, Campbell, and East Carolina.

Mountaineer Classic All-Tournament Team

• McCall Denny, App State
• Delanie Grevengoed, App State
• Maya Winterhoff, App State
• Anna Lococo, Bellarmine
• Skylar Boom, Tennessee Tech
• Taylor Burrell, William & Mary
• Lindsay Kahren, William & Mary

Tournament MVP: McCall Denny, App State

Full Mountaineer Classic Tournament Scores & Schedule

Friday, Aug. 25

• Tennessee Tech 3, Bellarmine 0
• App State 3, William & Mary 0
• William & Mary 3, Tennessee Tech 2
• App State 3, Bellarmine 0

Saturday, Aug. 26

• William & Mary 3, Bellarmine 1
• App State 3, Tennessee Tech 0

By Zach Smith for High Country Sports. BOONE, Nc. – A mountain rivalry was renewed Friday night as Watauga powered past Avery County in the first ‘Camo Night’ since 2018. Junior quarterback Maddox Greene and sophomore running back Everett Gryder “showed out” in what proved to be a mismatch for the undefeated Pioneers, earning a 55-6 victory.

Watauga was dominant from the start, leading by 21 at the end of the first quarter thanks to three scores by Gryder. The Pioneers never lost the lead and continued to keep their foot on the gas pedal. They led by 41 at the half before finishing the game with a massive 49-point victory. 

Gryder gave credit to his teammates for his early scores.

“I just wanna credit the linemen, especially… my linemen, quarterback, just everybody on the field,” Gryder said. “If one person messes up, we don’t score those three touchdowns. So, it felt good.”

Gryder also talked about the preparation he made in the offseason to transition to a full time varsity player.

“Honestly, my speed was there last year,” Gryder said. “I just tried to gain a lot of weight in the offseason.”

Greene also played well in the Pioneers’ victory. The three-sport athlete threw for 211 yards and two touchdowns while tacking on 53 yards rushing. The offensive line kept him clean by not allowing an Avery County sack, flipping the script from Watauga’s week one victory in which Greene was seemingly under constant pressure.

Greene spoke on the offense’s adjustments through the week leading up to Friday’s win.

“We cleaned up some plays this week,” Greene said. “We were young last week, we’re a young team, but we’re getting there.”

Greene talked about incorporating the passing game more than past iterations of the Watauga offense.

“We have some weapons this year, like Jackson [Pryor]. He’s going to Furman, a great receiver,” Greene said. “And we’ve got Everett [Gryder] out in the wing and Morgan [Henry]. They’re both really fast, so we just have more speed this year.”

The Pioneers are happy with the win over Avery County but remain focused on its upcoming tough road trip. The Pioneers travel to Maiden, A.C. Reynolds and North Davidson over the next three weeks in games that they believe will be much closer.

Head coach Ryan Habich spoke on the team’s focus ahead of the upcoming trips.

“I’m pleased with the way we took care of business, but we were the heavy favorite,” Habich said. “The next three weeks, we are underdogs.”

Habich was quick to point out how important the week’s preparation was in the win on Friday.

“We had a great week of practices this week, and it showed on the field,” Habich said. “We were the better football team tonight.”

Watauga travels to Maiden for its first road trip of the season this week. The game will be at 7:30p.m. and can be streamed on NFHS Network.

Compiled by Zach Smith for High Country Sports. BOONE, N.C. — Notes from the Press Box, Watauga vs. Avery County on August 25, the Pioneers eventually coming out on top, 55-6.

