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Kinston holds off Ayden-Grifton 27-21 for fourth straight win

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Humphrey’s late interception seals Kinston’s fourth straight win

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KINSTON - Kinston built a 27-point first-half lead, then survived a furious Ayden-Grifton comeback Friday night to earn a 27-21 victory and extend its winning streak to four games.

The Vikings improved to 4-2 after starting the season 0-2, while Ayden-Grifton fell to 1-5.

Kinston sophomore quarterback Michael Eaton completed 16 of 28 passes for 131 yards, one touchdown and one interception while adding 23 rushing yards on three carries.

Sophomore running back Jaquel Waters, taking on a larger role with senior Kendarius Bey sidelined by injury, rushed seven times for 72 yards and a touchdown.

“I know I have to take the lead, take everything coach been giving me,” Waters said.

Kinston struck first after Eaton connected with sophomore Taylin Small for a 41-yard gain. Small finished with two catches for 50 yards.

On the next play, Eaton ran the speed option and pitched to Waters, who scored from six yards out to give Kinston the early lead.

The Vikings’ defense and special teams quickly added to the advantage.

After Kinston forced a three-and-out, senior Jahmeire Brown broke through on an Ayden-Grifton punt attempt and tackled the punter, forcing a fumble. Senior Jemari Rosber recovered it and returned it for a touchdown.

“He told me before the play, ‘Just be beside me, I’m going to hit him,’” Rosber said. “I was right there beside him, picked it up and ran it in for six.”

Kinston added another defensive score when junior Zybrial Joseph returned a fumble recovery approximately 70 yards for a touchdown, pushing the Vikings’ lead to 20-0.

Ayden-Grifton answered with a kickoff return touchdown late in the second quarter, but Kinston responded before halftime.

Eaton found junior Pap Brown on a slant over the middle, and Brown made a diving catch for a touchdown that sent Kinston into halftime leading 27-7.

Brown finished with four catches for 41 yards and the score.

The second half belonged largely to Ayden-Grifton.

With 2:40 remaining in the third quarter, Quasean Norwood recovered a Kinston mishandled handoff and returned it for a touchdown, trimming the Vikings’ lead to 27-14.

Ayden-Grifton made things even tighter with about eight minutes remaining after DaQuan Quinerly intercepted Eaton and returned the ball approximately 60 yards to the Kinston 1-yard line.

Quarterback Jace Martin then threw a touchdown pass to make it 27-21.

Kinston could not completely put the game away, giving Ayden-Grifton one final opportunity with 1:04 remaining and roughly 70 yards to go.

Martin moved the Chargers quickly downfield. Larry Grier caught a 15-yard pass near the sideline for a first down, Quinerly added four yards on a screen, and Martin then connected with Grier on a 30-yard crossing route.

Grier had two catches for 45 yards on the final drive, helping Ayden-Grifton reach the Kinston 20 with 27 seconds remaining.

But junior safety Jacaii Humphrey ended the comeback attempt with an interception near the goal line, sealing Kinston’s fourth consecutive victory.

Kinston coach Ryan Gieselman said the Vikings have continued to build momentum since earning their first win of the season.

“It is big for us,” Gieselman said. “Once we got that first win, we tried to build off of it. I felt like tonight we built on it, especially defensively tonight. It’s an ugly one, but we will take it.”

Gieselman also praised Waters for continuing to produce while playing on both sides of the ball.

“Tough, hard runs,” Gieselman said. “He’s playing defense for us, going both ways. It’s very big for us, being a sophomore and carrying the load like he is. I think he responded well.”

The victory was Kinston’s eighth in its last 10 meetings with Ayden-Grifton. The Chargers defeated the Vikings 33-21 last season, though both teams entered Friday with significantly different rosters from a year ago.

Both teams were also coming off open weeks.

Kinston now turns its attention to Greene Central, which enters the matchup at 3-3 after consecutive losses.

The Vikings won a close game in Snow Hill last season and will enter this year’s meeting riding their longest winning streak of the season.