What A Night Of Football

Four local teams took to the field in the third round of the state playoffs and three of the four went to the wire.

In what was billed as the best game across the state was played in Pinetops tonight and the billing did not disappoint with the results except for the score. Playing in front of a full house but not quite as many as witnessed the Tarboro game a few weeks back Reidsville and SouthWest Edgecombe battled right down to almost the last play before Reidsville edged the Cougars 22-20.

The end of the first quarter saw a 0-0 game and 14-14 at the half. Then it remained 14-14 heading into the fourth quarter. Reidsville score early and made the two point conversion and the Cougars scored with less than three minutes to play and missed their two pointer.

SWE tried an onside kick but Reidsville recovered but the Cougars forced the two time defending champions to punt with just over one minute to play. SWE moved it to the 21 yard line and on fourth down tried a game winning field goal but the muddy field the snap never got back to the holder and no attempt was made.

Reidsville 22- SouthWest 20

The last surviving Big East team is still alive and well despite losing four fumbles on the game. Southern Nash has gone to Gray's Creek tonight and will come home from Hope Mills with a 13-7 victory. Gray's Creek fumble on Southern's ten yard line with over two minutes to play but they held the Firebirds and got the ball on the Southern 42 yard line with a minute to play and were driving until the Firebirds intercepted a pass to seal the game.

Southern Nash 13- Gray's Creek 7

They lost their first three games of the season but after tonight North Edgecombe remains alive in the 1-A playoffs with a 16-8 victory over Jones County. The Warriors will have to travel again next week as they will take on Wallace Rose Hill in Teachey next week.

North Edgecombe 16- Jones County 8

The laughter of the night took place in Tarboro as the Vikings continue their assault on a return trip to the state championship game as they white washed Whiteville 41-0.

Rocky Mount boys opened the basketball season beating East Chapel Hill 86-85 and play Fike tonight in the championship game of the Knightdale High tip off tournament. The girls lost 37-36 to Wake Forest Rolesville.

Sunday's blog: Top fifteen football players of the Decade.