Vance Vipers Defeated Carrboro Thursday Night 54-0
Vance County High School’s varsity home football game against Carrboro High School was moved to Thursday, September 29th due to weather concerns.
The Vipers won 54 – 0.
SportsTalk: Elliott Pleased With Come Back Win
20-0. That was the half time score last Friday night and the score wasn’t in favor of the Vance Co. Vipers. By the time the whistle blew the Vipers had turned the game around and walked off the field with a 28-27 comeback victory to move to 3-2 on the season. Head Coach Aaron Elliott attributes the win to players trusting the plan that the coaches had laid out for them. “We made zero adjustments at half time,” Coach Elliott said. He felt that if the team would work together they could turn the game around. “The mood was down and a lot of finger pointing was going on at halftime,” Elliott said. Coach Elliott said he felt that at halftime that the coaches wanted the win more than the players.
That changed in the second half when Nazir Garrett began to connect on passes in his first game back after a two week absence due to a concussion. Garrett had struggled in the first half as had the Viper defense but it all worked out for the Vipers as they scored 28 points in the second half. “It was an emotional win,” Elliott said. Now the Vipers have a week off before taking on Carrboro on Oct. 30th in the first conference game of the season. Elliott gave his team a couple of days off to enjoy the victory but are now focused on a Carrboro team that Elliott says is better than there record would indicate. The extra week off means that players like Sean Alston, who has been injured will be able to return to the Viper lineup.
You can catch all the action next Friday night, Oct. 30 as Vance Co. takes on Carrboro at Viper Stadium. Airtime on WIZS is 6:50pm with airtime at 7pm.
Recap: Duke Blue Devils Annihilate Aggies to Extend Win Streak
— text and picture by Patrick Magoon freelance writer for WIZS
Building on two high-scoring wins, the Duke Blue Devils amplified their momentum during Saturday’s exciting victory against North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State’s Aggies.
There was no shortage of fans cheering on the Blue Devils during their second home game of the season. For the first time since 2019, Duke University’s Wallace Wade Stadium hosted over 32,000 fans. The fans’ electrifying energy, echoing across the stadium, overwhelmed the Aggies.
The Devils’ offense, led by quarterback Riley Leonard, started hot, executing a 38-yard passing touchdown in fifteen seconds. Stunned and overpowered by Duke’s potent offense, the Aggies allowed two additional scores in the first quarter. Leonard completed 11 of his 12 pass attempts before the conclusion of the first half and finished the game with an impressive 98.9 QBR rating.
After achieving a comfortable lead, Leonard exited the field to provide an opportunity for other offensive assets to showcase their abilities and allow Duke’s ground game to take charge. Backup quarterback Henry Belin IV finished 5-for-6 for 43 yards, and running backs Jaquez Moore, Jordan Waters, and Eric Weatherly collectively rushed for 122 yards on 16 attempts.
On defense, Duke’s starters were nothing short of exceptional. Right out of the gate, the pressure from the Blue Devils’ front seven was immense. After Duke’s second scoring drive, defensive tackle Aeneas Peebles broke through the Aggies’ offensive line, took down quarterback Jalen Fowler, and knocked the ball loose. Defensive tackle DeWayne Carter, who was in the right place at the right time, scooped up the fumble and ran it down the field for a touchdown. That touchdown extended Duke’s lead to 21 in the first nine minutes into the game.
Duke’s defense acquired 75 tackles (11 for a loss), four sacks, and deflected two passes. Linebacker Nick Morris Jr. led the team in tackles, and Jaylen Stinson, Brandon Johnson, Cam Dillon, and Peebles earned a sack.
What’s next?
Duke (3-0) will travel to Kansas for a matchup against the Jayhawks (3-0). Both teams are operating under a new head coach, and their rebuilding efforts are moving in the right direction.
Fresh off of a 48-30 win against Houston, the Jayhawks are eager to test the limits of Duke’s potential. Considering Kansas is averaging 53 ppg, their offense poses a real threat.
Vance County Defeated Jordan Friday Night By One Point
Vance County defeated Jordan Friday night 28 to 27. The Vipers trailed 20-nothing but fought back and took their first lead inside a minute to go. Vance County High School thwarted Jordan’s final drive with excellent defense to secure the win. The Vipers move the 3-2 on the year and start conference play this week. Tune in Monday at 12:30 p.m. on SportsTalk for a full recap.
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SportsTalk: Elliott And Allred Preview Vipers Vs. Jordan
After losing the last two games to powerful Durham schools, 2-2 Vance County makes another trip down I-85 to battle 1-3 Jordan High School in the final non-conference game of the season. While no coach likes to lose, Vance Co. Head Coach Aaron Elliott felt much better about his team after last week’s 28 – 20 loss to Northern Durham. “We went toe to toe with a good Durham football team,” Elliot said on Thursday’s SportsTalk. “We were able to establish a run game,” Elliott continued. The Vipers had been a heavily pass oriented team, but with the loss of quarterback Nazir Garrett, the Vipers had to find a running game. Last week they did. Elliott feels there is a good chance that Garrett may be back for the game tomorrow night and, if so, the Vipers will have a better balanced offense that won’t have to rely exclusively on Garrett to throw the ball.
