Watauga advances to Rd. 3 with convincing, 47-6 win over St. Stephens

November 14, 2025

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DSC00519e — Watauga QB Cade Keller (10) crosses the goal line while teammate and senior offensive lineman Brady Lindenmuth (56) lets the world know what it means. Photographic image captured by Jared Everett, processed by David Rogers for High Country Sports

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Just one look at the stat sheet and it would be easy to call Watauga’s 47-6 win over St. Stephens in Round 2 of the NCHSAA 6A state playoffs, “The Keller and Burroughs Show.” While QB Cade Keller and wingback Evan Burroughs ran the ball into the end zone twice, each, and combined for two more TDs playing pitch-and-catch, the Pioneers’ dominating performance over the Indians in all three phases of the game was perhaps the most complete argument this season for their No. 1 seeding in the 6A West playoffs bracket.

Nyle Peays (9) shoestring tackle prevented St. Stephens from extending their only real scoring threat in the first three quarters. Photographic image captured by Jared Everett, processed by David Rogers for High Country Sports

Two pass interceptions, one each by Burroughs and Nyle Peays with healthy returns both times; a quarterback sack by senior defensive lineman Brady Lindenmuth; at least five QB hurries turned in by a combined force of John Wilson Mills, Everett Gryder, Crue Stoddard and Thomas Deiters; a fumble recovery Burroughs; and a stout run defense led by Lindenmuth, Mills, Gryder, Matthew Leon, Stoddard and Aidan Plemons that all but stonewalled the Indians’ rushing attack… it was all that the Pioneers’ defensive coaching staff could ask for.

The Series:

Watauga wide receiver Bowen Mayo catches a perfectly thrown deep pass from QB Cade Keller in the first half vs. St. Stephens on Nov. 14, in Round 2 of the NCHSAA 6A state playoffs. Photographic images captured by Jared Everett, processed by David Rogers for High Country Sports

The takeaways — the pass interceptions and fumble recovery — certainly helped Watauga start their offensive drives with excellent field position in the first half, but as the game wore on and St. Stephens’ deficit grew larger, desperation set in and the Indians were often “going for it” on 4th down, sometimes in their own half of the field. That led to even more good field position opportunities for the Pioneers and, more often than not, they capitalized.

Now 11-0 on the season, Watauga advances to Round 3 on Nov. 21, and will host Charlotte Catholic (7-4), the 27-0 victors over A.C. Reynolds (Asheville) in Round 2.

The Charlotte Catholic Cougars have notable losses to 7A Marvin Ridge (7-3), 6A Sun Valley (21-0), 7A Weddington (42-7) and NCISAA I-class Providence Day (32-7). Noteworthy wins include over 8A South Mecklenburg (37-14), NCISAA I-class Charlotte Christian (16-7), 6A Kings Mountain (28-21), 7A Porter Ridge (14-13, OT), 7A Cuthbertson (28-14) and 6A Piedmont (49-0).

Kickoff for the Round 3 matchup is tentatively set for 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 21, at Jack Groce Stadium.

6A West Scores in Round 2

No. 1 Watauga 47, No. 16 St. Stephens 6
No. 8 Charlotte Catholic 27, No. 9 A C Reynolds 0
No. 5 Sun Valley 42, No. 12 Olympic 6
No. 4 Freedom 40, No. 20 Central Cabarrus 6
No. 3 Ashbrook 20, No. 14 Statesville 14
No. 11 Dudley 21, No. 6 Asheboro 6
No. 10 Kings Mountain 21, No. 7 T.C. Rogerson 20
No. 2 Northern Guilford 39, No. 15 Asheville 6

SCORING SUMMARY

Q1- WAT: 23-yard run by Cade Keller, Miller Hankins PAT; 7-0
Q1- WAT: 16-yard pass from Keller to Evan Burroughs, Hankins PAT fails; 13-0
Q2- WAT: 36-yard pass from Keller to Burroughs, Hankins PAT; 20-0
Q2- WAT: 2-yard run by Everett Gryder, Hankins PAT; 27-0
Q2- WAT:2-yard run by Keller, 2-point conversion fails; 33-0
Q2- WAT: 17-yard run by Burroughs, Hankins PAT; 40-0
Q3- WAT: 3-yard run by Burroughs, Hankins PAT; 47-0
Q4- SST: 1-yard run by Josiah Brown, PAT fails; 47-6

SELECTED WATAUGA OFFENSIVE STATS (Unofficial)

Rushing

- WAT – Everett Gryder: 8 carries, 54 yards
- WAT – Cade Keller: 8 carries, 60 yards, 2 TDs
- WAT – Evan Burroughs: 4 carries, 26 yards, 2 TDs
- WAT – Matthew Leon: 3 carries, 25 yards,

Passing

- WAT – Cade Keller: 10-of-13, 161 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT

Receiving

- Evan Burroughs: 3-for-82, 2 TDs
- Nyle Peays: 5-for-90
- Bowen Mayo: 1-for-36
- Matthew Leon: 1-for-5
- Everett Gryder: 1-for-3

Miscellaneous

- Miller Hankins: 5-of-6 PAT kicks

SELECTED WATAUGA DEFENSIVE STATS (UNOFFICIAL)

- J W Mills: 6 tackles, 2 QB Hurries
- Brady Lindenmuth: 4 tackles, QB Sack
- Everett Gryder: 7 tackles, 3 QB Hurries
- Bowen Mayo: 7 tackles
- Evan Burroughs: 2 tackles, fumble recovery, INT (20-yard return)
- Nyle Peays: 6 tackles, Pass Defended, INT (40-yard return)
- Thomas Deiters: 3 tackles, QB Hurry
- Aidan Plemons: 5 tackles
- Crue Stoddard: 4 tackles
- Matthew Leon: 3 tackles

Editor’s Note: There are wide discrepancies in our in-game stats vs. what was reported in MaxPreps at the time this article was published. We will review videotape and try to correct any errors on our part and apologize if any of our stats are miscredited.