Pregame Notes

• Both teams enter 1-0
  • Watauga defeated T.C. Roberson at home last week 13-12
  • Avery defeated Cherryville at home last week 19-12
  • Watauga defeated Avery in 2018 last time they met, 58-7

WHS Players to Watch

• QB #4 Maddox Greene
• RB #44 Everett Gryder
• WB/WR #14 Morgan Henry
• TE/WR #9 Jackson Pryor

Coin Toss

• WHS wins toss, will receive opening kickoff

1st Quarter

• • Jackson Pryor 30-yard return, ball on WHS 35
  • WHS #44 10-yard run left
  • WHS Burroughs 13-yard end around right
  • WHS Greene 32-yard QB draw up the middle
  • WHS Burroughs 3-yard run up the middle
  • WHS Greene 3-yard run up the middle

• WHS TOUCHDOWN

• #44 Everett Gryder 4-yard rush up the middle (1)

• #41 Jack Wilson PAT is good

• Watauga 7 Avery 0

• • ACHS fields kick at ACHS 33
  • ACHS #7 Logan Brown rush for 1 yard
    • WHS #8 Luke Edmisten tackle
  • Delay of Game, ball on ACHS 29

• ACHS Fumble

• Watauga Recovers
• #59 Eli Greene recovers
• • Offsides against ACHS, 1st and 5 on ACHS 21
  • False start against WHS, 1st and 10 on ACHS 26
  • Greene pass to left flat to #14 Morgan Henry for 17-yard gain
  • Greene 2-yard rush up the middle

• WHS TOUCHDOWN

• #44 Everett Gryder 7-yard rush up the middle (2)

• #41 Jack Wilson PAT is good
• Watauga 14 Avery 0

7:43 Left in Q1

• ACHS #21 Carlos Garcia fields kickoff
• ACHS #45 Nicholas Laprade rush for no gain
• ACHS #7 Logan Brown rush left for 1-yard
• Kaleb Liner sacked by #57 Carson Gunnelbeck
• Maddox Greene calls fair catch at WHS 29
• • Greene screen right to Jackson Pryor  for 18-yard gain
  • Gryder carries up the middle for 9-yard gain
  • Greene pass left to Henry for 24-yard gain
  • ACHS Timeout #1
  • WHS #10 Matthew Habich carries up the middle for 8-yard gain
  • Holding on WHS, 2nd and 12
  • Greene rush left for 10-yard gain
  • Gryder rush up the middle, horsecollar against ACHS, 1st and coal on ACHS 3
  • Burroughs rush up the middle for 2-yard gain

• WHS TOUCHDOWN

• #44 Everett Gryder 1-yard rush (3)

• #41 Jack Wilson PAT is good
• Watauga 21 Avery 0
• Carlos Garcia carries left for 4-yard gain
  • Jackson Pryor on the tackle
• WHS Timeout #1
• ACHS Fumble
  • WHS Carson Gunnellbeck recovers
• Greene pass left to Henry for 22 yards
• Delay of Game against WHS, 1st and 15 on ACHS 31
• Habich incomplete pass deep      

2nd Quarter

• • WHS #11 Ben Gosky carries right for 12 yards
  • Greene carries up the middle for 5 yards
  • Gryder carries up the middle for 12 yards
  • False start on WHS, 1st and goal on ACHS 7
    • Calls back a Gosky TD

• WHS TOUCHDOWN

• #11 Ben Gosky 7-yard rush (1)
• #41 Jack Wilson PAT is good
• Watauga 28 Avery 0
• ACHS Laprade carries left for 6 yard gain
• Facemask against WHS, 1st and 10 on WHS 42
• Logan Brown carry left for 5 yards
• Logan Brown tackled for 1 yard loss
  • Luke Edmisten TFL
• Garcia carries up the middle for 1 yard gain
• ACHS Timeout #2
• ACHS too many men, 4th and 10 on WHS 42
• Greene calls fair catch on WHS 12
• • Greene misses on deep pass
  • Gryder carries up the middle for 6 yard gain
  • Gosky carries right for 10 yards
  • Greene misses on pass to left screen
  • Gryder rushes left for 8 yards
  • Gryder carries up the missile for 10 yards
  • Greene scrambles right for one yard
  • WHS Timeout #2
  • Greene throws screen left to Burroughs for 28 yard gain
  • Greene pass right dropped by Pryor in the end zone
  • Greene screen right dropped by Burroughs
  • Gryder carries left for 21 yards
  • Gryder carries up the middle for 2 yards
  • #20 Matthew Leon rushes up the middle for no gain

