By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — As “Senior Nights” go, it doesn’t get much better than for the Watauga High School varsity footballers, who all but shrunk the McDowell Titans on Oct. 24, 55-21.

BONUS PHOTOS at bottom of article (Click any image for larger view and Slide Show Mode)

Five senior Pioneers had a hand in the evening’s scoring barrage, most of it in the first half (49-7 at intermission). That triggered another “mercy rule” running clock and gave a legion of non-starters a chance to see meaningful live action in the final two quarters.

Senior quarterback Cade Keller completed 9-of-12 passes for 290 yards and four TDs, three of them to a fellow senior, wide receiver Nyle Peays. Keller’s aerials were on target, but the only three passes to Peays were caught for TDs, piling up 185 yards in the process. Important to note: an estimated 160 of those yards were earned by the speedy and elusive Peays after the catch.

Senior teammate Evan Burroughs had a relatively quiet night, at least by his recent standards. He “only” had four catches for 82 yards and a TD.

Primary running back duties this year have been evenly split between speedster Matthew Leon and the hard-charging Everett Gryder, both seniors. In a game primarily characterized by Watauga’s quick-strike capabilities through the air, Leon rushed just twice but averaged 5.5 yards per carry and hauled in a short pass, turning it into a 15-yard gain. Gryder, rushed four times for 54 yards and a touchdown, outrunning a platoon of Titans to paydirt.

Maybe the Pioneers should enter a football-only, 4×100 or 4×200 relay team for next spring’s track season.

Defense, Too

Coming into the game, McDowell’s senior quarterback Danny Charles Brown was ranked as the No. 1 passer in the Northwestern Conference, with some 1,800 yards through the air. At least through the first half when Watauga had all of its starters on the field, Brown looked unsettled and constantly under pressure. The Pioneers all but contained him.

Senior Bowen Mayo turned in a highlight reel-worthy big play in the first quarter, on defense, when he picked up a fumble forced by sophomore linebacker John Wilson Mills. Bowen ran it back some 40 yards for a “scoop and scoot” TD.

Mills led the defense with eight tackles, the forced fumble, and a quarterback sack. Gryder was in on five tackles, while the versatile senior lineman (offense and defense) Brady Lindenmuth recorded three tackles, including a tackle for loss (TFL).

The Series: The ‘Tackling Machine’, John Wilson Mills

Senior tackle Crue Stoddard also had a big night, with four tackles, two TFLs, as well as a pass breakup (PBU).

Peays, who like many of the top Pioneer athletes plays on both sides of the ball, stepped in front of McDowell pass in the second quarter for an interception and 40-yard INT return, while also recording a pair of tackles. The INT occurred on the Watauga side of the field and the Pioneer faithful in the grandstands could see Peays closing in for the “poach” as the play was developing.

Another versatile senior not wanting to be left out of the defensive fun, strong safety Kyle Williams tallied an INT, three PBUs, and another three tackles.

The Series II: The Nyle Peays (9) Show?

After the game, head coach Ryan Habich was generally pleased by his team’s play and especially the opportunity to get every senior playing time on Senior Night, but still had reservations about the performance of the mostly non-starters in the fourth quarter, including giving up a turnover (fumble). Whether a starter or not, Habich said the coaching staff’s expectation is for any and every Watauga player to execute, to do their job as they are trained to do.

“I didn’t like the way we finished,” said Habich.

Next up for Watauga is a visit to Hickory, to play St. Stephens in what has evolved as the de facto Northwestern Conference championship game. With the Pioneers at 4-0 in conference (9-0 overall) and St. Stephens at 3-1, the Oct. 31 tilt on the road should be a good one. The Indians’ only loss in conference was to Freedom, 28-21, on Oct. 10, in Hickory.

St. Stephens was a 48-2 winner over South Caldwell on Oct. 24. At halftime, Freedom was poised to move into a tie with the Indians for second place, leading Alexander Central, 35-0 (final score unavailable).

A win next week at St. Stephens, especially with a good showing, puts Watauga in the drivers seat for what should be a high seed in the 6A West playoffs bracket, perhaps even the No. 1 seed. Not counting all of this week’s games because not all scores are yet available, the only other undefeated (overall) team in the 6A West is Ashbrook (Gastonia). MaxPreps has Watauga ranked No. 1 in North Carolina’s 6A classification, 5-3 Sun Valley at No. 2, and Ashbrook No. 3, all in the 6A West. Two more 6A West teams, Charlotte Catholic (No. 4) and Northern Guilford (No. 5) round out the top 5, statewide.

