By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — A magical high school football season came to an end on Nov. 17 at Jack Groce Stadium. Watauga fell to Independence (Charlotte), 34-14, in the third round of the North Carolina 4A State Playoffs.
After defeating a very athletic but less disciplined Mallard Creek team in Round 2, 20-14, there was hope that the Pioneers could repeat that upset performance against the visiting Patriots, who had lost to Mallard Creek early in the season. And when Watauga took the ball 80 yards in 11 plays for a touchdown on the opening possession of the game, those hopes were strengthened.
It was blackout night for the student section on Nov. 17 when Watauga hosted Independence in Round 3 of the state playoffs. Photographic image by David Rogers
This was a game of contrasting offensive styles. Watauga had a more grinding, ball possession attack that emphasized the run and aimed to keep the Independence offense off the field. The Patriots, on the other hand, were lightening quick in getting the ball into the hands of their playmakers, often making short work of downs and distance. Just three plays after getting the ball at their own 49, running back Jayden Jones ran the ball into the end zone to pull the Charlotte visitors even with a successful PAT kick. And Jones’ scoring rush followed a scintillating, 45-yard pass-and-run from QB Justin Little to Jones.
After the early success on the opening drive, Watauga found very little success on offense and even less on defense for the rest of the game.
Watauga’s football moms had their final prayer of the season on Nov. 17 when the Pioneers lost to Independence in Round 3 of the state playoffs. Photographic image by David Rogers
“We played a very good, very athletic, and well coached team tonight,” said Watauga head coach Ryan Habich after the game. “We knew that we were going to have to play a near perfect game and maybe get some help with Independence making some mistakes.”
Habich added that the Pioneers had trouble blocking the big, athletic Patriots and had even more trouble tackling.
Perhaps because of the constant defensive pressure applied by the Patriots, but Watauga quarterback Maddox Greene arguably had an off night passing, completing just 11 of 23 passes for 145 yards and two TDs, offset by two interceptions. He did run for 100 yards on 13 carries, but Watauga rarely put themselves into position to capitalize. At least twice the Pioneers got the ball into the red zone and turned the ball over. Both of Greene’s TD passes were to senior WB/TE Morgan Henry, who hauled in three catches for 64 yards, two for TDs.
Jackson Pryor brings in a pass in the second half of Watauga’s Round 3 game vs. Independence. Photographic image by David Rogers
Meanwhile, Independence QB Justin Little was a perfect 8-for-8 passing, for 166 yards and one TD. On the receiving end of the TD was WR Vontrez Burch, who had 3 receptions for 77 yards, including the touchdown.
But much of Independence’s offensive damage was crafted by running back Jayden Jones. He was credited with 20 carries for 132 yards and three TDs.
Afterward, Habich had nothing but praise for the 2023 edition of the Pioneers, who finish the season 12-1, and crediting a lot of the team’s success to the senior leadership. After losing 23 seniors last year, Habich said this was a rebuilding year so had no expectations for the Pioneers to go all the way to Round 3 of the playoffs.
Everett Gryder gave Watauga fans one last thrill for 2023 when he connected with Jackson Pryor on a ‘hook and ladder’ play in the 4th quarter vs. Independence. Photographic image by David Rogers
“I was just hoping to get through a tough non-conference schedule healthy and then get into the conference schedule,” he said.
Seeded No. 23 coming into the tournament, Independence now advances to the 4A West bracket’s semifinals to face their Southwestern 4A Conference rival, Butler (Matthews, N.C.). The Bulldogs defeated the Patriots in the last game of the regular season on Oct. 27, 35-23. To advance, No. 6 Butler beat back a challenge from No. 19 Mount Tabor, 49-13.
In the top half of the 4A West bracket, No. 1 seed Weddington defeated No. 24 Charlotte Catholic, 37-7. No. 4 Grimsley outlasted No. 4 Hough, 42-35.
Maddox Greene spots a hole vs. Independence on Nov. 17. Photographic image by David Rogers
BONUS PICS from Garner Dewey for High Country Sports
The 2023 Watauga football seniors with head coach Ryan Habich after the Nov. 17 playoff game vs. Independence. Photo by Garner Dewey for High Country SportsMorgan Henry TD catch vs. Independence. Photo by Garner Dewey for High Country SportsJackson Pryor lateraling to Everett Gryder on the 4th quarter ‘hook and ladder’ for a big gain. Photo by Garner Dewey for High Country Sports
By Zach Smith. BOONE, N.C. – An opening drive touchdown from Watauga gave the Pioneer-faithful hope, but the feeling didn’t last long as the High Country was filled with heartbreak as the clock hit zero. Independence rode on 28 unanswered points to end Watauga’s incredible 2023 season, 34-14.
Junior quarterback Maddox Greene led the way for the Pioneers, earning 245 total yards and accounting for both of Watauga’s touchdowns in the air. Independence sophomore running back Jayden Jones was the star of the night, though, powering his way for 132 yards and three scores.
Watauga received the opening kickoff and scored to begin the game, but Independence went on to score the next 28 points before the Pioneers were able to add on to their early success. Both Watauga touchdowns were results of connections between Greene and senior Morgan Henry, who performed well in his last game for the Pioneers. Henry hauled in three passes for 64 yards, and his final catch for the Pioneers was a 19-yard strike from Greene for a touchdown.
Maddox Greene passes downfield on Nov. 17 in Watauga’s Round 3 matchup vs. Independence. Photo by Flaco Rafael for High Country Sports
Watauga Head Coach Ryan Habich shared his thoughts on the matchup against Independence post-game.
“We knew it was going to be tough, their offense is really good, that running back [Jones] was really good,” Habich said. “Their defense was really quick. We had a hard time blocking, so we really had a hard time running the football the way we wanted to run the football.”
Habich also spoke on Watauga’s ability to defy expectations over the course of the season.
“I think if you talked to me in the preseason, I was hoping to stay healthy in non-conference and have a winning record going into conference play,” Habich said. “I don’t think people realize how hard this bracket is because they don’t subdivide the playoffs. I mean, we’re 1,500 going against 2,000+ enrollment in schools, so it’s tough. But, to go to the third round, something we told our kids is ‘there are only six teams that have made it to the third round in Watauga history.”
Watauga’s historic 2023 season was thanks in large part to the relationships between each player. Habich pointed out that that’s part of what made the season so special.
“What we had this year, we had great chemistry on this year’s team,” Habich said. “I think that’s why we were successful.”
The Pioneers, according to many, overperformed over the course of the season. Their campaign was filled with highlight after highlight. Habich spoke on what his biggest takeaway from the 2023 edition of Watauga football was.
“No regrets, team focus,” Habich said. “Focus on the process, I thought this year’s team did that, and you can’t say enough about the senior bunch. We didn’t have expectations. We lost 23 seniors last year, we had two sophomores in the backfield. We only had three of our starters coming back on offense, three on defense. So to be able to build that team, and the kids come together and accept bigger roles, that’s pretty special. We far exceeded a lot of people’s expectations.”
