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NCHSAA

SportsTalk: NCHSAA Releases Third Draft of Conference Realignment

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SportsTalk 12:30 p.m. M-Th

On Friday, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) released their third draft for the reorganization of conference play, also known as conference realignment. The Association released its first draft of conference realignment back on December 18th, and the second on January 21st. Although this is the third draft, this is not the final draft. Schools will have a chance to appeal to the NCHSAA Board of Directors before the conferences are approved and confirmed for the 2025-26 school year. It will not be long before the final draft is confirmed from here on out.

Below are the Conference Realignments for teams in Vance County and the surrounding counties:

6A/7A Conference C

  • Vance County (6A)
  • Franklinton (6A)
  • Wake Forest (7A)
  • Heritage – Wake Forest (7A)
  • Knightdale (7A)
  • East Wake (7A)

1A/2A Conference E

  • Vance Charter (1A)
  • Oxford Prep (1A)
  • Falls Lake Academy (1A)
  • Discovery Charter (1A)
  • Excelsior Classical (1A)
  • Henderson Collegiate (2A)
  • Eno River Academy (2A)

4A/5A Conference A

  • Carrboro (4A)
  • J.F. Webb (5A)
  • South Granville (5A)
  • Orange (5A)
  • Cedar Ridge (5A)
  • Seaforth (5A)
  • Durham School of the Arts (5A)

2A/3A/4A Conference A

  • American Leadership Academy, Johnston – Clayton (2A)
  • Louisburg (3A)
  • Wake Prep (3A)
  • North Carolina School of Science and Math – Durham (3A)
  • Bunn (4A)
  • Nash Central (4A)
  • Roanoke Rapids (4A)

1A/2A Conference C

  • KIPP Pride (1A)
  • Southeast Halifax (1A)
  • Weldon (1A)
  • Warren County (2A)
  • Northwest Halifax (2A)
  • Northampton County (2A)

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SportsTalk: NCHSAA Releases First Realignment Draft

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SportsTalk on WIZS 12:30 p.m. M-Th

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association has released their First Draft of Conference Realignment which will take effect at the beginning of the 2025-26 School Year. This realignment will determine what schools play who in conference play. Scout Hughes and Doc Ayscue talked all about it on Wednesday’s edition of SportsTalk.

In addition to conference realignment, the NCHSAA will be adding classifications, from 1A-4A, to 1A-8A. Based on the attendance numbers that came out in November, Vance County will be 6A, Henderson Collegiate will be 2A, and Vance Charter will be 1A.

The following are conferences that include teams from Vance County and the surrounding areas that the NCHSAA laid out in their first draft:

6A/7A Conference C

  • Vance County (6A)
  • Franklinton (6A)
  • Northern Durham (6A)
  • Southern Durham (7A)
  • Hillside (7A)
  • Riverside (7A)

5A Conference 1

  • J.F. Webb (5A)
  • South Granville (5A)
  • Orange (5A)
  • Cedar Ridge (5A)
  • Seaforth (5A)
  • Durham School of the Arts (5A)

3A/4A Conference A

  • Louisburg (3A)
  • Wake Prep (3A)
  • North Carolina School of Science and Math – Durham (3A)
  • Bunn (4A)
  • Nash Central (4A)
  • Roanoke Rapids (4A)

1A/2A Conference D

  • Vance Charter (1A)
  • Oxford Prep (1A)
  • Wilson Prep (1A)
  • Sallie B. Howard (1A)
  • Henderson Collegiate (2A)
  • Warren County (2A)
  • Franklin Academy (2A)
  • East Wake Academy (2A)

1A Conference 3

  • Falls Lake Academy (1A)
  • Clover Garden (1A)
  • Discovery Charter (1A)
  • Excelsior Classical (1A)
  • River Mill Academy (1A)
  • Woods Charter (1A)

 

These conferences are not set in stone as this is just the first draft that the Realignment Committee of the NCHSAA has come up with. The final draft will come out sometime in the spring. But these conference could give a good idea of what the conference could be when they are finalized. In the meantime, we at WIZS will keep you posted on all things conference realignment in North Carolina High School Athletics.

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SportsTalk: Henderson High School Thanksgiving Day Game History

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SportsTalk on WIZS 12:30 p.m. M-Th 

The Thanksgiving Day Game for the Henderson High School Football Team used to be an annual tradition. According to research done by WIZS, the Bulldogs played in five Thanksgiving Day Games. Winning four of them and losing one. Scout Hughes and George Hoyle speak on the history of the Thanksgiving Day Games that Henderson High School played in. That and much more on SportsTalk!

