By David Rogers. SUGAR MOUNTAIN, N.C. — Oliver Lewis and Justice Hendley shared No. 1 medalist honors on Sept. 25 at Sugar Mountain Golf Club, leading Watauga middle school to a dominating team win against five other schools.
By David Rogers. BETHEL, N.C. — After opening an 11-1 lead in the first set vs. Cove Creek, Blowing Rock’s volleyball team couldn’t hold on to it, losing the first set, 20-25. The Rockets exacted a measure of revenge in winning the second set, 25-20, but could not survive the third and deciding set, 7-15.
Cove Creek proved to be the big winners in the tri-match vs. the Rockets and the Bethel Beavers. The Raiders rallied for an overtime win against the host Bethel squad, 28-25, before putting an exclamation point on the encounter with a dominating, 25-10 second set victory.
Blowing Rock got the best of Bethel in the opening set of the night’s last match, 25-17, but lost a tight second set, 23-25, as well as the deciding third set, 12-15.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — After getting thumped by East Alexander Middle School a week earlier, the Watauga Wolverines returned to the High Country and get back to basics, to work on a few things. After running by, through and around Hudson Middle School on Sept. 20, with a 46-8 win, you might say, “Mission accomplished.”
The Wolverines received arguably the highest compliment while gathering for a team picture after the game, in the east end zone of the Hardin Park School football field. The departing Hudson team bus was going by when one of their players leaned out the window and yelled, “Nice job, Watauga!”
To be sure, the Wolverines won the day in grand style on both sides of the ball. Long rushes for TDs by multiple players, as well “scoop and scoot” fumble recoveries and returns for TDs. Scoring 33 points in just the first quarter and adding seven more before halftime, head coach Michael Neff and his staff were able to give a lot of players time on the field.
“When we played East Alexander, they were a good team but I don’t think we gave them our best football,” said Neff, before adding, “So we came back and worked on a lot of things. We showed a lot of improvement today. Our guys played hard.”
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By David Rogers. JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. — For the third year in a row, Watauga middle schooler Cali Townsend captured the Fender’s Farm Cross Country Carnival title in the Middle School Girls Division.
As a 6th grader in 2021, Townsend ran the 2-mile event in 12:36.20. In 2022, she improved on the earlier time, navigating the 2-mile distance in 12:35. 10. On Sept. 16, as an 8th grader, she covered the distance in 12:55.10, well ahead of Liberty Bell Middle School 8th grader, Avery Whitson (13:03.80).
With 271 athletes competing, representing 29 school teams, with all five scoring runners finishing in the top 11. In addition to Townsend’s No. 1 finish was Sophia Stull at No. 5, Ayla Tunstill at No. 8, Kate James Moore at No. 9, and Lillian Kimbrough at No. 11.
Other Watauga runners finished well, too, including Eva Hannon at No. 21, Noelle Bollman at No. 34, Grace Scantlin at No. 35, Merritt Powell at No. 49, Addie Greer at No. 58, Gianna Casco at No. 59, Ella Goodman-Meade at No. 61, Savannah Moretz at No. 66, Lelila McTier at No. 77, Xitlali Luna at No. 99, Lillian Olson at No. 100, and Bianca Casco at No. 101.
“To have so many of our athletes finish in or near the top third of their middle school peers is exciting,” said Watauga head coach Scott Townsend. “When you think that Bianca Casco, Ella Goodman-Meade, Addie Greer, and Kate James Moore are all in the 6th grade and six others are still in the 7th grade… well, it speaks well for the future of our program, as well as the high school program further out in their running careers.”
The 2023 team championship in the Fender’s Farm XC Festival is also a 3-peat, noted Townsend and the times keep getting better.
“The entire girls team ran under a 10-minute mile pace this year, again,” said Townsend, emphasizing the AGAIN. “Our biggest gains came among the girls running in the eight to nine minutes per mile pace range. That shows these girls are working, and working hard to improve every week.”
With less than half of the Watauga middle school boys team competing in the Fender’s Farm race, the team still finished No. 16 out o 27 middle school teams taking part.