This year’s chapter of Watauga football has come to an end, but it was filled with countless highlights. Going on the road to defeat A.C. Reynolds, a head coach earning his 100th victory with the team, or pulling off a massive upset in the playoffs would individually be enough for a memorable season. The 2023 Watauga Pioneers accomplished all three of those feats, and are set up for a bright future in the High Country.
By Zach Smith. BOONE, N.C. — All good things eventually come to an end and here is how the Watauga Pioneers’ 2023 football season came to a close at Jack Groce Stadium on Nov. 17.
Team Leaders
#2 Watauga
QB/DB #4 Maddox Greene (Jr)
RB #44 Everett Gryder (So)
Has not played since Oct. 27 injury
WB/DB #12 Evan Burroughs (So)
TE/LB #9 Jackson Pryor (Sr)
#23 Independence
QB #7 Justin Little (Jr)
RB #21 Jayden Jones (So)
WR #3 Vontrez Burch (Sr)
TE #17 Will Brown (Sr)
Play by Play
Watauga wins toss, elects to receive opening kickoff
Watauga ball at their own 20
Penalty: False start against Watauga, 1st and 015 at their own 15
Everett Gryder carries up the middle for 1 yard
Gryder carries up the middle for 2 yards
Maddox Greene scrambles right for 28 yards
Cade Keller scrambles for no gain
Gryder carries up the middle for 3 yards
Evan Burroughs carries right for 7 yards
Gryder arries up the middle for 3 yards
Greene carries left for 6 yards
Greene carries right for 4 yards
TOUCHDOWN WATAUGA
#4 Maddox Greene 31-yard pass (1) to #14 Morgan Henry (1)
#41 Jack Wilson PAT is good
Watauga 7 Independence 0
Independence ball at their own 49
Jayden Jones carries right for 5 yards
Penalty: Holding against Independence, 2nd and 11 at their own 48
Justin Little pass complete left to Jones for 45 yards
TOUCHDOWN INDEPENDENCE
#21 Jayden Jones 7-yard rush (1)
#87 Lyric Kopera PAT is good
Watauga 7 Independence 7
Watauga ball at their own 20
Greene tackled for loss of 1 yard
Gryder carries up the middle for 3 yards
Greene pass complete right to Jackson Pryor for 12 yards
Greene carries left for 8 yards
Penalty: Facemask against Independence, 1st and 10 at their own 47
Greene carries right for 1 yard
Greene carries up the middle for 5 yards
Burroughs carries right for 1 yard
Timeout Watauga (1)
Greene carries up the middle for 1 yard
Turnover on downs
Independence ball at their own 45
Jones carries left for 13 yards
Jones carries up the middle for 11 yards
Penalty: Ineligible man downfield against Independence, 1st and 15 at Watauga 36
Jones carries up the middle for 10 yards
Travis Hill carries right for 4 yards
Jones carries right for 9 yards
Little scrambles left for 3 yards
TOUCHDOWN INDEPENDENCE
#21 Jayden Jones 11-yard rush (1)
#87 Lyric Kopera PAT is good
Watauga 7 Independence 14
Watauga ball at their own 17
Gryder carries left for 9 yards
Gryder carries for no gain
Gryder carries left for 4 yards
Greene pass incomplete
Greene pass incomplete
Greene pass complete left to Burroughs for no gain
Watauga punts
Independence ball at their own 34
Hill carries right for 2 yards
Little scrambles left for 14 yards
Jones tackled for loss of 6 yards
Carson Gunnell-Beck with the TFL
Little pass complete over the middle to Will Brown for 16 yards
Penalty: Unsportsmanlike conduct against Independence, 1st and 10 at their own 47
Jones carries up the middle for 9 yards
Little pass complete right to Coleton Belcher for 12 yards
Jones carries up the middle for 9 yards
Hill carries right for 5 yards
Jones carries left for 2 yards
Little pass complete right to Belcher for 11 yards
TOUCHDOWN INDEPENDENCE
#7 Justin Little 4-yard rush (1)
#87 Lyric Kopera PAT is good
Watauga 7 Independence 21
Watauga ball at their own 19
Greene carries for no gain
Matthew Leon carries left for 2 yards
Penalty: Offsides against Independence, 3rd and 3 at their own 26
Greene carries left for 38 yards
Greene pass incomplete
Greene pass incomplete
Penalty: Illegal touching against Watauga, 4th and 16 at Independence 42
Greene pass incomplete
Turnover on downs
Independence ball at their own 42
Jones carries right for 5 yards
HALFTIME
Key Stats
Watauga
QB/DB # 4 Maddox Greene
10 car., 90 yards, 9.0 avg.
RB #44 Everett Gryder
8 car., 25 yards, 3.1 avg.
Independence
QB #7 Justin Little
4/4, 84 yards
RB #21 Jayden Jones
12 car., 85 yards, 7.1 avg., 2 TD
3rd Quarter
Independence ball at their own 49
Jones carries right for 6 yards
Little carries for no gain
TOUCHDOWN INDEPENDENCE
#7 Justin Little 45-yard pass (1) to #3 Vontrez Burch
#87 Lyric Kopera PAT is good
Watauga 7 Independence 28
Watauga ball at their own 20
Burroughs carries right for 4 yards
Gryder carries up the middle for 6 yards
Greene carries left for 2 yards
Greene pass incomplete
Greene pass complete left to Henry for 14 yards
Gryder carries up the middle for 8 yards
Greene pass complete right to Pryor for 15 yards
Greene sacked for loss of 5 yards
Greene tackled for loss of 1 yard
Greene pass complete left to Pryor for 16 yards
Gryder carries left for 2 yards
Greene pass incomplete
TOUCHDOWN WATAUGA
#4 Maddox Greene 19-yard pass (2) to #14 Morgan Henry (2)
#41 Jack Wilson PAT is good
Watauga 14 Independence 28
Penalty: Offsides against Watauga, Watauga to kick off from their own 35
Penalty: Illegal touching on onside attempt by Watauga
Independence ball at Watauga 49
Jones carries up the middle for 6 yards
Little pass complete over the middle to Burch for 20 yards
Jones carries right for 13 yards
Jones carries up the middle for 8 yards
TOUCHDOWN INDEPENDENCE
#21 Jayden Jones 2-yard rush (2)
#87 Lyric Kopera PAT is blocked
Watauga 14 Independence 34
Watauga ball at their own 20
Gryder carries up the middle for 2 yards
Greene carries up the middle for 9 yards
Penalty: Personal foul against Independence, 1st and 10 at their own 46
Gryder carries right for 4 yards
Gryder carries up the middle for 3 yards
Sideline warning against Independence, 1st and 10 at Independence 32
Gryder carries right for 1 yard
Henry tackled for loss of 1 yard
Penalty: Pass interference against Independence, 1st and 10 at Independence 17
Turnover: Greene pass intercepted
Independence ball at their own 1
Penalty: Facemask against Watauga, 1st and 4 at their own 6
Jones carries right for 5 yards
Jones carries left for 2 yards
Jones carries up the middle for 5 yards
Little pass complete right to Belcher for 5 yards
Laramey Watson carries left for 2 yards
Hill carries up the middle for 3 yards
Little pass complete left to Burch for 12 yards
Watson tackled for loss of 2 yards
Henry with the TFL
Watson carries left for 3 yards
Little sacked for loss of 8 yards
Timeout Independence (1)
Independence punts
Watauga ball at their own 38
Greene pass incomplete
Gryder carries up the middle for 2 yards
Greene pass complete left to Burroughs for 8 yards
Greene pass incomplete
Burroughs tackled for loss of 3 yards
Timeout Watauga (1)
Greene pass complete left to Burroughs for 14 yards
Greene pass incomplete
Penalty: False start against Watauga, 2nd and 15 at Independence 46
Greene pass complete right to Burroughs for 9 yards
Greene pass incomplete
Greene pass complete left to Pryor for 7 yards, Pryor pitches to Gryder, Gryder carries for 22 yards
By Katherine Jamtgaard. FOLEY, Ala. – The App State volleyball team opened Sun Belt Tournament action on Wednesday with a 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-22) sweep of the West Division’s No. 7 seed, ULM. The East Division No. 6 seed, App State advances to the second round to take on the West Division’s No. 3 seed, Troy, Nov. 16, 4:30 p.m. CT (5:30 p.m. ET).
