Any one who thought Rocky Mount football was falling off the face of the earth got a big surprise. No, the Gryphons didn't look like State champions but they beat an average 4-A school at their place. Good start for the Gryphons
Tarboro has yet to give up a point. Nash Central and Washington both 3-A schools should have main street in Tarboro jumping with excitement at the thoughts of getting back to the state championship game.
Southwest Edgecombe is about where everyone thought they would be. They get out of the conference with Rocky Mount but now find Tarboro and Kinston replaces them. Whether they win their conference or not the Cougars will play at least to Thanksgiving if not longer.
Hunt is the new team on the block in the newly formed Big East 3-A. They are not new to any body as everyone has always played them non-conference any way. They ripped Fike Friday which is their second slaughter of the new season. Hunt is back, if they ever went any where?
Southern Nash was voted by the Big East coaches to finish second in the league. Their first two games both victories has done nothing to dampen their expectations. It has been a while since the Firebirds have competed for the title.
Northern Nash is competing hard. Defense is doing all it can to help them win. If their offense finds where the end zone is, Northern could be a pain in the butt for everyone. they must find a way to score.
Fike's coach during the coaches meeting admitted that they would not be very good. They haven't been even though they won their first game. Wins are going to be few and far between for the Golden Demons.
Nash Central is still trying to figure out what they do best, Run or pass. They will improve once they figure one or the other or maybe it's both. Right now the Bulldogs are treading water trying to stay alive.
The early results are in and to this point there is no major surprise for me. Everyone still has four non-conference games left to figure out what they do best. It's not the first half of the schedule that gets you in the playoffs but those last five games when you play conference. The non-conference is good only for seeding purposes.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Good Start For Gryphons, Schock
Regardless of how long Dickie Schock coaches at Rocky Mount, at least for the next couple of years, he will always be compared with B.W. Holt. Tonight, Schock's Gryphons started a new era of football with a 30-14 win at Northern Durham.
Holt's first effort at Rocky Mount could only put up 28 against Wilson Hunt, but he won also 28-19.
The Gryphons wasted little time as they took their opening two drives of the night down the field and scored, first on a Marquavis Alston 5-yard run and the second on a 5-yard run by Jamor Parker. Having yet to find a replacement for Nick Hahula on extra points, the Gryphons went for two both times and were stopped short.
Northern Durham ran a spread offense that I compared to going to a baseball game this summer at Northern Nash and fighting the gnats. Its short passing game annoyed us all night, but we were able to put up with it.
Finally at the 5.03 mark to go in the half, Northern scored to cut the lead to 12-7 on a 4-yard run. Like last season, whenever anyone scored on us, we would respond and go right back and get the score back and that is what the Gryphons did Saturday night. They responded with a nine-play, 69-yard drive to score with 1.20 to go in the half. The Gryphons led 18-7 at intermission.
The Knights' second drive of the third quarter was a nine-play drive that culminated in a Andy Henry to Anthony Burton 11-yard slant pass for a score to edge closer at 18-14.
The Gryphons came right back with an 11-play, 58-yard march and Quay Alston score his second score to jump the lead back to 24-14.
Northern responded and drove to the door step of the goal line, but the Gryphons held on a fourth down play at the half-yard line. The Gryphons punted, but only out to the 34-yard line. The defense then slammed the door shut and RMHS took over at its 45..
The Gryphons took three Alston runs of nine, 45 and one yards to add six more to the boards and to win by 16 points.
The Gryphons, however, were 0-5 in two-point conversion attempts. Spencer Bell, who caught a 15-yard pass in the first quarter, injured his shoulder in the first quarter and the Northern doctors on the sideline think he has fractured it. An MRI is coming Monday. Bell broke his nose late in the Gryphon varsity baseball season and he wore a contraption all summer in Junior Legion ball in order to be healthy for football.
Alston had 22 carries for 123 yards. Jordan Ford tallied eight carries for 101 yards. Collins Cuthrell had five totes for 17 yards as was five out of 10 passing for 58 yards.
Diandre Harris had two catches, Bell one, Ford one and Brandon Jones one catch.
Northern completed 22-of-38 passes for 238 yards and squeezed in another 122 yards rushing in the loss. The Gryphons had 242 yards rushing and added 58 passing.
The Gryphons play their home opener Thusrday at 7 p.m.
Holt's first effort at Rocky Mount could only put up 28 against Wilson Hunt, but he won also 28-19.
The Gryphons wasted little time as they took their opening two drives of the night down the field and scored, first on a Marquavis Alston 5-yard run and the second on a 5-yard run by Jamor Parker. Having yet to find a replacement for Nick Hahula on extra points, the Gryphons went for two both times and were stopped short.
Northern Durham ran a spread offense that I compared to going to a baseball game this summer at Northern Nash and fighting the gnats. Its short passing game annoyed us all night, but we were able to put up with it.
Finally at the 5.03 mark to go in the half, Northern scored to cut the lead to 12-7 on a 4-yard run. Like last season, whenever anyone scored on us, we would respond and go right back and get the score back and that is what the Gryphons did Saturday night. They responded with a nine-play, 69-yard drive to score with 1.20 to go in the half. The Gryphons led 18-7 at intermission.
The Knights' second drive of the third quarter was a nine-play drive that culminated in a Andy Henry to Anthony Burton 11-yard slant pass for a score to edge closer at 18-14.
The Gryphons came right back with an 11-play, 58-yard march and Quay Alston score his second score to jump the lead back to 24-14.
Northern responded and drove to the door step of the goal line, but the Gryphons held on a fourth down play at the half-yard line. The Gryphons punted, but only out to the 34-yard line. The defense then slammed the door shut and RMHS took over at its 45..
The Gryphons took three Alston runs of nine, 45 and one yards to add six more to the boards and to win by 16 points.
The Gryphons, however, were 0-5 in two-point conversion attempts. Spencer Bell, who caught a 15-yard pass in the first quarter, injured his shoulder in the first quarter and the Northern doctors on the sideline think he has fractured it. An MRI is coming Monday. Bell broke his nose late in the Gryphon varsity baseball season and he wore a contraption all summer in Junior Legion ball in order to be healthy for football.
Alston had 22 carries for 123 yards. Jordan Ford tallied eight carries for 101 yards. Collins Cuthrell had five totes for 17 yards as was five out of 10 passing for 58 yards.
Diandre Harris had two catches, Bell one, Ford one and Brandon Jones one catch.
Northern completed 22-of-38 passes for 238 yards and squeezed in another 122 yards rushing in the loss. The Gryphons had 242 yards rushing and added 58 passing.
The Gryphons play their home opener Thusrday at 7 p.m.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Opening Night Delayed
The Rocky Mount Gryphons were in the process of unloading the bus when a thunderstorm sent an already on the field Northern Durham team scrambling for cover.
The Storm hit right at 6.30pm and dumped a heavy rain on Durham County Stadium. County Stadium is under going a eight million dollar renovation. There is an artificial surface on the field. The track which surrounds the field is laid out but is only dirt.
The PA announced at 7.10pm the game had been postponed while lightening was still in the area. The rain was almost gone. By rule you can't come on the field until thirty minutes after the lightening stops. We may have been able to play around 8.00pm or maybe 8.30 pm and since the field is artificial they was no problem with the playing conditions of the field
Gryphons now must return to Northern Durham for a 6.00pm kick off Saturday night
Seems everyone played last night but us as Northern Nash hosted Cary at Death Valley. Now with two games in the books Northern offense can't move the ball enough to help the defense. The defense did all it could do, but Cary scores in the fourth quarter to beat Northern 7-0.
Nash Central found Smithfield Selma acting like Tarboro in the first quarter jumping to a 14-0 lead over the Bulldogs. Too big a lead and Nash Central falls to 0-2 losing at home 27-7 to the Spartans.
If you saw my predictions Friday I said that the Fike-Hunt game would tell us a lot about the Big East 3-A this year. Having last week predicted Fike to only win one conference game and Hunt to lose only one. All you need to know is Hunt 48- Fike 0
Bunn traveled to Southern Nash and Bunn looked as if they would win their first game of the season but down by two touchdown the Firbirds rally beating Bunn 24-22.
Southwest Edgecombe had their way with Curritick winning 52-6. A little further up the road in Washington Tarboro pitches their second shutout of the season beating the Pam Pack 31-0.
I failed to mention this on Friday but the JV Gryhons nailed Northern Durham's jv's Thursday night 30-6. They don't play again until Thursday September 10th as they host Hertford County. Next week's jv game was cancelled when Northampton East had to drop their jv team and move those players to the varsity to make sure Northamton east had enough varsity players. It must have worked as they beat Perquimans Friday night.
Kickoff of the 2009 Rocky Mount High School footbll season is now at 6.00pm tonight at County Stadium in Durham. Our pregame coverages starts at 5.30 on am 1390
The Storm hit right at 6.30pm and dumped a heavy rain on Durham County Stadium. County Stadium is under going a eight million dollar renovation. There is an artificial surface on the field. The track which surrounds the field is laid out but is only dirt.
The PA announced at 7.10pm the game had been postponed while lightening was still in the area. The rain was almost gone. By rule you can't come on the field until thirty minutes after the lightening stops. We may have been able to play around 8.00pm or maybe 8.30 pm and since the field is artificial they was no problem with the playing conditions of the field
Gryphons now must return to Northern Durham for a 6.00pm kick off Saturday night
Seems everyone played last night but us as Northern Nash hosted Cary at Death Valley. Now with two games in the books Northern offense can't move the ball enough to help the defense. The defense did all it could do, but Cary scores in the fourth quarter to beat Northern 7-0.
Nash Central found Smithfield Selma acting like Tarboro in the first quarter jumping to a 14-0 lead over the Bulldogs. Too big a lead and Nash Central falls to 0-2 losing at home 27-7 to the Spartans.
If you saw my predictions Friday I said that the Fike-Hunt game would tell us a lot about the Big East 3-A this year. Having last week predicted Fike to only win one conference game and Hunt to lose only one. All you need to know is Hunt 48- Fike 0
Bunn traveled to Southern Nash and Bunn looked as if they would win their first game of the season but down by two touchdown the Firbirds rally beating Bunn 24-22.
Southwest Edgecombe had their way with Curritick winning 52-6. A little further up the road in Washington Tarboro pitches their second shutout of the season beating the Pam Pack 31-0.
I failed to mention this on Friday but the JV Gryhons nailed Northern Durham's jv's Thursday night 30-6. They don't play again until Thursday September 10th as they host Hertford County. Next week's jv game was cancelled when Northampton East had to drop their jv team and move those players to the varsity to make sure Northamton east had enough varsity players. It must have worked as they beat Perquimans Friday night.
Kickoff of the 2009 Rocky Mount High School footbll season is now at 6.00pm tonight at County Stadium in Durham. Our pregame coverages starts at 5.30 on am 1390
Friday, August 28, 2009
Finally, A Football Friday
Two of the four Southern Nash Soccer players involved in the Wednesday afternoon auto crash while on the way to a soccer match were released from a Wilson hospital yesterday. Two others remain at Wake Med in Raleigh.
Gryphon girls volley ball team vision of an undefeated season came tumbling down yesterday at SouthWest Edgecombe. Lady Gryphons lost in four sets.
Rocky Mount @ Northern Durham
Northern Nash @ Cary
Smithfield Selma at Nash Central
Bunn@ Southern Nash
Fike @ Hunt
Tarboro @ Washington
Currituck @Southwest Edgecombe
Rocky Mount @ Northern Durham: If you remember I was scared to death of the opening game last year against E. Forsyth. The Knights were beaten by 34 last week which means they have a game under their belt. Don’t expect this team to average forty per game or only give up seven points all year in first quarter. Gryphons 27 Northern Durham 14.
Northern Nash @Cary: Northern Nash is a better football team this year over last. They cannot afford injuries to anyone. I don’t think this week is the week that we see that improvement show up with a win. Cary 32 Northern Nash 20
Smithfield Selma @ Nash Central: Last year the Bulldogs surprised SSS the week after Tarboro had devoured them. Tarboro did a number on the Bulldogs last week, but this year the Spartans will get revenge. SSS 26 Nash Central 19.
Bunn @ Southern Nash: Last week Bunn lost, Southern Nash won despite a poor mental effort. Bunn wins at Firebird country. Bunn 36 Southern Nash 20.
Fike @ Hunt: This game will go a long way in viewing the tea leaves of the future. This is a non-conference affair between new Big East members. We will get a good idea who has what in Wilson County. The economic picture playing your biggest rival twice in a season may be the wave of the future. Hunt 27 Fike 13
Tarboro @ Washington: These two have played each other forever. Tarboro is riding the crest of high level of play. The Vikes continue their winning ways. Tarboro 34 Washington 16.
Currituck @ Southwest Edgecombe: Currituck has a long ride just to play this game. It will be an even farther ride home as the Cougars will pound Curritck. SWE 44 Currituck 12.
If you are not planning to travel to Durham to see the 2009 Gryphon football team tonight don’t forget that WEED Radio 1390 will once again provide the time and Wes Bradshaw and my self will be the time fillers as coverage of Rocky Mount football begins. We will begin at the top of the nineteenth hour(7.00pm) for the mentally challenged.
This is the third time these two teams have ever met. Hear who leads the series tonight during the pregame show as I present the Gyphon facts sometime around 7.15.
Kickoff is set for 7.30pm.
