By Mark S. Kenna
Oct. 7, 2013. The Watauga High School Pioneers (6-0) crushed Fred T. Foard Tigers on Friday 48-10. Now, the football team is set to face the Freedom High School Patriots this week (5-1).
“I think we played better defense in the second half,” Ryan Habich, the pioneers head coach said. “We held them to 31 yards and threw the ball pretty well, beside those two interceptions.”
Last year, the Freedom High School Patriots went 12-3, and almost made it to the state championship. They were just added to the Pioneers conference this year.
Habich knows that the Patriots’ physical and athletic attributes will make them a challenge, but he won’t let those things or the Tigers’ record last year effect his team.
“We cannot worry about their size, speed and strength,” Habich said. “If we don’t do the little things right, it will be a very long night for us, so hopefully we can make it a competitive game.”
It will be a tough game but the team will have to come out ready to play four quarters, Habich said.
For the first time since 2006 the Watauga High School Pioneers move to 6-0. The last time Freedom played the Pioneers was in 2008. The Patriots walked away with a one touchdown win over Watauga 17-24.
The game will start at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Jack Groce Stadium.
“We’re fortunate that we get to play them at home. Our kids will play with confidence at home,” Habich said. “Letting us have a little momentum is going to help us out.”