• WHS TOUCHDOWN

• #20 Matthew Leon 1-yard rush (1)
• #41 Jack Wilson PAT is good
• Watauga 35 Avery 0
• Liner misses on pass medium left
• Brown carries left for 7 yards
• Illegal shift on ACHS, 3rd and 8 on ACHS 42
• Henry sacks Liner for 6-yard loss
• Illegal shift on ACHS, 4th and 19 on ACHS 26
• Greene calls fair catch on WHS 37
• • Greene pass deepe right complete to Gryder for 27 yards
  • Too many men on ACHS, 1st and 10 on ACHS 21
  • Greene pass incomplete to Pryor
  • WHS Timeout #3

• WHS TOUCHDOWN

• #4 Maddox Greene 21-yard pass (1) to #9 Jackson Pryor (1)

• #41 Jack Wilson PAT is blocked

• Watauga 41 Avery 0

HALFTIME

Noteables

• #44 Everett Gryder
  • 10 rushes, 80 yards, 8.0 yards/att., 3 TDs, 1 rec., 27 yards
    • 107 total yards
• #4 Maddox Greene
  • 7/12, 157 yards, 13.1 yards/att., 1 TD
  • 6 carries, 53 yards, 8.8 yards/att.

3rd Quarter

• False start on ACHS, 1st and 15 on ACHS 35
• Brown carries up the middle for 2 yards
• Liner incomplete pass deep right
• Liner incomplete pass short right
• Avery punt downed at Watauga 31

• • Greene pass medium left to Pryor for 40 yards
  • Greene pass deep right dropped by Pryor
  • Gryder carries left for 9 yards
  • Gryder carries up the middle for 6 yards

• WHS TOUCHDOWN

• #4 Maddox Greene 14-yard pass (2) to #14 Morgan Henry (1)

• #41 Jack Wilson PAT is good

• Watauga 48 Avery 0

• Avery 1st and 10 on Avery 43
• Liner complete left to #15 Landon Liner for 14 yards
• Liner complete short right to #1 for one yard
• Liner complete left to Markland for 4 yards
• False start on Avery, 3rd and 10 on Watauga 43
• Liner sacked by Henry for 10 yard loss
• Fair catch by Burroughs at Watauga 22
• #17 Kyle Williams carries for 2 yard loss
• Leon carries up the middle for 8 yards
• #10 Matthew Habich carries right for 6 yards
• Williams carries right for 9 yards
• Leon carries up the middle for 1 yard
• Habich carries left for 29 yards
• Williams carries right for no gain

4th Quarter

• • Williams carries right for 20 yards

• WHS TOUCHDOWN

• #17 Kyle Williams 6-yard rush (1)

• #41 Jack Wilson PAT is good
• Watauga 55 Avery 0
• • Avery has ball at Avery 30
  • Liner pass right dropped by Liner
  • Liner sacked by #16 Josh Adams for 12-yard loss
  • Avery fumble recovered by the offense, 4th and 20
  • Punt muffed by Greene, Avery #11 Blaine Kirkpatrick recovers
  • 1st and 10 Avery at Avery 49
  • Brown carries left for no gain
  • ACHS Timeout #1
  • Liner pass deep left dropped
  • Liner pass incomplete right

• AVERY TOUCHDOWN

• #4 Matthew Liner 51-yard pass (1) to #3 Oak Markland (1)

• PAT is no good
• Watauga 55 Avery 6
• Onside kick recovered by Garcia, Avery ball
• 1st and 10 at Avery 46
• Liner pass left incomplete
• Brown carries up the middle for 4 yards
• Liner sacked for 4 yard loss
• Brown carries right for no gain

FINAL: Watauga 55 Avery 6

Noteables

• #4 Maddox Greene
  • 9/15, 211 yards, 14.1 yards/att., 2 TD
  • 6 carries, 53 yards, 8.8 yards/att.
    • 264 total yards
• #44 Everett Gryder
  • 12 rushes, 98 yards, 8.2 yards/att., 3 TD
  • 1 rec., 27 yards
    • 125 total yards

RELATED STORIES

• Watauga swamps Vikings

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — As renewed High Country rivalries go, it wasn’t much more than a sparring match. Watauga marched through and around Avery County on Aug. 25 at Jack Groce Stadium, winning 55-6.

