When Watauga lines up for its first state 4-A playoff game Wednesday at Jack Groce Stadium, the Pioneers will see familiar faces across the midfield line.

That’s because Watauga (14-6-2) opens the playoffs against Northwestern 4-A Conference rival Alexander Central (12-10-1). Kickoff is at 5 p.m.

It’s a chance for the Pioneers to redeem themselves from last year’s early exit from the playoffs, when Watauga was beaten 5-0 at South Mecklenburg. This year, the NWC champions can hand the Cougars their early walking papers.

But it’s not so simple, according to Pioneers coach Doug Kidd. Alex-ander Central improved over the course of a season and sweeping a team three games is never easy.

“I think in some ways it helps, but trying to beat any team three times in one year is a difficult task,” Kidd said. “We’re familiar with them, but the flipside of that is they’re familiar with us.”

Watauga blasted Alexander Central 7-0 back on Sept. 26 and 5-0 on Oct. 22, the Pioneers’ final regular-season game. Kidd said the Cougars played much better in the second game and is not taking them lightly.

“The biggest issue for us is for our kids to understand that they are for real and we have to play them like we’re playing the best team in the state,” Kidd said. “We need to respect Alexander Central.”

Watauga was supposed to close out its regular season last Wednesday with a non-conference game with Wilkes Central. Bad weather forced that game to Friday and more bad weather forced the game to be canceled.

It’s left the Pioneers with nine days off, which was good and bad, according to Kidd.

“We were able to practice some and we got some rest,” Kidd said. “We should be fairly healthy and ready to put out a great effort. I wish it wasn’t nine days since our last game, but there are pros and cons to it.”

Watauga won four of its last five games and the one non-victory was a 3-3 tie to A.C. Reynolds. Watauga has also won 11 of its last 14 games with two ties and one loss mixed in that streak.

Ben Robertson leads the Pioneers with 14 goals, while David Fisher leads the team in points, 34, scoring 13 goals and dishing out eight assists. Luke Robertson has 10 goals and nine assists,while Jennings Rex has seven goals and seven assists.

But Watauga has gotten off to slow starts in its recent games and Kidd would like to see that change.
“We can’t do that in the playoffs,” Kidd said. “We have to put together 80 minutes because if not, then we’re going home.”