By David Rogers. MORGANTON, N.C. — Although neither the Watauga men or women captured the top individual spots in the Northwestern Conference Pre-Conference cross country meet on Sept. 11, both captured the team titles.
Women’s Division
After Makenzie Jordan (North Carolina School of Math and Sciences) finished No. 1 with a blistering time of 22:03 and Ashe County’s Emory Taylor took the No. 2 spot in 23:54, Watauga came in numbers and all five scorers finished the 5,000-meter course within about a minute of each other, including No. 3 Sadie Buchanan, No. 4 Janie Beach Verhay, No. 5 Winter Shaw, No. 6 Sophie Parker, and No. 7 Lainey Johnston.
The Pioneers seemed to come in waves. Runners from NC School of Math and Science, Ashe, Hibriten and Draughn picked up the next few spots, then it was No. 14 Sophie McVoy before No. 20 Sydney Cate Townsend, No. 21 Maggie Visser, No. 22 Carrie Bradbury, No. 23 Keatyn Wuest, No. 23 Scarlett Rupp, and a 4-way tie at No. 26 with Elyse Rea, Katherine Rex, Madden Maple, and Julian Martinez-Jaime.
In total, there were 58 women competing in the race and 33 of them were Pioneers. With the top five runners from each team contributing to the team score, Watauga’s No. 3 through No. 7 placings handily won the team title, with 59 points (lowest score wins, in cross country), followed by NC School of Math and Science (97), Ashe County (145), Draughn (155), Hibriten (168) and Freedom (221).
MEN’S DIVISION
Watauga’s top finisher in the Men’s Division was Andreas Roman at No. 8, but that opened a virtual floodgate of Pioneers, including No. 9 Santino Wood, a tie at No. 10 shared by Jonah Norris and Holden Womak, No. 12 Levi Anderson, No. 13 Elliott Taft and No. 14 A.J. McAulay.
Then, after a couple more Math & Science runners, it was another wave of Pioneers in Calvin Zwetsloot, Grady Gates, Zeke Walker, Cameron Nance, Isaac James, and Hayden Walker.
All totaled, there were 53 young men competing, and 23 of them were Pioneers. Top honors went to Hibriten’s Christopher Church, followed by Everett Tucker (NC Math & Science), Tray Powell (Draughn), Jonah Griggs and Christopher Uren (Freedom) and then two more NC Math athletes, Lucas Nagel and Lucas Lyons, before the first wave of Pioneers.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Hiring from within an already successful women’s basketball team, Watauga High School announced on Sept. 11 that Bill Torgerson is the new head coach of the women’s program.
Torgerson is not new to either the Watauga program nor to basketball. Since June 2020, he served as assistant coach under former head coach Laura Barry, who earlier in the summer resigned her position at Watauga to become an assistant coach at Davidson College.
Torgerson previously served in numerous other basketball coaching capacities, including:
Peak Blue Travel Basketball Coach – Spring/Summer 2023
Parkway Middle School – Head WBB Coach – November 2019 – February 2021
Greenwood High School, Greenwood Indiana – Head WBB Coach – June 2018 – May 2019
Vance High School (Now Chambers), Charlotte NC – Assistant MBB Coach – October 2002-March 2003
Fort Wayne Carroll High School, Fort Wayne Indiana – Assistant MBB Coach – October 1999 – March 2001
North Miami High School, Denver Indiana – Head MBB Coach – August 1994 – May 1999
Togerson’s “day job” is as lecturer in the English department at Appalachian State University since the 2019-20 academic year. Prior to serving at App State, Coach Torgerson was an Associate English Professor in the Institute of Writing Studies at St. John’s University in New York City and has also taught high school and middle school English courses in the public schools of both Indiana and North Carolina.
In accepting the new basketball role, he reflected on the opportunity to use the game as a platform for growth and personal development.
“I’m thankful and excited for the opportunity to continue to build on the success that Coach Laura Barry has established during her seven years leading the Watauga program. One of the things I most admired about Coach Barry was her leadership around the idea of creating a family atmosphere among members of the program, and that she stressed the notion of having a growth mindset,” said Torgerson.
“It’s especially rewarding for me that I have worked with some of these players since they were in the fifth grade,” he added. “We are extremely fortunate to have in the women’s basketball program young women with high goals and an intense desire to be in the gym regularly. I will do all that I can to try and help support their goals and empower them in their pursuits both on and off the court.”
In announcing the hiring, Watauga athletic director Dustin Kerley reinforced the decision that Torgerson was the right person for the role.
“During Coach Torgerson’s time at WHS,” said Kerley, “he earned a great reputation as a very detail oriented and hardworking coach. We are excited for the future of our women’s basketball program and feel that Coach Torgerson can continue to keep our program competing at a very high level. He cares deeply for all of the girls in our program and is passionate about using the game of basketball as a platform to have a positive influence on young people.”
