UNC Football Rallied in the Second Half to Defeat Miami, 41-31

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— text and picture by Patrick Magoon freelance writer for WIZS

Despite a slow start, the North Carolina Tar Heels’ dynamic offensive unit rallied in the second half to defeat the Miami Hurricanes. With a win against the Hurricanes, the Tar Heels are 6-0 for the first time since 1997 and remain undefeated in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

“Tonight was a heavyweight fight from start to finish,” said UNC head coach Mack Brown.

In his second game with UNC, wide receiver Tez Walker routinely broke free from coverage, catching nine passes for 132 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Omarion Hampton, with grit and determination, gained 197 yards on 24 attempts and scored a touchdown.

UNC took an early lead after reaching the end zone on their second possession of the game. Quarterback Drake Maye led his team 91 yards in three minutes, capping off the drive with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Walker.

Then Miami matched UNC’s energy, marching 89 yards in less than three minutes. However, UNC defensive Lineman Jahvaree Ritzie forced a fumble inside the one-yard line to maintain the one-score advantage. Roughly five minutes later, Miami reached the end zone after completing four plays for 63 yards.

Towards the end of the first half, Hampton ran rampant, evading tackles to accumulate 41 yards on seven carries. From the two-yard line, Hampton plowed into the end zone to tie the game at 14-14.

With less than a minute to spare in the first half, Miami executed seven plays for 57 yards to set up a 28-yard field goal.

After trailing at the half, UNC put 21 points on the board in the third quarter to establish a substantial lead. In the third quarter, Walker broke loose, catching touchdown passes on back-to-back offensive possessions.

UNC’s robust defensive unit forced a fumble and interception on Miami’s first two second-half drives.

“Probably the difference in the ballgame was forcing four turnovers and giving none,” said Brown. “We forced two interceptions and two fumbles.”

Although Miami gained momentum in the fourth quarter to outscore UNC 14-6, the constant pressure from UNC’s defense was overwhelming. With the game clock winding down, Maye handed the ball off to Hampton, who ran 60 yards to the Miami 10 to put the game away.

Vance County High School

SportsTalk: Vipers Take A Week Off Before Facing Carrboro

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The Vance County Vipers are guaranteed to remain 8-0 until, at least, October 20.  Why? Because the team has a late season bye week.

According to Head Coach Aaron Elliott, it’s time for one.  “I didn’t realize how beat up we are,” Elliott said on Thursday’s SportsTalk.  Several players are banged up including quarterback Javion Vines-Holder who has a bruised hip.  That injury occurred in the second half of the Vipers’ 14-0 win over South Granville.  The week off will help not only Vines-Holder but several other Vipers.

Elliott said the win over South Granville was hard fought.  “They were physical and disciplined,” said Elliott of the Vikings. “Their defense really stood out,” Elliott continued.  Things will likely be less contested on the 20th when the Vipers travel to Carrboro which has struggled through much of the season.  “They can throw the ball.  They have a good, solid quarterback,” Elliott said.

Meanwhile, Elliott was happy that the Vipers’ JV team has won the conference championship and is 6-0 with two games remaining on the schedule.  Once the JV team finishes up around 15 of those players will be moving up to the varsity team just in time for the state playoffs.

 

Crossroads Christian School

SportsTalk: Crossroads Finding Success At Multiple Sports

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Last year Crossroads Christian lost in the final four of the state soccer championship but, according to Scottie Richardson, the school’s athletic director, Crossroads is will have a good shot of returning to the final four this season.  “We are ranked #1 in the state.  We lost our first game to Franklinton and haven’t lost since,” Richardson said on Wednesday’s SportsTalk.  This week they take on defending state champions Cape Fear Christian as they prepare to move into the state playoffs.

Soccer is not the only area where Crossroads is finding success.  “Cross Country has their conference tournament next week and they are looking for a three-peat,” Richardson said as the cross country team has one back to back state championships.

Volleyball is also moving towards playoff time. “It’s a tough conference and anything can happen,” Richardson said about his volleyball team.  The varsity team will travel to Lee Christian this week while the JV team plays at Cape Fear.

