By Layne McNary. CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The App State Field Hockey team defeated the Central Michigan Chippewas 2-1 on Sunday.
The Mountaineers (5-3) never trailed in the Sept. 29 matchup, with Lise Boekaar and Darby Reyburn finding the back of the cage.
Although the game was moved due to weather from Hurricane Helene, it was still a memorable day for the Mountaineers, as Reyburn found the back of the cage for the first time in her collegiate career.
How it Happened
1st: The Mountaineers dominated the bulk of the offensive possession, tallying 15 shots in the period to Central Michigan’s (3-6) zero. Both teams ended the period scoreless, as App State forced 11 saves from Central Michigan goalkeeper Coletta Beeler in the period.
2nd: It was more of the same in the second, as the Mountaineers forced eight shots in the period to Central Michigan’s one. Lise Boekaar scored the first goal of the game from a penalty stroke, giving the Mountaineers a 1-0 lead in the second. Central Michigan’s Pauline Klep scored late in the period, tying the game at one going into halftime.
3rd: The Mountaineers held firm in the third period, applying offensive pressure to the Chippewas in the period. App State forced seven corners and four saves in the period. Reyburn found the back of the cage from a Boekaar pass, scoring the first goal of her career.
4th: The final period was scoreless for both teams, as neither App nor Central Michigan forced a penalty corner. The Mountaineers still tallied four shots in the period, testing the goalkeeper twice. The Mountaineers finished Sunday’s game defeating Central Michigan 2-1.
Up Next
The Mountaineers travel to Davidson Sept. 30, facing off against Bellarmine at noon. Tomorrow’s matchup is making up Friday’s game that was canceled due to weather.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Exacting a measure of revenge after a Sept. 10 loss to Parkway, Hardin Park survived an overtime loss in the first set to rebound and take the next two sets on Sept. 24, defeating the Patriots, 2-1 (24-26, 25-10, 16-14).
SEE BONUS PHOTOS AT BOTTOM (click on any image for Slide Show Mode)
Although Hardin Park seemed to take control in the second set, the third set was another nailbiter in going to overtime, with the Golden Eagles coming out on top, 16-14.
Hardin Park vs. Parkway always draws a big crowd. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
“It was a good night,” Hardin Park head coach Andy Eggers told High Country Sports after the match.
In other tri-team matches at Hardin Park on the day, Parkway rebounded to defeat Cove Creek, 2-0 (25-21, 25-22), then Hardin Park swept by the Raiders, too, 2-0 (25-16, 25-8)
Around the county:
Blowing Rock def. Valle Crucis, 2-0 (25-23, 25-18)
Green Valley def. Bethel, 2-0 (25-17, 25-7)
Mabel def. Bethel, 2-0 (25-12, 25-22)
Green Valley def. Mabel, 2-0 (25-21, 25-8)
BONUS PHOTOS FROM HARDIN PARK VS. PARKWAY
All photographic images by David Rogers for High Country Sports
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — One of Watauga’s youngest volleyball team’s in recent years survived a rigorous non-conference slate with a 3-6 record — but gained confidence with every encounter. Four dominant sweeps over Northwestern Conference finds the Pioneers “running on all cylinders.”
BONUS PHOTOS AT BOTTOM (click any image for Slide Show mode)
While Watauga’s 3-0 performances against South Caldwell, Alexander Central and Hibriten were all closer, the latest victim was Freedom on Sept. 23, 3-0 (25-5, 25-4, 25-16) — and given the number of Pioneers who saw court time, it could have been even more demoralizing for the Patriots.
Watauga’s Grace Twillery delivers a spike on Sept. 23 vs. Freedom. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
The Pioneers all but emptied their bench on this night and hardly missed a beat with any combination of players. Eight different Pioneers recorded kills on the night, led by Emma Pastusic and Grace Twillery, with 14 and 7, respectively. But the firepower also came from the likes of Kora Knight (5 kills), Gracyn Phelps (3), Sophie Wade (2), Ashlyn Smith (2), Hadleigh Windish (1) and Athena Elliott (1).
While Watauga exhibited some broad-based power at the net, much of the team’s scoring success can be attributed to strategic and aggressive serves, particularly off the arms of senior Addi Parker (14 aces) and freshman Carolina Childers (4). Also contributing service aces were freshman Quinn Haines (1) and Bella Wade (1).
Lainey Gragg sets for Watauga in 3-0 sweep of Freedom. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
Watauga faces arguably their stiffest challenge for the Northwestern Conference championship on Sept. 25 when the Pioneers travel north to take on Ashe County to complete round 1 of conference play. The Huskies also lost a couple of seniors to graduation after last season, but nonetheless are sporting a 14-1 overall record and the same 4-0 record against other Northwestern Conference opponents.
On attack, the Huskies are led by a trio of seniors, Lanie Bowers, Abby Sheets and Maylee Bevins. Their assist leader is junior Lorali Overcash and defensive leaders include senior Alexis Rollins (173 digs and 250 serve receptions this season), and Sheets (28 blocks). Blevins has tallied 49 service aces.
SELECTED WATAUGA STATS VS. FREEDOM
Addi Parker: 14 service aces, 2 digs
Lilli Combs: 5 digs
Caroline Childers: 4 service aces, 7 digs, 2 assists
Emma Pastusic: 14 kills, 4 digs
Grace Twillery: 7 kills, 1 stuff block
Kora Knight: 5 kills, 1 assist
Lainey Gragg: 20 assists, 3 digs
Quinn Haines: 10 assists, 1 service ace
Hadleigh Windish: 1 kill, 2 digs
Gracyn Phelps: 3 kills
Ashlyn Smith: 2 kills, 1 dig
Athena Elliott: 1 kill, 1 assist, 1 dig
BONUS PHOTOS (all photographic images by David Rogers for High Country Sports)
Watauga’s Grace Twillery delivers a spike on Sept. 23 vs. Freedom. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
Caroline Childers of Watauga keeps the ball in play vs. Freedom on Sept. 23
By David Rogers. LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Folks in North and South Carolina might want to start putting M.D., or at least EMT behind Andy Dalton’s name. That’s because the 14-year veteran NFL quarterback resuscitated a near-dead Carolina offense on Sept. 22, and revived the region’s hopes for the 2024 professional football season in leading the Panthers to a dominant, 36-22 road win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Benching Bryce Young, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and inserting the 36-yearold Dalton to lead the Carolina offense may have been a difficult, even controversial decision for head coach Dave Canales and his assistant decision-makers, but there is no question that the guy once nicknamed, “The Red Rifle,” proved them right. He riddled the Raiders’ defense, completing 26 of 37 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns vs. no interceptions.
