By Steve Behr
sports@wataugademocrat.com

Even for Eric Breitenstein, this was a big performance.

Breitenstein has gained his share of yards and scored his share of touchdowns the past two years. But Watauga’s senior running back/safety outdid himself Friday in the Pioneers’ 52-36 victory over Central Cabarrus in the second round of the state 4-A playoffs at Jack Groce Stadium. Breitenstein set a career high with 316 yards rushing and with six touchdowns on just 24 carries.

Breitenstein scored touchdown runs of 37, 6, 5, 18, 68 and 26 yards. He had 190 yards by halftime and broke the 2,000-yard barrier for the season. Breitenstein has gained 2,113 yards this season heading into the third round of the playoffs, when the No. 1-seeded Pioneers (10-3) host No. 4-seeded Purnell Swett this Friday.

“Our line just did a great job tonight,” Breitenstein said. “They were excellent. They opened up some holes and (Central Cabarrus) started to catch on a little bit when they started blitzing. Then we caught on to that and we started ripping them. There were holes you could drive a semi through.”

It was a long night for the Central Cabarrus defense. Head coach Glen Cook said the idea was to keep the ball offensively and contain Breitenstein when on defense.

After a while, all Cook could do was shake his had following the game and heap praise on Breitenstein.

“The only thing I know to do is put up a wall and make him jump it and then tackle him when he comes over,” Cook said of Breitenstein. “They’re a great football team. My hat’s off to them and I wish them the very best.”

It’s the second time Watauga has posted 50 points this year. The Pioneers beat Alexander Central 50-22 during the fifth week of the season. Watauga whipped Alexander 42-14 in the third week of the season.
The Pioneers also posted their second-straight 10-win season.

“It’s unbelievable. Practicing on Thanksgiving for two years in a row — there are a lot of high schools who don’t get that opportunity,” Pioneers coach Adrian Snow said. “For us to do it back-to-back years is a special time.”

Breitenstein’s performance overshadowed a big night for Central Cabarrus runner D.J. Moore, who gained 209 yards on 32 carries and scored three touchdowns. Moore scored touchdown runs of 12, 1 and 2 yards.

Moore also helped the Vikings (5-8) to outgain the Pioneers 488-409 in total offense. It didn’t mean that the Vikings ever had control of the game. Watauga took advantage of two Central Cabarrus fumbles in the first half and four fumbles overall, while the Pioneers turned the ball over just once on a fumble.

“When you play a team like Watauga, you can’t turn it over,” Cook said. “Especially with a kid like No. 2 (Breitenstein). He’s going to make you wish you didn’t turn it over.”

Watauga, behind Breitenstein’s first three touchdown runs and a safety the Pioneers scored when the ball was snapped over the Central Cabarrus’ quarterback’s head, took a 22-0 lead with 11:54 left in the second quarter.
Watauga led 32-8 by halftime after Breitenstein scored from 18 yards out and after Savva Kostis hit a 29-yard field goal with 54 seconds left in the half.

Snow liked the idea of Watauga scoring early and often.

“They had a new lease on life and an opportunity to play again — winning a draw to get in and then having a forfeit win to get to the second round,” Snow said. “But let’s face it, they’re talented. D.J. Moore can play.

Their quarterback can play. Their fullback can play. They’ve got massive offensive linemen. It’s just a great thing for us to be a part of.”

Central Cabarrus rallied late in the game, helped by a 2-yard Moore touchdown run and an 85-yard burst from quarterback Jordan Sanders, and pulled to within 46-36 with 1:03 left. But Central’s onside kick was picked out of the air by Baine Martin, who returned it to the Vikings’ 1-yard line.

Backup quarterback Devan Corum scored one play later, giving the Pioneers a 52-36 lead.

“We’re always going to come out and run it until they stop it at first,” Watauga quarterback Blake Beason said. “It pretty much worked for most of the game.”

Watauga’s running game left little need for a passing attack. Beason hit 3-of-6 passes for 33 yards, while Adam Chiarolanzio hit his only attempt for 15 yards.

Saunders hit 6-of-9 passes for 81 yards and an 18-yard touchdown to Donta Love in the third quarter. Sanders also cracked the 100-yard barrier, rushing for 127 yards on just eight carries.

“They’re well coached,” Cook said. “I’ll be honest with you, it’s probably not the most talented football team we’ve faced this year, but I will say this, they are the best-coached and they do the best job with what they’ve got.”

Watauga 52, Central Cabarrus 36
Central Cabarrus 0 8 14 14 — 36
Watauga 16 16 7 13 — 52
Scoring summary
First quarter
W—Breitenstein 37 run (Kostis kick)
W—Breitenstein 6 run (Kostis kick)
W—Safety, Saunders tackled in end zone
Second quarter
W—Breitenstein 5 run (Pass failed)
CC—Moore 12 run (Run failed)
CC—Safety Alger tackled in end zone
W—Breitenstein 18 run (Kostis kick)
W—Kostis FG 29
Third quarter
CC—Love 18 pass from Saunders (Pass failed)
W—Breitenstein 68 run (Kostis kick)
CC—Moore 1 run (Saunders run)
Fourth quarter
W—Breitenstein 26 run (Kostis kick)
CC—Moore 2 run (Run failed)
CC—Sanders 85 run (Moore run)
W—Corum 1 run (Kick failed)

C. Cabarrus Watauga
First down 21 16
Rushes-yards 48-407 42-336
Passing yards 81 43
Passes 6-9-0 4-8-0
Return yards 41 4
Punts-avg. 0-0 2-27.5
Penalties-yards 8-64 5-41
Fumbles-lost 7-4 3-1
Individuals
Rushing: Central Cabarrus—Moore 32-209, Saunders 8-127, Otzen 1-71, Love 5-13; Breitenstein 24-316, Corum 8-27, Martin 2-18, Chiarolanzio 4-18.
Passing: Central Cabarrus—Saunders 6-9-0 81, Watauga—Beason 3-6-0 33, Chiarolanzio 1-1-0 10.
Receiving: —Central Cabarrus—Love 3-51, Dewulf 2-16, O’Brien 1-14; Watauga—Steury 2-25, McMenamin 1-11, Wallace 1-7.