By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — First half goals by Ben Myers and Jossue Alcaraz powered Watauga men’s soccer to a halftime lead on Oct. 4 at Jack Groce Stadium. Then the Pioneers held off a determined Ashe County squad to secure a 2-0, Northwestern Conference win.
BONUS PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF ARTICLE (click any image for slideshow mode)
It was a necessary victory for the Pioneers, to get them back above .500 for the season — and back into contention for a Northwestern Conference championship and potential playoffs berth. After getting by South Caldwell, 2-1, to open conference play on Sept. 21, the Pioneers suffered consecutive defeats to Alexander Central (4-3, in overtime on Sept. 25) and Hibriten (3-1, Sept. 27) before evening their conference record with a 3-0 win at Freedom on Oct. 3.
Within the first three minutes of play on Oct. 4, Watauga scored vs. Ashe County. Photographic image by David Rogers
Myers goal game within the first three minutes of play on Oct. 4 vs. the Huskies, a well-place worm-burner just inside the left post. Alex Aguilar was credited with an assist.
A senior, Alcaraz took a crossing kick from sophomore teammate Myers several minutes later to get the Pioneers’ second goal, another well-placed ball.
Watauga had several other scoring opportunities that were turned aside by Huskies senior goalkeeper, Henry Aguilar, who was credited with eight saves on the night as the Pioneers kept pressure on the goal.
What looked like an easy save…… didn’t turn out that way for Ashe County. But a moment later the would be Watauga goal was turned away and cleared by a Husky defender as it trickled toward the net. Photographic images by David Rogers
Afterwards, Ashe County head coach acknowledged the loss but said he was proud of his players fight.
“I expected a hard fought battle from both sides,” said Jamison Klein, Ashe County head coach after the game. “They have a senior heavy roster and I know they bring a level of physicality to their play. Out boys played really well. We are very young with several freshmen and sophomores on our varsity roster. The halftime score was 2-0. We made some adjustments at halftime and the final score was 2-0. We upped our physicality in the second half. If we had played that way in the first half, it would have been an even tighter ball game. We are looking forward to facing Watauga again up at our place.”
This guy had a bird’s eye view of the soccer action in Jack Groce Stadium on Oct. 4. Photographic image by David Rogers
Watauga head coach Josh Honeycutt values energy and effort in his players, but said afterward that some of his players were only giving a 75 percent effort in the second half.
“When we have starters giving only playing at 75 percent effort and we have guys on the bench wanting to get on the field and give 100 percent, I am going to use those guys on the bench and we did that today,” said Honeycutt.
“Ashe County is much improved,” the Watauga coach added. “Several of those guys have come through High Country United’s program and they are really helping to elevate the high school team’s play. It is a young team, getting better with each game.”
“At moments tonight, we looked really good,” said Honeycutt. “At other moments, we kind of fell into what the competition is doing, so not so good. In the first half we possessed really well and moved the ball really well. That created good scoring opportunities and we took advantage of a couple of them, which is enough to win the game. But I told the guys at the end that we have to finish. We can’t go into halftime with a lead and think that is enough.
With the win, Watauga improves its overall record to 5-10–1 and Northwestern Conference record to 3-2. With the first half of the team’s NWC schedule now complete, they’s start the final half on Oct. 9 with a trip down to South Caldwell before a first revenge opportunity at Alexander Central on Oct. 11. The next home match will also be a turn-the-tables affair vs. Hibriten, on Oct. 16. They’ll have another home match against Freedom on Oct. 18 before finishing the regular season in Jefferson at Ashe County. For any realistic hope for an NCHSAA 4A playoff berth, they must win out, especially against Alexander Central and South Caldwell.
Ashe County falls to 3-9-2 on the season, 0-4-1 in Northwestern Conference play. The Huskies host Alexander Central on Oct. 9, then travel to Lenoir to face Hibriten on Oct. 11.
By David Rogers. BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — While the last, regular season Watauga County middle school volleyball matches on Oct. 3 provided some clarity as to the best and least skilled teams, the rankings in the middle as the league heads into the playoff phase of the season became a bit more muddled. And most of the impact occurred in the Blowing Rock gymnasium where Hardin Park, Parkway and Blowing Rock engaged in a tri-match.
BONUS PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF ARTICLE (click any image for slideshow mode)
After No. 1 ranked Parkway sprinted to an 8-3 lead in its opening set vs. No. 2 Hardin Park, the Golden Eagles went on a run and tied the score at 8-8. They carried that momentum to spirited, 25-21 upset win in that first set, but then Parkway morphed into the team that brought an undefeated record into the evening’s contest. Receiving solid back row defensive play from the likes of Caroline Childers, exquisite sets fashioned by Gracie Belle Brown and powerful kill shots (and defensive blocking) from the arms of front row hitters Giana Clark and Kira Beasley, the Patriots surged to dominating, 25-9, 25-11 wins in decisive second and third sets.
Hardin Park head coach Andy Eggers counsels the Golden Eagles during a timeout in their first set upset of Parkway on Oct. 3 at Blowing Rock School. Photographic image by David Rogers
That outcome solidified Parkway’s No. 1 seed going into the playoffs undefeated, as well as secured Hardin Park with the No. 2 seed, the team’s only regular season losses to the Patriots.