Gryphon girls volley ball team vision of an undefeated season came tumbling down yesterday at SouthWest Edgecombe. Lady Gryphons lost in four sets.
Rocky Mount @ Northern Durham
Northern Nash @ Cary
Smithfield Selma at Nash Central
Bunn@ Southern Nash
Fike @ Hunt
Tarboro @ Washington
Currituck @Southwest Edgecombe
Rocky Mount @ Northern Durham: If you remember I was scared to death of the opening game last year against E. Forsyth. The Knights were beaten by 34 last week which means they have a game under their belt. Don’t expect this team to average forty per game or only give up seven points all year in first quarter. Gryphons 27 Northern Durham 14.
Northern Nash @Cary: Northern Nash is a better football team this year over last. They cannot afford injuries to anyone. I don’t think this week is the week that we see that improvement show up with a win. Cary 32 Northern Nash 20
Smithfield Selma @ Nash Central: Last year the Bulldogs surprised SSS the week after Tarboro had devoured them. Tarboro did a number on the Bulldogs last week, but this year the Spartans will get revenge. SSS 26 Nash Central 19.
Bunn @ Southern Nash: Last week Bunn lost, Southern Nash won despite a poor mental effort. Bunn wins at Firebird country. Bunn 36 Southern Nash 20.
Fike @ Hunt: This game will go a long way in viewing the tea leaves of the future. This is a non-conference affair between new Big East members. We will get a good idea who has what in Wilson County. The economic picture playing your biggest rival twice in a season may be the wave of the future. Hunt 27 Fike 13
Tarboro @ Washington: These two have played each other forever. Tarboro is riding the crest of high level of play. The Vikes continue their winning ways. Tarboro 34 Washington 16.
Currituck @ Southwest Edgecombe: Currituck has a long ride just to play this game. It will be an even farther ride home as the Cougars will pound Curritck. SWE 44 Currituck 12.
If you are not planning to travel to Durham to see the 2009 Gryphon football team tonight don’t forget that WEED Radio 1390 will once again provide the time and Wes Bradshaw and my self will be the time fillers as coverage of Rocky Mount football begins. We will begin at the top of the nineteenth hour(7.00pm) for the mentally challenged.
This is the third time these two teams have ever met. Hear who leads the series tonight during the pregame show as I present the Gyphon facts sometime around 7.15.
Kickoff is set for 7.30pm.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Crash Injures Four Firebirds
Four Southern Nash High school socccer players were injured Wednesday afternoon when the car they were riding left the highway and traveled several hundred feet until it clipped the corner of a mobile home and came to rest unside down.
The four players were returning to school to join their teammates as they were preparing to leave to go to a soccer game in Roanoke Rapids. According to a news report last night on WRAL-TV the highway patrol estimated the speed of the car at close to eighty miles per hour. The speed limit in that section of Nash County is fifty five.
Luckily the four players do not have life threatening injuries but they do have broken bones. The players were indentified as Jose Salazar,Daniel Arroyo,Leonicio Guerro Jr and Jesus Rody.
Even more amazing that no one in the mobile home was injured nor anyone else as the car traveled through several yards.
The soccer game with Roanoke Rapids was postponed.
Just about every school at some point in time has a tradegy strike them. My senoir year just six days before my graduation from high school four boys were killed, two of them in my senior class.
Yesterday's soccer game for Rocky Mount with Rose was not played.
Tonight JV football host Northern Durham at 7.00pm at the stadium. I will not be on PA tonight as the Tar River Children Chorus has a meeting about their 2009/2010 season. The Concert Chorus will be preforming on stage at Disney World Memorial Day weekend next year and tonight starts the first group effort to find funding for their trip.
If in the future you hear of a concert in the area that The Tar River Children's Chorus is performing I would urge you to attend. These young people are talented and are lead by the most Christian person I know in Patsy Gilliland.
They practice every Thursday night during the school year and do several Christmas concerts as well as end of the year. The new year begins tonight.
The four players were returning to school to join their teammates as they were preparing to leave to go to a soccer game in Roanoke Rapids. According to a news report last night on WRAL-TV the highway patrol estimated the speed of the car at close to eighty miles per hour. The speed limit in that section of Nash County is fifty five.
Luckily the four players do not have life threatening injuries but they do have broken bones. The players were indentified as Jose Salazar,Daniel Arroyo,Leonicio Guerro Jr and Jesus Rody.
Even more amazing that no one in the mobile home was injured nor anyone else as the car traveled through several yards.
The soccer game with Roanoke Rapids was postponed.
Just about every school at some point in time has a tradegy strike them. My senoir year just six days before my graduation from high school four boys were killed, two of them in my senior class.
Yesterday's soccer game for Rocky Mount with Rose was not played.
Tonight JV football host Northern Durham at 7.00pm at the stadium. I will not be on PA tonight as the Tar River Children Chorus has a meeting about their 2009/2010 season. The Concert Chorus will be preforming on stage at Disney World Memorial Day weekend next year and tonight starts the first group effort to find funding for their trip.
If in the future you hear of a concert in the area that The Tar River Children's Chorus is performing I would urge you to attend. These young people are talented and are lead by the most Christian person I know in Patsy Gilliland.
They practice every Thursday night during the school year and do several Christmas concerts as well as end of the year. The new year begins tonight.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Volley ball Wins in OT
Tuesday night Volley ball traveled to Roanoke Rapids and got their money's worth before the night was over.
The first set the Lady Gryphons won 25-14. Roanoke Rapids responded by taking the second set 25-17. Set three was won by Rocky Mount 25-16. Back and forth we go as set four belonged to Roanoke rapids 25-20. This set up a dramatic fifth set.
In Volley ball the fifth set is only to 15 points and at the fifteen point mark you must win by two. It took more than fifteen to win as the Lady Gryphons remain undefeated with a 17-15 win over the Yellow Jackets.
Tab Wilcox's Lady Gryphons are now 4-0 on the season and travel Thursday to Southwest Edgecombe.
There is good news and some bad news for boys soccer. Monday the good news was they didn't let Roanoke Rapids score. The bad news is they didn't score either. Opening up with two wins last week soccer has now had back to back ties of 2-2 and 0-0. Soccer is at home tonight against those hated Rampants from Greenville Rose in another non-conference tilt.
Got word yesterday that the JV football game against Northampton East scheduled for 4.00pm on September 3rd has been cancelled.
I really like having Labor Day Friday off with no football. That is occurring this year due to the fact the varsity game was changed recently to Thursday the 3rd. The orginal plan moved the JV game also to Rocky Mount and have a 4.00pm JV game and the varsity play at 7.00pm the same day. Yesterday that plan was scrapped and no JV game only the varsity game at 7.00pm on Thursday September the 3rd.
Now with a three day weekend available Pat and I are heading to Atlantic Beach for the last hurrah for summer. Morgan will be gone to Camp Willow Run that weekend on a church youth trip.
If you are wondering why all of a sudden I have the volley ball scores? It helps to have a source and my source is my daughter Morgan. She is one of the managers of the volley ball team.
The first set the Lady Gryphons won 25-14. Roanoke Rapids responded by taking the second set 25-17. Set three was won by Rocky Mount 25-16. Back and forth we go as set four belonged to Roanoke rapids 25-20. This set up a dramatic fifth set.
In Volley ball the fifth set is only to 15 points and at the fifteen point mark you must win by two. It took more than fifteen to win as the Lady Gryphons remain undefeated with a 17-15 win over the Yellow Jackets.
Tab Wilcox's Lady Gryphons are now 4-0 on the season and travel Thursday to Southwest Edgecombe.
There is good news and some bad news for boys soccer. Monday the good news was they didn't let Roanoke Rapids score. The bad news is they didn't score either. Opening up with two wins last week soccer has now had back to back ties of 2-2 and 0-0. Soccer is at home tonight against those hated Rampants from Greenville Rose in another non-conference tilt.
Got word yesterday that the JV football game against Northampton East scheduled for 4.00pm on September 3rd has been cancelled.
I really like having Labor Day Friday off with no football. That is occurring this year due to the fact the varsity game was changed recently to Thursday the 3rd. The orginal plan moved the JV game also to Rocky Mount and have a 4.00pm JV game and the varsity play at 7.00pm the same day. Yesterday that plan was scrapped and no JV game only the varsity game at 7.00pm on Thursday September the 3rd.
Now with a three day weekend available Pat and I are heading to Atlantic Beach for the last hurrah for summer. Morgan will be gone to Camp Willow Run that weekend on a church youth trip.
If you are wondering why all of a sudden I have the volley ball scores? It helps to have a source and my source is my daughter Morgan. She is one of the managers of the volley ball team.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Sporting Good Start
Last week was the first official week of sports at RMHS despite school not officially opening until today.
Girls Tennis won two out of three matches with their lone loss coming at the hands
of 4-A Rose High school.
Boys Tennis has a tie with East Wake on Saturday while playing in the Brittany Tournament in Wilson. They had won twice earlier in the week.
Girls Volleyball won their lone single day match mid-week and then Won the Nash County Volley ball tournament Saturday at Southern Nash to go to 3-0 in the 2009 campaign.
Today Soccer host Rose in a rival match non-conference style. Volley ball travels to Roanoke Rapids tonight. JV's plays at 4.30 and the varsity follows at 6.00pm.
Wednesday Girls tennis host Edenton Holmes high school and cross country runs for the first time at Roanoke Rapids.
Thursday tennis travel to C B Aycock, volleyball is at Southwest Edgecombe while soccer plays host to D H Conley in their return match with them after traveling to Conley and winning last week. J V football host Northern Durham Thursday and the Varsity footballers travel to Northern Durham Friday night.
We are back on the air as once again this year you can hear Gryphon Football on am 1390. Pregame starts Friday night from County Stadium in Durham at 7.00pm for the 7.30 kickoff to the 2009 football season
Had just got home from picking Morgan up from Volley ball practice when ESPN scrolled that Philip Rivers had just signed at 92 million dollar contract extention with the San Diego Chargers. Talk about keeping negotiations under wraps just Friday ESPN reported it looked as if both sides were so far off that talks may stop until after the season.
Rivers will ever be linked to Eli Manning since the draft day trade in 2004. Manning got a 97 million, 35 guaranteed just a month ago. If the reports are right Rivers is guaranteed 39 million and in 2010, 2011, and 2012 he will make 16 million per which will make him the highest paid player in the NFL those three years or until someone else breaks that record.
Girls Tennis won two out of three matches with their lone loss coming at the hands
of 4-A Rose High school.
Boys Tennis has a tie with East Wake on Saturday while playing in the Brittany Tournament in Wilson. They had won twice earlier in the week.
Girls Volleyball won their lone single day match mid-week and then Won the Nash County Volley ball tournament Saturday at Southern Nash to go to 3-0 in the 2009 campaign.
Today Soccer host Rose in a rival match non-conference style. Volley ball travels to Roanoke Rapids tonight. JV's plays at 4.30 and the varsity follows at 6.00pm.
Wednesday Girls tennis host Edenton Holmes high school and cross country runs for the first time at Roanoke Rapids.
Thursday tennis travel to C B Aycock, volleyball is at Southwest Edgecombe while soccer plays host to D H Conley in their return match with them after traveling to Conley and winning last week. J V football host Northern Durham Thursday and the Varsity footballers travel to Northern Durham Friday night.
We are back on the air as once again this year you can hear Gryphon Football on am 1390. Pregame starts Friday night from County Stadium in Durham at 7.00pm for the 7.30 kickoff to the 2009 football season
Had just got home from picking Morgan up from Volley ball practice when ESPN scrolled that Philip Rivers had just signed at 92 million dollar contract extention with the San Diego Chargers. Talk about keeping negotiations under wraps just Friday ESPN reported it looked as if both sides were so far off that talks may stop until after the season.
Rivers will ever be linked to Eli Manning since the draft day trade in 2004. Manning got a 97 million, 35 guaranteed just a month ago. If the reports are right Rivers is guaranteed 39 million and in 2010, 2011, and 2012 he will make 16 million per which will make him the highest paid player in the NFL those three years or until someone else breaks that record.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Finally, It's game Week
Seems as if this weekend has made the first football game of the season a month away. I had every intentions of going to Northern Friday night and watching their game but the rain about 6.00pm delayed my honey do list and never made it to the game.
Rocky Mount will play this Friday night at Northern Durham at a small disadvantage. Northern played Friday night and there is an old football saying that says teams improve the most all season between week one and two.
Northern needs to improve as they were waxed 40-6 by Middle Creek Friday.
Rocky Mount's major concern is the up front blocking. Seems Collins Cuthrell has been running for his life every time they have passed in scrimmages. I think the Gryphons will be fine as soon as these young kids get some experience.
I was looking at the NCHSAA record book and Rocky Mount still continues to be the last North Carolina High school to win the triple crown in one year. Football, basketball and baseball State titles in one year. That happened in 1963.
In college football we live in the passing era. Five years removed from college Philip Rivers still hold the NCAA record for yards per attempted pass. His four years in Raleigh he averaged 9.55 yards per pass attempt. No one else in college history is over 9.00 yards per attempt. Philip lead the NFL last year in yards per attempt.
I don't know if there has ever been a more dramatic unassisted double play than the one the Phillies pull off Sunday. Philadelphia was hanging on to a 7-5 lead when the Mets had two men on and no outs in the ninth. A line drive was hit to Philly second baseman Eric Bruntlett who ran over and touched second to double up the runner on second base. He then tagged the runner on first who had been running on the hit ball and Bruntlett ends a major league baseball game for the first time in eighty five years on a triple play.