Torgerson told High Country Sports that the returning team members are already hard at work.
“The team is currently working out, splitting time between gym workouts and speed/strength training several times a week,” said Torgerson. “Our first practice also starts tryouts and this will be October 30th. The varsity team kicks off the season as they did last year, at the Providence Day Super Scrimmages in Charlotte. The team will notably play in the Charlotte Hoops Classic for their first regular season game and compete over the winter holiday break in The John Wall Tournament in Raleigh.”
Torgerson takes over a program that tied Hibriten with 8-2 records atop the Northwestern Conference in 2022-23, before losing to Charlotte Catholic in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 4A State Playoffs. Under Barry, the Pioneers rolled up an overall record of 124-55.
By David Rogers. KERNERSVILLE, N.C. — With an estimated 2,000 cross country athletes converging on the Ivey Redmon Sports Complex, Sept. 8, there was plenty of “harrier-raising” action to be had.
Women’s 5,000 Meters Championship
In the Women’s Championship class, Mt. Tabor senior Bronwyn Parks ran away with top honors (17:49.80), followed by Chandler Welsh of R.J. Reynolds and Grace Hanson of Weddington in third place. Two hundred eighty-five (285) athletes from 39 high schools competed.
Watauga’s best included sophomore Janie Beach Verhay (No. 115), and a trio of freshmen in Maggie Visser (No. 149), Lainey Johnston (No. 157), and Winter Shaw (No. 164).
Men’s 5,000 Meters Championship
Out of 297 athletes competing, Watauga’s Will Bradbury finished No. 8. The event was won by Noah Valyo of Athens Drive (15:14.70). Ardey Kell’s Raghav Gopalakrishnan was second and North Raleigh Christian Academy’s Tyler Surface was third.
Watauga senior Sam Nixon finished No. 105 while Calvin Zwetsloot, still just a sophomore, finished No. 144.
Girls Middle School 2-Mile
Cate Townsend of Watauga continued to show she is someone to contend with by finishing No. 2 in the Girls Middle School 2-Mile event. Kaitlyn Estep of Without Limits Triangle running club topped the field, while teammate Anneka Hill was No. 3.
Just over 100 girls competed in the race, which saw seven Watauga runners in the top 50, including sixth graders Kate James Moore (No. 11) and Maia Carter (No. 14). Others included Lillian Kimbrough (No. 22), Sophia Stull (No. 24), Sadie Long (No. 31), Eva Hannon (No. 33) and Noelle Bollman (No. 47).
As a team, Watauga’s boys were No. 7, the girls No. 2 among all of the teams competing, including club teams. The girls were No. 1 among middle school teams only, the boys team was No. 6 among middle school teams only.
Boys Middle School 2-Mile
Out of 119 competing athletes, Watauga 7th grader Jonah Pearson was No. 16 around the course. Parkwood Middle School eight grader Joshua Palmer was No. 1, followed by a trio of Without Limits Triangle harriers in Galvin Clewly, Nathan Vo, and Samuel Neil.
Blowing Rock School 7th grader Sean Rea was No. 18 in the field, while fellow Watauga teammate Asa Freed, a 6th grader, finished No. 66.
By David Rogers. ASHEVILLE, N.C. — There was a little bit of everything football on Sept. 8, when Watauga took on A.C. Reynolds. There was even a smattering of “big play” defense in the Pioneers’ 36-35 win over the host Rockets.
BONUS PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF ARTICLE ( click any image for slide show mode)
The first half saw the two 828 area code rivals battle toe-to-toe, the score knotted at 22-22 when the second quarter’s end invited the teams to intermission.
Watauga and AC Reynolds used different approaches in reaching identical first half point totals. The very athletic Rockets relied largely on the passing arm of senior quarterback Hayden Craig and a pair of talented receivers, sophomore WR Tyvon Patterson and senior Ty Johnson, picking up large chunks of gridrion real estate through the air.
Everett Gryder runs down the sideline after taking a lateral from Jackson Pryor with a ‘hook and ladder’ play. Photographic image by David Rogers
In countering the sheer advantage that ACR had in athleticism, the Pioneers rolled out an element of surprise with two trick plays in the first half. Early in the second quarter, after Watauga had established the run as offensive play of choice, it was a “hook and ladder” down the left side with quarterback Maddox Greene passing to senior wide receiver Jackson Pryor short, who then lateraled to the trailing running back, Everett Gryder, coming around the outside and down the sideline. The play was good for 31 yards, Gryder hauled down just short of the goal line. Two plays later, Greene hit tight end Trathan Gragg in the end zone for a touchdown and Greene ran in a 2-point conversion to give the visitors a 15-7 lead.
The other Pioneer skullduggery came in the form of a double pass, the second leg of which found Pryor cruising into the end zone.