If Watauga loses to St. Stephens, then its seeding and any home field advantage that comes with a high seed will suffer and probably catapult the Indians to a higher seed.

Freedom (8-1) is currently ranked No. 13 and could improve on that ranking after facing McDowell on Oct. 31 to close out the 2025 regular season. At 5-4, St. Stephens is ranked No. 30 in North Carolina’s 6A classification but has had some impressive wins and close losses, so the Pioneers have little room for error next week.

BONUS PHOTOS (Click any image for larger view and Slide Show Mode)

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — In one of the closest, most hard-fought matches of the 2025 Watauga varsity women’s volleyball season, the Pioneers overcame the challenge of “not playing their best” to sweep No. 8-seeded Sun Valley (Monroe, N.C.) on Oct. 23, 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-21).

BONUS PHOTOS at bottom of article (Click any image for larger view and Slide Show Mode)

Watauga led for most of all three sets, but the visiting Spartans rallied to tie the score at critical moments, including at 19-19 in the third and decisive set. Neither team led by as many as four points throughout the contest, which was punctuated by several long, exciting rallies featuring dramatic digs and blocks by both sides.

For the Pioneers, there was an element of “revenge” in this win. When this year’s seniors were freshmen during the 2022-23 academic year, it was the No. 3-seeded Sun Valley that bounced the Northwestern Conference champions and No. 2-seeded out of the state playoffs, the 4A quarterfinals, 3-1 (20-25, 25-16, 31-29, 25-16). Back then, the thrilling, hard-fought battle also had long rallies and dramatic play on both sides of the net, but left the Pioneers with the bitter taste of disappointment and what could have been while Sun Valley went on to be the state runners-up, losing to Millbrook, the No. 2-seed in the 4A East bracket, 3-0.

This time, though, Watauga turned the tables on the Spartans. In the electric atmosphere of Lentz Eggers Gym with a large student section behind them, the Pioneers were up for any challenge.

Former Watauga head football coach Bill Mauldin was in the stands and pointed out to High Country Sports, “When a team doesn’t play their best and still sweeps an opponent, that’s a testament to how good they are.”

The Pioneers’ setter, Lainey Gragg again was proficient in distributing the attack opportunities to Watauga’s multiple offensive weapons, led by Emma Pastusic’s 20 kills. but with three other Pioneers recording eight kills each: junior outside hitter Ashlyn Smith, Gragg and senior middle blocker Kora Knight.

If there was an area where the Pioneers were visibly lacking against the Spartans, it was at the net, defensively, where the recorded only one block. Instead, they relied on stellar play by back row players to dig out the frequent offensive attacks by Sun Valley and keep the ball in play. Caroline Childers (15 digs) and Ashlyn Smith (14 digs) were at the forefront of that defensive effort, but Lilli Combs (9 digs), Pastusic (8) and Gragg (6) were also key defensive contributors.

In advancing to the state 6A quarterfinals (also the Regional semifinals), Watauga is the last remaining Northwestern 6A/7A Conference member still in the hunt for the coveted state championship crown. They will face the No. 4-seeded North Iredell Raiders in the quarterfinals, which advanced by defeating No. 5-seeded Alexander Central.

Earlier this season (Aug. 23), Watauga defeated North Iredell in Lentz Eggers Gym, 3-0 (25-12, 25-17, 25-12), but all bets are off in the state playoffs after all the teams have had a regular season to improve and “gel.” For North Iredell to have advanced this far in the playoffs, the Pioneers will have to be at the top of their game if the mission is to advance to the Final Four and eventual state championship.

In other 6A West bracket action, No.2-seeded Kings Mountain advanced with a 3-0 sweep of Asheville (25-22, 25-16, 25-20), while No. 3 Northern Guilford defeated Southeast Guilford, 3-0.

According to MaxPreps, Watauga’s Round 4 matchup with North Iredell is scheduled for 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 25.

SELECTED GAME STATS

Kills: Emma Pastusic (20), Ashlyn Smith (8), Lainey Gragg (8), Kora Knight (8), Julia Rowan (3), Addie Stough (1)

Service Aces: Ashlyn Smith (3), Graycie Collins (1), Lainey Gragg (1)

Assists: Lainey Gragg (26), Caroline Childers (2)

Digs: Caroline Childers (15), Ashlyn Smith (14), Lilli Combs (9), Emma Pastusic (8), Lainey Gragg (6), Addie Stough (2)

Blocks: Julia Rowan (1)

BONUS PHOTOS (Click any image for larger view and Slide Show Mode)

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Take 21 shots on goal in a high school soccer match and something is bound to go in. Even though visiting McDowell often had as many as nine and 10 players “stacking the box,” defensively, Watauga earned success from its 21-shot barrage not once, not twice, but three times, winning its Northwestern 6A/7A Conference varsity match, 3-0, on Oct. 22 at Jack Groce Stadium.