Both teams had little trouble with Blowing Rock, although the Rockets frequently battled through lengthy rallies in front of an enthusiastic home crowd. Hardin Park prevailed over their hosts, 2-0 (25-10, 25-9), while Parkway’s 2-0 win over the Rockets was a little closer (25-13, 25-22) while getting more players court time.
Parkway libero Caroline Childers comes up with a dig vs. Hardin Park on Oct. 3. Photographic image by David Rogers
Blowing Rock came into the evening’s action with a solid hold on fourth place in the standings, behind Parkway, Hardin Park and Cove Creek, but the two losses dropped the Rockets into a 3-way tie for fourth at 5-9, with Green Valley and Valle Crucis. League commissioner Andy Eggers announced that NCHSAA tie-breaking guidelines were used, focused on head-to-head competition, so Blowing Rock received the No. 4 seed, Green Valley the No. 5 and Valle Crucis the No. 6.
CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT BRACKETS SET
With that established, the bracket for the 2023 middle school volleyball playoff tournament is set. Round 1 schedule on Thursday, Oct. 5 will be:
4 p.m. – No. 1 Parkway vs. No. 8 Bethel
5 p.m. – No. 2 Hardin Park vs. No. 7 Mabel
6 p.m. – No. 3 Cove Creek vs. No. 6 Valle Crucis
7 p.m. – No. 4 Blowing Rock vs. No. 5 Green Valley
The second and championship rounds will be played on Tuesday, Oct. 10. Because of the home Appalachian State football game vs. Coastal Carolina the same night, the times have been moved up. The revised schedule:
4 p.m. – winner of Parkway-Bethel vs. the winner of Blowing Rock-Green Valley
5 p.m. – winner of Hardin Park=Mabel vs. the winner of Cove Crek-Valley Crucis
6 p.m. -CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
BONUS PHOTOS FROM OCT. 3 @ BLOWING ROCK
Parkway libero Caroline Childers comes up with a dig vs. Hardin Park on Oct. 3. Photographic image by David Rogers
Gracie Belle Brown (3) sets for Parkway on Oct. 3 at Blowing ?Rock School vs. Hardin Park. Photographic image by David Rogers
Hardin Park head coach Andy Eggers counsels the Golden Eagles during a timeout in their first set upset of Parkway on Oct. 3 at Blowing Rock School. Photographic image by David Rogers
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Defending home court is a big thing for many athletic teams, including in cross country where the results are more centered on the individual performances. For the Watauga District Middle School team, both the boys and the girls teams earned heady performances in the Blue Ridge Mountain Rentals High Country Classic on the Watauga High School home course.
MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS
Pioneers Sean Rea and Jonah Pearson finished No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, leading Watauga to a No. 5 team finish.
All five of Providence Academy (Johnson City) scorers finished in the top 22 student athletes competing, a field of 100 harriers from nine different middle school teams. Leading the way for Providence Academy was 8th grader Dylan Robinson at No. 1, crossing the finish line of the two mile race in 11:30. Rea, a Blowing Rock 7th grader competing for Watauga District’s team, was not far behind in 12:22, with Pearson just one second later in 12:23. A slew of Providence Academy, Liberty Prep, Grace Academy, Wilkes Central and Northwestern runners crossed the line before Watauga’s next team member, 8th grade Cole Gray at No. 34. Other Pioneers to finish in the top half of the field included Caleb Duvall (No. 43), and Yates Hodges (No. 44).
MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS DIVISION
Like their young male counterparts, the Watauga District’s middle school girls team had a strong showing. In fact, by capturing three of the top five places and six of the top 10, even without the team’s top runner, Cali Townsend, the young Pioneers captured the girls team title in a runaway, with 27 points vs. No.2 team finisher Providence Academy’s 51 points.
The race was won by Ryan Belt of Providence Academy, in 13:13, but Watauga finishers included Sophia Stull (7th grade, No. 3), Maia Carter (6th grade, No. 4), Ayla Tunstill (7th grade, No. 5), Sadie Long (8th grade, No. 7), Eva Hannon (7th grade, No. 8), Claire Nance (8th grade, No. 10), Grace Scantlin (8th grade, No. 12), Addie Greer (6th grade, No. 13), Ella Goodman-Meade (6th grade, No. 14), Lillian Kimbrough (8th grade, No. 15), Gianna Casco (8th grade, No. 16) and Noelle Bollman (8th grade, No. 19).
Watauga coach Scott Townsend shared a lot of positives after the race.
“This was a perfect day. The weather, the racing, the fans… it was all a lot of fun,” said Townsend, before noting, “Comparing this race to the first race of the season, our girls averaged 60 seconds per athlete faster on the same course. That was just six weeks ago and we still have three weeks to go before the state meet. A lot of our success is because so many of our girls worked as a team. They linked up and raced together. You can see that in the clumps of Watauga finishers.
“I also think it was impressive that two of our guys, Sean Rea and Jonah Pearson, finished in the top three,” said Townsend. “In fact, our boys team averaged one minute, 28 seconds (1:28) better than on the same course six weeks ago. We are just one week removed from the Hare & Hounds Race where Sean Rea set the Watauga County Middle School Cross Country grade level record for the 3k distance. The entire team just keeps getting better and better.”
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — The four high school divisions of the Blue Ridge Mountain Rentals High Country Classic cross country meet on Sept. 20 saw strong Watauga performances, especially in the Varsity Men’s Division where Will Bradbury continued to set the pace for the Pioneers.