Maddps Greene throws an impromptu TD pass after spotting Evan Burroughs in the end zone. Photographic image by David RogersEvan Burroughs is all alone in the end zone to receive Maddox Green’s impromptu pass at A C Reynolds on Sept. 8. Photographic image by David Rogers
In the second half, after a long offensive drive culminating with a 10-yard Greene run and a Jack Wilson PAT kick put Watauga ahead, 29-22, the Pioneer defense held and forced the Rockets to punt. This gave the Pioneers a chance to put the game further out of reach with another score, but instead a fumble by Gryder in front of the Rockets’ bench near midfield gave the ball back to Reynolds. It only took ACR’s Craig, Patterson, Johnson & Co. four plays to cover the 46 yards for a TD, the finishing effort a Craig-to-Johnson aerial for 30 yards. With a Rossi Santelia PAT kick, the score was back to knotted, 29-29.
The Pioneers didn’t waste any time, starting the drive on their own 28 and going the distance in just six plays. On 2nd-and-9 from the Rockets’ 36, came one of the evening’s most dramatic plays. Greene rolled left on a designed run but before he reached the line of scrimmage spotted Evan Burroughs all by himself in the end zone (see photos above).
“I was supposed to keep running outside,”said Greene of his team’s final TD of the evening, but I looked up and saw Evan. It was totally impromptu.”
A C Reynolds QB Hayden Craig passed for more than 200 yards on Sept. 8, directing the Rockets’ offense. Photographic image by David Rogers
His opportunistic decision to loft a perfect spiral into the waiting arms of his sophomore teammate, along with another successful PAT kick by Wilson, gave the Pioneers the points they needed.
But A C Reynolds did not go quietly into the night. To start the fourth quarter, Watauga stopped the Rockets, who picked up some yardage but then failed on a fourth down conversion after getting all the way to the Watauga 20.
Two penalties, a false start and an illegal motion flag, were too much for the Pioneers to overcome and they were forced to punt the ball back to ACR, deep in Pioneer territory.
As a consequence, the Rockets enjoyed good field position, starting their final drive inside of five minutes remaining from their own 42. Craig clicked off successive passes of 12, 16, and 17 yards, then with just two carries Patterson went the remaining 12 yards to make the score, 36-35.
It was decision time for the Mean Green Machine, but there was little doubt that they would go for the 2-point conversion for a probable win the way they had been moving the ball both on the ground and through the air.
Everett Gryder cuts back for a big gain vs. A C Reynolds on Sept. 8. Photographic image by David Rogers
Interviewed after the game, Watauga’s Evan Burroughs told High Country Sports, “I was on the field, on defense, for that 2-point conversion attempt. During the timeout, Trathan Gragg came running up all excited and said, ‘I know what play they will run! I know what play they will run!’ I’ll be darned if he wasn’t right and he closed that gap to tackle the running back behind the line of scrimmage.”
Gragg followed up by saying, “They had run that play with success the whole night. During the timeout I spoke with our assistant coach and told him what I thought and he said, ‘Go for it!’ I guess you would call it instinct.”
It was obvious that Watauga was milking the clock on the Pioneers’ final possession, Greene waiting until less than four seconds remaining on the play clock before snapping the ball. But on 4th-and-5, just across midfield with still two minutes remaining, the Pioneers needed a first down. Get it and ice the game. Fail, and give the high-powered Rockets’ offense one last shot at carving out a win.
Greene got the first down with a couple of yards to spare, passing the ball to his “Mr. Reliable” wide receiver, Pryor, for a gain of eight yards. With no more timeouts, the Rockets could not stop the clock as the Pioneers went into victory formation.
Maddox Greene (4) spots Jackson Pryor (8) — and it is Watauga’s hook and ladder play with Everett Gryder (44) coming around to take a lateral from Pryor. downfield. Photographic image by David Rogers
Known as much for his running the option ground game, Greene passed on this night for 221 yards and four TDs, completing 12-of-13 passes. He also carried the ball eight times for 40 yards, including a TD.
Burroughs caught four passes for 74 yards and two TDs, while Gryder carried the ball 21 times for 130 yards.
Pryor caught five passes for 90 yards and one TD, the langest pass his game-opening 31-yarder. Including an acrobatic run around the left side, wingback Morgan Henry caught one pass for 37 yards and carried the ball four times for 18 yards. Gragg caught just two passes for 25 yards, but one of those was the 15-yard TD aerial in the first half.
For the Rockets, Craig completed 17-of-20 passes for 219 yards and a TD, plus a rushing touchdown. Wide receiver Ty Johnson caught six passes for 107 yards and two TDs. Running back Patterson ran 19 times, rolling up 78 yards and accounted for two TDs.
