By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — A magical high school football season came to an end on Nov. 17 at Jack Groce Stadium. Watauga fell to Independence (Charlotte), 34-14, in the third round of the North Carolina 4A State Playoffs.
After defeating a very athletic but less disciplined Mallard Creek team in Round 2, 20-14, there was hope that the Pioneers could repeat that upset performance against the visiting Patriots, who had lost to Mallard Creek early in the season. And when Watauga took the ball 80 yards in 11 plays for a touchdown on the opening possession of the game, those hopes were strengthened.
This was a game of contrasting offensive styles. Watauga had a more grinding, ball possession attack that emphasized the run and aimed to keep the Independence offense off the field. The Patriots, on the other hand, were lightening quick in getting the ball into the hands of their playmakers, often making short work of downs and distance. Just three plays after getting the ball at their own 49, running back Jayden Jones ran the ball into the end zone to pull the Charlotte visitors even with a successful PAT kick. And Jones’ scoring rush followed a scintillating, 45-yard pass-and-run from QB Justin Little to Jones.
After the early success on the opening drive, Watauga found very little success on offense and even less on defense for the rest of the game.
“We played a very good, very athletic, and well coached team tonight,” said Watauga head coach Ryan Habich after the game. “We knew that we were going to have to play a near perfect game and maybe get some help with Independence making some mistakes.”
Habich added that the Pioneers had trouble blocking the big, athletic Patriots and had even more trouble tackling.
Perhaps because of the constant defensive pressure applied by the Patriots, but Watauga quarterback Maddox Greene arguably had an off night passing, completing just 11 of 23 passes for 145 yards and two TDs, offset by two interceptions. He did run for 100 yards on 13 carries, but Watauga rarely put themselves into position to capitalize. At least twice the Pioneers got the ball into the red zone and turned the ball over. Both of Greene’s TD passes were to senior WB/TE Morgan Henry, who hauled in three catches for 64 yards, two for TDs.
Meanwhile, Independence QB Justin Little was a perfect 8-for-8 passing, for 166 yards and one TD. On the receiving end of the TD was WR Vontrez Burch, who had 3 receptions for 77 yards, including the touchdown.
But much of Independence’s offensive damage was crafted by running back Jayden Jones. He was credited with 20 carries for 132 yards and three TDs.
Afterward, Habich had nothing but praise for the 2023 edition of the Pioneers, who finish the season 12-1, and crediting a lot of the team’s success to the senior leadership. After losing 23 seniors last year, Habich said this was a rebuilding year so had no expectations for the Pioneers to go all the way to Round 3 of the playoffs.
“I was just hoping to get through a tough non-conference schedule healthy and then get into the conference schedule,” he said.
Seeded No. 23 coming into the tournament, Independence now advances to the 4A West bracket’s semifinals to face their Southwestern 4A Conference rival, Butler (Matthews, N.C.). The Bulldogs defeated the Patriots in the last game of the regular season on Oct. 27, 35-23. To advance, No. 6 Butler beat back a challenge from No. 19 Mount Tabor, 49-13.
In the top half of the 4A West bracket, No. 1 seed Weddington defeated No. 24 Charlotte Catholic, 37-7. No. 4 Grimsley outlasted No. 4 Hough, 42-35.
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