Under the bright lights of a college football season opener in Atlanta, two former Spartanburg High School (SHS) Vikings faced off, with William Joyce lining up for South Carolina and John Love for Virginia Tech. Once teammates under coach Mark Hodge, Joyce and Love now find themselves on opposing sidelines after completing their National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I season opener on Aug. 31, 2025.
Joyce, a kicker and punter for the South Carolina Gamecocks, and Love, a kicker for the Virginia Tech Hokies, both played important roles for their teams in the 24-11 game, which South Carolina won. Joyce nailed a 47-yard field goal in the second quarter to give South Carolina a brief lead, while Love responded with a clutch 42-yarder late in the third to tie the game.
Mark Hodge, head football coach at SHS, reflected on the significance of the moment.
“It was a special moment watching John and William play against each other. They were awesome student-athletes while here at SHS and even better young men. Both of them have worked hard at their craft and deserve every opportunity and accolade they get,” Hodge said. “It made it even more special that it was the only football game on in the country at the time they played. So, all eyes were on them. They represented themselves, their families, universities and SHS like they always have, with class and excellence. I look forward to watching them further compete and see how both young men change the world for the better.”
The matchup between South Carolina and Virginia Tech was more than just a battle between Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) contenders; it was a celebration of Spartanburg High’s legacy.
Nate Harris, assistant coach, admires the impact of the careers of Joyce and Love, which are a powerful recruiting tool, demonstrating that Viking players have a clear path to high-level athletics in college and beyond.
“It is rare to see two of the best collegiate kickers in the country come from the same high school. John Love and William Joyce not only set the standard on the field, but they have also been two of the best role models our program could ask for,” Coach Harris said.
Joyce’s journey to becoming South Carolina’s kicking specialist and 2025 starting placekicker is especially inspiring. Kicking off his fifth year with the program, originally a walk-on, he earned his spot through persistence and dedication. Before this season, Joyce had primarily served as a backup kicker, punter and holder. This kind of determination serves as a valuable lesson for any student-athlete aspiring to reach the next level.
In the ACC, Love continues to shine as the Hokies’ steady placekicker. He became the Hokies’ starting placekicker in 2023, where he made 22 of 24 field goal attempts, an accuracy rate that ranked him sixth in the country and second in the ACC. He ended the 2024 season with one of the highest field goal percentages in the ACC, including a 60-yard field goal that ranks second longest in school history. He returned this year with early success, consistently contributing points with both field goals and points after touchdown.
Jackson Pingley (11), current SHS student, watched the game in awe of the alumni, seeing the game as a powerful inspiration in their own sport.
“It is cool that two former Spartan High alums both made it to a Power Four conference at the Division 1 level. They inspire me because they made it to college football, and they might even make it to the NFL, so that pushes me to do more as well,” Pingley said.
While the scoreboard told the story of a football game, the real story for Spartanburg High School is one of shared roots. Their journeys from Viking teammates to college rivals are reminders that greatness can come from anywhere.
