Watauga generated just enough offense to beat West Stokes 10-9 at Jack Groce Stadium Friday night.The Pioneers (2-2) got a touchdown from Kyle Chambers when he recovered his own fumble just after it looked like he would score on an 6-yard run. He lost control of the ball as he approached the goal line, but managed to fall on it, giving the Pioneers a 9-3 lead over the Wildcats (2-2).
The touchdown was set up when Jake Gilliam sacked West Stokes quarterback Austin Fleming, who fumbled the ball. Watauga’s Daniel Trivette recovered at the West Stokes 18-yard line.
Alex Parsons kicked the extra point, which proved to be the difference in the game. With 4:25 left in the fourth quarter, West Stokes quarterback Alex Fleming found Luke Bowen for a 26-yard touchdown pass. However, the Wildcats missed the extra point, leaving the Pioneers in
front 10-9.
Earlier in the game, specifically with 3:11 left in the first half, Parsons converted a 23-yard field goal after the Pioneers started a drive at the West Stokes 35-yard line. Trey Kavanaugh had returned a kickoff to the 50-yard line, and the Pioneers benefited from a West Stokes personal foul penalty.
Watauga thought it had a touchdown when Baker Stanley scored from four yards out, but the Pioneers were called for aiding the runner — the official said a Pioneer pulled Stanley into the end zone, according to Watauga coach Tim Pruitt — and a 5-yard penalty was assessed.
Watauga rushed for 129 yards, the first time the Pioneers have rushed for over 100 yards all season. Quarterback Caleb Watson led the Pioneers with 89 yards on 18 carries. Stanley gained 23 yards on three carries, but had a key 12-yard gain wiped out because of a holding penalty.
Stanley stayed down because of an injury to his right leg, but the extent of the injury was not immediately known.
Fleming provided most of the offense for the Wildcats. The senior ran the ball 23 times for 82 yards and completed 12-of-19 passes for 110 yards, including a 36-yarder to Bowen in the second quarter that set up a 35-yard Scott Leonard field goal.
Of the 56 plays West Stokes ran, Fleming either ran or passed in 42 of them.
Watauga’s passing game struggled. Watson completed his first attempt, a 19-yarder to Matt Scott in the first quarter, but did not complete any more. He finished 1-for-5 for 19 yards and no interceptions. Ethan Green did not complete the two attempts he had.
Watauga’s special teams helped with the victory. Not only did Parsons make both kicks he attempted, but punter Mo Gore averaged 36.4 yards on seven points. That included a 71-yarder that he unloaded just before halftime when rushed by the Wildcats’ defense.
He also got off a punt late in the fourth quarter that West Stokes tried to block with less than a minute remaining in the game.
Watauga plays at defending 4-A state champion A.C. Reynolds next Friday.
