FLASH ALERT: Pioneers spoil Freedom’s ‘Homecoming,’ 42-20

October 3, 2025

2008

DSC01378e — Watauga defensive back -- and all around dynamic player -- Kyle Williams intercepts a Freedom pass in the second quarter, Oct. 3. Photographic image by Jared Everett, processed by David Rogers for High Country Sports

By David Rogers. MORGANTON, N.C. — It was Watauga’s biggest test so far of the 2025 high school football season and they passed with flying colors, 42-20, putting a damper on Freedom’s homecoming festivities.

BONUS PHOTOS @ Bottom of Article

All photographic images captured by Jared Everett, processed by David Rogers for High Country Sports

In a poignant tribute to one of the High Country’s greatest mentors of young men, Watauga QB Cade Keller remembers App State and Central Florida Coach, Shawn Clark. Photographic image by Jared Everett, processed by David Rogers for High Country Sports

Precision blocking at the line of scrimmage helped running back Everett Gryder and quarterback Cade Keller pick up large chunks of gridiron real estate, getting both Pioneers into the second level where they outraced any Patriot thoughts of defense. Add-in sophomore linebacker John Wilson Mills’ “smash mouth” efforts in leading a stellar Watauga defensive performance and you have all the ingredients for the blowout that it was. The Pioneers were ahead, 21-0, before the buzzer sounded for the end of the first quarter.

The Pioneer offensive coaching staff’s multiple formations and motion sets had Freedom frequently grasping for air. On defense, the Patriots were going backwards as often as not, compliments of Watauga defenders’ tackles for loss and smothering QB sacks.

The Pioneers’ head coach, Ryan Habich, acknowledged the hard work put in by his players and coaches during the previous week, noting that while Watauga played a special game last week at Asheville to help pay tribute to the Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in Western NC, Freedom and others in the Northwestern Conference had byes.

“Freedom has been preparing for us these past two weeks,” Habich pointed out.

Cade Keller (10), in command of Watauga’s offense on Oct. 3, 2025, at Freedom. Photographic image by Jared Everett, processed by David Rogers for High Country Sports

Now Watauga turns its attention to a home tilt vs. longtime Northwestern Conference rival South Caldwell, which lost Oct. 3 to the league’s lone 7A contender, McDowell, 60-42.

The Spartans are 2-4 overall, 0-1 in league play, with wins over West Caldwell (Aug. 22, 62-26) and North Gaston (Sept. 12, 16-12). Losses were to Hibriten (Aug. 29, 62-6), Tuscola (Sept. 5, 42-6), T C Roberson (Sept. 19, 40-6), and the aforementioned McDowell.

We’ll have an update to this story when game stats are made available.