* Time: 7:30 p.m.
* 2007 records: Watauga 11-4; Davie County 8-4 (includes playoff win forfeited by East Mecklenburg)
* Series: Davie leads 1-0
* Last meeting: Davie ripped Watauga 34-10 as a slight underdog in Boone to open the 2007 season
* Next week: Watauga has an early open date; Davie gets ready for K.P. Parks, West Rowan and thousands of paying customers
* Game notes: Davie quarterback Zach Illing is new but reasonably experienced, and he always has performed admirably in a backup role.
He probably wonít air it out as much as Garrett Benge and Brad Corriher did in recent seasons, but thatís mostly because Davie has a true horse in the backfield ó James Mayfield ó a Division I prospect who trampled Watauga for 146 yards on 22 carries last season.
Davie will be able to control the ball most Fridays with a steady diet of Mayfield pounding behind a line led by Josh Burcham.
Defensively, Davie has a chance to be special with stud cornerback Perry James, already offered by East Carolina, returning from a shoulder injury to join a large cast of returning veterans. Linebackers Jared Barber and Chris Sponaugle, lineman Tanis Jeffries and corner Shyteek Brown are exceptional players.
In 2007, Davie slowed down the Pioneersí standout Eric Breitenstein. Breitenstein had 18 rushing yards after halftime.
A new era begins at Watauga, with new coach Tim Pruitt taking over a team that is minus Breitenstein and some stout linemen on both sides of the ball. The Pioneers, who have made long playoff runs the last two years, still have running back Baine Martin and wideout/defensive back Cam Steury. Standout tight end/linebacker Jake Wallace dislocated an ankle in a recent scrimmage.