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.

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

BONUS PHOTOS

By David Rogers. TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. — An undefeated Watauga High School varsity football team remained undefeated on Oct. 17 — but the host Alexander Central Cougars exposed some potential Pioneer vulnerabilities if not addressed as the regular season winds down (two games remain, home vs. McDowell then on the road at St. Stephens) — and the state playoffs loom on the nearby horizon. Watauga won, 42-20, but…

BONUS PHOTOS @ Bottom of Article (Click any image for larger view and Slide Show Mode)

After being stuffed on offense and then sideswiped on defense in the opening two series, the Pioneers were in unfamiliar territory: they trailed, 7-0. How dare those Cougars! Don’t they know Watauga is supposed to dominate from the opening kickoff?

As College Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster Lee Corso would say, “Not so fast, my friend!”

The Cougars came into their Homecoming game vs. Watauga with a lackluster 2-6 overall record, 1-2 in Northwestern Conference play. Their losses have come at the hands of good area programs, like Hickory, Statesville and a 48-44 barnburner of a loss on Sept. 19, to South Iredell. A week ago (Oct. 10), they appeared to be gaining some momentum with a 30-28 win over the NWC’s lone 7A (larger school) member, McDowell.

After his Pioneers had rallied to score 21 unanswered points and gone on to defeat Alexander Central, head coach Ryan Habich told reporters his team needed to ignore what the public was filling their heads with, that they were among the best teams in the state.

“That’s ‘rat poison’,” Habich said. “We have to be a blue collar team every game we play. We have to play for our teammates, our school and our community.

“It’s a win and that’s important. I’d rather play bad and win than play good and lose, but we have work to do,” said Habich.

The Series: Burroughs, Shrugging Off Defenders

Looking at some of the numbers, you would almost think ACHS was masquerading as the Pioneers.

Through his ten-plus years at the helm of Watauga’s football program, Habich’s teams have traditionally been known for their solid rushing attack and controlling possession, mixing in some big play passes. Given a dynamic, all-around skillful quarterback in senior Cade Keller and speedy skill players like Evan Burroughs, Nyle Peays, Everett Gryder, Matthew Leon, Bowen Mayo and Kyle Williams, among others, as well as stalwart play upfront led by Brady Lindenmuth, Crue Stoddard, Kwame Carter and Aidan Plemons, Habich has turned up the heat this year with an even more dynamic aerial attack, “… but we still have to be able to run the football,” he said.

Against Alexander Central, the Pioneers only managed 61 yards rushing on 22 carries. On the other side, the Cougars ran the ball 48 times for 183 yards rushing. In fact, they ran almost twice as many offensive plays, 62, vs. 39 by the Pioneers. And that translated to a time of possession advantage in favor of ACHS, 31:34 vs. 16:26 for Watauga.

So how did the Pioneers win? With quick-strike passes to their playmakers. Keller completed 15 of 17 passes for 229 yards and three TDs. He was only sacked once. Mayo, the senior transfer from Virginia, hauled in five passes for 104 yards and a TD. Burroughs caught five passes, too, for 78 yards and two TDs. Tight end Tyler Leyshon added two catches for 27 yards, his longest a 20-yarder on the team’s first drive of the second half.

Watauga didn’t have any 4th downs to convert and they were successful in converting 4-of-5 third down opportunities. By contrast, Alexander Central converted on only 6-of-15 third downs and only three of seven fourth downs. Those four turnovers on downs may not show up in the game stats as turnovers, but those key stops by the defense returned possession to the Pioneers, often with good field position.

What’s more, even though the Pioneers seemed vulnerable on the perimeter, defensively, they had some big plays — including sophomore linebacker John Wilson Mills’ pass interception and 19-yard return for the game’s only turnover (excluding turnovers on downs). The INT near midfield in the second quarter gave Keller & Co. a short field in which to fashion the go-ahead TD, a lead the Pioneers would never relinquish.

Now 8-0 overall, 3-0 in conference, Watauga will brush off their lunch pails and get back to work, preparing for more challenges from the likes of McDowell (Senior Night, Oct. 24) and St. Stephens (in Hickory, Oct. 31) after what might be termed a “high-value wake-up call” against Alexander Central.

The McDowell Titans are 5-3 overall, 1-2 in league play after losing, 41-16. to St. Stephens on Oct. 17. St. Stephens, currently listed No. 3 in the Northwestern Conference standings behind Watauga and Freedom, has a 21-0 win over Alexander Central on their resume, and are reportedly big and strong in the middle and athletic on the perimeter.

