Greensboro's African American Community Newspaper since 1967
BOONE, N.C. – In a playoff thriller that saw 85 points and four lead changes in the second half, the Watauga Pioneers clinched a miraculous 43-42 victory over the Northern Guilford Nighthawks Saturday afternoon. The game came down to a tense final quarter, with Watauga utilizing clock-killing drives and a clutch defensive stand to edge out the high-powered Nighthawks.
The Pioneers controlled the ball for nearly 30 minutes (29:05) of the game, relying on a balanced attack powered by a productive passing game. Quarterback Cade Keller (Sr.) was highly effective, completing 21 of 30 passes for 267 yards and four touchdowns, keeping the Northern Guilford defense off balance. Wide receiver Bowen Mayo (Sr) was Keller’s primary target, hauling in seven catches for 136 yards and three receiving touchdowns. Mayo was also a force on the ground, adding a rushing touchdown to account for four of Watauga’s six total scores.
The Nighthawks, however, countered with explosive efficiency. They ran fewer plays (62 to Watauga’s 68) but racked up 469 total yards compared to Watauga’s 416. The Northern Guilford rushing attack was outstanding, totaling 286 yards on the ground, led by Amare Akers (Sr.), who rushed for 164 yards and three touchdowns, averaging a huge 5.5 yards per carry.
The first half saw Watauga hold a 27-21 lead at the break after a 20-point explosion in the second quarter. But Northern Guilford roared back in the third, outscoring the Pioneers 14-8 to set up a tense final frame.
Northern Guilford took a late 42-35 lead after another Akers touchdown, but the Pioneers’ methodical offense proved too tough to stop when it mattered most. Watauga responded with a game-tying touchdown and a critical two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter to take the one-point, 43-42 lead.
The Pioneers’ defense came up huge in the final minutes. Led by J. Wilson Mills (So.), who recorded 15 total tackles, and Everett Gryder (Sr.), who tallied an interception, Watauga managed to stall the Nighthawks’ final desperate drive.
Despite quarterback Jaxson Kemp’s (Sr.) efficient passing (8/18 for 183 yards, 1 TD) and his own two rushing touchdowns, the Nighthawks fell just short, ending a thrilling playoff run that was truly decided at the final whistle.
