By David Rogers. BETHEL, N.C. — After opening an 11-1 lead in the first set vs. Cove Creek, Blowing Rock’s volleyball team couldn’t hold on to it, losing the first set, 20-25. The Rockets exacted a measure of revenge in winning the second set, 25-20, but could not survive the third and deciding set, 7-15.
Blowing Rock 6th grader Emory Kerns sets the ball backward, toward the net on Sept. 21, vs. Cove Creek at Bethel. Photographic image by David Rogers
Cove Creek proved to be the big winners in the tri-match vs. the Rockets and the Bethel Beavers. The Raiders rallied for an overtime win against the host Bethel squad, 28-25, before putting an exclamation point on the encounter with a dominating, 25-10 second set victory.
Blowing Rock got the best of Bethel in the opening set of the night’s last match, 25-17, but lost a tight second set, 23-25, as well as the deciding third set, 12-15.
Blowing Rock libero Maddie Plemmons reaches for a dig against Cove Creek Middle School on Sept. 21. Photographic image by David Rogers
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — After getting thumped by East Alexander Middle School a week earlier, the Watauga Wolverines returned to the High Country and get back to basics, to work on a few things. After running by, through and around Hudson Middle School on Sept. 20, with a 46-8 win, you might say, “Mission accomplished.”
Quarteback Easton Burns slices through the line for a big gain in the Watauga Wolverines’ 46-8 win over Hudson at Hardin Park School. Photographic image by David Rogers
The Wolverines received arguably the highest compliment while gathering for a team picture after the game, in the east end zone of the Hardin Park School football field. The departing Hudson team bus was going by when one of their players leaned out the window and yelled, “Nice job, Watauga!”
To be sure, the Wolverines won the day in grand style on both sides of the ball. Long rushes for TDs by multiple players, as well “scoop and scoot” fumble recoveries and returns for TDs. Scoring 33 points in just the first quarter and adding seven more before halftime, head coach Michael Neff and his staff were able to give a lot of players time on the field.
Watauga MS running back Brayson Gough (22) rambled for a large gain through the Hudson defense on Sept. 20, before finally being brought down.. Photographic image by David Rogers
“When we played East Alexander, they were a good team but I don’t think we gave them our best football,” said Neff, before adding, “So we came back and worked on a lot of things. We showed a lot of improvement today. Our guys played hard.”
By David Rogers. LENOIR, N.C. — To say that good defense led to outstanding offense is an understatement for anyone watching Watauga Volleyball’s visit to the Hibriten gymnasium on Sept. 20. The Pioneers swept past a much improved Hibriten squad, 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-16).
Acknowledging the emerging strength and competitive balance of Northwestern Conference opponents, Watauga head coach Kim Pryor intentionally loaded the 2023 early season, non-conference schedule with historically state playoffs-caliber opponents, like Cox Mill, Cuthbertson, Foard, Hickory and Southwestern Randolph, all contenders at their respective 1A, 2A, 3A, or 4A levels. Not only did the Pioneers emerge with a gaudy 8-1 record after running through that gauntlet (the only loss a tense, 3-0 sweep by the Cox Mill Chargers at home), but it allowed them to hone their defensive skills up and down the Pioneer roster.
Against Hibriten’s strong hitters, libero Evie Robbins recorded 22 digs to lead the defensive effort, but nine other Pioneers also helped keep the ball in play with digs, including another player, Madi Combs, also in double figures with 11 digs.
Keeping the ball in play and putting it in a position to be set for offensive purposes is a precious volleyball skill. Robbins and Combs led the way in not only manufacturing improbable defensive digs, but getting the ball up to where the Pioneer setters could deftly create usable opportunities for the “kill” specialists, Brooklyn Stanbery and Emma Pastusic, in particular.
With 17 assists, Combs was often on the receiving end of Robbins’ digs. With 13 assists, Lainey Gragg picked up the slack in setting up the team’s offensive opportunities.
Six Pioneers recorded kills on the night but it was Stanbery’s 18 kills and Pastusic’s 14 kills that dominated the action at the net.
But offensive kill shots are not the only “action” at the net. We would be remiss not to highlight the eight stuff blocks spread across five Watauga players, including two each by senior middle hitters Sara Marlowe and Kate McCullough, along with sophomore middle hitter Kora Knight.
