Tag Archive for: #VanceCountyHighSchool

TownTalk: Introducing Philip Weil, Athletic Director At Vance Co. High

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The Vance County High School’s new athletic director has been on the job just over a week, but in that short time, Philip Weil has learned a good deal about its coaches, its student athletes and their desire and determination.

Right now, it’s all about football, but Weil has his eyes and ears on volleyball and soccer, cross country and baseball.

If it has to do with sports and Vance County High School, Weil is ready.

Coming from an urban setting like Las Vegas to a rural area may take some getting used to, but Weil has already found one advantage: Vance County has history.

He switched on the lights at the football field on a recent evening and was wowed by what he saw. “It was gorgeous.”

As he gets to know the process of being an AD, understand the school atmosphere and the sports conference, Weil said he wants to get the community more involved.

One thing he’d like to do is have some high school basketball games held in the gym at the middle school campus. After all, it used to be the home of the Northern Vance Vikings.

But right now, it’s football.

“From what I’ve seen so far from Coach Elliott’s team, they are determined and strong,” Weil said. He called their first tackling practice last week “phenomenal,” in fact.

“I think they are determined to get that state championship.”

As a middle-school baseball and football coach from 2013-22, Weil said he was able to develop student athletes’ skills by getting them involved in a strength and conditioning program.

“Scholarships are made in the weight room,” he said. It wasn’t always easy to get those middle schoolers interested in weight training, but he said the student athletes here at VCHS are motivated.

“They just want to get better and stronger and faster,” he said.

 

 

Vance County High School

Vance Co. Vipers Kick off Season August 18th

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It’s not far off. August 18th will see the return of high school football as the Vance County Vipers open their season at home against long time rival Warren County. Head Coach Aaron Elliott made impressive strides last season in his first year at the helm of the Viper’s program taking Vance Co. into the playoffs and he’s preparing for an even bigger year this season. The team has emphasized weight training in the off season and brought in a new defensive coordinator. All is looking good on paper for the Vipers but the real test is when they hit the field against some strong competition this season.

After facing Warren County, the Vipers have several games against some very strong opponents including Louisburg, Northern Durham and perennial conference favorite Southern Durham.
You can follow the Vipers all season long here on WIZS on Vance County Friday Night Football as John Rose, David “Doc” Ayscue and Bill Harris bring you all of the action of every game all season long live. Join us on Friday, August 18th at 6:50 for the season opener from Vance Co. Stadium as the Vipers take on those Eagles from Warren County.

Vance County High School

SportsTalk: Vipers Introduce New Defensive Coordinator

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The Vance County Vipers first football game is against Warren County in two weeks, and Coach Aaron Elliott is busy getting the team ready to take the field.  Camp was this past weekend, and Elliott called it a success.  “Camp went well, but we were tired on Monday,” Elliott said on Thursday’s SportsTalk.  He expects to have about 75 kids on the team, meaning that fewer players will have to play both offense and defense.  Some will still see action on both sides of the ball. “We have to put our best athletes on the field,” Elliott said.
Elliott also took the opportunity to introduce the Viper’s new defensive coordinator, Thomas Oothoudt.  He played for Elliott at Louisburg High School and was defensive coordinator at Corinth Holders in Johnston County. So far, Oothoudt has liked what he has seen of the Vipers.  “I have been impressed by the athleticism,” he said of the Vipers.  “We have to play with full effort and play with fundamentals,” he continued.
The first game will be at 7 p.m. on Friday, August 18th at Viper Stadium.  You can hear the game live over WIZS Radio if you cannot attend or if you take your radio to the game.  Fans who are not in range of the terrestrial radio station can click on Listen Live at WIZS.com.

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Vance County High School

SportsTalk: Elliott Expects Big Things From Vipers On The Football Field

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With the first game less than a month away, Vance Co. Vipers head coach Aaron Elliott is looking to have a very successful season.  In Elliott’s first season as head coach, he took the Vipers to the playoffs and fully expects to be back this year.  “I think we have a great shot at a 10-win season,” Elliott said on Thursday’s SportsTalk.

The Vipers have been participating is numerous 7 on 7 camps over the last several weeks, and Elliott has been happy with what he has seen.  “We have a team full of athletes,” Elliott said.  He has been impressed with Javion Vines-Holder, the team’s quarterback.  “I started working with him in December and he has been terrific,” Elliott stated.

