By Zach Smith for High Country Sports. BOONE, Nc. – A mountain rivalry was renewed Friday night as Watauga powered past Avery County in the first ‘Camo Night’ since 2018. Junior quarterback Maddox Greene and sophomore running back Everett Gryder “showed out” in what proved to be a mismatch for the undefeated Pioneers, earning a 55-6 victory.

Watauga was dominant from the start, leading by 21 at the end of the first quarter thanks to three scores by Gryder. The Pioneers never lost the lead and continued to keep their foot on the gas pedal. They led by 41 at the half before finishing the game with a massive 49-point victory. 

Gryder gave credit to his teammates for his early scores.

“I just wanna credit the linemen, especially… my linemen, quarterback, just everybody on the field,” Gryder said. “If one person messes up, we don’t score those three touchdowns. So, it felt good.”

Gryder also talked about the preparation he made in the offseason to transition to a full time varsity player.

“Honestly, my speed was there last year,” Gryder said. “I just tried to gain a lot of weight in the offseason.”

Greene also played well in the Pioneers’ victory. The three-sport athlete threw for 211 yards and two touchdowns while tacking on 53 yards rushing. The offensive line kept him clean by not allowing an Avery County sack, flipping the script from Watauga’s week one victory in which Greene was seemingly under constant pressure.

Greene spoke on the offense’s adjustments through the week leading up to Friday’s win.

“We cleaned up some plays this week,” Greene said. “We were young last week, we’re a young team, but we’re getting there.”

Greene talked about incorporating the passing game more than past iterations of the Watauga offense.

“We have some weapons this year, like Jackson [Pryor]. He’s going to Furman, a great receiver,” Greene said. “And we’ve got Everett [Gryder] out in the wing and Morgan [Henry]. They’re both really fast, so we just have more speed this year.”

The Pioneers are happy with the win over Avery County but remain focused on its upcoming tough road trip. The Pioneers travel to Maiden, A.C. Reynolds and North Davidson over the next three weeks in games that they believe will be much closer.

Head coach Ryan Habich spoke on the team’s focus ahead of the upcoming trips.

“I’m pleased with the way we took care of business, but we were the heavy favorite,” Habich said. “The next three weeks, we are underdogs.”

Habich was quick to point out how important the week’s preparation was in the win on Friday.

“We had a great week of practices this week, and it showed on the field,” Habich said. “We were the better football team tonight.”

Watauga travels to Maiden for its first road trip of the season this week. The game will be at 7:30p.m. and can be streamed on NFHS Network.

Compiled by Zach Smith for High Country Sports. BOONE, N.C. — Notes from the Press Box, Watauga vs. Avery County on August 25, the Pioneers eventually coming out on top, 55-6.

Pregame Notes

• Both teams enter 1-0
  • Watauga defeated T.C. Roberson at home last week 13-12
  • Avery defeated Cherryville at home last week 19-12
  • Watauga defeated Avery in 2018 last time they met, 58-7

WHS Players to Watch

• QB #4 Maddox Greene
• RB #44 Everett Gryder
• WB/WR #14 Morgan Henry
• TE/WR #9 Jackson Pryor

Coin Toss

• WHS wins toss, will receive opening kickoff

1st Quarter

• • Jackson Pryor 30-yard return, ball on WHS 35
  • WHS #44 10-yard run left
  • WHS Burroughs 13-yard end around right
  • WHS Greene 32-yard QB draw up the middle
  • WHS Burroughs 3-yard run up the middle
  • WHS Greene 3-yard run up the middle

• WHS TOUCHDOWN

• #44 Everett Gryder 4-yard rush up the middle (1)

• #41 Jack Wilson PAT is good

• Watauga 7 Avery 0

• • ACHS fields kick at ACHS 33
  • ACHS #7 Logan Brown rush for 1 yard
    • WHS #8 Luke Edmisten tackle
  • Delay of Game, ball on ACHS 29

• ACHS Fumble

• Watauga Recovers
• #59 Eli Greene recovers
• • Offsides against ACHS, 1st and 5 on ACHS 21
  • False start against WHS, 1st and 10 on ACHS 26
  • Greene pass to left flat to #14 Morgan Henry for 17-yard gain
  • Greene 2-yard rush up the middle

