Evan Burroughs put on a memorable state championship game performance Friday night.
Burroughs, a jack-of-all-trades for Watauga High School of Boone, scored five touchdowns as the Pioneers ran past Middle Creek of Apex, 47-25, for the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s 6A championship.
Burroughs scored three times on runs, once on a pass, and once on an interception return. His performance helped the Pioneers (15-0) cap a perfect season and win their first state title since 1978. He finished with 14 receptions for 149 yards.
Quarterback Cade Keller, who completed his first 13 passes, finished 22 of 26 for 277 yards.
Middle Creek, making its first state final appearance, finished 11-3.
Burroughs began making his mark early in the game.
After Middle Creek drove for a touchdown on its opening possession and led 7-0, Watauga scored on its second offensive play — a 68-yard pass from Keller to Burroughs. The conversion kick failed, but Watauga didn’t trail for long.
On Middle Creek’s next possession, Burroughs picked off a Mustang pass near midfield and returned it 46 yards for a touchdown.
Middle Creek steadied itself, driving for a 26-yard Ben Ladue field goal with 2:17 left in the first quarter, cutting Watauga’s lead to 12-10.
But the Pioneers struck again before the quarter ended, on a 1-yard run by Matthew Leon. That was set up by a 52-yard pass from Keller to Nyle Peays.
Up 19-10, Watauga tried to pad its lead by successfully converting an onside kick, but one of the Pioneers’ few mistakes ended that possession — Middle Creek picked off a trick halfback pass.
The Mustangs were forced to punt, however, and Watauga started driving again. The drive ended on Burroughs’ 3-yard TD run with 9:38 left in the half.
The Pioneers made it 33-10 with 3:31 left in the second quarter on a 23-yard run by Burroughs, and to close out the half, Burroughs picked off a Middle Creek pass shortly before intermission.
Burroughs’ fifth touchdown came midway in the third quarter, on a 7-yard run. At that point, Watauga was up 41-10 and in position to trigger the running clock, which is used when a team builds a lead of 35 points or more.
That’s when things got interesting. The Mustangs cut the deficit to 41-17 on Ezra Jobe’s 10-yard run late in the third quarter, then got within 41-25 when Lex Sevilla and Nicolas Bocciardi connected on a 10-yard pass with 10:26 remaining.
Watauga fumbled the ball away on its next possession, too, with Middle Creek’s Cullen Hunt recovering at the Watauga 25. The Mustangs drove inside the Pioneers’ 10, but on fourth down, Watauga’s Leon broke up a Middle Creek pass to end the threat.
Watauga added a late touchdown on a 51-yard pass from Keller to Peays.
Eighty minutes wasn’t enough to decide a winner between the Charlotte Catholic and Middle Creek boys’ soccer teams in the NCHSAA 6A state championship Saturday night at Guilford College, as the Cougars and Mustangs were deadlocked at one apiece through two halves.
Two scoreless 10-minute overtime periods and a pair of 5-minute sudden death sessions followed, which sent the title game to PKs.
Tied at three penalties apiece with a chance to win it, Charlotte Catholic junior Emmett Drensek stepped into the box, placed the ball on the stripe and took a deep breath. To the tune of the official’s whistle, Drensek sprinted up to the ball and blasted it by the diving Middle Creek keeper Connor Leitch and into the net.
Drensek’s score gave the Cougars a 4-3 advantage in PKs, cementing Charlotte Catholic as the 2025 6A champs under the lights at Appenzeller Field. It was Catholic’s first state title in 17 years.
“This group bonded real quickly,” Cougars head coach Gary Hoilett said. “We found our style, found our rhythm and found how we wanted to play real quickly in the season. It’s not like we went through the season and change our lineup a couple of games to figure it out. It started clicking real early. Not just on the field, our personalities and everything came together.”
The dramatic win definitely didn’t come easy for Charlotte Catholic. For the first time all tournament, it trailed at halftime.
With just under two minutes to go in the first half, Middle Creek midfielder Evan Chestnutt handled the ball 15 yards outside the box. He put a move on his defender and launched a shot toward the goal. Cougars goalie Aiden Turton dived to slap it away, but it ricocheted right to Mustangs forward Holden Adams, who booted in the game’s first goal.