While the team will be a bit on the young side this year, Elliott said his offensive backfield will return intact and his receivers will be a strength for the Vipers.  The offensive line lost only one starter from last year’s team.

The Viper’s open the season at home on August 18th against Warren County.  Follow the Vipers all season long with play by play live on WIZS.

 

Search On For VCHS Athletic Director In Wake Of Noel’s Resignation

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Vance County High School Athletic Director Raymond Noel has resigned his post, and VCS Chief Officer of Communication & Innovative Support Aarika Sandlin has told WIZS News that the district is seeking a qualified applicant to fill the position.

“We are very appreciative of all that Mr. Noel did for VCHS,” Sandlin said in a statement to WIZS.

“Vance County Schools is committed to finding a strong leader to continue the work of the Viper Athletic program,” she said.

Candidates must hold a valid NC teacher certification and have at least five years’ experience as a PE teacher or coach; candidates should have at least a bachelor’s degree in physical education; a master’s degree in athletic administration or equivalent training and experience is preferred, according to the job description.

Find the complete job description at www.vcs.k12.nc.us. Click on Job Opportunities in the top right corner of the home page.

Interested applicants should apply on the VCS website www.vcs.k12.nc.us.

Vance County High School

SportsTalk: Sharrow Named Athletic Director Of The Year

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Joe Sharrow spent 10 years between Southern Vance High School and Vance County High School as athletic director.  He was also an assistant principal at Vance County High School, and those years in Vance County have paid off for Sharrow.  He is now AD at one of the biggest schools in the Triangle, Jordan High School.  Sharrow has been named Athletic Director of the Year by NC High School OT and WRAL.

Sharrow was a guest on SportsTalk Wednesday and gave plenty of credit to Vance County for the award, which Sharrow received after his tenure in Vance County but after just one year in Durham. “This is every bit a Vance County award.  Vance County helped me become the person I am today. I love and appreciate Henderson and Vance County,” Sharrow said.

Jordan High School is a bigger school and with that it brings bigger responsibilities. “We have 2,200 students and 700 student athletes,” Sharrow said.  Jordan offers 27 varsity athletic programs.  “It’s a different animal at Jordan compared to Vance County,” Sharrow added.

Even with his success and love for Jordan, Sharrow said he will always bleed black and green, the colors of the Vance Co. Vipers and his roots will always be Columbia blue and white –  the colors the Southern Vance Raiders wore during their existence.

Jordan High School has played the Vipers on a number of occasions over the years but, no games are on the schedule for the upcoming school year.  Congratulations to Joe Sharrow on his success!

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Vance County High School

SportsTalk: Vance County High Prepares For Football Season

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School may be out for the summer, but that doesn’t mean Vance County High School Athletic Director Ray Noel is taking it easy.  Camps are taking place in the coming weeks for soccer, basketball and volleyball.  This week the Viper’s football team is participating in a 7 on 7 camp at NC State.

“It’s an opportunity to work on passing and defense,” Noel said.  One of the teams Vance County has faced is Sanderson.  The Vipers prevailed in that contest but they also have to face Northern Durham and Chambers from the Charlotte area.  It’s a great opportunity for the kids to get some touches on the football according to Noel.  Turnout for these offseason camps and workouts has been strong. “We’ve had good numbers at workouts with 50 to 60 kids,” Noel said.

While losing their starting quarterback to graduation, Noel said to expect big things from Taeshawn Alston and Javon Vines-Holder this season.  Upcoming 7 on 7 camps will be held at Winston-Salem State and St. Augustine’s.

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Vance County High School Graduation

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Vance County High School Graduates 153 Seniors

— press release courtesy of Vance County Schools

Graduation season is officially underway in Vance County Schools, as Vance County High School awarded 153 students with their high school diplomas on Friday, May 26, in the Vance County High School stadium.

Principal Nealie Whitt III shared words of encouragement to the graduating class, and VCHS Class of 2023 graduates Mercedes Fields and Fantasia Scott, delivered farewell addresses to their fellow classmates.

Mercedes Fields reminded her fellow graduates – “Stay gold. Stay gold for as long as you can. Remember where you came from and who you are today. And let it positively guide you and motivate you to get the life that you’ve always wanted.”

Fantasia Scott shared, “This is the end of our chapter here, and the beginning of another. Now that we are all done, may we go down different paths, but may they align together in the future.” 