Noteworthy

• St. Stephens is the last Northwestern Conference team to beat Watauga, a 26-21 disappointment in Hickory, on Oct. 13, 2017.
• Watauga quarterback Cade Keller and versatile lineman Brady Lindenmuth have been selected to play in the East-West All-Star game on Dec. 21, with a 1 p.m. kickoff at Grimsley High School in Greensboro.
• Pioneer head coach Ryan Habich was named the offensive coordinator for the West team. Freedom’s J.K. Adkins is serving as the West head coach. Other West assistant coaches include Brian Hinson (West Cabarrus), Sherman Holt (Swain County), Jonathan Oliphant (Lake Norman) and Joe Rigsbee (Grimsley).

BONUS PHOTOS

By David Rogers. RALEIGH, N.C. — Watauga’s highly ranked men’s and women’s cross country teams will be among the top contenders Oct. 25 in the NCHSAA 6A West Regionals, to be hosted at the Tryon Equestrian Center.

Sophomore Cali Townsend, freshman Josie Mayo and senior Janie Beach-Verhay will lead the Pioneers, all finishing 1-2-3 on Oct. 14 at the Northwestern Conference meet where Watauga swept the top seven spots, including No. 4 Lily Kimbrough, No. 5 Sophia Stull, No. 6 Lainey Johnston and No. 7 Susanna Goff.

Bryce Corpening of South Caldwell may be the favorite to win the Men’s Division of the 6A West Regionals, but Watauga may have a strong bid for the team title. At the Northwestern Conference meet, the Pioneers finished strong with No. 2 Zeke Walker, No. 3 Calvin Zwetsloot, No. 4 Levi Anderson, No. 6 Elliott Taft, No. 7 Brian Newmark, No. 8 Jonah Pearson, No. 9 Grady Gates and No. 10 Sean Rea.

By David Rogers. RALEIGH, N.C. — As the No. 1 seed in the 6A West, Watauga High School’s varsity volleyball team earned a bye in the first round of the NCHSAA Volleyball Championships, the state playoffs tournament that begins on Oct. 18.

Instead, with a pass through to the second round, the 23-1 Pioneers will face the winner of No. 16 Mount Tabor and No. 17 A.C. Reynolds.

With the reclassification of all North Carolina schools into eight classifications, there are more opportunities for teams to advance to the state playoffs this year. Watauga finished the regular season slate of Northwestern Conference matches undefeated, all sweeps, but some of their opponents also earned state tournament opportunities.

As the No. 5 seed in the 6A West, Alexander Central will also have a bye into the second round. No. 12 St. Stephens will host No. 21 Charlotte Catholic on Oct. 18, and No. 11 South Caldwell will host No. 22 Eastern Guilford the same day.

The second round is scheduled for Oct. 21, the third round for Oct. 23, the fourth round for Oct. 25, with the regionals on Oct. 28 and the state finals on either Oct. 31 or Nov. 1.

ALL 6A West 1st Round Pairings

• No. 1 Watauga – BYE
• No. 16 Mount Tabor vs. No. 17 A C Reynolds
• No. 8 Sun Valley – BYE
• No. 9 Asheboro vs. No. 24 Ashbrook
• No. 5 Alexander Central – BYE
• No. 12 St. Stephens vs. No. 21 Charlotte Catholic
• No. 4 North Iredell – BYE
• No. 13 T.C. Roberson vs. No. 20 Central Cabarrus
• No. 3 Northern Guilford – BYE
• No. 14 Piedmont vs. No. 19 Williams
• No. 6 Southeast Guilford – BYE
• No. 11 South Caldwell vs. No. 22 Eastern Guilford
• No. 7 Asheville – BYE
• No. 10 Scotland vs. No. 23 Olympic
• No. 15 Ragsdale vs. No. 18 Western Guilford
• No. 2 Kings Mountain – BYE

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Rolling up almost 300 yards in total offense (290) while limiting the Alexander Central junior varsity to just 175 yards proved a good recipe for Watauga JV success on Oct. 16 at Jack Groce Stadium. The Pioneers JVs defeated the visiting Cougars, 28-16.

Eli Reed carried the ball eight times for 111 net yards and a touchdown, while teammate Easton Burns toted the pigskin nine times for 66 yards and a TD to lead the Pioneers’ offensive effort. As the QB, Reed only passed the ball once, completing it Bryson Cain for a 55-yard touchdown.

Watauga drew the proverbial first blood midway through the opening quarter, taking a 7-0 lead on a 30-yard ramble to the end zone by Reed and a successful PAT kick by Gaines Hunt.

Alexander Central countered with a 6-play, 65-yard drive that culminated with a 3-yard plunge by Lane Chapman, then took the lead on a successful 2-point conversion punch through the line of scrimmage by Chapman.