On the receiving end of Dalton’s aerials, wide receiver Diontae Johnson finally showed why the Panthers went after him in free agency, catching 8 of 14 targets for 122 yards and a TD, his first as a Panther after being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019 and spending five years as one of the “Steel City” go-to wide receivers.
Now the Panthers’ featured running back, Chuba Hubbard caught all five passes on which he was targeted, for 55 yards and a TD — and, oh yeah, carried the ball 21 times for 114 yards rushing.
Carolina’s longtime veteran WR Adam Thielen made the most of his time on the field before having to leave with a hamstring injury after a 31-yard TD pass. He caught three Dalton passes for 40 yards, along with the TD. Of note, it was Thielen’s 60th receiving touchdown, just the third undrafted player in NFL history with 60 receiving TDs, joining Antonio Gates (116) and Rod Smith (68). Before joining Carolina a year ago, the UDFA got a shot with Minnesota in 2013, made the team and enjoyed a 10-year stint with the Vikings before becoming available as a free agent.
Diontae Johnson makes his first TD catch as a member of the Carolina Panthers. Photo by Laura Wolff, courtesy of the Carolina Panthers
The early back and forth — that didn’t last
Las Vegas and Carolina traded TDs in the first quarter, in front of paid attendance reported as 62,417 packing Allegiant Stadium, with Hubbard catching Dalton’s first TD pass, from six yards out, to cap a 9-play, 70-yard drive that took 4:47 off the game clock.
Not to be outdone, the Raiders forged a 10-play, 97-yard drive that kept the Panthers offense off the field for 5:24, finished off with a 2-yard plunge by running back Alexander Mattison to even things up (with the PAT kicks).
From there, though, Carolina was the only team able to put points on the board until the outcome was all but out of reach.
Early in the second quarter, Johnson hauled in a 5-yard pass from Dalton to put an exclamation point on a 10-play, 75-yard drive. Then, after the Raiders were unable to convert on 4th down from the Carolina 39-yard line and the two teams traded possessions a couple of times, with just 33 seconds remaining in the half, Dalton found Thielen for a 31-yard TD. Eddie Pineiro’s third PAT kick of the afternoon gave Carolina a 21-7 lead going into intermission.
Eddie Pineiro (4) kicks a field goal for the Carolina Panthers at Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 22. Photo by Laura Wolff, courtesy of the Carolina Panthers
In the third quarter, both defenses seem to dig in, but Carolina was able to capitalize and put the game a little more out of reach with field goals by Pineiro of 43 and 35 yards. The Piedmont’s favorite sons earned some insurance with former Penn State running back Miles Sanders’ 1-yard carry to paydirt early in the fourth quarter, completing an 11-play, 84-yard drive that kept the Las Vegas offense off the field for yet another, almost five minutes. A few plays later, the Raiders’ QB, Gardner Minshew, connected with wide receiver Jacobi Meyers for a 13-yard TD pass on the left side, capping an efficient, 7-play, 70-yard drive that took only 2:37 off the clock, with 10:56 remaining in the game.
But for the rest of that almost 11 minutes, the only scoring was another field goal by Carolina’s Pineiro, this one from 26 yards out when the 7-play drive stalled after 28 yards gained. The Raiders’ backup QB, Aidan O’Connell, made the loss to Carolina a little less embarrassing with a an 8-yard pass to wide receiver Tre Tucker, in his second year after playing college ball at Cincinnati.
Diontae Johnson (5) leaves a would-be tackler behind, running for a big gain at the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 22. Photo by Laura Wolff, courtesy of the Carolina Panthers
After the game, Canales opened his press conference predictably upbeat.
“Great game. Really a group that dove into the process, the fundamentals, the work we are looking for,” said Canales. “Starting off this week, just stacking up three great days of practice, the coaches challenging guys and the guys challenging each other.
“Sunday is about the players and putting them in position to have success. They took advantage of that in different ways. It was just a great picture of Panthers football — being able to run the ball, stopping the run, playing complementary football on third down, taking advantage of red zone opportunities, the whole thing. The coverage units just flying around with great energy and chasing,” Canales added.
For his part after the game, Dalton was feeling it, too.
” I mean, it felt great. Obviously, for me to get an opportunity to be out there and for it to go the way it did, it couldn’t have been drawn up any better,” said Dalton. “I thought our guys came out with the right attitude, the right mentality from the start and we never slowed down. That was the fun part of it. We didn’t just put one drive together. We were able to do it the whole game. Played complementary football, and guys were having a ton of fun, and that’s how it should be.”
Next, the Panthers return home to host a Sept. 29 encounter with the Cincinnati Bengals at Bank of America Stadium before an Oct. 6 date at the legendary Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears.
The Raiders stay at home to host the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 29.
All game stats compiled and distributed by NFLGSIS.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Oops, he did it again.
Just two weeks after Watauga running back Everett Gryder electrified the packed grandstands at Jack Groce Stadium with a 66-yard TD run on the first play from scrimmage against Maiden, he ripped off a 62-yard romp on Sept. 20 in front of an even bigger Homecoming crowd against North Davidson. Everett was forced out of bounds at the Black Knights’ 8-yard line but finished the job one play later, slicing through the middle of the line to paydirt.
BONUS PHOTOS at bottom of article by Jared Everett and Garner Dewey for High Country Sports (click on any image for Slide Show Mode)
With the appropriate Homecoming fanfare, Watauga took the field on Sept. 20 vs. North Davidson. Photographic image by Garner Dewey for High Country Sports
Although Watauga’s PAT kick attempt went uncharacteristically awry on this occasion, Gryder’s opening performance set the tone for what became a convincing, 47-21 non-conference win. With yet another early season victory, Watauga’s non-conference record improved to 5-0.
By all accounts, North Davidson is much improved over a season ago when the Pioneers lanced the Black Knights in Lexington, 56-14. Fast forward to the Sept. 20 rematch in Boone and North Davidson responded to Watauga’s quick, opening score with an extended offensive possession of their own, an 11-play, 54-yard drive that kept the Pioneer offense off the field for almost five minutes of the first quarter.
After giving up a TD on North Davidson’s first offensive possession, Watauga’s defense became ‘stingy’ and was a major reason for the team’s 47-21 win on Sept. 20. Photographic image by Jared Everett for High Country Sports
And they effectively mixed passes and runs. On 3rd-and-15, quarterback Dalton Pickle completed a 23-yard pass to Damani Chhorn, getting the ball into Watauga territory for the first time, at the 36. From there, a pair of Black Knights runners, Zaylan Hayes and Amir Dalton, alternated in picking up chunks of yardage until Hayes completed the mission with a 9-yard plunge into the end zone. The Black Knights PAT kick by Connor Dunn was good, giving NDA a tenuous, 7-6 lead.
