By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Finding themselves down 14-8 late in the second quarter against the Black Knights of North Davidson on Sept. 14, the Watauga junior varsity football team’s “mood” darkened, individual players blaming each other and pointing fingers. Then, said head coach Marshall Thomas, the team found leadership — and rebounded in the second half for a 24-14 victory.
BONUS PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF ARTICLE (click any image for slide show mode)
“When you are working with freshmen and sophomores at the junior varsity level,” said Thomas after the game, “the leadership roles on a team may not have evolved. Amid the internal conflicts tonight, we had guys step up into those leadership roles and got the team unified in a positive direction. Our execution improved in the second half because of that leadership and that is why we won.”
SELECTED INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Kyle Williams: 9 carries for 105 yards, including two, 2-point conversions
- Matthew Leon: 19 carries for 91 yards, plus one fumble recovery
- Cade Keller: 7 carries for 96 yards and a TD, 1 fumble recovery
- Nyle Peays: 76-yard “pick 6” pass interception and return
- Thomas Deiters: One 2-point conversion pass reception
BONUS PHOTOS