With 284 boys cross country athletes competing at Fender’s Farm, Blowing Rock School 7th grader Sean Rea placed No. 15 to lead Watauga. The next Watauga boys to cross the line was Yates Hodges (6th grade, No. 118), Cole Gray (8th grade, No. 122), Olin Coley (6th grade, No. 156), Charlie Huggins (7th grade, No. 196) and Collin Troisi (7th grade, No. 265).
A quartet of 8th graders topped the boys division field, led by Dylan Robinson of Providence Academy, then Nathan Stevens of Lamar MS, Curtis Todd of Unicoi County MS, and Brayden Brown of Rogersville City School.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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. BOONE, N.C. — At the outset of Wednesday’s middle school football game, visiting West Alexander seemed to have control. Receiving the ball on the kickoff, the Bulldogs orchestrated an opening drive that consumed the entire first quarter — and kept the Watauga Wolverines’ offense off the field.
Eventually, Watauga held and the ball was turned over to the Wolverines on downs, but the stage had been set for an afternoon battle.
Taking their first possession inside the defending red zone, the potent Wolverines offense ground out roughly an 88 yard scoring drive, culminating with a 20-yard scamper to the end zone by Coy Greer. The 2-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the score at 6-0.
Had the Watauga defense not stiffened in the second half and the hosts continuing to get good offensive production in the second half, the missed conversion could have been a significant, deciding factor in the outcome. That’s because West Alexander returned the ensuing kickoff 70 yards for a special teams TD. The Bulldogs’ 2-point conversion was successful, putting the visitors ahead, 8-6. with under two minutes remaining in the half.
Wolverines head coach Michael Neff said after the game that when they got the ball back with under two minutes remaining, “We were trying to go fast and ended up with Coy Greer scoring the go-ahead TD from 25 yards out and, when he did, there were only 10 seconds left on the clock.”
Greer added to the cushion by rushing for the 2-point conversion, allowing Watauga to take 14-8 lead going into intermission.
Having won the opening coin toss and deferring, Watauga received the kickoff to open the second half and didn’t waste any time in putting the ball back into the end zone.
“We put another drive together with a mix of runs from Coy Greer, Chauncey Garvin, Brayson Gough and Chase Watts,” said Neff. “We had a long run from Garvin to put us within two yards and ran a QB sneak to punch it in with Chase Watts. Unfortunately, our 2-point conversion attempt failed.”
That left the score, 20-8, still early in the second half. West Alexander was driving down the field on their next possession but the Watauga defense stiffened and the Bulldogs turned the ball over on downs inside the Wolverine 5-yard line.
“We were able to put another drive together trying to kill some clock time in the fourth quarter,” said Neff. “Our last score came on an outside toss to Coy Greer that went for about 60 yards. He broke one tackle and outran the rest of the defense up the right side. We got the 2-point conversion on a sweep with Brayson Gough rushing it in.”
Traditionally, the middle school teams play a “5th Quarter,” allowing many of the reserves not seeing action in the primary game a chance to get some playing experience.
“In the 5th quarter, we saw Dalton Mundy recover a loose ball on defense and Michael Morgan scored a touchdown on offense,” Neff summarized. 
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — For an early season middle school football game, the Watauga Wolverines were not just talented, but well-prepared and disciplined in running over their Ashe County counterparts, 44-0, on Aug. 29 at Jack Groce Stadium.
Featuring a run-oriented offense that somewhat mirrors the Pioneers’ high school team, the Wolverines got after the Huskies early and often. When the Huskies weren’t suffering from mental mistakes (AKA penalties such as false starts and offsides), they shot themselves in the proverbial foot with drive-killing fumbles, some lost as turnovers.
Watauga wingback Coy Greer carried the ball six times for 130 yards, 3 touchdowns, and a 2-point conversion. After the game, he deflected any praise, crediting his offensive linemen for creating the gaps and their blocking.
