By Zach Smith. WEST JEFFERSON, N.C. — Braving the elements on election night, Watauga football traveled to West Jefferson, N.C. for a conference clash with Ashe County. The Pioneers won their 11th straight over the Huskies, 33-6.
BONUS PHOTOS & STATS at bottom
Watauga scored all but one of their touchdowns in the first half, going a perfect 4-4 on drives across the opening 24 minutes. Senior quarterback Maddox Greene was key for the Pioneer offense, accounting for two touchdowns of 40 or more yards on the ground, and another through the air, passing.
COMING THROUGH! — Matthew Leon Sequence
The Pioneer defense did their job as well, forcing five turnovers on downs while intercepting one of Ashe County quarterback Bryce Peters’ passes. That defense was led by senior linebackers Trathan Gragg and Luke Edmisten, who accounted for 30 total tackles. Gragg was credited with one of two sacks by the team, coming on an Ashe County fourth down conversion attempt in the first quarter.
Watauga head coach Ryan Habich shared his thoughts on the team’s victory, postgame.
“I think we had the talent advantage against Ashe County,” Habich said. “They did a really good job of keeping the ball away from our offense in the first half, doing some onside kicks and some things that we would do if we were at a disadvantage athletically against superior teams.”
Junior Evan Burroughs was key for the Pioneers in this High Country rivalry game. Burroughs accounted for 125 total yards from scrimmage, including a 46-yard pass reception for from Greene for Watauga’s lone score through the air.
“He’s a very dynamic player,” Habich said later, speaking of Burroughs. “As a junior, he does a really good job for us. He plays that slot receiver position on our offense, which is a mixture between a running back and a slot receiver… Very athletic, very good target for Maddox [Greene].”
The weather in West Jefferson was rainy and in the mid-50s, which some call “football weather.” Habich talked about how the elements affected his game plan.
“Maybe it was more conservative,” Habich said. “More run the ball inside the tackles, maybe a little bit less triple option, a little bit less shotgun, less throwing the football. It’s how the game flows, too. We knew that we had to score in the first half. We were able to run the ball inside. The second half [Ashe County] kind of brought more people inside.”
The Pioneers held Ashe County’s potent, “Air Raid” offense to just 138 total yards, picking up 411 of their own. Maddox Greene accounted for a game-high 151 yards on the ground while averaging nearly 17 yards per rushing attempt.
Watauga returns to action Nov. 8 when they complete a stretch of eight days with three games due to the Hurricane Helene-induced, condensed schedule. Their regular season finale at South Caldwell is slated to kick off at 7:30p.m., in Hudson.
SCORING SUMMARY
- WAT (Q1)- Maddox Greene rush for 41 yards, TD; Jack Wilson PAT is good: 7-0 (6 plays, 58 yards, 2:58)
- ASHE (Q2) – Bryce Peters rush for 1 yard, TD; 2-pt. conversion failed: 7-6
- WAT (Q2) – Maddox Greene rush for 45 yards, TD; Jack Wilson PAT is good: 14-6 (6 plays, 67 yards, 1:52)
- WAT (Q2) – Evan Burroughs pass from Maddox Greene, 46 yards, TD; Jack Wilson PAT is good: 21-6 (1 play, 46 yards, 0:12)
- WAT (Q2) -Matthew Leon rush for 13 yards, TD; 2-point conversion failed: 27-6
- WAT (Q4) – Evan Burroughs rush for 53 yards, TD; Jack Wilson PAT failed: 33-6
SELECTED TEAM STATS
- Total Yards, Offense: WAT 411, ASHE 138
- Yards Rushing: WAT 37-358, 4 TDs; ASHE 18-36, 1 TD
- Yards Passing: WAT 3-of-9, 53 yards, 1 INT, 1 TD; ASHE 23-of-43, 118 yards, 1 INT, 1 TD
- Time of Possession: WAT 19:45, ASHE 21:44
- Penalties: WAT 5-55, ASHE 0-0
- Turnovers
- Fumbles-Lost: WAT 0-0, ASHE 1-1
- Interceptions: WAT 1. ASHE 1
- On Downs: WAT 1, ASHE 6
- 3rd Down Efficiency: WAT 1-4 (25%), ASHE 5-15 (33%)
- 4th Down Efficiency: WAT 2-3 (67%), ASHE 2-8 (25%)
SELECTED INDIVIDUAL STATS
Passing
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- ASHE – Bryce Peters: 23-43-118, 1 sack, 1 INT
- WAT – Maddox Greene: 3-7-53, 1 INT, 1 TD
Rushing
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- WAT – Maddox Greene: 9 carries, 151 yards, 2 TDs
- WAT – Everett Gryder: 14 carries, 70 yards
- WAT – Evan Burroughs: 4 carries, 69 yards, 1 TD
- WAT – Matthew Leon: 6 carries, 34 yards, 1 TD
- ASHE – Luke Osborne: 10 carries, 24 yards
- WAT – Nyle Peays: 1 carry, 12 yards
- WAT – Cade Keller: 2 carries, 11 yards
- WAT – Thomas Dieters: 1 carry, 11 yards
- ASHE – Bryce Peters: 2 carries, 6 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
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- ASHE – Ian Graybeal: 10 catches, 58 yards
- WAT – Evan Burroughs: 2 catches, 56 yards, 1 TD
- ASHE – Preston Edgell: 3 catches, 20 yards
BONUS PHOTOS
