Tag Archive for: #vancecountyfootball

TownTalk: Vance County Friday Night Football A Month Away

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The Vance County Vipers 2025-26 football season kicks off Friday, Aug. 22 with a 7 p.m. home game against non-conference opponent Warren County.

Head Coach Aaron Elliott and his staff are preparing for the upcoming season that puts them in a new conference, thanks to a huge realignment back in March by the N.C. High School Athletic Association. As part of the realignment plan, the NCHSAA expanded from 1A to 4A classification to an 8A classification. VCHS is in the 6A classification.

VCHS is one of six schools in the Northern Six conference, along with 6A Franklinton High School, and four 7A Wake County high schools: East Wake, Heritage, Knightdale and Wake Forest.

WIZS’s Scout Hughes discussed the upcoming season with SportsTalk regulars Doc Ayscue and George Hoyle on Tuesday’s TownTalk. The first game of the season is just one month away, and the trio chatted about this year’s team and the opportunities that lie ahead.

“I’m ready for some football,” Hoyle said, adding that he’s looking forward to the new season and getting off to a strong start in a new conference.

Ayscue said he’s interested in seeing new faces and new names on the field “and how they improve as year goes along – how you start and how you finish,” he said.

Hoyle said that although the team will miss some key contributors from last year, he is hopeful that the Vipers will hold their own in conference play.

The Wake County schools are newer schools, he said. “Hopefully, we’ll be right there with them,” he said of the Vipers’ competitiveness.

WIZS’s longtime game announcer Bill Harris phoned in with a question about how the lack of local teams on the schedule may affect attendance.

“With this schedule, there’s no Oxford Webb, no Louisburg, Bunn,” Harris said that would ordinarily draw local interest.

“Football is a sport that brings a lot of ‘gate,’” he said.

Indeed, J.F. Webb is not on the schedule, but the Vipers are set to play Granville County’s other high school, South Granville, in an away game on Aug. 29.

Ayscue said he hoped Webb would return to the schedule.

Both Granville County high schools are classified as 5A.

The non-conference teams included in this season’s lineup all made the playoffs last year, it was noted.

Hughes said, “Coach Elliott is trying to make them better, more prepared for the post-season” with the schedule that he’s built.

Last year’s regular-season game against Rocky Mount, for example, was a hard-fought battle that ended with a 23-22 W for the Vipers on the road.

Hughes’s prediction: Folks who follow Vance County football are going to be “very excited” about the prospects for this season.

 

 

Here’s the complete schedule for the Vance County Vipers football season:

Aug. 22 – Warren County (home)

Aug. 29 – South Granville (away)

Sept. 5 – Jordan (home – Military/First Responders Appreciation Night)

Sept. 12 – Rocky Mount (home – Homecoming)

Sept. 19 – Northeastern (away)

Oct. 3 – Wake Forest (away)

Oct. 10 – Knightdale (away)

Oct. 17 – Heritage (home – Breast Cancer Awareness Night)

Oct. 24 – East Wake (away)

Oct. 31 – Franklinton (home – Senior Night)

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Vance County High School

SportsTalk: Vipers Schedule from Then to Now

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SportsTalk 12:30 p.m. M-Th

Scout Hughes and George Hoyle talk about the Vance County football schedule for 2025, in comparison to 2024. The guys also discuss a few of Vance County’s opponents from a historical perspective.

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Vance County High School

SportsTalk: Vipers Release 2025 Football Schedule

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SportsTalk 12:30 p.m. M-Th

Vance County Football Head Coach Aaron Elliott joined SportsTalk with Scout Hughes and Doc Ayscue to reveal the entirety of the 2025 Football Schedule for the Vipers. The schedule was already partially filled in, when conferences were announced last month, putting Vance County in a conference with Franklinton and schools from Wake County. Coach Elliott has been working hard with his team throughout the offseason and is excited for the season in the fall.

The Vance County 2025 Season Schedule:

Week 1, 8/22/25 – Vance County vs. Warren County

Week 2, 8/29/25 – Vance County @ South Granville

Week 3, 9/5/25 – Vance County vs. Jordan (Durham)

Week 4, 9/12/25 – Vance County vs. Rocky Mount

Week 5, 9/19/25 – Vance County @ Northeastern (Elizabeth City)

Week 6, 9/26/25 – Bye Week

Week 7, 10/3/25 – Vance County @ Wake Forest*

Week 8, 10/10/25 – Vance County @ Knightdale*

Week 9, 10/17/25 – Vance County vs. Heritage (Wake Forest)*

Week 10, 10/24/25 – Vance County @ East Wake (Wendell)*

Week 11, 10/31/25 – Vance County vs. Franklinton*

*Indicates Conference Opponent

Scout Hughes, Doc Ayscue, and WIZS are excited for the 2025 season, and we can’t wait to broadcast these games this fall!

Go Vipers!

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SportsTalk: National Signing Day For Vance County Football

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SportsTalk 12:30 p.m. M-Th

For four of Vance County’s Football Seniors, Wednesday was a major stepping stone to make their dreams a reality. Wednesday was National Signing Day, where athletes all across the nation sign their Letter of Intent to play football at the collegiate level.