Basketball is also just around the corner with the first game on November 7th at Oakwood in Greenville.  “We lost a lot of players from last year’s team so we may be able to fly under the radar,” Richardson said.

 

SportsTalk: KVA Prepares For Tournaments

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Schools around the area are approaching state playoffs and conference tournaments.  Kerr Vance Academy is no exception.  The school’s Volleyball team, currently ranked 7th in the state, will take on Faith Christian in the second round of their conference tournament in Rocky Mount after receiving a first round bye, according to Mike Joyner, KVA Athletic Director.  Once the conference tournament finishes up it’s likely KVA will have some more home games to start off state playoffs.  “Depending on how the conference finishes, it’s likely we will get more home games,” Joyner said.

Soccer and Tennis have also finished their regular season.  “We will likely have to travel in the first round,” Joyner said in regards to his soccer and tennis teams. “We are waiting for seeding,” Joyner added.

Basketball is also gearing up for JV girls and boys and varsity girls and boys.  Basketball season opens Oct. 30th.

And if that weren’t enough Joyner is also prepping the school’s swim team.  “We have six or seven swimmers and we are hoping to schedule meets closer to home this year,” Joyner commented. Joyner was a guest on Wednesday’s SportsTalk on WIZS.

 

UNC Football Outplayed Syracuse to Remain Undefeated

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— text and picture by Patrick Magoon freelance writer for WIZS

An impressive display of consistent explosive runs on offense and strong tackles on defense from the North Carolina Tar Heels (UNC) paved the way for an impressive 40-7 win over Syracuse.

On offense, UNC quarterback Drake Maye completed 33 passes for 442 yards. He connected with 11 receivers, including Devontez Walker, who caught six passes for 43 yards in his debut for UNC. After weeks of backlash, the NCAA reversed course and granted Walker, the two-time transfer, immediate eligibility a few days before the game. As Walker led his team onto the field before kickoff, cheers erupted throughout the stadium.

“I just felt blessed to be out there, said Walker. My teammates have been in my corner since I arrived.”

UNC’s potent offense started strong, executing 14 plays for 64 yards. Through a dynamic ground game, UNC quickly reached the red zone. However, the drive stalled out 11 yards outside of the end zone. Then kicker Noah Burnette made a 29-yard field goal to give UNC an early lead.

Throughout the remainder of the first half, Maye had plenty of options on offense. He distributed the ball to numerous playmakers to score three consecutive touchdowns.

“North Carolina is a fantastic football team, and I tip my hat to Mack Brown, said Syracuse head coach Dino Babers. Today, they were fantastic on offense, fantastic on defense, and I think they’re going to go a long way this season.”

In contrast, Syracuse’s run-heavy offensive unit struggled to build momentum against UNC’s aggressive defense. Therefore, the unit had to punt the ball away on all four of its first-half possessions.

Although Syracuse demonstrated offensive efficiency at the start of the second half by scoring on its first possession, the momentum quickly dissipated with no room to run.

UNC’s defense, led by linebacker Cedric Gray, defensive back Don Chapman, and defensive lineman Myles Murphy, intercepted two passes and amassed 51 total tackles, one sack, and three TFLs.

Vance County High School

SportsTalk: Vipers Take On South Granville For Senior Night

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94 – 18.  Doesn’t sound like a football score, does it?  Yet that’s what the final score was last Friday night as the undefeated Vance Co. Vipers had a record setting win against Granville Central.  Quarterback Javion Vines-Holder tied the state record by throwing ten touchdown passes.  “We wanted to do something for the team and the community,” commented head coach Aaron Elliott on Thursday’s SportsTalk.  When Vines-Holder approached his coach at half time and said he wanted to go for the state record it was decided by the coaching staff to support the decision.  Vines-Holder now holds the record with a couple of other players in the state but for now, his name is in the record books.

This Friday night is unlikely to see the Vipers put up 94 points as the Vikings of South Granville come to Henderson.  “They find ways of making it a ball game and they are looking for a share of the conference championship,” Elliott said.  To do that, South Granville will have to rely on a run heavy offense to take down the Vipers.  South Granville leads the conference in rushing so the Vipers will have to be ready on defense.  “We are focusing on ourselves.  Cleaning up mistakes on offense and defense,” Elliott stated.