VARSITY MEN’S DIVISION
Watauga’s Will Bradbury finished No. 1 (16:44) and led a team of eight Pioneers finishing in the top 22 of 88 competing student athletes. A junior, Bradbury completed the 5,000 meters course 43 seconds ahead of the No. 2 finisher, Benjamin Notarangelo, of Rock Hill, S.C.’s Northwestern High School.
Watauga had a total of seven runners in the top 11, including sophomore Calvin Zwetsloot (No. 3), sophomore Elliott Taft (No. 4), sophomore Zeke Walker (No. 6), freshman Grady Gates (No. 7), junior Jonah Norris (No. 10) and senior Collin Anderson (No. 11).
TEAM SCORES
Watauga – 21
Northwestern (Rock Hill, S.C.) 57
Wilkes Central – 113
Forsyth Home Educators (Winston-Salem) – 140
North Carolina Leadership Academy (Kernersville, N.C.) -144
Providence Academy (Johnson City, Tenn.) – 155
Enka (Candler, N.C.) – 180
Liberty Prep Christian Academy (Mooresville, N.C.) – 203
Avery County – 204
McDowell (Marion, N.C.) – 268
Franklin School of Innovation (Asheville) – 307
VARSITY WOMEN’S DIVISION
With a young team that included a freshman, an 8th grader and a 7th grader in the top three positions, Lexington High School (Lexington, S.C.) ran away with the Varsity Women’s Division team title. The Wildcats dominated the top 10, including the the top six finishers. Freshman Kendra Miles completed the 5,000 meters course in 19:28.00, almost a full minute ahead of teammate Elanorah Patangan (8th grader), who crossed the finish line in 20:26.00. Just three seconds behind was 7th grade student athlete, Brooklynne Cox, in 20:29.00.
Watauga ended the meet as the No. 3 team out of the 10 teams competing. Sophomore Janie Beach-Verhay was the Pioneers’ top finisher at No. 9 among the event’s 79 participants, stopping the clock at 21:04.00. Other scorers for the Pioneer women included senior Rachel Cathey (No. 16), freshman Lainey Johnston (No. 18), junior Sadie Buchanan (No. 20), and freshman Maggie Visser (No. 23).
Other Watauga runners finishing in the top half of the field included Ellary Smith (No. 27), Mia Libre (No. 28), Elyse Rea (No. 31), and Julian Martin (No. 35).
Team Scores
Lexington (Lexington, S.C.) – 15
Northwestern (Rock Hill, S.C.) – 53
Watauga – 82
Providence Academy (Johnson City, Tenn.) – 153
Wilkes Central -159
Enka (Candler, N.C.)
Liberty Prep Christian Academy (Mooresville, N.C.) – 215
Forsyth Home Educators (Winston-Salem, N.C.) – 216
North Carolina Leadership Academy (Kernersville, N.C.) – 243
Avery County – 254
JV MEN’S DIVISION
Watauga showed off its roster depth in the JV Men’s Division, with nine of the top 13 finishers, including a sweep of the top four in a competition featuring 62 student athletes from seven schools. Levi Anderson finished No. 1, followed by Davis Crymes No.2, Silas Powell No. 3, Cameron Nance No. 4, A J McAulay No. 6, Brian Newmark No. 9, Miles Page No. 10, Santino Wood No. 11, and Holden Womak No. 13.
JV WOMEN’S DIVISION
East Mecklenburg sophomore Hadley Kolodziey finished the 5,000 meters course 90 seconds ahead of teammate Megan Palmer to take No. 1 and No. 2 in the race that saw 58 student athletes competing.
Watauga’s Sophia McEvoy was the Pioneers top finisher, at No. 7. Other Pioneer finishers in the top 20 included Scarlett Rupp at No. 15, Hadley Carpenter at No. 17, Kara Schneider No. 18, Madden Maple No. 19, and Anna Norris No. 20.
By David Rogers. MONROE, La. — Turnovers giveth, turnovers taketh away — then they giveth again. In between a combined six turnovers (four by App State, two by Louisiana-Monroe), 1,007 yards of combined total offense resulted in a 41-40 shootout victory by the Mountaineers in Malone Stadium, in front of 19,919 mostly Warhawk fans.
Nate Noel (5) recorded yet another 100+ yards rushing to remain among the nation’s FBS leaders. Photo by Matthew Barnes, courtesy of App State Sports
The victory was about as uncomfortably dramatic as App State could tolerate. Placekicker Michael Hughes’ 54-yard field goal as time expired was just enough to push the Mountaineers ahead. It came at the end of a 6-play, 43 yard desperation drive that started with just 1:02 left on the clock and the Warhawks leading, 40-38. In the previous six offensive possessions in the second half, App State had scored a TD, fumbled the ball away, punted, kicked a field goal, had a pass intercepted, and turned the ball over on downs, essentially squandering opportunities to put the game away with turnovers and errors.
Mountaineer quarterback Joey Aguilar shook off any earlier mistakes and was near perfect on the final drive, completing 4-of-5 passing to keep moving the chains with no timeouts remaining. Faced with 3rd-and-11 on the App State 19-yard line and less than 30 seconds on the clock, Aguilar hit wide receiver Kaedin Robinson for consecutive completions of 14,16, and 14 yards, the redshirt junior from Asheville getting out of bound each time with a first down to stop the clock. Just four seconds remained when Robinson was pushed out of bounds on the final completion, at the ULM 37-yard line. Hughes’ kick, the longest of his career, cleared the crossbar with plenty of room to spare.
