Published: 11:38 AM, 11/03/2009

Last updated: 12:52 PM, 11/17/2009

By: Steve Behr Sports Editor

There was an extra element to Watauga's 34-17 victory that was not lost on the Pioneers after the game.
That game could very well be the final varsity football game played at the current Jack Groce Stadium - and what a way to go out if it is. The jayvees play the final game, if there is not a varsity playoff game, Thursday against St. Stephens.
"It's kind of hard. I've made so many memories here," Watauga quarterback Devan Corum said. "It was Senior Night and we were able to come up with a good win. It's going to be hard not to set foot on this field. If playoffs work out we might be able to. You know, it's going to be hard to walk by and not be playing a game on it."
There is always the possibility that the Pioneers could host a first-round state 4-A playoff game, but it's unlikely. Watauga is a No. 3 seed from the Northwestern 4-A/3-A Conference by virtue of is third-place finish in the league standings, though technically the Pioneers are the No. 2 seed from the split conference.
But this isn't about trying to figure out the hows, whys or what-fors of the NCHSAA playoff system. I know that Watauga is going and for now, that's good enough for me.
However, I've spent 11 years covering games at Jack Groce. I've met the real Jack Groce and when I think of the name, the word that keeps coming back is "legendary." Groce's impact on the sports scene here in Watauga County goes beyond the stadium that bears his name.
The first thing that struck me about the current field, when I saw it in the fall of 1999, was the greenery of the mountain located directly behind the visitor's side. We didn't have that in any of the seven prep teams I covered in Union County for eight years and certainly didn't have that in Johnson County during the first two years of my career.
There was plenty of scenery on the field, too. The ones that standout the most involve the 2006 and 2007 teams that reached the semifinals of the state 4-A playoffs. Watauga, led by Shrine Bowl running back Eric Breitenstein, was the team that could during those seasons, beating teams like A.C. Reynolds, Purnell Swett, Greensboro Page and North Forsyth in marching into two Western Regional championship games.
We've been lucky here to see good football, soccer - boys and girls  - and track and field teams play at Jack Groce.
Not only have they been good athletes, but they've been good people.
We've seen several of those student-athletes extend their athletic careers into college. It's always great not to just see them sign the letter of intent, but also to see them in a college uniform two or three years later.
It's also always great to see them in a restaurant after graduation. They always seem to recognize me first. Maybe it's the grey beard, or the balding head.
More memories will be made at the new field. 

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