The Watauga High football team christened its new home in convincing fashion Friday night.

The Pioneers walloped Ashe County 35-0 at newly-opened Jack Groce Stadium in front of a packed house. The Pioneers capitalized on two Huskies turnovers in the second quarter to break the game open.
Robbie Sherrill scored the game's first touchdown - and the first ever in Jack Groce - on Watauga's first possession of the season. He rambled 69 yards to cap off a four-play, 80-yard drive that put the Pioneers on top to stay. Ironically, Abraham Morlu scored the first touchdown at the old Jack Groce Stadium on a 98-yard fumble return against McDowell back in 1998.
WHS delivered the knock-out blow in the second quarter in a 61-second span. A quarterback sack by Jordan Pineda and a fumble recovery by Sherrill at the Ashe County 34-yard line set up Caleb Watson's 34-yard scoring strike to Mo Gore. On Ashe County's next possession, Alex Fox picked off a Sam Gammon's pass and rambled 27-yards for his first career touchdown and a commanding 21-0 lead.
The Pioneers outgained Ashe County 321-77. And the Pioneers continued their domination of the Huskies by winning their ninth consecutive game. The Pioneers own a 10-2 lead all-time against Ashe County.
WHS travels to Shelby next Friday night. Our coverage begins at 6:30 pm on Oldies 100.7 FM.