Vance’s offense rolls up 517 yards, has no turnovers in routing Providence 63-21

Vance’s offense rolled up some big numbers Friday night. But Cougars coach Aaron Brand was more impressed with some small numbers in his team’s 63-21 home opener victory over Providence.

As in just three penalties and no turnovers — not bad at all for the second week of the season.

“It wasn't a perfect game by any means, but when you don’t have any turnovers and you win the turnover battle you’re already giving yourself a chance to win,” Vance coach Aaron Brand said. “We made plays and took advantage of opportunities.”

Senior quarterback Kingsley Ifedi passed for 278 yards and four touchdowns — including scoring strikes of 53 and 36 yards to Jaylin Carr and ran for another. Carr, a transfer from Mallard Creek, added a 27-yard touchdown run as the Cougars rolled to a 42-7 halftime lead and padded it under a continuously running clock in the second half.

Vance rolled up 517 yards in total offense.

Wide receiver Blake Proehl scored all three touchdowns for Providence, on passes of 37 and 66 yards from quarterback Jack Cherry and on a 90-yard kickoff return on the game’s last play.

Records: Providence 0-2; Vance 2-0.

Worth mentioning: The game was long decided by the fourth quarter, but the ending shapes up to be one of the more memorable finishes of the season. With the Panthers threatening in the last minute, Vance linebacker Darien Reynolds plucked a tipped pass from mid-air near the Cougars’ goal line and returned it 99 yards for a score. Proehl followed with the long kickoff return for the 63-21 final.

Quote: “We wanted to make a statement tonight. We wanted to make sure that our emotional win (41-34 at West Mecklenburg ) last week carried over to this week without a letdown.” — Brand

What's Next: Providence hosts Myers Park at 7 on Friday. Vance hosts George Washington of Danville, Va., at 7 on Friday.

This story was originally published August 26, 2016 at 11:32 PM with the headline "Vance’s offense rolls up 517 yards, has no turnovers in routing Providence 63-21."