• WHS TOUCHDOWN

• #44 Everett Gryder 7-yard rush up the middle (2)

• #41 Jack Wilson PAT is good
• Watauga 14 Avery 0

7:43 Left in Q1

• ACHS #21 Carlos Garcia fields kickoff
• ACHS #45 Nicholas Laprade rush for no gain
• ACHS #7 Logan Brown rush left for 1-yard
• Kaleb Liner sacked by #57 Carson Gunnelbeck
• Maddox Greene calls fair catch at WHS 29
• • Greene screen right to Jackson Pryor  for 18-yard gain
  • Gryder carries up the middle for 9-yard gain
  • Greene pass left to Henry for 24-yard gain
  • ACHS Timeout #1
  • WHS #10 Matthew Habich carries up the middle for 8-yard gain
  • Holding on WHS, 2nd and 12
  • Greene rush left for 10-yard gain
  • Gryder rush up the middle, horsecollar against ACHS, 1st and coal on ACHS 3
  • Burroughs rush up the middle for 2-yard gain

• WHS TOUCHDOWN

• #44 Everett Gryder 1-yard rush (3)

• #41 Jack Wilson PAT is good
• Watauga 21 Avery 0
• Carlos Garcia carries left for 4-yard gain
  • Jackson Pryor on the tackle
• WHS Timeout #1
• ACHS Fumble
  • WHS Carson Gunnellbeck recovers
• Greene pass left to Henry for 22 yards
• Delay of Game against WHS, 1st and 15 on ACHS 31
• Habich incomplete pass deep      

2nd Quarter

• • WHS #11 Ben Gosky carries right for 12 yards
  • Greene carries up the middle for 5 yards
  • Gryder carries up the middle for 12 yards
  • False start on WHS, 1st and goal on ACHS 7
    • Calls back a Gosky TD

• WHS TOUCHDOWN

• #11 Ben Gosky 7-yard rush (1)
• #41 Jack Wilson PAT is good
• Watauga 28 Avery 0
• ACHS Laprade carries left for 6 yard gain
• Facemask against WHS, 1st and 10 on WHS 42
• Logan Brown carry left for 5 yards
• Logan Brown tackled for 1 yard loss
  • Luke Edmisten TFL
• Garcia carries up the middle for 1 yard gain
• ACHS Timeout #2
• ACHS too many men, 4th and 10 on WHS 42
• Greene calls fair catch on WHS 12
• • Greene misses on deep pass
  • Gryder carries up the middle for 6 yard gain
  • Gosky carries right for 10 yards
  • Greene misses on pass to left screen
  • Gryder rushes left for 8 yards
  • Gryder carries up the missile for 10 yards
  • Greene scrambles right for one yard
  • WHS Timeout #2
  • Greene throws screen left to Burroughs for 28 yard gain
  • Greene pass right dropped by Pryor in the end zone
  • Greene screen right dropped by Burroughs
  • Gryder carries left for 21 yards
  • Gryder carries up the middle for 2 yards
  • #20 Matthew Leon rushes up the middle for no gain

• WHS TOUCHDOWN

• #20 Matthew Leon 1-yard rush (1)
• #41 Jack Wilson PAT is good
• Watauga 35 Avery 0
• Liner misses on pass medium left
• Brown carries left for 7 yards
• Illegal shift on ACHS, 3rd and 8 on ACHS 42
• Henry sacks Liner for 6-yard loss
• Illegal shift on ACHS, 4th and 19 on ACHS 26
• Greene calls fair catch on WHS 37
• • Greene pass deepe right complete to Gryder for 27 yards
  • Too many men on ACHS, 1st and 10 on ACHS 21
  • Greene pass incomplete to Pryor
  • WHS Timeout #3

• WHS TOUCHDOWN

• #4 Maddox Greene 21-yard pass (1) to #9 Jackson Pryor (1)

• #41 Jack Wilson PAT is blocked

• Watauga 41 Avery 0

HALFTIME

Noteables

• #44 Everett Gryder
  • 10 rushes, 80 yards, 8.0 yards/att., 3 TDs, 1 rec., 27 yards
    • 107 total yards
• #4 Maddox Greene
  • 7/12, 157 yards, 13.1 yards/att., 1 TD
  • 6 carries, 53 yards, 8.8 yards/att.

