Watauga 2026 Season Preview

<p><em><strong>Not a subscriber? Promo code Helms30 will get you 30% off your first billing cycle. Coaches, make sure we have all the necessary information to preview your team. <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeB9YBH_he_sOP-lhvI26XRh0P9vobS8PsVJy_5QCJ4jQLTvQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=118251332469799088451">Fill out our preseason survey</a>. </strong></em></p>   <p>Preview season rolls on here at Prep Redzone, and here we're looking at one of the reigning state champions. Yet, the Watauga Pioneers are still a team that we probably haven't given enough attention to in recent years. As we preview one of the top teams in the 6A class, we're looking at whether Watauga can repeat as state champions.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Key Info</h3>   <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Ryan Habich</p>   <p><strong>2025 Record:</strong> 15-0 (6A State Champions)</p>   <p><strong>2026 Conference:</strong> Northwestern 6A/7A</p>   <p><strong>Key Games: </strong>vs. Freedom (10/2), vs. St. Stephens (10/30)</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Key Storyline</h3>   <p>There was no question last season that Watauga was the top 6A team in the state. While they return a ton of talent in the trenches, the skill positions will be almost entirely manned by inexperienced playmakers.</p>   <p>The Pioneers lost their quarterback, top five rushers, and return just 15 yards off an offense that threw for over 3,000 yards last season. Defensively, Watauga must replace seven of its eight leading tacklers from last season.</p>   <p>Still, the Pioneers have been the model of consistency under Habich, and they should make a deep playoff run, at worst. The upside will be determined by how easy or difficult they find it to replace multiple 900-yard receivers.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Potential Stars</h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">Hayes debuted inside our Top 100 in the 2028 class after we got ahold of his film after the season. Right around the same time, he turned heads at Matt Morrow's CFI Showcase Camp. He has elite size and strength on the interior of the offensive line. Regardless of who the leading rusher is for the Pioneers, I'd expect him to run behind his right guard spot.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Humphrey is a strong dude for his size, and given his frame, it's easy to think he'll enter college closer to 270 or 280 pounds. I'm really impressed with his film, especially his elite lateral movement skills. He has experience at both tackle spots, and he could develop into an FBS tackle prospect, depending on how the next two seasons go.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Though he's a bit undersized, Mills lives around the ball. That resulted in over 150 tackles last season with no sign of artificial tackle inflation. The rising junior linebacker will be key, as the Pioneers lose the majority of their defensive production. That said, Mills has gained some weight and should be even better in 2026.</p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Biggest Losses</h3>   <p><strong>Evan Burroughs</strong> | WR/DB- Burroughs' five-touchdown championship game performance propelled him into the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/12/top-50-of-2025-breaking-down-the-top-10/">Top 10</a> of our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/12/top-50-of-2025/">Top 50 of 2025</a>. No question, the Duke baseball signee will be missed on both sides of the ball, as he's one of the biggest losses in the state.</p>   <p><strong>Cade Keller</strong> | QB- Watuaga's senior quarterback led the 6A class in passing with a 3,000-yard season. That's a significant amount of production to replace, and we'll likely see the Pioneers run the ball a bit more to soften the blow.</p>   <p><strong>Nyle Peays</strong> | WR/DB- Peays finished second on the team behind Burroughs in most statistical categories, picking off three passes while nearly reaching 1,000 receiving yards. </p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Breakout Candidates</h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">Greer is the only player on the current roster who caught a pass last year, but he's penciled in at quarterback this year, and the whispers coming out of the program indicate there's significant internal optimism. He's a two-way guy who could fill a void in the secondary at any number of positions back there. He's had a strong offseason, and if he turns into a star, I'll feel great about the Pioneers' chances of repeating.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Plemons is a key returner on what will be a fairly inexperienced defense. His pass-rushing numbers were a bit pedestrian last year, but he's a strong run defender. He has a high motor, and his length and quickness give him a high pass-rushing ceiling.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Lacue was a rotational piece on both offense (running back) and defense (linebacker) last season. This year, the Pioneers will rely on him to take a step forward, and we expect him to see more snaps on both sides of the ball. He's a tough runner and loses to be physical as a linebacker.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Watauga's 2026 Outlook</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Team Strength</h3>   <p>It should be obvious at this point in the preview, but the Pioneers should have one of the top offensive lines in the 6A class. Hayes and Humphrey lead a veteran group that should be able to generate consistent push in the running game.</p>   <p>It certainly helps that Watauga is known for its toughness. The offense will be patient, willing to wear down defenses over the course of the game. Expect Watauga to run the ball a bit more in 2026 as the rest of the offense gels.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Question Mark</h3>   <p>The Pioneers should have the size, speed, and depth to dispatch most of the competition on their schedule, but they'll need a balanced offense to take down some of the top teams in the classification. Regardless of how much I may trust the coaching staff and team's stability, there's a ton of turnover at the skill positions.</p>   <p>Specifically, I'm wondering which players step up as go-to players at running back and receiver. Will the Pioneers have someone who can turn a potential three-yard gain into a seven-yard gain? On third-and-six, is there a reliable playmaker who can get open near the sticks? And is there anyone who can provide the explosive plays that take pressure off the offense to succeed on every down?</p>   <p>History says someone will step up, but in looking at the roster, I don't know who that guy will be.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Verdict</h2>   <p>When we discuss Watuaga, we're looking at a team with one of the highest floors in the state. At worst, the Pioneers will win 7-8 games. But the reigning state champions have their sights set higher.</p>   <p>I don't think a conference championship is a given, since I like what Freedom returns this season. That said, the Pioneers are the favorites in the Northwestern 6A/7A Conference. The line play should keep them in every game, even deep into the playoffs.</p>   <p>The ceiling will be determined by the emergence of a playmaker or three. I'll be watching in the nonconference to see both what the offense looks like, and how the Pioneers hold up on the back end. When we revisit some of the 6A contenders in October or November, I think I'll have a better idea of Watauga's chances of repeating. </p>

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