“I’m super proud of our team,” said head coach Sarah Rumely Noble after the match. “No one on this current roster has ever won a match in the conference tournament and so they’ve just been so driven and focused all week. I’m ecstatic that we could get the win here today.”
Photo by McDuffie Images, LLC, courtesy of Sun Belt Conference
App State 3, ULM 0
Fifth-year senior McCall Denny recorded a team high 13 kills in addition to 11 digs for her 31st career double-double. Junior Lulu Ambrose recorded 11 kills on the afternoon. Sophomore Maya Winterhoff recorded a hitting percentage of .600 and totaled a team-high seven blocks (two solo, five assists) for the Black and Gold. Redshirt freshman Katie Cruise led the team in the aces (2) and assists category (17). In the digs category, sophomore Alyssa McBean recorded a team-high 20 digs.
App State recorded 12 blocks compared to ULM’s two. App State also led ULM in digs (59-52), aces (5-2), and kills (43-41).
App State went on an early 4-0 run in the first set to take a 6-4 edge over ULM. The Mountaineers built a 12-6 lead with another 4-0 run that included a pair of kills from Ambrose, a kill from junior Lauren Pledger, and an ace from Cruise. ULM tried to catch up, but the Mountaineers maintained an 18-12 lead after a block from freshman Ava Leahy/Winterhoff, which Leahy followed up with a kill. ULM cut App State’s lead to three (23-20), but Denny slammed down a kill that sealed the set, 25-21, for the Mountaineers.
Set 2
The Mountaineers went on an early 3-0 run with a kill from Denny, a block from Denny/Winterhoff, and a Warhawk error. ULM took a 6-5 edge after a 3-0 run of its own, but App State answered with a 5-0 run that included blocks from Pledger/Ambrose, Pledger/Leahy, and an ace from Winterhoff (10-6). A trio of kills from Leahy, freshman Delanie Grevengoed, and Ambrose, in addition to a block from Pledger/Ambrose, extended App State’s lead to 14-7. Building off a pair of 3-0 runs, App State jumped ahead, 23-11. An Ambrose kill brought App State to set point. Despite being held to three set points, the Black and Gold clinched the set, 25-16.
Photo by McDuffie Images, LLC, courtesy of Sun Belt Conference
Set 3
In the third set, App State edged ahead, 3-2, after a 3-0 run that included back-to-back kills from Grevengoed and Winterhoff. A pair of kills from Winterhoff, as well as a kill from Ambrose, kept App State ahead, 6-4. A kill from Leahy and an ace from Cruise gave the Mountaineers a 9-8 edge. After a 3-0 run from ULM, App State tied the score at 11 all. Meeting at 12-12 after a kill from Denny, Grevengoed/Winterhoff went up for a block to give the Mountaineers a 13-12 lead. Back-to-back kills from Denny and Ambrose kept App State ahead, 16-14. As the Mountaineers and Warhawks fought point-for-point, App State broke away for a 22-19 lead. A kill from Grevengoed and solo block from Denny brought App State to set and match point (24-21). A kill from Denny secured the set, 25-22, and the match, 3-0, for the Mountaineers.
Up Next
The Mountaineers will take on the West Division’s No. 3 seed, Troy, in the second round of the Sun Belt Tournament on Thursday, Nov. 16, at 5:30 p.m. CT (6:30 p.m. ET). The tournament will be available to stream on ESPN+. Thursday’s match will be Troy’s first in the tournament after earning a first-round bye.
Scouting Troy
The Trojans went 14-12 (12-4 SBC) this fall. Troy had a rocky start to the season with six consecutive non-conference losses before it was able to muster a 3-1 victory against the College of Charleston on Sept. 8. The Trojans went on a 10-match win-streak that spanned from their SBC opener against Louisiana on Sept. 21, to Oct. 21. South Alabama broke the streak with a sweep of the Trojans on Oct. 26, before Troy defeated the Jaguars, 3-1 on Oct. 27. Troy posted a pair of losses against Texas State before splitting a pair of matches with Georgia Southern to close the regular season.
Tori Hester is one kill away from 400 kills this season for the Trojans and leads the team in the service aces category with 42. Following Hester in the kills category is Amiah Butler, who has 327. Janelle Stuempfig is one assist away from breaking 1,000 assists this fall. Jaci Mesa boasts a team-high 335 digs this fall, while Julia Brooks has tallied a team-high 82 blocks.
The winner of Thursday’s match will advance to Friday’s 4:30 p.m. CT (5:30 p.m. ET) quarterfinal match against East Division No. 2 seed James Madison.
