Hoggard rolls past Jordan 40-14 to advance to third round of 8A playoffs

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Hoggard Vikings are moving on to the third round of the North Carolina high school football playoffs after a commanding 40-14 victory over the Jordan Falcons on Friday night.

After earning a first-round bye, the conference champion Vikings returned to action at home against the No. 6 seed Falcons out of Durham in the second round of the Class 8A playoffs.

Hoggard wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, as Judah Gillespie found the end zone on the Vikings’ opening possession. The extra-point attempt was unsuccessful, giving Hoggard an early 6-0 lead.

In the second quarter, Jordan’s defense managed to hold the Vikings to a field goal, with Kanoa McGee connecting to extend Hoggard’s lead to 9-0.

However, a costly illegal kick by Jordan resulted in a safety, giving Hoggard two more points and possession of the ball.

The Vikings capitalized on the opportunity, as Malachi Hansley-Roland scored another touchdown. Quarterback Matthew Boring then connected with Desyn “The Duce” Durand for a successful two-point conversion, pushing the lead to 19-0.

Jordan made a quarterback change, bringing in Jonah Witherspoon, but Hoggard’s defense continued to apply pressure.

On the offensive side, Durand helped move the chains with an impressive run before Gillespie punched in his second touchdown of the night.

Hoggard entered halftime with a commanding 26-0 advantage.

The Vikings kept their momentum rolling in the third quarter when Nakula O’Conner hauled in a touchdown reception, extending the lead to 33-0.

Hoggard went on to secure the 40-14 victory, keeping its state championship hopes alive and advancing to the third round of the Class 8A playoffs.