The Watauga High JV football team is raising expectations for the next few years. The JV team, which will see many of its players promoted to the varsity level next season, took another huge

step Thursday night by knocking off Hickory 22-19 in a Northwestern 3A/4A Conference game at Barger Stadium.
And quarterback Aaron Dobbins, who will most likely will be WHS' starting quarterback next fall, ignited a huge fourth quarter rally. Trailing 19-8, Anthony Deiters scored on a 15-yard run trimming the lead to five before Dobbins,who threw a pair of TD passes in the win, found his favorite target, Micheal Ebaugh on a 71-yard bomb that gave WHS (6-0 overall; 2-0 NW3A/4A) the lead. Ebaugh ran in the two-point conversion for the final margin.
"It was a tough game," WHS JV coach Dustin Kerley said. "But the guys came back. It was a nice win, especially to win a conference game on the road like we did."
Justin Greer hooked up with Dobbins on an eight-yard TD pass and he also caught a two-point conversion pass. The JV team has a bye next Thursday night.

WHS TENNIS WIN AGAIN

The Watauga High women's tennis team won its tenth straight match with a 7-2 drubbing of Hibriten Thursday night in Lenior. The Pioneers (10-0 overall; 2-0 Northwestern 3A/4A Conference) were led by Meredith Smith, Hannah Petersen, Nicole Fox, Emily Burwell and Kelsi Kanoy in singles play. That group gave WHS a commanding 5-0 lead.
Smith and Ali Maupin picked up a win at No.1 doubles; Kanoy and Jessica Benyon won their match at No.3 doubles. Taylor Paige and Kylie Winkelmann picked up a doubles win in exhibition play.
The Pioneers return home to play South Caldwell in a rescheduled match Monday night. The Pioneers and Spartans were rained out on Wednesday.

WATAUGA 7, HIBRITEN 2

Singles
1st: Meredith Smith vs. Claire Chase  6-0, 6-0 WIN
2nd: Hannah Petersen vs. Ashlee Taylor 6-0, 6-0 WIN
3rd: Nicole Fox vs. Monica Barlow 6-0, 6-1 WIN
4th: Emily Burwell vs. Carson Bankes 6-0, 6-1 WIN
5th: Kelsi Kanoy vs. Hayley Gruen 6-0,   6-1 WIN
6th: Annika Davidson vs. Ally Johnson 3-6, 1-6 LOSS

Doubles
1st: Smith/Ali Maupin vs. Chase/Taylor 8-6 WIN
2nd: Fox/Savannah Copeland vs. Barlow/Bankes 6-8 LOSS
3rd: Kanoy/Jessica Benyon vs. Johnson/Sarah Chase 8-5 WIN

Exhibition:
Doubles:
4th: Taylor Paige/Kylie Winkelmann vs. _______ 8-1 WIN
5th: Taylor Paige/Kylie Winkelmann vs. _______ 3-8 LOSS

Exhibition Singles:

Addie Hall vs. _____ 3-8 LOSS