“Amy Snyder, curator of collections & archivist, at the Museum of Regional History in Mount Airy told WIZS she received this picture from the Mount Airy football coach at the time, Coach Wally Shelton’s wife Christine.”

Below are the results of the Thanksgiving Day Games that the Bulldogs played in:

  • 1945: Oxford 14 Henderson 6
  • 1947: Henderson 25 Mount Airy 14
  • 1948: Henderson 52 Whiteville 0
  • 1949: Henderson 20 Reidsville 14
  • 1950: Henderson 13 Rockingham 6

Thank you to those who called into today’s show as well for your information.

Reminder: No SportsTalk on Thanksgiving for the Holiday. 

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SportsTalk: 2024 Season Recap For Vance County Football

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The Vance County High School Vipers didn’t go as deep into the playoffs as they had hoped, but a third year with nine wins or more is evidence that Coach Aaron Elliott is not just putting together a team – he’s building a program.

The 17-seed Vipers traveled to 16-seed Western Alamance Friday night for the first round of 3A state playoffs, but came up short and lost 36-31.

Doc Ayscue and WIZS’s Scout Hughes agreed that it was one of those back-and-forth games and whichever team had the ball last would come away with the W. “They were right there ‘til the end,” Ayscue said. “It was one of the best high school games I’ve seen.” When the winning score is made with 12 seconds left, you know it’s a tight game, he said on Monday’s SportsTalk.

Vipers Senior Javion Vines-holder made the highlight reel when he took a kickoff return 95 yards for a TD.

Western Alamance staff apparently had done their homework and were trying to keep the ball out of Vines-holder’s hands. But after the kicker had put the ball on the tee and turned his back to get ready for the kickoff, Vines-holder and teammate Tyler Wheeler switched places, so the ball went to Vines-holder and he took off for the end zone.

Ayscue said Western Alamance’s #5, James Newton, was the best player the Vipers faced all season. Newton rushed for 151 yards and scored five touchdowns Friday night.

“It’s hard to tell on film how quick he is, how fast he is – he had that quick acceleration,” Ayscue said.

For the season, three Vipers rushed for more than 500 yards. Senior Jontavious Nile ran for 1,237 yards and had 69 rushing yards against Western Alamance.

Then there’s Antoine Doyle, Jr, who racked up more than 500 yards in receptions.

“He’s a terrific athlete – offense and defense,” Ayscue said. When the play was “jet down the field and we’re going to throw it as far as we can,” it was Doyle’s number that was usually called.

But it was Vines-holder who, going into the game Friday, was tied for first place among all public high schools in the state for most interceptions. He had eight interceptions – but not in his role as quarterback – these interceptions are the kind that coaches like to see their defense make.

Ayscue said last season Coach Elliott regarded Vines-holder as possibly the best defensive back on the team. Then he took over as quarterback this season, Ayscue said, and became a great contributor on offense, too.

“He did it on both sides of the ball,” Ayscue said. Staff would “sneak him in (on defense) on obvious pass situations,” he added. “He did a great job – not just intercepting balls…he would chase (opponents) down and tackle them before they got too much” yardage.

Viper Senior Taeshawn Alston, who committed to play football at the University of South Carolina back in June, is the lone Viper whose season is extended by one game – Alston will represent Vance County and North Carolina in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. That game takes place in Spartanburg, SC on Dec. 21. Kickoff is 1 p.m.

SportsTalk on WIZS 12:30 p.m. M-Th 

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SportsTalk: J.F. Webb Prepares For Vance County

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SportsTalk on WIZS 12:30 p.m. M-Th 

J.F. Webb Head Football Coach Keionte Gainey joins Scout Hughes and Doc Ayscue on SportsTalk to talk about the Warriors preparation for this Fridays game against Vance County.

Vance County will host J.F. Webb on Military Appreciation Night for Week 11 of the 2024 season on Friday, November 1st 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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SportsTalk: Jaguars Ready To Face Vance County

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SportsTalk on WIZS 12:30 p.m. M-Th 

Carrboro Head Coach Ken Lathan joins Scout Hughes and George Hoyle on SportsTalk to talk about the upcoming game against local Vance County.

