Seven years ago, North Lenoir packed a program-changing stretch of football into eight days.
There was a blocked extra point with the game on the line, a shutout in a storm-delayed matchup and a kickoff return that delivered the first 5–0 start in school history. For a team coming off an 0–11 season, September 2019 brought a remarkable turnaround.
That run leads this week’s look through the sports archives of Lenoir, Greene and Jones counties, with a few stops just outside the anniversary dates to tell the full story. The original coverage is linked throughout, giving readers a chance to revisit the games and the people who made them memorable
A look at where football teams across Lenoir, Greene and Jones counties stand in the latest MaxPreps rankings and NCHSAA RPI following Week 3 of the 2026 season.
With the 2026 fall sports season underway, here is a look at the current records for high school football, volleyball and boys soccer teams across Lenoir, Greene and Jones counties.
The standings include Kinston, North Lenoir, South Lenoir, Greene Central, Jones Senior and Bethel Christian Academy. Standings as of 9/1 3:56pm
Dating back to last season’s finale against Tarboro, the Vikings have won six sets over their past three matches, going 6-5 in sets during that span. It is Kinston’s best three-match stretch in sets won since Oct. 15, 2013.
Behind a 34-point performance from Holloway Summer Jam MVP Amari Edwards, Next Gen defeated the Kinston Huskies 86-81 in the championship game. Kinston High senior Gavin Brock led the Huskies with 33 points.
The 2026 NNS Media Day took place at Lagrange Community Center in Lagrange on July 29th. Neuse News Sports hosted 11 football teams from Lenoir, Greene, Jones, and Wayne Counties. Check out our professional preseason press conferences.
