By Steve Behr

sports@wataugademocrat.com

Neither Avery nor Watauga could run the football with any effectiveness against each other in their annual border war Friday at Jack Groce Stadium. Avery quarterback Alex Villanueva made sure the passing game would make up for it for the Vikings.

Villanueva shook off two interceptions by completing 21-of-38 passes for 293 yards and two second-half touchdowns in the Vikings' 28-14 win over Watauga. The junior quarterback also scored TD runs of 5 and 3 yards, making him responsible for all four Avery touchdowns.

It was the first time since 2005 the Vikings have beaten the Pioneers and the first time since that same year Avery is off to a 3-0 start.

The Vikings, who outscored their first two opponents 84-21, found themselves in a 7-7 tie with Watauga (1-2) at halftime. Neither team was moving the ball very well on the ground and that continued in the second half. Watauga finished with 77 yards on 30 carries, while Avery fared slightly better, gaining 97 yards on 27 carries.

Thanks to its passing game, Avery finished with 390 total yards on 67 plays and converted 6-of-13 third downs.

Villanueva caught fire in the third quarter and led the Vikings on an 81-yard, five-play drive highlighted by a 64-yard completion to Remington Austin, who also caught the drive-capping 10-yard touchdown pass to give the Vikings a 14-7 lead.

Avery made it 21-7 with a 91-yard, 10-play drive capped by a Villanueva 3-yard TD run.

Watauga, which scored first with 28 seconds left in the first quarter on a 1-yard Baker Stanley run, found some offense when quarterback Caleb Watson capped a 71-yard, 11-play drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. Watson completed 3-for-5 passes on the drive and 8-of-16 for the game for 99 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions.

Fellow quarterback Ethan Greene completed 3-of-8 passes for 13 yards with no interceptions or touchdowns.

Avery scored its final touchdown when Villanueva threw a strike to Andy Gonzalez for a 24-yard touchdown with 3:09 left.

Watauga's offense settled for 189 total yards on 54 plays. The Pioneers also hurt themselves by committing 13 penalties, eight in the first half, for 108 yards.

Watauga also suffered a tough loss when standout junior linebacker Alex Fox went down because of a knee injury. It was not immediately known how serious his injury was.

Watauga hosts West Stokes on Friday, while Avery plays another border rival in Cloudland, Tenn.

For complete coverage on the game, pick up a copy of the Monday edition of the Watauga Democrat.