Middle Creek stayed in front all the way inside 10 minutes remaining in the second half, but a foul on the Mustangs that was called in the box awarded Charlotte Catholic a penalty kick. Junior captain Braden Mathis stepped up and converted to tie it up.
Both teams continued to test each other’s mental and physical fortitude as the game went the distance.
In PKs, Middle Creek shot first. Brady Flanigan, Chestnutt and Sterling McGregor cashed in their attempts for the Mustangs; Sean Lynds, Mathis and Brady Benton scored for Charlotte Catholic. Turton denied Adams on the Mustangs’ fifth and final attempt.
That set the stage for Drensek, who calmly delivered his clutch kick through the piercing screams of the Middle Creek faithful.
“I had full confidence in him,” Mathis said. “I have full confidence in every single one of my teammates. No matter who it was, I believe they would score. We’ve been practicing PKs, that builds up confidence every time. So he stepped up and he put it away.
“And Aiden’s save, he’s been a great keeper throughout the year. He had injury problems at the beginning of the year, but he bounced back for playoffs, and he’s really helped take us to where we are. That save just shows how important he is to us.”
Under head coach Steve Lindsay, who took over three years ago, Middle Creek has continued to ascend as a premier program in North Carolina. This season, the Mustangs won a remarkable 24 games and went a perfect 10-0 in the Triangle Six Conference.
Despite Saturday’s loss, this season was yet another stepping stone for Lindsay and his staff for what they’re building at Middle Creek.
“It was a hard-fought match,” Lindsay said. “We will certainly tip our cap to [Charlotte Catholic]. But I just couldn’t be any more proud of the young men that have given so much to this program at Middle Creek really over the last three years, but certainly this year.
“[We had] a team that was loaded with seniors that really came together as a family, unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed in all my years of sports. I couldn’t love these kids any more. … To see them hurting is hard.”
Three who made a difference
Braden Mathis, Charlotte Catholic — Three shots on goal, several crossbars hit and success on each of his two penalty kicks was plenty for the Cougars junior to earn MVP of the state final. Mathis buried the equalizer from the PK stripe with just under 10 minutes to go in regulation before coming through again as Charlotte Catholic’s third penalty taker in PKs.
Aiden Turton, Charlotte Catholic — Middle Creek certainly had its chances in each of the four overtime sessions, but Turton closed the door on all of them. He made a handful of lunging saves throughout the game, none bigger than his stop in PKs against the Mustangs’ Holden Adams to set up Emmett Drensek’s winner.
Sterling McGregor, Middle Creek — The senior midfielder played the entirety of Saturday’s 110-minute marathon. McGregor put forth five shots (two on goal) while constantly generating positive plays both offensively and defensively for the Mustangs. He also converted his PK to put Middle Creek ahead 3-2 at the time.
They said it
It didn’t take much time for Charlotte Catholic head coach Gary Hoilett to let his players know what he expected from them this season. Way back in August he told his team that 2025 was state championship or bust.
The Cougars understood what that meant — that Hoilett believed they had enough talent and chemistry to win it all — and used that as motivation throughout every practice and game during the year. It all paid off Saturday.
“One thing I preached the entire year was about sacrifices that need to be made,” Hoilett said. “I’m going to be honest, I did not hide behind it this year. I laid it out to them and said, ‘This team needs to be in the state finals. This team needs to win.’
“And it was a constant. We were building for it in training sessions and in games. This is what [we] were being built for. This group of boys absolutely bought into how we needed to be individually and collectively in order to be successful.”
SCORING SUMMARY
CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC 0 1 (4) — 1
MIDDLE CREEK 1 0 (3) — 1
First Half
MC—Holden Adams from Evan Chestnutt, 39th minute
Second Half
CC—Braden Mathis (PK), 71st minute
Penalty Kicks
MC—Brady Flanigan
MC—Evan Chestnutt
CC—Sean Lynds
CC—Braden Mathis
MC—Sterling McGregor
CC—Brady Benton
CC—Emmett Drensek (GW)
This story was originally published November 22, 2025 at 8:55 PM.
Middle Creek’s Derrick Morton (5) attempts the interception against Cary’s Jaylin Spivey (7) during the first half. The Cary Imps and the Middle Creek Mustangs met in a conference football game in Cary, N.C. on October 24, 2025
Steven Worthy
Something happened to previously unbeaten Cary High School football on its way to a final-week showdown with Cardinal Gibbons for a shot at a conference title.
