Middle Creek’s championship run came to an end Friday afternoon at Kenan Memorial Stadium, as the Mustangs fell to unbeaten Watauga 47–25 in the NCHSAA 6A football state championship game.
Middle Creek (11–3) struck first and showed resilience throughout, but Watauga’s explosive playmaking and opportunistic defense proved decisive as the Pioneers capped a perfect 15–0 season with the program’s latest state title.
Middle Creek opened the game with confidence, marching 73 yards on its opening possession before Jayden Spencer punched in a 1-yard touchdown run to give the Mustangs a 7–0 lead.
Momentum shifted quickly.
Watauga answered with a 68-yard touchdown pass from Cade Keller to Evan Burroughs, then seized control moments later when Burroughs intercepted a pass and returned it 54 yards for a touchdown, flipping the score in a span of less than two minutes.
Despite a 19-yard field goal by Ben Ladue that pulled Middle Creek within 12–10 late in the first quarter, Watauga scored 28 unanswered points across the second and third quarters to build a commanding advantage.
Burroughs delivered one of the most dominant championship performances in recent title-game history, accounting for four touchdowns — three rushing and one receiving — while piling up 266 all-purpose yards.
The senior was named Most Valuable Player, adding individual honors to a night that defined Watauga’s championship run.
Keller finished 22-of-26 passing for 277 yards and two touchdowns, directing an offense that totaled 471 yards and scored on six of its final eight possessions.
The Mustangs continued to fight despite the deficit.
Quarterback Lex Sevilla threw for 257 yards and a touchdown, connecting with Nicolas Bocciardi for a 10-yard score early in the fourth quarter. Bocciardi finished with 141 receiving yards, repeatedly finding space against Watauga’s secondary.
Middle Creek also found success on the ground late, as Ezra Jobe added a 10-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. The Mustangs totaled 397 yards of offense, but turnovers and short fields tilted the game’s balance.
Linebacker Derrick Morton led Middle Creek with eight tackles and an interception and was named East Defensive Player of the Game. Quarterback Lex Sevilla earned East Offensive Player of the Game honors for his all-around performance.
Middle Creek also received the Sportsmanship Award, presented to T.J. Young, recognizing leadership and character throughout the season.
For Watauga, Cade Keller (West Offensive Player of the Game) and John Wilson Mills (West Defensive Player of the Game) highlighted a balanced championship effort, while Crue Stoddard was named the Pioneers’ Sportsmanship Award recipient.
While the final result did not go Middle Creek’s way, the Mustangs leave Chapel Hill having completed one of the most successful seasons in school history — a regional title, multiple playoff victories, and a trip to the state championship stage for the first time.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st Quarter
MCH — Jayden Spencer 1 run (Ben Ladue kick), 9:00
WHS — Evan Burroughs 68 pass from Cade Keller (kick failed), 7:57
WHS — Burroughs 54 interception return (run failed), 6:30
MCH — Ladue 19 field goal, 2:17
WHS — Matthew Leon 1 run (Mason Hankins kick), :06
2nd Quarter
WHS — Burroughs 3 run (Hankins kick), 9:38
WHS — Burroughs 25 run (Hankins kick), 3:31
3rd Quarter
WHS — Burroughs 7 run (Leon run), 6:51
MCH — Ezra Jobe 10 run (Ladue kick), 1:06
4th Quarter
MCH — Nicolas Bocciardi 10 pass from Lex Sevilla (Nicholas Belcher pass from Sevilla), 10:26
WHS — Nyle Peays 51 pass from Keller (run failed), :43
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING
Middle Creek:
Spencer 17–53, TD; Sevilla 9–51; Jobe 4–20, TD; Hoffler 1–3
Watauga:
Leon 12–78, TD; Burroughs 7–46, 3 TD; Keller 5–41; Mayo 5–29
PASSING
Middle Creek:
Sevilla 21–30–2, 257 yds, TD; Jobe 1–3–0, 13 yds
Watauga:
Keller 22–26–0, 277 yds, 2 TD; Mayo 0–1–1
RECEIVING
Middle Creek:
Bocciardi 7–141, TD; Harrington Jr. 9–79; Paxton 3–36; Belcher 1–9
Watauga:
Burroughs 14–149, TD; Peays 2–82, TD; Mayo 3–25; Leon 2–14
DEFENSE (LEADERS)
Middle Creek:
Cody Wicker 11 tackles; Derrick Morton 8 (INT); Honor Paxton 7
Watauga:
John Wilson Mills 13 tackles; Thomas Deters 8 (TFL); Crue Stoddard 6 (TFL)