The Wolverines also saw rushing TDs from Garvin Chauncey (3 carries, 54 yards, 1 TD), quarterback Chase Watts (5 carries, 24 yards, 1 TD, 1-1 passing for -1 yard), and Michael Morgan (4 carries, 27 yards, 1 TD). Also out of the Wolverine backfield, Luke Everett tallied a 2-point conversion with a sweep around the left side.
“I went a little too far outside,” said Everett later in recalling the designed play, “then saw the gap open inside and cut back in. If I had continued going outside, I probably wouldn’t have made it across the goal line.”
What Watauga accomplished on offense, they also did on defense. John Wilson Mills of Blowing Rock was arguably the star of the Wolverines’ defensive show on this day, flying around the field with a mission of stopping Ashe County dead in its tracks, even on special teams. The authority with which he med the Husky playmakers resonated throughout the packed grandstands.
Watauga middle school cheerleader coach Alex Vines recalled of a Mills “pancake” tackle in the first half, “One of my girls wasn’t looking a the field and heard the smack of body hitting body. She said, ‘What was THAT?’ I replied, ‘That was a John Wilson Mills hit.’”
Mills wasn’t alone. Watts was playing both ways and also was main contributor on defense, individually, while the defensive line kept consistent pressure on the Husky quarterback, Kaedon Cook.
Offensively, Husky running back Haylon Cox carried the ball seven times for 18 yards, while Cook was limited to just one yard on five carries. He was 0-3 passing, with one interception — by John Wilson Mills.
“I was excited,” said Wolverine head coach Michael Neff. “On Saturday we got to scrimmage against Chestnut Grove Middle School in Stokes County. Based on what we saw, we knew our defense was going to be tough and we felt our offense was going to be able to score some points. We have been excited for the last 72 hours to see what we could do against an official opponent, not just in a scrimmage. Our kids definitely came to play. Football is about running, blocking and tackling, and we did all of that in all phases.”
Neff singled out John Wilson Mills as one of the Watauga players who is making a difference.
“Mills is a player. He flies around, getting after it and making plays. He truly loves the game of football and we have a number of guys on the team that feel the same way.”
While dominant, the Wolverines’ performance was far from perfect.
“I know it seemed as if everything was going right,” said Neff, “but we missed some blocks. We missed some tackles. We will start working again tomorrow and correct some things, getting ready for West Alexander next week because they are going to be tough.”
The Wolverines meet West Alexander on Sept. 6, with kickoff at Jack Groce Stadium scheduled for 5 p.m. They play at East Alexander a week later.
By David Rogers. BRISTOL, Tenn. — With almost half of the top 15 girls competing in the 2023 Run for the Hills middle school girls cross country race wearing Pioneer colors, including four in the Top 10, Watauga ran away with the team title on Aug. 26.
TEAM SCORES
“What can you say about our girls except they are terrific competitors?” said Watauga Middle School cross country head coach Scott Townsend. “We won this meet as a team for the third year in a row, with a first place score of 19 points (15 points is perfect). Moreover, our entire girls team finished ahead of 99 other athletes. Out of 299 runners in the race, placing all of our top scoring five in the top 12 is pretty remarkable.”
Townsend also noted that his daughter, Cali Townsend, set an all grades course record by three seconds, a record previously set by current University of North Carolina runner Sasha Neglia. He also reported that Watauga 6th grader Kate James Moore now holds the course record previous held by… Cali Townsend… beating the former mark by 10 seconds.
On any other day, a Sean Rea’s No. 34 finish in the Run for the Hills middle school boys cross country race might go unnoticed. But considering the Blowing Rock 7th grader was No. 34 out of 300 runners in the race and on an unfamiliar course, Rea’s finish is noteworthy.
And although he beat the Watauga Middle School team record, Rea wasn’t even the best Watauga runner to finish the race. That honor goes to fellow 7th grader Jonah Pearson, who finished No. 15.
As a team, Watauga finshed No. 9 out of 21 teams.
“Our kids came out like prizefighters today, looking to cause some serious hurt!” said Townsend after the race. “Our boys are growing and getting better each week. The difference in scoring positions for the No. 1 boy runner and the No. 5 has been cut in half. Every single one of our boys improved on their mile pace from last week.”