Ultimately, App State’s defense proved critical in making stops like this QB sack by freshman outside linebacker Nate Johnson. Photo by Matthew Barnes, courtesy of App State Sports
How the Mountaineers survived four turnovers may well be a monumental question considering how evenly played this football game was. In the first quarter, each team scored 14 points, with App State having a narrow, 142-138 edge in yards of total offense. Both teams gave up the ball on a turnover, the Mountaineers with a fumble, the Warhawks a pass interception.
The second quarter was more of the same. Each team scored 14 points, with ULM holding a narrow, 146-140 advantage in yards of total offense and with App State surviving the only turnover of the period, an INT. When you look at the 28-28 score at intermission and the near identical yards of total offense — 282 for APP, 284 for ULM — it is as if the first half never happened and the whole affair would be decided in the second half.
In the trenches… Photo by Matthew Barnes, courtesy of App State Sports
While it may not at first glance look like it with 1,007 yards of combined total offense, it may very well be App State’s defense at critical junctures that saved the day, along with Hughes’ big boot in the final seconds.
App State’s offense suffered only one 3-and-out possession in the course of the entire game. App State’s defense forced ULM into five 3-and-outs, resulting in the Warhawks punting the ball back to the Mountaineers five times. Two of those ULM punts came in the pivotal fourth quarter, including the last one with 1:07 left on the clock. The defensive effort, combined with App State using their timeouts effectively, used up only 19 seconds for that particular Warhawk possession. Had ULM gotten even a single first down, it likely would have been game over with a 2-point Warhawk victory.
Christan Horn (13) runs after catch for App State @ ULM on Sept. 30. Photo by Matthew Barnes, courtesy of App State Sports
After the game allowing App State to start 1-0 in Sun Belt Conference play, Mountaineer head coach Shawn Clark expressed pride in everyone in the App State Football organization.
“It showed resilience,” said Clark. “The odds of us winning that football game were not good when you have (four) turnovers. We didn’t play our best football, but everyone stuck together. Those guys love each other…
“We won a game. We are 1-0. Monroe is a tough place to play,” Clark concluded.
It was a one-point game, so a lot of attention will be given, in retrospect, to Jordan Favors’ blocked extra point with approximately 8:20 left in the third quarter, to keep the Mountaineer advantage at 35-34.
Now with a 3-2 overall record, 1-0 in Sun Belt Conference play, App State will host Coastal Carolina on a rare, Tuesday night game at Kidd Brewer Stadium, nationally televised on ESPN2, with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m.
GAME NOTES FROM APP STATE SPORTS
App State won its ninth straight Sun Belt opener and its second straight on the final play (following last year’s Hail Mary win over Troy).
The Mountaineers won on the road for the first time this season after last-second losses to then-No. 17 North Carolina (40-34 in 2OT) and Wyoming (22-19). The Mountaineers’ 33 road wins since moving up to the FBS level in 2014 are sixth-most in the country behind Boise State, Ohio State, Clemson, Oklahoma and Alabama.
App State trailed 40-35 at the end of the third quarter before a pair of Michael Hughes field goals sent them to a win. It’s the first comeback win after trailing at the end of three quarters since a 31-30 win over Marshall in 2021.
This is the Mountaineers’ first win when giving up 40+ points since a 56-41 win over Charlotte in 2019.
App State earned its first win of the year when losing the turnover battle. Under head coach Shawn Clark, the Mountaineers are 17-1 when winning the turnover battle, 5-10 when losing, and 7-3 when they have the same number of turnovers as the opponent.
The Mountaineers’ season-high 536 yards of total offense marked the fourth time in five games that App State has had more yards of offense than the opponent.
App State’s 82 wins since 2015 are tied with Notre Dame for sixth-most among all FBS teams behind only Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State and Oklahoma.
OFFENSE
The Mountaineers’ offense posted a season-high 536 total yards with 201 rushing and 335 passing.
Nate Noel rushed for 109 yards on 18 attempts, his fifth 100-yard effort in five games this season and his sixth straight over the century mark dating back to last year. He’s the first App State player with six straight 100-yard games since Jalin Moore had six straight in 2016.
Three of Kaiden Robinson’s career-high 10 catches came in the final minute of play as the Mountaineers marched into field goal range for the game-winner. Those three catches accounted for 44 of his career-high 112 yards. He also scored a second-quarter touchdown that put App State ahead 21-14.
Christan Horn had touchdown grabs of 52 and 22 yards for his second career multi-touchdown game. He finished with a career high-tying six catches for 124 yards.
It’s the first time two Mountaineers went over 100 receiving yards since the 2021 win over Coastal Carolina (Malik Williams and Corey Sutton).
Joey Aguilar threw for a career-high 335 yards on 27-of-39 attempts with three touchdowns and two interceptions. He also ran for 49 yards on seven carries.
Aguilar completed a pass to nine different receivers.
Kanye Roberts rushed for his second touchdown of the year.
DEFENSE
App State’s defense held ULM to 3 of 11 third-down conversions.
Tyrek Funderburk scored on a 23-yard pick six to become the first App State player with pick sixes in back-to-back games since Steven Jones Jr. in 2021.
The Mountaineers’ 131 interceptions since 2015 are third-most among FBS schools behind San Diego State and Iowa.
True freshman Nate Johnson recorded a sack for the third straight game.
