In 2008, the Pioneers defeated the Vikings 28-14 at Jack Groce Stadium in Boone. Watauga has won three straight games in the series and six of the last eight matchups.
Scouting the Pioneers:The Watauga Pioneers are members of the Northwestern 3A/4A Conference and are coached by Tim Pruitt, who is in his second year as head coach in Boone. Watauga entered the 2009 season looking to improve on a 5-7 record a season ago. The squad began last season strong with a 4-1 record through non-conference games, but struggled after beating conference rival Alexander Central, losing five consecutive contests. Despite the slump, Watauga qualified for the state 4A playoffs in 2008, losing 35-14 to Crest in the opening round.
Watauga utilizes the Spread offense and returns 18 lettermen from its 2008 squad, including seven starters on both sides of the football. The Pioneers will employ multiple defensive fronts anchored by a veteran defensive line.
Leading the Pioneers on the field is senior quarterback Devan Corum (6’1”, 195 lbs.—30 rushes, 144 yards, TD; 14 for 44 passing, 174 yards, 2 TD in 2009), in addition to senior wide receiver Travis Oliver (6 receptions, 85 yards, TD in 2009), and senior All-Conference running back Logan Smith (19 rushes, 102 yards, 2 TD in 2009). Juniors who make an impact on the squad include tight end Jordan Pineda, and All-Conference FB/DL Robbie Sherrill, and WR/DB Trey Kavanaugh.
Sophomore LB Alex Fox leads the club in tackles through the first two games of 2009 with 17, with Smith, Pineda, and Sherrill tied with 11 tackles each.
The Low Down:
Friday’s clash between High Country schools looks on paper to be one of the more even matchups in the past few seasons. Both teams have dominated opponents in victories, with each losing to perennially strong football programs.
Avery controlled Friday’s win over West Wilkes by going through the air and striking quickly on its opponent. A fast start for sophomore quarterback Alex Villanueva and his Viking teammates will only help build confidence that this year’s club can break the streak against the neighbors to the north.
Watauga’s pounding running game has given Avery fits in previous seasons, with the likes of Eric Britenstein and Baine Martin stuffing the stat sheets at the Big Red’s expense. If Pioneer signal-caller Corum becomes multi-dimensional by effectively using both his throwing arm and running legs, fortunes could bode well for the boys in blue and white.
Avery proved last week that it can win in multiple ways (through the air, on the ground, with punishing pressure defense), and has given Big Red fans a shot of confidence that this year’s team can consistently play beyond its youth. This week’s game, if the Vikes can pull out a victory, could be the springboard to consistent success as the conference season looms on the horizon.
By the Numbers:
0 – no current Avery senior players (or students) have ever experienced a varsity football win over Watauga in the
6 – touchdowns accounted for by Avery QB Alex Villanueva in the Vikings’ 54-27 win last Friday night.
31.2- average yards per catch by Avery WR Andy Gonzalez thus far in 2009.
72- yards rushing gained by Watauga in last week’s loss (the Pioneers ran for 228 yards in Week One against
74- length in yards of a touchdown pass from Mo Gore to Trey Kavanaugh scored by Watauga via fake punt in last week’s loss to
114- rushing yards for Avery junior RB Kenny Hicks to lead the team this season, including an 11 carry, 96 yard performance last week.
142-yards-total receiving yards by Avery WR Andy Gonzalez to lead the Big Red in last week's win.
592- yards in total offense amassed by Avery in last week’s win at West Wilkes.
748- total offensive yards gained by Vikings QB Alex Villanueva through two games this season.
Read next week’s edition of the Avery Journal-Times for a full recap of this week’s