SOUND BITES
Watauga hea coach Ryan Habich
“We lost a lot of seniors from last year so we have a lot of young kids this year. But we have a good bunch of seniors this year who are leading by example in Jackson Pryor, Morgan Henry, Eli Greene… and they are developing into vocal leaders, too. Plus we have a bunch of younger players who are making big time plays.”
“We challenged our guys to be the champions of the 828 area code. Reynolds has been the ‘Alabama’ of this area code for a number of years. They have been a dynasty in this area. Few teams wanted to play them. We knew going in that we would be big underdogs to A C Reynolds, but I challenged the guys to make it a fourth quarter game and we could win. And they did that.”
Regarding defense: “That was a very good team that we faced. They are very athletic and they have a lot of quality depth (at every position). A lot of our guys are going both ways, so by the second half we were getting a bit tired while they were (platooning different guys on offense and defense). Again, they are very athletic and that hurts us on the edge. We made stops when we could.”
“It seemed like every time we did an onside kick we were able to stop them, but if we kicked off deep they would end up scoring.”
“We have to roll the dice a little bit when we play big time teams like this. We have to find a way to win.”
“If we can get into the fourth quarter and still in it, I feel we have a chance to win the game because that is the kind of character we have in our players.”
“I told our kids after the coin toss that we were going to play to win, that we were going to onside kick the first kickoff. We were not going to play close. We were going to play to win. They did a great job. This was a big time win for us.”
On the last fourth down conversion: “Pick the first down up and win the game. We are an aggressive football team. We are not going to punt the ball and let them return it or have one or more large runs. We tried to draw them offsides, but ultimately we had a lot of confidence in our quarterback and wide receiver. I told Maddox and Pryor, ‘Big time players make big time plays in big time games.’”
Watauga now improves to 4-0 on the still young season, with one more non-conference road game at North Davidson (Sept. 15) ahead of a bye week before opening conference play on Sept. 29 vs. South Caldwell.
BONUS PHOTOS
Watauga wingback/tight end Morgan Henry hurdles a would-be tackler on Sept. 8 during the Pioneers’ 36-35 thriller win at A C Reynolds. Photographic image by David Rogers
By Zach Smith. ASHEVILLE, N.C. – For the first time in seven years, Watauga traveled to Asheville to face off against A.C. Reynolds. Here are notes and play-by-play from the press box. Without question, the Pioneers and Rockets combined for a thrilling Friday night under the lights.
Pregame Notes
On the road, Watauga (3-0) to play A.C Reynolds (1-2)
Watauga has won 2 of 3 games this season by 3+ scores.
A.C. Reynolds has not played in a game decided by more than 7 points this season and has a point differential of 0.
This is the teams’ first meeting since 2016, when Watauga fell to A.C. Reynolds @ home 45-43
Watauga Team Leaders
QB/DB #4 Maddox Greene (Jr)
TE/LB #9 Jackson Pryor (Sr)
RB #44 Everett Gryder (So)
LB #6 Trathan Gragg (Jr)
WB/LB #14 Morgan Henry (Sr)
A.C. Reynolds Team Leaders
QB #8 Hayden Craig (Sr)
WR/DB #12 Tyvon Patterson (So)
WR/DB #11 Ty Johnson (Sr)
LB #36 Lincoln Rogers (Jr)
DB #14 Austin Worrell (Sr)
PLAY BY PLAY
1st Quarter
ACR wins coin toss, elects to receive
Watauga attempts onside kick, ACR ball on their own 46
Tyvon Patterson carries up the middle for 1 yard
Hayden Craig pass complete right to Wesley Rumbough for 13 yards
Holding against ACR, 1st and 20 on the 50
Patterson carries up the middle for 3 yards
Patterson carries right for 1 yard
Craig complete right to Kenyon Swimmer for 3 yards
ACR punts, ball downed at Watauga 6
Watauga ball on their own 6
Everett Gryder carries up the middle for 10 yards
Gryder carries up the middle for 3 yards
Maddox Greene carries up the middle for 7 yards
Gryder carries left for 10 yards
Morgan Henry carries left for 5 yards
Gryder carries up the middle for 2 yards
Greene carries up the middle for 3 yards
Greene carries up the middle for 5 yards
Gryder carries right for 24 yards
Greene tackled for 2 yard loss
TOUCHDOWN WATAUGA
#4 Maddox Greene 22-yard pass (1) to #9 Jackson Pryor (1)
#41 Jack Wilson PAT is good
Watauga 7 A.C. Reynolds 0
Facemask against Watauga, ACR ball on their own 48
Craig pass complete right to Swimmer for 12 yards
Craig pass complete over the middle to Ty Johnson for 30 yards
Craig scrambles left for 8 yards
TOUCHDOWN A.C. REYNOLDS
#12 Tyvon Patterson 2-yard rush (1)
#84 Rossi Santelia PAT is good
Watauga 7 A.C. Reynolds 7
Watauga ball on their own 25
Gryder carries up the middle for 1 yard
End of 1st Quarter
Watauga ball, 2nd and 9 on their own 26
Gryder carries up the middle for 9 yards
Greene complete right to Pryor for 12 yards
Gryder carries up the middle for 6 yards
Gryder carries up the middle for 6 yards
Greene complete left to Pryor, Pryor laterals to Gryder for 31 yards
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.
