Kinston’s Explosive Offense Overpowers Farmville Central 55-32, Gieselman Celebrates 100th Win
Kinston’s Explosive Offense Overpowers Farmville Central, Gieselman Celebrates 100th Win
Kinston High School’s football team delivered a dazzling display of offensive firepower, rolling past Farmville Central 55-32 on October 17, 2025, in a thrilling Eastern Plains Conference (EPC) showdown. Fresh off a heart-pounding victory over rivals Greene Central the previous week, the Vikings (5-3, 2-1 EPC) showcased their depth and resilience, turning a tight first half into a second-half rout. The win marked a historic milestone for head coach Ryan Gieselman, who secured his 100th career victory since taking over in 2013. “It’s a huge accomplishment for our program,” Gieselman said postgame. “The last 15 years, it’s been a lot of hard work. It’s a testament to all the hard work these guys here have put in, the coaches, the community sticking with me/us. I am very humbled by it.”
A First-Half Slugfest
The game opened with the intensity of a prizefight, both teams trading scores in a first half that ended with Kinston clinging to a 21-20 lead. Exzavion Croom ignited the Viking faithful early, powering in a rushing touchdown to stake Kinston to a 7-0 advantage. Farmville Central (3-5, 1-2 EPC) responded with a methodical six-play rushing drive, finished by a 4-yard touchdown run from quarterback BJ Gardner at the 4:45 mark of the first quarter, trimming the score to 7-6.
The second quarter saw the Jaguars surge ahead when Gardner connected with Akili Smith for a 20-yard touchdown pass, giving Farmville a 12-7 lead with 8:53 remaining. Kinston’s offense, led by junior quarterback Tyler Jones, answered swiftly. Jones found Pap Brown for a 22-yard touchdown strike, putting the Vikings back in front 14-12. Brown, reflecting on his performance, said simply, “I just wanted to work and help my team get a win.” With 1:39 left in the half, Jones scrambled and hit Brennan Chambers, a 6’5” Marshall University commit, for a touchdown, extending the lead to 21-12. But Gardner’s 50-yard touchdown run with just 30 seconds left kept Farmville within one point at halftime.
Second-Half Turning Point
The game’s momentum shifted dramatically in the third quarter. Farmville Central opened the half with a risky option reverse pass that backfired spectacularly—a tipped ball led to a Kinston interception, setting the stage for the Vikings’ dominance.
Jones, who finished an astounding 25-of-32 for 393 yards and six touchdowns, took over. “My o-line gave me plenty of time, and our receivers made plays in big moments,” he said, crediting his teammates. He connected with Tyreek “Real Deal” Copper, a 6’3” NC State commit who leads the state in receiving yards, for a 30-yard touchdown at 10:49 in the third, pushing the score to 28-20. Gardner responded with a rushing touchdown to make it 28-26, but Kinston kept firing. Jones found Brown for a 45-yard touchdown pass at 6:14, extending the lead to 35-26. Gardner’s 5-yard touchdown run late in the third brought Farmville within 35-32, but the fourth quarter belonged to the Vikings.
Fourth-Quarter Domination
Kinston’s offense erupted in the final frame. LJ Sumpter charged in for a 16-yard touchdown run to open the quarter, giving the Vikings a 42-32 cushion. Jones then found Copper for two more touchdowns—a 55-yard bomb and a 30-yard strike—capping the 55-32 rout. Copper was unstoppable, hauling in seven catches for 175 yards and three touchdowns, all in the second half. “He makes plays, and once he got his opportunity tonight, we couldn’t keep him off the field,” Gieselman said of Brown, who added six catches for 88 yards and two touchdowns.
Chambers contributed six catches for 73 yards and one touchdown, though a 66-yard touchdown reception was called back. The ground game supported the aerial assault, with Croom (3 rushes, 21 yards, 1 TD), Sumpter (4 rushes, 25 yards, 1 TD), and Genesis Wiggins (15 rushes, 41 yards) providing balance. Jones himself added 5 rushes for 13 yards. For Farmville, BJ Gardner was a force, completing 9-of-15 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns while rushing 26 times for 144 yards and three scores. But the Jaguars’ turnovers proved their undoing.
Playoff Picture and What’s Next
Kinston’s 5-3 overall record and 2-1 EPC standing place them third in the conference behind Tarboro (8-0, 3-0) and Ayden-Grifton (6-2, 3-0). The Vikings’ season has been a gauntlet, with notable wins over Wallace-Rose Hill (26-24), North Lenoir (42-7), South Lenoir (59-6), and Greene Central (32-31), alongside losses to South Central (21-19), White Oak (32-26), and Ayden-Grifton (33-21). Ranked 10th in the East Region RPI and 23rd overall in the NCHSAA, Kinston is poised for a strong playoff push, with seeding determined solely by RPI.
The Vikings face Beddingfield (1-7, 0-3) on October 24, followed by a marquee matchup against Tarboro on October 31. With Jones, Copper, Brown, and Chambers leading the charge, Kinston’s offense is a juggernaut, and their defense showed it can deliver in clutch moments.
A Milestone Moment
As the final whistle blew, the Viking sideline erupted, celebrating not just a statement win but Gieselman’s 100th victory. The milestone underscored a program built on perseverance and community support. With the playoffs on the horizon, Kinston’s blend of star power and grit makes them a team to watch. For now, the Vikings savor a night where their offense soared, their defense delivered, and their coach etched his name in the history books.
