By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — It has already been an historic season for Watauga High School’s athletics program, with women’s tennis, women’s golf, cross country, and volleyball going deep into the state playoffs, but two more Pioneer teams have a chance to make history after the brackets were announced for the 6A state playoffs in men’s soccer and football over the weekend.
MEN’S SOCCER
As the No. 4 seed in the 6A West bracket, Watauga receives a bye for the first round of the state playoffs and are in the upper half of the 6A West bracket, where the No. 1 seed is A.C. Reynolds (Asheville). In the second round, the Pioneers will host the winner of No. 13-seeded North Iredell (Olin) and No. 20 Piedmont (Monroe).
The Pioneers went undefeated in Northwestern 6A/7A Conference play. In addition to Freedom, NWC-member school Alexander Central, the No. 8 seed, is also in the upper bracket.
In the lower half of the bracket, other NWC schools include No. 19 South Caldwell and No. 23 St. Stephens.
As the No. 2 seeded team, Charlotte Catholic is the top-ranked school in the lower half of the bracket.
Full Seedings and First Round Pairings
- No. 1 A.C. Reynolds – BYE
- No. 16 Berry vs. No. 17 Statesville
- No. 8 Alexander Central – BYE
- No. 9 Western Guilford vs. No. 24 Ashbrook
- No. 5 Mt. Tabor – BYE
- No. 12 T.C. Roberson vs. No. 21 Freedom
- No. 4 Watauga – BYE
- No. 13 North Iredell vs. No. 20 Piedmont
- No. 3 Asheville – BYE
- No. 14 Olympic vs. No. 19 South Caldwell
- No. 6 Ragsdale – BYE
- No. 11 Northern Guilford vs. No. 22 Ben L. Smith
- No. 7 Glenn – BYE
- No. 10 Asheboro vs. No. 23 St. Stephens
- No. 11 Dudley vs. No. 18 Sun Valley
- No. 2 Charlotte Catholic – BYE
FOOTBALL
With its undefeated overall record, 10-0 and 5-0 in Northwestern Conference play, Watauga earned the No. 1 seed, positioned in the 6A West upper bracket. Joining them in the upper bracket are three other NWC teams, including No. 16 St. Stephens, No. 24 South Caldwell, and No. 4 Freedom, which also received a BYE.
The lone NWC member school in the lower 6A West bracket is No. 19 Alexander Central. Other opponents faced by the Pioneers who earned spots in the 6A West bracket are No. 15 Asheville and No. 7 T.C. Roberson (also a bye).
FULL 6A WEST FOOTBALL BRACKET
- No. 1 Watauga – BYE
- No. 16 St. Stephens vs. No. 17 Mt. Tabor
- No. 8 Charlotte Catholic – BYE
- No. 9 A.C. Reynolds vs. No. 24 South Caldwell
- No. 5. Sun Valley – BYE
- No. 12 Olympic vs. No. 21 Ragsdale
- No. 13 Southeast Guilford vs. No. 20 Central Cabarrus
- No. 4 Freedom – BYE
- No. 3 Ashbrook – BYE
- No. 14 Statesville vs. No. 19 Alexander Central
- No. 6 Asheboro – BYE
- No. 11 Dudley vs. No. 22 Glenn
- No. 7 T.C. Roberson – BYE
- No. 10 Kings Mountain vs. No. 23 Ben L. Smith
- No. 15 Asheville vs. No. 18 Western Guilford
- No. 2 Northern Guilford – BYE
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been corrected to accurately reflect the prospective second round pairing for Watauga Men’s Soccer.
