Tarboro Meets Their Match

The Tarboro Vikings quest for their 4th straight state title fell short  at the hands of the Mustangs of East Lincoln 24-20.  Tarboro fumbled four times in the first half and lost three of them  and then once again in the second half which they lost also.

Two of those first half fumbles cost the Vikings at least 12 points because one occurred at the five yard line and the other at the nine taking away what would have been enough points to win the game.  The four fumbles in the first half were more fumbles than what the Viking had put on the ground in their previous four playoff games.

The Mustang quarterback Garrett Young complete 12 of his 18 tosses in the first half and every one seemed to be bigger than the one before.  Garrett's two touchdown tosses enabled the Mustangs to lead 17-6 at the half.

The Vikings played the third quarter the way they have played every other playoff game this year and had regained the lead 20-17 by the end of the third quarter.  The Viking Defense held Garrett to only 2-12 passing in the third quarter but after the Vikings took the lead Garrett had one more drive left in him and took the Mustangs for the winning touchdown with 7:55 to play going four for six passing on the drive.

The Viking made two fourth down plays on their final drive that started at their own 27 but were faced with a fourth and two at the Mustangs 20 yard  line with 1:15 to play and Quinton Roberson was stopped in the back field and the Viking dominance of the 2-A state titles was over.  Roberson had 27 carries on the day for 205 yards.

Sure did look like Tarboro was on their way after a bad snap from the shotgun went out of the endzone for the Mustangs and Tarboro cut the lead to 17-8 early in the third quarter.  The only drive that East Lincoln had in the third quarter resulted in a Tarboro interceptions which they brought out to their 21 yard line. In quick order Tarboro took it to the house to cut the lead to 17-14 but Young threw another interception in which Tarboro Tarboro returned 40 yards.  That set up a Tra Marshall touchdown run and Tarboro was in the lead .

The Vikings lost four fumbles in the game.  Missed all three of their two point conversions.  I don't care how good you are four turnovers against a very good football team is hard for anybody to win.  The Tarboro Vikings sandwich three state title between two state title losses as East Lincoln is the 2-A State Champs a 24-20 winner over Tarboro.