Now 10-1 on the season overall, 3-0 in Northwestern Conference, the Pioneers will mix in two more strong non-conference opponents before resuming conference play on the road at Freedom on Sept. 25. They will get up early on Saturday, Sept. 23 for a 10 am. non-conference tilt at home against North Iredell (12-1), then face 11-8 North Henderson at 1 p.m. in Lentz Eggers Gym.
By David Rogers. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — What started out as a trading field goals slugfest morphed into a battle of TD survival on Sept. 18 at Bank of America Stadium. Visiting New Orleans outlasted Carolina, 20-17. the two NFC South rivals moving in opposite directions. The Saints improve to 2-0, the Panthers fall to 0-2.
It was a costly loss for the Panthers, who lost linebacker Shaq Thompson to what head coach Frank Reich termed a “significant” ankle injury. Unofficially, it was severe enough that many are thinking that Thompson will be out indefinitely, if not for the rest of the 2023 season.
Wide receiver Adam Theilen scored this TD after a pass from QB Bryce Young with barely a minute to go in the Sept. 18 game vs. the New Orleans Saints. Photo courtesy of the Carolina Panthers
Placekicker Eddie Piniero kept the Panthers in the mix with a 52-yard field goal to open the game, midway through the first quarter, and added a 54-yarder early in the third quarter to tie the game at 6-6.
The Saints then put together a 10-play, 75 yard possession that ended up with reserve running back Tony Jones, Jr. slicing into the end zone from two yards out.
Carolina could not do much in response, having to settle for another field goal by Pineiro, from 36 yards.
New Orleans managed another long drive, 6 plays for 79 yards, ending with another 2-yard plunge by Jones, Jr. for another TD.
Photo courtesy of the Carolina Panthers
While the Saints seemed to put the game away with just over three minutes remaining, Carolina made it interesting with an 11-play, 75 yard TD drive ending with a Bryce Young to Adam Thielen TD pass and a successful Young-to-Thielen pass for a 2-point conversion that put the Panthers within a field goal of tying the game. Such an opportunity went away, however, when Carolina’s onside kick attempt was smothered by New Orleans to all but ice the game with barely a minute remaining.
If there were meaningful highlights for Carolina, it was on the defensive side of the ball, with the Panthers applying constant pressure on New Orleans QB Derek Carr. Defensive lineman Frankie Luvu recorded a pair of sacks while defensive back Vonn Bell poached an interception to stop a Big Easy drive late in the first half.
The 2023 NFL Draft’s first selection, rookie QB Bryce Young, directed an uneven Carolina offense, earning only 239 yards of offense and only 14 first downs. The aforementioned TD, their first, didn’t come until there was barely a minute left in the game. Young’s stat line for evening’s work was completing 22-of-33 pass attempts, for just 153 yards through the air. He ran twice for 34 yards.
Carolina moves ahead hoping to rebound on Sept. 24 at the Seattle Seahawks before returning home to host the Minnesota Vikings’ (0-2) high octane offense on Oct. 1. Things don’t get any easier with consecutive road trips to the Detroit Lions (1-1) on Oct. 8, then south to the Miami Dolphins (2-0)on Oct. 15.
Panthers QB Bryce Young was under a lot of pressure from New Orleans throughout the Sept. 18 game on Monday Night Football. Photo courtesy of Carolina Panthers
By David Rogers. BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — Foster care in North Carolina has never been in greater demand. The Speckled Trout Outfitters is raising awareness as well as raising money for a non-profit organization, The Mayfly Project, that is addressing some of the foster care challenges.
The 1st Annual Cornhole Tournament benefiting the local chapter of The Mayfly Project is Saturday, Sept. 23, 12 noon to 5 p.m. The entry fee is $40 per team of two. Music and beer will be available throughout the day, the event ending with awards and raffle prizes.
All proceeds from the $40 entry fee, raffle tickets, and the sale of donated beer from Lost Province will go directly to funding the Mayfly Project local chapter.
While not necessary, pre-registration is encouraged for competition planning purposes. CLICK HERE for pre-registration.
The Mayfly Project is a nationally-recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit that uses fly fishing as a catalyst to mentor children in foster care. The mission is to support children in foster care through fly fishing and introduce them to their local water ecosystems. By rewarding the children to a rewarding hobby, the goal is to provide an experience for foster children that is fun, that supports them, and leaves them with a connection to the outdoors.
Adoption Choice, a private non-profit adoption agency describes the many challenges faced by children in foster care, at least some of which are addressed head-on through the mentoring and experiences facilitated by The Mayfly Project.
