6A NCHSAA Championship Preview: Middle Creek vs. Watauga

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Happy NCHSAA Championship week! With eight champions to be crowned, the games start on Thursday, and Prep Redzone is here to give you all the info you need to be an informed observer. Middle Creek and Watauga are both operating at a high level, and they'll clash on Friday in the 6A NCHSAA Championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">NCHSAA 6A Championship Preview</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Key Info</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Teams:</strong> East No. 3 Middle Creek (11-2) vs. West No. 1 Watauga (14-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Details: </strong>Fri., Dec. 12, 4 p.m. @ UNC's Kenan Stadium</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leading Passers:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1895140' first='Cade' last='Keller']</strong> (Watauga): 178-236, 2,887 yards, 37 TDs, 3 INTs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1328747' first='Lex' last='Sevilla']</strong> (Middle Creek): 184-291, 2,407 yards, 24 TDs, 9 INTs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leading Rushers:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1658593' first='Jayden' last='Spencer']</strong> (Middle Creek): 184 carries, 950 yards, 16 TDs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Everett Gryder</strong> (Watauga): 104 carries, 643 yards, 12 TDs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leading Receivers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1868481' first='Evan' last='Burroughs']</strong> (Watauga): 75 receptions, 1,166 yards, 16 TDs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1663791' first='Tracy' last='Harrington Jr.']</strong> (Middle Creek): 73 receptions, 1,086 yards, 12 TDs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leading Tacklers:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1663952' first='Davis' last='Prichard']</strong> (Middle Creek): 92 solo tackles, 42 TFLs, 20 sacks</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2074876' first='John' last='Wilson Mills']</strong>: 64 solo tackles, 5 TFLs, 3 sacks</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Middle Creek vs. Watauga Preview</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle Creek and Watauga are remarkably similar, from dual-threat quarterbacks to do-it-all deep threats to strong defenses with plenty of college talent. Accordingly, this could be one of the best games of the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle Creek's two losses came to 7A teams, one that made the regional final by beating the other by two points. Watauga had a relatively stress-free, undefeated regular season, but the Pioneers have relied on late-game heroics to advance in the playoffs, much like the Mustangs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In fact, just one of these teams' combined six games since the Round of 16 has been decided by more than one score: Middle Creek's Regional Final win over No. 1 Jacksonville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watauga trailed by seven in the closing minutes to No. 2 Northern Guilford last week before scoring the game-winning touchdown and 2-point conversion to win, 43-42.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A big reason for Middle Creek's playoff run (that has included road wins over the No. 2 and No. 1 seeds in the east) is the recent form of its biggest stars. When <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/contender-profile-middle-creek-mustangs/">I previewed the Mustangs</a> before the playoffs, I thought they might make a run on the backs of their stars, but had them losing to Jacksonville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the playoffs, quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1328747' first='Lex' last='Sevilla']</strong> is averaging nearly 250 passing yards a game and has thrown 11 touchdowns in four games after averaging just over 150 yards with 13 touchdowns in the regular season. He's also set single-game career-highs in passing yardage and a single-game career-high in rushing yards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edge rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1663952' first='Davis' last='Prichard']</strong> took over against Jacksonville, with four sacks and five total tackles for loss. Receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1663791' first='Tracy' last='Harrington Jr.']</strong> has four touchdowns in his last three games, and linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1880225' first='Connor' last='Smith']</strong> has 10 tackles for loss in the playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That Middle Creek has star power at every level, with Prichard and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809409' first='Cullen' last='Hunt']</strong> on the defensive line, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2077458' first='Mark' last='Smith']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1880225' first='Connor' last='Smith']</strong> at linebacker, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1880228' first='Honor' last='Paxton']</strong> at the safety position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Paxton and Watauga's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1868481' first='Evan' last='Burroughs']</strong> are tied for the 6A lead with eight interceptions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burroughs isn't just a dynamic corner, though. The senior Duke baseball commit is a three-sport star who leads the Pioneers in receiving. Burroughs has touched the ball a ton on offense these playoffs, even if he hasn't scored in three games. I'd expect that last part to change.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watauga doesn't have a workhorse running back, as it's done by committee, and the short passing game is an extension of the outside run game. Watauga quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1895140' first='Cade' last='Keller']</strong> leads the state in completion percentage, and the Pioneers' quick game is lethal. Middle Creek will have to tackle well, and it will be difficult for a strong pass-rushing team to get to the quarterback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle Creek has never made the state title game, while it's been a while for Watauga, which last made the championship and lifted the trophy in 1978.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You'll have to wait for an official prediction, as Matt Morrow, Joshua Graham, and I will have our predictions for all eight championship games free on Prep Redzone later this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Follow Prep Redzone for more high-quality coverage throughout the playoffs and offseason.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->