BONUS PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF ARTICLE

The Pioneers scored touchdowns with almost every possession — and given more opportunities thanks to the Vikings’ turnovers, pre-snap penalties and mistakes.

To say the game was one-sided would be an understatement. Watauga rolled up 510 yards of total offense vs. the Vikings managing just 67. Avery County rushing against the Pioneers was an exercise in futility, recording -3 yards on the ground compared to +298 rushing by Watauga. This Pioneer offensive performance was also more balanced, with 212 yards gained through the air, including two touchdowns, while the visitors gained just 70 yards passing, with one TD, most of it gained long after the game had been decided, in the fourth quarter.

Offensively, Watauga spread the ball around generously. Running back Everett Gryder pushed into the endzone for three TDs, while the Pioneers got first career TDs rushing from senior Ben Gosky, as well as from sophomores Kyle Williams and Matthew Leon.

Seniors Jackson Pryor and Morgan Henry led the receiving corps, each on the scoring end of a TD pass from quarterback Maddox Greene.

Of special note: Jack Wilson was successful in booming eight PAT kicks straight through the uprights.

In one sense, Avery County was merely a sparring partner for Watauga as the Pioneers prepare for a rugged road schedule the next three weeks before hosting South Caldwell on Sept. 29 in the Northwestern Conference season opener. Next on the schedule is 2A powerhouse Maiden on Sept. 1, then at A.C. Reynolds in Asheville on Sept. 8, followed by a trip to Lexington where the Pioneers will challenge North Davidson.

“We were favored to win this game against Avery County,” said Watauga head coach Ryan Habich after the game. “But flip that around for the next three weeks on the road. We will be the underdogs… I like the win, but we were sloppy at times. We have things to fix.”

It was youth football night at Jack Groce Stadium, with players from the Equip program as well as the Watauga County middle school program, the Wolverines. The home side grandstands were packed and there was a large contingent of Avery County students, families and friends on the visitors side, altogether numbering an estimated 3,000-plus spectators for the rivalry renewal.

SCORING

1st Quarter

• WAT – Everett Gryder, 4-yard run (Jack Wilson PAT)
• WAT – Everett Gryder, 7-yard run (Jack Wilson PAT)
• WAT – Everett Gryder, 1-yard run (Jack Wilson PAT)

2nd Quarter

• WAT – Ben Gosky, 7-yard run (Jack Wilson PAT)
• WAT – Matthew Leon, 1 yard run (Jack Wilson PAT)
• WAT – Jackson Pryor, 21-yard pass from Maddox Greene (PAT Blocked)

3rd Quarter

• WAT – Morgan Henry, 14-yard pass from Maddox Greene (Jack Wilson PAT)

4th Quarter

• WAT – Kyle Williams, 6-yard run (Jack Wilson PAT)
• AVY – Oak Markland, 51-yard pass from Kaleb Liner (PAT kick failed)

SELECTED TEAM STATS

• Total Offense: WAT 510, AVY 67
  • Passing Yards: WAT 212, AVY 70
  • Rushing Yards: WAT 298, AVY -3
• Penalties: WAT 5-40, AVY 9-53
• Turnovers
  • Fumbles-Lost: WAT 1/1, AVY 2/2
  • Interceptions: WAT 0, AVY 0
• 3rd Down Conversions: WAT 9/9. AVY 1/9
• 4th Down Conversions: WAT 0/0, AVY 1/1
• Sacks by-Yards: WAT 5-36, AVY 0-0
• Time of Possession: WAT 20:17, AVY 27:43