Nick Ross had a team-high 10 tackles and 1.5 TFLs, including a huge one to help hold ULM to a three-and-out on its final drive that led to App State’s ensuing game-winning drive.
Shawn Collins had a sack among his two tackles and two quarterback hurries.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Michael Hughes nailed a 54-yard field goal as time expired to clinch the victory. It’s App State’s first game-ending field goal since 2021 (Chandler Staton vs. No. 14 Coastal Carolina) and the longest game-ender in school history. It’s the Mountaineers’ longest field goal since 2000 (Mark Wright’s school-record 57-yarder vs. Troy).
Hughes also made a 28-yarder to pull App State to within two at 40-38. He connected on all five PATs and had four touchbacks on seven kickoffs.
Jordan Favors blocked an extra point to maintain App State’s 35-34 lead with 8:24 left in the third quarter. The saved point proved to be critical in the 41-40 victory.
SCORING SUMMARY
Team
Qtr
Clock
Play
Drive
Score
ULM
1
11:03
TD – D.Wiley 22 yd reception thrown by J.Wright (PAT KICK by D.McCormick GOOD)
By Jacob Plecker. MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Off a broken penalty corner in the 11th minute of play on Saturday, App State field hockey’s Sophia Baxter found fellow freshman Florine Koopman near the post and delivered. Her pass was swatted into the back of the cage to give the Mountaineers a lead never relinquished.
App State (7-4, 2-1 MAC) never trailed after Koopman’s goal and went on to beat the Lindenwood Lions (1-6), 3-1, in a neutral site bout on Saturday. Great defense and efficient offense were the keys to victory on Sept. 30 as the Mountaineers turned defense into offense multiple times, capitalizing on several attacking chances.
“I’m proud of the way we played this weekend,” Koopman said. “The defense was great, and we were able to turn our defense into offense all game. It was a great team effort both yesterday and today.”
Lise Boekaar and Noa Ginjaume Matas each netted second goals in as many days, with Boekaar’s coming in the second period and Ginjaume Matas’ coming in the fourth. Ginjaume Matas, who started both games this weekend, took advantage of a good Mountaineer stand on a penalty corner and turned it into a score for the team’s third goal of the day.
“It was important for us to have play good this weekend after losing two last week, and we did that with the two wins,” Ginjaume Matas said. “I hope to continue putting more goals on cage and helping my team win any way I can.”
It was the second 3-1 win of the weekend for the Mountaineers, who defeated Central Michigan on Sept. 29.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Whether college or high school, “Homecoming” is always that much better when ye ol’ alma mater prevails with a big win in a fierce rivalry game. So Watauga’s 49-7 dismantling of South Caldwell on Sept. 29 at Jack Groce Stadium will be long remembered by the students and alumni packing the home grandstands.
After Watauga’s sophomore defensive back Evan Burroughs intercepted the Spartans’ Luke Williams pass on just the third play from scrimmage, there was a ripple of hope through the home grandstands that this game would be special. Although Burroughs’ interception return for a touchdown was called back due to a penalty, Watauga had the ball with good field position, near midfield. It was an opening reversal of fortune.
Photographic image by David Rogers
And the Pioneer faithful didn’t have to wait long for the rout to commence. It took only three plays — slashing runs by running back Everett Gryder and quarterback Maddox Greene — for Watauga to get in the end zone, punctuated by Greene’s 21-yard TD run. With Jack Wilson’s PAT kick, September’s full moon rising shone brightly on the Pioneers.
It was a high school football game with just about everything long. Long passes completed for TDs, as well as long passes falling incomplete just over the fingertips of the intended receiver.
Photographic image by David Rogers
There were LONG touchdown runs by two different Pioneers, each passing the century mark in yards, rushing, for the game. Everett Gryder ran 14 times for 166 yards and two TDs, his longest a 91-yard smash-and-sprint. Teammate Burroughs rushed just twice — for 102 yards, his longest an 83-yard TD scamper.
This game even had a LONG onside kick, Burroughs recovering for the Pioneers at the Spartan 39 when the South Caldwell special teams unit fell asleep on the kickoff.
Photographic image by David Rogers
Except for the fact that Burroughs is only a sophomore and has two and half seasons ahead of him in his high school football career, Homecoming 2023 against South Caldwell could well have been a “career game” for the young athlete. A pass interception, an 83-yard TD run, 102 total yards rushing, a 41-yard pass reception, and a deep onside kick recovery that should well be reclassified as a “heads up” play because the onside kick was unintentional, head coach Ryan Habich admitted after the game. What will you do next, Mr. Burroughs?
Did we say that this game had just about everything? Senior wide receiver Jackson Pryor received a lateral and turned it into a 37-yard TD run. He also had three pass receptions, two for TDs.
there is smart… and then there is football smart.
And this Homecoming game had pageantry in abundance. After their march down and through the stadium grandstands before kickoff, the Pioneers exploded onto the playing field through not just a banner, but a billowing cloud of manufactured smoke. There were the rousing introductions of the Homecoming court at halftime, each prince and princess greeted by lusty, enthusiastic cheers for their classmates from the student section.
Photographic image by David Rogers
Then, of course, there was the crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen, both multi-sport stars and top students in Eli Greene and Olivia Burroughs. The look on Greene’s face upon hearing the announcement was worth any waiting.