Students were presented their diplomas by Principal Nealie Whitt III, Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett, and Mrs. Gloria J. White, VCS Board of Education Chair.

Congratulations, Vance County High School Class of 2023!

Click Play for the WIZS Broadcast Audio of VCHS 2023 Graduation.

VCHS Class of 2023 Fast Facts: 

  • VCHS students have received $1.7 million in scholarships.
  • The following seniors are enlisting into the military:
    • Hunter Dean English – United States Air Force
    • Quincie Marie Pritchett – United States Navy
    • Juan Rivera Velazquez – United States Army
    • Ne’Shawn Hakeem Seward – United States Navy
  • 36 students are graduating with distinction:
    • 25 seniors are graduating Cum Laude (weighted GPA 3.25-3.5)
    • 7 seniors are graduating Magna Cum Laude (weighted GPA 3.6-3.9)
    • 4 seniors are graduating Summa Cum Laude (weighted GPA 4.0+)
  • 100 VCHS seniors were accepted into a 2 or 4 year college/university.
  • 23 VCHS seniors have secured full-time employment.
  • Students graduated with a variety honors:
    • North Carolina Scholar
    • National Beta Club
    • President’s Award for Educational Excellence
    • President’s Award for Achievement
    • Music Honors
    • Council on International Exchange
    • Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Scholar
    • International Cultural Exchange Service

Vance County Early College graduated May 26, at 6 p.m. Vance Virtual Village Academy graduates on Saturday, June 10 at 9 a.m., followed by AdVance Academy at 11 a.m. All ceremonies are at the Center for Innovation and require a ticket to enter.

SportsTalk: Local AD’s Preparing For Playoffs

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The life of an athletic director at any level can be busy.  This time of year not only are there sporting activities, but there are proms, graduation and other end of school year events taking place to add to the load ADs face. Both Ray Noel at Vance County High School and George Hoyle Jr. at Thales Academy certainly have full plates.

Noel says the Vance County Vipers are about at the halfway point for baseball, softball and soccer.  Playoffs for baseball and soccer will begin in the first week of May with soccer following in the second week of May.  The baseball and softball teams are coming off wins against Granville Central and the girl’s soccer team, which is described as young by Noel, has now started to win some games with two conference victories under their belt.

The baseball team is down a player at the moment according to Noel.  “Chris Jones is in California for an All-Star Football game,” Noel said.  Jones, a star on the Viper’s football team, is also a big part of the baseball team as well. Noel also said the Isman Alston Jr., another Vipers football standout, has just signed with St. Augustine.  He also plays on the baseball team.

Over at Thales Academy in Rolesville, Henderson’s George Hoyle Jr. is the athletic director, and he is as busy as Noel. He also has a young soccer team with only one senior and a tough non-conference schedule has now resulted in a couple of conference wins, with the team having won its last two games.  His softball team is in the same position, young but improving with a 3-5 record. Varsity baseball is definitely on the upward track at Thales as they are now 6-3.  Thales’ is set to be good for the foreseeable future as well. “Our middle school talent is ridiculous,” Hoyle said on Thursday’s SportsTalk.  The school, which started in 2007, has shown tremendous growth as they are now a 3A school and could soon be a 4A.

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Vance County High School

SportsTalk: Israel Terry And Chris Jones Sign Letters Of Intent

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Vance County High School had a very successful 2022 football campaign making it into the state playoff and two of the reasons why are senior wide receiver Israel Terry and defensive star Chris Jones. Both young men have signed letters of intent to play college ball, Terry at Winston-Salem State and Jones with Barton in Wilson.

“It feels like home,” Terry said of Winston-Salem State where he is considering majoring in either the business field or sports training. About the challenges of moving up to the college level Terry says, “I just need to stay focused and locked on goals. I’m just an athlete and I’ll do what the coaches ask.” Terry also said he expects to play receiver for Winston-Salem State. At some point, he may even have to face another Vance Co. graduate, his brother Noah, across the field. Noah plays cornerback for Shaw University.

Jones, who athletic director Ray Noel called modest, will be heading to Barton. While primarily a defensive player with the Vipers, he did play running back on offense but at Barton he will be focusing on defense. “I want to be where I can make the plays,” Jones said about his preference for offense of defense.

Both players say Vance County’s success on the football field comes down to buying into the program that Coach Aaron Elliot put together. It allowed the team to bond. “Vance County (High School) is on the rise,” Jones said.

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