SELECTED INDIVIDUAL STATS

Passing

• WAT – Maddox Greene 9/15, 212 yards, 2 TDs
• AVY – Kaleb Liner 4/11, 70 yards, 1 TD

Rushing

• WAT – Everett Gryder 14 carries, 112 yards, 3 TDs
• WAT – Maddox Greene 6 carries, 52 yards
• WAT – Matthew Habich 3 carries, 43 yards
• WAT – Kyle Williams 5 carries, 32 yards, 1 TD
• AVY – Logan Wayne Bro, 13 carries, 25 yards
• WAT – Ben Gosky 3 carries, 28 yards, 1 TD
• WAT – Evan Burroughs 3 carries, 19 yards
• WAT – Matthew Leon 4 carries, 12 yards, 1 TD

Receiving

• WAT – Morgan Henry, 4 catches, 77 yards, 1 TD
• WAT – Jackson Pryor, 3 catches, 78 yards, 1 TD
• AVY – Oak Markland, 3 catches, 56 yards, 1 TD

BONUS PHOTOS

By Matt Present for App State Sports. MARTIN, Tenn. – An early second half surge for App State Women’s Soccer resulted in two goals across a seven-minute span, as the Mountaineers claimed a 2-0 road win over University of Tennessee-Martin Thursday night at Skyhawk Soccer Field.

The Mountaineers’ advantage came long before their first tally on the scoreboard. App State (2-1-0) tallied the first ten shots of the game, including a flurry of several good opportunities in the opening 10 minutes of play. App State closed the night with a 17-2 shot advantage, including 6-1 in shots on target. The Mountaineers have totaled 38 shots in their last two matches.

App State opened the scoring in the 50th minute of play. Felicia Erkenfeldt gained possession of the ball just on the App State side of midfield. After freeing herself from her defender, she pushed the ball ahead for Lela Stark. Stark carried possession forward, chipping it on for Olivia Simon, who headed the ball on to Izzi Wood for the finish to make it 1-0.

Moments later, off a Stark corner kick, Stephanie Barbosa ripped a shot from 25 yards out past the diving effort of the UT Martin goalkeeper to give App State a 2-0 advantage.

Kerry Eagleston made just two saves in the match, with her first coming in the 65th minute, when she smothered a loose ball on the doorstep to preserve the shutout, her 20th career clean sheet.

Hannah Löfmark made her first career start in the match, tallying three shots, while Mumu Guisasola, Kaitlyn Little, and Skyler Walk all played all 90 minutes on the Mountaineers’ back line. Olivia Simon also registered three shots in the match, while Wood led the team with five attempts.

App State will return to Boone where they will face off with in-state foe High Point, Sunday at 1 p.m. The match will be broadcast on ESPN+.

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Evan Mawhinney earned a ‘brace’ of goals on Aug. 24, finding the back of the net for both of Watauga junior varsity’s scores against visiting Forbush (East End, N.C.) in the 2-0 win.

BONUS PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF ARTICLE

Although the Pioneers dominated possession and threatened the Forbush goal throughout the match, both of Mawhinney’s tallies came in the first half.

“Midfielder David Ganley gave me a beautiful long pass over the top, a little left of center for the first one,” said Mawhinney in recalling the first goal for reporters. “I was able to (deliver) the ball across, in front of the goalkeeper to the right side of the net.”

Mawhinney said the second goal was made possible by some brilliant passing among the midfielders, until he finally received a pass again on the left side from Shiris Kandel.

Mawhinney was especially proud of the work by his defensive backline, from which most counterattack starts. “They are really solid,” said the Pioneer freshman.

Pioneer JV head coach Vern Collins was pleased with the way his players outworked the Forbush eleven, beating them to the ball at nearly every turn.

“Josh Honeycutt, the varsity head coach, says we may get beaten by a better side on any given day but we are not going to be outworked,” said Collins.

The Pioneer team performance featured a number of snappy, one-touch passes to teammates in open space. Collins said that a point of emphasis the past few weeks is mastering those one- and two-touch passing skills, working the ball from midfield to the frontline.