Grief and Loss: All children who enter foster care experience grief and loss due to the separation from their biological family. This happens whether or not the child has an abusive or neglectful background. It happens even to babies, who have had nine months in utero to get used to the sounds and rhythms of their biological mother.
Fear and Anxiety: Children who enter foster care experience fear and anxiety. While the children are placed with people who have been determined able to provide a safe place, children still need to learn to trust the new adult(s) in their lives. Some of the children who come into care have not attached well to anyone in their family.
Multiple Placements: Children often experience multiple placements which happen for reasons such as foster parents leaving the program or children needing a home more suited to their specific needs. These placements make attachment and trust much more difficult for foster children.
Difficulty Trusting Adults: Many foster children have no reason to trust adults and this makes it difficult when they are in school, where most children generally trust teachers. It is important to remember that, in order to survive both emotionally and physically, foster children have had to rely on only themselves. Through patience, time, good parenting, and teamwork, these children can come to trust adults.
Fragmentation of services due to moves: Services such as education, therapy, and medical care are fragmented when children move from place to place. At times, these services end up being worthless as the fearful children have no clear sense of who will take care of them.
By David Rogers. JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. — For the third year in a row, Watauga middle schooler Cali Townsend captured the Fender’s Farm Cross Country Carnival title in the Middle School Girls Division.
As a 6th grader in 2021, Townsend ran the 2-mile event in 12:36.20. In 2022, she improved on the earlier time, navigating the 2-mile distance in 12:35. 10. On Sept. 16, as an 8th grader, she covered the distance in 12:55.10, well ahead of Liberty Bell Middle School 8th grader, Avery Whitson (13:03.80).
With 271 athletes competing, representing 29 school teams, with all five scoring runners finishing in the top 11. In addition to Townsend’s No. 1 finish was Sophia Stull at No. 5, Ayla Tunstill at No. 8, Kate James Moore at No. 9, and Lillian Kimbrough at No. 11.
Other Watauga runners finished well, too, including Eva Hannon at No. 21, Noelle Bollman at No. 34, Grace Scantlin at No. 35, Merritt Powell at No. 49, Addie Greer at No. 58, Gianna Casco at No. 59, Ella Goodman-Meade at No. 61, Savannah Moretz at No. 66, Lelila McTier at No. 77, Xitlali Luna at No. 99, Lillian Olson at No. 100, and Bianca Casco at No. 101.
“To have so many of our athletes finish in or near the top third of their middle school peers is exciting,” said Watauga head coach Scott Townsend. “When you think that Bianca Casco, Ella Goodman-Meade, Addie Greer, and Kate James Moore are all in the 6th grade and six others are still in the 7th grade… well, it speaks well for the future of our program, as well as the high school program further out in their running careers.”
The 2023 team championship in the Fender’s Farm XC Festival is also a 3-peat, noted Townsend and the times keep getting better.
“The entire girls team ran under a 10-minute mile pace this year, again,” said Townsend, emphasizing the AGAIN. “Our biggest gains came among the girls running in the eight to nine minutes per mile pace range. That shows these girls are working, and working hard to improve every week.”
MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS DIVISION
With less than half of the Watauga middle school boys team competing in the Fender’s Farm race, the team still finished No. 16 out o 27 middle school teams taking part.
With 284 boys cross country athletes competing at Fender’s Farm, Blowing Rock School 7th grader Sean Rea placed No. 15 to lead Watauga. The next Watauga boys to cross the line was Yates Hodges (6th grade, No. 118), Cole Gray (8th grade, No. 122), Olin Coley (6th grade, No. 156), Charlie Huggins (7th grade, No. 196) and Collin Troisi (7th grade, No. 265).
A quartet of 8th graders topped the boys division field, led by Dylan Robinson of Providence Academy, then Nathan Stevens of Lamar MS, Curtis Todd of Unicoi County MS, and Brayden Brown of Rogersville City School.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — With a record, sellout crowd at Kidd Brewer Stadium on Sept. 16 for the App State football game vs. East Carolina, there were a lot of photo opportunities off and around the field of play.
RANDOM IMAGES
Left to right, App State football alums former defensive tackle Tyson Fernandez and star running back Marcus Cox, with their friend Dylan. Fernandez is now head football coach at Rocky River High School (Mint Hill, NC), while Cox is running backs coach at Dacula, Ga. High School and in the family business, a non-profit in clinical psychology. Photographic image by David Rogers
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — When Yosef ziplined into Kidd Brewer Stadium carrying an American flag, the Sept. 16, in-state rivalry game between Appalachian State and East Carolina took a dramatic turn even before the first snap of the football. A record-tying stadium crowd of 40,168 got their money’s worth in watching the two teams battle to a 43-28, come-from-behind win by the Mountaineers over the Pirates.