Rocky Mount will play this Friday night at Northern Durham at a small disadvantage. Northern played Friday night and there is an old football saying that says teams improve the most all season between week one and two.
Northern needs to improve as they were waxed 40-6 by Middle Creek Friday.
Rocky Mount's major concern is the up front blocking. Seems Collins Cuthrell has been running for his life every time they have passed in scrimmages. I think the Gryphons will be fine as soon as these young kids get some experience.
I was looking at the NCHSAA record book and Rocky Mount still continues to be the last North Carolina High school to win the triple crown in one year. Football, basketball and baseball State titles in one year. That happened in 1963.
In college football we live in the passing era. Five years removed from college Philip Rivers still hold the NCAA record for yards per attempted pass. His four years in Raleigh he averaged 9.55 yards per pass attempt. No one else in college history is over 9.00 yards per attempt. Philip lead the NFL last year in yards per attempt.
I don't know if there has ever been a more dramatic unassisted double play than the one the Phillies pull off Sunday. Philadelphia was hanging on to a 7-5 lead when the Mets had two men on and no outs in the ninth. A line drive was hit to Philly second baseman Eric Bruntlett who ran over and touched second to double up the runner on second base. He then tagged the runner on first who had been running on the hit ball and Bruntlett ends a major league baseball game for the first time in eighty five years on a triple play.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
County Champs
STANHOPE - Rocky Mount's volleyball team took the Nash County Volleyball Tournament held at Southern Nash High School Saturday.
In the opening match of the day, Rocky Mount squared off against the Lady Bulldogs of Nash Central. The Lady Gryphons won in three sets: 25-14, 25-12, 25-19.
In the second match of the day, the host team Southern Nash took on the Lady Knights of Northern Nash and this match turned out to be the best match of the day as the Lady Firebirds won in three sets but, by only eight points in all three. The scores were 25-23, 25-21 and 25-23.
Northern took on Central for third place and this turned into a four-set match with Northern winning the opening set 25-18. Set two went to Central 25-17 and Northern took sets three and four 25-19 and 25-16 to take third place.
The championship match also went four sets as Rocky Mount took the opener 25-19. Set No. 2 was won by the home team 25-13. But Rocky Mount rebounded winning sets No. 3 and 4 25-20 and 25-17.
The Lady Gryphons moved to 3-0 on the season and will next travel Tuesday to Roanoke Rapids for their next match.
The first night of high school football is over and the first thing that stands out the most is maybe the best two teams in the area reside in Edgecombe County.
Tarboro romped over Nash Central and SouthWest Edgecombe ripped Elizabeth City Northeastern.
Rocky Mount will jump into the frying pan next Friday night as it opens the season at Northern Durham.
You know after SoutWwest and Rocky Mount squared off against each other in the first conference game the first two years of conference play in the NEW 6, the same senerio may exist this year as Rocky Mount and Hunt play in the first conference matchup when the new Big East begins play.
If I had my druthers, I'd rather play my arch rival the last week. Rotate the other games and leave the last one alone.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Football Friday
The high school football season got underway Friday night and the Rocky Mount area teams took a beating.
Tarboro, the preseason favorite in the new Eastern Plains 2-A Conference, showed everyone that losing the NCHSAA 2-A State Championship games has long been forgotten as it paid a visit to Nash Central to start off the 2009 football season. The Vikings routed the Bulldogs 39-0 making it two years in a row to start the season by punishing the Bulldogs.
In Death Valley, brand new head coach Mickey Crouch put his first Northern Nash team on display and the results are much like the past. The Knights played a good half of football leading at one point 14-6. But, by the 48-minute mark, Beddingfield rode back to Wilson County with a 29-14 victory.
In Stanhope, Southern Nash out asted Franklinton 38-27 as the Firebirds will be the only Nash County winner on opening night. The lowlights of the evening was a fight on the field between players in which Nash County deputies had to help restore order.
The night was much better for the Wilson County teams in the new Big East 3-A as Fike came from behind to beat D. H. Conley 14-6, and the newest member Hunt walked the dog on Eastern Wayne 42-14.
Rocky Mount's opponent next week Northern Durham was whacked by Middle Creek 40-6.
Mike Gainey, Rocky Mount's athletic director and head boys basketball coach, will coach the East team next summer in the NCCA East-West All-Star Basketball Game in Greensboro.
Rising junior Benton Moss, who will carry a 14-1 record into his third year on the Gryphon baseball team, committed this week to play baseball in 2012 in Chapel Hill for Mike Fox.
I don't know whether you watched it Friday night or not, but Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys put their brand new $1.5 billion stadium on display as Dallas played Tennessee in the first football game in the new Cowboys Stadium.
You know that everything is bigger in Texas. Jones promised to pay all the overriding cost over $650 million in the new stadium. Jones has had to put about 850 million of his own money into the stadium. You would think $1.5 billion the field would be big enough to play a football game.
On one punt by Tennesse in the third quarter, the game had to be stopped because the Tennessee punter kicked the ball and it hit the scoreboard overhanging the field. You would think spending $1.5 billion they could have spent $10 million more to make the roof high enough.
Tarboro, the preseason favorite in the new Eastern Plains 2-A Conference, showed everyone that losing the NCHSAA 2-A State Championship games has long been forgotten as it paid a visit to Nash Central to start off the 2009 football season. The Vikings routed the Bulldogs 39-0 making it two years in a row to start the season by punishing the Bulldogs.
In Death Valley, brand new head coach Mickey Crouch put his first Northern Nash team on display and the results are much like the past. The Knights played a good half of football leading at one point 14-6. But, by the 48-minute mark, Beddingfield rode back to Wilson County with a 29-14 victory.
In Stanhope, Southern Nash out asted Franklinton 38-27 as the Firebirds will be the only Nash County winner on opening night. The lowlights of the evening was a fight on the field between players in which Nash County deputies had to help restore order.
The night was much better for the Wilson County teams in the new Big East 3-A as Fike came from behind to beat D. H. Conley 14-6, and the newest member Hunt walked the dog on Eastern Wayne 42-14.
Rocky Mount's opponent next week Northern Durham was whacked by Middle Creek 40-6.
Mike Gainey, Rocky Mount's athletic director and head boys basketball coach, will coach the East team next summer in the NCCA East-West All-Star Basketball Game in Greensboro.
Rising junior Benton Moss, who will carry a 14-1 record into his third year on the Gryphon baseball team, committed this week to play baseball in 2012 in Chapel Hill for Mike Fox.
I don't know whether you watched it Friday night or not, but Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys put their brand new $1.5 billion stadium on display as Dallas played Tennessee in the first football game in the new Cowboys Stadium.
You know that everything is bigger in Texas. Jones promised to pay all the overriding cost over $650 million in the new stadium. Jones has had to put about 850 million of his own money into the stadium. You would think $1.5 billion the field would be big enough to play a football game.
On one punt by Tennesse in the third quarter, the game had to be stopped because the Tennessee punter kicked the ball and it hit the scoreboard overhanging the field. You would think spending $1.5 billion they could have spent $10 million more to make the roof high enough.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Schedule Changed For Labor Day Weekend
I found out last night at the football scrimmage that the football game at home against Northampton- East scheduled for Friday, Sept. 4 has been moved to Thursday night, the 3rd instead.
Here is where things get complicated.
The JV game will now be played also on Thursday here in Rocky Mount. In essence, a double header that day. For anyone who says that's great, and that it gives me a full three-night holiday weekend is correct. However, yours truly will have a busy night doing PA for the JVs and then spitting out the Gryphon facts with Wes Bradshaw on 1390 AM.
The JVs will play at 4 p.m. and varsity will begin at 7.
Tonight starts the 2009 high school football season as every team as it stands right now thinks they can win the state championship. After tonight, half the teams will start to rethink what went wrong while the other half will at least go one more week undefeated.
Here is my look at what I see as the new Big East 3-A begins play tonight except for Rocky Mount.
Rocky Mount : 8-2 overall 5-0 in Big East. This team is still very good, maybe this year they will only last to second or third round in playoffs which any other team in the league would take. Playing in the Eastern finals two of past three years and 71 wins over the last six years have spoiled the Gryphon Nation. You can’t be great every year.
Hunt: 9-2 overall 4-1 in Big East. Since Randy Raper has been the coach at Hunt, you can count on one thing - they will run the ball. During this six -year run where Rocky Mount has handled them rather easily, it has come because Hunt did not during that period have a passer who could complete passes. If they can find a quarterback who can pass when they need to, it takes the pressure off the running game. In every season there is a point where someone will stop what you do best, in Hunt's case, that is the run. If they can pass any at all, they could go deep in the playoffs.
Southern Nash: 5-6 overall 2-3 in Big East. The coaches picked the Firebirds to finish second. They have a strong line returning and a capable stable of running backs. Including Rocky Mount and Hunt, all the teams in this league will be very close together. When you are equal someone has to step forward. I think Southern will be in the middle never quite stepping forward.
Northern Nash: 5-6 overall 2-3 in Big East. If there is a team that takes a major step forward this year it will be Northern Nash. They were in just about every game for awhile last year. They are improved, but when you have won only one game on the field in the last two seasons, any win is an improvement. I expect Northern to take a giant step.
Fike: 6-5 overall 1-4 in Big East. This to me is the mystery team of the league. They could finish second or last. Fike is a fumble recovery from being good or and interception away from being bad.
Nash Central 4-7 overall 1-4 in Big East. Once again a goal line stand and the Bulldogs could be as good as any team. Southern Nash, Fike and Northern Nash could all flip-flop. Anywhere from 3-2 to 0-5.
If these numbers would hold up all six teams could make playoffs. I predict at least a .500 record for all in non-conference play. The non-conference wins help each ones playoff picture.
I don't think this league overall is as strong as any of the four years they had in the NEW 6. This year could be a year where 3-2 ties for first much like one of the ACC football divisional races did last year.
Here is where things get complicated.
The JV game will now be played also on Thursday here in Rocky Mount. In essence, a double header that day. For anyone who says that's great, and that it gives me a full three-night holiday weekend is correct. However, yours truly will have a busy night doing PA for the JVs and then spitting out the Gryphon facts with Wes Bradshaw on 1390 AM.
The JVs will play at 4 p.m. and varsity will begin at 7.
Tonight starts the 2009 high school football season as every team as it stands right now thinks they can win the state championship. After tonight, half the teams will start to rethink what went wrong while the other half will at least go one more week undefeated.
Here is my look at what I see as the new Big East 3-A begins play tonight except for Rocky Mount.
Rocky Mount : 8-2 overall 5-0 in Big East. This team is still very good, maybe this year they will only last to second or third round in playoffs which any other team in the league would take. Playing in the Eastern finals two of past three years and 71 wins over the last six years have spoiled the Gryphon Nation. You can’t be great every year.
Hunt: 9-2 overall 4-1 in Big East. Since Randy Raper has been the coach at Hunt, you can count on one thing - they will run the ball. During this six -year run where Rocky Mount has handled them rather easily, it has come because Hunt did not during that period have a passer who could complete passes. If they can find a quarterback who can pass when they need to, it takes the pressure off the running game. In every season there is a point where someone will stop what you do best, in Hunt's case, that is the run. If they can pass any at all, they could go deep in the playoffs.
Southern Nash: 5-6 overall 2-3 in Big East. The coaches picked the Firebirds to finish second. They have a strong line returning and a capable stable of running backs. Including Rocky Mount and Hunt, all the teams in this league will be very close together. When you are equal someone has to step forward. I think Southern will be in the middle never quite stepping forward.
Northern Nash: 5-6 overall 2-3 in Big East. If there is a team that takes a major step forward this year it will be Northern Nash. They were in just about every game for awhile last year. They are improved, but when you have won only one game on the field in the last two seasons, any win is an improvement. I expect Northern to take a giant step.
Fike: 6-5 overall 1-4 in Big East. This to me is the mystery team of the league. They could finish second or last. Fike is a fumble recovery from being good or and interception away from being bad.
Nash Central 4-7 overall 1-4 in Big East. Once again a goal line stand and the Bulldogs could be as good as any team. Southern Nash, Fike and Northern Nash could all flip-flop. Anywhere from 3-2 to 0-5.
If these numbers would hold up all six teams could make playoffs. I predict at least a .500 record for all in non-conference play. The non-conference wins help each ones playoff picture.
I don't think this league overall is as strong as any of the four years they had in the NEW 6. This year could be a year where 3-2 ties for first much like one of the ACC football divisional races did last year.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
The Lady Gryphon volley ball team opened their season Tuesday playing Southwest Edgecombe.
The JVs beat the little kitten’s two straight games while the varsity took four sets to beat the lady Cougars three games to one.
The varsity is in action again on Saturday at Southwest Edgecombe as they will play in an all day tournament being hosted by SWE.
Soccer and Tennis are also winners this week so the athletic year is off an running at Rocky Mount High school.
Tonight we get to look at the football team as their final tune up is a scrimmage against Louisburg. Louisburg is coached by Chris Lee who just left Rocky Mount this past January to become the head football coach at Louisburg.
I would suspect Louisburg probably knows every play we will run on both offense and defense.
