It took two days to get it in because of weather but the third round of the 3-A tennis playoffs finished today at Nash Central was all Bulldogs. Nash Central wins and advances to the East regional winning 6-0. They meet the winner of the Union Pines 17-0 against Cardinal Gibbons 18-6 who are playing tonight as I write this. So far in the three rounds of the team competition the Lady Bulldogs have lost only one game.
Over in Bailey the Firebirds the Big East Conference champions in Soccer got off on the right foot winning over Havelock 2-1. They will now face the winner of the West Brunswick 11-5-1 and Southern Wayne 10-7-3 which was played tonight in West Brunswick. The Firebirds are now 16-4-1 after their first round win.
The other two Big East teams playing in the soccer playoffs were play at 7pm tonight. Hunt had to travel to Currituck while Fike was hosting West Carteret.
Last night Cardinal Gibbons beat D H Conley in volleyball to move on to the State Finals. I heard this stat today on the radio and this will just absolutely shock you. Since Cardinal Gibbons was brought on to play in the public school volleyball which I think 2006 was the year they joined the NCHSAA they have played in the volleyball finals every year since. In fact they have play in every final they have been eligible to be in since 1998 which cover when they played in the private school playoffs.
Don't forget the State Championship JV game at 6pm Thursday at RMA.
You may have heard that starting with this years freshman class in high school all athletes will have to have a grade point average at a certain level in order to meet new academic standards being implemented by the NCAA which will be required of all athletes as college freshmen in 2016. Listening to David Glenn's Statewide radio show during my lunch today he asked the question how was that going to effect State and Carolina during their future recruiting?
His answer may startle you. He says they are already recruiting by theses standards and everyone else will now have to recruit the same way they do. Just maybe that explains why they can't win consistantly in football They do require more than others in order to play sports at our state institution.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
RMA Plays For The Title
The junior varsity baby Eagles of RMA will play for the Independent State Championship for jv teams Thursday at 6pm at RMA. The 9-0 Eagles will host St David of Raleigh.
It doesn't matter what level it is when you play for all the marbles but the fact they will be giving away a trophy there is history in the trophy case and the RMA shoots for the gold. Things are really looking up for the Eagles after having one of their best varsity teams in years and help is on the way from the jv team. I think I saw somewhere that they only lose one player off the varsity team and that is a big hole in Adam Bayless.
The third round of the 3-A tennis duels are Wednesday as Nash Central will be hosting. You had better bring your long johns if you plan on attending.
The fourth round of the volley ball is this week with D H Conley the team that beat both Rocky Mount and Fike will be playing that professional amateur team Cardinal Gibbons.
Southern Nash will be starting their quest for the state soccer title as the opening round is this week.
Still can't figure out this POD system with Southern Nash the #2 from the Big East facing the #1 from the Big East Hunt. I can't understand why in the 2-A bracket they were rated 1-16 with Tarboro getting the #1 seed and Beddingfield the #16 and yet in the 3-AA Hunt is seeded 3rd and Southern 6th. Three against six should be a second round game.
I understand why Fike did not get in as the Big East #4 since they did not win the required four games. Sure does look like the people who put the brackets together said we are not going to let the Big East have a team in the East Regional final for what 7th year in a row. Either Hunt or Southern will have be get by that pro amateur team Cardinal Gibbons 10-0 and Cleveland 9-1 to make it this year. The road for the Big East back to the Regional will be about as hard to drive on as the beach road in Nags Head is now after Sandy past through.
It is almost basketball time and for the defending 3-A Champs Rocky Mount they have a decent nucleus coming back. The problem most of the team plays football so when practice cranks up most will still be doing something else. I am hearing that Rocky Mount just might have one of the best wrestling teams around this year too.
It doesn't matter what level it is when you play for all the marbles but the fact they will be giving away a trophy there is history in the trophy case and the RMA shoots for the gold. Things are really looking up for the Eagles after having one of their best varsity teams in years and help is on the way from the jv team. I think I saw somewhere that they only lose one player off the varsity team and that is a big hole in Adam Bayless.
The third round of the 3-A tennis duels are Wednesday as Nash Central will be hosting. You had better bring your long johns if you plan on attending.
The fourth round of the volley ball is this week with D H Conley the team that beat both Rocky Mount and Fike will be playing that professional amateur team Cardinal Gibbons.
Southern Nash will be starting their quest for the state soccer title as the opening round is this week.
Still can't figure out this POD system with Southern Nash the #2 from the Big East facing the #1 from the Big East Hunt. I can't understand why in the 2-A bracket they were rated 1-16 with Tarboro getting the #1 seed and Beddingfield the #16 and yet in the 3-AA Hunt is seeded 3rd and Southern 6th. Three against six should be a second round game.