Jordan Coach Justin Allred, who was also on SportsTalk Thursday, alluded to the Viper’s double threat. “It’s like watching two different teams,” Allred said. Jordan is coming off a 34-14 loss to Southeast Guilford, but he feels the tough non-conference schedule has helped. “It’s a chance to test our squad,” said Allred. Jordan is also a very balanced team capable of both running and throwing the ball, but he says his biggest concern about the Vipers is team speed which he described as incredible. Jordan does have one thing in its favor other teams haven’t and that is Athletic Director Joe Sharrow. Until this year, Sharrow had been athletic director at Vance County High School, and Coach Allred has been able to use Sharrow’s knowledge to help him prepare for Friday night’s matchup.
Airtime is 6:50 p.m. with kickoff at 7 p.m. for Vance County Friday Night Football here on WIZS.
Listen Local on 1450 AM / 100.1 FM or click on Listen Live at wizs.com (https://player.listenlive.co/53101).
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SportsTalk: Elliott Reflects On Vipers’ First Loss And Prepares For Northern Durham
Last week as Vance County High School prepared for Riverside, Coach Aaron Elliott commented his team had not had a great week of practice, and last Friday Vance County was handed its first loss against a powerful Riverside team by the score of 42-13. Not only was it the Vipers’ first defeat of the season, they also lost starting quarterback Nazir Garrett to a concussion. Now the Vipers will have to hit the road to take on Northern Durham which is coming off of a double overtime win at Franklinton.
Without their starting quarterback and a banged up team, Friday night’s game will be a challenge. “We have to be ready to play four quarters,” Coach Elliott said on SportsTalk on WIZS Thursday. “I asked the guys a question after the game. I asked if they know how important practice is during the week,” Elliott continued. After getting an answer in the affirmative, Elliott said practice this week was much better.
While praising the team’s defense and their ability to stop the run against Riverside, Coach Elliott was surprised at how much they threw the ball. Northern Durham is another team that does both well, and with the offense hobbled not having Garrett in the lineup, it will put more pressure on the Viper defense to step up. With the injury bug hitting the Vipers it will also mean there are opportunities for back up players to make an impact.
The Vipers and the Knights kick off Friday night at 7pm at Durham County Stadium. Airtime is 6:50pm on WIZS Radio 1450 AM / 100.1 FM / via live internet stream at https://player.listenlive.co/53101.
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New Beginnings Signal Bright Future for Duke University’s Football Program
— text and picture by Patrick Magoon freelance writer for WIZS
A fresh start for Duke’s football program hints at a brighter future for the coaching staff, players, and fans. For the first time in nearly 33 years, Duke shutout a Football Bowl Subdivision team. Duke’s offense, under the control of Mike Elko, the team’s new head coach, rallied and outscored the Temple Owls 30-0.
“To pitch a shutout in the opener was pretty special,” said Elko.
Elko replaced David Cutcliffe, the former head coach who accumulated 77 wins and a bowl game victory in 14 seasons with the program. While Cutcliffe’s leadership skills and diligence were inspiring at times, inconsistent production on the football field during the final years of his tenure and three consecutive losing seasons escalated the need for change.
With the addition of ambitious goals and an electrifying offense led by sophomore quarterback Riley Leonard, Elko is working towards rejuvenating the energy levels in Wallace Wade Stadium.
“We asked a lot of people to believe in where this program could go,” Elko said. “And it was just awesome to see the students come out like they did tonight.”
Leonard, in his season debut, completed 24 of 30 pass attempts for 328 yards. He also led the team in rushing with 64 yards. Leonard credits much of his success to a brilliant play-calling strategy and near-perfect execution.
“We had the perfect scheme drawn up every single play,” Leonard said.
Offensive production aside, we must also acknowledge the exceptional performance of Duke’s defense unit. Duke’s defense limited Temple’s offensive production to just 179 yards in four quarters of football, 50 of which came in the first half. Temple, frantically searching for answers, could not build momentum against a powerful defensive front.
Despite allowing numerous scores in recent years, Duke’s defense put on a spectacular show on Friday, September 2. The unit collectively racked up one sack, four tackles for a loss, and seven deflected passes. D’Wan Mathis, Temple’s starting quarterback, was frequently under duress and forced to make difficult throws. Once any chance at victory was out of reach, Mathis was pulled to the sideline and replaced by quarterback Quincy Patterson, who also achieved minimal success.
What’s next?
Duke (1-0) will travel to Illinois for a matchup against the Northwestern Wildcats (1-0). The Wildcats’ offense, led by quarterback Ryan Hilinski, has amassed 314 yards through the air, an average of 11.6 yards per reception. Duke’s offense is averaging 13.7 yards per reception.