Brett Farve is back in the NFL joining forces with Minnesota finally. If he stays healthy the Vikes may make it to the NFL championship game probably against the New York Giants.
I was at the beach last week when N C State announced that Nate Irving was lost for the season after the car wreck he had in June which broke his leg. Whenever you are an average team one player can make a difference to the way you perform.
Last year the Wolfpack defense was one of the best in the league when Irving played. Their offense was one of the best in the country when Russell Wilson played quarterback.
We will see whether the team has grown and can with stand Irving not playing this year. It would seem that the quarterback situation is even better should Wilson go down during the season as highly touted Mike Glennon is waiting his chance.
It will be very interesting to see the out come of the so called fight among the coaches in Oakland, NFL Commissioner Roger Goddell has been very fair I think with the players he has suspended for their poor conduct.
If he doesn’t carry this thing over and apply it to the coaches he will have a hard time ever getting anything else by the players union.
There is talk of an owners lock out of the players in 2011. I surly don’t know what purpose that would serve. I do believe they need to put a rookie salary cap in place much like the NBA.
Friday night starts the high school football season and every local team sees action except for Rocky Mount. Tomorrows blog I will give you my prediction for the new Big East 3-A
The JVs beat the little kitten’s two straight games while the varsity took four sets to beat the lady Cougars three games to one.
The varsity is in action again on Saturday at Southwest Edgecombe as they will play in an all day tournament being hosted by SWE.
Soccer and Tennis are also winners this week so the athletic year is off an running at Rocky Mount High school.
Tonight we get to look at the football team as their final tune up is a scrimmage against Louisburg. Louisburg is coached by Chris Lee who just left Rocky Mount this past January to become the head football coach at Louisburg.
I would suspect Louisburg probably knows every play we will run on both offense and defense.
Brett Farve is back in the NFL joining forces with Minnesota finally. If he stays healthy the Vikes may make it to the NFL championship game probably against the New York Giants.
I was at the beach last week when N C State announced that Nate Irving was lost for the season after the car wreck he had in June which broke his leg. Whenever you are an average team one player can make a difference to the way you perform.
Last year the Wolfpack defense was one of the best in the league when Irving played. Their offense was one of the best in the country when Russell Wilson played quarterback.
We will see whether the team has grown and can with stand Irving not playing this year. It would seem that the quarterback situation is even better should Wilson go down during the season as highly touted Mike Glennon is waiting his chance.
It will be very interesting to see the out come of the so called fight among the coaches in Oakland, NFL Commissioner Roger Goddell has been very fair I think with the players he has suspended for their poor conduct.
If he doesn’t carry this thing over and apply it to the coaches he will have a hard time ever getting anything else by the players union.
There is talk of an owners lock out of the players in 2011. I surly don’t know what purpose that would serve. I do believe they need to put a rookie salary cap in place much like the NBA.
Friday night starts the high school football season and every local team sees action except for Rocky Mount. Tomorrows blog I will give you my prediction for the new Big East 3-A
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Fifteen Minutes Of Fame
My radio career took a turn in 1993 when my wife Pat was promoted into management with Carolina Telephone. We moved from Ahoskie to Fayetteville. As if luck was on my side there was a job opening at WFAI radio.
They were trying to go into sports radio full time but then they were half the day religion and half sports. Part of the full time sports they were going to start in the spring of 1994 as the voice of the Fayetteville Generals and carry all the Generals game on the station. The Generals were then in the South Atlantic league A team.
I got the job which was to be the Generals announcer as well as the executive producer which means sell the advertisers in order to carry the games.
In late May of 1993 I was on the job promoting the Generals for next season but we needed to get something on the air for this summer. Then Cumberland County was tied in with Babe Ruth little league.
Cumberland County finished the year up with a county tournament and then the all star teams were picked. The first week was the 9/10 year old tournament and the next week was 11/12 year old tournament. Cumberland County had at the time about forty little league teams.
I sold the ads and in the process of two weeks did a double header on the air every night for two weeks. In all I did little league games twenty seven of them in thirteen days. Then when the all stars play we covered the games on the radio. The 9/10’s played in Kings Mountain and 11/12’s played in Reidsville.
Just as the little league was finishing up the death of James Jordan occurred just down the road in Lumberton. I was in the office one day and WBZ TV in Boston was on the phone. They had looked in a TV/radio guide and saw us WFAI listed as a sports station and called us to find out what the deal was on Michael Jordon’s fathers death.
There was a news talk station which I think is still active in Fayetteville WFNC. I had monitored them so every thing I knew came from them, The Fayetteville Observer or WRAL-TV who was also all over the story.
I told WBZ what I knew. Before long the phone is ringing again this time it was the sports station in Chicago. They ask me to be a runner for them to prepare stories that they could use on air and I would finish up saying this is Tony Doughtie and insert the station call letters which I have long forgotten reporting from Fayetteville, NC.
I was the man with the news. A TV station in Miami called, then Las Vegas, Los Angeles. There was a period of about two weeks that I was on the national news as much as Dan Rather.
The station in Chicago calls me one Friday and wanted to know if I would be their guest on a two hour radio show that Sunday night in Chicago and take calls from people from Chicago and tell them what I knew. By now the two suspects had been arrested and there was now more news to report.
The only actual time that I had done any so called news work, Pat and I did ride down to see where Jordan’s car was eventually found, other than that all my information had been gotten from live news conferences on the radio or info I saw in the paper or on TV.
About a month after the dust had settled in James Jordan’s death I get a notice that I had a bounced check. After trying to figure out what had happened, I found that my company check had bounced and I had no money in the bank. It didn’t take long to find out the station was bankrupted and my chance to be the announcer for the Fayetteville Generals died before it ever got off the ground.
My fifteen minutes of fame is sadly linked to Michael Jordan most tragic time.
They were trying to go into sports radio full time but then they were half the day religion and half sports. Part of the full time sports they were going to start in the spring of 1994 as the voice of the Fayetteville Generals and carry all the Generals game on the station. The Generals were then in the South Atlantic league A team.
I got the job which was to be the Generals announcer as well as the executive producer which means sell the advertisers in order to carry the games.
In late May of 1993 I was on the job promoting the Generals for next season but we needed to get something on the air for this summer. Then Cumberland County was tied in with Babe Ruth little league.
Cumberland County finished the year up with a county tournament and then the all star teams were picked. The first week was the 9/10 year old tournament and the next week was 11/12 year old tournament. Cumberland County had at the time about forty little league teams.
I sold the ads and in the process of two weeks did a double header on the air every night for two weeks. In all I did little league games twenty seven of them in thirteen days. Then when the all stars play we covered the games on the radio. The 9/10’s played in Kings Mountain and 11/12’s played in Reidsville.
Just as the little league was finishing up the death of James Jordan occurred just down the road in Lumberton. I was in the office one day and WBZ TV in Boston was on the phone. They had looked in a TV/radio guide and saw us WFAI listed as a sports station and called us to find out what the deal was on Michael Jordon’s fathers death.
There was a news talk station which I think is still active in Fayetteville WFNC. I had monitored them so every thing I knew came from them, The Fayetteville Observer or WRAL-TV who was also all over the story.
I told WBZ what I knew. Before long the phone is ringing again this time it was the sports station in Chicago. They ask me to be a runner for them to prepare stories that they could use on air and I would finish up saying this is Tony Doughtie and insert the station call letters which I have long forgotten reporting from Fayetteville, NC.
I was the man with the news. A TV station in Miami called, then Las Vegas, Los Angeles. There was a period of about two weeks that I was on the national news as much as Dan Rather.
The station in Chicago calls me one Friday and wanted to know if I would be their guest on a two hour radio show that Sunday night in Chicago and take calls from people from Chicago and tell them what I knew. By now the two suspects had been arrested and there was now more news to report.
The only actual time that I had done any so called news work, Pat and I did ride down to see where Jordan’s car was eventually found, other than that all my information had been gotten from live news conferences on the radio or info I saw in the paper or on TV.
About a month after the dust had settled in James Jordan’s death I get a notice that I had a bounced check. After trying to figure out what had happened, I found that my company check had bounced and I had no money in the bank. It didn’t take long to find out the station was bankrupted and my chance to be the announcer for the Fayetteville Generals died before it ever got off the ground.
My fifteen minutes of fame is sadly linked to Michael Jordan most tragic time.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
First Look at 2009 Panthers
The only important part of any preseason game is the plays where the first team plays. Last night the Carolina Panthers were in New Jersey to play the Giants and head to head the Giants won.
Late in the game the Panthers had tied the score with the fourth team quarterback in the game and were driving but it looked as if the game would go into overtime until Cantwell the fourth team QB for the Panthers was hit, fumbled the ball and the Giants scooped it up and scored on the last play of the game. This not only saved both teams from playing over time but it saved the few fans still watching from having to endure an overtime with no names in the game.
I just don't get it. Just before midnight last night Dustin Ackley, Alex White and others signed the major league contracts at the last possible minute before they would have to wait until next year.
I understand holding out for more money but, why sign now for the same contract you could have gotten two months ago. Now they have all missed a summer of playing pro baseball.
I could understand it if each got three million more last night for waiting until the last minute. When you are going to make five million a year, what's 5.2 million after taxes?
I think players would better be served sometimes to negotiate for themselves instead of having an agent.
The only experience I have with an agent was way back in those days of being a bat boy for the Ahoskie American legion team. In those days members of the legion in Ahoskie would drive the players to games. I was always in the car with Gene Nixon, Freddie and Francis Coombs and Jimmy Hunter. They were the Perquimans County four.
I remember Carlton Cherry an Ahoskie lawyer driving us to a game and he was talking with Jimmy about if he ever needed any lawyer work related to playing baseball he would be glad to help. Sure enough when Jimmy signed his major league contract Carlton Cherry was his lawyer.
In 1974 after Jimmy Hunter had won the Cy Young award as the best pitcher in baseball he sued Charles Finley for breach of contract. Jimmy had signed a contract which stated that he wanted 50,000 dollars per year used to buy farm land in Perquimans County. Finley failed to give him the 50,000 in 1974.
In the hearing in mid December 1974 before an arbitrator in New York City, Cherry and Hunter argued that Finley had breached his contract and wanted payment. The arbitrator agreed but ruled that because Finley had breached his contract that Hunter was a free agent and could sign with any team.
So Jimmy Hunter went into the meeting wanting his $50,000 and walked out thinking he had lost because he didn't get his money.
Who would ever figure that today's players who make millions can credit that to a country lawyer from Ahoskie who used his office to negotiate the first free agent contract.
On December 31st 1974 Jimmy Hunter in the office of Carlton Cherry on Main Street in Ahoskie with George Steinbrenner present signed a 4.5 million dollar contract.
Today's free agency was all started in Ahoskie.
Late in the game the Panthers had tied the score with the fourth team quarterback in the game and were driving but it looked as if the game would go into overtime until Cantwell the fourth team QB for the Panthers was hit, fumbled the ball and the Giants scooped it up and scored on the last play of the game. This not only saved both teams from playing over time but it saved the few fans still watching from having to endure an overtime with no names in the game.
I just don't get it. Just before midnight last night Dustin Ackley, Alex White and others signed the major league contracts at the last possible minute before they would have to wait until next year.
I understand holding out for more money but, why sign now for the same contract you could have gotten two months ago. Now they have all missed a summer of playing pro baseball.
I could understand it if each got three million more last night for waiting until the last minute. When you are going to make five million a year, what's 5.2 million after taxes?
I think players would better be served sometimes to negotiate for themselves instead of having an agent.
The only experience I have with an agent was way back in those days of being a bat boy for the Ahoskie American legion team. In those days members of the legion in Ahoskie would drive the players to games. I was always in the car with Gene Nixon, Freddie and Francis Coombs and Jimmy Hunter. They were the Perquimans County four.
I remember Carlton Cherry an Ahoskie lawyer driving us to a game and he was talking with Jimmy about if he ever needed any lawyer work related to playing baseball he would be glad to help. Sure enough when Jimmy signed his major league contract Carlton Cherry was his lawyer.
In 1974 after Jimmy Hunter had won the Cy Young award as the best pitcher in baseball he sued Charles Finley for breach of contract. Jimmy had signed a contract which stated that he wanted 50,000 dollars per year used to buy farm land in Perquimans County. Finley failed to give him the 50,000 in 1974.
In the hearing in mid December 1974 before an arbitrator in New York City, Cherry and Hunter argued that Finley had breached his contract and wanted payment. The arbitrator agreed but ruled that because Finley had breached his contract that Hunter was a free agent and could sign with any team.
So Jimmy Hunter went into the meeting wanting his $50,000 and walked out thinking he had lost because he didn't get his money.
Who would ever figure that today's players who make millions can credit that to a country lawyer from Ahoskie who used his office to negotiate the first free agent contract.
On December 31st 1974 Jimmy Hunter in the office of Carlton Cherry on Main Street in Ahoskie with George Steinbrenner present signed a 4.5 million dollar contract.
Today's free agency was all started in Ahoskie.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Tiger's Last Putt
When was the last time that Tiger was on the 72nd hole of any golf Major and his final putt meant nothing. Yesterday after Tiger tried to chip in from off the green and his shot rolled six or seven feet past. He should of finished out but Tiger has never been in that situation before and I am sure was he was in shock.
Y E Yang then made a ten footer for birdie and that left Tiger all alone to putt for par to lose by two. He missed and lost by three.