3rd Quarter

• False start on ACHS, 1st and 15 on ACHS 35
• Brown carries up the middle for 2 yards
• Liner incomplete pass deep right
• Liner incomplete pass short right
• Avery punt downed at Watauga 31

• • Greene pass medium left to Pryor for 40 yards
  • Greene pass deep right dropped by Pryor
  • Gryder carries left for 9 yards
  • Gryder carries up the middle for 6 yards

• WHS TOUCHDOWN

• #4 Maddox Greene 14-yard pass (2) to #14 Morgan Henry (1)

• #41 Jack Wilson PAT is good

• Watauga 48 Avery 0

• Avery 1st and 10 on Avery 43
• Liner complete left to #15 Landon Liner for 14 yards
• Liner complete short right to #1 for one yard
• Liner complete left to Markland for 4 yards
• False start on Avery, 3rd and 10 on Watauga 43
• Liner sacked by Henry for 10 yard loss
• Fair catch by Burroughs at Watauga 22
• #17 Kyle Williams carries for 2 yard loss
• Leon carries up the middle for 8 yards
• #10 Matthew Habich carries right for 6 yards
• Williams carries right for 9 yards
• Leon carries up the middle for 1 yard
• Habich carries left for 29 yards
• Williams carries right for no gain

4th Quarter

• • Williams carries right for 20 yards

• WHS TOUCHDOWN

• #17 Kyle Williams 6-yard rush (1)

• #41 Jack Wilson PAT is good
• Watauga 55 Avery 0
• • Avery has ball at Avery 30
  • Liner pass right dropped by Liner
  • Liner sacked by #16 Josh Adams for 12-yard loss
  • Avery fumble recovered by the offense, 4th and 20
  • Punt muffed by Greene, Avery #11 Blaine Kirkpatrick recovers
  • 1st and 10 Avery at Avery 49
  • Brown carries left for no gain
  • ACHS Timeout #1
  • Liner pass deep left dropped
  • Liner pass incomplete right

• AVERY TOUCHDOWN

• #4 Matthew Liner 51-yard pass (1) to #3 Oak Markland (1)

• PAT is no good
• Watauga 55 Avery 6
• Onside kick recovered by Garcia, Avery ball
• 1st and 10 at Avery 46
• Liner pass left incomplete
• Brown carries up the middle for 4 yards
• Liner sacked for 4 yard loss
• Brown carries right for no gain

FINAL: Watauga 55 Avery 6

Noteables

• #4 Maddox Greene
  • 9/15, 211 yards, 14.1 yards/att., 2 TD
  • 6 carries, 53 yards, 8.8 yards/att.
    • 264 total yards
• #44 Everett Gryder
  • 12 rushes, 98 yards, 8.2 yards/att., 3 TD
  • 1 rec., 27 yards
    • 125 total yards

RELATED STORIES

• Watauga swamps Vikings

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — As renewed High Country rivalries go, it wasn’t much more than a sparring match. Watauga marched through and around Avery County on Aug. 25 at Jack Groce Stadium, winning 55-6.

BONUS PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF ARTICLE

The Pioneers scored touchdowns with almost every possession — and given more opportunities thanks to the Vikings’ turnovers, pre-snap penalties and mistakes.

To say the game was one-sided would be an understatement. Watauga rolled up 510 yards of total offense vs. the Vikings managing just 67. Avery County rushing against the Pioneers was an exercise in futility, recording -3 yards on the ground compared to +298 rushing by Watauga. This Pioneer offensive performance was also more balanced, with 212 yards gained through the air, including two touchdowns, while the visitors gained just 70 yards passing, with one TD, most of it gained long after the game had been decided, in the fourth quarter.

