The game has the potential to continue starting conservations this week as the Jackets rallied in the second half, falling short by a touchdown and losing 42-35.

On Facebook alone more than 500 Jackets fans confirmed they would or may be going to the game.

Forty-five minutes before the 7:30 p.m. kickoff, more than 60 people were lined up at the ticket booth trying to beat the crowd.  Hundreds more were already in the bleachers.

By the start of the game it was standing room only on the home side of  Hoyle field.  About ninety percent of the crowd was dressed in black to support the team's Blackout Night.

For the Roanoke Rapids football program it was a show of community spirit and support.

A sea of black and gold.

Tarboro won the coin toss and deferred to the second half.

The crowd stood as one as Tyrell Everette took the opening kick from the 12 yard line to the Yellow Jackets' 28 but they couldn't move the ball and it was three and out as Owen Bridges trotted on the field to punt.

The snap from center was well over Bridges head and he deftly kicked the bouncing ball out of the endzone for a safety and a 2-0 Tarboro lead.

The Vikings returned Bridges’ free kick from the 20 to their own 40 yard line to start their first drive of the night.

Six plays later Todd Gurley capped the 60 yard drive on a 2-yard plunge over left tackle for a touchdown. Armando Gonzales’ extra point kick gave Tarboro a 9-0 lead at the 7:59 mark of the first quarter.

The Jackets started their next possession at their own 24.

Quarterback Justin Rawles was sacked on second and 7 and then hit as he threw on third and 18.

Bridges punted to the 50 yard line and the Vikings took over the ball for their second possession with excellent field position.

Five plays later Gurley scored his second touchdown of the night on a 4-yard run, capping a 50-yard drive by the Vikings.

The Jackets seemed to have no answers on defense and could not stop the quick hitting backs of Tarboro, whichnow led 16-0 after the extra point kick by Gonzales at the 4:15 mark of the first quarter.

The Jackets offense came to life and put together an 80 yard drive of their own.

Starting at their own 20 yard line Rawles threw a 20 yard pass to D.J. Epperson to the Jackets’ 40.

Rawles then connected on a 50 yard pass to A.J. Alston to the 10. Two plays later Temere Roundtree scored on a 4 yard touchdown run and Bridges kicked the point after. The Jackets trailed 16-7 with 2:45 left in the first.

The Vikings continued to stymie the Jackets’ special teams and defense as Markell Howard returned Bridges' kickoff to their own 45.

A personal foul penalty set the Vikings up with even better field position at the Roanoke Rapids 45.

Seven plays later Jamias Williams scored on a 3-yard run for a 22-7 lead at the 11:05 mark of the second quarter.

The extra point attempt was no good and things began to get out of hand for Roanoke Rapids.

The Viking rounded out the scoring in the first half on two Rawles interceptions.

The first was two plays after the ensuing kick, a 50 yard pick six by Markell Howell with 10:06 left.

Gonzales made it 29-7 with the extra point.

Rawles second interception was a 70 yard pick by Kendall Jacobs with under a minute left until intermission.

The point after was no good but the Vikings held a commanding 35-7 lead going into the locker room.

Instead of fans emptying the stadium, they stayed, despite the overwhelming Tarboro lead.

Said Coach Russell Weinstein after the game, "I really implored the team to come out in the second half with everything they had and win the second half, to salvage something positive out of the game. As upset as I was at them after the first half that's how proud I was of them after the second.  They stretched me like an emotional rubber band. I have told them as long as we have time on the clock our offense can put points on the board and win any game."

The Jackets weren’t interested in just winning the second half.  They came out of the locker room determined to win the game.

However, it did not look good just three plays into the third period as Tarboro scored on a three play 44 yard drive capped off by a 2 yard run by Chris Lane.  Gonzales kicked the extra point for a 42-7 lead.  But that was the last point Tarboro would score with 10:06 remaining in the third.

The Jackets started a 65 yard drive on their own 35.

On third and 13 from the Vikings’ 22, Rawles hit A.J. Alston on a post pattern for a touchdown.

Owens added the extra point and Roanoke Rapids was down by 28 with under 5 minutes left in the third.

Tarboro looked to go three and out on their next possession but the Jackets thwarted a fake punt attempt and took over the ball on the Tarboro 48 yard line.

With 30 seconds left in the quarter Rawles hit Epperson again for a 15 yard touchdown and the lead was 21 at 42-21 after the Bridges PAT and entering the final stanza.

D.J. Epperson stretches the ball out after a reception.

Five plays into the Vikings next drive the Jackets defense forced and recovered a fumble on the Roanoke Rapids 38.  After hitting Alston and Epperson for consecutive passes ,Rawles romped 14 yards for a touchdown with 6:04 left in regulation.

The Bridges kick made it 42-28, however, you could almost hear the clock ticking over the crowd noise.

Bridges kicked off deep as Tarboro had just one man back expecting an on side kick.

The lone kick receiver slipped and fell on the Tarboro 4 for terrible field position.

The Vikings went three and out and the Jackets got the ball back on their own 45 after the punt.

Rawles picked up 9 yards on a run, then Everette got 15 yards up the middle to the Tarboro 31.

Rawles passed to Stephen Vasser who was tackled at the 6 yard line.

It was first and goal Roanoke Rapids, down by 14 with 3:14 left in regulation.

After a 5 yard loss and a Jackets holding penalty it was 3rd and goal from the 14.

Rawles passed to Epperson at the 9 and then on fourth and goal he passed to Epperson again for a touchdown with just 1:07 on the clock.

The 35 point lead for the Vikings was now just 7 after the Bridges extra point. Roanoke Rapids now needed to successfully complete an on side kick.

It just wasn't meant to be.

Tarboro recovered the kick, took a knee a couple of times and the game was over, the score 42-35 Vikings.

Said Coach Weinstein, "Five more minutes ... it would have gotten interesting. I really think we wore down their defense.  Anyway, we got a good group. When we come out attacking from Jump Street, that's where we are at our best. Tonight we needed to walk out after that first half with dignity. We really dug a hole for ourselves. I was really proud of them after the second half."

Roanoke Rapids travels to Louisburg next week to begin conference play.