Vance County will host Carrboro in their Pink Game to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness for Week 10 of the 2024 season on Friday, October 25th 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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Vance County High School

SportsTalk: Vipers Football on the Bye Week

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SportsTalk on WIZS 12:30 p.m. M-Th 

Scout Hughes and Doc Ayscue talk to Vance County Head Football Coach Aaron Elliott about his team’s performance last week against South Granville and a look at the rest of the regular season. The guys and Coach also give their college picks for the weekend. Right here on SportsTalk.

The next time Vance County will take the field is when they host Carrboro for their Pink Game to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness on Week 10 of the 2024 season on Friday, October 25th 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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SportsTalk: Vance County Vs. South Granville Preview

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UPDATE – FINAL SCORE 

Vance County 12 

South Granville 7 

RECAP MONDAY ON SPORTSTALK 

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SportsTalk on WIZS 12:30 p.m. M-Th 

Scout Hughes and George Hoyle give their takes on the Vance County vs. South Granville football game on Friday. Vance County also schedules a week 12 game with Enloe High School from Raleigh to end the regular season! The guys also give their college picks for the weekend. That and much more right here on SportsTalk!

Vance County travels to Creedmoor to take on South Granville for Week 8 of the 2024 season on Friday, October 11th 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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Vance County High School

SportsTalk: Vipers Take On Louisburg

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UPDATE – FINAL SCORE 

Vance County 38 

Louisburg 33 

RECAP MONDAY ON SPORTSTALK 

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SportsTalk on WIZS 12:30 p.m. M-Th 

Scout Hughes and George Hoyle give their takes on the Vance County vs. Louisburg Football game tonight. The guys also give their college picks for the weekend.

Vance County travels to Louisburg for Week 6 of the 2024 season on Thursday, September 26th 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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SportsTalk: Interview with Louisburg High School Head Coach Dontae Lassiter

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SportsTalk on WIZS 12:30 p.m. M-Th 

As we approach another week of high school football in the Tar-Heel State, two teams, two high schools, two counties side-by-side. Vance County will travel to Louisburg to take on the Warriors who have a respectable winning record so far in 2024.

To start off SportsTalk, Scout Hughes and George Hoyle spoke about the history of teams from Vance County vs. Louisburg High School. These schools have played each other a total of 32 times, based on research from WIZS. That number may seem small compared to some of the other schools that Vance County has played in their existence. George gave a good reason for this, “At least from the mid-70s on, Louisburg was a 1A school up until a few years ago…They were 1A when I was growing up…Vance County never played Louisburg.” It wasn’t common for Vance, a 4A school in the 80s, to play a 1A school like Louisburg. This all-time series starts way back in 1923 when Henderson played Louisburg and won 45-6. Henderson and Louisburg would play again in 1924. After that, a team from Vance County would not play Louisburg until 1993 when the Warriors defeated Southern Vance 34-0. Between Northern and Southern Vance, the Vikings and Raiders played Louisburg a total of 29 times.

The 2024 edition of Vance County vs. Louisburg offers a different set of circumstances. The game has been moved to Thursday as opposed to Friday due to weather conditions that are expected to fall on Friday.

After reminiscing the history between the two squads, Louisburg Head Coach Dontae Lassiter joined SportsTalk to preview the game between the Vipers and the Warriors. Coach Lassiter likes the way his team has performed so far given their winning record. “Our defense has been getting better every game. Offensively we lost a lot last year, lost a lot of our touchdowns to graduating seniors. They’ve improved. I like our youth.”

Going into this week Coach Lassiter has stated that he’s looked at Vance County’s film and has high marks for the Vipers, “They’re extremely athletic. Physical team. Like I said their quarterback is pretty good. He is a tough kid to contain. They’ve got a good running back, he’s a downhill runner. They’ve got a few good receivers that they can toss the ball to. Offensively they’re really good, in all facets. On defense, they’ve got some dudes as well…If we do what we’re supposed to do and play a good game, we may be able to contain them.”

To sum it all up, Coach Lassiter gave us his keys to beating Vance County on Thursday, “We need to play probably I say two halves of football. I don’t think we’ve done that this year. We played only maybe one half of football in every game we played in and that’s kind of evident with some of the scores. Some of the games we lost I think if we could’ve played both halves we would have won those games too. We’ve got to contain their athletes and their explosive plays. On offense, we got to find a way to get the ball in the endzone, and eat a little clock as we do it.”

Louisburg Head Coach Dontae Lassiter has a message to his Warrior fans for Thursday night, “Come out and cheer us on and we’re going to try to get it done.”

Coach, we will see you then!

Vance County travels to Louisburg for Week 6 of the 2024 season on Thursday, September 26th 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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