SportsTalk: Vipers Football Prepares for Round 1 vs. South Johnston

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UPDATE – FINAL SCORE 

South Johnston 47

Vance County 7 

Vipers finish the season at 2-9

RECAP MONDAY ON SPORTSTALK 

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When Vance County Vipers Head Coach Aaron Elliott took a look at the state playoff bracket, he counted nine – NINE – of the 10 teams the Vipers had faced during the regular season.

And that 10th team that didn’t make the playoffs? In Elliott’s opinion, it should have. They’ve got the best quarterback in the state, he said of the Knightdale Knights.

The Vipers travel to Four Oaks Friday for a 7 p.m. matchup against the South Johnston Trojans in the first round of the 6A state playoffs.

“We’ve got teams in the state that have more wins than we do, and they’re sitting at home this week,” Elliott told WIZS’s Scout Hughes and George Hoyle on Thursday’s SportsTalk.

The Vipers had stiff competition through the regular season, and Elliott said that was by design.

“We wanted to win a playoff game,” he continued. “We were tired of being successful and then losing out in the first round (of playoffs). I feel real good about us being able to compete.”

Although the regular season ended with a loss to the Franklinton Red Rams, Elliott said he was pleased with the team’s effort, especially in the first half.

“We’ve just got to do that for a whole four quarters,” he said.

The team practiced this week under the lights and Elliott said he and his staff have developed a game plan for South Johnston running back Holt Langston. Elliott said Langston is one of the fastest running backs he’s seen.

He’s brought up 16 JV players to join the team for the trip to Four Oaks, and Elliott said they’re a good group.

“They’re 110 percent effort on everything they do,” he said.

Elliott’s teams have made the playoffs each of the four years he’s been head coach, and he said he feels like the coaching staff has done a good job of preparing the Vipers for Friday’s contest.

“We just have to execute,” he said.

 

First Round High School Football Playoff Games in our Area:

  • 23Vance County @ 10South Johnston – 6A Playoffs
  • 12Franklinton vs. 21Gray’s Creek – 6A Playoffs
  • 13Wake Forest vs. 20North Brunswick – 7A Playoffs
  • 19Heritage @ 14New Hanover – 7A Playoffs
  • 21East Wake @ 12Sanderson – 7A Playoffs
  • 14J.F. Webb vs. 19Person – 5A Playoffs
  • 23South Granville @ 10Western Alamance – 5A Playoffs
  • 12Wake Prep vs. 21Bartlett Yancey – 3A Playoffs
  • Mecklenburg County, VA vs. Tunstall, VA – VA Regular Season Week 11

Vance County travels to Four Oaks to take on South Johnston for the 1st round of the NCHSAA 6A State Playoffs on Friday, November 7th and you can hear all the action on WIZS 1450AM, 100.1FM, and online at wizs.com with pregame starting around 6:50 p.m. and kickoff at 7:00 p.m.

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SportsTalk: South Johnston hosting Vance County for First Round of Football Playoffs

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South Johnston High School is hosting the Vance County Vipers in the first round of the state 6A football playoffs Friday.

Trojans Head Coach Lee Webb said his team is coming off a big rival win against West Johnston, but they’ll be ready for the Vipers. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Ronald Avery Stadium in Four Oaks.

Webb’s team is the #10 seed in the 6A playoffs, and the Vipers are the #23 seed, but the fifth-year head coach said he and his staff have been getting the team ready to face a very physical Vipers team.

“They’ve played a tough schedule,” Webb told WIZS’s Scout Hughes and George Hoyle on Wednesday’s SportsTalk.

“Every team that you play is going to be tough in the playoffs,” he said, adding that the Vipers are a well-coached team, “physical and fast up front,” and ready on offense, defense and special teams.

“We have to be ready for anything,” he said.

With 20 seniors on this year’s team, Webb said he’s proud of the way they’ve stuck together the past four years.

“The relationship that these guys have with each other and the underclassmen and the things that they’re showing them with their leadership – the way they do things…As a community, as a staff, we’re very proud of how they’re representing South Johnston,” Webb said.

In preparation for Friday’s matchup, Webb said he and his coaching staff continue what they’ve said all season long – not focusing on the next W, but focusing on the team’s identity and players’ character.