The official signing ceremony took place at the Vance County High School Media Center, where VCHS Athletic Director Philip Weil kicked things off. “This is a big milestone for Vance County High School and for our student-athletes.”

Head Football Coach Aaron Elliott spoke on his players just before the signing went underway, “They have all been leaders…we always talk about doing things the right way. My family is here. My kids wanted to get out of school early because these players have treated my family just as I have treated them…we talk about how this is not just a 4-year plan this is a 40-year plan. There is life outside of football. You guys are going to be great, no matter where you end up at.”

First to sign his letter of intent was Camarion Ragland, known as CJ. CJ will play football at North Carolina A&T as a Tight End. But Ragland also says, “They are actually looking at me to play both ways on defense as well.” Ragland also stated that, “I’m not from Henderson, but when I moved here everyone always treated me like family. This is always going to be a place that I can come back to and call home.”

Second to put the pen-to-paper was Antione Doyle Jr. Antione will suit up for the Braves of UNC-Pembroke where he will be a linebacker. Doyle Jr. says he will major in accounting and “hopefully double-major in business as well. I’m hoping to go four years and see where it takes me. Maybe go to The League (NFL), but if not then I’ll get a job in accounting.” Antione is also not from Henderson but he expresses the same gratitude towards VCHS and the community. “I came here last year and played here for two years…everybody just felt like a family atmosphere.” Doyle added that, “Everybody here made me enjoy coming to school every day.”

The third student-athletic to make his commitment official was two-way player Javion Vines-Holder, known as ‘Juice’. Vines-Holder will wear the Rams Helmet when he goes to Winston-Salem State for his collegiate career. Javion will be playing safety while nodding the Red and Black. “I plan to major in Sports Medicine,” said Vines-Holder. The senior had many to thank for this moment. “My supporters, my four years of high school, life in general has played a big important part of my life. Thank you.”

To round out signing day at Vance County High School was Maurice Jackson Jr. He has made his commitment to Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia. Maurice will be a defensive lineman while playing for the Panthers. Jackson Jr. will join the reigning CIAA Conference Champions when he steps foot on campus. Maurice will study health sciences and plans to become an athletic trainer. He is grateful to his family, his coaches, and his fellow teammates for where he is now. For Jackson Jr., the 252 holds a special place in his heart. “I want to thank Henderson. I’m not from here, but the last two years y’all have took me in and have shown me ‘home’. Thank y’all!”

There was one more senior who already made his commitment. Taeshawn Alston signed his letter of intent to play at the University of South Carolina during Early Signing Day back in December. Alston is now enrolled at South Carolina and is already with the Gamecocks Squad.

What these student-athletes have shown during their time at Vance County is absolutely remarkable. During their time at the varsity level, this group has compiled a record of 19-3 on the field. Two playoff appearances. A Northern Lakes Conference Championship in 2023. Along with the first 10-win season from any team in Vance County since Southern Vance met the mark in the 2007 campaign.

We congratulate these amazing student-athletes and wish them the best of luck in college! Go Vipers!

From left to right. CJ Ragland (NC A&T), Javion Vines-Holder (Winston-Salem State), Maurice Jackson Jr. (Virginia Union), and Antione Doyle Jr. (UNC-Pembroke).

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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: Vance County vs. Western Alamance Preview

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UPDATE – FINAL SCORE 

Western Alamance 36 

Vance County 31 

Vipers finish the season at 9-2 

RECAP MONDAY ON SPORTSTALK 

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SportsTalk on WIZS 12:30 p.m. M-Th 

Scout Hughes and George Hoyle sit down on SportsTalk to talk about the upcoming playoff game between Vance County and Western Alamance, in addition to other playoff games happening in our area. The guys also take a look at the new ADM numbers that came out on Wednesday and see where Vance County lines up.

Vance County travels to Western Alamance for the first round of the North Carolina 3A Football State Playoffs on Friday, November 15th 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: Vipers Wrap Up Regular Season Against Enloe

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UPDATE – FINAL SCORE 

Vance County 50 

Enloe 21 

RECAP MONDAY ON SPORTSTALK 

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SportsTalk on WIZS 12:30 p.m. M-Th 

With one game left in the regular season, Vance County High School celebrates the culmination of a wonderful season. Tallied with eight wins and only one loss so far. Eight wins that at times have put us on the edge of our seats. From Vance County winning in their first game of the season against Warren County 18-0 to the very next game beating Rocky Mount by just one point, 23-22. There’s the comeback against Louisburg in the rain after the Warriors scored 21 unanswered points. We have had plenty of things to celebrate this season, from Homecoming to Breast Cancer Awareness in our Pink Game, Military Appreciation Night, and on Friday, Senior Night. 