By David Rogers. MAIDEN, N.C. — When a talented NCHSAA 4A-level football team like Watauga meets a perennial 2A state powerhouse, i.e. Maiden, it is a good bet that some spectacular action is in the offing. The teams’ Sept. 1 non-conference game matched those expectations, even if a bit lopsided by the end in the visiting Pioneers’ favor, 47-21.
BONUS PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF ARTICLE
For Watauga, junior quarterback Maddox Greene enjoyed a big night at the expense of the Blue Devils, carrying the ball nine times for 62 yards and two TDs. His greatest impact, however, may well have been completing seven of eight passes for 168 yards, including two TDs vs. one second half interception. One of several Pioneer athletes playing both ways, as a defensive back Greene also picked off a Maiden pass in the second half and recorded a 33 yard INT return, as well as making several key tackles and pass breakups.
Watauga’s student section went on the road, too, and was out in force at Maiden on Sept. 1. Photographic image by David Rogers
On the receiving end of Greene’s aerials, senior wide receiver Jackson Pryor also enjoyed a big night with four catches for 98 yards and two TDs, the first a 28-yard catch, wrestle-free and outrun all defenders for the game’s first score, on the Pioneers’ opening possession. Another special athlete playing both ways, from his outside linebacker position Pryor nade frequent appearances in the Maiden backfield and plugging up gaps in the line of scrimmage, including being credited for a forced fumble.
Sophomore B-back Everett Gryder is establishing himself as just the latest in a successive line of running backs groomed by head coach Ryan Habich and his staff. Gryder carried the ball 23 times as the workhorse running back in Habich’s run-oriented scheme, gaining 115 yards and pushing the ball across the goal line for two TDs.
Morgan Henry (14) was influential on both sides of the ball, Sept. 1 at Maiden, disrupting pass plays, applying pressure on defense and catching passes or running the ball on offense. Photographic image by David Rogers
One of the defensive highlights of the Pioneers’ evening of work came in the second half when linebacker Carson Gunnell-Beck scooped up an errant Maiden lateral and ran the fumble recovery back 43 yards for a touchdown. His “scoop and score” extended the Pioneers’ advantage to 40-14, all but putting the game out of reach for the Blue Devils.
Prominent in the Pioneers’ defensive effort were senior wingback/linebacker Morgan Henry, as well as sophomore Brady Lindenmuth, playing on both the offensive and defensive lines.
STANDING TALL: Watauga linebacker Luke Edmisten (8) makes Maiden QB Josh Stover’s life miserable on Sept. 1, in the Pioneers’ 47-21 win. Photographic image by David Rogers
In the losing effort, Maiden QB Josh Stover completed 16 of 30 passes for 164 yards and one TD vs. one interception. Receiver Will Stover had four pass receptions for 21 yards, while running back Kendall Roberts carried the ball 13 times for 27 yards and two TDs vs. one fumble. He also had four receptions for 29 yards.
After the game, a smiling Watauga head coach Ryan Habich disclosed that the 2021 Watauga Democrat article (penned by David Rogers), “Maiden manhandles Watauga, 47-0″ was plastered all over the Pioneer locker room as a motivational ploy, reminding his Pioneers what they had to be ready for.”
Given the 2023 result, it was a ploy that worked.
“We made 80 copies of it,” said Habich, before settling into his thoughts on the 2023 edition of the rivalry.
Maddox Greene nears the sideline after a 30+ yard interception return against Maiden on Sept. 1. Photographic image by David Rogers
“Tonight, we played a really good first half and we won the ‘middle eight.’ the last four minutes of the first half and the first four minutes of the second half,” said Habich. “We played really sloppy in the second half, missing assignments on defense and giving up some big plays. In a game like this you can’t turn the ball over on offense and we had two turnovers.”
Habich suggested that conditioning might have been a factor, too.
“I wouldn’t say we are out of shape, but we have several guys going both ways,” said Habich, now in his 11th season as the Pioneers’ head coach. “We have to find some roster depth as well as get those guys to take care of themselves with Monday through Thursday hydration so we aren’t cramping up as much on Friday. We had too many cramps tonight. I didn’t think it was hot, but coming off the mountain 75-degrees is hot for our kids. On the flip side, we have to find ways to create more depth (at certain positions).”