I understand why Fike did not get in as the Big East #4 since they did not win the required four games. Sure does look like the people who put the brackets together said we are not going to let the Big East have a team in the East Regional final for what 7th year in a row. Either Hunt or Southern will have be get by that pro amateur team Cardinal Gibbons 10-0 and Cleveland 9-1 to make it this year. The road for the Big East back to the Regional will be about as hard to drive on as the beach road in Nags Head is now after Sandy past through.
It is almost basketball time and for the defending 3-A Champs Rocky Mount they have a decent nucleus coming back. The problem most of the team plays football so when practice cranks up most will still be doing something else. I am hearing that Rocky Mount just might have one of the best wrestling teams around this year too.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Not The Same Cardinal Team
Several years ago during the B W Holt era Rocky Mount drew Jacksonville in the opening round game and the Cardinals came into that game 2-8. I think that was one of the years when Rocky Mount was undefeated and after being ahead by 40 the clock ran the entire second half of that game. If you are expecting that kind of game you had better take an aspirin as that ain't going to happen this time.
Jacksonville is 4-3 in the Coastal 3-A and 7-3 over all. Their three losses were to Washington 35-0, Havelock 42-12 and D H Conley 31-14. Nobody has touched Havelock and Conley has lost to only Havelock and the rule makers after having to forfeit two games.
They are coached by Beau Williams who has a very familiar father in Chip Williams who just might be on the side lines helping his son this Friday as Chip is of course the former, Bertie, Rose and New Bern coach who has coached against Rocky Mount with all three of those teams.
Their high water mark on the year was scoring 28 points against South Central and White Oak and on the year are averaging just 14 points per game. The Gryphons on the other hand are averaging 24 per contest and they have scored at least 25 the last three games.
Both defenses are yielding near the same Jacksonville at 21 per ball game and the Gryphons just over 19. The undefeated team Havelock laced the Cardinals for 42 points while the undefeated team on Rocky Mount's schedule Hunt produced 28.
All in all this is a very good match up in the opening round but that should be expected when you have a four seed in Rocky Mount matched up against the five seed. This is suppose to be a close game by seedings.
I am completely lost as to explain the POD system. Jacksonville is coming a 100 miles to Rocky Mount while Currituck is traveling 165 to play Havelock. Should the Gryphons win they probably would go to Havelock which is 110 miles. Wouldn't be much better if they had to go to Currituck. Lord help if Jacksonville had to go to Currituck. All this travel and Southern Nash is going 10 mile to play conference foe Hunt. I honestly feel like they are trying to make the seedings this year so bad that the coaches will vote to do away with the POD next year.
Jacksonville is 4-3 in the Coastal 3-A and 7-3 over all. Their three losses were to Washington 35-0, Havelock 42-12 and D H Conley 31-14. Nobody has touched Havelock and Conley has lost to only Havelock and the rule makers after having to forfeit two games.
They are coached by Beau Williams who has a very familiar father in Chip Williams who just might be on the side lines helping his son this Friday as Chip is of course the former, Bertie, Rose and New Bern coach who has coached against Rocky Mount with all three of those teams.
Their high water mark on the year was scoring 28 points against South Central and White Oak and on the year are averaging just 14 points per game. The Gryphons on the other hand are averaging 24 per contest and they have scored at least 25 the last three games.
Both defenses are yielding near the same Jacksonville at 21 per ball game and the Gryphons just over 19. The undefeated team Havelock laced the Cardinals for 42 points while the undefeated team on Rocky Mount's schedule Hunt produced 28.
All in all this is a very good match up in the opening round but that should be expected when you have a four seed in Rocky Mount matched up against the five seed. This is suppose to be a close game by seedings.
I am completely lost as to explain the POD system. Jacksonville is coming a 100 miles to Rocky Mount while Currituck is traveling 165 to play Havelock. Should the Gryphons win they probably would go to Havelock which is 110 miles. Wouldn't be much better if they had to go to Currituck. Lord help if Jacksonville had to go to Currituck. All this travel and Southern Nash is going 10 mile to play conference foe Hunt. I honestly feel like they are trying to make the seedings this year so bad that the coaches will vote to do away with the POD next year.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Every Team Needs A Williams Family
I was so glad to see the article last Thursday in the Telegram on Northern Nash's David Williams having been given a spot of the Duke baseball team for next season. David and has family are A typical sports family of the 21st century. David's life is baseball and his entire family has lived that dream with him from his grand parents right on up to mom and dad.
