Second Round Action

The Twin Counties put three teams on the field in the second round  of the state football playoffs and Tarboro and Nash Central played about 100 miles a part but I think they both must have practiced together this week as both games went almost exactly the same to some extent.  Both jumped out to 14-0 first half leads and had to hold on for dear life.  Tarboro was able to hold on in regulation while Nash Central went into overtime.

Nash Central chomping at the bit to play Hunt again for the second time this year came out of the blocks and managed a 14-0 in the first half only to see Hunt tie the game up 14-14.  The Bulldogs responded to take a 21-14 lead in the fourth quarter only to see Hunt tie the game up with less than 30 seconds to go in the game.  Already this year playing a 23-21 game their second meeting ended after 48 minutes tied 21-21 and overtime between the unbeaten Warriors and twice beaten Bulldogs just maybe the top two teams in the east playing in the second round.

Nash Central scored quickly in the first overtime to lead 28-21 and like at the end of regulation Hunt made the standing room only crowd  look for ulcer medicine as it took a fourth down play to score and get into double overtime.  Neither team could cross the goal line with their second try and both made field goals. So 48 minutes and now two over time tries and these teams are still just two points difference in the season now tied 31-31.

Hunt forced Nash Central to fumble  and as the three overtimes went deeper and deeper the Warrior defense got better and better. Unlike Nash Central who could have close the Warriors out on a fourth down at the end of the game and on a fourth down in the first overtime Hunt didn't waste any time to score a touchdown and win a thriller 37-31 over Nash Central.  Hunt will host cardinal Gibbons next Friday night.

Tarboro like  Nash Central scored early to jump to a 14-0 over Northside but the Monarch's scored with less than a minute to play in the half to trail 14-7 at the half.  It looked like Northside had made it all the way back as they scored with 8.47 to play only to miss the extra point and trail 14-13.

Tarboro feeling a one point lead was not enough went right down the field to score for the first time in the second half to lead 21-13.  Northside went all the way to inside the ten yard line with less than a minute to play and were faced with a fourth down.  Northside scored to cut the lead to two and needed the two point conversion to tie and their two point attempt was knocked down in the in zone  and Tarboro survives 21-19.

North Edgecombe didn't want any game in our area not to be entertaining so they had a shootout with Lejeune  in the second round of the 1-A playoffs.  Playing in front of the home folks the Warriors prevailed 44-34 to advance to round three.

I can tell you in their three scrimmages Friday that the Lady Gryphons looked good in all three .  Saturday the boys will have the gym all day.

Sunday night on the Stretchlon Sports Show we will have a live show featuring Tia Hudgins of Rocky Nount the Big East Volleyball player of the year.  Then the Price sisters of Nash Central the co players of the year in Tennis will be live with me Sunday night a 8.