OTHER HABICH COMMENTS
Of Gunnell-Beck’s “scoop and score” to open the second half: “Any time a defensive lineman scores a touchdown, that is huge. And that was really heads up play. Any time an offense throws those swing passes or laterals, there is the potential for the ball to be mishandled, fumbled. So that scoop and score speaks well of our defensive coaches for (teaching the players about those opportunities).”
Of Maddox Greene’s pass that was intercepted in the second half: “We wanted to take a shot. Maddox has to do a better job and he took ownership (of the mistake) like a good player is going to do. He should have thrown the out route and didn’t see the safety. It was a poor read, but he is going to learn from that. You know, sometimes we want to keep our foot on the gas pedal. With the turnover, we wanted to take a shot. But when you take that shot, you don’t want to turn the ball over… We have to do a better job of ball security as we get to A C Reynolds and then Northwestern Conference play.”
Of guys who might want to play at the next level: “One thing that we want to do is help the guys who might want to play at the next level. Someone like Maddox, for instance, has the potential to play in college as a defensive back, so our matching him up against Maiden’s really dynamic wide receiver provides good film for Maddox on that matchup. We want to put players in positions to show what they can do for college scouts. Jackson Pryor is going to college to play tight end, but he also has the potential at linebacker.”
On creating roster depth: “It has to be quality depth. When you put a guy in, he has to know his job and execute his job. That may be where we are lacking right now in having that quality depth.”
Next up for the Pioneers is the second of three consecutive road games. They travel to Asheville to face perennial 4A contender A C Reynolds (1-2), with a big win over Shelby (29-21) sandwiched between narrow losses to Winston-Salem area schools, West Forsyth (7-8 on Aug. 8) and East Forsyth (21-27 on Sept. 1).
In the third game of the road series, on Sept. 15 Watauga will travel to Lexington to battle North Davidson in a final tune-up before starting Northwestern Conference play at home against South Caldwell on Sept. 29.
SCORING SUMMARY
First Quarter
WAT – Jackson Pryor, 28-yard pass from Maddox Greene (PAT kick by Jack Wilson)
MAD – Kendall Roberts, 1-yard run (PAT kick by Davis Higgins)
WAT – Maddox Greene, 5-yard run (PAT kick failed)
Q1 Score: Watauga 13, Maiden 7
Second Quarter
WAT – Maddox Greene, 18-yard run (PAT kick by Jack Wilson)
WAT – Everett Gryder, 3-yard run (PAT kick by Jack Wilson)
MAD – Hampton Reid, 10-yard pass from Josh Stover (PAT kick by Davis Higgins)
WAT – Jackson Pryor, 29-yard pass from Maddox Greene (PAT kick by Jack Wilson)
HALFTIME SCORE: Watauga 34, Maiden 14
Third Quarter
WAT – Carson Gunnell-Beck, 45-yard fumble return (PAT kick failed)
MAD – Kendall Roberts, 6-yard run (PAT kick by Davis Higgins)
WAT – Everett Gryder, 2-yard run (PAT kick by Jack Wilson)
Watauga’s student section went on the road, too, and was out in force at Maiden on Sept. 1. Photographic image by David RogersMorgan Henry (14) was influential on both sides of the ball, Sept. 1 at Maiden, disrupting pass plays, applying pressure on defense and catching passes or running the ball on offense. Photographic image by David Rogers
Watauga’s Jackson Pryor soared into the Maiden end zone on Sept. 1, after a 28-yard catch, wrestle-free and run for TD on the Pioneers’ opening possession. Photographic image by David Rogers
By Zach Smith. MAIDEN, N.C. — The Maiden-hosted gridiron tilt vs. Watauga provided plenty of thrills and spills for home team and visitors alike. Here are some notes and play-by-play of this exciting high school football game.