On Friday we Celebrate our 14 Seniors who have given their heart and soul to this Vance County Squad. During their time at the Varsity Level, these Seniors have accumulated a record of 18-2. Last year in 2023 they achieved the first 10-win season for a team from Vance County since Southern Vance met that mark in 2007. An outstanding record for these players:

  • #1 Javion Vines-Holder
  • #7/#0 Antoine Doyle Jr.
  • #8 Barry Henderson Jr.
  • #9 Taeshawn Alston 
  • #10 Jontavious Nile
  • #11 Elijah Holden 
  • #12 Corbett Southerland Jr.
  • #21 Tyrek Robinson
  • #40 Lee Kinney
  • #50 Maurice Jackson
  • #63 Camarion Ragland
  • #64 Kemari Branch
  • #71 Jose Rivera
  • #77 Antonio Bullock

 

The Vipers opponent for Senior Night is Enloe High School out of Raleigh. This will be an interesting matchup as a team from Henderson hasn’t played a team from Raleigh since 2016 when Southern Vance opened the year against Ravenscroft. Head Coach of Enloe, Ryan Clark joined SportsTalk with Bill Harris and George Hoyle on Thursday to talk about the upcoming game vs. Vance County. He says it’s a win-win for both teams to play each other, “This game improves both of our RPI Rankings and our strength of schedules. Vance County has only one loss on the year, and with us playing in a competitive 4A conference, it’s beneficial to both of us.” Vance County is 8-1 on the season, finishing runner-up in the Northern Lakes Conference to Southern Durham, while Enloe is 6-3 on the season and finished third in the CAP-6 4A Conference. Both teams are expected to make the state playoffs for their respective classifications. Besides Southern Durham, this may be the toughest team yet for the Vipers and certainly a great test.

There are plenty of things on the line for Friday’s game between Vance County and Enloe. Both teams are looking to improve their playoff seeding. Vance County is looking for a win as their seniors play one last regular season game at Viper Stadium. Coach Aaron Elliott said at the beginning of the season that Triangle football is more than just Raleigh and Durham, he said it’s Henderson too. Vance County has that opportunity to prove why the Vipers should be included with the best of the best from the Triangle.

 

Vance County will host Enloe High School out of Raleigh on Senior Night for Week 12 of the 2024 season on Friday, November 8th 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: Vipers Take On Rival J.F. Webb Friday Night

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UPDATE – FINAL SCORE 

Vance County 49 

J.F. Webb 0  

RECAP MONDAY ON SPORTSTALK 

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SportsTalk on WIZS 12:30 p.m. M-Th 

What determines a rivalry? Is it the intensity? Is it the fierce battles between one another? What about the traditions that both teams bring to the table? It very well could be. In this case, however two factors that determine this great rivalry between teams from Henderson and teams from Oxford: Proximity and Longevity. In addition to both teams being in counties that border each other, Vance County and J.F Webb are two high schools that reside in the same conference that just so happen to be about 20 minutes from each other. In terms of longevity, you can call it a tradition for Vance County and J.F. Webb to play each other every year. High schools from Henderson and Oxford have played each other nearly consistently at least since 1923. Regardless of how rivalries are formed, one thing is for sure. No matter what conference these two teams are in, no matter the record or classification of each school, Vance County and J.F. Webb always play each other. Always have. Always will.

Two different high schools. Two different ball clubs. Both going in different directions. Vance County is sitting at 7-1 on the year and is in second place in the Northern Lakes Conference. Head Coach Aaron Elliott said at the beginning of the year that, “The goals have changed for Vance County. Our goal is to not just make the playoffs, but to make deep runs in the playoffs.” J.F. Webb on the other hand, is 1-8 on the year and is in second to last place in the conference. Keionte Gainey, Head Coach of J.F. Webb, who assumed the Athletic Director duties as well this year, is keeping high hopes up for the program. Despite J.F. Webb’s record, Coach Gainey calls this year’s team, “A very special group”, that consists of 17 Seniors that hold a special place in Gainey’s heart.

When you look at the matchup between Vance County and J.F. Webb, what are the keys to the game? For Vance County, consistency is key, according the Head Coach Aaron Elliott. “We gotta be consistent on offense, defense, and be better if special teams.” For J.F. Webb, Coach Gainey outlines what needs to happen in order for the Warriors to win on Friday, “We’ve got to play with grit and heart, I believe that we have the talent to beat Vance County. We are gonna give it our best shot. We wanna beat them before the conference changes next year.”

Whether it’s Henderson High, Henderson Institute, Vance Senior High, Northern and Southern Vance, or Vance County High, and whether it’s Oxford High, Oxford Orphanage, Mary Potter, or J.F. Webb, this matchup on Friday will be one for the ages.

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: Kerr-Vance State Champion Volleyball; Vance County vs. Carrboro Friday Night Football

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Congratulations to Kerr-Vance Academy on winning the 1A Volleyball State Championship this past weekend.

FINAL SCORE 

Kerr-Vance 3 

Lee Christian 1

Also, Scout Hughes and Doc Ayscue recap the weekend that was in high school football by recapping the Vance County vs. Carrboro football game last Friday Night.

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SportsTalk: Vipers Prepare For Carrboro

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UPDATE – FINAL SCORE 

Vance County 41 

Carrboro 14  

Recap Monday on SportsTalk 

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SportsTalk on WIZS 12:30 p.m. M-Th 

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

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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