Huskies score 35 in second to stifle Surry Central

By Joel Frady

The Ashe County Huskies got off to a slow start on Friday night, allowing the Surry Central Golden Eagles to

score a touchdown on the game's opening drive while having issues moving the ball throughout the first quarter. But they started the second quarter strong, scoring on a 20-yard pass from Daniel Waln to Jake Brown with 10:37 remaining.

The Huskies would prove unstoppable for the entire quarter, scoring three more offensive touchdowns before capping the quarter off with a 100-yard interception return touchdown by Aaron Scott as time expired to take a 35-14 lead into the half.

"We had a bunch of big plays," head coach Bill Strong said after the game, "but we didn't play that well. Penalties - it was ridiculous how many penalties we had. But the big plays were the difference."

The turning point came halfway through the quarter, as the Huskies faced fourth-and-two from their own 40-yard-line. Instead of punting the ball away, Strong opted to go for it.

"I just felt like we could get it," Strong said of the decision. "I didn't see anything in particular, just thought we could get it." The play worked, as Aaron Scott ran for 9 yards and a first down. Waln broke open on the next play and ran 50 yards untouched for a 21-14 lead the Huskies wouldn't surrender.

After Waln hit Graysoin Wells from 22 yards out to increase the lead to 28-14, Surry Central marched down the field to the five-yard line with five seconds remaining in the half. But they opted to throw the ball on the final play, a pass that Scott intercepted and returned the length of the field.

"That's a good way to stop a drive," Strong said.

Surry Central running back Brett Boyles brought the Golden Eagles within two scores halfway through the third quarter, but that would be as close as the game would get. Waln connected with Wells for another touchdown, this one from 24 yards out, late in the third quarter, to put the Huskies back up 41-21.

Grayson Wells finished the scoring with a 49-yard touchdown run in the fourth.

"Surry Central is not a bad football team for their record," Strong said. "They can move the football, but they've had a little problem stopping people."

The victory moved Ashe County to 5-1 in conference play, but it would not be enough to move them to the top of the Mountain Valley Conference. Due to Starmount's victory over North Wilkes, which moved Starmount to 6-0 in conference play, the Huskies finished second - the first year in Strong's tenure that the Huskies have not earned at least a share of the conference title.

"I don't like it much," Strong said of the outcome, "but Starmount earned it, and they're a good football team." Starmount defeated Ashe County 22-13 when they played on Saturday, Oct. 25, but Strong doesn't want his team looking back.

"It's over," he said, adding that "the second season starts now."

Ashe County will begin the playoffs with a home match against the Trojans of Bandys High School from Catawba County on Friday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m, at Ashe County High School in West Jefferson. Admission to the game is $5. Those unable to attend the game can listen to all the action on WKSK 580 AM.

Special thanks to Ronald Ray for keeping statistics for the Ashe County High School football team.