By Zach Smith. ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Two top teams of the mountains combined for an electric Friday night on Sept. 8, as undefeated Watauga (now 4-0) met powerhouse A.C. Reynolds (1-3). This was the first meeting between the two since 2016, when A.C. Reynolds defeated Watauga. In this nail biter, Watauga won the night, 36-35.
Watauga entered the contest hoping to remain perfect through their non-conference slate. Meanwhile, the Rockets looked to change their luck on the season. It was a study in contrasts: the Pioneers won two of their first three games by large margins (55-6 vs. Avery County and 47-21 @ Maiden), while none of A.C. Reynolds’ early season games were decided by more than seven points.
A.C. Reynolds won the opening coin toss and elected to receive, hoping to gain momentum early on. The Rockets were unable to take advantage and punted to the dangerous Watauga offense, who subsequently scored by way of a Maddox Greene 22-yard touchdown pass to senior Jackson Pryor. In retrospect, the opening A.C. Reynolds drive proved to be one of two possessions that didn’t result in a first half touchdown as both teams traded blows before intermission, with the halftime score knotted at 22-22.
“coach hicks, i know what play they are going to run!”
The second half was nearly a carbon copy of the first as the Pioneers and the Rockets continued to match each other’s efforts, Watauga took a 36-29 lead into the fourth quarter.
Game-changing decisions
Following a scoreless possession by each team, A.C. Reynolds drove 58 yards to score a late-game touchdown, closing the deficit to a single point, 36-35. Going for the win, the Rockets attempted a two-point conversion but were denied by an explosive tackle behind the line of scrimmage, compliments of the Pioneers’ junior linebacker, Trathan Gragg.
“Funny story, No. 6 [Gragg], who made the tackle, came up to me before the play and goes ‘I know exactly what play they’re gonna run and I’m gonna make the tackle,’” sophomore wingback Evan Burroughs said when asked about the team’s discussion before the Rockets’ failed two-point try. “I just looked up as soon as the ball is snapped and I see him in the backfield making the tackle — and I was like ‘wow!’”
Gragg confirmed his pre-play prognostication, as well.
“I said to Coach Hicks, ‘I know what they’re gonna run. I’m gonna come through the backside because I know the guard’s gonna pull,’” Gragg Said. “And he said ‘Go for it, just get there as fast as you can.’”
WE ARE AN AGGRESSIVE FOOTBALL TEAM AND WILL GO FOR THE WIN.
There was still enough time left on the clock for Watauga to find themselves in their own difficult call situation, on 4th-and-5, just past midfield in Rockets’ territory. The three alternatives: [1] go for the first down and run out the clock for the win, [2] fail to get the first down and turn the ball over to A C Reynolds near midfield, or [3] punt, and risk a big return by one of ACR’s athletic athletes.
Watauga head coach Ryan Habich decided to go for the first down and Greene was able to complete an eight-yard pass to Pryor in the right flat to secure the win.
Later, Habich spoke about his confidence in the team’s offensive playmakers and that critical decision.
“We’re always gonna go for it,” Habich said. “Pick the first down up, win the game. We’re an aggressive football team.”
Overall, Greene continued his impressive form, completing all but one of his 13 passes while recording 261 total yards and five touchdowns. Burroughs was also key in the Pioneers’ victory, acquiring 74 yards and scoring on two of his four total receptions.
Greene gave a simple answer when asked where Watauga’s thrilling victory over A.C. Reynolds ranked among his previous wins.
“This one’s number one, for sure,” Greene said.
To complete its 3-game, early season road challenge, Watauga travels to Lexington, N.C.on Sept. 15, to face North Davidson — looking to finish the non-conference portion of their season perfect. Kickoff is at 7:30p.m. and will be streamed on the NFHS Network website.