It was relatively rare for the ball to leave Watauga’s attacking half of the field, maintaining good possession with deft one- and two-touch passes back and forth across the field, moving it steadily toward shot opportunities near the goal. The only real possessions by the Titans resulted from long, desperation launches downfield that were usually scooped up by alert Pioneer defenders. In the first half, there was one high arching, long shot on goal that curved toward the upper right corner — before caroming off the right post, near the top.

Observed one onlooker, “If they score on one of those long, lucky shots, this will be a different game.”

Fortunately for the Pioneers, McDowell’s luck ran out, thanks to a plucky defensive effort by Watauga’s backline and midfielders — and the dominating possession of the frontline and midfielders.

First to score for Watauga was senior David Ganley, a header off a cross from striker Asher Hampton. Ganley was quick to know his shot was good, already turning to celebrate with teammates in the right corner as the ball was just striking the back of the net (see photo).

Given McDowell’s stacking the box, it was tough sledding for the Pioneers, offensively. At least two would-be goals were denied by a sideline official who didn’t seem to understand the offside rule, that if you are onside when a teammate kicks the ball as a pass, you can be beyond the last defender when you take possession of the ball.

Two second half goals were both scored by junior wing Quincy Honeycutt, one on a penalty kick.

Next up for Watauga is a Senior Night match at home against St. Stephens, the last conference game of the regular season before playoffs, on Oct. 27, 6 p.m.

BONUS PHOTOS (Click any image for larger view and Slide Show Mode)

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — If there was any doubt Watauga High School’s varsity women’s volleyball team deserved the No. 1 seed in the state playoffs 6A West bracket, they were cast aside in Round 2 vs. A C Reynolds (Asheville) on Oct. 21. The Pioneers swept a tall, athletic Rockets side, 3-0, 25-16, 25-15, 25-12.

BONUS PHOTOS at bottom of article. Click any image for larger version and Slide Show Mode

With the regular tenants of Lentz Eggers Gym falling behind (6-2) the visitors in the first set, there may have been some uncertainty in the grandstands about whether the Pioneers had met their match, but if those sentiments existed they weren’t shared by the players on the court.

Junior outside hitter Ashlyn Smith explained afterwards that falling behind helps the Pioneers become more focused.

“Not just one person, but the whole team… We get a chip on our shoulder,” said Smith. “Our team is built on competitiveness and the mission. We all share that passion and wanting to win. So whenever we get down by any amount, we get fired up.”

The Series: Views to A (Emma Pastusic) Kill

While the Watauga offensive attack was again led by setter Lainey Gragg, outside hitters Smith and Emma Pastusic, and middle blockers Kora Knight and Rae Coffey, at critical moments the Pioneers got inspiring play from reserve and role players.

Case in point: defensive specialist Graycie Collins came on to serve in the third and final set when the Rockets seemed to be gaining some momentum — and promptly rattled off three straight service aces.

Asked later if she had eaten her Wheaties that morning, Collins smiled broadly.

“There was a lot of energy in the gym,” said Collins. “Plus, this was my first time playing in the state playoffs. We knew AC Reynolds is a good team, that this wasn’t going to be a complete blowout and they gave us what we expected. As far as the serves, I was just aiming for the seams (in the opposing team’s positioning), with pace.”

Head coach Kim Pryor said later, “Serving is one of the most underrated spots in volleyball. A lot of times you have players come into serve for your (middle blockers). Some of that is for serving but some of it, too, is to play tougher defense. I look down the bench and I have multiple people I could put in those roles, at any time. Graycie (Collins) and Ember (Honeycutt) are among those and they just step up and do the job.”

Overall, Pryor pointed out a lot of positives for the Pioneers’ first match in the playoffs against a quality opponent.

“You could tell A C Reynolds is a solid team and they have some height. They were pretty effective on offense and had great servers, too. We just prepared our normal game and were prepared to play our game. We passed real well and had some good serve receive play, defensively. That (enabled) our offense to get clicking. Lainey (Gragg) was able to spread the ball around to multiple hitters. We just found success in every component of our offense. Defensively, we covered behind the blocks really, really well. It was just a complete game.”

