Vance shuts out Ardrey Kell, advances in 4AA playoffs
The Vance Cougars won their second-round N.C. 4AA football playoff game Friday night, defeating Ardrey Kell 34-9 Friday night at Ardrey Kell. The Cougars will play a third-round playoff game next Friday at home against the Hough Huskies, who upset Mallard Creek 19-7.
The Cougars’ defense was dominant, shutting out the Knights while the Vance rushing game was too much for Ardrey Kell. Vance finished with 296 yards on the ground. Cougars senior running back Andre White Jr. had a big second half, running for 91 yards and three scores on nine carries and finishing with 121 yards on 11 carries.
After a fumble and a three-and-out on its first two offensive possession, the Cougars scored the game’s first points late in the first quarter on a 10-play drive in just under 3 minutes. Morris ran in from 8 yards out for a 7-0 Vance lead.
The Cougars increased their lead to 14-0 on its next offensive possession with Nigel Summerville tossing a 13-yard touch to Jordan Payne
RECORDS: Vance is 12-1. South Meck is 5-7.
THREE WHO MATTERED
Andre White Jr. (Vance): Senior running back rushed for 121 yards on 11 carries and three touchdowns of 20, 10 and three yards. Ninety-one of those yards and his three scores all came in the second half.
Xavier Marshall (Vance): Senior defensive back thwarted a late second-quarter Ardrey Kell scoring drive with an 80-yard interception at the goal line, reaching the Knights’ 20-yard line on the return before time expired in the first half.
Cedric Gray (Ardrey Kell) Junior wide receiver had the game’s biggest gain from scrimmage, hauling in a 50-yard pass from Knights quarterback Jared Joseph in the first half.
WORTH MENTIONING
:▪ Ardrey Kell had a first-round bye as a result of finishing first in the SoMeck7 conference, and got the home game Friday night against Vance. The Cougars finished second in the I-Meck behind Mallard Creek.
▪ Each team had two turnovers, with Ardrey Kell recovering two fumbles and Vance snaring two interceptions. The Cougars also blocked a Knights punt.
THEY SAID IT
“A great win tonight for the program. Our goal at the beginning of the day was to be 1-0 at the end of the night.” - Vance Coach Aaron Brand.
WORTH MENTIONING:
Ardrey Kell had a first-round bye as a result of finishing first in the SoMeck7 conference, and got the home game Friday night against Vance. The Cougars finished second in the IMeck Conference behind Mallard Creek.
Each team had two turnovers, with Ardrey Kell recovering two fumbles and Vance snaring two interceptions. The Cougars also blocked a Knights’ punt.
Vance 7 7137 34
South Meck 0 0 000
V – Joseph Morris 8 run; (James Palacios kick)
V – Jordan Payne 13 pass from Nigel Summerville; (Palacios kick)
V – Andre White Jr. 20 run; (two-point conversion failed)
V – White Jr. 10 run; (Palacios kick)
V – White Jr. 3 run; (Palacios kick)