You have to go all the way back to 1967 when my man Arnold Palmer who was King of golf then had a seven shot lead at the turn in the Masters and lost. I guess Arnie must have been 35 or so then, It was the beginning of the end of a great era in golf. Is this the beginning of the end of the greatest 10-12 year stretch in golf history?Tiger is 33 years old.
I know Tiger will win many more tournaments I just don't know how many more majors.
Rumors are rampant that Bett Farve will join the Vikings about a week before the start of the regular season.
Tonight we get to look at the 2009 editions of the Carolina Panthers.
It hard to judge from just a few plays but Jay Cutler was so-so this weekend for Chicago. Kyle Orton threw three picks for Denver and got booed by the home fans.
Being a Philip Rivers fan and wanting a Super Bowl for Philip, the good news is that in the three series that the Charger 1st team defense played in they held Seattle to just one first down. If the defense plays like that all year then there may be a Super Bowl coming up for Philip Rivers.
Gryphon football starts today practicing at 3.00pm to get in the after school routine which starts next week. Practice is from 3-6pm.
Y E Yang then made a ten footer for birdie and that left Tiger all alone to putt for par to lose by two. He missed and lost by three.
You have to go all the way back to 1967 when my man Arnold Palmer who was King of golf then had a seven shot lead at the turn in the Masters and lost. I guess Arnie must have been 35 or so then, It was the beginning of the end of a great era in golf. Is this the beginning of the end of the greatest 10-12 year stretch in golf history?Tiger is 33 years old.
I know Tiger will win many more tournaments I just don't know how many more majors.
Rumors are rampant that Bett Farve will join the Vikings about a week before the start of the regular season.
Tonight we get to look at the 2009 editions of the Carolina Panthers.
It hard to judge from just a few plays but Jay Cutler was so-so this weekend for Chicago. Kyle Orton threw three picks for Denver and got booed by the home fans.
Being a Philip Rivers fan and wanting a Super Bowl for Philip, the good news is that in the three series that the Charger 1st team defense played in they held Seattle to just one first down. If the defense plays like that all year then there may be a Super Bowl coming up for Philip Rivers.
Gryphon football starts today practicing at 3.00pm to get in the after school routine which starts next week. Practice is from 3-6pm.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Back From The Beach
I have had a very pleasant three and a half days at Ocean Isle. Now am ready for a football run to carry me to December. Made my last trip across the old one lane bridge at Sunset Beach for old time sake. By the time I get back there the new high rise two lane bridge will be open next spring.
I hope you had a chance to check out the "Stretchlon Sports Show Tonight". Brought in all four high school football coaches and gave them twenty minutes to talk about their team. I hope you that watched it, enjoyed it. We may do that again at basketball time if you let us know how it was.
Contact me or Richard Sarmeiento or WHIG-TV with your comments.
Rocky Mount according to Coach Dickie Schock improved a lot in Saturday night's scrimmage over Wednesday's at Tarboro.
Louisburg will be at Rocky Mount Thursday night for the last scrimmage of the preseason.
I know a lot of you are in shock that Tiger Woods blew the PGA Championship. I could see this coming in fact I don't know if Tiger will break Jack Nicklaus record of 18 major championships.
Due to his knee injury Tiger has not won a major in fourteen months. The big difference in majors and the average tournament is the rough. Tiger has never been a straight driver. When he hits the spells when he is making every putt he is unbeatable, But he has hit that age where in the majors you don't get many recovery shots that are five feet from the hole. He is no longer money in the bank on putts from twelve feet.
I am not saying that Tiger has not been the greatest player the last ten years because he has. He is no longer winning tournaments by ten shots like he use too. Some of that is the other players are gaining plus Tiger has come down a notch too.
Who's to say that Tiger won't do just like Johnny Miller. Miller was well on his way to replacing Jack until he got up one day and could not putt any more.
I hope you had a chance to check out the "Stretchlon Sports Show Tonight". Brought in all four high school football coaches and gave them twenty minutes to talk about their team. I hope you that watched it, enjoyed it. We may do that again at basketball time if you let us know how it was.
Contact me or Richard Sarmeiento or WHIG-TV with your comments.
Rocky Mount according to Coach Dickie Schock improved a lot in Saturday night's scrimmage over Wednesday's at Tarboro.
Louisburg will be at Rocky Mount Thursday night for the last scrimmage of the preseason.
I know a lot of you are in shock that Tiger Woods blew the PGA Championship. I could see this coming in fact I don't know if Tiger will break Jack Nicklaus record of 18 major championships.
Due to his knee injury Tiger has not won a major in fourteen months. The big difference in majors and the average tournament is the rough. Tiger has never been a straight driver. When he hits the spells when he is making every putt he is unbeatable, But he has hit that age where in the majors you don't get many recovery shots that are five feet from the hole. He is no longer money in the bank on putts from twelve feet.
I am not saying that Tiger has not been the greatest player the last ten years because he has. He is no longer winning tournaments by ten shots like he use too. Some of that is the other players are gaining plus Tiger has come down a notch too.
Who's to say that Tiger won't do just like Johnny Miller. Miller was well on his way to replacing Jack until he got up one day and could not putt any more.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Vikes Scrimmage Gryphons
Last Night the two teams that played in the Eastern finals at home last year in the playoffs, squared off in Tarboro in the first contact of the season hitting someone other than a person in the same uniform.
Tarboro was the host team in the 2-A Eastern Finals and Rocky Mount hosted the 3-A Eastern Finals. Tarboro lived to play one more week in the State championship 2-a game.
We are only at the point in practice time where you had to have so many practices in order to play last night. The Gryphons had six potential starters who didn't suit up last night because of practice time. I am sure Tarboro had the same problem.
Tarboro showed the home fans that a back to the State Championship game is possible while Rocky Mount had moments of brilliance's and moments of this is a rebuilding year.
Marquavis Alston, Jordan Ford the two returning thousand yard rushers for the Gryphons gave fans hope that they may repeat for the first time ever having two backs on the same team getting a thousand yards a piece.
Collins Cuthrell Gryphon returning quarterback found that the deep ball without Keith Strickland may not be as easy this year but tight End Spencer Bell may be his favorite target across the middle.
Glad to see Spencer is out of that face mask that he had to wear during Junior legion. Spencer and teammate Chris Pittman collided during the last week of high school baseball season and Spencer had to wear a device over his nose to make sure it healed properly in order to be ready to play football. I hear Spencer had six catches last night.
The offensive line is a work in progress. Defense was better than expected but mighty young in the secondary.
Gryphons will work on mistakes Thursday and Friday and try again on Saturday at Kinston.
The Big East 3-a coaches voted in their coaches meeting this week at Hunt High school and the Gryphons were picked to finish first. Newest member Hunt was second and a major surprise Southern Nash was third.
Got word last night from Randy Langley big Northern Nash supporter that the booster club cooked over three hundred hamburgers for the team Wednesday night. Northern was suppose to play D H Conley in a scrimmage last night and the booster club was feeding both teams after it was over. If they cooked three hundred for Northern Nash's players, how many would they have cooked if both team had of been there? Conley pulled out on Northern earlier this week.
Don't forget Sunday night at 8.00pm the four football coaches of our area high schools will talk football on WHIG-TV.
I will be out of town the next couple of days as I am taking advantage of the last free weekend before football cranks up. Heading to Ocean Isle. Our plans are Friday to go back to Southport where we went about three weekends ago and sit in those swings on the Cape Fear River in downtown Southport.
I know you can tell it doesn't take much to keep me happy.
Tarboro was the host team in the 2-A Eastern Finals and Rocky Mount hosted the 3-A Eastern Finals. Tarboro lived to play one more week in the State championship 2-a game.
We are only at the point in practice time where you had to have so many practices in order to play last night. The Gryphons had six potential starters who didn't suit up last night because of practice time. I am sure Tarboro had the same problem.
Tarboro showed the home fans that a back to the State Championship game is possible while Rocky Mount had moments of brilliance's and moments of this is a rebuilding year.
Marquavis Alston, Jordan Ford the two returning thousand yard rushers for the Gryphons gave fans hope that they may repeat for the first time ever having two backs on the same team getting a thousand yards a piece.
Collins Cuthrell Gryphon returning quarterback found that the deep ball without Keith Strickland may not be as easy this year but tight End Spencer Bell may be his favorite target across the middle.
Glad to see Spencer is out of that face mask that he had to wear during Junior legion. Spencer and teammate Chris Pittman collided during the last week of high school baseball season and Spencer had to wear a device over his nose to make sure it healed properly in order to be ready to play football. I hear Spencer had six catches last night.
The offensive line is a work in progress. Defense was better than expected but mighty young in the secondary.
Gryphons will work on mistakes Thursday and Friday and try again on Saturday at Kinston.
The Big East 3-a coaches voted in their coaches meeting this week at Hunt High school and the Gryphons were picked to finish first. Newest member Hunt was second and a major surprise Southern Nash was third.
Got word last night from Randy Langley big Northern Nash supporter that the booster club cooked over three hundred hamburgers for the team Wednesday night. Northern was suppose to play D H Conley in a scrimmage last night and the booster club was feeding both teams after it was over. If they cooked three hundred for Northern Nash's players, how many would they have cooked if both team had of been there? Conley pulled out on Northern earlier this week.
Don't forget Sunday night at 8.00pm the four football coaches of our area high schools will talk football on WHIG-TV.
I will be out of town the next couple of days as I am taking advantage of the last free weekend before football cranks up. Heading to Ocean Isle. Our plans are Friday to go back to Southport where we went about three weekends ago and sit in those swings on the Cape Fear River in downtown Southport.
I know you can tell it doesn't take much to keep me happy.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Sunday Night Football Show
I have been trying for about a week now to make contact with Coach Mickey Crouch at Northern Nash in order to invite him to be part of a preseason coaches show on the " Stretchlon Sports Show" this Sunday night. We have played phone tag and yesterday I went by practice at Northern to seal the deal.
There is no telling how many times just this summer that I have driven through the parking lot at Northern to go do PA at the American Legion games. I had no idea that Northern's practice field was tucked away in the woods just beyond the football stadium.
I really like it being the way it is because it is really private. Out of the way so to speak.
This Sunday night we will have coach Crouch on live from 8.00-8.22pm. He still has a home in Myrtle Beach which he is trying to sell and if he is back in time he will be live with me in Studio to talk Knight football. If he is still traveling we will talk by cell phone.
8.24 pm Kevin Crudup head coach at Nash Central will be on as he will get a chance to talk about his second team at Central.
He will be followed by at 8.47 by Andy Jackson at Rocky Mount Academy. This is Andy's first team at RMA and we will look at eight man football.
The final coach of the night will be Dickie Schock of Rocky Mount. He will take us to 9.30pm talking Gryphon football.
As you can see we have tried to keep the coaches alone where they will not be giving up secrets to each other.
We have gotten all the the Rocky Mount area football coaches together. Oddly enough three of the four are brand new to the job this year. This will give fans who haven't met them yet a chance to eye ball the coaches and get to hear them talk football
That's Sunday night at 8.00pm on WHIG-TV.
There is no telling how many times just this summer that I have driven through the parking lot at Northern to go do PA at the American Legion games. I had no idea that Northern's practice field was tucked away in the woods just beyond the football stadium.
I really like it being the way it is because it is really private. Out of the way so to speak.
This Sunday night we will have coach Crouch on live from 8.00-8.22pm. He still has a home in Myrtle Beach which he is trying to sell and if he is back in time he will be live with me in Studio to talk Knight football. If he is still traveling we will talk by cell phone.
8.24 pm Kevin Crudup head coach at Nash Central will be on as he will get a chance to talk about his second team at Central.
He will be followed by at 8.47 by Andy Jackson at Rocky Mount Academy. This is Andy's first team at RMA and we will look at eight man football.
The final coach of the night will be Dickie Schock of Rocky Mount. He will take us to 9.30pm talking Gryphon football.
As you can see we have tried to keep the coaches alone where they will not be giving up secrets to each other.
We have gotten all the the Rocky Mount area football coaches together. Oddly enough three of the four are brand new to the job this year. This will give fans who haven't met them yet a chance to eye ball the coaches and get to hear them talk football
That's Sunday night at 8.00pm on WHIG-TV.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
New High School Push Is On
Last night as a parent of a Volley ball manager, I attended the parent meeting for all athletes at Rocky Mount High School.
Mike Gainey athletic director lead the meeting which went over several items of business concerning eligibility, attendance and insurance.
There were maybe three hundred people in the auditorium and coach Gainey had to apologize for not having air conditioning. The lights had been turned down as low as possible to minimize the light heat added to the room. There was a few minutes given to Mr. Lilley a former school board member who talked, using the conditions last night with no air conditioning as reasons for the need for a new Rocky Mount High school.
There was also a power point presentation given by Coach Gainey through the North Carolina High School Athletic Association stressing attendance, eligibility, insurance and most of all the health of athletes.
The Nash County American Legion Post Coleman -Pitt post 58 held an awards dinner Sunday night honoring the first legion team to ever play in the North Carolina Legion State Tournament. Coleman-Pitt Post 58, even though they had won the State title in1973 had won that year winning a four out of seven series for the State title. The Legion State tournament was established in 2000.