BONUS PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF ARTICLE (click any image for slideshow mode)
The fans, even a large contingent of Pirate sympathizers massed in the North End Zone bleachers and northeast corner grandstands, brought energy to the moment-after-moment action on the field.
Mountaineer QB Joey Aguilar showed nice touch in completing this second half pass during the 43-28 win over East Carolina at Kidd Brewer Stadium on Sept. 16. Photographic image by David Rogers
Mountaineer head coach Shawn Clark acknowledged after the game that East Carolina is a better football team than their now 0-3 early season record suggests. Certainly, the way the Pirates’ junior quarterback Alex Flinn directed ECU’s opening possession to a TD supports that notion. It was a 9-play, 75-yard drive that took almost five minutes off the clock — and kept the Mountaineers’ potent offense off the field.
App State proved why keeping their offense off the field might be important for an adversary when it took just two plays and a Michael Hughes PAT kick to tie the game at 7-7. Quarterback Joey Aguilar rifled a short pass to WR Kaedin Robinson for seven yards on the right side, then running back Nate Noel maneuvered himself through traffic on the left side before sprinting down the sideline for a 68-yard finish in paydirt.
Nate Noel (5) got things started for the Mountaineers on Sept. 16, with this 68 yard run from scrimmage. to the end zone. Photographic image by David Rogers
After a subsequent trade of first quarter possessions and the Mountaineers stalled at the ECU 19, Hughes put App State ahead with a 36-yard field goal to end the first stanza’s scoring, but the 10-7 lead would not hold up for very long.
Aguilar has not given up much in the way of takeaways — interceptions — so far this year, with a 9-2 TDs vs. INTs ratio in the first three games. One of those INTs came against East Carolina, facing pressure with the Mountaineers pressed back against their own goal line after Pirate junior Luke Larson’s punt was deftly downed at the Mountaineer 1-yard line, early in the second quarter. Noel gave his team a little “breathing room” with a four-yard run up the middle on first down, but on 3rd-and-6 from the 5-yard line, Aguilar’s pass to the left flat was picked off by EC U freshman defensive back Antoine Jackson and returned the 8 yards to the end zone for a “pick 6.” With the PAT kick, the Pirates bagged a 14-10 lead, looking for still more “treasure” that might be hidden on The Rock.
And they found it. With App State’s offense unable to respond, ECU got the ball back with good field position at their own 43-yard line. Flinn, with whom many Watauga area football fans may be familiar as an alum of NCHSAA 4A powerhouse A C Reynolds High School in Asheville, manufactured an 11-play, 57-yard drive and put the visitors even further ahead on Rahjai Harris’ 4-yard rush, his second TD of the day.
Wide receiver Milan Tucker crosses the goal line for an App State TD on Sept. 16, vs. ECU at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Photographic image by David Rogers
A two-score deficit was hardly what AppNation was hoping for with just over two minutes remaining in the first half, but the Mountaineers took just four plays and barely a minute to narrow the gap. The big plays on the drive included an Aguilar-to-Christan Horn pass for 16 yards, immediately followed by an 18-yard jitterbug weave by running back Kanye Roberts down the right sideline before cutting back to cross into the end zone closer to the center of the field.
Turning the Tide?
When the APP defense stopped Flinn and the Pirate offense in the final minute of the first half, it proved a harbinger of things to come.
App State’s defense came up big vs. East Carolina on Sept. 16, including this tackle for loss by Andrew Parker, Jr. Photographic image by David Rogers
If the second half was an offensive gem for the Mountaineers, it was a defensive masterpiece. Whatever adjustments were made at halftime, they were golden. For the final two quarters of play, ECU ran 25 plays and gained just 42 yards of total offense, minus 5 yards rushing and completing just six of 14 passes for 47 yards. Oh, and the App State defense picked off two Flinn passes to stop whatever drives the Pirates were trying to get started. Jordan Favors, the Mountaineers’ redshirt sophomore safety out of Griffin, Ga., got one of those INTs near midfield early in the third quarter. Philyaw Omari, a redshirt freshman out of Charlotte’s Hough High School, got the second of the half — the third of the game for App State — with three minutes left in the third quarter.