2023 Sun Belt Volleyball Tournament Schedule November 15-19, 2023 | Foley, Ala. | Foley Sports Tourism Complex
First Round Results
(6W) Arkansas State 3, (7E) Georgia State 1
(6E) App State 3, (7W) ULM 0
Second Round – Thursday, November 16
Match 3 – 11:00 a.m. CT – (3E) Georgia Southern vs. (6W) Arkansas State
Match 4 – 1:30 p.m. CT – (4W) Louisiana vs. (5E) Old Dominion
Match 5 – 4:30 p.m. CT – (3W) Troy vs. (6E) App State
Match 6 – 7:00 p.m. CT – (4E) Marshall vs. (5W) Southern Miss
Quarterfinals – Friday, November 17
Match 7 – 11:00 a.m. CT – (2W) South Alabama vs. Winner Match 3
Match 8 – 1:30 p.m. CT – (1E) Coastal Carolina vs. Winner Match 4
Match 9 – 4:30 p.m. CT – (2E) James Madison vs. Winner Match 5
Match 10 – 7:00 p.m. CT – (1W) Texas State vs. Winner Match 6
Semifinals – Saturday, November 18
Match 11 – 2:00 p.m. CT – Winner Match 7 vs. Winner Match 8
Match 12 – 5:00 p.m. CT – Winner Match 9 vs. Winner Match 10
Championship – Sunday, November 19
Match 13 – 3:00 p.m. CT – Winner Match 11 vs. Winner Match 12
By Jacob Plecker. CORVALLIS, Ore. – After trailing by 11 points at the halftime break, a Donovan Gregory tip-in layup at the buzzer capped off an incredible second-half comeback to force overtime on Nov. 14, but a hot overtime period by Oregon State (3-0) propelled the Beavers to an 81-71 victory over App State (1-2) in Gill Coliseum.
In a back-and-forth second-half slugfest that saw the Mountaineers hold the Beavers to just 20 points, Gregory and Terence Harcum helped spark a second-half comeback to force overtime in Corvallis. Gregory netted eight points in the final frame while Harcum poured in nine.
Despite the loss, it was a good night for a trio of Mountaineers as both Harcum and Justin Abson set season highs in points, while Abson added 10 rebounds and blocked a career-high six shots. Abson’s double-double was his first of the season.
Gregory notched 17 points for the second consecutive game on an efficient 8-of-2 from the field while also grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out four assists.
Mountaineer sophomore Justin Abson recorded his first double-double of the season, including this thunderous dunk at Oregon State on Nov. 14. Photo courtesy of Oregon State Athletics
How it Happened
Jordan Pope and the Beavers got off to a hot start on Tuesday as he accounted for Oregon State’s first nine points on the evening, helping the Beavers jump out to a quick 9-3 lead. The Mountaineers responded well to Pope’s barrage, going on a 14-6 run to take the lead with 10 minutes to play in the first half.
The defensive intensity by the Mountaineers picked up during their 14-6 run as App State recorded back-to-back steals to take a two-point lead. CJ Huntley’s and Tre’Von Spillers’ fastbreak layups helped cap off the App State swing.
Three-point shooting was a huge factor for the Beavers in the first half as Pope and the Beavers drained four three-pointers in the next four minutes to take the lead right back before a media timeout (under eight minutes). Pope racked up his third and fourth made three-pointers of the half before the timeout to give him 17 first-half points.
App State head coach dustin Kerns at Oregon State on Nov. 14. Photo courtesy of Oregon State Athletics
App State couldn’t capitalize on close chances to cut into the Beaver lead and Oregon State capitalized to end the first half as seven different players made a “three” in the first half for head coach Wayne Tinkle’s team. Pope’s huge first half and Oregon State’s 10 three-pointers propelled the Beavers to an 11-point lead at the break.
Abson and Gregory each played a strong half of basketball for the Mountaineers as they each tallied seven points. Abson added seven rebounds to his seven first-half points while also sending back one shot.
After a strong showing by the Beavers in the first frame, the Mountaineers answered after the break with a strong second-half start, punctuated by Spillers’ put-back dunk that cut the lead back to two with 13 minutes to play. Defensively, the Mountaineers did well to cool off the Beavers to start the final frame. Oregon State shot just 1-for-11 and turned the ball over three times during App State’s 11-2 run.
Xavion Brown (0) at Oregon State. Photo courtesy of Oregon State Athletics
It was an offensive struggle for both teams in the second half, however, as both teams endured long scoring droughts. Oregon State enjoyed a six-point lead at the under-12-minute media timeout.
After the timeout, the Mountaineers came out aggressive and jumped back in front with a quick 7-0 run fueled by four consecutive points from Gregory. Gregory’s layup to give App State a 50-49 lead marked the first time App State led in the game since it was 19-17 in the first half.
The lead changed hands once more in favor of Oregon State after Pope scored his first points of the second half. A Terence Harcum free throw trimmed the lead back to just one point before Pope drilled a three-pointer to give him 22 points — and it put the Beavers back in front by four, forcing a Mountaineer timeout.
The Beavers went on a 7-1 run after Pope’s big three to extend their lead back to seven at the under-four timeout. App State was fouled just before the timeout to put them in the double bonus for the remainder of the contest. That proved to be vital to App State’s offensive aggression to close the game.
Forcing a K C Ibekwe turnover, the Mountaineers stormed down the court looking to trim the deficit. After nearly turning the ball over, Harcum drove the paint and made an acrobatic layup with his left hand to trim the lead to just four with three minutes to play.
The Mountaineers fouled Dexter Akanno with two minutes to play, sending him to the line where he made one of two free throws to push the lead back to three. On the other side of the floor, the Mountaineers tied the game at 61 thanks to a clutch three-pointer by Christopher Mantis, his fourth of the game. Mantis has made at least three, 3-pointers in every game this season and now has 11 on the young campaign.
Mantis’ shot from long distance silenced the Beaver faithful, but Ibekwe answered right back with a put-back layup to give the Beavers the lead again with 70 seconds to play. After a pair of misses by both teams, Mantis grabbed a defensive rebound with 14 seconds to play and dished to Gregory who advanced the ball up the floor.
Gregory attacked the paint and muscled up a shot that was missed initially, but Oregon State failed to secure the possession and Gregory calmly tipped the ball back in as the horn sounded to tie the game and send it to overtime.
Gregory’s game-tying buzzer-beater forced App State’s first overtime game since last January when they went into OT at Coastal Carolina.
Donovan Gregory puts the ball back in at Oregon State. Photo courtesy of Oregon State Athletics
The extra five minutes were all Beavers as Oregon State jumped out to a fast, seven-point lead a little less than 90 seconds into the frame. An Akanno three-pointer in the corner off a nice find by Pope helped spark the run.
Gregory and the Mountaineers trimmed the lead back to five with a driving layup to tie his season-high in points with 17. Despite the bucket by Gregory, a turnover and a made transition three by Pope pushed the Beaver lead to 10 with 2:28 remaining in the contest and all but sink App State’s hopes of an impressive road win on Tuesday.
It was another strong second-half performance for App State as they fought back from an 11-point halftime deficit to force the extra five minutes, but the Beavers’ found their shooting stroke again in the overtime period and secured their third win of the year.
Top Performers
It was a strong night for a few Mountaineers on Tuesday against a Power 5 level opponent. Gregory’s heroics in the second half helped lead the Mountaineer comeback as he filled the stat sheet with 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Harcum’s team-high 18 points set a new season-high for the junior as he was also a factor in the comeback, scoring nine second-half points.