It would be the Black Knights’ only and last lead of the night. After the game, Pioneer head coach Ryan Habich spoke about how his players responded to NDA’s opening drive.
Watauga’s Matthew Leon (14), torched the Black Knights for 91 yards rushing on Sept. 20. Photographic image by Jared Everett for High Country Sports
“Defensively, we missed a lot of tackles on that first (Black Knights) drive,” Habich said. “I don’t think we played great defense on that first drive. But once they scored, our defense settled down in the first half and we played the way we are supposed to be playing.
“… That first drive, when North Davidson scored, you have to respond,” Habich observed. “I think our offense did a good job in scoring. If you give a team like North Davidson (an opportunity) to stay alive in the game, it could end up being a lot closer. In the first half, our offensive line did a good job of controlling the line of scrimmage.”
In fact, Watauga steadily put the game away with stifling defense and exceptional offensive production for the rest of the first half, leading 40-7 at intermission. And the offensive production was by a broader assortment of playmakers than we have seen from the Pioneers in previous games this season.
Homecoming even included a flyover and aerial acrobatics before the Watauga game vs. North Davidson. Photographic image by Garner Dewey for High Country Sports
Of course, most of the usual suspects played a role. Gryder was a factor, finishing the night with 88 yards rushing on seven carries and a TD.
And, of course, quarterback Maddox Greene was a factor, carrying the ball seven times for 87 yards and two TDs to go with completing 6-of-8 passes for 103 yards and a TD.
But the Pioneers have evolved into a balanced juggernaut, even if with a run-first mentality. Junior running back and outside linebacker Matthew Leon is now splitting B-back duties with Gryder and rolled up 91 yards rushing on 15 carries, with one TD. Once into the second level, the speedster is likely to take it all the way to the end zone.
After a 59 yard TD romp on a special ‘reverse’ play, Nyle Peays (9) is lifted up by offensive lineman Brady Lindenmuth (56). Photographic image by Jared Everett for High Country Sports
Another junior, Nyle Peays, has been used primarily as a defensive back in the early part of the season, but against the Black Knights was deployed on a wide receiver reverse, going 59 yards for a TD.
“For that play,” Habich told reporters later, “we needed a guy who could run under 4.7 in the 40-yard dash.”
Peays fit the bill, and then some. He also returned three kickoffs for a combined 64 yards to help put the Pioneers in good field position to start their offensive possessions.
Watauga’s Evan Burroughs (12) looks to attack space on the outside, Sept. 20, vs. North Davidson. Photographic image by Jared Everett for High Country Sports
Greene’s passing ability came into play, too, wowing the Homecoming crowd with two aerials to wide receiver Landon Smith, one of them for 53 yards. Smith also earned a TD reception on the night.
Versatile wide receiver/wingback Evan Burroughs had a quiet night running the ball against the Black Knights, but caught three passes for 32 yards. His first caught pass from Greene was for 12 yards on 2nd-and-6 in the first quarter, helping fuel Watauga’s 11-play, 80-yard, TD-scoring response to North Davidson’s first drive. Early in the second quarter, on 2nd-and-2, Burroughs flashed for a 20-yard pass reception from Greene in the middle of a 7-play, 86-yard scoring drive.
Late in the game with the outcome all but decided, backup QB Cade Keller took the reins of the offense in the 4th quarter and commanded a touchdown drive of his own. After North Davidson scored a second TD with just over a minute to go in the third quarter, Peays returned the kickoff 35 yards to to the Watauga 37. Three straight carries by Leon, each for three yards, put the Pioneers in a 4th and 1 situation at their own 46. Habich called three consecutive timeouts before the next play “to go for it,” with Leon rushing 6 yards for the first down. Keller & Co. made short work of the remaining 47 yards, featuring a cameo appearance by Thomas Dieters running the ball for an 8-yard gain and 13- and 27-yard keepers by the QB, the last one for a TD.
Nyles Peays went the distance for a TD with this 59-yard sprint off of a ‘reverse’. Photographic image by Jared Everett for High Country Sports
It was a night of creating roster depth for the Pioneers. In the last drive of the night, junior Crue Stoddard (wearing an offensive lineman’s jersey No. 61), lined up as B-back and gained 11 yards on two carries before Keller took a knee to run out the clock and end the game.
“I am really happy the way we played the first half,” said Habich after the game. “However, there were a ton of growth opportunities for the Pioneers in the second half. We were unfocused and had some key players not play well with dropped passes and lining up wrong, (including) false starts. That just isn’t Pioneer football. We could have really made a statement in the second half and probably played a lot more kids if the guys on the field were giving perfect effort in the second half. I’m a little disappointed but glad we got a touchdown in the second half. We did have a chance to play some guys late, both offensively and defensively.
“When guys don’t play well,” Habich added, “they get exposed. We are trying to develop some depth (at certain positions) as we get into conference play. Some guys did OK, some didn’t.”
‘Did you notice how the QB hit the receiver in stride? That’s perfect execution!’ Photographic image by Garner Dewey for High Country Sports
Many of the top Pioneer athletes have been utilized on both sides of the ball, offense and defense. Normally, they include quarterback Maddox Greene but against North Davidson he only played on offense. Even then, he was not asked to carry the ball on keepers as much as he has in previous games — and the reduced workload was intentional.
“To be honest,” said Habich, “going into a bye week and the game getting out of hand, we were not going to be running our quarterback so much, saving him for conference play. He didn’t get a lot of touches in the second half. We put Crue Stoddard in at B-back in the second half because we don’t have any backups after Everett Gryder and Matthew Leon. So we wanted to play some backup guys and see what they can do on the field.”
Habich said the decision for players to play on both sides of the ball, offense and defense, is dictated by the opposition each week.
“In games like this, you want to get guys on the field to see what they can do,” Habich said.
After a week of rest and a bye on Sept. 27, the Pioneers throw themselves headlong into 3A/4A Northwestern Conference play on Oct. 4, going on the road to play 4A rival South Caldwell. They go back on the road Oct. 11, at Alexander Central, in Taylorsville.