Meanwhile, Aguilar & Co. were having their heyday. Receiving the second half kickoff, it took the California junior college transfer just eight plays to connect with Robinson for a 34-yard strike for a TD, with the Hughes PAT putting the Mountaineers back ahead, 22-21.
Asheville-A.C. Reynolds alum QB Alex Flinn had several good moments in facing the Mountaineers on Sept. 16 for East Carolina, especially in the first half. Photographic image by David Rogers
Forget for a moment that shortly after Favors’ interception near midfield, Pirates linebacker B J Davis forced a fumble by Roberts that was scooped up by defensive back Shavon Revel and run back for 43-yard fumble return for TD, putting the Pirates back ahead 28-22. Blessed by extra possessions thanks to the defensive unit’s takeaways, Aguilar and the App State offense lanced the Pirates for 253 yards in the second half, 114 rushing and 139 passing. Through the air, Aquilar completed 10-of-15 passes, including three touchdowns to put the game all but away.
After Revel’s fumble return, the Mountaineers reeled off three consecutive TD possessions to complete the day’s scoring, including a 34 yard pass from Aguilar to WR Milan Tucker, a one-yard keeper run by Aguilar, and a 6-yard pass to redshirt sophomore tight end David Larkins, who has battled injuries and was playing in his first game as a Mountaineer, head coach Shawn Clark told reporters later.
The Mountaineers will now prepare for a long road trip to the Rocky Mountains where they will face Wyoming, a BCS contender competing in the Mountain West Conference, another of the so-called “Group of 5” conferences. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23, and is slated to be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network.
NOTEWORTHY, from App State Sports:
Attendance at Kidd Brewer Stadium was 40,168, tying the school record set during last season’s opener against North Carolina. Eight of the top 10 crowds in Kidd Brewer Stadium history have occurred since the start of the 2022 season.
App State now owns two of the three 40,000-attendance games in the history of the Sun Belt Conference. The record is a 2009 Louisiana home game against Southern that had 41,357 fans.
The Mountaineers increased their all-time series lead over East Carolina to 21-12 and have a 2-0 advantage with both teams as FBS members.
App State improved to 50-9 in home games since 2014, the sixth-best winning percentage nationally in that span (and best among Group of Five programs).
The Mountaineers improved to 31-1 when winning the turnover battle since 2018, including a 17-1 mark with Shawn Clark as the head coach.
App State’s 81 wins since the start of the 2015 season are tied with Notre Dame for sixth-most in the country among FBS teams behind Alabama (105), Clemson (102), Georgia (94), Ohio State (93) and Oklahoma (87).
First-time starters for the Mountaineers included TE David Larkins and OLB Thomas Davis.
OFFENSE
App State has started the season with three straight 40+ point performances for the first time since 2010. The Mountaineers finished 10-3 that season and were Southern Conference Co-Champions.
Nate Noel rushed for 178 yards and a touchdown and tied his career high from the previous game with 26 carries. It was his fourth straight 100-yard game dating back to last year, becoming the first App State player to do that since Darrynton Evans in 2018.
Joey Aguilar threw for 241 yards with three touchdowns, an interception and a rushing touchdown. Through two-and-a-half games after he entered in the second quarter for injured starter Ryan Burger against Gardner-Webb, Aguilar has thrown for nine touchdowns and accounted for 10, while only tossing a pair of interceptions.
Kaedin Robinson led the receiving corps with four catches for 57 yards, including his second touchdown of the season, a 34-yard grab that gave App State a 22-21 lead early in the third quarter.
Kanye Roberts rushed for 42 yards on six carries with his first touchdown of the season and the third of his career.
Returning All-American kick returner Milan Tucker scored his first career receiving touchdown, a go-ahead score in the third quarter to put the Mountaineers up 29-28. It was his second career score of any kind (kickoff return at Marshall last year).
DEFENSE
App State played stingy defense, allowing just 14 points from the Pirate offense (their other 14 came from a pair of defensive touchdowns).
The Mountaineers held ECU to 79 rushing yards in the game, including -5 in the second half.
App State hauled in three interceptions in the game, the first time doing that since 2021 at Arkansas State.
The interceptions came from Nick Ross (fourth career), Jordan Favors (first career) and Omari Philyaw (first career).
Inside linebacker Derrell Farrar racked up a career-high eight stops to lead all Mountaineer tacklers.
App State’s season-high four sacks were by Markus Clark (first career), Brodrick Gooch (first career), Andrew Parker Jr. (second career), and Nate Johnson (first career).
SPECIAL TEAMS
Michael Hughes made a 36-yard field goal on his only attempt.