Pregame Notes
Watauga (2-0) takes on Maiden (1-0) on the road
Watauga defeated Avery County on Aug. 25, 55-6
Maiden defeated Foard on Aug. 18, 48-6
Watauga defeated Maiden in 2022 meeting, 23-19
Watauga Team Leaders
QB #4 Maddox Greene
RB #44 Everett Gryder
TE/LB #9 Jackson Pryor
LB #6 Trathan Gragg
WB/LB #14 Morgan Henry
Maiden Team Leaders
QB #4 Josh Stover
RB/LB #6 Kendall Roberts
WR/LB #2 Raheim Misher
LB/TE #20 Davin Williams
PLAY BY PLAY
1st Quarter
Watauga wins coin toss, elects to receive
Kick out of bounds, Watauga ball at their own 35
Everett Gryder carries up the middle for 2 yards
Gryder carries up the middle for 3 yards
Personal foul against Maiden, ball at Maiden 45
Evan Burroughs carries right for 1 yard
Gryder carries up the middle for 16 yards
TOUCHDOWN WATAUGA
#4 Maddox Greene 28-yard pass (1) to #9 Jackson Pryor (1)
#41 Jack Wilson PAT is good
Watauga 7 Maiden 0
Maiden ball at Watauga 40
Josh Stover carries up the middle for 3 yards
J. Stover pressured out of pocket, throws ball away
J. Stover complete left to Will Stover for 9 yards
J. Stover carries up the middle for 5 yards
J. Stover incomplete deep
Greene with the pass defense
J. Stover pass complete left to W. Stover for 11 yards
Kendall Roberts carries up the middle for 2 yards
Roberts carries right for 9 yards
TOUCHDOWN MAIDEN
#6 Kendall Roberts 1-yard rush (1)
#30 Davis Higgins PAT is good
Watauga 7 Maiden 7
Watauga ball at their own 35
Greene carries up the middle for 12 yards
Gryder carries up the middle for 2 yards
Greene carries up the middle for 3 yards
Morgan Henry carries right for 7 yards
Greene complete left to Pryor for 29 yards
Illegal substitution against Maiden, ball on maiden 7
Greene carries up the middle for 2 yards
TOUCHDOWN WATAUGA
#4 Maddox Greene 5-yard rush (1)
#41 Jack Wilson PAT is no good
Watauga 13 Maiden 7
Maiden ball at their own 40
Roberts tackled for 1-yard loss
Henry earns TFL
J. Stover fumbles, recovered by Maiden for 8-yard loss
J. Stover incomplete deep
Maiden punts
Illegal shift against Maiden, penalty is declined
Watauga ball at their own 37
Gryder carries up the middle for 7 yards
Gryder carries up the middle for 5 yards
Greene complete right to Evan Burroughs for 11 yards
Gryder carries up the middle for 5 yards
Burroughs carries right for 4 yards
Greene carries up the middle for 11 yards
Gryder carries up the middle for 2 yards
End of 1st Quarter
Watauga ball, 2nd and 8 on Maiden 18
TOUCHDOWN WATAUGA
Late flag, unsportsmanlike against Watauga will be assessed on kickoff
#4 Maddox Greene 18-yard rush (2)
#41 Jack Wilson PAT is good
Watauga 20 Maiden 7
Watauga to kickoff from their own 25
Maiden ball at their own 48
J. Stover complete left to Roberts for 1 yard
J. Stover complete right to Raheim Misher for 10 yards
Pryor forces fumble, Greene recovers
Watauga ball at their own 36
Gryder carries right for 4 yards
Greene carries up the middle for 5 yards
Gryder carries up the middle for 10 yards
Gryder carries up the middle for 4 yards
Greene pass complete deep right to Burroughs for 37 yards
TOUCHDOWN WATAUGA
#44 Everett Gryder 3-yard rush (1)
#41 Jack Wilson PAT is good
Watauga 27 Maiden 7
Maiden ball at their own 36
Roberts carries left, fumble recovered by Maiden
Facemask against Watauga, ball at the 50
Jacob Sifford carries right for 1 yard
Luke Edmisten on the tackle
Roberts tackled for 1-yard loss
J. Stover incomplete deep
Pass interference against Watauga, ball on Watauga 35
By Zach Smith. MAIDEN, N.C. — The last time Watauga visited Maiden, the Blue Devils won handily in a 47-0 shutout. This time, the Pioneers, led by star two-way players in junior Maddox Greene and senior Jackson Pryor, looked to flip the script.
Watauga entered Friday night’s contest on a 2-0 run featuring a tight, one-point victory over T.C. Roberson on Aug. 18 and a much more dominant showing against Avery County a week ago (Aug. 25). Maiden also entered the much anticipated matchup undefeated, winning convincingly against Foard before resting during their Week 2 bye.
The Pioneers wasted no time scoring, taking just five plays en route to the opening touchdown via a 28-yard connection from Greene to Pryor. Maiden quickly responded with a score of their own before Watauga posted three unanswered touchdowns. The Pioneers never relinquished their lead again, powering past Maiden in a crucial non-conference win.
Greene placed himself all over the stat sheet, throwing for nearly 170 yards while tacking on more than 60 rushing. For good measure, the multi-sport athlete added an interception and a fumble recovery on defense.
Pryor’s performance sparkled, too, hauling in four passes for 98 yards and two scores, as well as a forced fumble that was recovered by Greene.
Watauga head coach Ryan Habich spoke on how the staff manages their players who play on both sides of the ball.
“I think as they play more right now, they get in better shape,” Habich said. “But we do have to find ways to have more depth.”
Habich also mentioned how important it is for players like Greene to play both ways, both for the team and for the individual athletes.
“Maddox [Greene] has the potential to play in college as a defensive back,” said Habich. “They had a really dynamic wide receiver… that’s really good film for Maddox. I think it’s a win-win for him as a player-athlete, that you want to put him in positions where he can show what he can do for college scouts.”
