By CHRIS HOBBS
HobbsDailyReport.com
2019 SCHEDULE
(all games at 7:30 p.m.)
Aug. 23—Asheville Roberson
Aug. 30—at Ashe County
Sept. 6—at Winston-Salem Reagan
Sept. 13—Wilkes Central
Sept. 20—Ashbrook
Sept. 27—S. CALDWELL
Oct. 4—at ALEXANDER CENTRAL
Oct. 11—HICKORY
Oct. 18—at ST. STEPHENS
Oct. 25—McDOWELL
Nov. 1—at FREEDOM
WATAUGA PIONEERS
Conference: Northwestern 3A-4A
Head coach: Ryan Habich (106-34, 10 years; 56-20 at Watauga, 6 years)
Last season’s records: 13-1 overall; 7-0 Northwestern 3A-4A, champion
Last season’s results: at Asheville Roberson, W 36-12; Ashe County, W 43-7; Avery County, W 58-7; at Wilkes Central, W 43-14; at S. CALDWELL, W 46-12; ALEXANDER CENTRAL, W 35-0; at HICKORY, W 43-23; ST. STEPHENS, 2 49-7; at McDOWELL, W 50-13; FREEDOM, W 35-16; at W. CALDWELL, W 62-0. Playoffs: Ashbrook, W 49-0; W-S Parkland, W 49-26; Weddington, 14-42
SCHOOL FOOTBALL HISTORY
Last season in state playoffs: 2018, 3AA
Last state playoff victory: 2018, d. W-S Parkland 49-26, second round
All-time state playoff bids: 17
Conference titles since 1980, last: 4 (2 outright, 2 shares); 2018 Northwestern 3A-4A
BY THE NUMBERS
OVERALL
Returning starters: 10
Returning lettermen: 15
OFFENSE
Set: Multiple Wingbone
Returning starters: 6
Leading returning rushers: Bryce Satterfield, 4-11, 170, Sr. (215-1,661, 23 TDs); Jaiden Bond, 5-9, 170, Sr. (79-1,284, 14 TDs); Anderson Castle, 6-0, 185, Sr. (81-741, 11 TDs)
Leading returning passer: Anderson Castle, 6-0, 185, Sr. (25-47-3, 549 yards, 9 TDs)
Leading returning receivers: Grant Oliver, 5-9, 165, Sr.; (8-291, 5 TDs); Jaiden Bond, 5-9, 170, Sr. (17-267, 1 TD)
Players to watch: Sterling Sauls, OL, 6-0, 215, Sr.; Jake Watson, HB, 6-0, 210, Sr.; Adrion Cassidy, OL, 6-1, 230, Sr.; Dakota Silvers, OL, 6-3, 280, Sr.; Mathew Grambow, OL, 5-9, 200, Sr.; Grant Lawrence, OL, 6-3, 290, Soph.
Top newcomers: Sebastian Best, WR, 5-10, 165, Jr.
DEFENSE
Set: Multiple 3-4
Returning starters: 4
Players to watch: Jaiden Bond, DB, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Grant Oliver, DB, 5-9, 165, Sr.; Jake Watson, LB, 6-0, 210, Sr.; Adrion Cassidy, DL, 6-1, 230, Sr.; Dakota Silvers, DL, 6-3, 280, Sr.; Mathew Grambow, DL, 5-9, 200, Sr.; Grant Lawrence, DL, 6-3, 290, Soph.; Bryce Satterfield, LB, 5-11, 170, Sr.
Top newcomers: Sebastian Best, DB, 5-10, 165, Jr.