— 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.