Multi-Tasking

I really hate to hear that Chad Smith is leaving Northern Nash and the area at school's end.

Being on the Rocky Mount coaching staff for four years, I got to know Chad and I am disappointed for him that the Northern gig did not work out for him.

I know many at Rocky Mount High remember Martha (Sykes) Proctor when she worked in the athletic office at RMHS. She is now at North Carolina Wesleyan working for athletic director John Thompson. Tuesday, she underwent a heart cauterization at Wake Med.

With homecoming going on this coming weekend at NCWC, I know she will and is greatly missed and if all goes well, she may be home on Friday.

You know the way the Gryphons keep breaking records, it is hard to keep up with all of them. There is one that has slipped by all of us and that is the record for most consecutive PATs made.

The record has been held by Howard McCullough since 1971 of 16 straight. Senior Nick Hahula has not missed an extra point since the third quarter of the Northern Vance game. He made one in the fourth quarter and the new string was started. After making seven more against Fike last week, he has now made 24 in a row.

You know one of the great successes this team has enjoyed this year is that Nick's has only punted 18 times all year for almost a 40-yard average. And his kickoffs, over two-thirds have been in the end zone, so the opposing team goes out and starts 80 yards away from the goal.

As begrudging as this defense is (ony allowing 6.5 points a game), the further you are from the goal line, the less likely you will get any points at all.

That is a great advantage for the defense. You know last year, one of the weakest parts of our defense was kickoff coverage where teams were starting on their 40 or beyond. I don't know the exact number ,but I can only think of three times all year a team has gotten beyond their own 40.

This year's squad is predominately seniors, so now is as good a time as the Gryphons are going to get to win a state championship.

With that in mind there are only five more possible games this season. This team has played like they were on a mission.

The first game of the playoffs they sit on the launch pad ready to sky rocket into history. Let's play these next five like we played the first 11.

Tonight, I will be at Rocky Mount High as I will be covering the wrestling match with Rose. This will be the first time I have ever covered wrestling.

In order to get as many sports as possible covered on the Stretchlon Sports Show, just this year alone I have cover volleyball and soccer for the first time.

Over the years, of course, I have covered football, basketball, baseball, softball and also a 10K race. You talking about and unusual event to cover on radio - that will be a good subject one day when the sports world is slow.

I enjoy high school wrestling and can't understand how a fake entertainment like the WWE is so popular when there is really no competition at all.