Kinston's Valiant Comeback Falls Short in Thriller Against Undefeated Tarboro

KINSTON, N.C. — In a pulsating battle for the Eastern Plain Conference Championship that lived up to the week's worth of social media banter between fans, the Kinston Vikings mounted a furious second-half rally but ultimately fell 42-35 to the undefeated Tarboro Vikings on senior night. Tarboro capped a perfect regular season at 10-0, while Kinston closed out at 6-4, missing out on a chance to force a conference tie and claim the title via head-to-head tiebreaker despite their lone league loss earlier in the year.

The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Tarboro dominating early through a punishing ground attack before Kinston's explosive passing game ignited a comeback that tied the score in the fourth quarter. The offensive explosion from both sides was staggering, as Tarboro racked up 522 yards on the ground alone across 42 rushes, while Kinston countered with over 486 total yards—highlighted by 434 through the air—combining for a jaw-dropping display of athleticism and firepower that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

"It was a huge game for our program," Kinston head coach Ryan Gieselman reflected. "Tarboro back in our conference is big for our league. We had a chance to win a conference championship and it was senior night. We told the kids we had a chance."

Tarboro struck first in the opening quarter when quarterback/defensive end Tyler Powell plunged in on a QB sneak, pushing the lead to 8-0 after a successful two-point conversion. The visitors extended their advantage in the second quarter with a 12-yard touchdown run by Caiden Everette at the 9:46 mark, making it 14-0. Everette struck again shortly after, breaking free for a 45-yard score to balloon the lead to 22-0 with 5:22 left before halftime.

Kinston's offense, led by senior quarterback Tyler Jones, finally found its rhythm late in the half. Jones connected with NC State commit Tyreek Copper on a 45-yard touchdown strike, trimming the deficit to 22-6 at 4:05. A safety for Kinston before the break narrowed it further to 22-8 at halftime, with Tarboro set to receive the second-half kickoff.

The third quarter exploded with action. On the first play from scrimmage, Tarboro's Kam McDowell-Moore burst for a 60-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 28-8 just 16 seconds in. But Kinston refused to fold. "We could have quit at halftime and our kids responded," Gieselman said, praising his team's resilience.

Jones answered with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Marshall commit Brennan Chambers at 8:20, making it 28-14. Chambers, who finished with eight catches for 84 yards and two touchdowns, including multiple clutch fourth-down grabs, was a key factor in the rally. Moments later, Jones found Pap Brown for a 50-yard bomb, pulling Kinston within 28-21 at 2:57 in the third.

The comeback peaked early in the fourth when Jones unleashed a 72-yard strike to Copper, who hauled it in and powered through defenders before capping the drive with a 5-yard touchdown reception. That tied the game at 28-28 with 10:28 remaining, electrifying the home crowd. Copper, who started hot with three catches for 103 yards and a touchdown in the first half, ended the night with 10 receptions for 205 yards and two scores.

Tarboro head coach Jeff Craddock acknowledged the challenge: "They are a really good football team. They got athletes that match ours, they have speed all over the place, the receivers are good, the quarterback is good, and they started to make plays and got us on our heels a bit going into the fourth."

But Tarboro's response was swift and decisive, showcasing the mental toughness Craddock highlighted. "Things about my guys is we responded right back very quickly, and I think that says a lot about our mental toughness and leadership as well," he said. McDowell-Moore, who racked up 17 carries for 279 yards and two touchdowns, reclaimed the lead with a 59-yard dash at 9:32, putting Tarboro up 34-28. He added a 10-yard score at 4:36, extending it to 42-28.

Kinston wouldn't go quietly. Jones hit Chambers for a 25-yard touchdown at 2:08, closing the gap to 42-35. Jones dazzled overall, completing 26 of 38 passes for 434 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception—shattering his own single-game passing record in the process. On the ground, Genesis Wiggins contributed 13 rushes for 52 yards, while Brown added four catches for 103 yards and a touchdown.

Tarboro's dominance came via the run game, amassing 42 rushes for a staggering 522 yards total—including 27 carries for 253 yards in the first half alone. Everette powered the attack with 18 rushes for 150 yards and two touchdowns, while Powell added four rushes for 26 yards and a score, plus two sacks on defense. "It always good to get tested," Craddock noted. "You can't get much more tested than the way we got tested tonight."

Kinston assistant coach Corey Bryant lauded his team's offensive firepower: "Very dangerous. To a defense, it's scary. You almost have to pick your poison. We got many playmakers, and Pap Brown stepped up big tonight, but those two guys are going Division One for a reason—they work hard every day at practice and they show it through the games."

As Tarboro ran out the clock to seal the victory, both teams now turn to the playoffs. "We will be ready to go for the playoffs week one on whoever we got next Friday night," Gieselman affirmed. In a game defined by intensity and heart, Kinston's seniors left everything on the field, proving their heart against one of the state's top programs.