Other scores of interest:
Avery County 50, Rosman 0
Oak Grove 34, Hibriten 3
T C Roberson 60, McDowell 26
Hickory 42, East Lincoln 21
Johnson County 49, Ashe County 32
Freedom 63, Chase 13
Cuthbertson 56, South Caldwell 6
Sun Valley 42, Alexander Central 10
All game stats courtesy of Jonathan Watson
SELECTED TEAM STATS
Total Yards: NDA 231, WAT 505
First Downs: NDA 14, WAT 19
Rushing: NDA 40-183, WAT 42-402
Passing: NDA 3-of-10 for 58 yards, WAT 6-of-8 for 103 yards
3rd Down Conversions: NDA 3-of-10 (30%), WAT 3-of-6 (50%)
4th Down Conversions: NDA 1-of-1 (100%), WAT 1-of-1 (100%)
Penalties: NDA 6-40, WAT 3-20
Time of Possession: NDA 23:34, WAT 22:11
SELECTED INDIVIDUAL STATS
Passing
WAT – Maddox Greene: 6-8-103, 1 TD
NDA – Ethan Pickle: 2-9-33
NDA – CJ Morgan: 1-1-25
Rushing
WAT – Matthew Leon: 15 carries, 91 yards, 1 TD
WAT – Everett Gryder: 7 carries, 88 yards, 1 TD
WAT – Maddox Greene: 7 carries, 87 yards, 2 TDs
NDA – Zaylan Hayes: 12 carries, 64 yards, 1 TD
WAT – Nyle Peays: 1 carry, 59 yards, 1 TD
WAT – Cade Keller: 7 carries, 58 yards, 1 TD
NDA – Amir Dalton: 14 carries, 57 yards, 1 TD
NDA – Ethan Pickle: 6 carries, 29 yards
NDA – CJ Morgan: 4 carries, 24 yards, 1 TD
WAT – Crue Stoddard: 2 carries, 11 yards
WAT – Thomas Dieters: 1 carry, 8 yards
Receiving
WAT – Landon Smith: 2 catches, 63 yards, 1 TD
WAT – Evan Burroughs: 3 catches, 32 yards
NDA – Maurice Moseley: 1 catch, 25 yards
NDA – Damani Chhorn: 1 catch, 23 yards
BONUS PHOTOS BY GARNER DEWEY
Backup QB, junior Cade Keller, cuts upfield on his way to a TD in the 4th quarter vs. North Davidson. Photographic image by Garner Dewey for High Country Sports
‘Did you notice how the QB hit the receiver in stride? That’s perfect execution!’ Photographic image by Garner Dewey for High Country SportsRyder Sullivan and Maggie Stevens were all smiles in being named Homecoming ‘king’ and ‘queen.’ Photographic image by Garner Dewey for High Country Sports
With the appropriate Homecoming fanfare, Watauga took the field on Sept. 20 vs. North Davidson. Photographic image by Garner Dewey for High Country SportsHomecoming even included a flyover and aerial acrobatics before the Watauga game vs. North Davidson. Photographic image by Garner Dewey for High Country Sports
BONUS PHOTOS BY JARED EVERETT
Watauga’s Matthew Leon (14), torched the Black Knights for 91 yards rushing on Sept. 20. Photographic image by Jared Everett for High Country Sports
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Just about any thing that could go wrong… well, it went wrong for App State in the first half of its Sun Belt Conference opener against South Alabama at Kidd Brewer Stadium on Sept. 19. Only a “Hail Mary” pass from quarterback Joey Aguilar to wide receiver Dalton Stroman as time expired before intermission prevented a first half shutout by the Jaguars. And it didn’t get any better in the second half for the Mountaineers.
South Alabama brought all the fight to the Rock on this night, leaving town with a 48-14 conference win in front of another sell out crowd of 34,133.
DJ Thomas Jones catches an early TD pass from South Alabama QB Gio Lopez. Photographic image by Flaco Suarez-Robles for High Country Sports
Again?
It has become an all too familiar story for the Mountaineers in 2024: go down big in the first half, even in the first quarter. Against Clemson, App State trailed 35-0 at the end of the first quarter and 56-13 at halftime before losing, 66-20. Against East Carolina, the Mountaineers had to shrug off a 16-0 first quarter deficit and score 21 unanswered points to eke out a come-from-behind, 21-19 win in Greenville on Sept. 14.
The Mountaineers’ first half woes didn’t improve in Week 3, with South Alabama passing and running their way to a 28-0 lead until Stroman’s “Hail Mary” TD reception as time expired on the first two quarters. Then the Jaguars piled it on in the second half. For the night, just about any USA offensive player who touched the ball carved out big chunks of yardage, if not scores.
App State running back Anderson Castle (1) was held to just 36 yards rushing on 6 carries vs. South Alabama and catching 3 passes for only 10 yards. Photographic image by Flaco Suarez-Robles for High Country Sports
Defensively, App State missed tackles, left gaping holes for Jaguar ball carriers to run through, and blew pass coverage in the secondary. Offensively, the South Alabama defensive line controlled the line of scrimmage, offering few opportunities for App State’s purported stable of good running backs and kept pressure on Mountaineer quarterback Joey Aguilar.
Giving credit where credit is due
While App State fans can bemoan the missed tackles and lack luster execution, nobody should discount the performance of South Alabama. If nothing else, by scoring 48 points on offense and limiting the Mountaineers on defense, the Jaguars proved that last week’s 87-10 shellacking of FCS contender Northwestern State was not a fluke and might even have been a foreshadowing of things to come for head coach Major Applewhite’s team.
South Alabama QB Gio Lopez scrambles and sprints for a TD against App State on Sept. 19, 2024. Photographic image by Flaco Suarez-Robles for High Country Sports
In the Jaguars’ first two games, a 58-32 loss to North Texas and a 27-20 loss at Ohio, South Alabama was without the services of starting QB Gio Lopez, a stout 6-0, 220-lb. redshirt freshman. When he wasn’t throwing laser-like passes (16-24, 154 yards, 2 TDs and 0 INTs), Lopez was bouncing off would-be tacklers and rambling for big gains on the ground. On QB keepers, the Jaguars’ field general tucked the ball and ran seven times for 105 yards, including three “chunk plays” of 50, 19, and a 31-yard scramble to the left for a TD, early in the second quarter.
To a large extent, South Alabama did what App State usually tries to do: control possession of the football, extend offensive drives, keep the opponent’s offense off the field and score touchdowns.