That “something”? Middle Creek.
The Mustangs’ rushing attack was too strong for the Imps’ defense as visiting Middle Creek dominated the line of scrimmage in a 42-0 road win over Cary Friday night.
Middle Creek running back Jayden Spencer (0) rushes for the first down against Cary’s Michael McDonald (15) and James Melvin (22) during the first half. The Cary Imps and the Middle Creek Mustangs met in a conference football game in Cary, N.C. on October 24, 2025 Steven Worthy
Middle Creek will go on the road to winless Holly Springs next week with an outside chance at a Triangle Six 6A/7A conference crown. Cary will look to regroup against Cardinal Gibbons, though the Imps would much rather have been squaring off with the Crusaders as fellow conference unbeatens.
Cardinal Gibbons has one loss on the season, to Charlotte-area power Mallard Creek. Its average margin of victory over conference teams this fall has been 46.7 points, including a 26-point win over Middle Creek on Oct. 17.
If Cary can rebound and win that matchup, though, and Middle Creek can topple Holly Springs, Middle Creek, Cary and Cardinal Gibbons would have identical 3-1 conference records.
Friday in Cary, it was all Middle Creek. Already leading by 35 at the half, the Mustangs’ defense remained staunch to the end, stuffing the Imps’ opening drive inside the 10-yard line. Middle Creek tacked on another score in the fourth quarter to close the scoring.
Middle Creek wide receiver Tracy Harrington Jr (8) rushes for yards against Cary during the first half. The Cary Imps and the Middle Creek Mustangs met in a conference football game in Cary, N.C. on October 24, 2025 Steven Worthy
Mustangs roll in first half
Middle Creek got on the board early and often, staking itself to a two-touchdown lead with a heavy dose of the run game, first about four minutes into the game on a short TD run, and then again about four minutes later, also from inside the 5-yard line.
Despite starting at midfield, Cary’s ensuing drive stalled and the Imps had to punt. On its next possession spanning into the second quarter, Middle Creek again marched into Cary territory, Lex Sevilla cross the line from a yard out to push the Mustangs’ advantage to three scores.
Cary thought it had scored and climbed back into the game after a bizarre sequence in the second. After its third touchdown, Middle Creek tried for an onside kick, which it recovered.
The Mustangs then fumbled the ball, and Cary returned it to the end zone for what the Imps thought was their first touchdown of the game. But an illegal block in the back penalty negated the Cary score, and the Imps punted the ball back to Middle Creek four plays later.
The Mustangs inserted the dagger moments later when Tracy Harrington plunged into the end zone from 2 yards out, and they added another TD before halftime to push the margin to 35-0.
Middle Creek running back Jayden Spencer (0) runs for the first down against Cary’s Ben Hines (28) during the first half. The Cary Imps and the Middle Creek Mustangs met in a conference football game in Cary, N.C. on October 24, 2025 Steven Worthy
Middle Creek running back Jayden Spencer (0) reacts after getting the first down against Cary during the first half. The Cary Imps and the Middle Creek Mustangs met in a conference football game in Cary, N.C. on October 24, 2025 Steven Worthy
Middle Creek’s Jabron Wilson (31) face masks Cary Quarterback Nick Grena (3) during the first half and resulting in a first down. The Cary Imps and the Middle Creek Mustangs met in a conference football game in Cary, N.C. on October 24, 2025 Steven Worthy
Cary’s Faraz Chohan (50) reacts to the touchdown by Middle Creek during the first half. The Cary Imps and the Middle Creek Mustangs met in a conference football game in Cary, N.C. on October 24, 2025 Steven Worthy
Cary football head coach Coleman Tyrance watches the setup on the field against Middle Creek during the first half. The Cary Imps and the Middle Creek Mustangs met in a conference football game in Cary, N.C. on October 24, 2025 Steven Worthy
Cary tight end Donald Haley Jr. (45) reflect on the bench after the plays by Middle Creek during the first half. The Cary Imps and the Middle Creek Mustangs met in a conference football game in Cary, N.C. on October 24, 2025 Steven Worthy
Cary’s Erich Grena (5) runs for open field position against Middle Creek during the first half. The Cary Imps and the Middle Creek Mustangs met in a conference football game in Cary, N.C. on October 24, 2025 Steven Worthy
