Ross and Copper lead Vikings past the Rams in thrilling 34-29 victory
Photo by: William Hardy
In a game that had fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle, the Kinston Vikings pulled off a stunning 34-29 victory over the Greene Central Rams on Viking Field. The win was a much-needed morale booster for Kinston, who were coming off a 40-26 loss to South Central, while the Rams entered the game with momentum from their 46-14 win over North Lenoir.
A Rollercoaster Start
The game started with a bang as Vikings' quarterback Qurron Ross drove his team down to the 11-yard line, only to see his pass slip through Jamear Flowers' hands and into the waiting arms of Rams' Jaylen Wynn, who returned it 89 yards for a touchdown.
Vikings Strike Back
Unfazed, Kinston responded immediately. Ross orchestrated another drive that culminated in an 4-yard touchdown run by Ex'Zavion Croom, tying the game. The Rams' defense, led by Larry Dillion and Tyler Williams clamped down in the second quarter. The Vikings defense did as well, holding the Rams to just 154 yards on the ground. As the first half clock dwindled, Vikings Ross found Tyreek Copper in the end zone with a 38-yard Hail Mary, putting Kinston up 15-8 at halftime.
Second Half Fireworks
Coming out of the locker room, Kinston kept their foot on the gas. Ross connected with Copper for a 35-yard touchdown, extending their lead to 21-8. "He launches it, I have to run for it every time," Copper said about Ross's throws. But the Rams weren't done. Quarterback Will Radford found Christian Tavarez for a 20-yard touchdown, narrowing the gap to 21-15.
A Nail-Biting Finish
The Rams continued to fight, tying the game at 21 after a 25-yard jet sweep pass from Radford to Wynn. Kinston's Jeremiah Hart, who finished with 125 yards on 18 carries, broke free for a 51-yard touchdown, putting the Vikings back in the lead. The Rams answered with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Radford to Jordan Scott, briefly taking a 29-28 lead.
In the fourth quarter, Rams' running back James Ballard became a force to be reckoned with, picking up multiple first downs that set the stage for their late-game surge.
But Ross and Copper had the last word. The duo connected for a 40-yard touchdown, sealing the 34-29 win for Kinston.
"He is only a sophomore and bigger things are coming; he leads us on and off the field," Coach Gieselman said about Copper, who finished with six receptions for 165 yards and three touchdowns.
By the Numbers
Ross ended the night with 244 yards in the air, three touchdowns, and one interception. On the Rams' side, Radford finished with 100 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Justice Debro had 10 carries for 51 yards, and James Ballard impressed with 13 carries for 101 yards.
Final Thoughts
"I felt like I played good, we got the win. I feel like the work I put in outside of this field contributed to this game," said Tyreek Copper, summing up the night's performance.
"We did a great job of bouncing back with attention to detail at practice, and I think it transitioned to the field tonight," said Kinston's Coach Gieselman, reflecting on his team's ability to recover and improve from week 1.
It was a game that had it all: big plays, defensive stands, and a dramatic finish that will be talked about for weeks to come.
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