Neuse News held first football livestream Friday
Parker Mitchell, right, and Graham Hill broadcasted the first “Neuse News Game of the Week” livestream at North Lenoir Friday. Screenshot of the Facebook Live broadcast.
Graham Hill and Parker Mitchell had a chance to make history in Lenoir County Friday.
The two broadcasted the first “Neuse News Game of the Week,” presented by Magic Mile Screen Printing and sponsored in part by Lenoir Community College and DEPS - Down East Protection Systems, as North Lenoir defeated Greene Central 22-8. Chris Decker, Brandon Potter, Knijaa Cobb and Travis Towne helped with the audio and visual efforts, with Hill and Mitchell giving play-by-play, along with analysis of Friday’s match as the Hawks improved to 6-0 for the first time this season.
Mitchell, who participated in his first live broadcast, said he was excited about being a part of the initial football livestream in the area, along with the reception.
“There were over 100 comments, Brandon was getting text messages from business owners about how to sponsor the show, and Graham and I had a couple of friends hit us up about the broadcast,” Mitchell said. “One friends’ parents were watching the game from Emerald Isle and it was cool to see how many people tuned in. I’m glad everything went down the way it did.”
As of Saturday afternoon, there were more than 2,800 views, 130 comments and 45 shares from Friday night’s broadcast, and at one point 157 live viewers tuned in. Among the viewers was Michael Chastain, who complimented the two and watched while he was at the game.
“When the play goes to the other end of the field, I pull the ole phone out and watch the broadcast,” Chastain commented on the livestream thread. “I got stuck on the 10-yard line.”
Mary Hill commented on the quality of the broadcast.
“The tech guys have done a great job getting this video (and) audio set up,” Hill commented.
Graham Hill said the support has been unbelievable and he’s thankful the hard work him and Mitchell put together paid off.
“It’s one of those things you can’t believe you pulled off looking back,” Hill said. “Parker and I had a lot of pressure and adversity getting sponsors for the broadcast, and I have to thank Chris, Brandon and Travis for helping us pull it off. They did a tremendous job with the livestream.”
Hill said he wasn’t too surprised with the reception.
“I knew once people heard what we were doing, and that nothing like this had been done in Lenoir County, we would be able to get a big audience,” Hill said. “We really appreciate everyone who tuned in.”
To learn more about supporting Graham and Parker by sponsoring the Neuse News Game of the Week, please email info@neusenews.com.
