Familiar coach returns
By Steve Behr

When Doug Kidd brings his team to Jack Groce Stadium for the Sledgehammer Charlie’s Invitational this weekend, it will be nothing new to him.

The Invitational, which was known as the Mellow Mushroom Invitational when Kidd started it back in 2001, returns with four solid programs participating in it.

Of course, host Watauga is one of those teams. However, Kidd won’t be on the home side this time.

Instead, Kidd will bring his Swansboro team to the visitor’s sideline. Coaching in Swansboro his first year after starting the girls’ program at Watauga, Kidd said it will be a “strange” experience coaching from the other side of the field.

“I’m really looking forward to it, but it will be strange being on the other sideline coaching against my former players,” Kidd said.

Swansboro is making its first appearance in the tournament. Swansboro (1-0) plays Watauga (0-0-1) at 7 p.m., following the first game, which pits New Bern (0-1) against T.C. Roberson (1-0). That game begins at 5 p.m.

On Saturday, Swansboro plays T.C. Roberson at 2:30 p.m., and Watauga plays New Bern at 4:30 p.m. The times have been changed because of Saturday being a make-up day for Watauga High School due to the snow days being used.

Watauga coach Johnnie Gailes, a good friend and former assistant coach to Kidd, said he is looking forward to facing Swansboro Friday and seeing Kidd, even if they are on opposite sidelines.

“I think it will be great,” Gailes said. “I’m excited about seeing Doug. He’s a good friend of mine and he had a good rapport with the girls here. I hope it’s an even match, but I hope we can get in and score one more goal than he does.”

Swansboro drubbed overmatched Lejune 9-0, but got its test in jamborees against powers such as Raleigh Broughton, Cardinal Gibbons, Wilmington Hoggard, New Hanover and Panther Creek.

Watauga is coming off a 0-0 tie to a good Charlotte Catholic team Wednesday night.

Catholic has been a fixture in the 2-A and 3-A state playoffs for the past two decades.

Watauga brings five seniors to the field Friday night. The Pioneers are led by captains Ashlyn Clark and Austin Williamson. Both play the midfield, while Clark also plays defender.

Watauga also has midfielder Jodi Krause, defender K.D. Hinshaw and midfielder Tiffany Dickens. All are seniors. Gailes added that the Pioneers had four freshmen in the lineup, including goal keeper Emily Hass against the Cougars.

“Our whole team played exceptionally well,” Gailes said. “We have some things to tweak with some technical skills and we have some knowledge to learn, but I was proud of the way we played (Wednesday) night.”

Swansboro brings midfielder Carrie Dail, who has signed a letter of intent to play at Charlotte next year and will play the in the Clash of the Carolina’s game this summer.

“I think we’ve got a good team,” Kidd said. “We’ve got good players and a great group of ladies and I enjoy coaching them. We’re getting better and there is definitely room for improvement, but I expect a competitive match with Watauga.”

It won’t get much easier for Watauga after the tournament. The Pioneers take to the road Monday at T.C. Roberson and at St. Stephens on Wednesday. T.C. Roberson won the Mellow Mushroom in 2003, while Watauga won it in 2004 and 2001.

After those two games, Watauga plays Mount Tabor at the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex on Thursday. All of next weeks’ games begin at 6:30 p.m. for the varsity.

“We’ve got an extremely tough non-conference schedule,” Gailes said. “I’m hoping it will make us a better team for conference play.”