Vance County High School

Vipers Take Second Win at Home

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Vance County played a rare afternoon football game this week after their nonconference contest with North Lenoir was bumped from Friday night to Saturday afternoon in anticipation of Hurricane Michael’s wind and rain.  The cooler temperatures, sunshine and home field were good for the Vipers, who collected their second victory of the season over the Hawks 28-14.

VC survived four interceptions and a string of costly penalties in the second half to improve to 2-6 (2-1 Northern Carolina 2A).  After the first quarter ended with North Lenoir leading 7-0, the Viper offense took an 8-7 lead, when QB Samien Burwell scrambled 20 yards for the TD and then passed complete to Josh Joyner for the 2-point conversion.  With just seconds remaining in the first half, Burwell hit Joyner for another touchdown, but the successful 2-pointer was nullified by a holding call.

The Vipers led 14-7 at the half. Mid-way through the third quarter, Vance County extended their lead to 20-7 on a pass from Burwell to Machiah Wilson. The Hawks cut the lead to 20-14 early in the final period, but the Vipers iced the game with under 3 minutes to play when Burwell connected with Phadon Jordan in the end zone, and then hit Jordan again for the 2-point conversion.

Vance County High School

VIPERS FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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VIPERS FOOTBALL PREVIEW

North Lenoir at Vance County

Saturday, October 15th, 2018

Game Time: 1:00 PM

Southern Vance lost last year’s first-ever meeting with the Hawks in a 50-36 shootout, but N. Lenoir went on to a 5-6 record (2-4 in their conference) and missed the playoffs.  The Hawks’ 2017 offense, a lot like this year’s Vipers on paper, was not too bad,  averaging 25 points per game, and breaking 40 points in 4 of their 5 wins;  but their defense had a lot of holes in it, so when they lost they lost big, allowing an average of 34 points per game.

First-year coach Jim Collins inherited an improved program, elevated by his predecessor from records of 2-9 in both 2014 and 2015, to 6-6 in 2017, and 5-6 last year.  This year’s 50-man roster includes 16 seniors, so there should have been a core to build on.  But the Hawks were 0-3 as of September 7 this season, and they missed 3 games in a row because of the hurricane.  Returning to action against conference opponent Greene Central last week, the Hawks lost 42-26. Meeting a winless team at home who has similar challenges to their own, the Vipers have a clear opportunity to notch their second victory before entering their conference home stretch.

Catch all the action right here on WIZS 100.1 FM / 1450 AM and online at www.wizs.com.

Vance County Friday Night Football Bunn Recap

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— Vance County Friday Night Football Bunn Recap by Jeff Jenkins

BUNN SQUEAKS BY VIPERS IN OVERTIME 44-42

Vance County returned to its home field Friday night against traditional Northern Carolina Conference heavyweight Bunn.

Bouncing back from a 33-6 defeat at 4A Riverside last Friday, the Vipers returned to the form they showed in their win over Roanoke Rapids. The result was an exciting, well-played game, but a 44-42 loss for the Vipers after two overtime periods.

The game started off well for Vance County.  After Bunn fumbled the opening kickoff, the Vipers scored, and the VC defense held the Wildcats to just one rushing touchdown in the first quarter and a TD pass in the final minute of the first half.

Down just 16-8 at the half, the Vipers were still in the game. The third quarter was wild and woolly. Bunn scored after recovering a Viper fumble. Vance County scored on a 31 yard pass from Samien Burwell to Josh Joyner, but Bunn ran the Viper kickoff off all the way back to score and open the gap to 30-14. For the remainder of the 3rd period, the Viper defense rose to the occasion, holding the ‘Cats scoreless.

In the opening minute of the final quarter, Burwell connected with Joyner for the duo’s second TD of the game. Javonte Evans, who had his most productive game of the season, ran in for the 2 point conversion, and the Vipers were within 8 points at 30-22. The VC defense kept Bunn out of the endzone for the rest of the game, and the Vipers took over on downs with 44 seconds remaining to play. The Vipers scored at the final gun when Shaqwan Allen made a diving catch in the end zone. The 2 pointer was good on another pass to Allen, and the game was tied 30-30.