A lot of the work being done by the Jags came in the form of a 5-10, 219 lb. freshman running back, Fluff Bothwell. There was nothing “fluffy” about him. He pounded through the Mountaineer defense for 116 yards on 14 carries, including two TDs. His first touchdown came midway through the first quarter, a 22-yard romp that finished off what could only be described as a Bothwell-featured offensive possession. He preceded the TD rush with runs of 7 and 20 yards. It was a 6-play, 60-yard scoring drive that took just 2:01 of the clock and Bothwell accounted for 49 of those 60 yards. Credit Applewhite’s scheme and the O-line blocking, to be sure, but Bothwell was also running through would-be Mountaineer tacklers.
App State QB Joey Aguilar saw a lot of pressure from South Alabama on Sept. 19. Photographic image by Flaco Suarez-Robles for High Country Sports
Bothwell’s second TD came midway through the third quarter, a 14-yard dash into the end zone to complete a 6-play, 67-yard drive, requiring 3:04 in terms of time. It formally put the game out of reach, the Laith Marjan PAT giving South Alabama a 41-7 lead. With that, there was a steady stream of black-and-gold clad Mountaineer fans already leaving the stadium. Bothwell’s Q3 TD featured not only the big freshman, but a balanced offensive possession with Lopez completing passes of 17 and 22 yards to go along with 4- and 20-yard rushes by Bothwell before his TD run.
App State will lick its wounds and hope to regroup before facing a talented Liberty University team in a non-conference encounter between what were expected to be two Group of 5 heavyweights.
South Alabama elevated its Sun Belt Conference title hopes with the win and will take its show on the road for a Sept. 28 test at LSU.
The Mountaineers were the widely touted, preseason favorite to win the East Division of the Sun Belt. They have a lot of work to do to keep those hopes alive after the opening loss to South Alabama.
By Peyton Ash. BOONE, N.C. — A slow-start reminiscent of a week earlier at East Carolina, the Appalachian State Mountaineers sparred with the South Alabama Jaguars on Sept. 19, trading blows for Sun Belt Conference supremacy – but not landing anything and certainly not forging a come-from-behind win. USA prevailed, 48-14.
In front of another sellout crowd at Kidd Brewer Stadium, the Jaguars wasted no time in finding the end zone. Quarterback Gio Lopez torched the Mountaineers for a 50-yard run, then a play-action pass from Lopez to tight end DJ Thomas-Jones gave South Alabama an early lead, 7-0, (after the Laith Marjan PAT kick).
The Mountaineers’ first offensive possession could not hold up against an unrelenting Jaguar defense, forcing a punt back toward what proved to be an explosive South Alabama offense. Driving down the field, the Jaguars again wasted no time finding the end zone as running back Fluff Bothwell ran it in for a 22-yard touchdown.
You can’t sugarcoat it. That was an old-fashioned butt whooping.
“We have to make plays,” said head coach Clark. “ Go out and set the tone of the game… We have to make plays and that falls directly on the coaches.”
Forced to punt again, the Mountaineers found themselves down, 14-0, with 3:16 left in the first quarter. From inside the 10-yard line, the Jaguars put together a well-executed run game before a monster hit on USA quarterback Gio Lopez by Santana Hopper, forced a fumble that was recovered by App State’s Shawn Collins.
The Mountaineer optimism slowly faded as the South Alabama defense forced another punt. Punter Conner Maynard put the ball within the ten-yard line once again, providing a measure of Mountaineer hope for a defensive stop.
With 5:30 remaining in the first half, Lopez brushed off a handful of App State defenders, found an open lane down the Mountaineer hash and sprinted into the endzone from 31 yards out.
Upon getting the ball back, a promising Mountaineer march down to the South Alabama seven-yard line was abruptly halted when App State quarterback Joey Aguilar threw a critical interception, the Jaguars’ cornerback Jordan Scruggs stepping in front of the receiver and cracking a 96-yard INT return. App State wide receiver Christan Horn stopped Scruggs short of the goal line, but was flagged for a horse collar tackle that put the ball at the Mountaineer 2-yard line. A play later, it was punched into the end zone by South Alabama running back Kentrel Bullock.
The home field energy advantage had dissipated at Kidd Brewer by this point, but returned at least momentarily when App State QB Joey Aguilar launched a 47-yard miracle pass downfield to Dalton Stroman for a Mountaineer touchdown, as time struck zero before halftime. The fog-ridden score of 28-7 wrapped up a South Alabama offensive masterclass for the first half.
Punt-after-punt for App State to begin the second half resulted in another pair of Jaguar touchdowns. One came on a cleanly executed “wheel route” caught by wide receiver Jamaal Pritchett in the front corner of the endzone. The second came from the efforts of running back Fluff Bothwell who ran 14 yards behind his tackles and through the Mountaineer defense for the TD.
A high snap from App State center Jack Hollifield resulted in a costly turnover, but this time the Jaguars could not capitalize. The score going into the fourth quarter remained at 41-7.
Running down the clock throughout each possession, the Jaguars’ smothering offense drove down the field and punched in another touchdown, this time by running back Iverson Celestine, who ran it in untouched from 16 yards out.
In the closing minutes of the fourth quarter, Mountaineer running back Maquel Haywood got into the end zone, resulting in a final score of 48-14, South Alabama.
“You can’t sugar-coat it. That was an old-fashioned butt whooping,” Clark said, addressing reporters after the loss.
The Mountaineers are set to face Liberty University (3-0) for another home game on Sept. 28. Prepping for the undefeated Flames includes taking time for players to heal, Clark said..
“We have to get healthy, we’re banged up a little bit right now but that’s not an excuse,” Clark said. “We have enough players to go out there and be competitive and win football games.”
By David Rogers. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Limiting the Carolina Panthers to only seven first downs and a mere 159 yards of total offense, the Los Angeles Chargers pounded to a convincing, 26-3 win on Sept. 15 at Bank of America Stadium.
Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young had a rough day at the office on Sept. 15, here trying to scramble out of pressure by the Chargers’ defense. Photo by Krista Jasso, courtesy of the Carolina Panthers
The Chargers jumped out to a 20-0 lead by halftime, thanks in large part to a balanced, ball control offense and punishing defense. The Chargers’ second year wide receiver Quentin Johnston seemed to shake off all criticism of his rookie year performances with three receptions on three targets, including two of them for TDs. He opened the day’s scoring with a 29-yard catch and run to paydirt in the first quarter, then got the Chargers on the board again with a 5-yard TD catch just over four minutes before halftime. The TCU alum was selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft (the 21st pick overall), but has been widely criticized for a disappointing rookie season in which he didn’t catch a TD pass until Week 10 and, season-long, only 38 receptions for 431 yards and two TDs.