Watauga’s defensive prowess as well as A C Reynolds’ abilities in attacking were borne out in the numbers. Four Pioneers were in double figures for digs, led by sophomore libero Caroline Childers with 16, setter Lainey Gragg with 12, while Pastusic and Smith recorded 10 apiece. Lilli Combs added seven digs.

That setter Lainey Gragg received some good passes from her back row teammates serve receives was also evident in the numbers and her ability to spread the ball around to various Pioneer attackers. Watauga’s powerful outside hitter, Pastusic, led the team with 16 kills, but six other Pioneers recorded kills, led by Knight (kills), Smith (8) and Julia Rowan (6) in her welcome first return from an early season shoulder injury.

Reflecting back on Watauga’s 24-1 record overall and undefeated (10-0) Northwestern 6A/7A Conference play, Pryor acknowledge her roster depth — and team attitude.

“Because I can put two quality teams on the court (in practice), we face good competition within every practice. But what makes this team truly special and is probably the greatest reason for our success is that they are all cheering for each other,” said Pryor.

Up next for the Pioneers is a Round 3 pairing with No. 8-seeded Sun Valley (Monroe, N.C.), which posted a 3-0 sweep over No. 9 Asheboro in Round 2 (25-12, 25-15, 25-18).

Other Northwestern 6A teams to advance to Round 3 included No. 5 Alexander Central, a 3-1 winner over No. 21 Charlotte Catholic (25-21, 23-25, 25-14, 25-15). Like Watauga, Alexander Central had a Round 1 bye. Charlotte Catholic advanced by upsetting another NWC team, No. 12 St. Stephens in a 5-set, Round 1 thriller, 3-2 (25-20, 19-25, 20-25, 25-17, 15-9).

No. 11-seeded South Caldwell, another Northwestern Conference 6A member school, advanced from Round 1 with a 3-0 sweep over No. 22 Eastern Guilford, but fell to No. 6 Southeast Guilford in Round 2, 3-1.

If No. 5 seeded Alexander Central and No. seeded Watauga both win in Round 3, the Northwestern Conference rivals will get a chance to meet for a third time during the 2025 season in Round 4, the Regional semifinals.

Not all scores have been reported to NCHSAA as of this writing, so we will update the story with the full Round 2 winners and Round 3 pairings after they become available.

SELECTED WATAUGA GAME STATS VS. A C REYNOLDS

Kills: Emma Pastusic (16), Kora Knight (9), Ashlyn Smith (8), Julia Rowan (6), Lainey Gragg (1), Addie Stough (1)

Service Aces: Graycie Collins (3), Caroline Childers (2), Ember Honeycutt (1), Emma Pastusic (1), Ashlyn Smith (1), Lainey Gragg (1)

Assists: Lainey Gragg (33), Graycie Collins (1), Caroline Childers (1)

Blocks: Lainey Gragg (2), Emma Pastusic (1), Addie Stough (1)

Digs: Caroline Childers (16), Lainey Gragg (12), Emma Pastusic (10), Ashlyn Smith (10), Lilli Combs (7), Julia Rowan (2), Addie Stough (2), Kora Knight (1)

BONUS PHOTOS

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Watauga and visiting Alexander Central traded possessions and attack opportunities in the early going on Oct. 20, at Jack Groce Stadium, but eventually morphed into a familiar strain of dominant play by the Pioneers as the varsity men’s soccer match wore on. Arguably the fittest team in the Northwestern 6A/7A Conference, Watauga remained undefeated with a convincing, 4-0 win.

The final score, 4-0, is a repeat of the teams’ Oct. 1 meeting, in Taylorsville, which also ended in a 4-0 Watauga win.

Quincy Honeycutt got things going midway through the first half when he feigned attacking with the ball, which drew the goalkeeper out, then lofted a shot that flew just over the outstretched arm of the goalie to sail into the net for the game’s first score.

The Series: Quincy Honeycutt’s first half goal vs. Alexander Central

Near the end of the half, Evan Mawhinney outmuscled a phalanx of players from both sides to punch a ball past the Cougars’ goalkeeper for Goal No. 2.

The Pioneers kept up the pressure and fast-paced play in the second half, the impact on the tiring Cougars obvious as they were frequently seen with hands on hips or doubled over with hands on knees, catching their breath.