Late in the first quarter, Reed hit Cain for the 55-yard pass completion, giving the Pioneers a 14-8 lead when Hunt kicked another PAT through the uprights. The advantage was short-lived, however, as the ball hungry Cougars put together a 16-play, 61-yard drive with a little more than four minutes to go before halftime, finishing it off with a 4-yard rush for TD by Eli Queen and a 2-point conversion by Malachi Bennett, ACHS reclaiming the lead before halftime, 16-14.

The second half was dominated by Watauga, however, with two successful, long scoring drives in the third quarter. The first, a 6-play, 55-yard drive ended with a 1-yard TD rush by Brayson Gough (and Gaines Hunt PAT). The second was a 5-play, 51 yard possession that finished with a 1-yard Easton Burns run (and Gaines Hunt PAT).

Watauga’s defense was responsible for a whopping nine tackles for loss as well as two QB sacks. Isaac Blakely recorded a game-high 3 TFLs. Dominick Portante added a pair of TFLs. Portante and Blakely were also responsible for the QB sacks.

The High Country’s gridiron eyes now shift to Taylorsville where the Cougars and Pioneers face off in what could be undefeated Watauga’s toughest test to date.

Game statistics courtesy of Jonathan Watts, Alexander Central High School

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Junior forward Evan Mawhinney posted a brace of goals while four other Pioneers added one apiece, powering the Watauga High School varsity men’s soccer team to a dominating, 6-0 win over South Caldwell on Oct. 15 at Jack Groce Stadium.

Match scheduling can be quirky and that has certainly been the case for Watauga this year in Northwestern Conference play. The Pioneers’ first half of the home-at-home series for each of the other five conference member were on the road — which also means the last five league matches are within the friendly confines of Jack Groce Stadium

The Series: Gooaalll!!!

After an 8-0 thumping of Freedom on Oct. 13, Watauga was playing the second of those five straight home affairs when they took on South Caldwell. The Pioneers dominated possession from start to finish against arguably an undermanned Spartan varsity.

Watauga played an almost near perfect style to match head coach Josh Honeycutt’s preferred approach: one- and two-touch passing, keeping the ball low and maintaining possession as the ball is worked downfield.

While the Pioneers, as a team, hammered at the South Caldwell goal with a total of 31 shots, on the other end of the field Watauga’s junior goalkeeper Rush Brasier’ biggest challenge may have been not falling asleep. In shutting out the Spartans, he recorded just two saves from shots on goal.

In tallying his two goals, Mawhinney worked his way in space with the ball to register a game-high eight shots. Junior Trace Martinez and senior David Ganley also benefitted from attacking in space, each putting in a goal on four shots. Other goals included junior Quincy Honeycutt (on a penalty kick) and sophomore Gavin Kimak.

Now 12-3-3 overall and 7-0 in Northwestern Conference play, the Pioneers will return to Jack Groce Stadium on Oct. 20, to face Alexander Central. On Oct. 22, they meet NWC’s 7A classification school, McDowell, before finishing the regular season on Oct. 27 vs. St. Stephens.

BONUS PHOTOS (Click on any image for larger view and Slide Show Mode)

All photographic images by David Rogers for High Country Sports

By David Rogers. MARION, N.C. — A double-double by sophomore libero Caroline Childers (19 digs, 16 serve receives) and a near triple-double by senior outside hitter Emma Pastusic (20 kills, 10 serve receives, 8 digs) highlighted Watauga High School’s sweep of Alexander Central on Oct. 15, 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-19), in the championship final of the Northwestern 6A/7A Conference Volleyball Championships tournament, hosted by McDowell High School.

If there were any doubts as to the identity of the best women’s volleyball team in the NWC, the No. 1 seeded Pioneers shattered them in the conference tourney final. This may have been the first post-season conference tournament for the NWC but Watauga was in familiar territory after knocking off all league adversaries in the regular season with 3-0 sweeps before tournament play.

In the championship final, the Cougars confirmed themselves as the deserving No. 2 seed for the tourney, pushing the Pioneers to competitive and close straight set victories. Now the teams await the state tournament seedings and brackets, with Watauga almost certain to get home court advantage that comes with a high seed in the early rounds. The Pioneers’ gaudy, overall record is 23-1, including 10-0 in conference play before the tournament. MaxPreps currently has the Pioneers ranked as the No. 1 team in North Carolina’s 6A classification.

As the No. 9 ranked team in NC’s 6A class, according to MaxPreps, Alexander Central’s 16-7 overall record is likely to earn a spot in the playoffs, too.