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston catches the first TD pass of the day on Sept. 15, in 26-3 win over the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Photo by Ty Nowell, courtesy of the Los Angeles Chargers.
In the first score of the game, the Chargers faced 3rd-and-long when QB Justin Herbert dropped back and spotted Johnston a step ahead of the Panthers’ defensive back Jaycee Horn, racing down the left sideline. Although Horn was providing close coverage, Johnston was able to come down with the perfectly placed spiral at the goal line for the TD. Of note, LA placekicker Cameron Dicker missed the PAT kick, his first after 60 consecutive good ones to open his professional career.
On Johnston’s second TD, Herbert found his man wide open in the end zone to complete a an 11-play, 65-yard drive that took 6:01 off the clock.
Charger head coach Jim Harbaugh and the offensive coordinator he brought with him, Greg Roman, are known to favor a grinding, running attack that rolls up time of possession as well as yards. In this game, they hardly disappointed.
Running back J.K. Dobbins renewed his role as the feature back in the Chargers’ run-heavy offense, rolling up 131 yards on 17 carries, including a 43-yard TD run. On the run, he took the handoff from Herbert, bounced left to the outside, outrunning all defenders down the sidelines before somersaulting into the end zone.
Chargers running back J K Dobbins celebrates a 43-yard TD run against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 15 by somersaulting into the end zone. Photo by Ty Nowell, courtesy of the Los Angeles Chargers
With his rushing total in Week 2 (131 yards), Dobbins became the first Chargers player in team history to run for 100 yards in back to back games, according to statistics kept by ESPN.
The Panthers had only a few bright moments. They didn’t earn even a first down until well into the second quarter on a nice run by Chuba Hubbard — and that was almost immediately negated when QB Bryce Young was intercepted, passing into tight coverage.
Now 0-2, Carolina will look to rebound next week on Sept. 22, at the Las Vegas Raiders. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET, on CBS. The Raiders are 1-1, after a 26-23 win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2.
The Chargers have started 2024 on a positive note, 2-0, and stay on the road for a Sept. 22 tilt against the Pittsburgh Steelers (1 p.m. kickoff, CBS). The Steelers are 2-0 after Week 2, coming off a 13-6 win over the Denver Broncos.
By David Rogers. GREENVILLE, N.C. — Shrugging off a 16-point, first quarter deficit, App State scored 21 unanswered points — and then hung on to defeat East Carolina on Sept. 13, 21-19, in front of a near-capacity crowd of 46,117 at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
BONUS PHOTOS, GAME STATS AT BOTTOM OF ARTICLE
Oops, they did it again
This game’s beginning looked eerily like a week ago, when on the third play from scrimmage Clemson found the Mountaineer secondary asleep and completed a 72-yard, pass-catch-and-sprint for a touchdown with hardly a minute gone from the game clock. That set the stage for an avalanche of scoring for the Tigers, who took a 35-0 lead by the end of the first quarter, then kept piling on.
Eli Wilson goes up for a grab for App State at East Carolina. Photo courtesy of App State Athletics
Against ECU, the Mountaineers again allowed a deep post pattern TD, this one tossed by QB Jeff Garcia and cradled in stride by Winston Wright, Jr. for 65 yards and paydirt. While the Mountaineer offense had trouble even making first downs in their opening possessions, the Pirates added a 48-yard field goal by placekicker Andrew Conrad and a “pick 6” pass interception by Shavon Revel, Jr. On the INT, Aguilar was pressured by Omar Rogers, causing him to take a little bit off the ball and giving Revel an opportunity to step in front of the intended Mountaineer wide receiver, Dalton Stroman, at midfield and run it back 50 yards to the end zone.
As a man, you have to make a statement and toe the line.
Never quit
Those three early scoring plays by ECU had the home side fans thinking they already had the High Country visitors on the edge of walking the proverbial Pirates’ plank — and erasing the none too fond memories of lopsided losses to the Mountaineers in the last two meetings. But throwing in the towel because things don’t go right at the beginning of a football game is not in the App State DNA, which they have proven time and again over the years. Even though the first quarter had similarities to what happened a week earlier at Clemson, the Pirates are not the Tigers and the visiting Mountaineers were hellbent on proving it.
Joey Aguilar (4) passed for 424 yards against East Carolina, with 2 TDs and 2 INTs. Big plays of 15 or more yards accounted for 281 of those aerials. Photo courtesy of App State Athletics
Mountaineer cornerback Seth Robertson is a fifth-year senior transfer from Georgia Southern who had a key pass interception in the waning minutes to cut short an East Carolina drive that could possibly have won the game with either a field goal or touchdown. He told reporters after the game about the team’s performance and mindset after the disastrous opening quarter.
“As a man, you have to make a statement and toe the line. As a team, we came together at halftime,” he said. “You have to take it like a man.”
Stay in the moment and take it one play at a time.
Quarterback Joey Aguilar said of the deficit there was never a time when he thought, “Oh no, here we go again.”
“We always come back and finish strong,” he said. “That’s what we’re all about.”
Mountaineer wide receiver Makai Jackson caught a 36-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter that put his team ahead, 21-16. Of the team’s resilience and ability to come back, Jackson gave the coaches plenty of props for helping the team regain their composure.
“Coach (Shawn) Clark just pushed everyone to stay together, do their jobs, and not get too high or into panic mode,” Jackson recalled. “He said to stay level-headed, stay in the moment and take it one play at a time.”
For his INT, Robertson was quick to smile and credit his teammates on the defensive line.
“They get after it. Their pressure makes our job (in the secondary) a whole lot easier,” he said.
Brendan Harrington (8) stops an ECU runner at the line of scrimmage on Sept. 14. Photo courtesy of App State Athletics
While the defense sparkled in only allowing ECU to score a late field goal after the first quarter, that only explained a part of the Mountaineers’ resilience in forging the comeback rally.
After the Mountaineer offense’s first three possessions ended in two punts and a pass interception, quarterback Joey Aguilar led his unit to scintillating productivity, including 505 yards of total offense, 424 of them through the air.
Meanwhile, the aggressive Pirate defensive line throttled down the App State rushing attack, the quartet of running backs Anderson Castle, Kanye Roberts and Ahmani Marshall, along with Aguilar, managing only 81 yards combined on the ground, in 36 carries.
Through the air, Aguilar spread the ball around to nine different receivers, including the biggest games from Kaedin Robinson (7 carries, 129 yards), Christan Horn (5-108), Makai Jackson (6-86-1 TD), Eli Wilson (4-53-1 TD), and Dalton Stroman (2-21).