Abson notched a new season-high in points on Tuesday with 12 while also setting a career high with six blocks and recorded his first double-double of the year in a very strong showing. Xavion Brown’s defense on Jordan Pope in the second half was yet another reason the Mountaineers were able to come back in this game as he held Pope to just five second-half points on 2-of-5 shooting after scoring 17 points on 6-6 shooting in the first half.
Next Up
The Mountaineers will have the next week to prepare before traveling to Fort Myers, Fla., to take on the UNC Wilmington Seahawks next Tuesday at the Fort Myers Tip-Off Event. Tip off from Suncoast Arena is set for noon.
By David Rogers. ATLANTA, Ga. — Dominating Georgia State has become an autumn tradition for Appalachian State football. On Nov. 11, the Mountaineers upheld the tradition with conviction, 42-14 — and the game wasn’t even that close.
App State has five running backs on the team’s depth chart and all of them saw action against the Panthers. Three scored touchdowns, including Nate Noel, Kanye Roberts and Watauga High School alum Anderson Castle, who showed no signs of the pre-season foot injury that kept him off the field for the first several weeks of the 2023 campaign.
Kaedin Robinson catches TD pass for App State at Georgia State on Nov. 11. Photo courtesy of App State Sports
Noel is also rounding into form after being sidelined midseason. On a 61-yard romp through perimeter defenders then racing down the left sideline, the junior from Miami, Fla. looked a lot like the running back who was among the nation’s leading rushers through the first few weeks of the 2023 season.
Inserted in the third quarter, Castle punched a path through the line of scrimmage for a 9-yard TD run, twisting to break a tackle before surging into the end zone.
Roberts accounted for the Mountaineers’ final scoring with a 20-yard rush to paydirt early in the fourth quarter.
Meanwhile, “Joey California” (quarterback Joey Aguilar) was having his way with the Panthers’ defense. He threw for two TDs in the first half, a 44-yard sizzler to Makai Jackson at the beginning of the second quarter, and then a 3-yarder to Kaedin Robinson midway through the second stanza.
With App State getting the ball to start the second half, the Aguilar and the Mountaineers wasted no time. Aguilar threw a perfect strike to wide receiver Dalton Stroman crossing from left to right over the middle, the big redshirt sophomore from Rockingham breaking free from a would-be tackler before sprinting to the end zone for what went into the history books as a 77-yard passing TD. And it came on the first play from scrimmage to open the second half.
Aguilar finished the day having completed 14 of 21 pass attempts, including three TDs vs. just one interception. Yet again the Mountaineers rolled up more than 500 yards of total offense (509), perfectly balanced between rushing (254 yards) and passing (255).
As good as the Mountaineer offense was, perhaps the real stars of this game were members of the defensive unit, which held the Panthers to just 260 yards of total offense. Most of that came in the fourth quarter when the game was already out of hand. App State linebacker Andrew Parker had a big day with 14 total tackles, including 2 tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry. Defensive back T. Alan Yowe hauled in an interception.
Early in the game, Georgia State appeared to be in control when the Panthers manufactured a 20-play drive that advanced the ball from their own 35 yard line to the Mountaineer 4-yard line, but the scoring effort was foiled when GSU quarterback Darren Grainger looked to run left on a keeper, but lost control on a forced fumble credited to APP’s Trevor Moffitt and the ball was recovered by Parker at the 8-yard line.
Georgia State never again really threatened until its two fourth quarter TDs when the game was already out of reach.
Joey Aguilar hands off to running back Nate Noel at Georgia State on Nov. 11. Photo courtesy of App State Sports
“Our guys came out ready to go,” starting center and team captain Isaiah Helms said afterwards. “We brought the energy and played complementary football all the way around (offense, defense, and special teams).”
With its sixth win of the season, App State is now bowl-eligible. There is still a small probability that the Mountaineers can represent the Sun Belt Conference’s East Division in the conference’s Championship game. It would require them to defeat both James Madison and Georgia Southern in the final two regular season games and, in all probability, see Coastal Carolina to lose its game against James Madison in those teams’ regular season finale.
James Madison is so far undefeated, but remains ineligible to play in the conference championship game per the requirements of its joining the conference two years ago.
SUN BELT CONFERENCE SCORES ON THE WEEKEND
Appalachian State 42, @Georgia State 14
@Liberty 38, Old Dominion 10
@James Madison 44, UConn 6
Troy 45, @Louisiana-Monroe 14
@Coastal Carolina 31, Texas State 23
@South Alabama 21, Arkansas State 14
@Marshall 38, Georgia Southern 33
POSTGAME NOTES from App State Sports
App State won its third straight game to move to 6-4 and earn bowl eligibility. It’s the eighth time in nine years that the Mountaineers have been bowl eligible since transitioning to the FBS level.
The 28-point margin of victory is the largest against a Sun Belt opponent since a 45-7 win at Troy in 2021. The Mountaineers have won their last three games by an average margin of 20 points. In the team’s four losses this season, the average margin of defeat was 4.8 points.
Interestingly enough, App State scored a touchdown on the first offensive play of the second, third and fourth quarters.
The Mountaineers defeated the Panthers for the 10th time in 10 tries since they became conference opponents in 2014.
App State improved its road record to 2-3 this season. The Mountaineers’ 34 road victories since 2014 are tied with Oklahoma for fifth-most in the FBS over that span. Only Ohio State, Boise State, Clemson and Alabama have more.
App State and Georgia State tied with two turnovers apiece. Under head coach Shawn Clark, the Mountaineers are 17-1 when winning the turnover battle, 6-11 when losing, and 9-4 when they have the same number of turnovers as the opponent.
App State’s 85 wins since 2015 are sixth-most in the FBS behind Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State and Oklahoma.
Earning his first career start was defensive end Kevin Abrams-Verwayne, while DL Jason Hertz, QB David Hernandez and OL Danny Stevens made their Mountaineer debuts.
OFFENSE
App State eclipsed 30 points for the third straight game and the seventh time this season.
The Mountaineers piled up 509 total yards – 254 on the ground and 255 in the air.
Joey Aguilar completed 14 of 21 passes for 255 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. He increased his Sun Belt lead to 26 passing touchdowns, which also ranks top 10 in the country.
Back to 100 percent health, Nate Noel rushed 10 times for 86 yards, including a 61-yard touchdown four plays after the Mountaineer defense ended Georgia State’s 20-play drive with a forced fumble inside the 5-yard line.
During the game, Noel became the eighth player in school history to eclipse 3,000 career rushing yards.
Kanye Roberts tacked on 77 rushing yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown.
After missing the first eight games of the season due to a fall camp injury, in his second game back on the field, Anderson Castle rushed for 26 yards and his first touchdown of the season on a 9-yard burst to open the fourth quarter.