HEAD COACH SHAWN CLARK POST-GAME PRESS CONFERENCE
SELECTED TEAM STATS (StatBroadcast.com)
Net Total Yards: ECU 240, APP 465
Net Rushing Yards: ECU 79, APP 224
Net Passing Yards: ECU 161, APP 241
Rushing TDs: ECU 2, APP 3
Passing TDs: ECU 0, APP 3
Defensive TDs: ECU 1, APP 0
Time of Possession: ECU 27:25, APP 30:44
3rd Down Conversions: ECU 3/11, APP 7/14
4th Down Conversions: ECU 0/1, APP 0/1
Penalties: ECU 11-80 yards, APP 3-25 yards
Turnovers
Fumble Recoveries: ECU 1, APP 0
Interceptions By: ECU 1, APP 3
Sacks By: ECU 1, APP 4
Tackles for Loss By: ECU 3, APP 7
Runs Stuffed By: ECU 2, APP 19
SELECTED INDIVIDUAL STATS (StatBroadcast.com)
Passing
APP – Joey Aquilar 17-29, 241 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
ECU – Alex Flinn 17-31, 158 yards, 0 TDs, 3 INTs
Rushing
APP – Nate Noel, 26 carries, 178 yards, 1 TD
ECU – Rahji Harris, 12 carries, 56 yards, 2 TDs
APP – Kanye Roberts, 6 carries, 42 yards, 1 TD
ECU – Javious Bond, 3 carries, 20 yards
APP – Joey Aguilar, 6 carries, 13 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
APP – Kaedin Robinson, 4 catches, 57 yards, 1 TD
APP – Milan Tucker, 2 catches, 51 yards, 1 TD
ECU – Jhari Patterson, 4 catches, 44 yards
APP – Makai Jackson, 2 catches, 43 yards
ECU – Jaylen Johnson, 3 catches, 41 yards
APP – David Larkins, 3 catches, 31 yards, 1 TD
ECU – Shane Calhoun, 3 catches, 28 yards
ECU – Chase Sowell, 4 catches, 26 yards
APP – Christan Horn, 2 catches, 24 yards
APP – Nate Noel, 3 catches, 18 yards
APP – Dalton Stroman, 1 catch, 17 yards
BONUS PHOTOS (Click on any image for slideshow mode)
Mountaineer QB Joey Aguilar showed nice touch in completing this second half pass during the 43-28 win over East Carolina at Kidd Brewer Stadium on Sept. 16. Photographic image by David RogersAt the snap… Photographic image by David RogersDavid Larkins (85) brought down by an East Carolina defensive back, but only after a big gain pass from Joey Aguilar. Photographic image by David RogersBlocking for a Michael Hughes field goal. In the middle, that is Griffin Scroggs, offensive tackle No. 74. Photographic image by David RogersMichael Hughes (99) kicks off vs. ECU on Sept. 16. Photographic image by David Rogers
By David Rogers. WELCOME, N.C. — After carving out an emotional, big win over 4A rival A C Reynolds in Asheville a week ago, there was bound to be a Watauga “letdown” this week.
Not so with the 2023 edition of the Pioneers, who bludgeoned the Black Knights of North Davidson on Sept. 15, 56-14, and it might not have been that close.
BONUS PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF ARTICLE (click any image for slideshow mode)
Everett Gryder dives across the goal line for Watauga’s second TD in 56-14 win over North Davidson, Sept. 15. Photographic image by David Rogers
Watauga didn’t need an equine steed, a lance, or even the steel mail armor that protected the knights of old to defeat the Black Knights. No, the white-knighted Pioneers won the day with well-executed skill and outright grit. They entered the arena with a purpose and completed the mission.
By halftime, the High Country visitors to Palmer Field crafted a 36-7 lead. In the first two quarters of play, quarterback Maddox Greene amassed 307 total yards — 8 carries for 181 yards and 2 TDs, as well as a perfect 5-for-5 passing for 126 yards and a TD.
On the other end of those first half passes? Senior wide receiver Jackson Pryor had caught three of them for 92 yards, capped by a 39-yard TD catch-and-run.
And more than an afterthought was running back Everett Gryder’s 15 carries for 85 yards and 2 TDs.
