Reality Check Time

I am not a big fan of taking a week off after non-conference play before opening the conference schedule.

Now the Gryphons will not have an open week due to the lack of TVs in Vance County where nobody knew a storm was coming.

Instead, our open week has come before what has to be the biggest game of the regular season for the Rocky Mount High football team.

Two impressive victories have come and gone and it seems like a month ago since we played Hunt.

This game will not make or break the Gryphons, but it will go a long way telling us how good this team could be.

Last year's game with Rose was much like the Carolina Panthers -San Diego Chargers game this past Sunday.

Nobody thought that Carolina had a chance, but in the end, everyone found out Carolina is a lot better than any one thought.

Who would have thought that Rocky Mount had a chance and yet, the Gryphons won 17-7 last season.

Friday night will give us some idea whether we are really a deep playoff team or a pretender.

We do not have to win the game, but if it goes down to the final seconds and the winner is not decided until then, then this will tell me this Gryphon team will be OK come playoff time, barring major injuries.

If Rose dominates from the get-go and and we are never a threat to win, then we are nowhere near as good as we think we are.

If when all the smoke clears and the Gryphons get on the bus to come home with a victory, then this really could be a special team.

It has worked out that the last two times when we have beaten Rose, we have a 20-0 regular season record - last year and in 2004 combined.

What does that tell me? Rocky Mount has to be pretty good to beat Rose - anytime.

I hope the Gryphon faithful come out in droves Friday night.

Barring more rain, the JVs play Thursday night and their 23-game winning streak will be put to the ultimate test.

We are experiencing the good old days right now with the level of quality football that B.W Holt has brought to Rocky Mount.

Don't miss out - see ya at both games ...