The Vance County Vipers wind down the 2026 regular season Friday as they travel to Franklinton for a conference matchup against the Franklinton High School Red Rams. With a 1-8 overall record, Head Coach Aaron Elliott said it’s been a long season, but his Vipers are ready.
The Vipers coughed up four turnovers last week against East Wake, and Elliott said the team needs to protect the football and avoid turnovers in the red zone this week if they want to try to post another W in the win column.
Finishing drives and putting points on the board is something they worked on in this week’s practices, he said.
They call the practice tactic the Red Zone offense, and Elliott described it as trying to put as much pressure on the offense as possible, “to try to make it chaotic,” and letting the offense score from the 20-yard line.
The Franklinton team, 7-2 and 2-2 in conference play, has an explosive offense, thanks largely to a couple of veteran receivers and a quarterback that’s mobile in the pocket.
Elliott said the Viper defense has to dial in the coverage to keep Franklinton off the board.
With the playoff picture still fuzzy, Elliott said this may be the last opportunity for the team, especially the 10 seniors, to take the field in a Viper uniform.
“They’re excited and ready to play,” Elliott said.
The team is ready to leave “it all out on the field,” he said.
Area High School Football Games for Week 11:
- Vance County (1-8, 1-3) @ Franklinton (7-2, 2-2)
- Wake Forest (7-2, 4-0) @ Heritage (5-4, 4-0)
- East Wake (3-6, 1-3) vs. Knightdale (0-9, 0-4)
- J.F. Webb (4-5) vs. South Granville (5-4)
- Warren County (9-0) @ Northwest Halifax (5-4)
- Louisburg (7-2) @ Wake Prep (5-4)
- Bunn (5-4) @ Roanoke Rapids (4-5)
- Person (2-7) @ Burlington Williams (5-2)
Bye Week:
- Mecklenburg County, VA (2-7)
College Football Games for Week 9:
- North Carolina vs. Miami
- Duke vs. Boston College
- NC State vs. California
- Wake Forest vs. Virginia
- East Carolina vs. Temple
- Charlotte vs. Tulane
- App State @ Georgia Southern
- North Carolina Central vs. Howard
- Louisburg College vs. Nassau CC
Vance County travels to Franklinton to take on the Red Rams in Week 11 of the 2026 season on Friday, October 30th and you can hear all the action on WIZS 1450AM, 100.1FM, and online at wizs.com with pregame starting at 6:50 p.m. and kickoff thereafter at 7:00 p.m.
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