Offensively, Watauga spread the ball around generously. Running back Everett Gryder pushed into the endzone for three TDs, while the Pioneers got first career TDs rushing from senior Ben Gosky, as well as from sophomores Kyle Williams and Matthew Leon.

Seniors Jackson Pryor and Morgan Henry led the receiving corps, each on the scoring end of a TD pass from quarterback Maddox Greene.

Of special note: Jack Wilson was successful in booming eight PAT kicks straight through the uprights.

In one sense, Avery County was merely a sparring partner for Watauga as the Pioneers prepare for a rugged road schedule the next three weeks before hosting South Caldwell on Sept. 29 in the Northwestern Conference season opener. Next on the schedule is 2A powerhouse Maiden on Sept. 1, then at A.C. Reynolds in Asheville on Sept. 8, followed by a trip to Lexington where the Pioneers will challenge North Davidson.

“We were favored to win this game against Avery County,” said Watauga head coach Ryan Habich after the game. “But flip that around for the next three weeks on the road. We will be the underdogs… I like the win, but we were sloppy at times. We have things to fix.”

It was youth football night at Jack Groce Stadium, with players from the Equip program as well as the Watauga County middle school program, the Wolverines. The home side grandstands were packed and there was a large contingent of Avery County students, families and friends on the visitors side, altogether numbering an estimated 3,000-plus spectators for the rivalry renewal.

SCORING

1st Quarter

• WAT – Everett Gryder, 4-yard run (Jack Wilson PAT)
• WAT – Everett Gryder, 7-yard run (Jack Wilson PAT)
• WAT – Everett Gryder, 1-yard run (Jack Wilson PAT)

2nd Quarter

• WAT – Ben Gosky, 7-yard run (Jack Wilson PAT)
• WAT – Matthew Leon, 1 yard run (Jack Wilson PAT)
• WAT – Jackson Pryor, 21-yard pass from Maddox Greene (PAT Blocked)

3rd Quarter

• WAT – Morgan Henry, 14-yard pass from Maddox Greene (Jack Wilson PAT)

4th Quarter

• WAT – Kyle Williams, 6-yard run (Jack Wilson PAT)
• AVY – Oak Markland, 51-yard pass from Kaleb Liner (PAT kick failed)

SELECTED TEAM STATS

• Total Offense: WAT 510, AVY 67
  • Passing Yards: WAT 212, AVY 70
  • Rushing Yards: WAT 298, AVY -3
• Penalties: WAT 5-40, AVY 9-53
• Turnovers
  • Fumbles-Lost: WAT 1/1, AVY 2/2
  • Interceptions: WAT 0, AVY 0
• 3rd Down Conversions: WAT 9/9. AVY 1/9
• 4th Down Conversions: WAT 0/0, AVY 1/1
• Sacks by-Yards: WAT 5-36, AVY 0-0
• Time of Possession: WAT 20:17, AVY 27:43

SELECTED INDIVIDUAL STATS

Passing

• WAT – Maddox Greene 9/15, 212 yards, 2 TDs
• AVY – Kaleb Liner 4/11, 70 yards, 1 TD

Rushing

• WAT – Everett Gryder 14 carries, 112 yards, 3 TDs
• WAT – Maddox Greene 6 carries, 52 yards
• WAT – Matthew Habich 3 carries, 43 yards
• WAT – Kyle Williams 5 carries, 32 yards, 1 TD
• AVY – Logan Wayne Bro, 13 carries, 25 yards
• WAT – Ben Gosky 3 carries, 28 yards, 1 TD
• WAT – Evan Burroughs 3 carries, 19 yards
• WAT – Matthew Leon 4 carries, 12 yards, 1 TD

Receiving

• WAT – Morgan Henry, 4 catches, 77 yards, 1 TD
• WAT – Jackson Pryor, 3 catches, 78 yards, 1 TD
• AVY – Oak Markland, 3 catches, 56 yards, 1 TD

BONUS PHOTOS

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Evan Mawhinney earned a ‘brace’ of goals on Aug. 24, finding the back of the net for both of Watauga junior varsity’s scores against visiting Forbush (East End, N.C.) in the 2-0 win.

