Union Pines travels to Pittsboro tonight for a nonconference pigskin contest against the 2-A Northwood Chargers at 7:30 p.m.

Currently riding a five-game losing skid, Viking head coach Ryan Riggan and his young charges have to be somewhat pleased to be venturing out of 3-A Cape Fear Valley Conference league competition.

Over the past five weeks, its conference opponents have constantly pounded Union Pines on both sides of the football. The result has been five league losses with a point differential of 238-73.

Last week, Union Pines fell 57-25 to Southern Lee (6-3) in a league game played at Woodrow Wilhoit Stadium in Cameron. In that tilt, turnovers played a large role in the Vikings’ demise for a second time in three weeks as the Cavaliers turned three Union Pines’ first-half miscues into 22 points.

Three weeks ago, Union Pines committed seven turnovers in a 40-14 conference loss at Westover.

Meanwhile, the Chargers carry a 2-6 record with them into tonight’s gridiron matchup. Northwood dropped a 35-7 decision at home to South Granville (4-5) last week in Carolina-12 Conference action. The loss snapped a two-game Charger winning streak, which included a 28-20 victory over Carrboro High and a 40-14 win against Granville Central.

On a positive note for the Vikings, they are 7-1 over the last three seasons when dropping down in classification for nonconference games.

Another encouraging sign was the performance turned in by quarterback Braxton Ross in the final quarter of last week’s game. After starting the first six games of the season, the junior was benched by Riggan in favor of senior Zak Rodriguez. In his first action since losing his starting position, Ross completed three of his five passing attempts for 46 yards, including a touchdown toss.

The Vikings take a 2-7 record overall (0-5 CFVC) into tonight’s game.