MVP: Ben Fish and Xavier Macklin-
Pitching Award: Brandon Denton-
Offensive Player: Tyler Clark-
Coaches Award: Cameron Ramsey-
Last night Rowan County beat Alabama to win the South East regional 3-2. Earlier in the day they had beaten the host team Sumter South Carolina to move to Monday night's championship game. The American Legion World Series starts in ten days in Fargo North Dakota.
Nash County never faced Rowan in the North Carolina State Championship in Greenville.
D H Conley has pulled out of their scrimmage with Northern Nash on Wednesday night. Word is they don't have enough players who have practiced the required number of times in order to take part in a scrimmage.
Mike Gainey athletic director lead the meeting which went over several items of business concerning eligibility, attendance and insurance.
There were maybe three hundred people in the auditorium and coach Gainey had to apologize for not having air conditioning. The lights had been turned down as low as possible to minimize the light heat added to the room. There was a few minutes given to Mr. Lilley a former school board member who talked, using the conditions last night with no air conditioning as reasons for the need for a new Rocky Mount High school.
There was also a power point presentation given by Coach Gainey through the North Carolina High School Athletic Association stressing attendance, eligibility, insurance and most of all the health of athletes.
The Nash County American Legion Post Coleman -Pitt post 58 held an awards dinner Sunday night honoring the first legion team to ever play in the North Carolina Legion State Tournament. Coleman-Pitt Post 58, even though they had won the State title in1973 had won that year winning a four out of seven series for the State title. The Legion State tournament was established in 2000.
MVP: Ben Fish and Xavier Macklin-
Pitching Award: Brandon Denton-
Offensive Player: Tyler Clark-
Coaches Award: Cameron Ramsey-
Last night Rowan County beat Alabama to win the South East regional 3-2. Earlier in the day they had beaten the host team Sumter South Carolina to move to Monday night's championship game. The American Legion World Series starts in ten days in Fargo North Dakota.
Nash County never faced Rowan in the North Carolina State Championship in Greenville.
D H Conley has pulled out of their scrimmage with Northern Nash on Wednesday night. Word is they don't have enough players who have practiced the required number of times in order to take part in a scrimmage.
Monday, August 10, 2009
A Topper To The Summer
Last night I had the pleasure to host the 'Stretchlon Sports Show" as we hosted the 2009 Tar Heel Little league Champions.
The Rocky Mount Senior little league all stars.
If you remember the 2007 team that won the state title they had a dinner for them at the Ruritan club and Ray Peace the head coach moderated that which we filmed on the "Stretchlon
sports show". They are going to celebrate again on September 12th at Braswell Library.
Any time you are the person who ask the questions, the one thing you would like from the responder is something more than a yes or no answer. Sam Toler and Norman Chambliss took care of their end of the bargain as all I had to do is move the show forward. Sam and Norm showed their love for the game of baseball as they talked us through the show and presented the State Champs.
It seems that more than half of these all stars are Headed to Rocky Mount. Northern will have three baseball prospects in the future and Nash Central and Southern Nash will have one a piece.
This week starts the week where regardless of the sport you can have a scrimmage with someone. I know Northern Nash host D H Conley Wednesday night and afterwards the boosters of Northern are cooking hamburgers for both teams.
Dickie Schock becoming the head coach of football in Rocky Mount in July, his main focus has been getting to know the players. Just in the past few days he has gotten with Tarboro and will scrimmage the Vikes Wednesday night in Tarboro.
Those of you that are keeping up with it Rowan County the North Carolina American Legion Champs have played three games as of Saturday in the Southeast regional American Legion baseball tournament in Sumter South Carolina.
Rowan won on Thursday, lost 8-7 in the bottom of the ninth Friday night to Alabama and in the loser bracket on Saturday whipped the host state South Carolina 15-0. They are in the final four when play started Sunday.
Starting this week looking forward to going to Ocean Isle on Thursday afternoon. This is the last weekend of freedom before football becomes a Friday night thing to at least Thanksgiving and maybe longer.
The Rocky Mount Senior little league all stars.
If you remember the 2007 team that won the state title they had a dinner for them at the Ruritan club and Ray Peace the head coach moderated that which we filmed on the "Stretchlon
sports show". They are going to celebrate again on September 12th at Braswell Library.
Any time you are the person who ask the questions, the one thing you would like from the responder is something more than a yes or no answer. Sam Toler and Norman Chambliss took care of their end of the bargain as all I had to do is move the show forward. Sam and Norm showed their love for the game of baseball as they talked us through the show and presented the State Champs.
It seems that more than half of these all stars are Headed to Rocky Mount. Northern will have three baseball prospects in the future and Nash Central and Southern Nash will have one a piece.
This week starts the week where regardless of the sport you can have a scrimmage with someone. I know Northern Nash host D H Conley Wednesday night and afterwards the boosters of Northern are cooking hamburgers for both teams.
Dickie Schock becoming the head coach of football in Rocky Mount in July, his main focus has been getting to know the players. Just in the past few days he has gotten with Tarboro and will scrimmage the Vikes Wednesday night in Tarboro.
Those of you that are keeping up with it Rowan County the North Carolina American Legion Champs have played three games as of Saturday in the Southeast regional American Legion baseball tournament in Sumter South Carolina.
Rowan won on Thursday, lost 8-7 in the bottom of the ninth Friday night to Alabama and in the loser bracket on Saturday whipped the host state South Carolina 15-0. They are in the final four when play started Sunday.
Starting this week looking forward to going to Ocean Isle on Thursday afternoon. This is the last weekend of freedom before football becomes a Friday night thing to at least Thanksgiving and maybe longer.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Who Will Replace Hahula?
Most of the talk during the off season for Rocky Mount High School football was replacing the offensive line. Four all conference performers gone and a second team all conference player missing this year.
I think there is one player who will be harder to replace than any of the linemen Kicker Nick Hahula.
It is hard to believe that Nick kicked for the Gryphons for four years. If you have ever seen Nick with out a uniform on especially he has shorts on, he would be the least likely person to even be an athlete.
The word fire plug comes to mind when you think of Nick. In his basketball uniform his shorts hang down to his ankles. Dressed for baseball he looks like David Wells. Wearing his football gear, kicking would be the last thing you would think he could do.
Yes I see Nick as a fullback getting four yards up the middle, not as a fullback going eighty some yards against Western Alamance. Not only is Nick Hahula a well rounded multi talented athlete, but he was multi talented football player for B W Holt on the football field.
It started as the extra point kicker as a freshman. His sophomore season he dabbled at fullback as well as at linebacker to go along with his kicking duties.
His junior year brought on a starting job at fullback and as a senior punting was added to his repertoire.
Last season Nick's punting, our opposition returned the ball twenty three years the whole season. Brian Goodwin got twenty three yards on just one punt return. All fifteen of the Gryphon foes averaged less than a yard a punt return.
Nick was a master at the high kick which required a fair catch, or the kick away from the returner that would roll for a mile. Who are we going to get to replace that this year? Did I mention that Nick also could pass from punt formation?
Kickoffs, Nick averaged almost half of all his kicks went into the end zone which meant the other team started from the twenty yard line half the time. That means our defense had eighty yards to keep the other team out of the end zone. Makes their life easier.
Have I mentioned yet that Nick is the all time kicker in the number of field goals made? Number of extra points? Just plain the most points ever for a Gryphon.
A two year starter at fullback Nick was reliable man to hand off to when we caught defenses spreading the field protecting against our outside speed. Nick could bust it up the middle.
My question to you today is who is going to replace all that? Nick this year will kick at North Carolina Central as the Eagles try their hand at Division one football.
While back on the practice field at Rocky Mount High Dickie Schock searches for a punter, kickoff man, field goal kicker, extra point kicker and fullback.
How many players will it take to replace him?
I think there is one player who will be harder to replace than any of the linemen Kicker Nick Hahula.
It is hard to believe that Nick kicked for the Gryphons for four years. If you have ever seen Nick with out a uniform on especially he has shorts on, he would be the least likely person to even be an athlete.
The word fire plug comes to mind when you think of Nick. In his basketball uniform his shorts hang down to his ankles. Dressed for baseball he looks like David Wells. Wearing his football gear, kicking would be the last thing you would think he could do.
Yes I see Nick as a fullback getting four yards up the middle, not as a fullback going eighty some yards against Western Alamance. Not only is Nick Hahula a well rounded multi talented athlete, but he was multi talented football player for B W Holt on the football field.
It started as the extra point kicker as a freshman. His sophomore season he dabbled at fullback as well as at linebacker to go along with his kicking duties.
His junior year brought on a starting job at fullback and as a senior punting was added to his repertoire.
Last season Nick's punting, our opposition returned the ball twenty three years the whole season. Brian Goodwin got twenty three yards on just one punt return. All fifteen of the Gryphon foes averaged less than a yard a punt return.
Nick was a master at the high kick which required a fair catch, or the kick away from the returner that would roll for a mile. Who are we going to get to replace that this year? Did I mention that Nick also could pass from punt formation?
Kickoffs, Nick averaged almost half of all his kicks went into the end zone which meant the other team started from the twenty yard line half the time. That means our defense had eighty yards to keep the other team out of the end zone. Makes their life easier.
Have I mentioned yet that Nick is the all time kicker in the number of field goals made? Number of extra points? Just plain the most points ever for a Gryphon.
A two year starter at fullback Nick was reliable man to hand off to when we caught defenses spreading the field protecting against our outside speed. Nick could bust it up the middle.
My question to you today is who is going to replace all that? Nick this year will kick at North Carolina Central as the Eagles try their hand at Division one football.
While back on the practice field at Rocky Mount High Dickie Schock searches for a punter, kickoff man, field goal kicker, extra point kicker and fullback.
How many players will it take to replace him?
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Everyone Think's They Can Be Champs
Summer practice is the time when every player regardless of sport thinks that they can win the state championship.
Coaches depending on the number of years they have coached are selling be the best you can be. Most know their weaknesses and will do everything they can to cover them up. Their job this time of year is have their players prepared.
Confidence will come the more the players preforms and the more success they have doing it. Winning sometimes escalates the confidence and losing slows it down.
Every team is 0-0 right now. In every game there is a winner on the scoreboard and a loser. Individually each players level depends on how they did their job. Players know if they played well or not. How each player preforms together is where the winning and losing separates itself.
If there is one aspect of sports especially for a high school player that is difficult to watch is injuries. Unlike college there is no red shirt rule. Sit out this year with an injury and play next year to make it up. No, a high school player only gets the games on the schedule. If he misses one game or all the games they are gone foreever.
There is nothing sadder than to say, look at what he could have done if he hadn't had those injuries. This is the reason for those hot practices. Learn the plays, get in shape. to be able to compete.
Good luck to all to stay injury free. It is a big factor in winning.
Put this down on your calendar for Sunday night. "Stretchlon Sports Show" live this Sunday. The Tar heel State Champs. The Rocky Mount all stars will be live in studio with me from 8.00 pm until 9.30. Watch the next batch of high school stars that will be on your team in 2012,2013 and 2014.
High school coaches get a lot of credit for winning championships. Those championships are developed in recreational ball.
The biggest problem with recreational sports is fathers and mothers are there because their child is there. Some coach because there is no one else to do it. They move on when their child moves on.
Sunday night I will get a chance to talk to two of those coaches that have didicated themselves to the youth of the Rocky Mount area. Sam Toler and Norman Chambliss. When I moved to Rocky Mount in 1995 one of the first names I heard was Sam Toler. My Son Brooks played for Norman. Both are what I wish every coach was.
Teachers of the game, why because they love it and want others to love it to.
Coaches depending on the number of years they have coached are selling be the best you can be. Most know their weaknesses and will do everything they can to cover them up. Their job this time of year is have their players prepared.
Confidence will come the more the players preforms and the more success they have doing it. Winning sometimes escalates the confidence and losing slows it down.
Every team is 0-0 right now. In every game there is a winner on the scoreboard and a loser. Individually each players level depends on how they did their job. Players know if they played well or not. How each player preforms together is where the winning and losing separates itself.
If there is one aspect of sports especially for a high school player that is difficult to watch is injuries. Unlike college there is no red shirt rule. Sit out this year with an injury and play next year to make it up. No, a high school player only gets the games on the schedule. If he misses one game or all the games they are gone foreever.
There is nothing sadder than to say, look at what he could have done if he hadn't had those injuries. This is the reason for those hot practices. Learn the plays, get in shape. to be able to compete.
Good luck to all to stay injury free. It is a big factor in winning.
Put this down on your calendar for Sunday night. "Stretchlon Sports Show" live this Sunday. The Tar heel State Champs. The Rocky Mount all stars will be live in studio with me from 8.00 pm until 9.30. Watch the next batch of high school stars that will be on your team in 2012,2013 and 2014.
High school coaches get a lot of credit for winning championships. Those championships are developed in recreational ball.
The biggest problem with recreational sports is fathers and mothers are there because their child is there. Some coach because there is no one else to do it. They move on when their child moves on.
Sunday night I will get a chance to talk to two of those coaches that have didicated themselves to the youth of the Rocky Mount area. Sam Toler and Norman Chambliss. When I moved to Rocky Mount in 1995 one of the first names I heard was Sam Toler. My Son Brooks played for Norman. Both are what I wish every coach was.
Teachers of the game, why because they love it and want others to love it to.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Two Weeks To Kickoff
Two weeks from tonight high school football kicks off. Everyone of the new Big East 3-A plays an Endowment game but Rocky Mount.
