Hoke has all-conference players in volleyball and tennis, while the football team posted a homecoming win.
Football
Hoke County got a homecoming win over Southern Lee, beating the Cavaliers, 20-16. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Bucks and gave Hoke its first conference win of the season. Hoke now stands at 2-6 on the year, 1-3 in the Sandhills.
Brandon Saunders threw a touchdown pass to Tycen Vick, and Favor Anab rushed for a score. Franajai Ransom returned a fumble 23 yards to complete the scoring. The Bucks defense also had an interception, by Raheem Neilly, and 10 sacks.
Next up for the Bucks is a game at Union Pines. Since becoming conference rivals, Hoke has won each of the last three seasons over the Vikings. Union Pines is having a breakout season this year, however, going 5-2, 2-1 in the Sandhills, good for second place. The Union Pines defense is The Vikings fell at Richmond last week, 27-8.
Boys’ soccer
The Hoke County boys once again split their two games on the soccer pitch last week.
The Bucks fell at home to Richmond, 2-1, then bounced back with a road win at Southern Lee, 4-1. Senior Jose Vazquez De La Cruz scored the team’s lone goal against Richmond on a penalty kick. He added an assist against Southern Lee, while goals were scored by senior David Hernandez, senior Riley Sutherland, junior Pedro Ramos-Alejandro and sophomore Joas Hernandez. Ramos-Alejandro also had an assist in the game.
Hoke is now 9-7-2, 3-5-1 in the Sandhills. The Bucks play two of their three remaining regular season games over the next seven days. They host Union Pines on Wednesday, then travel to Pinecrest next Monday. Union Pines is one spot ahead of Hoke in the Sandhills standings, in fourth place, while Pinecrest leads the league with an unbeaten conference record.
Volleyball
The Bucks’ volleyball team wrapped up the regular season with a 3-0 loss to Pinecrest. However, their finish in the Sandhills Conference—tied for third—earned the Bucks the opportunity to host a first-round game in the conference tournament.
Hoke made the most of it, knocking off Lee County, 3-0, to advance to round two, which was a rematch with Pinecrest on the road.
Three Hoke County players also earned spots on the Sandhills All Conference team: Senior Kayeliana Bonner, senior Abigail Watts and junior Aubrey Carpenter.
Watts led the Bucks in kills and aces and ranked third in digs and receptions.
Carpenter led in digs and receptions and was third in aces and assists.
Bonner was second on Hoke in kills, digs and aces.
Girls’ tennis
The tennis team also featured a player that earned all-conference team status from the Sandhills Athletic Conference. Junior Laura Pena-Laverde was named to the SAC All-conference Team for girls’ tennis.