INDIVIDUAL MATCH STATISTICS

Kills: Emma Pastusic (20), Ashlyn Smith (7), Kora Knight (6), Gracyn Phelps (3), Addie Stough (3), Lainey Gragg (2), Hannah Adams (1)

Service Aces: Ashlyn Smith (3), Caroline Childers (2), Lainey Gragg (2), Ember Honeycutt (2), Lilli Combs (1), Graycie Collins (1)

Blocks: Addie Stough (3), Emma Pastusic (3), Kora Knight (1)

Digs: Caroline Childers (19), Ashlyn Smith (11), Emma Pastusic (8), Lilli Combs (6), Lainey Gragg (4), Kora Knight (4), Graycie Collins (1), Ember Honeycutt (1)

Assists: Lainey Gragg (35), Ashlyn Smith (2), Lilli Combs (1)

Serve Receive: Ashlyn Smith (19), Caroline Childers (16), Emma Pastusic (10)

By David Rogers. MARION, N.C. — The Watauga High School varsity women’s volleyball team cruised through the semifinals of the Northwestern 6A/7A Conference Championships tournament on Oct. 14, defeating St. Stephens, 3-0 (25-12, 25-7, 25-15).

A familiar trio of Pioneers led the No. 1 seeded and regular season champion Watauga offensive attack, with senior outside hitter Emma Pastusic tallying a game-high 17 kills. Ashlyn Smith (7 kills) and Kora Knight (5 kills) proved an able supporting cast. Setter Lainey Gragg fed the attack with 27 assists.

Sophomore libero Caroline Childers and Smith got things started on the Indians’ serves with 14 and 7 serve receives, respectively.

Defensively, the Pioneers were efficient with team totals of 33 digs and a total of six blocks, led by Childers (12 digs), Lilli Combs (9 digs), Smith (6 digs), Gragg (6 digs), Kora Knight (2 solo blocks, 1 block assist), Addie Stough (1 solo block, 2 block assists), Athena Elliott (1 solo block, 1 block assist) and Pastusic (4 digs, 2 block assists).

The Pioneers continued to rack up service aces, with 12 as a team. Gragg recorded six aces and Smith four.

Next up is a return trip to host venue McDowell High School on Oct. 15 to face Alexander Central in the tournament championship final.

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — It was one of those “Chamber of Commerce” autumn days in the High Country and if you were a fan of long distance running or one of the more than 150 harriers competing in the Northwestern 6A/7A Conference Cross Country Championships on Oct. 14, conditions (and setting) could not have been more favorable.

While the Watauga High School women’s cross country team may well have thrown down a gauntlet: making a statement they will be a team to beat for the 6A West Regionals and the 6A state championships, the Pioneers were also near perfect in winning the Men’s Division conference title. Both races were hosted by Watauga.

South Caldwell’s Bryce Corpening (No. 1, 17:30.41) and McDowell senior Dawson Spath (No. 5, 17:48.67) were the only runners preventing the Pioneer men’s runners from sweeping the top 12 finishing spots. Senior Zeke Walker (No. 2, 17:30.42), senior Calvin Zwetsloot (No. 3, 17:45.69) and senior Levi Anderson (No. 4, 17:47.63) led a brigade of Pioneers, including senior Elliott Taft (No. 6), junior Brian Newmark (No. 7), freshman Jonah Pearson (No. 8), junior Grady Gates (No. 9), sophomore Sean Rea (No. 10), junior James Bostrom (No. 11), senior Holden Womak (No. 12) and junior Isaac James (No. 14).

A total of 77 student athletes competed in the Men’s Division from the six Northwestern Conference member teams. Of that number, almost half (32) were Watauga team members.

Men’s Team Scores:

1. Watauga (22 points)
2. St. Stephens (83)
3. Freedom (98)
4. Alexander Central (99)
5. South Caldwell (110)
6. McDowell (122)

Townsend Dominates Women’s Division

Ninety-three harriers competed in the Women’s Division, but Watauga sophomore Cali Townsend finished a little more than minute ahead of the No. 2 runner, Watauga’s rising freshman star, Josie Mayo. Senior Janie Beach-Verhay (No. 3), sophomore Lily Kimbrough (No. 4), freshman Sophia Stull (No. 5), junior Lainey Johnston (No. 6) and junior Susanna Goff (No. 7) completed the Pioneers’ sweep of the top seven runners to cross the finish line of the 5,000-Meters course.

Including Sydney Townsend (No. 9), Nora Price (No. 10), Vivian Hans (No. 11), Josephine Walker (No. 14), Riley Benson (No. 16), Zoey Stille (No. 17), Bailey Collins (No. 19) and Ayla Crawley (No. 20), Watauga had 15 of the top 20 finishers in the Women’s Division.

Watauga was represented by 42 student athletes in the women’s division.

Team Scores

1. Watauga (15 points)
2. St. Stephens (54)
3. Freedom (96)
4. McDowell (111)
5. Alexander Central (112)
6. South Caldwell (171)

Top 25, Men’s Division

Top 25, Women’s Division