A good sized Watauga student section was on hand after making the 90-minute-plus drive to North Davidson on Sept. 15, showing good form with their ‘blackout’ theme as the Pioneers battled the Black Knights of North Davidson. Photographic image by David Rogers
In fact, once Gryder dove across the goal line after an 18-yard jaunt to finish the Pioneers’ opening possession, the game was all but decided when North Davidson followed up with a 4-and-out, turnover on downs. On the first play from scrimmage upon Watauga taking possession for the second time, Greene raced 52 yards on a QB keeper over left tackle, weaving his way through and past would-be defenders until pushed out of bounds at the Black Knights’ 1-yard line. Greene’s yeoman effort got the ball close, then it was Gryder who plunged across the middle for his second TD — and the jousting had barely begun, barely midway in the first quarter.
The last time the Black Knights and the Pioneers faced each other was in 2014’s first round of the state playoffs. It was Watauga head coach Ryan Habich’s second year at the helm, and he took his then 8-3 Pioneers to the Lexington suburb of Welcome, N.C. — and hardly felt welcome at all after the Black Knights administered a 52-14 drubbing.
Placekicker Jack Wilson was 8-for-8 on Sept. 15 for Watauga at North Davidson. Photographic image by David Rogers
After the more recent 56-14 shellacking, Habich was asked about keeping the team adequately motivated following the big win last week at A C Reynolds, which came down to Trathon Gragg’s dramatic stopping of the Rockets’ 2-point conversion attempt in the waning moments of the game.
Now in his eleventh year as the Pioneers’ head coach, Habich said he recalled for his players the 2014 score, a time when today’s Pioneers were not that far removed from diapers.
He also cautioned them about what can happen after a big rivalry win, the aforementioned letdown. Habich told them of what happened in 2017. They took a 4-0 non-conference record into conference play and walloped 4A rival, South Caldwell, 48-7, but then traveled to Alexander Central and lost to the Cougars, 38-33, in under-peforming fashion. They followed that up with an emotional, “big win” over longtime rival Hickory in a shootout, 49-42, but then lost on the road to lowly St. Stephens, which had only won two games to that point in the 2017 season vs. five losses.
“We watched film of that game this past week,” said Habich.
Maddox Greene at North Davidson, Sept. 15. Photographic image by David Rogers
Second Half Foibles
The second half started promising enough for North Davidson. After receiving the kickoff, senior quarterback Payton McMillan completed passes of 11- and 7-yards to a pair of junior wide receivers, Ryan Forrest and Damani Chhorn, respectively.
But then the wheels came off of the Black Knights’ offensive chariot when Watauga’s Evan Burroughs stepped in front of a long McMillan pass and returned it 60 yards for a “pick 6” touchdown. With Jack Wilson’s successful PAT kick, the score was 42-7, which also meant the Pioneers needed just seven more points to trigger North Carolina’s “mercy rule” (a running clock for the rest of the game).
Maddox Greene (4) completes pass to Jackson Pryor (9) at North Davidson on Sept. 15. Photographic image by David Rogers
Burroughs effectively pulled that trigger just moments later when he intercepted yet another McMillan pass and returned it 45 yards before being tackled out of bounds at the North Davidson 20-yardline. After a big gain by teammate Ben Gosky put the ball at the ND 3-yardline, Burroughs got a chance to finish the job he had started, carrying the ball the final three yards for the TD. Another Wilson PAT kick, and the mercy rule was on, 49-7, with still roughly five minutes to go in the third quarter.
At that point, Habich and his staff got an opportunity to develop roster depth by inserting numerous reserves and even some young faces from the junior varsity, including Kyle Williams and Matthew Leon, as well as backup QB Matthew Habich taking the reins of the Pioneer offense.
A highlight of the fourth quarter was when senior reserve linebacker Andrew Ward picked off a North Davidson pass and returned the INT 55 yards to the Black Knights’ 10-yardline. The icing on the proverbial cake was Ward lining up on offense as wingback and getting the carry around the left side for the final Watauga TD.
Did we mention Evan Burroughs had a big night at North Davidson on Sept. 15? Photographic image by David Rogers
One of the key, if unheralded performances of the night was by placekicker Jack Wilson, who was a perfect 8-for-8 in PAT kicks. His booming boots were all straight and true and his skill may well be needed as the Pioneers into Northwestern Conference play, should a field goal be needed.
Having started the 2023 campaign undefeated at 5-0, including three straight tough road wins, Watauga now has a bye week before facing South Caldwell and Alexander Central at home, respectively, on Sept. 29 and Oct. 6.
