Level Headed

There was no mad dash around the field by the players after Rocky Mount's stunning victory over Rose.

The stunning part was how dominating the effort was.

Coach B.W.Holt had told the team all week that this Rose team was beatable and that they must respect them or they could still beat the Gryphons.

Pregame chatter by the Rose coaches was that if we were as good as advertised, Rocky Mount would win.

You always listen to that kind of talk as if they are setting you up for a surprise. No surprise. The Gryphons were as good as advertised.

Regardless of what sport or business you are in, assistant coaches or management always talks the talk of the company line.

In the locker room after the game, the chatter was we did what we had to do. We can still improve.

One of those impressive things about this team so far this year has been when they needed four yards for a first down, they got six. If they needed 15, they got 18.

This team is playing as if they have blinders on. They see the finish line and they are doing what is necessary to cross the line first.

What I saw was a team after the game that knows last night was just one game - it meant nothing other than another win. It did not guarantee a playoff spot or even a top-seeding for winning.

Next week is much more important in that regard because Hertford County is a road block to winning the State Championship. That is of course if we both wind up in the 3-A or 3-AA bracket together.

Last Friday, Sept. 5, the 10th day of the school year, was the day in which the daily attendance is sent to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction. The NCHSAA will later get those numbers and schools will be lined up from biggest to smallest. The halfway point in each classification will be drawn and the top half will be AA and the lower half A.

If you remember, we were only three schools before the break line between A and AA last year, so it is going to be close either way again this year.

The Hertford County game will be the fourth game of the season and the Gryphons have not played a game yet against a team with a loss.

The Gryphon defense has been dominate. This is a senior-laden group and are playing as if it has been their before.

I think they call that experienced.

I think it is hard to imagine, but if last year's team would line up against this year's team, it would be a two-touchdown game for this year's squad.

We were 14-1 last year. Now that is scary!

We have had a difficult time over the past few years making it the whole season with one quarterback.

If Collins Cuthrell stays healthy, this offense may break last year's record-breaking year by a landslide.

Thursday night at the JV game, while talking with Holt, we were talking about our backs and he made the statement,."we don't have a great back in the bunch, but we got a whole lot of good ones."

I would advise everyone to tell your neighbors Friday night's game against the Bears of Hertford County could very well be the eastern state championship preview. Get there early..

The main thing is .... Be there!!!!!!