Two more goals were added by the Pioneers in the second half, one by Mawhinney to complete his brace for the evening’s work, the other by striker Asher Hampton.

More crafty defensive work by the Pioneers limited the number of attacks on goal by the Cougars, resulting in goalkeeper Solomon Triplett only having to make two saves and earning yet another shutout for Watauga.

In addition to their goals, Mawhinney and Hampton each added an assist. Noah Van Werkhoven and Ben Myers were also credited with assists on the night.

Now 13-3-3 overall, the Pioneers remain undefeated in Northwestern Conference play with two regular season league matches remaining: Wed., Oct. 22 vs. the NWC lone 7A (larger school) member, McDowell, and Mon., Oct. 27 vs. St. Stephens. A final, non-conference match at Hibriten is scheduled for Wed., Oct. 29, before the start of the state playoffs. Brackets for the playoffs are scheduled to be announced Oct. 31, with the first round set to begin Nov. 3

BONUS PHOTOS

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Punch, counterpunch. It was a gridiron chess match played around key injuries on both teams’ offensive lines. In the end, though, App State was checkmated by Coastal Carolina in the fourth quarter, the Mountaineers losing, 45-37.

The casinos and sportsbooks had the over/under total for this game at a seemingly generous 47.5 points. What materialized almost immediately was an offensive showcase wanting for defense. The longtime Sun Belt rivals combined for not only the betting line but more than half again as much, at 82 total points.

App State took an early, 7-0 lead on the opening possession with a 15-yard TD pass from quarterback J J Kohl to wide receiver Davion Dozier. It came at the end of a 10-play, 75-yard drive that took almost five minutes off the game clock. When Coastal Carolina responded with a scoring drive of their own, albeit a 43-yard field goal, the tone was set for the remainder of the game: the teams’ alternating scores.

After Kohl completed his second TD pass early in the second quarter, a 6-yarder to Jaden Barnes to finish an impressive, 15-play, 75-yard possession, the Mountaineers took a 21-10 lead. Undaunted, Coastal Carolina’s redshirt senior quarterback Samari Collier responded by leading the Chanticleers on an 11-play, 75-yard possession, finished off with a 4-yard keeper by Collier up the middle of the line of scrimmage. It closed the gap to 21-17.

A Special Teams Showcase, Too

Did we mention this game was an offensive showcase? Well, you could call it a special teams showcase, too. After closing the gap to 21-17 and hoping to take the lead before halftime, Coastal Carolina executed a successful onside kick, getting the ball back with under four minutes remaining before intermission and the ball near midfield.

On this occasion, however, App State’s defense rose to the occasion and forced a three-and-out. After receiving the punt and a 23-yard return by Barnes, the Mountaineers started their possession from their own 35 but, like the visitors from Conway, S.C., could do nothing with it.

The ensuing CCU drive was short-circuited when Collier was intercepted by App State DB Elijah Mc-Cantos and returned the ball 33 yards, to the Chanticleers’ 13-yard line but with only four seconds remaining before the break. A 31-yard field goal by APP’s freshman placekicker Dominic DeFreitas ended the first half scoring and gave the Mountaineers a still tenuous, 24-17 lead.

Things looked more promising for the Mountaineers early in the second half. The defense held Collier & Co. to another three-and-out, and then junior wide receiver Jaden Barnes found a crease in CCU’s punt coverage, swerved to the outside and outran everyone for a 77-yard punt return TD, the first punt return to paydirt for the Mountaineers since Clifton Duck managed it way back in 2018 against Gardner-Webb in an early season, non-conference game.

The score (and DeFreitas PAT) gave App State a more comfortable, 31-17 lead and something positive for the Homecoming crowd to enjoy.

One of the key considerations coming out of halftime, given the offensive performances of the two teams, was which defense would make the best adjustments during intermission. It turned out, Coastal Carolina won the day with those defensive adjustments. In the second half, the Chanticleers held App State’s offense to two field goals to pair with Barnes’ opening punt return TD. Meanwhile, Collier led the Coastal offense to two TDs in the third quarter and added two more in the final period. The visitors didn’t take their first lead until just 3:19 remained in the contest.

After CCU’s second TD of the fourth quarter, App State trailed 45-37, making it a one possession ball game with just under two minutes left on the clock. The Mountaineers needed a TD and 2-point conversion.