SELECTED TEAM STATS
Total Offense: WAT 422, ND 62
Passing Yards: WAT 126, ND 52
Rushing Yards: WAT 296, ND 10
First Downs: WAT 19, ND 4
3rd Down Conversions: WAT 3-3, ND 1-4
4th Down Conversions: WAT 0-0, ND 0-1
Turnovers
INTs thrown: WAT 0, ND 3
Fumbles Lost: WAT 1, ND 1
Penalties: WAT 3-25, ND 1-15
SELECTED INDIVIDUAL WATAUGA STATS
Maddox Greene (307 total yards, 3 TDs)
5-of-5, 126 yards, 1 TD
9 carries, 181 yards, 2 TDs
Evan Burroughs
2 INTs, 1 defensive TD
5 carries, 33 yards, 1 TD
Everett Gryder
15 carries, 85 yards, 2 TDs
BONUS PHOTOS
Maddox Greene at North Davidson, Sept. 15. Photographic image by David Rogers
Placekicker Jack Wilson was 8-for-8 on Sept. 15 for Watauga at North Davidson. Photographic image by David RogersEverett Gryder dives across the goal line for Watauga’s second TD in 56-14 win over North Davidson, Sept. 15. Photographic image by David RogersMaddox Greene (4) completes pass to Jackson Pryor (9) at North Davidson on Sept. 15. Photographic image by David Rogers
Evan Burroughs (12) with a long ‘pick 6’ INT return on Sept. 15 @ North Davidson. Photographic image by David Rogers
By Zach Smith. WELCOME, N.C. – Looking to finish the 2023 early, non-conference schedule undefeated, Watauga traveled southeast to face North Davidson, Sept. 15. The two squads had only met once previously, in a 2014 playoff game.
While the Black Knights defeated Watauga handily nine years ago, the Pioneers dominated this time around.
Junior quarterback Maddox Greene continued his impressive form, putting up 307 total yards in the first half before being taken out of the game to give fellow junior QB Matthew Habich time to run the stout Watauga offense.
Sophomore Evan Burroughs also showed out, returning one of his two interceptions for a touchdown and adding another score on the ground.
The Pioneers wasted no time scoring as they drove 86 yards after receiving the opening kickoff. Later in the half, Greene exploded for two rushes of 50+ yards, scoring on one.
upsets occur when you take a team for granted.
Head coach Ryan Habich spoke on Greene’s electric first half performance post-game.
“They came out with a different defense than we saw all week,” Habich said. “Basically, we made an adjustment. I told [Greene] ‘If they keep running this defense, we’re gonna run the same play over and over until they make a change.’
“And then, of course, they made an adjustment and went back to their normal defense,” Habich added. “And then we got up so much that we started running our base offense. For every defense, we have a plan for attack.”
The Friday night game, for some teams, could have been a “trap game,” where the favorites can get distracted by an emotional victory in the prior week. Habich explained how he and the rest of the coaching staff kept Watauga focused after their big win at A.C. Reynolds a week ago (Sept. 8).
“Believe it or not, I like to go back to the past, in this case to 2017. We lost to St. Stephens, a team that only won three games that year, I think, and we had a big emotional win over a ranked Hickory for homecoming the prior week. So we turned around on the road and lost to St. Stephens,” Habich said. “We actually watched highlights of that game in class and told the kids ‘Hey listen, we’re a better football team if we execute against North Davidson. We can’t play down to their level.’ Upsets occur when you take a team for granted.”
The Pioneers did execute this time, earning the 42-point margin needed for a running game clock around the halfway point of the third quarter, before finishing their dominant victory, 56-14.
With the win, Watauga is 5-0 for the first time since a COVID-19-shortened 2020-21 season. It’s the first time they’ve won their first five games in a full-length season since 2018, where they went on to finish the regular season undefeated.
Habich was confident when speaking about the next stage of Watauga’s season, the Northwestern Conference schedule, where the goal is to win another championship.
“I think we’re really prepared. We’ve played some good football teams and we’ve played some good football teams on the road,” Habich said. “The Maiden win (Sept. 1) was pretty special, then beating A.C. Reynolds at A.C. Reynolds, and beating T.C. Roberson (Aug. 18), too. We’ve just had some close games in the fourth quarter playing two really good football teams. You’re gonna see those teams win a lot of football games this year as they hit conference play.”
Watauga moves to 5-0 on the season while North Davidson falls to 1-4. The Pioneers have a bye on Sept. 22, but return home for a matchup against South Caldwell to open conference play Sept. 29. Kickoff is set for 7:30p.m. The game can be streamed via the NFHS Network.
