RALEIGH –

The vision came during coach Jeff Craddock’s major crossroad as a coach at Tarboro High.

His close friend, Mike Schott, just had left the Vikings’ program to return to Ohio, and Craddock had a similar choice to make: Either he would think about leaving, or he would step out of his comfort zone as an assistant and become the head coach.

The Lord intervened, and Craddock, who wears his faith as proudly as he wears championship rings, knew he would be successful if he stayed in Tarboro.

“I give the Lord all the credit,” Craddock said. “I know people get tired of hearing it, but I’m going to keep saying it. It was true. He gave me the vision, and it wasn’t a state championship. It was state championships. He has led me down the path and showed me how to lead and motivate.”

Three state championships later, Craddock obviously made the right choice.

Tarboro’s 39-36 victory against Lincolnton on Saturday in the NCSHAA 2-A state championship was about stepping into roles and fulfilling dreams.

Eight years ago, the Vikings knew they wanted to win a state title, but they lacked true vision.

Craddock has been a master of meshing his dreams with the aspirations of 16-, 17- and 18-year-old athletes.

How else can one explain four consecutive state title appearances, and after Saturday’s thrilling victory, a third straight championship?

It’s about being selfless, and the 2011 Tarboro squad had plenty of examples.

There is senior Larry Jones, who by Craddock’s admission, worked harder than any other player in the offseason. Jones earned the starting quarterback job to open the season, but when the coaching staff felt he could be used more effectively on defense, Jones didn’t argue.

He parlayed that into an effective second half of the season, and against Lincolnton, he earned the Oustanding Offensive Player award.

He did what a Viking does.

There is junior Aaron Moore, who played junior varsity last season and did not participate in the postseason after an illness affected his legs, stamina and ability to run. Moore took on the role of quarterback, and the Vikings’ king of improv made a game-changing 54-yard pass to Quentin Roberson last week to help his team beat South Columbus for the East Region title.

On Saturday, Moore was at it again, finding Tyquan Lewis at the last second of a scramble for a 5-yard touchdown. On a fourth-and-8 with less than five minutes to play, he found Lewis with a precision pass for a first down that kept the game-winning drive alive.

He did what a Viking does.

Larry Brown started the team’s last five games at safety on a defense that made game-saving stops almost every week through the playoffs run.

Antanie Arnold and D.J. Harris, two names that don’t always fill up the stats sheet, impressed Craddock with their play at linebacker.

They did what Vikings do.

Ced Ilo said he has dreamed of being an MVP in the state championship game, and Saturday, the senior finished with eight tackles and smiled wide as he held his Outstanding Defensive Player award.

Tarboro can be glad that Craddock didn’t fight the vision put before him.

It’s apparent watching Tarboro that 50-plus players and coaches – and even a whole town – can benefit from a pair of obedient ears.

“It’s amazing,” Craddock said. “These kids, somehow, managed to over-exceed even their own expectations. They just go out there and find a way to play great and make plays.”

Sports EditorJessie H. Nunery can be reached at 407-9959 or jhnunery@rmtelegram.com.

Nunery