“The next thing we need to work on is ‘finishing’ the attack,” said Collins.

Now 2-1-1, the Watauga junior varsity men’s soccer team next travels to Denver, N.C. to face East Lincoln on Aug. 28. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

BONUS PHOTOS

By Bret Strelow for App State Sports. BOONE, N.C. — He broke countless records and inspired hard-to-believe highlight reels. His teams captured consecutive national championships and captivated the nation with a headline-making upset.

App State’s Armanti Edwards: One for — make that 14 — the ages.

App State Athletics announced Thursday that Edwards, a star quarterback for the Mountaineers from 2006-09, will have his No. 14 retired this fall. The retirement ceremony will occur at halftime of the App State-Georgia Southern home game on Nov. 25, the culmination of a season-long celebration of Edwards’ unique and illustrious career.

“There aren’t enough words to express the amount of gratitude I have right now,” Edwards said. “Thank you to my family, the town of Boone, my coaches and teammates for the great deal of confidence you all had in me since day one. All of the support, the many sacrifices and the everlasting friendships are forever cherished. Boone will always have a place in my heart.”

he broke countless records and inspired countless highlight reels.

Earlier this year, Edwards was nominated for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, giving him an opportunity to join Dexter Coakley as the only members to have played for the Mountaineers. Coakley (No. 32), John Settle (No. 23), Dino Hackett (No. 38) and Larry Hand (No. 71) already have their numbers retired in Boone.

The honoring of Edwards’ No. 14 is the last time App State plans to take a jersey number out of circulation due to limited inventory of jersey numbers for the roster each season. Current student-athletes wearing No. 14 will have the option to wear it for the remainder of their time at App State. App State Athletics will plan to recognize alums who have made a historic impact on the program in other ways moving forward.

To be sure not to miss out on a historic day at Kidd Brewer Stadium, where Edwards’ teams posted a 30-3 record during his career, you can purchase tickets for the Nov. 25 regular-season finale. App State will have number 14-themed promotions throughout the 2023 football season.

“We are thrilled to honor Armanti’s immense legacy at App State by retiring his No. 14 jersey,” said Director of Athletics Doug Gillin. “His impact as the most decorated quarterback in school history includes leading the team to back-to-back national championships and the historic win at Michigan. Armanti will always be known as one of the greatest Mountaineers to ever wear the Black and Gold.”

During his four years in Boone, Edwards was a four-time first-team All-American, the first two-time FCS National Player of the Year (Walter Payton Award) and a two-time national champion who went 42-7 as a starter, including the historic 34-32 upset of No. 5 Michigan to open App State’s 2007 championship season. The Mountaineers went 28-2 in conference games with three unbeaten runs to league titles in his four seasons.

He spent 12 years in pro football after being a third-round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Eye-Popping Stats

Edwards amassed 14,753 yards of total offense in his App State career (10,392 passing with 4,361 rushing) and 139 total touchdowns (74 passing with 65 rushing) while helping lead App State to a 48-9 record from 2006-09 with back-to-back national titles in 2006 and 2007.

Edwards became the first Division I player (FBS or FCS) with more than 10,000 passing yards and 4,000 rushing yards in his career and currently has only one other player (Colin Kaepernick of Nevada) as company on that list.

Edwards remains an FCS record holder for career rushing TDs by a quarterback and most seasons with 3,000-plus yards of total offense (four seasons, tied for first with Steve McNair) while ranking No. 2 in career rushing yards by a QB and No. 4 in career total offense.

His four first-team All-America honors from 2006-09 include first-team recognition from the Associated Press in 2008 and 2009.

Edwards posted single-game highs of 433 passing yards (still a school record) and 313 rushing yards (in a 2007 FCS semifinal win to currently rank No. 2 in single-game rushing yards by an FCS quarterback and No. 2 by any App State player, broken in 2020). In the upset of Michigan, he accounted for four touchdowns (three passing, one rushing) and 289 yards of total offense (227 passing, 62 rushing).