Middle Creek quarterback Lex Sevilla (6) looks to pass downfield against Cary during the first half. The Cary Imps and the Middle Creek Mustangs met in a conference football game in Cary, N.C. on October 24, 2025 Steven Worthy
Cary quarterback Nick Grena (3) runs for the first down against Middle Creek’s Davis Prichard (7) during the second half. The Cary Imps and the Middle Creek Mustangs met in a conference football game in Cary, N.C. on October 24, 2025 Steven Worthy
Middle Creek running back Jayden Spencer (0) runs for yardage against Cary’s James Melvin (22) during the second half. The Cary Imps and the Middle Creek Mustangs met in a conference football game in Cary, N.C. on October 24, 2025 Steven Worthy
Cary’s Erich Grena (5) kneels on the sidelines in the second half in the final minutes of their game with Middle Creek. The Cary Imps and the Middle Creek Mustangs met in a conference football game in Cary, N.C. on October 24, 2025 Steven Worthy
Cary’s Skylan Joyner (25) looks for running room against Middle Creek’s Jayden Spencer (0) during the first half. The Cary Imps and the Middle Creek Mustangs met in a conference football game in Cary, N.C. on October 24, 2025 Steven Worthy
Cary quarterback Nick Grena (3) runs for the first down ahead of Middle Creek’s Cullen Hunt (9) during the first half. The Cary Imps and the Middle Creek Mustangs met in a conference football game in Cary, N.C. on October 24, 2025 Steven Worthy
Cary quarterback Nick Grena (3) runs for yardage against Middle Creek during the first half. The Cary Imps and the Middle Creek Mustangs met in a conference football game in Cary, N.C. on October 24, 2025 Steven Worthy
Cary football head coach Coleman Tyrance watches the setup on the field against Middle Creek during the first half. The Cary Imps and the Middle Creek Mustangs met in a conference football game in Cary, N.C. on October 24, 2025 Steven Worthy
Cary quarterback Nick Grena (3) stiff-arms Middle Creek’s Quinn Newman (21) during the first half. The Cary Imps and the Middle Creek Mustangs met in a conference football game in Cary, N.C. on October 24, 2025 Steven Worthy
Steven Worthy
Middle Creek running back Jayden Spencer (0) gets the first down against the tackle from Cary’s Jaylin Spivey (7) during the first half. The Cary Imps and the Middle Creek Mustangs met in a conference football game in Cary, N.C. on October 24, 2025 Steven Worthy
Cary’s Skylan Joyner (25) rushes for yards against Middle Creek’s Mark Smith (40) during the first half. The Cary Imps and the Middle Creek Mustangs met in a conference football game in Cary, N.C. on October 24, 2025 Steven Worthy
Middle Creek running back Jayden Spencer (0) rushes for the first down against Cary’s Michael McDonald (15) and James Melvin (22) during the first half. The Cary Imps and the Middle Creek Mustangs met in a conference football game in Cary, N.C. on October 24, 2025 Steven Worthy
Middle Creek’s EJ Alvardo (38) celebrates his team’s touchdown against Cary with Kevin Moody during the first half. The Cary Imps and the Middle Creek Mustangs met in a conference football game in Cary, N.C. on October 24, 2025 Steven Worthy
Middle Creek’s Derrick Morton (5) makes the interception against Cary’s Jaylin Spivey (7) during the first half. The Cary Imps and the Middle Creek Mustangs met in a conference football game in Cary, N.C. on October 24, 2025 Steven Worthy
Cary quarterback Nick Grena (3) prepares to set the ball for the kicker during pregame drills before taking on Middle Creek. The Cary Imps and the Middle Creek Mustangs met in a conference football game in Cary, N.C. on October 24, 2025 Steven Worthy
Cary quarterback Nick Grena (3) runs for yards against Middle Creek during the first half. The Cary Imps and the Middle Creek Mustangs met in a conference football game in Cary, N.C. on October 24, 2025 Steven Worthy
Cary’s Erich Grena (5) moves into position to block the defense from Middle Creek during the first half. The Cary Imps and the Middle Creek Mustangs met in a conference football game in Cary, N.C. on October 24, 2025 Steven Worthy
Cary’s Nick Grena (3) and Erich Grena (5) look to the sidelines for direction against Middle Creek during the first half. The Cary Imps and the Middle Creek Mustangs met in a conference football game in Cary, N.C. on October 24, 2025 Steven Worthy