Kohl, who was masterful for most of the game, chipped off chunks of gridiron real estate with consecutive short passes to running back Jaquari Lewis and Barnes. Then he appeared to complete a pass for a first down to tight end Izayah Cummings, who was pushed out of bounds at the Coastal 25-yard line — but away from the ball fellow wide receiver Dalton Stroman was flagged for pass interference, putting the Mountaineer offense back to midfield.

After successive incomplete passes and facing 3rd-and-25 from the CCU47 and just 43 seconds showing on the clock, Kohl was sacked, the ball punched out by Ezekiel Durham-Campbell, recovered by the Chanticleers’ Noah Arinze.

A big bugaboo for App State in its early games — that seemed to have gotten fixed the past two weeks — were penalties, but Mountaineer infractions in this contest again were costly drive killers. The Mountaineers were flagged seven times and set back a net of 70 yards.

Some of the game stats point to just how close this contest was. Both had 410 yards of net total offense. The Chanticleers dominated on the ground, churning out 246 rushing yards to the Mountaineers’ 132. App State’s offense rolled up 276 yards through the air, compared to 164 by CCU.

Now all but eliminated from the Sun Belt Championship Game race to represent the East Division, the Mountaineers are 4-3 overall and 1-2 in conference play. Next, the travel to Norfolk, Va., to take on Old Dominion also 4-3, 1-2. The Monarchs have notable wins over NC Central, Liberty, Virginia Tech and Coastal Carolina, with losses to Indiana, James Madison and Marshall.

Difference makers in App State vs. Coastal Carolina

• The aforementioned penalties. The Mountaineers were flagged seven times for 70 yards, the Chanticleers three times for 35 yards.
• The CCU defense recorded 7 tackles for loss (-22 yards) vs. just 3 TFLs for App State (-9 yards).
• CCU posted 6 QB hurries, APP just 2.

NOTEWORTHY INDIVIDUAL STATS

Coastal Carolina

• • QB Samari Collier rushed 17 times for 74 yards and 2 TDs, while completing 12-of-19 passes for 118 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT
  • MJ Morris, who started the season as the starting QB, came on to complete 2-of-2 passes for 39 yards and a TD.
  • RB Dominic Knicely rushed 5 times for 51 yards and a TD.
  • RB Jevon Edwards rushed 6 times for 41 yards and a TD.
  • Collier and Morris completed passes to 9 different receivers, including TDs to Tucker Jameson and Malcolm Gillie.

App State

• • QB J J Kohl completed 27-of-41 passes for 278 yards, 2 TDs and no INTs, but one fumble
  • The Mountaineers’ rushing attack was evenly spread between freshman RB Jaquari Lewis (15 carries, 43 yards) and senior Rashod Dubinion (10 carries, 38 yards, 1 TD).
  • Kohl completed passes to 8 different receivers, including TD passes to Jaden Barnes and Davion Dozier.
  • Dozier was the leading receiver with 4 catches for 70 yards and the TD, while tight end Izayah Cummings had 6 catches for 60 yards,

By David Rogers. TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. — An undefeated Watauga High School varsity football team remained undefeated on Oct. 17 — but the host Alexander Central Cougars exposed some potential Pioneer vulnerabilities if not addressed as the regular season winds down (two games remain, home vs. McDowell then on the road at St. Stephens) — and the state playoffs loom on the nearby horizon. Watauga won, 42-20, but…

BONUS PHOTOS @ Bottom of Article (Click any image for larger view and Slide Show Mode)

After being stuffed on offense and then sideswiped on defense in the opening two series, the Pioneers were in unfamiliar territory: they trailed, 7-0. How dare those Cougars! Don’t they know Watauga is supposed to dominate from the opening kickoff?

As College Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster Lee Corso would say, “Not so fast, my friend!”

The Cougars came into their Homecoming game vs. Watauga with a lackluster 2-6 overall record, 1-2 in Northwestern Conference play. Their losses have come at the hands of good area programs, like Hickory, Statesville and a 48-44 barnburner of a loss on Sept. 19, to South Iredell. A week ago (Oct. 10), they appeared to be gaining some momentum with a 30-28 win over the NWC’s lone 7A (larger school) member, McDowell.

After his Pioneers had rallied to score 21 unanswered points and gone on to defeat Alexander Central, head coach Ryan Habich told reporters his team needed to ignore what the public was filling their heads with, that they were among the best teams in the state.

“That’s ‘rat poison’,” Habich said. “We have to be a blue collar team every game we play. We have to play for our teammates, our school and our community.

“It’s a win and that’s important. I’d rather play bad and win than play good and lose, but we have work to do,” said Habich.