“If we stay true to who we are, I don’t think we can lose,” Webb said, no matter what the scoreboard says.

He said he wants his players to focus on one play at the time, making sure they’re doing things the right way to prepare, so they’ll respond in a positive way when things go awry.

The Trojans use three words to keep them focused, motivated and ready: humility, love and determination.

Keeping those words in mind, on and off the field, is what Webb said he wants his players to do. “You’re going to make mistakes on the football field, just like in life,” he said, adding that it’s what you do after you make those mistakes that show a person’s true identity and character.

 

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SportsTalk: Hurricanes Football Enters Final Stretch

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Louisburg College Head Football Coach Quinderra Spellman joins SportsTalk with Scout Hughes and Steve Lewis to recap the road win over Nassau County Community College and to preview the final game of the regular season as the Hurricanes take on the Brevard College JV Team for this weeks game. Scout and Steve also talk about Game 7 of the World Series in which the Dodgers finish things out.

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Vance County High School

SportsTalk: Vance County Football Qualifies for Playoffs

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Scout Hughes and Doc Ayscue recap the weekend that was at all levels of football. High School, College, and NFL! The guys also talk about the NCHSAA Football Playoffs that were released on Sunday.

High School Football Scores from Week 11:

  • Franklinton 44 Vance County 13
  • Wake Forest 24 Heritage 3
  • Knightdale 48 East Wake 14
  • South Granville 20 J.F. Webb 8
  • Warren County 49 Northwest Halifax 12
  • Wake Prep 26 Louisburg 0
  • Bunn 42 Roanoke Rapids 8

Area College Football Scores for Week 10:

  • North Carolina 27 Syracuse 10
  • Duke 46 Clemson 45
  • NC State 48 Georgia Tech 36
  • Florida State 42 Wake Forest 7
  • Virginia 31 California 21
  • Louisville 28 Virginia Tech 16
  • East Carolina 45 Temple 14
  • NC Central 35 Howard 14
  • Louisburg College 38 Nassau Community College 10

High School Football Playoff First Round Matchups:

  • 23Vance County @ 10South Johnston – 6A Playoffs
  • 12Franklinton vs. 21Gray’s Creek – 6A Playoffs
  • 13Wake Forest vs. 20North Brunswick – 7A Playoffs
  • 19Heritage @ 14New Hanover – 7A Playoffs
  • 21East Wake @ 12Sanderson – 7A Playoffs
  • 14J.F. Webb vs. 19Person – 5A Playoffs
  • 23South Granville @ 10Western Alamance – 5A Playoffs
  • 2Warren County – First Round Bye – 2A Playoffs
  • 4Louisburg – First Round Bye – 3A Playoffs
  • 6Bunn – First Round Bye – 4A Playoffs
  • 12Wake Prep vs. 21Bartlett Yancey – 3A Playoffs

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SportsTalk: Vipers Ready for Senior Night

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UPDATE – FINAL SCORE 

Franklinton 44

Vance County 13

RECAP MONDAY ON SPORTSTALK 

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With a conference win under their belts and looking for a second win on Senior Night Friday, the Vance County Vipers may be peaking at just the right time. A focus on the basics – no turnovers and winning on first and third downs – is what Head Coach Aaron Elliott said will propel the Vipers to a victory, and most likely mean post-season play for the Vipers.

A win Friday against the Red Rams would secure a spot in the playoffs, Elliott predicted. But it’s a game the Vipers must win.

“The kids want it,” Elliott said of a win against Franklinton. “They see the success we’re starting to have – we’re playing good football at the right time.”

Coming off a 48-19 win over East Wake last week, Elliott told WIZS’s Scout Hughes and George Hoyle that his team has had a great practice week, despite the soggy conditions.

“I think the kids really see what they can do,” he said on Thursday’s segment of SportsTalk. “The last two weeks have really built their confidence on what we do offensively – I think we’ve found our identity on the offensive side of the ball.”

This is Week 11 of the regular season, and Elliott said he’s watched his team really make some strides. “We’re not the same team we were four or five weeks ago,” he said.