To offset two interceptions thrown by Aguilar, he also threw two TD passes. The first was a well-designed 6-yard pass to tight end Eli Wilson over the middle, capping the Mountaineers’ first scoring drive of 13 plays, covering 75 yards, and it took 5:38 off the game clock, Wilson securing the TD catch early in the second quarter.
Head coach Shawn Clark explained after the game that a major goal of the Mountaineers was to keep the ball out of the hands of ECU’s up-tempo, dynamic offense.
The second Aguilar TD pass came late in the third quarter, to Jackson, and finished off a 4-play drive that went 56 yards, requiring only 1:24. App State got possession in good field position after a short Pirate punt. Jackson caught the ball along the right sideline, near the 5-yard line before going into the end zone.
Watauga alum Anderson Castle (1) got the start at East Carolina on Sept. 14 and had key gains. Photo courtesy of App State Athletics
On paper, the Mountaineer rushing attack was a non-factor, but critical advances by each of the running backs gained key first downs during the comeback. After Robertson’s late INT, Anderson Castle had an important 10-yard dash through the line in the 4th quarter with under two minutes remaining in the game. Moving the chains with the first down gave the Mountaineers what they needed to run out the clock and deny East Carolina another offensive opportunity. Either a field goal or touchdown would have won the game for the Pirates, had they gotten the ball back and been able to move downfield.
But 281 yards of the Mountaineers’ offensive production came on chunk passing plays greater than 15 yards. Robinson had big plays of 17, 22, 19, 31, and 20 yards. Horn hauled in big gainers of 32, and 49 yards. Jackson was on the receiving end of 18, 15 and 36 (TD) yard aerials. And Wilson had a 22-yard reception to go along with his 6-yard TD catch.
Two App State starters on defense, outside linebacker Nate Johnson and defensive back Jordan Favors were ejected for targeting.
It will be a quick turnaround for the Mountaineers once they arrive home in Boone, preparing for their Sun Belt Conference opener at home against South Alabama on Thursday night, Sept. 19, at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.
The Jaguars are coming off setting a Sun Belt Conference, single-game scoring record after demolishing FCS contender, Northwestern State, 87-10, on Sept. 13. It was the first win for the program under new head coach Major Applewhite, a former star QB for the Texas Longhorns and later head coach, quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator for the University of Houston.
App State may get a glimpse of how they stack up against the team’s Sept. 28 opponent, Liberty, when the Flames host East Carolina on Sept. 21.
All game stats made available by StatBroadcast and East Carolina.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Defying all the high school football pundits who forecast visiting A C Reynolds (Asheville) would win the rematch from a year ago, Watauga had all of last week’s problems corrected in running away from the Rockets, 48-21.
BONUS PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF ARTICLE (Click on any image for Slide Show Mode and full size images)
By all accounts, the Sept. 13 meeting between Watauga and A C Reynolds was between two of western North Carolina’s strongest programs, even if it turned out a bit one-sided. Even in the rainy, wet conditions at Jack Groce Stadium, the Pioneers saw near perfect execution in all three phases of the game: offense, defense and special teams to take their non-conference schedule to 4-0.
“Hey guys, I know it is Hawaiian Night for this football game against A C Reynolds, but where is the post-game luau?” Photographic image by Jared Everett for High Country Sports
Senior quarterback Maddox Greene led the Pioneer attack on offense, carrying the ball 22 times for 128 yards and three touchdowns before giving way to junior QB Cade Keller midway through the fourth quarter. To complete his robust stat line, Greene completed 10 of 14 passes for 126 yards and two TDs.
The Pioneers won the toss and elected to receive, starting the opening possession from their own 20 yard line. It was patented Pioneer football on the first drive, going 80 yards in 15 plays and, just as importantly, taking 6:07 off the game clock before getting the first TD.
He was a big recruit and we did not want him to take over the game.
Early down yardage often came difficult for Watauga, going up against a stout and aggressive A C Reynolds front seven. At least in part, that explains much of the Pioneers’ production through the air, being put in 3rd- and 4th-down passing situations. Without question, among the best stat lines on the night for the home team: converting nine of 12 (75 percent) third downs and a perfect two-for-two (100 percent) in fourth down opportunities.
Watauga rolled up 409 yards of total offense, proving pretty balanced at 228 yards rushing and 181 yards through the air.
Watauga QB Maddox Greene was brilliant both running the ball and passing, leading a balanced attack against an aggressive AC Reynolds defense. Photographic image by Jared Everett for High Country Sports
With two players committed to Division 1 schools and a 6-5, 223 lb. junior quarterback in Ely Hamrick with six Division 1 offers already (including from App State, Kentucky, East Carolina, Charlotte, Toledo and Virginia), A C Reynolds came to the High Country with a rich athletic pedigree. Two losses against strong Winston-Salem area 4A schools East Forsyth and West Forsyth serve as bookends to a thrashing, 51-21 victory over perennial 2A powerhouse Shelby just two weeks ago.
So, at least on paper, Watauga’s defensive unit knew they had a challenge in front of them: containing the Rockets’ playmakers. They succeeded, limiting ACR to just 235 yards of total offense. The visitors had mild success on third down, converting 60 percent (6-of-10) of their opportunities, but came up emptyhanded in two fourth down “go for it” opportunities.
Matthew Leon (14) on a sweep around the left side, picking up big yardage and a first down vs. A C Reynolds on Sept. 13. Photographic image by Jared Everett for High Country Sports
ACR running back Max Guest is committed to play at App State next year and head coach Ryan Habich said after the game that a key component of the Pioneers’ defensive strategy was to keep the ball away from him and to contain him when he did have the ball.
We don’t fear teams like we used to.
The grinding, ball control Watauga offense that kept the ball out of A C Reynolds’ hands for much of the game helped advance the Pioneers’ defensive strategy. Kickoffs away from him neutralized Guest as a kick return threat. And individual, in-your-face defensive performances helped prevent him from breaking off any long plays. The Pioneer defense limited Guest to just 17 yards rushing on six carries. He caught three passes, but they were only good for 10 yards gained.
In spite of A C Reynolds’ significant size advantage in their offensive line, Watauga’s defensive unit was able to record five QB sacks, two by Brady Lindenmuth and one each by Callan Riordan, Caleb Dewey and Matthew Leon.
On special teams, Watauga continued to play well, including kicking the ball away from Guest. They recovered a couple of onside kicks in the process, one that was recorded as a fumble by the Rockets and rolled some 15-20 yards within inches of the sideline where it was alertly recovered by junior defensive back Kyle Williams.
