Deja Vu All Over Again: Watauga wears down Alexander Central, 4-0

October 20, 2025

283

Watauga's Evan Mawhinney (11) maneuvers the ball before taking a shot on goal late in the first half Oct. 20, vs. Alexander Central at Jack Groce Stadium. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Watauga and visiting Alexander Central traded possessions and attack opportunities in the early going on Oct. 20, at Jack Groce Stadium, but eventually morphed into a familiar strain of dominant play by the Pioneers as the varsity men’s soccer match wore on. Arguably the fittest team in the Northwestern 6A/7A Conference, Watauga remained undefeated with a convincing, 4-0 win.

The final score, 4-0, is a repeat of the teams’ Oct. 1 meeting, in Taylorsville, which also ended in a 4-0 Watauga win.

Quincy Honeycutt got things going midway through the first half when he feigned attacking with the ball, which drew the goalkeeper out, then lofted a shot that flew just over the outstretched arm of the goalie to sail into the net for the game’s first score.

The Series: Quincy Honeycutt’s first half goal vs. Alexander Central

Near the end of the half, Evan Mawhinney outmuscled a phalanx of players from both sides to punch a ball past the Cougars’ goalkeeper for Goal No. 2.

The Pioneers kept up the pressure and fast-paced play in the second half, the impact on the tiring Cougars obvious as they were frequently seen with hands on hips or doubled over with hands on knees, catching their breath.

Just as Watauga’s Gavin Kimak is taking a shot, the referee acknowledges a signal from the line judge on the far side of the field. The line judge signaled that Kimak was offsides, apparently not realizing that an Alexander Central defender was on the ground closer to the goal, in front of Kimak, The goal was not allowed and the ball inexplicably awarded to the Cougars after a long discussion between the referee and line judge. Photogrpahic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

Apparently, the referee didn’t have a very understandable explanation for Watauga head coach Josh Honeycutt after the blown line judge call. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

Two more goals were added by the Pioneers in the second half, one by Mawhinney to complete his brace for the evening’s work, the other by striker Asher Hampton.

More crafty defensive work by the Pioneers limited the number of attacks on goal by the Cougars, resulting in goalkeeper Solomon Triplett only having to make two saves and earning yet another shutout for Watauga.

In addition to their goals, Mawhinney and Hampton each added an assist. Noah Van Werkhoven and Ben Myers were also credited with assists on the night.

Now 13-3-3 overall, the Pioneers remain undefeated in Northwestern Conference play with two regular season league matches remaining: Wed., Oct. 22 vs. the NWC lone 7A (larger school) member, McDowell, and Mon., Oct. 27 vs. St. Stephens. A final, non-conference match at Hibriten is scheduled for Wed., Oct. 29, before the start of the state playoffs. Brackets for the playoffs are scheduled to be announced Oct. 31, with the first round set to begin Nov. 3