Eli Greene reacts to be named Homecoming King. Photographic image by David Rogers
But the pageantry was not done. The Pacers dance team performed a “high kicks” routine worthy of the Carolina Snowbelles, if not Radio City Music Hall’s Rockettes. Then the marching band’s rendition of Bon Jovi’s “Living on a Prayer” closed the halftime celebrations.
Photographic image by David Rogers
our defensive guys were flying around tonight.
Was there a second half of football? Of course there was, but when the Pioneers recovered a South Caldwell fumble and Gryder ground out six successive rushes for a total of 24 yards, Greene hit Pryor for the senior’s second TD reception and the mercy rule was on: a running clock.
Habich told reporters later that one of the best things about a lopsided win is that a lot of players see action, which helps the coaching staff develop roster depth at every position.
“That roster depth will be important as we get further into our conference schedule and, hopefully, into the playoffs,” said Habich.
At quarterback, Watauga saw both Matthew Habich and Cade Keller enter the game in relief of Greene, allowing the Pioneer coaches to “see tape” on them. Same at running back, where young speedsters Matthew Leon and Nyle Peays received some opportunities to tote the pigskin.
‘Hey Dad, remember that time when I was six and I told you I wanted to be a king?’ Photographic image by David Rogers
Critical to Watauga’s Homecoming success was the play of its defensive and special teams units.
“Our defensive guys were flying around the field tonight,” said linebacker and tight end Trathan Gragg after the game. “South Caldwell came out trying to fire on us, tonight. They were trying to do some mis-directions, trying to get us to look the wrong way. But we read our keys correctly and the our guys did a great job. We missed a few tackles, but overall it was a good job by our defense. We’ll work on some things and next week be much more ready to tackle Alexander Central.”
What has become a trademark of Watauga’s special teams performance this season has been its short kickoffs, which don’t lend themselves to the potential long kickoff returns by oftentimes bigger, even more athletic opponents.
“Until we can kick the ball into and beyond the end zone,” said Habich, “we will kick short.”
While with short kickoffs you risk giving your opponent good field position to start their offensive possessions the upside is the potential of a long onside kick recovery, such as manufactured by Burroughs, even if not really an intentional onside kick.
Other Coach Habich soundbites:
“We got up on them. Our defense made big plays early. We scored big plays right before half.”
“Our second half wasn’t clean but we got a lot of people in the game and show what they can do on film.”
“There were some penalties, blown coverages, missed tackles… We have to tighten those tings up.”
“I liked the way we came out and played at the level we wanted to play at, not at the level of the other team. That’s a challenge every week.”
“We haven’t played at home for a month, so it is great for us to be back here at Jack Groce Stadium. This is a new season, in conference. We have to win each rung of the ladder. We took care of South Caldwell, now our focus is on Alexander Central.”
“We didn’t do a very good job tackling their running back, who is a good player. We tackled high. He picked up a lot of yardage their first three games then sat out the next two games, getting healthy. We didn’t do a very good job tackling him and have to improve on that.”
“Evan Burroughs is a very dynamic player. He is still a young player, only a sophomore. We have to keep going in the right direction, mentally. He could be a very good player for us as we go through conference, go against better competition, and hopefully make the playoffs. But we something we saw last year is Evan is a dynamic player. He is a threat running the football. He is a threat catching the football. We have to make sure he is mentally ready to play varsity against really good competition. If he is, he can be a bigtime threat for us that adds to our others, lack Jackson Pryor, Everett Gryder and Maddox Greene.”
“We have a base offense every year that is geared toward our personnel. Last year we were more geared toward our running backs. This year we have some guys with speed who can catch the ball really well, like Jackson Pryor, Morgan Henry, Evan Burroughs, Trathan Gragg, all of whom can get out into space. So we can throw the football now in bigtime situations. Plus, this is the third year for Maddox (Greene) throwing the football, so he make good reads. Plus, one of the things we want to do is get the ball out into the perimeter because it opens up our inside run game. If we can run inside and pass the ball, it just makes us better against good competition.”
“Trathan Gragg is emerging as one of our defensive leaders. There is smart, and then there is football smart. Trathan Gragg is both. He picks things up quickly.”
As teammates like Eli Greene turn around to block any remaining defenders, Jackson Pryor gallops into the end zone for a TD. Photographic image by David Rogers
Watauga stays at home next week, Oct. 6, to host Alexander Central, the other 4A member of the 3A/4A Northwestern Conference. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., at Jack Groce Stadium.
By Zach Smith for High Country Sports. BOONE, N.C. – Friday night lights returned to Watauga High this week as the Pioneers continued to roll through their opponents, this time defeating South Caldwell, 49-7.
Entering the contest, Watauga had won three of their previous five games by at least three scores, earning a No. 11 ranking out of all 4A schools in the state via MaxPreps. South Caldwell, on the other hand, took the trip to Boone having lost their last two matchups.
Evan Burroughs had a career game Friday, placing himself all over the stat sheet. The sophomore two-way star recorded an interception, 84-yard touchdown rush and an onside kick recovery, although according to head coach Ryan Habich, the recovery was unintentional.
“We don’t kick the ball that deep because we’re not getting the ball in the endzone,” Habich said. “So we place where we kick the ball.”
Watauga, this year, is known for short kickoffs to prevent long returns. In cases like this week, those kicks can be recovered by the Pioneers, who controlled two kickoffs just before halftime.
The Watauga offensive line dominated the Spartan defense, opening holes that led to two long touchdowns in the first half. Sophomore Everett Gryder was responsible for one of those, a 91-yard foot race down the right sideline. Gryder carried for nearly 170 yards in the game, pushing his season total to over 700.