After beating A C Reynolds two years in a row, head coach Ryan Habich was understandably enthused by his team’s performance.
“That was a big time win,” Habich told reporters after the game. “I am really proud of our kids. I thought we played a complete game. We talked last week of being sloppy in certain parts of the game (against Maiden), but tonight we played sound in all phases. We didn’t have too many mistakes. We had a turnover, but I really like our our team responded after that.
Especially when you get in the red zone, you have to score points.
“Maddox Greene played a heckuva game making the reads,” Habich added, “because A C Reynolds was a very aggressive defense. They loaded the line of scrimmage and brought (the pressure). I thought we did a very good job of managing the game and our defense didn’t let that Division I running back (Guest) run all over us.”
Many of the high school football observers around the state had A C Reynolds winning this game either by a little or a lot, especially after last week’s sloppy performance by Watauga when, by Habich’s own admission, “We are not a very good football team right now, somewhere between a JV and a Varsity.”
In the first half, Maddox Greene broke through a gap in the line and scored this big TD. Photographic image by Jared Everett for High Country Sports
Watauga’s fast start to this one and using over half of the first quarter game clock on the opening possession was important in Habich’s view.
“That is a huge drive,” said Habich, of the opening possession, “especially the way we marched the ball down the field. That was a good, aggressive defense (we were facing). We marched down and then executed on a trick play. It was the same play that Trathan Gragg dropped the pass last year in the playoffs against Mallard Creek. But Maddox made a great throw under pressure and Trathan wasn’t going to drop this one. I am really proud of the way our kids executed. Especially when you get in the red zone, you have to score points.”
They brought a fight to A C Reynolds tonight.
Habich acknowledged how important it was to keep the ball away from Guest.
“That No. 5 is an Appalachian State commit for next year. He was a big recruit and we did not want him to take over the game. When he is back there and they are moving him around, I thought our special teams’ coaches did a really good job of kicking away from him. All of those calls were audibles at the line of scrimmage. We may have lost some field position (by kicking short), but people don’t realize that if you kick it (deep) to the 10 yard line and No. 5 picks it up, he may very well take it all the way back for a touchdown,” said Habich.
Now in his twelfth year at the helm of the Pioneer program, Habich noted some changes to the mindset of the Watauga players, as a whole.
“(A C Reynolds) is a big-time program with high expectations… but our kids were ready,” said Habich. “I am really proud of our kids. We don’t fear teams like we used to. In my first few years at Watauga, we would play teams like A C Reynolds and people were (questioning) why we (would put them on our schedule). I said eventually we are going to be beating teams like this. Our kids aren’t (intimidated) by these big-time programs. They were ready for this fight. They brought the fight to A C Reynolds tonight.”
Even in the rainy conditions, the Watauga grandstands were packed for the Pioneers’ football game vs. A C Reynolds. Photographic image by Jared Everett for High Country Sports
Reynolds had two areas of unusual concern on the night. One was the number of penalties that negated positive plays on both offense and defense. ACR was flagged seven times for 64 yards while Watauga was more disciplined in drawing two penalties for 10 yards.
Perhaps it was the wet weather, but the other area of concern was the large number of dropped passes. Numerous times, Hamrick made good throws only to have the intended receiver muff the reception.
Up next for Watauga is a Homecoming date at Jack Groce Stadium, hosting North Davidson. Then the Pioneers have a bye week before starting Northwestern Conference play on Oct. 4, at South Caldwell, then again on the road at Alexander Central on Oct. 11.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st Quarter
WAT – TD, Trathan Gragg, 10-yard pass from Maddox Greene (6-0)
WAT – PAT, Jack Wilson (7-0)
WAT – TD, Maddox Greene, 45 yard rush, PAT failed (13-0)
2nd Quarter
ACR – TD, Ely Hamrick, 1 yard rush (13-6)
ACR – PAT, Rossi Santelia (13-7)
WAT – TD, Maddox Greene, 2-yard rush (19-7)
WAT – PAT, Jack Wilson (20-7)
WAT – TD, Evan Burroughs, 2-yard rush (26-7)
WAT – PAT, Jack Wilson, (27-7)
3rd Quarter
WAT – TD, Evan Burroughs, 12 yard pass from Maddox Greene (33-7)
Passing Completions-Attempts-Yards: ACR 11-21-141, WAT 11-15-181
3rd Down Conversions: ACR 6/10 (60%), WAT 9/12 (75%)
4th Down Conversions: ACR 0/2 (0%), WAT 2/2 (100%)
Penalties: ACR 7-64, WAT 2-10
Time of Possession: ACR 19:21, WAT 25:12
SELECTED INDIVIDUAL STATS
Passing
WAT – Maddox Greene: 10-14-126, 2 TDs
WAT – Cade Keller: 1-1-55
ACR – Ely Hamrick: 11-21-141, 1 TD, 2 sacks
Receiving
WAT – Evan Burroughs: 3 catches, 89 yards, 1 TD
ACR – Temaine Keeter: 4 catches, 47 yards, 1 TD
WAT – Landon Smith: 2 catches, 46 yards
ACR – Wes White: 1 catch, 46 yards
ACR – Cavalli Montgomery: 1 catch, 25 yards
WAT – Trathan Gragg: 2 catches, 23 yards, 1 TD
ACR – Tyvon Patterson: 2 catches, 13 yards
Rushing
WAT – Maddox Greene: 22 carries, 128 yards, 3 TDs
ACR – Ely Hamrick: 4 carries, 52 yards, 2 TDs
WAT – Matthew Leon: 5 carries, 46 yards, 1 TD
WAT – Everett Gryder: 14 carries, 45 yards
WAT – Evan Burroughs: 6 carries, 41 yards, 1 TD
ACR – Max Guest: 6 carries, 17 yards
ACR – Tyvon Patterson: 6 carries, 16 yards
ACR – Jayden Smith: 3 carries, 13 yards
OTHER SCORES OF INTEREST
Mount Airy 42, Ashe County 0
Gaffney 31, Freedom 0
Starmount 58, North Wilkes 0
South Point 30, Hibriten 14
McDowell 49, Avery County 21
North Davidson 21, Walkertown 20
Bandys 35, South Caldwell 6
Burns 28, Alexander Central
BONUS PHOTOS
Evan Burroughs catches a 4th quarter pass from Cade Keller for a 55-yard pickup, to the ACR 1-yard line. Photographic image by Jared Everett for High Country Sports
Evan Burroughs dances across the goal line to score a Watauga TD vs. A C Reynolds on Sept. 13, 2024. Photographic image by Jared Everett for High Country Sports
