Vance County played a rare afternoon football game this week after their nonconference contest with North Lenoir was bumped from Friday night to Saturday afternoon in anticipation of Hurricane Michael’s wind and rain. The cooler temperatures, sunshine and home field were good for the Vipers, who collected their second victory of the season over the Hawks 28-14.
VC survived four interceptions and a string of costly penalties in the second half to improve to 2-6 (2-1 Northern Carolina 2A). After the first quarter ended with North Lenoir leading 7-0, the Viper offense took an 8-7 lead, when QB Samien Burwell scrambled 20 yards for the TD and then passed complete to Josh Joyner for the 2-point conversion. With just seconds remaining in the first half, Burwell hit Joyner for another touchdown, but the successful 2-pointer was nullified by a holding call.
The Vipers led 14-7 at the half. Mid-way through the third quarter, Vance County extended their lead to 20-7 on a pass from Burwell to Machiah Wilson. The Hawks cut the lead to 20-14 early in the final period, but the Vipers iced the game with under 3 minutes to play when Burwell connected with Phadon Jordan in the end zone, and then hit Jordan again for the 2-point conversion.