On a keeper off tackle, Watauga QB Cade Keller broke free from a long TD run in the first half. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — For a season opening high school football game, there was plenty of action on both sides of the ball, Aug. 22, between host Watauga and visiting High Country rival, Ashe County — at least for the Pioneers, who ran away with this one, 56-7.
While Pioneer head coach Ryan Habich said afterwards there was plenty to “clean up” in executing play on offense, defense and special teams, he was pleased with the obvious connections between his playmakers, including Cade Keller, Evan Burroughs, Everett Gryder, Nyle Peays, Thomas Dieters and transfer Bowen Mayo.
Before the season opener between Watauga and High Country rival Ashe County on Aug. 22, longtime Watauga assistant coach Steve Breitenstein (right) and former defensive back on Watauga’s 1978 state championship team, Dr. Jon Steinbrecher, now the Commissioner of the Mid-American Conference (for which Breitenstein was an assistant coach under Bill Mauldin) got together on the field to share memories. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
SELECTED STATS
Watauga QB Cade Keller completed 8-of-8 passes for 262 yards and 4 TDs
Watauga Rushing
Keller: 3 carries for 48 yards, 1 D
Burroughs: 1 carry for 31 yards
Gryder: 9 carries for 59 yards, 1 TD
Watauga Receiving
Burroughs: 4 catches for 193 yards, 3 TDs
Stats compiled by Watauga Football, subject to later corrections
BONUS PHOTOS
All photographic images by David Rogers for High Country Sports
Always a pre-game ritual, Watauga’s football “moms” circle up to pray for the safety of their sons…… then gather on the ramp leading to the grandstands for a pre-game photo op with High Country Sports.A team photo op for the Watauga Pacers dance team for the season opener vs. Ashe County on Aug. 22, 2025.The Watauga and Ashe County marching bands joined forces to perform The Star Spangled Banner on Aug. 22, 2025, at Jack Groce Stadium.The student section had a ‘white out’ dress theme for the Aug. 22, 2025, football season opener between host Watauga and visiting Ashe County, lining up for the Pioneer football team’s entrance.Watauga captains Cade Keller (10), Brady Lindenmuth (56), Crue Stoddard (54), and Thomas Dieters (11) walk to the center of the field with game officials for the Aug. 22, 2025 season opener vs. Ashe County.It’s the coin flip ritual — and Watauga wins the toss, electing to receive on Aug. 22, 2025, at Jack Groce Stadium, vs. Ashe County for the season opener.Always a fun way to start a football game, breaking the banner at Watauga High School, led by cheerleaders and greeted by the Pacers.ALL FOR NAUGHT — Cade Keller’s sprint for paydirt on the Pioneers’ second play from scrimmage was called back because of a penalty, but was a harbinger of things to come, Aug. 22, 2025, vs. Ashe County in the season opener.Miller Hankins (85) was Watauga’s placekicker and had significant success on Aug. 22, 2025, in the season opener vs. Ashe County, perfect on extra points and well placed kickoffs, shown here making good on the PAT following the Pioneers’ first TD.A STEADY HAND — Watauga’s Evan Burroughs gathers in an Ashe County punt, for a ‘fair catch’ on Aug. 22, 2025, at Jack Groce Stadium.Everett Gryder (4) cuts upfield on a rush through the middle vs. Ashe County on Aug. 22, 2025.Brady Lindenmuth (56) and Aidan Plemons (57) are right in the middle of things Aug. 22, 2025, to stop Ashe County’s offense.Evan Burroughs (12) goes around the right side on a pitchout from QB Cade Keller for a big gain, Aug. 22, 2025, vs. Ashe County.On the same pitchout run, Burroughs broke free for extra yardage.After finding himself wide open in the second quarter to collect a long Cade Keller pass, Evan Burroughs (12) virtually strolled into the end zone, Aug. 22, 2025, vs. Ashe County.Watauga junior defensive back Devan Lacue makes a diving tackle vs. the Ashe County QB on Aug. 22, 2025.While a teammate applies pressure to the Ashe County QB, Bryce Peters, Cooper Greene (6) leaps high in the air, helping force Peters to pass high and incomplete.The Watauga offensive line opens a gaping hole on Aug. 22 vs. Ashe County — and QB Cade Keller (10) spots it to take advantage, and score.B-back Everett Gryder attacks space around the left side on Aug. 22, 2025, vs. Ashe County in Watauga’s 56-7 win.Around the left side, Everett Gryder (4) cuts toward the sideline vs. Ashe County on Aug. 22, 2025.Watauga senior wide receiver Nyle Peays found himself wide open in the corner of the end zone for a TD pass from QB Cade Keller on Aug. 22, 2025, vs. Ashe County in Jack Groce Stadium.Ashe County QB Bryce Peters didn’t have many good opportunities, given the pressure from Watauga’s defensive personnel on Aug. 22, 2025.Watauga defensive (and offensive) lineman Brady Lindenmuth (56) dives ahead on Aug. 22, 2025, aiming to block an Ashe County punt.Running back Everett Gryder (4) tucks the ball in and attacks a hole in the line of scrimmage on Aug. 22, 2025, vs. Ashe County in the 2025 season opener.Watauga QB Cade Keller (10) has running back Everett Gryder (4) open, but this pass was actually completed deep downfield, to Evan Burroughs.
