Vikings rely on clutch plays to outlast Chargers 26-20
Written by: Ryan Pittman
In a gritty showdown that felt more like a boxing match than a football game, the Kinston High Vikings edged out the Ayden-Grifton High Chargers 26-20 on Friday night. The win comes on the heels of Kinston's victory over Greene Central last week, solidifying their early-season momentum despite weather-related disruptions to their practice schedule.
The Vikings, who were uncertain if they'd even take the field this week due to Hurricane Idalia's impact on Eastern North Carolina, showed no signs of rust. "I think the break let some of our guys get fresh... we were locked in during our walk-through and able to come out and execute at a high level," said Coach Ryan Gieselman.
Kinston wasted no time setting the tone. Quarterback Qurron Ross led a five-play opening drive that culminated in a 16-yard touchdown run. Ross finished the night 9/16 for 108 yards through the air, adding two passing touchdowns to his stat line. On the ground, he contributed 33 yards on 11 carries, including the opening score.
But Ross wasn't the only Viking to shine. Running back Jeremiah Hart turned in a standout performance, racking up 131 rushing yards on just 10 carries and scoring a pivotal fourth-quarter touchdown. "Momentum, we got to get back on the ball, let's get it!" Hart said when asked about the significance of his touchdown run.
Receivers Adrian Simmons and Antwain Jones also made their presence felt. Simmons hauled in 5 catches for 40 yards and a touchdown, while Jones found the end zone on one of his two catches, totaling 48 yards for the night.
The Vikings will host Washington next week, aiming to extend their winning streak. If the team that has shown up the last two weeks continues to take the field, they'll be a tough out for anyone come Friday night.
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