Coach Vick and his Norfolk State Spartans football team found themselves fighting from behind against in-state rival North Carolina Central. The Spartans’ mental mistakes and missed opportunities ultimately came up short, losing 28-31. North Carolina Central Eagles took advantage of the Spartans’ mental mistakes, blocking a field goal attempt after the Spartans moved the ball down the field on their first offensive possession of the game. The Spartans were able to put together a scoring drive behind Xzavion Evans’ rushing touchdown. Spartan running backs had a total of 164 yards, with Kevon King leading all Spartan rushers with 148 yards on 8 rushes.
The Spartans had multiple chances to obtain the lead and win the game. The Eagles had other plans, executing their game plan behind Harris Walker, making the right decisions on the field to secure a win, 31-28. The Eagles closed out the first half with a 17-7 lead behind two Walker Harris touchdown passes to Mehki Wall and Chauncey Spikes. Eagles quarterback Walker Harris completed 24 of 39 passes for 265 yards with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. The Eagles’ defense made the Spartans’ offense work for every yard they obtained moving the ball down the field. The Spartan offensive penalties and turnovers allowed the Eagles to extend their lead on a Kaleb Robinson field goal, making the score 20-7 in the third quarter. Eagles wide receiver Chauncey Spikes caught 8 receptions for 71 yards, 2 touchdowns, and Mehki Wall caught 2 receptions, 1 touchdown.
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The Eagles leaned on their rushing attack to slow down the game, keeping the Spartans’ offense on the sidelines. Once the Spartans cut the lead to six points in the third quarter, making the score 14-20 on an Otto Kuhns to Kam’ryn Thomas touchdown pass, the Eagles began to lean more into their rushing attack to use up the clock.
Spartans quarterback Otto Kuhns threw a touchdown pass to Kam’ryn Thomas, cutting into the lead, in the third quarter, making the score 14-20. Spartans quarterback Otto Kuhns left the game with a leg injury. Backup quarterback Vinson Berry threw two touchdowns, completing 4 out of 9 passes for 42 yards. The Spartans’ late-game mental mistakes stalled their opportunity to win their second game of the season, making it 8 straight losses. Eagles Head Coach Trei Oliver and his Eagles football team keep their hopes high to possibly play for the Celebration Bowl, while Coach Vick and his Spartans team will have a long off-season, looking to make a strong comeback in his second season
The Spartans’ next game is against Morgan State University, and the North Carolina Central Eagles play South Carolina State University Saturday. Coach Trei Oliver and the Eagles are keeping a close eye on Delaware State to see how they fare against Howard University this Saturday to see if they have a chance to play for the Celebration Bowl if they win out.