The Pioneers remain undefeated, notching their third victory as they continue their road trip over the next two weeks. Watauga travels to Asheville next week to face off against A.C. Reynolds at 7:30p.m. Friday. The game, along with all other matchups for the season, can be streamed on the NFHS Network with a subscription.
By David Rogers. NEWTON, N.C. — For an early season non-conference test, a four-set thriller was just what Foard head coach Meredith Lombardi and Watauga head coach Kim Pryor wanted, whoever won. Mission accomplished on Aug. 31 with the Pioneers pulling off the win, 3-1 (28-26, 20-25, 25-18. 25-17).
BONUS PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF ARTICLE
Given the intensity of the first two sets, which the two longtime friendly adversaries split, many in the well-populated grandstands thought that surely the match would go the distance, to five sets. The long, extended rallies throughout the evening featured powerful kill shots, stunning digs and dramatic saves to keep the ball in play only underlining the skillful, evenly-matched play of the rivalry.
Photographic image by David Rogers
The first set did not start out so promising for the visiting Pioneers, who dug themselves a proverbial hole at the start, with a six-point deficit. Pryor noted afterwards, “Resilience has been a mainstay of this team from the beginning.”
The Pioneers used that resilience to take the lead at 8-7 but could never quite gain separation from the Tigers. The lead changed hands several times, even though one or the other side jumped out to three- and four-point advantages. When Foard tied Watauga at 24-24, everyone in the building knew that first set was going to overtime — the Pioneers eventually prevailing, 28-26.
Sara Marlowe (10) watches Brooklyn Stanbery (12) keep the ball in play with a dig on Aug. 31 at Foard High School. Photographic image by David Rogers
Curiously, after Watauga had so valiantly rallied and persevered to win the first set, the Pioneers stumbled in the second set — and the Tigers got their well-polished “mojo” back, even featuring some forceful kill shots by senior outside hitter Taylor Ramseur. Although Watauga rallied back to close the deficit late in the set, Foard seemed very much in control throughout and won, 25-20.
The third and fourth sets saw Foard beginning to tire and the Pioneers relentless in keeping up the pressure. Even so, some of the best and longest rallies of the evening were to be had, the scrappy Tigers refusing to go quietly into the night without a fight.
.Birthday Girl’ Madi Combs (4) wets the ball for an outside hitter on Aug. 31 vs. Fred T. Foard. Photographic image by David Rogers
Foard’s head mentor, Lombardi spoke to the history of this rivalry after the final whistle had blown.
“I always look forward to these teams playing each other. Foard vs. Watauga is always going to be a solid match,” said Lombardi. “It is a great competition for us to get ready for our conference play and, hopefully, in the state playoffs. Watauga is always ready. Tonight, we expected Watauga to be big and they were. They were quick and they were big.
“Watauga’s defense is very hard to score on,” Lombardi added. “Their libero (Evie Robbins)… was all over the floor to keep the ball in play. And their setters did a great job of setting up their hitters.”
Watauga libero Evie Robbins collects a dig during the Pioneers’ 3-1 win over Foard on Aug. 31. Photographic image by David Rogers
Not surprisingly, Watauga’s Pryor had post-game comments that mirrored her Foard counterpart’s.
“Foard is always really, really scrappy and is really good on defense. No matter what we brought, we knew we would have to be ready because they would have an equal amount of digs and great plays on that side of the net,” said Pryor. “We started slow, but over and over again this team has been resilient. No matter what, they know they are in this game.”
Kasey Gragg (15) gets in a dig on Aug. 31 during Watauga’s 4-set win over host Foard. Photographic image by David Rogers
It was senior designator setter Madi Combs’ birthday on Aug. 31, so this win was particularly special for her.
“Coming in, we knew Foard was a really scrappy team and that we would have to be just as scrappy to keep the ball from hitting the floor,” said Combs just before revealing that she had special motivation because it was her birthday. “I knew I had to set our outside hitters because they are really strong. In particular, our senior, Brooklyn Stanbery is really smart with the ball and hits around many of the blocks.”
Stanbery noted that her team’s energy was a difference maker in jumpstarting their early comeback rally.
“The thing about our team is our energy goes a long way,” said Stanbery. “What I mean by that is if we are not talking or hearing, then we just won’t play good. We have to cheer each other on, support each other. I know that sounds simple, but it makes a difference.”
The Pioneers have two more non-conference games before starting their Northwestern Conference slate on Sept. 13 at home vs. South Caldwell. On Sept. 5, the host Cuthbertson at Lentz Eggers Gym in a rematch after last week’s 3-0 sweep of the Cavaliers in Waxhaw. A day later (Sept. 6), Watauga goes on the road for another early season rematch, at Hickory, whom the Pioneers fought in a 5-set thriller on Aug. 22, before winning, 3-2.