Makai Jackson caught three passes for a season-high 98 yards. His 44-yard touchdown from Aguilar on the first play of the second quarter made it the second straight game Jackson found the end zone.
On the first play of the third quarter, Dalton Stroman hauled in a deep crossing route, made a man miss, and scored a 77-yard touchdown, the longest touchdown catch by a Mountaineer since Christan Horn’s 80-yard reception last year against The Citadel. Stroman finished with three catches for a season-high 93 yards.
Kaedin Robinson had four catches for 29 yards and his team-leading sixth touchdown grab of the season.
DEFENSE
The Mountaineer defense held Georgia State to 260 total yards. The Panthers entered the game averaging 394 per game.
App State pitched a shutout until the Panthers first scored with 11:57 left in the fourth quarter.
App State’s defense forced eight 3-and-outs and nine Panther punts.
GSU quarterback Darren Grainger entered the game averaging 269.1 yards of total offense (seventh-most among Sun Belt quarterbacks). App State held him to 133 (115 passing, 18 rushing).
Andrew Parker Jr. led the way with a career-high 14 tackles (10 solo), with 2.0 TFLs and a fumble recovery. It was his fifth double-digit tackle game of the season.
Trenton Alan Yowe snagged his first App State interception, while also posting a season-high five tackles, a tackle for loss and two pass breakups.
Trevor Moffit forced a fumble that was recovered by Parker and ended Georgia State’s 20-play first-quarter drive with the Panthers within 5 yards of a touchdown.
By David Rogers. RICHMOND, Va. — Eighteen seconds doesn’t sound like much when you have just won a 13.1 mile, half marathon road race, but to middle distance specialist becoming a marathoner Ryan Ford of Blowing Rock, it makes all the difference in the world — at least for this year.
Ford won the CarMax Richmond Half Marathon on Nov. 11 with a time of 1:03:18, more than two minutes ahead of his ZAP Endurance teammate and No. 2 finisher, Dan Schaeffer (1:05:26). The only problem? He needed to come in at or under 1:03:00 to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon on Feb. 3, in Orlando, Fla.
Schaeffer, explained ZAP Endurance Pete Rea, is a shorter distance race specialist, usually focusing on the mile up to 5,000 and 10,000 meters. On this day, he “paced” his teammate and friend for the first 10 miles before telling Ford, “Go get ’em!” and easing off the pace. Remarkably, he still finished No. 2, just ahead of a trio of other runners completing the course under 1:06. The next athletes to finish were 1:08+, more than five minutes behind Ford and three minutes after Schaffer.
So while Ford and Schaffer might go to Orlando to support their six ZAP Endurance teammates who have qualified, they won’t be competing.
Blowing Rock will still be well represented by three ZAP Endurance men and three ZAP Endurance women. The men include Tyler Pennel, who finished fifth in the 2016 Los Angeles-hosted Olympic Trials; Andrew Colley, who in October’s Chicago Marathon established a new ZAP Endurance club record; and Josh Izewski, who had the previous ZAP club record and in July was the top U.S. finisher in the Gold Coast Marathon, in Australia.
On the women’s side, Tristin Van Ord (set a club record at Chicago, too); Annemarie Tuxbury and Whitney Macon have all qualified for the Orlando marathon trials in February.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Not to take anything away from the Watauga Pioneers’ gridiron exploits of yesteryear, but the Round 2 playoff win, 20-14, over Mallard Creek on Nov. 10 was improbable at worst — and may well be recorded as the biggest upset in Watauga program history.
In the state playoffs, seedings can be misleading. A more urban or even suburban oriented conference could have as many as four strong programs qualify for the playoffs, with little difference between the four in terms of team strength. But because those teams might have finished in second, third or fourth place within their conference, they end up getting a lower seed in the playoff bracket. Arguably, they have a tougher path to a state title.
Mallard Creek, which finished second in the 3A/4A Queen City Conference behind Hough High School of Cornelius, had a couple of tough, non-conference, out of state losses, including a narrow, 3-point loss (10-7) to nationally ranked Buford, Ga. When all was said and done, the net result was a No. 18 seed in the North Carolina 4A West bracket.
Maddox Greene turns upfield for what turned out to be a 61-yard TD run on Nov. 10 vs. Mallard Creek. Photo by David Rogers
Meanwhile, Watauga had arguably an easier schedule, even if facing some formidable non-conference opponents in A C Reynolds, Maiden and North Davidson. Going undefeated led to a favorable RPI rating and, ultimately, to the No. 2 seed in the 4A West bracket.
Without question, the home field advantage of being a No. 2 seed was at play on Nov. 10, because the Pioneers came into the game vs. the Mavericks as decisive underdogs. At least one North Carolina high school football prognosticator had Mallard Creek winning by as many as 40 points.
And the Mavericks looked like they should have been favorites, too. Top to bottom of the roster, they were bigger. Top to bottom of the roster, they seemed more athletic. Top to bottom of the roster, they looked fit and fast.
That the Mavericks had speed to spare was clearly evident. Three of the four members of last spring’s sprint relay teams that broke North Carolina state records in the 4×100 and 4×200 relays are on this year’s football team, including Benjamin Black, a senior advertised as having run the 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds; as well as junior running back Curtis Clark and versatile junior wide receiver/running back Christian Dixon.
And that is just a sampling of Mallard Creek’s speed. Get one of those guys in space with the ball, and they are as dangerous a scoring threat as anyone in high school football.
And yet, Mallard Creek’s offense was not even Watauga head coach Ryan Habich’s biggest concern.
“Mallard Creek has probably the best defense in the state,” said Habich. “They are hard to block with their size and athleticism. We knew we were going to have to take some shots.”
Certainly Mallard Creek’s defensive braintrust did their homework on Watauga’s use of the B-back, which was sophomore Everett Gryder’s role until he got hurt three weeks ago. So up steps sophomore Matthew Leon, who last week rambled for more than 200 yards, rushing the football.
On Nov. 10, the big and physical Mallard Creek defensive line was ready, effectively containing Leon, limiting him to just 18 yards on 17 carries.
Stopping Leon was a good start, but what Mallard Creek doesn’t have is Watauga junior quarterback Maddox Greene, who seems to get better and better with each season and each game. Greene accounted for 278 yards of total offense in this one and was involved in all three Pioneer touchdowns. He completed nine of 14 passes for 157 yards and two TDs, with no interceptions. He also carried the ball 22 times for 121 yards, including the game’s first score, a 42 yard scamper by Greene emerging off of left tackle and maneuvering into the Maverick secondary where he outran all defenders.