BONUS PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF ARTICLE

Although the Pioneers dominated possession and threatened the Forbush goal throughout the match, both of Mawhinney’s tallies came in the first half.

“Midfielder David Ganley gave me a beautiful long pass over the top, a little left of center for the first one,” said Mawhinney in recalling the first goal for reporters. “I was able to (deliver) the ball across, in front of the goalkeeper to the right side of the net.”

Mawhinney said the second goal was made possible by some brilliant passing among the midfielders, until he finally received a pass again on the left side from Shiris Kandel.

Mawhinney was especially proud of the work by his defensive backline, from which most counterattack starts. “They are really solid,” said the Pioneer freshman.

Pioneer JV head coach Vern Collins was pleased with the way his players outworked the Forbush eleven, beating them to the ball at nearly every turn.

“Josh Honeycutt, the varsity head coach, says we may get beaten by a better side on any given day but we are not going to be outworked,” said Collins.

The Pioneer team performance featured a number of snappy, one-touch passes to teammates in open space. Collins said that a point of emphasis the past few weeks is mastering those one- and two-touch passing skills, working the ball from midfield to the frontline.

“The next thing we need to work on is ‘finishing’ the attack,” said Collins.

Now 2-1-1, the Watauga junior varsity men’s soccer team next travels to Denver, N.C. to face East Lincoln on Aug. 28. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

BONUS PHOTOS

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Abbi Shuman and Hatherly Armfield dominated Watauga’s No. 3 doubles match, 8-0, on Aug. 23 vs. Maiden, to put the finishing touches on the Pioneers’ fourth consecutive women’s tennis win to open the 2023 season. Watauga swept the Blue Devils, 9-0 on a warm, sunny day in the High Country.

Collectively, the Pioneers had little trouble with Maiden, even bettering the 8-1 win down in Catawba County on Aug. 17.

SINGLES

• No. 1 – Addison Cohen (WAT) def. Maggie Sherrill (MAI), 6-3, 6-1
• No. 2 – Larson Berry (WAT) def. Addison Fuller (MAI), 6-2, 6-4
• No. 3 – Kennedy Moore (WAT) def. Neely Campbell (MAI), 6-4, 6-2
• No. 4 – Fiona Russell (WAT) def. Abbey Floyd (MAI), 6-1, 6-0
• No. 5 – Abbi Shuman (WAT) def. Raelyn Albert (MAI), 6-1, 6-2
• No. 6 – Hatherly Armfield (WAT) def. Cara Albert (MAI), 6-2-60

DOUBLES

• No. 1 – Cohen-Berry (WAT) def. Sherrill-Fuller (MAI), 8-3
• No. 2 – Moore-Russell (WAT) def. Campbell-R. Albert (MAI), 8-3
• No. 3 – Shuman- Armfield (WAT) def. Floyd-C. Albert (MAI), 8-0

Watauga will play one more non-conference match, an Aug. 28 encounter at Hickory, before opening Northwestern Conference play on Aug. 30 when the Pioneers host South Caldwell.

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — It was a high school volleyball match for the ages on Aug. 22, with fierce rallies, thundering kill shots and spectacular digs. Watauga battled back not once, but twice to overcome visiting Hickory, 3-2 (22-25, 25-20, 25-21, 18-25, 15-10).

BONUS PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF ARTICLE

The Red Tornadoes whirled into Lentz Eggers Gym hellbent on upsetting the Pioneers, the 7-time defending champion of the 3A/4A Northwestern Conference (NWC) in a non-conference tilt. Hickory, once a part of the NWC and annually victimized by the Pioneers, moved to the Western Foothills 4A Conference in 2021-22 as part of the North Carolina High School Athletics Association’s (NCHSAA) periodic realignment. Whether volleyball, football, basketball, baseball or any other of the high school sports teams fielded by the schools, Hickory and Watauga have history and the regional rivalry continues.

With school having started classes just the day before, it was an electric atmosphere in Lentz Eggers Gym with many parents and friends filling both sides of the gym floor and a large Watauga student section, including many members of other Pioneer athletic teams providing enthusiastic vocal support for the home team.

