By Bryan Hanks

VANCEBORO – For only the third time in program history, the Kinston High School football team is 7-0.

The Vikings (7-0 overall, 3-0 Eastern Carolina 2A) fought past West Craven, 14-6, in a showdown of the final two undefeated squads in the conference. A pair of 1-yard touchdown runs by Jacel Jacobs and Demetri Holmes proved the difference in the contest.

Kinston’s Josh Holloway returned an interception 50 yards to the West Craven 4-yard line with 2:35 remaining in the first quarter to set up the Vikings’ first score, a 1-yard plunge from Jacobs.

West Craven answered in the second quarter on an 8-yard run from Silas Wallace, but the extra point was short, helping the Vikings to a 7-6 halftime lead.

After not being able to sustain a drive all game long, the Vikings finally put together a 12-play, 89-yard drive that ate 5:32 off the clock and ended with Holmes’ 1-yard run with an even 5:00 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. After forcing West Craven (3-4, 2-1) into a three-and-out, the Vikings closed the game by running out the final 4:06 of regulation.

Heading into the fourth quarter, Kinston only had five first downs; the Vikings picked up five in the final frame alone.

Kinston was outgained in the game on offense by the Eagles, 273-176, but was led by Justin Holloway’s legs (20 carries for 58 yards), Kieren Hooker’s arm (eight completions for 103 yards) and Jacobs’ hands (four receptions for 66 yards).

The Vikings will attempt to improve to 8-0 for only the second time in school history when they host Washington next week.

Kinston 14, West Craven 6

K          7          0          0          7          --         14

WC      0          6          0          0          --         6

1Q

K—Jacel Jacobs 1 run (Diego Patrino kick), 1:58

2Q

WC—Silas Wallace 8 run (kick failed), 8:37

4Q

K—Demetri Holmes 1 run (Patrino kick), 5:00

                                    K          WC

First downs                 10        13

Rushes-yards              38-73   35-117

Passes-comp-att         8-13-1 10-18-2

Passing yards              103      156

Total yards                  176      273

Penalties                     6-43     19-152

Punts                           3-20.3  3-34.5

Fumbles-lost               3-2       3-1

Individual statistics

Rushing: K—Justin Holloway 20-58, Kieren Hooker 11-15, Khari Pitts 1-3, Demetri Holmes 3-0, Jacel Jacobs 3-(minus-3). WC—Silas Wallace 13-60, Dontrayal Hill 14-50, Raquandre Johnson 2-18, Arthur Abrams 2-9, Latrell Campbell 1-3, Jonathan Ward 1-0, Trent Casey 2-(minus-23).

Passing: K—Hooker 8-13-1, 103. WC—Casey 10-18-2, 156

Receiving: K—Jacobs 4-66, Holloway 2-16, Holmes 1-12, Pitts 1-9. WC—Campbell 6-133, Jeremiah Murrell 1-17, Abrams 2-6, Hill 1-0.