“The weakest part of our defense is alignment,” Elliott said. “If we can line up right defensively and play disciplined football, I think we’ll be ok.”

Elliott said the defense needs to shut down the Franklinton quarterback. “He’s one of the top quarterbacks in the state that can throw the ball real well. But there are a couple of Red Ram receivers that the defense has to handle, too.

“We’ve got to be able to stop both,” he said.

Seventeen Vipers will take the field for the last time during Senior Night, and Elliott said this class is a special one for him because they were freshmen when he started as the Vipers head coach.

“I’ve had the opportunity to coach them for the last four years. It’s hard to see thme leave, but we’re excited for them,” Elliott said.

“A lot of things that we do are much bigger than football,” he continued. “Preparing these guys for life and getting them ready whatever it may be – playing college football or get them a job and start working. It’s our job to prepare them for whatever comes,” he said.

Week 11 High School Football Games in our Area:

  • Vance County (2-7) vs. Franklinton (6-3)
  • Wake Forest (5-4) vs. Heritage (4-5)
  • Knightdale (2-7) vs. East Wake (3-6)
  • J.F. Webb (7-2) @ South Granville (3-6)
  • Warren County (7-2) vs. Northwest Halifax (4-5)
  • Louisburg (8-1) vs. Wake Prep (5-3)
  • Bunn (7-2) vs. Roanoke Rapids (2-7)

Vance County hosts Franklinton for Week 11 of the 2025 season for Senior Night on Friday, October 31st and you can hear all the action on WIZS 1450AM, 100.1FM, and online at wizs.com with pregame starting around 6:50 p.m. and kickoff at 7:00 p.m.

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SportsTalk: Red Rams Rolling into Henderson for Friday Night

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The Vance County Vipers host the Franklinton Red Rams on Friday on what will be Senior Night for the Vipers. Red Rams Head Coach Michael Justice is celebrating his own group of seniors as the team travels the short distance up U.S. 1 to take on the Vipers.

The Red Rams have 18 seniors, and Justice told WIZS’s Scout Hughes and Doc Ayscue that they’re a special group.

“This has been a great class,” Justice said on Wednesday’s segment of SportsTalk, adding that he predicts some will find themselves playing in college. They’re “high-character guys,” he said, adding that he’s enjoyed watching them develop on the field, but more importantly, how they’ve developed their character.

“We want these guys to be bigger than football,” Justice said, noting that numerous players have GPA’s  better than 4.0 and are in the school’s National Honor Society.

“That’s been fun to see the fruits of their labor,” he said.

Although Franklinton (2-2 in conference play) came out on the losing end last week against Wake Forest High, Justice said he was super proud of his defense. “They had a great game plan. Wake Forest was tough – we knew they were going to be,” he said. “It was good to see the boys fight hard,” he said, saying “they played with heart to the end.”

This Friday’s matchup against the Vipers needs to be just as gritty on defense, with the Vipers now having had almost a whole season of honing their wishbone offense.

“Vance County plays tough, they play hard – that offensive line blocks hard,” Justice said.

The team watched a lot of film on Monday, then had to practice inside Tuesday because of the rain, but Justice said his guys are fired up for Friday. “They’re ready to roll.”

He praised quarterback Keith James and receiver Jamaal Epps for the connection they’ve created. James is in the top 30 of quarterbacks in the state when it comes to passing yards and his go-to guy is Epps, who is 6th in the state in receiving yards.

Epps, Justice said, is “fast and sure-handed.” Justice prefers to execute a fairly balanced offense, 60 percent running game and 40 percent passing.

The two players took it upon themselves to develop that chemistry, Justice said. “They’ve done a really good job and it’s started to show.”

With a 1-3 conference record, the Vipers will most likely be looking at Friday’s matchup like a playoff game, Justice said. “We’re going to be ready for that – ready to move the ball, ready to score points.”

 

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Franklinton Red Rams Logo

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SportsTalk: Louisburg College Football Homecoming Recap

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Louisburg College Head Football Coach Quinderra Spellman joins SportsTalk with Scout Hughes and Steve Lewis to recap the Homecoming win over Myrtle Beach Collegiate and to preview Nassau County CC for this weeks game. Scout and Steve also talk about Game 3 of the World Series in which the Dodgers beat the Blue Jays in 18 innings.

