Football Recap: Watauga Starts off Right with Win over Ashe County + How To Watch

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Previous Games

08/22/25 - Home	56-7 W
11/05/24 - Away	33-6 W
10/27/23 - Home	63-27 W
10/28/22 - Away	56-28 W
09/16/22 - Home	55-21 W
+ 5 more games

Watauga took care of business in their home opener (and then some) on Friday. They took their match with ease, bagging a 56-7 victory over the Ashe County Huskies. The final result isn't all that surprising considering the Pioneers' considerable advantage in MaxPreps' North Carolina football rankings (they are ranked 27th, while the Huskies are ranked 233rd).

Cade Keller went supernova, throwing for 262 yards and four touchdowns on perfect 8-for-8 passing, while also rushing for 48 yards and one score. That's the most rushing yards he has posted since back in October of 2024. Another player making a difference was Everett Gryder, who rushed for 59 yards and one TD.

Watauga didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Kyle Williams and Bowen Mayo. Mayo got in on the action too, converting a pick into a touchdown.

Despite the loss, Ashe County still got an impressive performance from Riley Estes, who picked up 193 receiving yards and three scores, and also rushed for 32 yards. Antwone Ponce was another key player, rushing for 60 yards and one touchdown.

Coming up, Watauga will take on T.C. Roberson at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. As for Ashe County, they will get a bit of extra time to process the defeat as their next game is a ways off. They'll take on Alexander Central at 7:30 p.m. on September 5.