Tonight at Woodrow Wilhoit Stadium, the Union Pines Viking football team opens its Cape Fear Valley season against the visiting Overhills Jaguars. Kickoff for the conference contest is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Both the Vikings and Overhills come into the tilt off loses last week. The Jaguars (0-5) fell 34-12 to 3A Triton, a former CFV school from last season. Four of the team's losses are to 4A schools Lumberton (36-0), Harnett Central (66-32), West Johnston (37-13) and Moore County's own Pinecrest (42-18).

Despite playing a winless opponent, Vikes' head coach Ryan Riggan is leaving nothing to chance this week as he prepares his team.

"We went back to basics this week," Riggan said, "and added a couple of periods of ball security to our practice plan each day."

The Vikings committed three costly turnovers in last week's loss against Cardinal Gibbons and had a tough time during the majority of the game opening up the inner-three rushing lanes, allowing little space for their backs to maneuver through.

"Last week we had some problems up front," said Riggan. "So we moved some people around and used Marquis McKinney, one of our strongest defensive linemen, to simulate the size we will face, against Overhills, right on top of the ball."

Despite their record, Riggan senses the Jaguars are a dangerous football team that possesses a bevy of both strength and speed.

"After seeing the Jaguars on film," Riggan said, "you really have to wonder how they aren't winning games. They have a lot of talented athletes and some great size up front.

"We have been telling our guys all week that this Overhills squad can put one together whenever they want; and we really don't want it to be against us. We're really working to get our kids to approach every game with great intensity and understand how important every game is to us."

Meanwhile, Union Pines enters tonight's game coming off a 16-6 road loss last week to 3A Cardinal Gibbons. The Vikings are 3-2 on the year, having posted blow out victories over 1A Red Springs, and against 1A Yadkin Valley Conference schools North Moore and Chatham Central. Union Pines' other loss came in the Battle of the Pines IX, which saw the unbeaten 5-0 Pinecrest Patriots, defeat the Vikings 41-0 in Cameron.

Last Friday in Raleigh, Riggan felt Union Pines' inability to convert on third and fourth downs, coupled with its total of 12 penalties for 90 yards, was a deciding factor in the final outcome.

"I think mistakes will again be the story of tonight's game," said Riggan. "If we can limit penalties and turnovers, then we can have a lot of success against Overhills. They have a team with great size and speed and so we just have to execute our game plan to minimize the things they can do well."

According to Riggan, tonight the Vike defense will line up opposite an Overhills' offense that is well balanced with several weapons.

"The Jags have a very diverse offense," he said, "and can lineup in about 19 different formations. Their primary running back, C. C. Williams, has great hands, good speed and can break one (for a touchdown) every time he touches the ball.

"Williams' back field mate most of the time is Tyree Massey; he also has the play making ability to break loose for long runs on every carry. Finally, Christian Moultrie is their workhorse fullback. This kid carries the ball a ton and is very good at what he does."

Union Pines will likely look for senior LB/FS Justin Marshall to use his speed and savvy to again lead the Vike defense tonight, and help eliminate any "homerun" type plays.

Last week Marshall tallied ten tackles, including two sacks, two pass deflections and three touchdown-saving stops in the open field.

Riggan said the Jaguars defense could be the biggest, most athletic his team has played this season.

"Nearly all of their defensive linemen are around 300 pounds," he said, "and obviously that is much bigger than anything we have across our O-Line. They are fast and aggressive, which makes for a truly scary defense if you don't execute well offensively."

Riggan is confident in his team's ability as they enter tonight's conference opener.

"I feel really good about this game," he said. "I truly believe our kids are really ready to play and I am looking forward to getting back on the field to compete in front of our home crowd."

Contact F.W. Manning at 639-5481 or by e-mail at frankwm2@gmail.com