Who Is Rocky Mount's Biggest Rival in Football

Nash Central High School has brought about a change in the dynamics of who is the biggest rival for Rocky Mount.

Back in the 60s, there was no bigger game than Wilson Fike and Rocky Mount. There was a time when the winner thought the next step after winning the Fike-Rocky Mount game was a state championship.

Friday night will bring back the excitement of what use to be in the series. Years ago, the winner played in the playoffs and the loser started basketball practice.

Regardless of what happens, both teams have already qualified for the playoffs ,so the games lacks the winner-take-all aspect.

I know it means a lot to Southern Nash when Rocky Mount week occurs, but Rocky Mount has dominated the series over the years.

Northern Nash has fallen on hard times in football. Northern has gone down hill right when Rocky Mount was on the upswing.

Just six years ago the roles were reversed.

To hear the Northern people tell it, Nash Central is made up of what should be Northern players.

The Nash Central -Rocky Mount series will really get serious the first time Central beats Rocky Mount (6-0 RM leads). Until then, it's all Rocky Mount.

Do you think it is coincidence that SouthWest Edgecombe started rising as soon as Raymond Cobb moved south in the county?

That also coincided with B.W. Holt arriving in Rocky Mount.

I have heard that B.W. and Raymond have already agreed to play each other in a non-conference game next year when SouthWest moves to the Eastern Plains 2-A.

There is no doubt in my mind that the best football rivalry for Rocky Mount is with SouthWest Edgecombe.

After what I saw of their JV team, I will make a prediction right now that SouthWest wins the 2-A state championship next year.

One of the reasons the conference schedule rotated this year was to not have SWE and Rocky Mount play the first conference game.

When do you want to play them next year in non-conference?

I think it is safe to say that Greenville Rose and Hertford County are on the schedule next year. So where would you schedule them? The first game of the season or the last non-conference game? Toss in a first-ever football meeting with Washington for the Gryphons, too.

Southern Wayne and Northern Vance have dropped us. So for sure, one thing we need to find two cupcakes to fill out those two games.

Not saying that this is a cupcake game, but I would like to see Tarboro back on the schedule.

Fuel being the way it is, the closer you can stay home, the better for the schools and fans.

Beddingfield has been on the schedule in the past and we must find a replacement for Hunt who we will now play us as a conference game.

So who does that leave to try to play non-conference? South Central, D.H. Conley?

When you are a power like Rocky Mount has become, no one wants to play you unless they have to in the playoff.

Sometimes the stars line up just right for a team. This year needs to be the year for Rocky Mount. A senior-dominated squad during a five-year cycle that has produced great football.

In order for the stars to line up right, we need to beat one of our greatest all-time rivals to win the conference championship.

It can be done, but winning the state title is harder when you are a lower seed.