By David Rogers BOONE, N.C. — Against a total of seven middle school cross country teams, Parkway 8th grader Cali Townsend blew away the field of 56 student athletes to capture the middle school girls division of the Watauga-hosted “Clash of the Classes” on Aug. 19.
It could easily have been called a harrier festival at the Don Kennedy Trails venue with 36 schools and more than 1,000 runners competing in 10 classes, each defined by gender and academic level.
While Townsend topped the field with a time of 12:34, Claire Zimmerman, an 8th grade student representing Lakeshore Middle School (Lake Norman), was a distant second for the two-mile course, crossing the finish line just under 13 minutes, in 12:59). Arvella Nave, of T A Dugger Junior High School, was third in 13:25.
With 23 runners in the field of 56, Watauga had the largest contingent and had eight athletes among the 15 medal winners in the middle school girls division.
Seventh grader Sean Rea was the top Watauga entrant in the middle school boys division, securing a top 10 position in ninth place, with a time of 13:20. Eighth grader Dylan Robinson of Providence Academy took the title in 11:38, followed by two unattached athletes, Obie Greene (12:36) and Lance Dingman (12:46). Watauga 7th grader Jonah Pearson ran 13:23, good enough for ninth place.
Watauga had 10 of the 62 runners competing in the boys middle school division, placing fourth in the middle school boys classification.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Success in anything usually involves more than one person. Sometimes it is a whole community of people from different walks of life, with different personalities — but everyone pushing toward a common goal of excellence.
That is Watauga High School athletics and that was the central message of athletic director Dustin Kerley on June 6 as he addressed close to 100 coaches, administrators, spouses, children and significant others celebrating a “Coaches Night” dinner in the school cafeteria.
To create successful programs revolving around the development of high character and high-achieving student athletes — which Watauga has done the past several years on both the high school and middle school levels — required the dedicated efforts of a lot of people both in and around the Watauga County School District. At the head of it all, Kerley had a lot of thank-yous to say out loud to everyone and he didn’t miss a one over the course of the evening.
Before dinner, Kerley handed out three awards, the first a Service Award to Hannah Blevins, the athletic trainer who has served the Pioneer student athletes and, Kerley said, even many of the coaches who might be found lying on a table with an ice pack on ankle, knee, or another part of the physical person.
Kerley also recognized WCS administrators Dr. Stephen Martin and Dr. Scott Elliott, both of whom are soon retiring.
Martin is WCS Assistant Superintendent and Human Resources Director and, Kerley reported, was largely responsible for Watauga’s expansion of its middle school athletics program.
“When he first started, the Watauga School District had school specific middle school sports in boys and girls basketball and girls volleyball, and a district football team. Now there are District teams in football, girls and boys basketball, girls and boys soccer, baseball, softball, cross country, track, golf, wrestling and cheerleading, and individual school based programs in boys and girls basketball and volleyball,” said Kerley. “You might also see him driving a school bus, serving as a required administrator at a sports competition, serving lunches in the cafeteria, or shoveling snow outside the administration building.”
Martin, Kerley said, previously served as an educator in Caldwell County and has been a coach or game official for many years.
Kerley heaped similar thanks and appreciation on outgoing WCS Superintendent Scott Elliott who, the athletic director said, didn’t seem to know how to reject an idea or dismiss a need. Instead, he embraced projects and found ways to get them done, going on to list the many physical plant improvements that have been completed or started under Elliott’s watch as superintendent, including new flooring and interior improvements to the gymnasium and new turf on the stadium field, among many others.
After Kerley’s long list of thank-yous, there was an unscripted poignant moment when golf coach Klay Anderson was called upon to offer a prayer in blessing the food the group was about to eat. Before the prayer, Anderson told the crowd that there was one big thank-you that had been left out, and that was to Kerley himself, for his leadership.
“I have watched him grow into the role,” said Anderson. “He pays attention to every detail. I have served as a coach here and over the years have worked under six athletic directors and met a lot more. Dustin Kerley is right up there at the top, on the same level as the best of them.”