Farris inks

with Emory & Henry
By Steve Behr
sports@wataugademocrat.com

When Mike Farris’ father contacted then-Watauga football coach Adrian Snow about Farris’ son playing football, Snow was interested, but did not get his hopes up.

It didn't take long for Snow's expectations rise. Seeing Farris play center during the first few practices definitely caught the Pioneers' coach's attention.

Farris, who transferred to Watauga from Charlotte Waddell, was moved into the starting lineup by the first scrimmage and eventually was named All-Northwestern 4-A Conference. Last Thursday, Farris became the second Pioneer to sign a letter of intent to play collegiately.

Farris will play at Emory & Henry, a Division III team that plays in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference and is located in Emory, Va., which is in Southwest Virginia about 40 miles northwest of Kingsport, Tenn.
Division III scholars aren’t allow to offer athletic scholarships, but can offer academic money. It was the small school atmosphere that Farris liked about Emory & Henry.

“I wasn’t looking for something that had a lot of students,” Farris said. “I liked the location, it’s about an hour away from home. I just really liked the coaches and the people and the teachers there, too. It seems like it’s going to be a good program.”

Snow, who recently accepted the job of head coach at West Forsyth, said Emory & Henry will get a center who knows what he’s doing. Just as importantly, the college will be getting a solid individual.

“I think Mike’s biggest attribute is he’s just a great kid,” Snow said. “He relate to kids. He don’t care what you look like or how you talk. If you’re good people, you’re good.”

Of course, there’s that little thing about if Farris can block.

“He’s talented,” Snow said. “He’s really worked on his strength and he will do a great job for Emory & Henry. He’ll have a great career there and they’ll be glad they have Mike Farris.”

The Wasps finished 4-6 last year after starting 4-1. They are coached by Don Montgomery, who was in his third season last year. The Wasps’ center last season, Josh Clawson, was named first team All-ODAC.
Clawson, a senior last year, is from Ashe County.

Farris said he would likely play center for the Wasps.

“Right now, it’s open,” Farris said.

Farris was part of an offensive line that allowed Eric Breitenstein to gain 2,625 yards and score 28 touchdowns on the ground in 2007. Also on the Watauga line was Casey Augustine, who, like Breitenstein, was named All-State by the Associated Press last season.

Breitenstein signed a letter to play at Wofford, while Augustine has also received some attention from college programs.

Farris’ father got a job in the High Country, which necessitated a move from Charlotte. The original plan was for Farris to finish school at Waddell, but Farris changed his mind and instead enrolled at Watauga.

Farris said that when he got to Watauga, the first day of practice was run at a faster pace than what he was used to at Waddell.

“It was new players and new people,” Farris said. “I knew about five guys.”

The new situation could not have worked out better for Farris. He not only was named all-conference, but he also made all-region and the Pioneers reached the state 4-A semifinals for the second straight season with an offensive line that returned one starter from the previous season.

“I’m getting signed to go to college,” Farris said. “We went to a final four in the North Carolina state playoffs, I made all-conference and second-team all-region, this is great.”