WHEN YOU GET A GOOD DIG AND A GOOD SET, SWING AWAY.

“In many ways, this is a special volleyball match because so many of these young women play with and against each other on various club and travel teams throughout the year,” explained Watauga assistant coach Casey Gragg. “So it is filled with friendly, regional rivalries. These girls know each other.”

For Watauga, it is hard to pinpoint a single individual performance because there were so many up and down the roster who made a difference.

• Senior libero Evie Robbins certainly stood out with a whopping 34 digs to keep the ball in play after a Hickory kill attempt. Robbins added to her stat line with three assists and a kill.
• Senior outside hitter Brooklyn Stanbery had perhaps the most diversified contribution for the night with 19 kills, 18 digs, 2 stuff blocks, and one service ace.
• Sophomore outside hitter Emma Pastusic recorded 21 kills, 2 assists, and three digs.
• Senior designated setter Olivia Kop didn’t just have seven digs, but her powerful serves frequently had the Red Tornadoes on their heels as the Pioneers reeled off two or more consecutive points with Kop’s turns on the service line.
• Freshman setter Lainey Gragg had 9 digs to go along with 20 assists.
• Senior Madi Combs, like Stanbery, made contributions in a variety of ways with 25 assists, 10 digs, and two service aces.
• Senior middle hitter Sara Marlowe also showed versatility with 7 kills, a service ace, a stuff block and a dig.
• Junior middle hitter Grace Tillery added 5 kills, a stuff block, and a dig.
• Sophomore middle hitter Kora Knight made good use of her time on the court with a team-high four stuff blocks.
•  Senior middle hitter Kate McCullough, with one official stat in the form of a dig, was often a threatening defensive presence on the frontline as well as helped keep the ball in play with adroit passing.

“We had some ups and downs in what was a good competition, but we did pretty well in coming back, especially after our most recent loss to Cox Mill,” said Pastusic after the match. “Our back row was really good tonight. We still have some things to work out in the front row, just keeping it consistent, but overall I think we did good in coming back from the loss.”

With the match tied 2-2, the Pioneers huddled before the decisive fifth set.

“We just (said) we need to pick stuff up, keep the ball on the court. be smart and find some corners where we could (put the ball)… And then, when you get a good dig and a good set, swing away,” Pastusic added.

In recording her 34 digs, Robbins may well have spent more time flying through the air than on her feet.

“Just throwing myself out there,” said a smiling Robbins. “It is good for the team and fun. Having the student section behind us creates more energy, makes it even more fun. We all become more competitive. Our attitude coming into this game, after a loss, we were ready to not lose and stay scrappy, do whatever it took to win. Tonight, whenever we got down we picked each other up and stayed at it every play, every kill, every set.”

Head coach Kim Pryor was obviously pleased with the result, even if cautious in her assessment.

“It is usually a dogfight with Hickory,” said Pryor. “They always come with great talent and great coaching, so we always expect it to be neck-and-neck and hope that we can pull away for a win in three and make it an easy night, but really we have these (tough) early, non-conference games in order to prepare for our conference schedule. So a five-set match where we come out on top is great preparation.

“It was great to have our students back, with school in session,” Pryor added. “We have such a great following. Our fans are amazing, the parents and middle school teams that come and support us. It is really neat to have this kind of atmosphere in the gym.”

Watauga JVs Battle to OT Win, Too

Before the varsity thriller, Hickory pushed the Watauga junior varsity to the proverbial brink, too, with the Pioneers eventually coming out on top, 2-1 (25-23, 8-25, 19-17). Freshman outside hitter Athena Elliott (8 kills, 4 digs), Gracyn Blanton (12 kills, a block and 2 digs), and Lilli Combs (2 kills, 13 assists, and 7 digs) led the Pioneer attack while Bella Wade, with 15 digs provided many of the defensive highlights to keep the ball in play.

Watauga resumes non-conference play on Aug. 28, in another, expected to be grueling matchup at Cuthbertson (Waxhaw).

BONUS PHOTOS