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Vance County High School

SportsTalk: Vance County Football Week 10 Recap

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Scout Hughes and Doc Ayscue recap Vance County’s win over East Wake. They guys also talk about other high school, college and NFL Football action from over the weekend.

High School Football Scores from Week 10:

  • Vance County 48 East Wake 19
  • Wake Forest 23 Franklinton 7
  • Heritage 32 Knightdale 23
  • J.F. Webb 44 Seaforth 39
  • Orange 16 South Granville 8
  • KIPP Pride 30 Warren County 28
  • Bunn 34 Louisburg 19
  • Wake Prep 29 Nash Central 21
  • George Washington-Danville, VA 64 Mecklenburg County, VA 10

Area College Football Scores for Week 9:

  • Virginia 17 North Carolina 16 OT
  • Pittsburgh 53 NC State 34
  • Wake Forest 13 SMU 12
  • Virginia Tech 42 California 34 2OT
  • North Texas 54 Charlotte 20
  • Old Dominion 24 App State 21
  • Delaware State 35 North Carolina Central 26
  • Louisburg College 60 Myrtle Beach Collegiate 0

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SportsTalk: Vipers Head To Wendell for Friday Night

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UPDATE – FINAL SCORE 

Vance County 48

East Wake 19

RECAP MONDAY ON SPORTSTALK 

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Building on some positive statistics from last week’s Homecoming game against the Heritage Huskies, Vance County Vipers Head Coach Aaron Elliott is feeling optimistic as he and his staff prepare for Friday’s away game against the East Wake Warriors.

Although the Vipers were handed a loss last week, Elliott told WIZS’s Scout Hughes and George Hoyle that he was pleased with the rushing yards – 286 – and the most points on the board – 33. – that the Vipers put up.

“We did a lot of things that we knew we could do – we just hadn’t done it yet,” Elliott said on Thursday’s SportsTalk.

Last week’s game plan stuck with the X’s and O’s used in previous games, but the coaching staff decided to move junior Harry Cheek to the backfield after watching him in recent practices. Cheek, who’d had three carries up until last week, rushed for 160 yards against the Huskies.

Elliott said this week’s practice has been one of the best all season, and he said the players are playing with more confidence as a result of their level of play last week.

As the season winds down, Elliott said these last games are key if the Vipers have a hope at making the playoffs.

“If we can get our defense playing like we know they can, get the defense dialed in” and more focused, Elliott said there’s a shot. The team has worked on ball control and ball security this week.

As Elliott reviewed the stats from last week, he said one thing caught his eye – “we held Heritage to 10 third downs. That’s big.”

He and the coaching staff have emphasized to the team this week that they need to win first and third downs to stay competitive on the field.

The Warrior’s offense seems to be a balance of run and throw, Elliott said, but “they’ve got a mobile quarterback that we’ve got to contain.” The defense needs to keep him in the pocked and keep pressure on him.

Despite the disappointing 1-7 record, Elliott said his team doesn’t quit. “We don’t quit. We don’t give up,” he said. “My hats off to them. They play hard to the end.”

Week 10 High School Football Games in our Area:

  • Vance County (1-7, 0-3 N6C) @ East Wake (3-5, 1-2 N6C)
  • Franklinton (6-2, 2-1 N6C) vs. Wake Forest (4-4, 3-0 N6C)
  • Heritage (3-5, 2-1 N6C) vs. Knightdale (2-6, 1-2 N6C)
  • J.F. Webb (6-2) vs. Seaforth (4-4)
  • South Granville (3-5) @ Orange (1-7)
  • Warren County (7-1) @ KIPP Pride (8-0)
  • Louisburg (8-0) @ Bunn (6-2)
  • Wake Prep (4-3) vs. Nash Central (2-6)
  • Mecklenburg County, VA (1-7) @ George Washington-Danville, VA (6-1)

Vance County travels to East Wake High School for Week 10 of the 2025 season on Friday, October 24th and you can hear all the action on WIZS 1450AM, 100.1FM, and online at wizs.com with pregame starting around 6:50 p.m. and kickoff at 7:00 p.m.

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