Jackson Pryor goes up for game-winning TD catch with 1:30 left in the game vs. Mallard Creek on Nov. 10. Photo by Garner Dewey for High Country Sports
After Mallard Creek tied things up when Black showed off his speed on 17-yard TD run around the left side, Watauga’s Greene hurled a 20-yard TD pass to tight end Morgan Henry early in the second quarter to reclaim the lead, 14-7, Henry finding himself wide open when gathering in the ball as he stepped into the end zone.
With both teams finding advancement of the ball challenging for what remained of the first half, the only drama came when the Pioneers’ senior linebacker/wide receiver Jackson Pryor blocked a Mallard Creek field goal attempt.
Late in the third quarter, Mallard Creek seemed to find the formula for getting their speedy playmakers in space with the ball when junior quarterback Evan Rambert connected with the lightening-fast Black for a 42-yard TD, tying things up at 14-14 with the successful PAT.
Setting up for a dramatic finish
On Watauga’s next offensive possession, a promising drive from their own 32 took the ball into the red zone, highlighted by a swing pass from Greene to Evan Burroughs on the left side. The sophomore sprinted down to near the 10-yard line, but that is where the drive stalled, ending on fourth down when Greene passed to a wide open Trathan Gragg on the left side of the end zone, the ball thrown a little high and the junior tight end unable to bring it in for the TD.
Mallard Creek took possession at their own 7-yard line, but couldn’t get past midfield before the stingy Pioneer defense forced the Mavericks to punt as the game turned the corner into the fourth and final period.
What followed was perhaps Watauga’s most masterful demonstration of clock management. After taking possession with just under 12 minutes remaining in the game, used 17 plays to get the ball to the Maverick 16 yard line and take all but a minute and 30 seconds off the game clock. The drive included a couple of fourth down conversions where failure to convert would have given the ball back to Mallard Creek with good field position. Taking one of those “shots” Habich said they needed in order to get past the Maverick defense, Greene found Pryor in the end zone along the right side for the go-ahead TD.
With Watauga ahead and 1:30 left to play, the drama was just beginning because Jack Wilson’s PAT kick was blocked. If the Panthers could get down the field and scored a TD they would tie it, but a made PAT would win the game for them.
As masterful in clock management as Watauga was on that final drive, they almost left too much time on the clock. Taking possession on their own 30-yard line, the Rambert-led Mallard Creek offense quickly got the ball into Pioneer territory when the junior QB hit Black along the left side for a 32-yard gain. He was good two more times on passes of seven and 15 yards, getting deeper into Watauga territory.
Mallard Creek’s aim to steal victory in the last seconds was foiled on two brilliant defensive plays by the Pioneers. First, was quarterback pressure by blitzing senior linebacker Morgan Henry that resulted in an incomplete Rambert pass. Then, on the very next play Maddox Greene playing in the defensive backfield broke up another Rambert pass in the end zone. Then, with time running out, when Rambert’s last pass of the evening fluttered incomplete in the right flat, a jubilant Watauga sideline raced onto the field and the home grandstands erupted into a roar.
It has been a long time since Watauga has gotten past the second round of the state playoffs at any classification level, but now the Pioneers will host No. 23-seeded Independence (Charlotte) in the third round game at Jack Groce Stadium. Charlotte-based Independence upset No. 7 East Forsyth in Round 2, 34-28.
The Patriots completed their Southwestern 4A Conference schedule 5-1 (9-3 overall), behind No. 6 seeded Butler, which the winner of the Pioneers and Patriots might face the following week if the Bulldogs can get past their Round 3 matchup vs. No. 19 Mount Tabor. Just to show how strong the Southwestern 4A Conference is, three conference members (Butler, Independence and Charlotte Catholic) are among the eight remaining teams in the 4A West third round.
NCHSAA 4A West Scores
@No. 1 Weddington 14, No. 16 Chambers 10
No. 24 Charlotte Catholic 24, @No. 8 T. C. Roberson 21
By Zach Smith. BOONE, N.C.- It was perfect weather for playoff football in Boone Friday night (Nov. 10) and Watauga football put on a show, stunning Mallard Creek, 20-14.
Mallard Creek may have been the No. 18 seed, but the Mavericks were heavily favored coming to the High Country. Mallard Creek finished second in their conference, which includes teams such as Hough and Chambers, two teams who made their own way into the second round of the NCHSAA 4A playoffs. Early in the season, the Mavericks held Buford (GA), the current No. 16 team in the nation according to MaxPreps, to just 10 points. Watauga didn’t let any of this phase them, and played near-perfect football to move on to the third round of the playoffs.
In terms of starts, the Pioneers came out swinging. Head Coach Ryan Habich made the risky decision to go for it on fourth down on the opening drive of the game with the ball spotted at the Mallard Creek 42 yard line, and junior quarterback Maddox Greene did what he’s done all season- create magic. Greene sold the option and took the ball himself to the end zone, earning a crucial seven points in what proved to be a tight, defensive matchup. Greene went on to earn 278 total yards in the game, accounting for all three Watauga touchdowns.
Later in the game, Greene found an open Morgan Henry for a 20-yard strike after a fake end-around to Evan Burroughs, which regained the lead for Watauga after an earlier Mallard Creek touchdown. The Pioneers would hold on to their seven-point lead into halftime.
Mallard Creek struck first in the third quarter, tying the game back up. The 14-14 score held until late in the fourth quarter. With just over 90 seconds remaining, Greene found senior tight end Jackson Pryor, who made an impressive catch over the Mallard Creek defensive back, delivering the decisive blow to the Mavericks. Mallard Creek would attempt to piece together a game-winning drive, but the final pass fell to the ground as the clock hit zero, and Jack Groce Stadium erupted with cheers.
Habich was elated following the game, reminding his players of how big of a win this was for the team. He went over his gameplan post-game.
“We knew it was gonna be very difficult,” Habich said. “We had to take some shots, we had to get some quick plays and score like that.”
Habich also explained how daunting the task at hand was for the Pioneers.
“It was tough,” Habich said. “I mean, blocking those guys was tough, how athletic they were. That was like a college defense we were going against.”
Greene reiterated how tough of a defense Watauga was up against and how he, along with the rest of the offense, adapted.
“They had a great defense, we knew that coming in,” Greene said. “When they started taking Matthew [Leon], we just knew that we had to get four to five yards per play. Keep doing that, keep moving the ball slowly.”
Habich was also sure to credit his defense for holding Mallard Creek to just 14 points.
“Our defense did a tremendous job of not giving up the big play,” Habich said. “We knew they were a defensive team, but they have such good athletes, Division I talent out there. To win in the playoffs, you gotta play complimentary football, and that’s what we’re about here at Watauga. Offense, defense and special teams all playing well.”
Habich made it clear that this was not just one of the biggest wins in Watauga’s season, but in the entire state.
“This might be the biggest upset in North Carolina in a long time,” Habich said. “We shocked a lot of people in the state of North Carolina tonight.”
Watauga’s next matchup is against Independence, a team that Mallard Creek defeated in the first week of the season. The game will be back at Jack Groce Stadium and kickoff is set for 7:00p.m..