The teams were tied 36-36 after the first overtime period. In the second OT round, Burwell hit Allen in the end zone, and on the conversion attempt, Josh Joyner caught Burwell’s pass in the end zone, but out of bounds, leaving the Viper lead at 42-36.

Bunn scored on its second running play, and nailed the 2-pt. conversion to take the 44-42 win.

Vance County is now 1-6 overall and 1-2 in the Northern Carolina 2A, while Bunn improves to 4-2 overall and 3-0 in the NCC.

Vance County High School

VIPERS FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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VIPERS FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Bunn at Vance County

Friday, October 5, 2018

7:00 PM kickoff; Airtime on WIZS 1450 AM / 100.1 FM and online at wizs.com will be at 6:45 PM

Vance County High School is back at home this Friday night against conference rival Bunn, the defending Northern Carolina Conference Runners-up.  Some Wildcats fans considered 2017 to be Bunn’s weakest season in a decade – but the ‘Cats finished 8-4 overall last year, after starting the season 1-2 under their first new coach in 35 years.

This year, Bunn has another first-year coach, and again started out 1-2, losing big to both Franklinton and Southern Nash for the second straight year.  Well, the Wildcats lost to the same two teams last season, and still ended up 8-4 and no. 2 in the league, along the way beating both Northern Vance and Southern Vance.  By this time last season, Bunn had beaten Warren County and J. F. Webb for a respectable 4-2 record.

They have done that again this year, but are just 3-2 due to weather cancellations/postponements.  The Wildcats offense put up over 500 rushing yards last week in their 57-27 thrashing of Warren County.

The Vipers offense, still averaging three touchdowns per game, should be able to score against Bunn, but the defense will have to play the run just as tough as they did at Roanoke Rapids to give VC a chance to win.

 

Coach’s Corner 10/03/18

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Vance County High School

VIPERS FALL TO RIVERSIDE IN DURHAM 33-6

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VIPERS FALL TO RIVERSIDE IN DURHAM 33-6

After reaching the high point of their 2018 football season with a 36-6 victory over Roanoke Rapids last Monday, Vance County fell to a new low point just 4 days later.  The Vipers, who had scored at least three touchdowns in each of their first 5 games, were nearly shut out by 4A Riverside in Durham 33-6 on Friday night.

Even without their leading rusher, the Pirates’ running game proved too much for the Viper defense, which had some good stops – more than in their first four outings, but not nearly as many as they had against Roanoke Rapids.  Although still in the game at halftime, when Riverside led 14-0, the Viper passing game never really got off the ground, and the Pirate running game seemed to get stronger.

VC’s defense scored the sole Viper TD early in the third quarter on a fumble recovery and 50-yard scoring run by Noah Terry, narrowing the Pirate lead to 14-6, but Riverside dominated the rest of the game.  Vance County is now 1-5 overall and 1-1 in the Northern Carolina 2A, and they return to conference play at home against Bunn this coming Friday.

Next Broadcast of Vance County Friday Night Football will be this Friday (10-5-18) vs. Bunn Wildcats. Tune in right here at WIZS 100.1 FM / 1450 AM and streaming live anytime, anywhere at www.wizs.com.

Coach’s Corner 09/26/18

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Coach’s Corner Show 9/26/18

Trey Snide sits down with the Head Basketball Coach of the Vanguards of Vance Granville Community College, Greg Ackles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vance County High School

VIPERS FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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VIPERS FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Vance County at Durham Riverside

Friday, September 28

7:00 PM

Vance County High School is back on the road this Friday night in a non-conference matchup with Riverside in Durham. When former Northern Vance coach Cory Lea took over the Riverside program in 2017, the 4A Pirates had not had a winning season in three years, and Lea’s predecessor was just 12-22 in those three seasons.  The Pirates got off to a good start last year, but they limped along to a 4-7 finish, after winning only one conference game.  Riverside’s rebuilding process, both on offense and defense, is continuing this season.  The Pirates are 1-2 so far 2018, with a big 51-6 win over Warren County to start the season, followed by losses to Cardinal Gibbons (48-0) and to cross-county rival Northern Durham (26-19), and their fourth and fifth games were rained out.