The Series: Burroughs, Shrugging Off Defenders

Looking at some of the numbers, you would almost think ACHS was masquerading as the Pioneers.

Through his ten-plus years at the helm of Watauga’s football program, Habich’s teams have traditionally been known for their solid rushing attack and controlling possession, mixing in some big play passes. Given a dynamic, all-around skillful quarterback in senior Cade Keller and speedy skill players like Evan Burroughs, Nyle Peays, Everett Gryder, Matthew Leon, Bowen Mayo and Kyle Williams, among others, as well as stalwart play upfront led by Brady Lindenmuth, Crue Stoddard, Kwame Carter and Aidan Plemons, Habich has turned up the heat this year with an even more dynamic aerial attack, “… but we still have to be able to run the football,” he said.

Against Alexander Central, the Pioneers only managed 61 yards rushing on 22 carries. On the other side, the Cougars ran the ball 48 times for 183 yards rushing. In fact, they ran almost twice as many offensive plays, 62, vs. 39 by the Pioneers. And that translated to a time of possession advantage in favor of ACHS, 31:34 vs. 16:26 for Watauga.

So how did the Pioneers win? With quick-strike passes to their playmakers. Keller completed 15 of 17 passes for 229 yards and three TDs. He was only sacked once. Mayo, the senior transfer from Virginia, hauled in five passes for 104 yards and a TD. Burroughs caught five passes, too, for 78 yards and two TDs. Tight end Tyler Leyshon added two catches for 27 yards, his longest a 20-yarder on the team’s first drive of the second half.

Watauga didn’t have any 4th downs to convert and they were successful in converting 4-of-5 third down opportunities. By contrast, Alexander Central converted on only 6-of-15 third downs and only three of seven fourth downs. Those four turnovers on downs may not show up in the game stats as turnovers, but those key stops by the defense returned possession to the Pioneers, often with good field position.

What’s more, even though the Pioneers seemed vulnerable on the perimeter, defensively, they had some big plays — including sophomore linebacker John Wilson Mills’ pass interception and 19-yard return for the game’s only turnover (excluding turnovers on downs). The INT near midfield in the second quarter gave Keller & Co. a short field in which to fashion the go-ahead TD, a lead the Pioneers would never relinquish.

Now 8-0 overall, 3-0 in conference, Watauga will brush off their lunch pails and get back to work, preparing for more challenges from the likes of McDowell (Senior Night, Oct. 24) and St. Stephens (in Hickory, Oct. 31) after what might be termed a “high-value wake-up call” against Alexander Central.

The McDowell Titans are 5-3 overall, 1-2 in league play after losing, 41-16. to St. Stephens on Oct. 17. St. Stephens, currently listed No. 3 in the Northwestern Conference standings behind Watauga and Freedom, has a 21-0 win over Alexander Central on their resume, and are reportedly big and strong in the middle and athletic on the perimeter.

Noteworthy

• St. Stephens is the last Northwestern Conference team to beat Watauga, a 26-21 disappointment in Hickory, on Oct. 13, 2017.
• Watauga quarterback Cade Keller and versatile lineman Brady Lindenmuth have been selected to play in the East-West All-Star game on Dec. 21, with a 1 p.m. kickoff at Grimsley High School in Greensboro.
• Pioneer head coach Ryan Habich was named the offensive coordinator for the West team. Freedom’s J.K. Adkins is serving as the West head coach. Other West assistant coaches include Brian Hinson (West Cabarrus), Sherman Holt (Swain County), Jonathan Oliphant (Lake Norman) and Joe Rigsbee (Grimsley).

BONUS PHOTOS

By David Rogers. RALEIGH, N.C. — Watauga’s highly ranked men’s and women’s cross country teams will be among the top contenders Oct. 25 in the NCHSAA 6A West Regionals, to be hosted at the Tryon Equestrian Center.

Sophomore Cali Townsend, freshman Josie Mayo and senior Janie Beach-Verhay will lead the Pioneers, all finishing 1-2-3 on Oct. 14 at the Northwestern Conference meet where Watauga swept the top seven spots, including No. 4 Lily Kimbrough, No. 5 Sophia Stull, No. 6 Lainey Johnston and No. 7 Susanna Goff.

