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.

Thanksgiving Friday Football

Four Twin County teams are still alive in the state playoffs the Friday after Thanksgiving. Two of those teams Tarboro and SouthWest Edgecombe are no surprises at all. North Edgecombe and Southern Nash I doubt whether they expected to still be a live way back when practice started the 1st of August.

Reidsville @ SouthWest Edgecombe

There is no bigger game in the state tonight than the 2-AA playoff game in Pinetops featuring the most celebrated football program in North Carolina history in Reidsville. Reidsville won their first state title back in the 20's and right now rides a 45 game winning streak. If Reidsville wins their 18th title they must pass through a power running Cougar team that should be use to playing in the mud for the third straight time this playoffs . It is unfortunate that this games outcome may come down to the team that can stand up during the crucial plays. Even though I picked the Cougars to win the state championship way back during last years football season I think SWE goes down tonight. Reidsville 27 SWE 20

Whiteville @ Tarboro

Two big third round games being played ten miles apart I think the Vikings will advance and continue their quest to make it to the State championship game two years in a row. This game will not be easy but the Vikes are better Tarboro 28- Whiteville 14

North Edgecombe at Jones County

If there was ever a good story this year in high school football you don't have to look any further than Leggett. Mid September seemed as if two wins on the year would be a wonderful year. Here the Warriors are playing the Friday after Thanksgiving. Jones County 25 North Edcombe 16.

Southern Nash @ Gray's Creek

The coaches knew what they were talking about when they voted Southern second place in the pre-season poll. The last surviving Nash County team and Big East member has a shot in this one. Unset can only happen if the Firebirds hold on to the ball. Gray's Creek 26 Southern Nash 22.

Rocky Mount starts it's basketball season today as both the boys and girls take part in Knightdale High's Thanksgiving basketball tournament.