The rest of the Pioneer offense continued to perform as well, earning a running game clock for the third time this season. Because of their 42-point lead, Watauga was able to give more players time on the field, something Habich is hoping will give his key backup players enough playing time to be prepared in case their numbers are ever called.
“We got a lot of people in the game to see what they can do,” Habich said. “We’re still in the process of creating some depth within our football team, so we got a lot of guys in so they can show what they can do on film.”
Habich also spoke on what Burroughs means to the team going forward and how to keep him on track in his playing career.
“Evan [Burroughs] is a very dynamic player, he’s still a young player,” Habich said. “So, the challenge with Evan is making sure he’s going in the right direction mentally. He could be a very good player for us and we’re going to need Evan to be a very good player for us as we keep going through conference and playing better competition.”
Watauga’s offense kept their impressive run going, improving their scoring average to 42.3 points per game on the 2023 campaign. The defense continued to show out as well, holding their opponent to 14 or less points for the fourth time this season.
The Pioneers are home again next week for a matchup against Alexander Central. Kickoff will be at 7:30p.m. and can be streamed on the NFHS Network.
By Zach Smith for High Country Sports. BOONE, N.C. — It proved to be another runaway win for Watauga, this time making victims out of the South Caldwell Spartans. Here are our pre-game notes and play-by-play.
PREGAME NOTES
Watauga (5-0) takes on South Caldwell (3-2) at home in the;ir first Northwestern Conference game of the 2023 season.
Watauga offense is averaging 41.4 points/game
South Caldwell has not played in a game decided by three or fewer scores
Teams meet annually in 3A/4A Northwestern Conference play
South Caldwell has not beaten Watauga since 2015
South Caldwell and Watauga are the two, longest-tenured members of the Northwestern Conference with 4A classification. The only other current member with a 4A classification is Alexander Central.
The March 29 pairing is “Homecoming” for Watauga at Jack Groce Stadium
Watauga Team Leaders in Non-Conference Play
QB/DB #4 Maddox Greene (Jr)
TE/LB #9 Jackson Pryor (Sr)
RB #44 Everett Gryder (So)
LB #6 Trathan Gragg (Jr)
WB/DB #12 Evan Burroughs (So)
South Caldwell Team Leaders in Non-Conference Play
QB #2 Luke Williams (So)
RB/FS #12 Suan Moore (Sr)
FS/RB #22 Sylas Scruggs
PLAY BY PLAY
1st Quarter
SC wins toss, elects to receive opening kickoff
SC ball at their own 28
Suan Moore carries left for 9 yards
Moore tackled for loss of 1 yard
PENALTY: False start against South Caldwell, 3rd and 7 at SC 31
TURNOVER! Luke Williams pass intercepted by Evan Burroughs
Block in the back against Watauga, 1st and 10 at SC 48
Watauga ball at SC 48
Everett Gryder carries up the middle for 4 yards
PENALTY: Offsides against SC, 2nd and 1 and SC 39
Gryder carries up the middle for 18 yards
TOUCHDOWN WATAUGA
#4 Maddox Greene 21-yard rush (1)
#41 Jack Wilson PAT is good
South Caldwell 0 Watauga 7
SC ball at their own 33
SC fumbles the snap, recovered by the offense for loss of 2 yards
PENALTY: False start against SC, 2nd and 17 at SC 26
Williams pass complete right to JP Smith for 10 yards
Williams pass complete left to Bryce Johnston for 6 yards
Moore carries left for no gain
Turnover on downs
Watauga ball at SC 42
Greene pass incomplete
Gryder carries right for 12 yards
Greene carries up the middle for 21 yards
Gryder carries up the middle for 8 yards
TOUHCDOWN WATAUGA
#44 Everett Gryder 1-yard rush (1)
#41 Jack Wilson PAT is good
South Caldwell 0 Watauga 14
SC ball at their own 33
Sylas Scruggs carries for no gain
Moore carries left for 15 yards
Williams pass complete right to Carter McGhinnis
PENALTY: Holding against Watauga, 1st and 10 at Watauga 35
Scruggs carries up the middle for 7 yards
PENALTY: Illegal procedure against SC, 2nd and 8 at Watauga 33
Scruggs carries for no gain
PENALTY: False start against SC, 3rd and 13 at Watauga 38
Williams sacked for loss of 9 yards
Trathan Gragg with the sack
SC punts
Watauga ball at their own 15
Gryder carries up the middle for 3 yards
2nd Quarter
Watauga ball, 2nd and 7 at their own 17
TOUCHDOWN WATAUGA
#12 Evan Burroughs 83-yard rush (1)
PENALTY: Unsportsmanlike conduct against Watauga, penalty assessed on kickoff
#41 Jack Wilson PAT is good
South Caldwell 0 Watauga 21
SC ball at their own 43
Scruggs carries up the middle for 12 yards
Scruggs carries up the middle for 3 yards
Moore carries right for 11 yards
Scruggs carries up the middle for 2 yards
Williams carries up the middle for 20 yards
PENALTY: Holding against SC, 1st and Goal at Watauga 19
Williams pass incomplete
