By David Rogers. ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Even though Watauga High School’s varsity football game at Erwin High School was delayed by lightning for 24 hours — and the Pioneers had to endure a two and a half hour bus ride back to Boone late Friday night, then another two and half hours on a repeat trip to West Asheville Saturday afternoon — the Boone boys were nonetheless supercharged against the Warriors, winning 49-14.
The Pioneers again scored using many different playmakers, spearheaded by the quarterback play of senior Cade Keller, who completed seven of 11 passes for 140 yards and two TDs, one each to seniors Nyle Peays and Evan Burroughs. Keller also rushed for 95 carries on five carries, including two more TDs on the ground.
Watauga’s aerial attack was highlighted by big gainers, including a 37-yarder to senior wide receiver Kyle Williams, a 40-yarder to Peays for the TD, and a 28-yard catch-and-run endeavor by senior Burroughs.
As exciting as the Pioneer passing attack was, though, much more game on punishing runs by Keller (5 carries, 95 yards, 2 TDs), senior running back Everett Gryder (7 carries, 68 yards, two TDs, including a 38 yard scamper to paydirt around the right side in the second quarter), and senior Matthew Leon (5 carries, 83 yards), who produced a highlight reel worthy, 69-yard, tackle-busting sprint down the left sideline in Q1.
Seven touchdowns usually lead to seven extra point attempts and junior placekicker Miller Hankins was perfect on the night, successful on all seven attempts.
Watauga (4-0) makes a return trip to Asheville on Friday, Sept. 26, to face a highly regarded Asheville High School team to close out the non-conference slate for 2025.
Watauga is now ranked No. 20 in the state and No. 2 in North Carolina’s 6A classification, according to MaxPreps, only behind No. 1 Charlotte Catholic.
At 2-2, with wins over East Rutherford and independent Asheville School, Asheville HS is ranked No. 19 in the North Carolina 6A classification. Their losses were to perennial 5A powerhouse Crest (Shelby, NC) and Kingsport, Tenn.-based Dobyns-Bennett.
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