The Mickey Crouch era at Northern Nash starts with a home game against Beddingfield. Nash Central meets Tarboro in what will be a revenge game for the Bulldogs. If you remember Tarboro put fifty on the Bulldogs last year.
Rocky Mount reaped the advantage of winning an Endowment game last year when they were seeded as an undefeated team for the playoffs after having to forfeit a game last season. This year may be one of those years when it is better not to play the eleventh game. New coach in town, that extra week of practice may be better than the extra game. If you remember Holt's first year we didn't play the extra game either.
Rocky Mount is finding that the football success that they have had the last six years means they are finding it tough to find someone willing to play them that doesn't have to. The Gryphons looked for a quality foe close to home but the only takers were westward teams so Rocky Mount chose to not play an extra game.
The only way to benefit seeding wise from an Endowment game is win it. Remember you can only drop a non conference loss not a conference game.
Optimism is running high at Northern Nash as Mickey Crouch presents his first addition of Knight football. The word is more guarded at Nash Central. Having played in the eastern finals last year most folks are thinking Rocky Mount will not be nearly that good again.
Working on having all the coaches on "The Stretchlon Sports Show" on Sunday night August 16th live. Andy Jackson of Rocky Mount Academy, Kevin Crudup of Nash Central, and Dickie Schock of Rocky Mount have committed so far. The only local coach not set up yet is Mickey Crouch of Northern. It's not his fault however. He and I have not be able to make contact with each other. Do you know how hard it is to find a coach when school is not officially in session?
Speaking of live TV. Don't forget to catch the "Stretchlon Sports Show" this Sunday night as we honor the 2009 Tar Heel 11/12 year old State champions. The show will run from 8.00 until 9.30 Sunday night.
The New York Yankees finally beat Boston last night for the first time this year. Boston has to now worry about Tampa for the wild card playoff spot. You know there is something about Tampa that you had better lookout for. They may very well win the American league again this year.
The Mickey Crouch era at Northern Nash starts with a home game against Beddingfield. Nash Central meets Tarboro in what will be a revenge game for the Bulldogs. If you remember Tarboro put fifty on the Bulldogs last year.
Rocky Mount reaped the advantage of winning an Endowment game last year when they were seeded as an undefeated team for the playoffs after having to forfeit a game last season. This year may be one of those years when it is better not to play the eleventh game. New coach in town, that extra week of practice may be better than the extra game. If you remember Holt's first year we didn't play the extra game either.
Rocky Mount is finding that the football success that they have had the last six years means they are finding it tough to find someone willing to play them that doesn't have to. The Gryphons looked for a quality foe close to home but the only takers were westward teams so Rocky Mount chose to not play an extra game.
The only way to benefit seeding wise from an Endowment game is win it. Remember you can only drop a non conference loss not a conference game.
Optimism is running high at Northern Nash as Mickey Crouch presents his first addition of Knight football. The word is more guarded at Nash Central. Having played in the eastern finals last year most folks are thinking Rocky Mount will not be nearly that good again.
Working on having all the coaches on "The Stretchlon Sports Show" on Sunday night August 16th live. Andy Jackson of Rocky Mount Academy, Kevin Crudup of Nash Central, and Dickie Schock of Rocky Mount have committed so far. The only local coach not set up yet is Mickey Crouch of Northern. It's not his fault however. He and I have not be able to make contact with each other. Do you know how hard it is to find a coach when school is not officially in session?
Speaking of live TV. Don't forget to catch the "Stretchlon Sports Show" this Sunday night as we honor the 2009 Tar Heel 11/12 year old State champions. The show will run from 8.00 until 9.30 Sunday night.
The New York Yankees finally beat Boston last night for the first time this year. Boston has to now worry about Tampa for the wild card playoff spot. You know there is something about Tampa that you had better lookout for. They may very well win the American league again this year.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Disappointing Look At Sport Complex
The North Carolina High School Athletic Association has sent out a memo to all member institutions reminding them of the health of all high school athletes during this hot spell that we are under now.
This memo was issued after a football player from Kentucky died last week from dehydration in 75 degree weather.
The NCHSAA has made it mandatory as of Wednesday any school who holds the so called two-a-days that the second practice can be no longer than ninety minutes.
All practices are suppose to be over before 10.00am or start after 5.00pm to avoid the extreme heat of the day.
I need to update you on my cousin Lauren Doughtie who has now played in seven Futures tour tournaments. The last time I spoke about her she had played in two tournaments and cashed in on both. But since then, she has gone five straight weeks and not made the cut.
Lauren finished her career at N C State before she started on the Futures tour and seven tournaments were already over before she started. There are only a few left and she stands #133 and needs to finish in the top 100 or have to qualify again this fall for the Futures or even if she tries to qualify for the LPGA tour.
She needs to finish in the top ten in one of the few Futures tour tournaments left to get into the top 100.
If you have been a regular reader of this blog you know I hate to be the barer of bad news. There are too many good things in life to have to dwell on the bad all the time.Tuesday night while I was at the Sports Complex doing the Co-Rec championship game I was distressed at what I saw.
The geese have over run the complex and you have to watch every step you take. That is expected if you expect to have animals as scenery.
Seems to me if you are going to cut the grass and set a field up for play every day you could power wash the sidewalks. What mostly disappointed me was the condition of the area between the concession stand and playing field. There are areas where there is no grass growing and the ground is unlevel from washouts.
The sports complex is what less than five years old. It is suppose to be a show case for the city. Somebody from down town needs to come look at the condition that the complex has already become.
If you are going to spend the kind of money they did to build the complex they had better take care of it. The fields look great but not everyone who uses the complex goes on the field but sits in the stands and watches.
I only saw where I was and not how the little league end looks. They are getting ready to open the soccer fields soon. Don't neglect what you already have trying to add to the complex. Take care of it. We can use it for a life time, If we take care of it.
This memo was issued after a football player from Kentucky died last week from dehydration in 75 degree weather.
The NCHSAA has made it mandatory as of Wednesday any school who holds the so called two-a-days that the second practice can be no longer than ninety minutes.
All practices are suppose to be over before 10.00am or start after 5.00pm to avoid the extreme heat of the day.
I need to update you on my cousin Lauren Doughtie who has now played in seven Futures tour tournaments. The last time I spoke about her she had played in two tournaments and cashed in on both. But since then, she has gone five straight weeks and not made the cut.
Lauren finished her career at N C State before she started on the Futures tour and seven tournaments were already over before she started. There are only a few left and she stands #133 and needs to finish in the top 100 or have to qualify again this fall for the Futures or even if she tries to qualify for the LPGA tour.
She needs to finish in the top ten in one of the few Futures tour tournaments left to get into the top 100.
If you have been a regular reader of this blog you know I hate to be the barer of bad news. There are too many good things in life to have to dwell on the bad all the time.Tuesday night while I was at the Sports Complex doing the Co-Rec championship game I was distressed at what I saw.
The geese have over run the complex and you have to watch every step you take. That is expected if you expect to have animals as scenery.
Seems to me if you are going to cut the grass and set a field up for play every day you could power wash the sidewalks. What mostly disappointed me was the condition of the area between the concession stand and playing field. There are areas where there is no grass growing and the ground is unlevel from washouts.
The sports complex is what less than five years old. It is suppose to be a show case for the city. Somebody from down town needs to come look at the condition that the complex has already become.
If you are going to spend the kind of money they did to build the complex they had better take care of it. The fields look great but not everyone who uses the complex goes on the field but sits in the stands and watches.
I only saw where I was and not how the little league end looks. They are getting ready to open the soccer fields soon. Don't neglect what you already have trying to add to the complex. Take care of it. We can use it for a life time, If we take care of it.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
What Happened To My Recliner?
Heading home from work Tuesday, I contemplated a nice easy evening of recliner TV. When you have an office in a warehouse you find out during the day how hot it really is. The forecast was for near 95 but when it has been in the 90's for a month who can tell whether it's 92 or 95 degrees.
Just about time I go by the sports complex my phone rings, it's Richard Sarmeinto. "Want to do the Co-Rec Championship game tonight"?
My reply 'what time"?
"7.00pm"
I'll call you back in ten minutes.'
Arriving home I receive a welcome home kiss and I waste no time. 'What do we have on the agenda tonight?' Married men have to always ask when they come home what their schedule is for that night. There may be something your wife has promised you to do but you don't know it yet.
"Nothing".
I called Richard back, 'I'm available.
When you have a fifteen year old daughter who now has a learners permit you find that Morgan now wants to go with me just to drive. My own personal chauffeur.
Arriving at the ball park getting out of his truck is "Fuzzy " Bissette. Fuzzy has been umping city rec ball for thirty five years. Tonight he will be the the city official in charge of the field. Walking up to the field "Fuzzy tells me all the rules for co rec ball. Guys have to bat opposite handed, every other batter has to be guy, girl, guy, girl. Even in the field every other position has to be girl- guy.
Tonight Southside Baptist Church who has yet to lose in the tournament is taking on Gilliard Lawn Maintenance. GLM was undefeated in the regular season but Southside has beaten them earlier in the tournament.
A victory by Southside they are the champs, GLM wins and we play another game.
GLM takes and early lead and wins game one 7-2. Now both teams have a loss so the second game is really the CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. Southside scores three in the first and never look back and beat GLM 5-3.
This has turned out to be an enjoyable evening. Two very entertaining games. It is just past 9.00pm and I have to drive myself home since Morgan's learners permit is after hours.
So instead of reclining tonight I have added to my Resume' CO REC softball. I have covered girls softball but tonight was my first with the guys intermingled. I can add this to by Volley Ball, soccer, Pool, the cue kind, pool swimming, football, basketball, baseball and of course the one sport that I have covered that I know not to many other announcers ever have. 10K running live on the radio.
What you say, you never heard me tell that story.
That story is for another day.
Just about time I go by the sports complex my phone rings, it's Richard Sarmeinto. "Want to do the Co-Rec Championship game tonight"?
My reply 'what time"?
"7.00pm"
I'll call you back in ten minutes.'
Arriving home I receive a welcome home kiss and I waste no time. 'What do we have on the agenda tonight?' Married men have to always ask when they come home what their schedule is for that night. There may be something your wife has promised you to do but you don't know it yet.
"Nothing".
I called Richard back, 'I'm available.
When you have a fifteen year old daughter who now has a learners permit you find that Morgan now wants to go with me just to drive. My own personal chauffeur.
Arriving at the ball park getting out of his truck is "Fuzzy " Bissette. Fuzzy has been umping city rec ball for thirty five years. Tonight he will be the the city official in charge of the field. Walking up to the field "Fuzzy tells me all the rules for co rec ball. Guys have to bat opposite handed, every other batter has to be guy, girl, guy, girl. Even in the field every other position has to be girl- guy.
Tonight Southside Baptist Church who has yet to lose in the tournament is taking on Gilliard Lawn Maintenance. GLM was undefeated in the regular season but Southside has beaten them earlier in the tournament.
A victory by Southside they are the champs, GLM wins and we play another game.
GLM takes and early lead and wins game one 7-2. Now both teams have a loss so the second game is really the CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. Southside scores three in the first and never look back and beat GLM 5-3.
This has turned out to be an enjoyable evening. Two very entertaining games. It is just past 9.00pm and I have to drive myself home since Morgan's learners permit is after hours.
So instead of reclining tonight I have added to my Resume' CO REC softball. I have covered girls softball but tonight was my first with the guys intermingled. I can add this to by Volley Ball, soccer, Pool, the cue kind, pool swimming, football, basketball, baseball and of course the one sport that I have covered that I know not to many other announcers ever have. 10K running live on the radio.
What you say, you never heard me tell that story.
That story is for another day.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
A Quiet Week
High school practices are about the only thing going right now. Back in my day football was the only sport that had practice before school started. Now-a-days everyone from volley ball to cross country are preparing for the fall with August practice.
We are set, Sunday night 'The Stretchlon Sports Show "with yours truly as the MC will feature the Tar Heel State Little League champions. Show starts at 8.00pm on WHIG-TV. Talked with head coach Sam Toler yesterday. We will let Sam and his coaches talk for the first hour about this summer and of course each player. About 9.00pm we will open up the phone lines to let every one talk to the CHAMPS.
This is the third Tar heel Championship for Rocky Mount. 1999, 2007 and this year. Sam Toler was an assistant with Ray Peace in 2007.
Plaxico Burress has been indicted by that grand Jury in New York where he testified last week. All indications are that he admitted to the shooting. If that is the case he had better kiss the NFL good bye. Thirty one years old and maybe three years in jail, his shelf life will be long gone for the NFL once he gets out of the Pokey.
College football practice started at N C State yesterday. Other area colleges will start by weeks end. The ACC is still a mystery as for who is the out right favorite. Virginia Tech seems to be the cream of the crop but who they might play in the ACC Champoionship game is up for grabs.
I watched Tiger Woods this past weekend. He has to be the greatest ever at hitting what ever club the correct disstance. When he is on he can knock the pin down with his accuracy.
But, I do see that since Tiger has come back from his knee injury that his driving accuracy is not very good. It never really was but he has always been able to recover with his putter. He made some crazy number like forty five out of forty six putts within five feet. However it use to be anything with in twelve feet was a gimme.
Even Tiger age is beginning to show
We are set, Sunday night 'The Stretchlon Sports Show "with yours truly as the MC will feature the Tar Heel State Little League champions. Show starts at 8.00pm on WHIG-TV. Talked with head coach Sam Toler yesterday. We will let Sam and his coaches talk for the first hour about this summer and of course each player. About 9.00pm we will open up the phone lines to let every one talk to the CHAMPS.