PENALTY: Offsetting penalties, replay 2nd down
Moore carries left for 9 yards
Moore carries left for 5 yards
Timeout SC (1)
Timeout Watauga (1)
Moore carries left for 1 yard
Turnover on downs
Watauga ball at their own 4
Gryder carries right for 5 yards
TOUCHDOWN WATAUGA
#44 Everett Gryder 91-yard rush (2)
#41 Jack Wilson PAT is good
South Caldwell 0 Watauga 28
SC ball at their own 43
Moore pass complete right to McGhinnis for 29 yards
Williams pass incomplete
Moore carries left for 9 yards
Landon Borders carries up the middle for 5 yards
Williams carries right for 2 yards
Moore carries for no gain
PENALTY: Pass interference against Watauga, 1st and goal at Watauga 6
Borders carries left for 5 yards
Timeout Watauga (2)
TOUCHDOWN SOUTH CALDWELL
#2 Luke Williams 1-yard rush (1)
#23 Eli Speagle PAT is good
South Caldwell 7 Watauga 28
Watauga ball at their own 24
Greene pass complete right to Jackson Pryor for 11 yards
Greene pass complete right to Burroughs for 41 yards
Greene pass incomplete
TOUCHDOWN WATAUGA
#4 Maddox Greene 24-yard pass (1) to #9 Jackson Pryor (1)
#41 Jack Wilson PAT is good
South Caldwell 7 Watauga 35
DEEP ONSIDE KICK: Watauga kickoff recovered by Burroughs
Watauga ball at SC 39
Greene pass complete left to Matthew Habich for loss of 2 yards
Timeout Watauga (3)
Greene pass incomplete
PENALTY: Delay of game against Watauga, 3rd and 16 at SC 41
Greene pass incomplete
TOUCHDOWN WATAUGA
#9 Jackson Pryor 41-yard rush (1)
#41 Jack Wilson PAT is good
South Caldwell 7 Watauga 42
ONSIDE KICK: recovered by Watauga
Watauga ball at their own 49
Greene takes a knee
HALFTIME NOTES
Watauga
#4 Maddox Greene is 4-of-8 passing for 74 yards and 1 TD; 2 carries, 42 yards, 1 TD
#9 Jackson Pryor has 2 pass receptions for 35 yards and 1 TD; 1 carry for 41 yards and a TD
#44 Everett Gryder has 8 carries for 142 yards (17.8 avg.), 2 TDs
3rd Quarter
ONSIDE KICK: recovered by SC
SC ball at Watauga 49
Moore carries left for loss of 1 yard
Gragg with the TFL
Williams carries left for 4 yards
Moore carries for no gain
Moore carries left for 1 yard
Turnover on downs
Watauga ball at their own 45
Burroughs carries left for 26 yards
Greene pass incomplete
Greene tackled for loss of 2 yards
Greene pass complete right to Gragg for 8 yards
Timeout Watauga (1)
Greene pass incomplete
Turnover on downs
SC ball at their own 23
TURNOVER: Williams fumbles, recovered by Watauga’s Gragg
Watauga ball at SC 38
Gryder carries up the middle for 2 yards
Gryder carries up the middle for 4 yards
Gryder carries right for 8 yards
Gryder carries up the middle for 4 yards
Gryder carries up the middle for 3 yards
Gryder carries up the middle for 3 yards
TOUCHDOWN WATAUGA
#4 Maddox Greene 14-yard pass (2) to #9 Jackson Pryor (2)
#41 Jack Wilson PAT is good
South Caldwell 7 Watauga 49
MERCY RULE TRIGGERED (lead by 42 points in 2nd half): Running clock for remainder of game
SC ball at their own 40
Scruggs carries up the middle for 4 yards
Scruggs tackled for loss of 4 yards
Carson Gunnell-Beck with the TFL
Williams carries left for 3 yards
Williams pass incomplete
Turnover on downs
Watauga ball at SC 43
Timeout Watauga (2)
Habich carries right for 17 yards
PENALTY: Offsides against SC, 1st and 5 on SC 21
Habich pass incomplete
4th Quarter
Watauga ball, 2nd 5 at SC 21
Matthew Leon carries up the middle for 11 yards
PENALTY: Holding against Watauga, 1st and Goal at SC 20
Habich pass incomplete
PENALTY: Delay of game against Watauga, 2nd and Goal at SC 25
Leon carries up the middle for 4 yards
Leon carries left for 10 yards
TURNOVER! Habich pass intercepted
SC ball at their own 4
Zack Freeman carries right for 5 yards
McGhinnis pass complete right for 10 yards
McGhinnis pass incomplete
McGhinnis pass incomplete
McGhinnis pass incomplete
SC punts
Watauga ball at their own 35
Nyle Peays carries up the middle for 8 yards
Peays carries left for 5 yards
Cade Keller pass complete right to Landon smith for 9 yards
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — It wasn’t even St. Patrick’s Day but the color green was very much in vogue on Sept. 28… where else but at Green Valley School? All three middle school volleyball teams were wearing some shade of green — and, fittingly, it was a three-way split decision.
BONUS PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF ARTICLE (click any image for slideshow mode)
The tri-match first saw Green Valley take on Valle Crucis. The Eagles took the first set from the Cougars, 25-20, but a 22-25 reversal of fortune forced a third set tiebreaker, Green Valley surviving a close, 15-12 challenge.
In the second match of the evening, Valle Crucis took care of business vs. Blowing Rock, 25-19,.25-20, but then the Rockets took a 2-1 decision against Green Valley after losing the first set, but rallying to win the next two, 21-25, 25-22, 15-12.
