State 4-A football playoffs: Central Cabarrus at Watauga, 7:30 p.m.

Pioneers look for second round win over Vikings
By Steve Behr
sports@wataugademocrat.com

Watauga is exactly where it was last year, in the second round of the state 4-A playoffs. Central Cabarrus would like nothing else than to make sure Watauga doesn’t end up in the third round, the same place the Pioneers were last year.

Watauga (9-3) hosts Central Cabarrus (5-7) Friday night looking to keep up with last year’s pace. Only this year, the Pioneers are the bracket’s No. 1 seed.

“I think we have a big target on us anyway,” Pioneers coach Adrian Snow said. “When you talk about last year and the success we’ve had the last two years, and all the ink we’ve gotten because of it, it’s a chance to get some ink by knocking us off.”

The Vikings, who tied for third in the ME-CA 7 Conference, will be visiting Boone from the Concord area. They reached the second round because their first round opponent, South Mecklenburg, had to forfeit for using an ineligible player during the regular season.

But that does not mean Snow is taking the Vikings lightly.

“They are one of those teams that are really talented,” Snow said. “The biggest deal is that they play in a great league. North Meck, West Charlotte, Vance — those teams can really play.”

Central Cabarrus’ tailback D.J. Moore has Snow’s full attention. Moore is the team’s workhorse on offense and the Pioneers give up just 156 yards per game.

“They’ve got a good tailback,” Snow said. “He runs hard. We’ve seen some good tailbacks and this one runs hard all the time. A back that is good and who can run hard is a tough combination for a team to defend.”

Watauga has its own running back who gives defenses fits. Eric Breitenstein has gained 1,797 yards and scored 20 touchdowns this year for the Pioneers.

But Watauga has used other weapons to get to the end zone. Adam Chiarolanzio played a part in five touchdowns in the Pioneers’ 42-14 victory over Alexander Central in the first round of the playoffs last week.

Chiarolanzio ran for a touchdown, scores, threw for three other scores and scooped up a fumbled punt and returned it 54 yards for another touchdown. His passing numbers 4-for-6 for 122 yards, were not exactly overwhelming.

But Chiarolanzio was extremely efficient with his passing. His longest pass, 58 yards to Baine Martin, reached the end zone.

Snow is not only encouraged with Chiarolanzio’s passing, but also with his running. Chiarolanzio gained 46 yards on 10 carries and scored a 15-yard touchdown run with 5:12 left in the fourth quarter.

Just as important as the yards is the way Chiarolanzio is running the ball. Instead of taking hits, he’s delivering them when he squares his shoulders to the defense.

“He’s starting to run behind his pads, and that adds another dimension to him,” Snow said. “He used to run straight up. Guys would tackle him in the chest and he was taking shots. Good backs run behind their shoulder pads. Now they’re hitting him in the shoulders instead of the chest.”

Central Cabarrus will try to stop Watauga’s running game with a pair of talented defensive linemen in Kendall Jackson and Maquell Lewis. Linebacker Tyler Martin also looms in the Vikings’ defense.