Vance County is coming off a stunning victory just this past Monday night a 36-6 conference win over Roanoke Rapids in which the Vipers showed improvement on both sides of the ball.  It was their first win but it got them out of the winless column to 1-4 overall and 1-1 in the Northern Carolina Conference.  For what it’s worth, the momentum factor favors the Vipers on Friday.

Tune into Vance County Friday Night Footballs live coverage on WIZS 100.1 FM / 1450 AM and anytime, anywhere at www.wizs.com

Pregame: 6:45 PM

Gametime: 7:00 PM

NCHSAA Announces Collective Hurricane Florence Relief Effort

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-Press Release, NCHSAA

In the aftermath of Hurricane Florence and devastating flooding across the state, Commissioner Que Tucker and the NCHSAA Board of Directors has requested NCHSAA member schools designate a contest or contests during the period from October 1-19, 2018, as a Hurricane Florence Relief Assistance Contest(s).

Member schools are asked to participate by collecting money at any home contest during that window and then forward those monies to the Association, which will act as a clearinghouse. All money will be divided and sent to Local Education Agencies in the counties that have been designated as disaster areas and were federally approved for individual assistance.

The NCHSAA Board of Directors has approved matching funds up to $25,000 to add to the money collected during the drive-by member schools for Hurricane Florence Relief Games. Funds distributed to affected LEA’s would be available to help member schools as determined by local school administrators.

“Many of NCHSAA member schools in Eastern North Carolina received a devastating blow from Hurricane Florence and we want to do our part to help during this time of need,” said NCHSAA Commissioner Que Tucker. “After Hurricane Floyd and most recently Hurricane Matthew, we called upon member schools to help those in the hardest hit areas. Once again, we are asking each member school and its community to join together in helping those most impacted by this disaster.”

In the wake of Hurricane Matthew, NCHSAA member schools–helped by a matching contribution authorized by the Association Board members–were able to donate over $44,000 to LEA’s in the most affected areas. In the case of Hurricane Floyd, the NCHSAA collected donations at statewide regional meetings and also provided a matching donation.

“Great things are possible when we all work together,” Commissioner Que Tucker said. “Even in the wake of tremendous devastation, our member schools are a focal point of the effort to rebuild and return their communities to normalcy. Whether they were serving as emergency shelters or providing a rallying point for community donations, NCHSAA members always do whatever is necessary to support those in need. We are proud of them for their sense of community and are eager to see what we can do together, this time around!”

Once a school has decided to when and how to participate, they are asked to contact NCHSAA Assistant Commissioner James Alverson with the details of their plans. Information sent will be posted and updated on a web page detailing the efforts from across the state. Hurricane Florence Relief Game schedules will be updated at this link on the NCHSAA Website.

Vance County High School

Vipers Football Preview: Vance County @ Roanoke Rapids

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VIPERS  FOOTBALL  PREVIEW

Vance County at Roanoke Rapids

Monday, September 24, 2018

6:45 PM – Pregame

7:00 PM – Game Time

Vance County High School faces the Yellow Jackets of Roanoke Rapids tonight (Monday 9/24/18). They will be traveling to the far eastern edge of the Northern Carolina Conference.  After four difficult weeks playing against teams who literally ran all over them, the Vipers had an unscheduled break last week when Hurricane Flo blew every team in Eastern North Carolina off their playing fields; but whether this will help or hurt VC remains to be seen.

The weather did not allow any extra practice, but rest could be helpful at this point, with one-third of the Vipers’ inaugural season in the books, and Vance up against another hard-running offense this week.

Roanoke Rapids has been on a roll the past 4 years, thanks to Head Coach Eric McDaniels, who took over in 2014 and immediately turned the program around, leading them to a conference championship and 3 state playoff games that first season, and rolling up a 4-year record of 37-14.  BUT, this season looks like the Jackets’ toughest one under Coach McDaniel.  Undefeated in their first 7 games last year, RR is already 2-2 this year, their worst start since 2013.