Bryce Corpening of South Caldwell may be the favorite to win the Men’s Division of the 6A West Regionals, but Watauga may have a strong bid for the team title. At the Northwestern Conference meet, the Pioneers finished strong with No. 2 Zeke Walker, No. 3 Calvin Zwetsloot, No. 4 Levi Anderson, No. 6 Elliott Taft, No. 7 Brian Newmark, No. 8 Jonah Pearson, No. 9 Grady Gates and No. 10 Sean Rea.

By David Rogers. RALEIGH, N.C. — As the No. 1 seed in the 6A West, Watauga High School’s varsity volleyball team earned a bye in the first round of the NCHSAA Volleyball Championships, the state playoffs tournament that begins on Oct. 18.

Instead, with a pass through to the second round, the 23-1 Pioneers will face the winner of No. 16 Mount Tabor and No. 17 A.C. Reynolds.

With the reclassification of all North Carolina schools into eight classifications, there are more opportunities for teams to advance to the state playoffs this year. Watauga finished the regular season slate of Northwestern Conference matches undefeated, all sweeps, but some of their opponents also earned state tournament opportunities.

As the No. 5 seed in the 6A West, Alexander Central will also have a bye into the second round. No. 12 St. Stephens will host No. 21 Charlotte Catholic on Oct. 18, and No. 11 South Caldwell will host No. 22 Eastern Guilford the same day.

The second round is scheduled for Oct. 21, the third round for Oct. 23, the fourth round for Oct. 25, with the regionals on Oct. 28 and the state finals on either Oct. 31 or Nov. 1.

ALL 6A West 1st Round Pairings

• No. 1 Watauga – BYE
• No. 16 Mount Tabor vs. No. 17 A C Reynolds
• No. 8 Sun Valley – BYE
• No. 9 Asheboro vs. No. 24 Ashbrook
• No. 5 Alexander Central – BYE
• No. 12 St. Stephens vs. No. 21 Charlotte Catholic
• No. 4 North Iredell – BYE
• No. 13 T.C. Roberson vs. No. 20 Central Cabarrus
• No. 3 Northern Guilford – BYE
• No. 14 Piedmont vs. No. 19 Williams
• No. 6 Southeast Guilford – BYE
• No. 11 South Caldwell vs. No. 22 Eastern Guilford
• No. 7 Asheville – BYE
• No. 10 Scotland vs. No. 23 Olympic
• No. 15 Ragsdale vs. No. 18 Western Guilford
• No. 2 Kings Mountain – BYE

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Rolling up almost 300 yards in total offense (290) while limiting the Alexander Central junior varsity to just 175 yards proved a good recipe for Watauga JV success on Oct. 16 at Jack Groce Stadium. The Pioneers JVs defeated the visiting Cougars, 28-16.

Eli Reed carried the ball eight times for 111 net yards and a touchdown, while teammate Easton Burns toted the pigskin nine times for 66 yards and a TD to lead the Pioneers’ offensive effort. As the QB, Reed only passed the ball once, completing it Bryson Cain for a 55-yard touchdown.

Watauga drew the proverbial first blood midway through the opening quarter, taking a 7-0 lead on a 30-yard ramble to the end zone by Reed and a successful PAT kick by Gaines Hunt.

Alexander Central countered with a 6-play, 65-yard drive that culminated with a 3-yard plunge by Lane Chapman, then took the lead on a successful 2-point conversion punch through the line of scrimmage by Chapman.

Late in the first quarter, Reed hit Cain for the 55-yard pass completion, giving the Pioneers a 14-8 lead when Hunt kicked another PAT through the uprights. The advantage was short-lived, however, as the ball hungry Cougars put together a 16-play, 61-yard drive with a little more than four minutes to go before halftime, finishing it off with a 4-yard rush for TD by Eli Queen and a 2-point conversion by Malachi Bennett, ACHS reclaiming the lead before halftime, 16-14.

The second half was dominated by Watauga, however, with two successful, long scoring drives in the third quarter. The first, a 6-play, 55-yard drive ended with a 1-yard TD rush by Brayson Gough (and Gaines Hunt PAT). The second was a 5-play, 51 yard possession that finished with a 1-yard Easton Burns run (and Gaines Hunt PAT).

Watauga’s defense was responsible for a whopping nine tackles for loss as well as two QB sacks. Isaac Blakely recorded a game-high 3 TFLs. Dominick Portante added a pair of TFLs. Portante and Blakely were also responsible for the QB sacks.

The High Country’s gridiron eyes now shift to Taylorsville where the Cougars and Pioneers face off in what could be undefeated Watauga’s toughest test to date.

Game statistics courtesy of Jonathan Watts, Alexander Central High School