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Coming Off Bye Week, Two Straight Wins, Pioneers Face Wilkes Central Eagles at Jack Groce Stadium Tonight

By Mark S. Kenna

Sept. 20, 2013. The Watauga High School Pioneers (3-0) face the Wilkesboro Central High School Eagles (0-3) at Jack Groce Stadium in Boone at 7:30 p.m.

Coming off a bye week last Friday, the Pioneers beat long-time rival the Avery County High School Vikings 57-36 at Avery.

A photo from last year’s football season, photo courtesy of Lifetouch Photography

“We’re moving the ball a little better, however we did not play great defense,” said Ryan Habich, the Pioneers head coach. “During the bye week we went back to the basics of both offense and defense.”

Right now, the Pioneers are sporting an undefeated record, however, Habich is not complacent. One of Wilkes first games this season was against Hibriten, the pre-season favorite in the Pioneers conference.

“The Eagles have played some pretty good teams,” Habich said. “Their record is 29-8 over the past three years, and they won their conference championship the last two years, so they are a winning program.”

Habich added that the Eagles running back is very athletic and also won pre-season player of the year.

Habich’s main concern tonight is stopping the Eagles running game.

“We have to stop their running back as one of our game plans, we also have to block and execute on our drives,” Habich said. “If we can do those things, we like our chances.” 

The game will start at 7:30 p.m. at Watauga High School.

Want to know more about Watauga High School Football?  Click here.