Ready To Rumble

Round two of the state high school playoffs is only twenty four hours away and for the first time in almost two years in playoff football Rocky Mount enters a playoff game as the underdog.

The fourth round game at Western Alamance in 2007 and the third round game also against W A in 2006 are the only playoff games since 2006 that the Gryphons are not the favorite. The Gryphons lost both the 2007 game 50-37 and 06 game 41-37.

South Johnston plays host to the Gryphons in round two and according to The Fanstatic 50 the 11-1 Trojans will only be a one point favorite against the 7-4 Gryphons. I think the Trojans schedule has a lot to do with that, having played only two teams all year with winning records.

South Johnston will throw the ball maybe forty times in this game so it will be vital for the Gryphons to create a pass rush. During the season the Gryphons have very few sacks mainly due to the fact the Gryphons have not played a team that throws the ball.

All you have to due is recollect to last year in the eastern finals when West Craven threw 52 times and beat the Gryphons. However the Trojans don't have a quarterback or receiver like they faced in West Craven last year.

As is this Gryphon team's nature. I am picking the Gryphons 21-17

The other bracket game to look to will be the Douglas Byrd traveling to West Brunswick. This is the game where the SJ/RM winner meets in round three. If the Gryphons pull off the upset Friday night they would get a home game in the third round against Byrd. If West Brunswick wins the SJ/RM winner travels to Shallotte on Thanksgiving Friday night. Don't be surprised if the Gryphons play home one more time this year.

If you have seen me in my gold Chevy luv pickup truck since football season started then you know my parking pass into the back gate to RMAC is dangling on my review mirror. Even though last Friday night we thought was the last home game my parking pass will be dangling until the season is over.

When the playoffs are over the Big East in their first year will finish with a winning record since all three teams won in the first round. Hunt will host Southern Nash Friday night for the second time this year. Whichever team loses will not count as a lost for the conference since they are playing each other.

SouthWest Edgecombe is home Friday facing Northside out of Jacksonville. I think the Cougars will not be stuck in the mud like last week.

Tarboro visits Roanoke Rapids and even on the road in the second round Tarboro should advance easily.

North Edgecombe will play in a second round game for the first time in a long time as they travel to Creswell. Creswell is 11-0 and NE is only 6-4 but the Fantastic 50 is favoring the Warriors by seven.

Chris Lee will play in the second round with his Louisburg football team. Lee who left Rocky Mount in January to become head football coach at the burg is 9-3 this year and is traveling to East Bladen Friday. EB is 12-0.

Radio time for the pregame show on am 1390 begins at 7.00pm. Please go to Four Oaks and support this improving Gryphon football team. If you decide to stay home we will have the kickoff at 7.30.