This is the third Tar heel Championship for Rocky Mount. 1999, 2007 and this year. Sam Toler was an assistant with Ray Peace in 2007.
Plaxico Burress has been indicted by that grand Jury in New York where he testified last week. All indications are that he admitted to the shooting. If that is the case he had better kiss the NFL good bye. Thirty one years old and maybe three years in jail, his shelf life will be long gone for the NFL once he gets out of the Pokey.
College football practice started at N C State yesterday. Other area colleges will start by weeks end. The ACC is still a mystery as for who is the out right favorite. Virginia Tech seems to be the cream of the crop but who they might play in the ACC Champoionship game is up for grabs.
I watched Tiger Woods this past weekend. He has to be the greatest ever at hitting what ever club the correct disstance. When he is on he can knock the pin down with his accuracy.
But, I do see that since Tiger has come back from his knee injury that his driving accuracy is not very good. It never really was but he has always been able to recover with his putter. He made some crazy number like forty five out of forty six putts within five feet. However it use to be anything with in twelve feet was a gimme.
Even Tiger age is beginning to show
Monday, August 3, 2009
One year Ago
Today marks one year that I have been doing this blog "From the Pressbox". I have been very fortunate that during this past year I have blogged 356 times. That's just short of once a day.
The first three weeks of this blog I think it averaged five hits a day. That would be Wes Bradshaw, Charles Alston and me checking the blog three times a day.
When football season got rolling and it looked as if the Gryphon football team might be special, Friday Nights and Saturdays were the first growth spurt as people started watching to see what I had to say about Gryphon football.
During the Legion playoffs when we had picked up some Northern and Nash Central viewers we had a hit total once of over two hundred hits in a day.
I thank each and every person who thinks that this blog has information that they can use.
Blogging every day has been a matter of luck as at my house with a teen age daughter and a wife who is in every group in Rocky Mount, computer time is limited.
It is unfortunate that our local radio stations have chosen that nothing locally is worthy of having live on the radio.
Sunday "The Rocky Mount Telegram" did not have one item on the front page of the sports section pertaining to local sports.
If it is sports related you almost have to be there to know what is happening. I understand that the only things I can talk about are the things that either I attend or you pass along to me.
I ask you to pass along an e-mail to me, or call me and let me know what scores you know. Find out from someone who knows how to get up with me. I will do my best to make sure the community knows what is happening.
We live in the so called modern world and yet there is less local news and sports and weather about Rocky Mount available to it's citizens since before cave drawings.
As we start year two with your help we will try to provide information worthy of a city of 60,000 people.
When I'm not there with your help we can tell the world on the web what happening in Rocky Mount and Nash County.
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--
The first three weeks of this blog I think it averaged five hits a day. That would be Wes Bradshaw, Charles Alston and me checking the blog three times a day.
When football season got rolling and it looked as if the Gryphon football team might be special, Friday Nights and Saturdays were the first growth spurt as people started watching to see what I had to say about Gryphon football.
During the Legion playoffs when we had picked up some Northern and Nash Central viewers we had a hit total once of over two hundred hits in a day.
I thank each and every person who thinks that this blog has information that they can use.
Blogging every day has been a matter of luck as at my house with a teen age daughter and a wife who is in every group in Rocky Mount, computer time is limited.
It is unfortunate that our local radio stations have chosen that nothing locally is worthy of having live on the radio.
Sunday "The Rocky Mount Telegram" did not have one item on the front page of the sports section pertaining to local sports.
If it is sports related you almost have to be there to know what is happening. I understand that the only things I can talk about are the things that either I attend or you pass along to me.
I ask you to pass along an e-mail to me, or call me and let me know what scores you know. Find out from someone who knows how to get up with me. I will do my best to make sure the community knows what is happening.
We live in the so called modern world and yet there is less local news and sports and weather about Rocky Mount available to it's citizens since before cave drawings.
As we start year two with your help we will try to provide information worthy of a city of 60,000 people.
When I'm not there with your help we can tell the world on the web what happening in Rocky Mount and Nash County.
--
--
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Tar Heel State Champs
The Rocky Mount Tar Heel 11/12 year old little league all stars have won twice today and beat Jacksonville to win the Tar Heel State championship.
Rocky Mount having lost Thursday during their first game battled through four loser bracket games,two on Friday and two on Saturday just to be able to face Jacksonville .
The State Tar Heel little league tournament played in Valdese just outside of Hickory saw two quality teams battle tooth and nail this afternoon before Rocky Mount took two games again today both from Jacksonville.
In the opener Tyler King gave up a first inning home run but King would not allow another run as Linwood Jones drove in two runs in leading Rocky Mount to a 2-1 victory in game one.
Now with one loss just as Rocky Mount, Jacksonville held a 2-0 lead after four innings in the championship game. Rocky Mount scratched across five run to take a 5-2 lead into the sixth inning.
Sam Lilley who came on to pitch with one out in the second inning trailing 2-0 just allowed one run in the sixth as Rocky Mount wins their third Tar Heel Little League State Championship in the past eleven years 5-3.
This group also had to come out of the losers bracket in the district tournament to win that title , so this team is 12-2 in the playoffs this summer.
Veteran coach Sam Toler assisted by Norman Chambliss, George Carter, and Mike Sanders did a great job of making sure this team had pitching depth and they played seven games in four days twice.
It is tournaments like this when the pitchers can only pitch I think it is seven innings for the whole tournament that pitching depth shines. Today they gave up just four runs to win the title.
This is the capper of a very good year of baseball for the boys of summer from Nash County.
The 11/12 year olds are State Champions. The 9/10 year olds finished second in the state.
The Rocky Mount Junior Legion team finished third in the 15/16 year olds and the Senior Legion finished 7th in the state.
We have already made arrangments to have the State Champions Live on the "Stretchlon Sports Show" next Sunday night from 8.00-9.30pm.
Tell all your friends to watch the CHAMPS.
Rocky Mount having lost Thursday during their first game battled through four loser bracket games,two on Friday and two on Saturday just to be able to face Jacksonville .
The State Tar Heel little league tournament played in Valdese just outside of Hickory saw two quality teams battle tooth and nail this afternoon before Rocky Mount took two games again today both from Jacksonville.
In the opener Tyler King gave up a first inning home run but King would not allow another run as Linwood Jones drove in two runs in leading Rocky Mount to a 2-1 victory in game one.
Now with one loss just as Rocky Mount, Jacksonville held a 2-0 lead after four innings in the championship game. Rocky Mount scratched across five run to take a 5-2 lead into the sixth inning.
Sam Lilley who came on to pitch with one out in the second inning trailing 2-0 just allowed one run in the sixth as Rocky Mount wins their third Tar Heel Little League State Championship in the past eleven years 5-3.
This group also had to come out of the losers bracket in the district tournament to win that title , so this team is 12-2 in the playoffs this summer.
Veteran coach Sam Toler assisted by Norman Chambliss, George Carter, and Mike Sanders did a great job of making sure this team had pitching depth and they played seven games in four days twice.
It is tournaments like this when the pitchers can only pitch I think it is seven innings for the whole tournament that pitching depth shines. Today they gave up just four runs to win the title.
This is the capper of a very good year of baseball for the boys of summer from Nash County.
The 11/12 year olds are State Champions. The 9/10 year olds finished second in the state.
The Rocky Mount Junior Legion team finished third in the 15/16 year olds and the Senior Legion finished 7th in the state.
We have already made arrangments to have the State Champions Live on the "Stretchlon Sports Show" next Sunday night from 8.00-9.30pm.
Tell all your friends to watch the CHAMPS.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Tar Heel All Stars Survive Twice
The Rocky Mount Tar Heel 11/12 year old all stars have survived their second day of loser bracket games winning twice today in Valdese in the North Carolina Tar Heel little league tournament.
Nothing was easy today in the first game against Clayton as the game went eight innings before the Rocky Mount all stars put three on the board and shutout Clayton in the bottom of the eighth to win 6-3.
This made the third straight game that Rocky Mount has won since their opening game lost to Coates 4-3 when Coates scored in the last inning on Thursday.
Friday Rocky Mount won twice beating Hildebrand 12-2 and last night they beat Ahoskie 7-5. Playing twice in the same day for the second day in a row tonight Rocky Mount beat North Raleigh 5-4 after trailing 4-2 as they headed to the sixth inning.
My source on the scene in Valdese is Robert Morris who's son Andy is one of the players. Rocky Mount won on a three run homer in the sixth but there was so much whooping and hollering from the players in the back ground I didn't hear the name of the player who hit the home run.
For all of this work playing four games in two days, it is now down to two teams. The undefeated team is Jacksonville and Rocky Mount must beat them twice Sunday afternoon in order to win the State title.
Just a reminder this team won six in a row in Zebulon after they lost the first game of the districts. So this team knows they can do it.
Pitching will be a major question mark Sunday, but so far in the five games that Rocky Mount has played the pitching has only allowed twenty runs so to this point pitching has been a strong point .
Good luck Sunday.. First game starts at 2.00pm
Nothing was easy today in the first game against Clayton as the game went eight innings before the Rocky Mount all stars put three on the board and shutout Clayton in the bottom of the eighth to win 6-3.
This made the third straight game that Rocky Mount has won since their opening game lost to Coates 4-3 when Coates scored in the last inning on Thursday.
Friday Rocky Mount won twice beating Hildebrand 12-2 and last night they beat Ahoskie 7-5. Playing twice in the same day for the second day in a row tonight Rocky Mount beat North Raleigh 5-4 after trailing 4-2 as they headed to the sixth inning.
My source on the scene in Valdese is Robert Morris who's son Andy is one of the players. Rocky Mount won on a three run homer in the sixth but there was so much whooping and hollering from the players in the back ground I didn't hear the name of the player who hit the home run.
For all of this work playing four games in two days, it is now down to two teams. The undefeated team is Jacksonville and Rocky Mount must beat them twice Sunday afternoon in order to win the State title.
Just a reminder this team won six in a row in Zebulon after they lost the first game of the districts. So this team knows they can do it.
Pitching will be a major question mark Sunday, but so far in the five games that Rocky Mount has played the pitching has only allowed twenty runs so to this point pitching has been a strong point .
Good luck Sunday.. First game starts at 2.00pm
All Stars Still Alive
Friday The Rocky Mount Tar Heel Little league all stars started the day off in the losers bracket after a heart breaking opening day loss of 4-3 to Coates in mountains of North Carolina at Valdese.
The first game of the day the Rocky Mount all stars took out one of the local teams Hildebrand by a 12-2 score. When ever you make it to the losers bracket that automatically means every one of your players needs to be able to pitch because as soon as Rocky Mount had disposed of Hildebrand, there stood the Ahoskie team awaiting.
Ahoskie lead 5-2 going into the fifth inning when the Rocky Mount all stars exploded for five runs and held on to win 7-5.
Today Rocky Mount is faced with in order to make it to Sunday's final game they must win two more games. They start this afternoon with Clayton who last night knocked Coates out with a 7-5 win. The Rocky Mount-Clayton winner will then meet the undefeated team and if the losers bracket team wins will play for the championship Sunday afternoon.
This 11-12 year old all star team lost their first game in the district tournament and fought their way back to win that tournament and go to the state tournament in Valdese.
Another name has popped up on that Court ordered sealed list of names of pro baseball players and drug testing. David Ortiz is the lastest name that failed a drug test in 2003 in which no names were ever to be made public.
We now know about seven of the names. I have several questions about the list. If their names were never to be used why were their names put on the test bottles to begin with? Who is suppose to have this sealed list now? Why not throw away the list and burn it so no other names can be listed, or go ahead and tell all the names and let's end all of this every three months a name popping up that nobody can prove anyway.
I think the fans have proven that we don't care who's on the list since these test were done before Major league baseball had any testing in place.
Let's just play ball !
The first game of the day the Rocky Mount all stars took out one of the local teams Hildebrand by a 12-2 score. When ever you make it to the losers bracket that automatically means every one of your players needs to be able to pitch because as soon as Rocky Mount had disposed of Hildebrand, there stood the Ahoskie team awaiting.
Ahoskie lead 5-2 going into the fifth inning when the Rocky Mount all stars exploded for five runs and held on to win 7-5.
Today Rocky Mount is faced with in order to make it to Sunday's final game they must win two more games. They start this afternoon with Clayton who last night knocked Coates out with a 7-5 win. The Rocky Mount-Clayton winner will then meet the undefeated team and if the losers bracket team wins will play for the championship Sunday afternoon.
This 11-12 year old all star team lost their first game in the district tournament and fought their way back to win that tournament and go to the state tournament in Valdese.
Another name has popped up on that Court ordered sealed list of names of pro baseball players and drug testing. David Ortiz is the lastest name that failed a drug test in 2003 in which no names were ever to be made public.
We now know about seven of the names. I have several questions about the list. If their names were never to be used why were their names put on the test bottles to begin with? Who is suppose to have this sealed list now? Why not throw away the list and burn it so no other names can be listed, or go ahead and tell all the names and let's end all of this every three months a name popping up that nobody can prove anyway.
I think the fans have proven that we don't care who's on the list since these test were done before Major league baseball had any testing in place.
Let's just play ball !
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