By Zach Smith. BOONE, N.C. — Why wouldn’t a Pioneer football fan want to relive Friday Night Lights for Round 2 of the NCHSAA state playoffs — and savor the moment?
Team leaders entering the game
#2 Watauga
QB/DB #4 Maddox Greene (Jr)
RB #20 Matthew Leon (So)
WB/DB #12 Evan Burroughs (So)
TE/LB #9 Jackson Pryor (Sr)
TE/WB/LB #14 Morgan Henry (Sr.)
OL/DL #59 Eli Greene (Sr.)
#18 Mallard Creek
QB #12 Evan Rambert (Jr)
RB #4 Khalil Ali (Sr)
WR/DB #2 Benjamin Black (Sr)
Play by Play
Mallard Creek wins toss, elects to kick
Watauga ball at their own 49
45-yard kick return by Evan Burroughs
Leon carries for no gain
Penalty: Offsides against Mallard Creek, 2nd and 5 at Mallard Creek 46
Greene carries left for 4 yards
Leon carries for no gain
TOUCHDOWN WATAUGA
#4 Maddox Greene 42-yard rush (1)
#41 Jack Wilson PAT is good
Watauga 7 Mallard Creek 0
Penalty: Offsides against Watauga, Watauga to kickoff from their own 35
Mallard Creek ball at their own 32
Dixon carries for loss of 1 yard
Dixon carries left for 1 yard
Dixon carries up the middle for 9 yards
Dixon carries up the middle for 2 yards
Dixon carries up the middle for 1 yard
Khalil Ali carries right for 3 yards
Caleb Knight carries left for 3 yards
Mallard Creek Punts
Watauga ball at their own 21
Penalty: Holding against Watauga, 1st and 19 at their own 12
Leon carries right for 1 yard
Greene sacked for loss of 4 yards
Greene pass incomplete
Watauga punts
Mallard Creek ball at their own 43
Ali carries left for 8 yards
Ali carries left for 23 yards
Dixon carries left for no gain
Penalty: Holding against Mallard Creek, 2nd and 20 at Watauga 36
Ali carries for loss of 1 yard
Timeout Mallard Creek (1)
TOUCHDOWN MALLARD CREEK
#2 Benjamin Black 37-yard rush (1)
#10 PAT is good
Watauga 7 Mallard Creek 7
Watauga ball at their own 30
Greene carries up the middle for 3 yards
Greene tackled for loss of 1 yard
Greene pass complete right to Morgan Henry for 23 yards
Leon carries up the middle for 2 yards
Greene scrambles right for 3 yards
2nd Quarter
Watauga ball, 3rd and 5 at Mallard Creek 40
Greene carries left for 3 yards
Timeout Watauga (1)
Greene carries up the middle for 5 yards
Greene pass complete left to Burroughs for 5 yards
Leon carries up the middle for 7 yards
TOUCHDOWN WATAUGA
#4 Maddox Greene 20-yard pass (1) to #14 Morgan Henry (1)
#41 Jack Wilson PAT is good
Watauga 14 Mallard Creek 7
Mallard Creek ball at their own 44
Knight carries right for18 yards
Dixon carries right for 16 yards
Dixon tackled for loss of 1 yard
Knight carries left for 5 yards
Dixon carries up the middle for 2 yards
Knight pass complete right to #9 for 4 yards
Dixon carries left for 7 yards
Dixon tackled for loss of 3 yards
Dixon fumbles, recovers for loss of 4 yards
TURNOVER!
Mallard Creek FG attempt blocked by #9 Jackson Pryor
Watauga ball at their own 8
Greene carries right for 5 yards
Leon tackled for loss of 1 yard
Greene carries left for 9 yards
Greene carries right for 3 yards
Leon carries for no gain
Greene carries up the middle for 6 yards
Greene carries up the middle for 1 yard
Leon carries left for 3 yards
Leon tackled for loss of 2 yards
Greene tackled for loss of 2 yards
Timeout Mallard Creek (2)
Watauga punts
Mallard Creek ball at Watauga 49
Timeout Mallard Creek (3)
Knight scrambles for 3 yards
SECOND HALF
Penalty: Holding against Mallard Creek, 1st and 10 at Watauga 16
Black pass incomplete
Ben Gosky with the pass breakup
Dixon carries up the middle for 8 yards
Dixon tackled for loss of 1 yard
Trathan Gragg with the TFL
Dixon carries for no gain
Gragg with the tackle
Turnover on downs
Watauga ball at their own 8
Leon carries up the middle for 1 yard
Greene carries right for 5 yards
Greene carries right for 4 yards
Leon carries for no gain
Leon tackled for loss of 4 yards
Penalty: Holding against Watauga, 3rd and 21 at their own 6
Greene pass incomplete
Watauga punts
Mallard Creek ball at Watauga 49
Nassor Ashenafi carries left for 6 yards
Ashenafi carries up the middle for 1 yard
TOUCHDOWN MALLARD CREEK
#12 Evan Rambert 42-yard pass (1) to #2 Benjamin Black (1)
#10 PAT is good
Watauga 14 Mallard Creek 14
Watauga ball at their own 32
Greene carries right for 10 yards
Leon carries for no gain
Greene pass complete left to Burroughs for 48 yards
Burroughs carries right for loss of 4 yards
Timeout Watauga (1)
Greene pass incomplete
Greene pass complete left to Burroughs for 7 yards
Greene pass incomplete
Turnover on downs
Mallard Creek ball at their own 7
Rambert pass complete left for 17 yards
Dixon carries right for 2 yards
Dixon carries left for 7 yards
Ali carries left for 4 yards
Dixon tackled for loss of 1 yard
Rambert pass complete right to Black for 13 yards
Penalty: Holding against Mallard Creek, 1st and 20 at their own 39
Rambert pass complete right to White for 8 yards
Ashenafi tackled for loss of 2 yards
Rambert pass complete right to Black for 7 yards
Mallard Creek punts
Watauga ball at their own 11
Leon carries up the middle for 4 yards
Greene carries up the middle for 3 yards
Greene carries left for 7 yards
Greene scrambles for no gain
Greene pass complete right to Pryor for 13 yards
Leon carries up the middle for 3 yards
Leon carries up the middle for 7 yards
Greene tackled for loss of 1 yard
Greene carries left for 4 yards
Burroughs pass complete left to Greene for loss of 3 yards
Greene pass complete left to Burroughs for 7 yards
Greene pass complete right to Pryor for 18 yards
Greene carries left for 3 yards
Greene carries left for 5 yards
Leon carries up the middle for 6 yards
Leon tackled for loss of 2 yards
Timeout Mallard Creek (1)
TOUCHDOWN WATAUGA
#4 Maddox Greene 16-yard pass (2) to #9 Jackson Pryor (1)