It will be a big night at Viper Stadium as ten seniors will be honored during Senior Night festivities and there will be fireworks!  Those were supposed to take place during Homecoming but rain caused the fireworks to be cancelled.  Those will take place after the game Friday night which is the final home game of the regular season for the Vipers.

Join Bill Harris and Doc Ayscue immediately following the Joy Christian Center broadcast about 6:50pm for all of the action as Vance Co. takes on South Granville on Vance County Friday Night Football here on WIZS.

 

Vance County High School

SportsTalk: Elliott Prepares For Granville Central Friday Night

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Homecoming for the Vance County Vipers proved to be another successful outing, even if a bit on the wet side, as they faced off against Louisburg.  The result was an impressive 36-3 win.  Head coach Aaron Elliott said one of the keys to the victory was shutting down the Louisburg offense which dominated the second quarter of the game.  “We did a good job at half time.  We were prepared for the wishbone offense but not for the unbalanced line they used,” Elliott said of the game.  In the second half the Vipers turned former Louisburg player Shamir Sheppard loose on offense and defense and the rout was on.

Granville Central is this week’s opponent and Elliott knows that despite a 1-4 record the Vipers have to be ready. “Granville Central is disciplined and they don’t make mistakes,” Elliot said.  “We are confident and if we stay disciplined and stay humble we should be OK,” Elliott continued.

Elliott, who was a guest on Thursday’s SportsTalk, knew the Vipers would be good.  “Back in the spring I told everyone we could be 10-0 this season,”  Elliott stated.  With only four games left in the regular season that prediction may come to pass but three of the last four games are on the road with three games against Granville County rivals.

CLICK PLAY!

 

Vance County High School

SportsTalk: Elliott Prepares Vipers For Homecoming Game Against Louisburg

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The Vance County Vipers got the proverbial monkey off their backs with a thrilling 14-12 victory of Southern Durham last week at Viper Stadium.  “Our kids, they were focused all week. They came in and did what they were supposed to do,” Coach Aaron Elliott said on Thursday’s SportsTalk.

Southern Durham beat the Vipers twice last year but with last week’s win the Vipers are now 5-0 and ranked 29th in the state.  The Vipers will put that unblemished record on the line this Friday night as they take on the Louisburg Warriors in another important conference game.  Coach Elliott was with the Warriors for many years before coming to Vance County but doesn’t see the familiarity between him and Louisburg coach Dante Lassister having much impact on the game. “It will cancel each other out.  They run the same offense as we do and the same defense as we do.  There might be a few wrinkles,” Elliott said.

The weather could be a factor tomorrow night but Elliott said that they are prepared to go ahead with the game and festivities of Homecoming.  “The game starts at 7pm and fireworks will happen after the game. A lot has gone into this to get it ready,” Elliott said.

Join Bill Harris and Doc Ayscue for live coverage of the game between Vance County and Louisburg starting immediately following the Joy Christian Center broadcast around 6:50pm here on WIZS on Vance County Friday Night Football.

 

Maye and McCollum Shine in UNC’s First-Ever Matchup Against Minnesota

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— text and picture by Patrick Magoon freelance writer for WIZS

In a first-ever matchup against the Minnesota Gophers, the North Carolina Tar Heels (UNC) heavily relied on a passing-dominant offensive strategy to move the ball downfield. UNC’s success through the air paved the way for a 31-13 victory.

Wide receiver Nate McCollum, a transfer from Georgia Tech, shined in his debut for UNC, catching 15 passes for 165 yards and one touchdown.

“I was ready to go,” said McCollum. “Last week, I only played a few snaps and I’ve been itching to work myself back up.”

McCollum demonstrated a strong connection with quarterback Drake Maye, who overcame two sloppy interceptions and threw for a season-high 414 yards.

During UNC’s first offensive series, Maye repeatedly targeted McCollum, who caught four of five passes, including a 46-yard touchdown.