SportsTalk: Vance County Looks To Move To 3-0 Friday Night
The first two weeks of the high school football season have been good for the Vance Co. Vipers as they sit at 2-0. This week they take on Riverside, which is coming off a 42-0 blowout of Southeast Raleigh after an opening season 18-14 loss to #15 ranked Cape Fear. Both Riverside Head Coach Cory Lea and Vance County Head Coach Aaron Elliott were guests on Thursday’s SportsTalk and discussed this week’s matchup.
Both teams are strong defensively. “Vance County’s defensive ends scare me to death,” Lea said of the Viper’s strong defense. “It’s one of the best defensive lines I’ve seen during my time coaching,” Elliott said of the Vance County Defensive Unit.
With all this talk of how strong the Viper’s defense is one would think defense is the key to this game, but not so according to Elliott. He said, “The key to the game will be scoring. I’d like to score on every possession. We need to improve the most on offense.” Elliott has a few new offensive wrinkles up his sleeve for Friday night that will hopefully get the Vipers in the end zone a few more times.
Coach Lea lost only three seniors from last year’s team. “Our babies have grown up,” Lea said referring to his team which features many juniors. “We hang our hats on defense,” Lea continued summarizing his team’s strength.
The Vipers have cut down on mistakes and Coach Elliott has encouraged his team to stay hungry and stay focused. Elliott said the team didn’t have a great practice on Monday, but they have settled down the rest of this week and are playing together.
Friday looks like another defensive battle as the Vipers host Riverside. Airtime on WIZS is 6:50 p.m. and kickoff is at 7 p.m. Join Bill Harris and Doc Ayscue for all of the action of Vance County Friday Night Football.
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Vance Vipers vs Roanoke Rapid Yellow Jackets
Vance County 14
Roanoke Rapids 7
Final
Vipers move to 2-0 on season. Second half defensive struggle as neither team scored after the break. Vance never trailed.
Full recap Monday at 12:30pm on SportsTalk.
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SportsTalk: Vance County High Welcomes Roanoke Rapids Friday Night
The first football game of the season tends to be a little ragged around the edges, and according to Vance County High School Head Football Coach Aaron Elliott, this was true of the Vipers in their season opening four point win over the rival Eagles in Warren County last Friday night. Twelve penalties totaling 95 yards is something the Vipers can ill afford to have happen this week when the school hosts Roanoke Rapids who beat Northampton County last week by the score of 48 -16.
“They are very disciplined,” Elliott said of Roanoke Rapids. Elliott said that after looking at the film of the Northampton game, the Vipers can expect to see a Wing-T offense and a heavy dose of the running game. This might be good for the Vipers as they held Warren Co. to minus 46 yards rushing last week.
Click to hear full audio of Coach Elliott – SportsTalk: Vance County High Welcomes Roanoke Rapids Friday Night
Elliott said the Warren County game was very emotional at kick off, as it was his first as head coach, but after the game and the victory, despite the mistakes, it was very fulfilling. Those mistakes cannot be repeated Friday night if the Vipers want to move to 2 – 0 on the season. “We have to keep players accountable for mistakes,” Elliott said. In addition to the penalties, Vance Co. muffed a punt that gave Warren Co. a short field and a touchdown. In contrast, Roanoke Rapids had a total of three penalties last week.
Roanoke Rapids nor Vance Co. suffered any injuries and both teams should be a full strength when they hit the field at 7pm Friday night. Vance Co. Friday Night Football will broadcast the game live beginning at 6:50pm with the pre-game show.
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SportsTalk: Crossroads Fall Schedule Keeps Richardson Busy
Send in the clones! Scottie Richardson may likely need one in the upcoming days. The Crossroads Christian Athletic Director finds himself rather busy this time of year with fall sports including volleyball, soccer and cross country. All three sports have kicked off their schedules which puts Richardson in high demand at the school where he has served as AD for the last five years.
The Colt’s men’s soccer team is hoping to return again this year to the state final four. “Men’s soccer is coming off a good win against Henderson Collegiate,” Richardson said. Earlier in this young season, Crossroads defeated Pungo 5 – 0. Kerr Vance Academy is the opponent this afternoon (Thursday) and Lee Christian tomorrow (Friday).
Soccer isn’t the only thing on Richardson’s plate as volleyball is underway as well. Last year the lady Colts had their first season of double digit wins in 12 years. So far, the team is 2 – 0 on the season and they are also schedule to play Kerr Vance Academy this afternoon (Thursday) and Lee Christian tomorrow (Friday).
When combined with JV games, Richardson will be keeping an eye on five different games tomorrow (Friday). To add to that, the school’s cross country team, which is the defending state champion, will conduct four meets on Friday as well.
Richardson, who was on SportsTalk today (Thursday) on WIZS, said his school’s success on the field and on the court comes down to one thing. “We’ve changed the culture over the last five years,” Richardson said. When he started at the school five years ago, the school had only had two all state players in the previous 13 years. Last year the school boasted 12 all state players in five different sports. “We’ve achieved some success but, we have to sustain it,” Richardson says. Maybe a clone could help!
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