Sophomore Evan Burroughs catching a South Caldwell punt. Photo Credits: Charlie Stumb, Watauga Yearbook.
The 2023 football season has been a successful one for Watauga High School's Varsity Team. Currently, the team is undefeated, making their record 9-0 for the season. This success has been aided by two star sophomores: Everett Gryder and Evan Burroughs.
Coming off the previous football season, the team was down many star players. However, Gryder and Burroughs have both contributed to the team's incredibly successful season, while recognizing that every victory is an achievement for the whole team as well as them individually.
“If we all do our jobs and do what we are supposed to do, then we can keep winning,” Gryder said.
During games, both players are used in unique ways to benefit the team. Gryder’s and Burroughs's differences are used to continually push down the field for an eventual touchdown.
“The coaches design certain plays for each player's specific talents,” Burroughs said. “They wouldn't have me, who’s not very big, run the ball in the middle.”
While Burroughs runs around the side, the coaches utilize Gryder to run through the middle and gain a few yards each play before eventually passing the ball to Burroughs.
“Since I'm a little bit bigger than Evan, they make me run up the middle and get 5 or 6 yards every carry,” Gryder said. “Then, when the defense recognizes that, they all come down. Then they use Evan’s skill to get on the outside because the defense is so used to me going up the middle.”
This strategy has been serving Watauga well in their season so far. As the regular season comes to a close and playoffs loom in the distance, the team is looking for a way to continually improve their play.
“This season has been good. Obviously we are undefeated, but that does not really mean anything for the next however-many games we have,” Burroughs said. “We have been playing well as a team. We have good team chemistry, but we need to step it up a little bit going into playoffs.”
As the season comes to a close, the two sophomores are looking towards next season and possible collegiate careers.
“Right now, I'm focused on just playing high school and having fun, but that would be really cool if I could play collegiate football,” Gryder said.
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