After UNC claimed an early lead, the Gophers’ offensive unit quickly advanced the ball 50 yards into Tar Heel territory. However, the series ended immediately when linebacker Power Echols intercepted quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis’ pass at the UNC 16.

On offense, Maye proved he can do it all, including throwing deep passes, running efficiently, and punting when necessary. With three minutes left in the first quarter, Maye punted the football 36 yards to the Minnesota 13.

“I’ve never seen anybody do it better than Drake,” said UNC head coach Mack Brown. “We’ve had some great quarterbacks, but Drake has a knack of finding the open player, and he’ll do that next week.”

Throughout the first half, UNC dominated in time of possession and converted seven of nine third-down attempts.

Early in the second half, Minnesota, looking for answers, made a change at quarterback. Cole Kramer entered the game. Although Kramer only attempted one pass, which fell incomplete, he led a run-heavy Gophers offense for 170 yards. Kaliakmanis later returned under center.

For much of the second half, UNC’s stout and versatile defensive unit hindered Minnesota’s offensive success. The unit, led by Echols, linebacker Cedric Gray, and defensive back Antavious Lane, amassed 52 tackles, eight PDs, one sack, and one TFL. UNC’s defense allowed only 133 yards through the air and limited the Gophers to just three third-down conversions.

UNC Prevails in Overtime to Defeat App State

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— text and picture by Patrick Magoon freelance writer for WIZS

The North Carolina Tar Heels (UNC) fought hard to defeat in-state rival Appalachian State, 40-34.

UNC’s first offensive series stalled out at the App State 13-yard line. In an attempt to build momentum and quickly move the chains, UNC running back Omarion Hampton charged forward but was pushed behind the line of scrimmage for a 1-yard loss.

In contrast, App State quarterback Joey Aguilar started hot, connecting with receiver Dashaun Davis twice for 33 yards. But, the momentum was short-lived. An incomplete pass and a couple of rushes for minimal gains forced the Mountaineers to settle for a 47-yard field goal attempt, but App State kicker Michael Hughes missed.

UNC, hoping to turn things around, faced another third-and-short situation. Running back Caleb Hood forged ahead but was wrapped up immediately. The Tar Heels had to punt the ball away.

The Mountaineers capitalized on the missed opportunity, bouncing back and capping off a 19-play, 66-yard drive with a 46-yard field goal to take an early lead.

Then UNC responded.

Running back Omarion Hampton evaded multiple defenders and displayed incredible speed while carrying the ball 68 yards to the end zone. That was only the beginning for the elusive Hampton. He ran rampant for most of the game, accumulating 234 yards and three touchdowns.

“Omarion is a really good player, and we’ve seen that type of performance coming,” said UNC head coach Mack Brown.

Omarion Hampton (UNC v App State 09-09-23)

App State fought hard to reclaim the lead before the half. Aguilar, early on in the second quarter, hit Davis in stride for 34 yards. Moments later, Aguilar completed a pass to tight end Eli Wilson for a 5-yard touchdown.

The Mountaineers started the second half strong, executing six plays for 75 yards and a touchdown. Then UNC quickly found its footing and matched App State’s energy.

UNC safety Don Chapman intercepted Aguilar in the third quarter, forcing a 31-yard field goal. Aguilar distributed the ball to Miller Gibbs, Dalton Stroman and Milan Tucker for a total of 47 yards before handing the ball off to Noel, who ran seven yards for a touchdown.

The shootout persisted well into the fourth quarter as Maye launched a deep pass to receiver J.J. Jones for a 57-yard completion before setting up Hampton for a 7-yard touchdown.

With little time to spare, App State relied on Aguilar’s passes and Noel’s runs to set up a 33-yard field goal and tie the game. Tar Heel fans anxiously watched as their kicker lined up to attempt a game-winning field goal. A few minutes later, the kick was declared no good.

To secure the win in overtime, Maye propelled his team forward with a 13-yard rushing touchdown. Then UNC’s defense made a vital stop in crunch time.

“Drake just glows with confidence and always knows we’re gonna win the game,” said Brown.