Like so many sports families of today whether it is AAU basketball, soccer you name the sport David and his family have traveled many miles over the years watching David play ball. David came up through the Rocky Mount Recreation baseball program and they have been to many tournaments representing Rocky Mount and the older David got Northern Nash.
.David is not the best player on the team but his efforts make him close to the top. If every team was full of David Williams type players any team would be hard to beat. It is great to see that Duke has taken notice. David is near the top in Academics at Northern Nash and Duke spotted that first. Yes there is a reward for study and the Williams family has given the proper focus to both.
Not only has Northern Nash had a baseball player but with him comes parents willing to help out the program in what ever way they are needed. I am so proud of who David Williams is and what he has left to be. I can't wait to drive to Durham and watch David play ball and I know when I get there Jeff and Nan will be there as always helping Duke in what ever way Duke needs their help.
Since this has been about family today and just have to gloat just a little. Yesterday at Campbell was Military Appreciation Day. Daughter Morgan sang the National Anthem. Morgan has done a lot of singing in her life but it took a bus ride to a volleyball game before any one at Campbell knew she could sing a little bit. During one of those Freshman have to perform in front of the team deals Morgan had to stand up on the bus and sing while traveling home one weekend. Campbell's coach's husband is a Army Helicopter pilot in Afghanistan right now. Kind of a special moment in the Doughtie family's life.
Like so many sports families of today whether it is AAU basketball, soccer you name the sport David and his family have traveled many miles over the years watching David play ball. David came up through the Rocky Mount Recreation baseball program and they have been to many tournaments representing Rocky Mount and the older David got Northern Nash.
.David is not the best player on the team but his efforts make him close to the top. If every team was full of David Williams type players any team would be hard to beat. It is great to see that Duke has taken notice. David is near the top in Academics at Northern Nash and Duke spotted that first. Yes there is a reward for study and the Williams family has given the proper focus to both.
Not only has Northern Nash had a baseball player but with him comes parents willing to help out the program in what ever way they are needed. I am so proud of who David Williams is and what he has left to be. I can't wait to drive to Durham and watch David play ball and I know when I get there Jeff and Nan will be there as always helping Duke in what ever way Duke needs their help.
Since this has been about family today and just have to gloat just a little. Yesterday at Campbell was Military Appreciation Day. Daughter Morgan sang the National Anthem. Morgan has done a lot of singing in her life but it took a bus ride to a volleyball game before any one at Campbell knew she could sing a little bit. During one of those Freshman have to perform in front of the team deals Morgan had to stand up on the bus and sing while traveling home one weekend. Campbell's coach's husband is a Army Helicopter pilot in Afghanistan right now. Kind of a special moment in the Doughtie family's life.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Somebody Got To Do Some splaining
Let's all throw our hands up in the air as the football brackets have now reached the ridiculous and somewhere the
Big East has made somebodies list of let's take them out to the woodshed.
3-AA Hunt is undefeated and 10-0 seeded third in their pod. Southern Nash 8-2 the #2 seed from Big East has been seeded 6th in their pod and will play Hunt in the first round. Now I don't know whether this is a punishment for Southern or Hunt but this just can not be right. I can see a 1 from a conference play a 4 but hold the phone here.
Tarboro after beating Beddingfield last night 34-0 will play them again next Friday they will play in Tarboro. As long as the Vikes win they get at least three home games. I can understand this game bracket but there is no way the NCHSAA can explain SN and Hunt first round no better than President Obama explained the other night in the debate why gas prices are $3.50 a gallon now over four years ago when they were $1.90.
Rocky Mount as the third team from the Big East gets a home game against Jaxsonville in the 3-A bracket and should they win they will meet the Havelock-Currictuck winner. How does the second seed from our league hit the road and the third get a home game. It's time for more splaining. By the way where is Fike the Big East number 4 seed isn't in the tournament.
SouthWest Edgecombe 5-5 gets about where they thought as they draw in the 2-AA East Duplin 9-1 and North Edgecombe plays at home against Weldon.
The Price sisters of Nash Central finish second in the state finals in tennis as they lose to a team from Charlotte Catholic another one of those private schools that wins a lot of titles 6-0-6-1
The Regional Cross Country Northern Nash finished third to qualify for the state finals next week. Rocky Mount finished fifth and didn't qualify. However Mason Holt did as he finished second with a time of 16:52 and he beat out Steven Whitehead of Northern who was third and he is also headed to the state.
Nash Central's Michaela Williams is heading as an individual runner in the girls but no team made it. Rocky Mount finished fifth.
Big East has made somebodies list of let's take them out to the woodshed.
3-AA Hunt is undefeated and 10-0 seeded third in their pod. Southern Nash 8-2 the #2 seed from Big East has been seeded 6th in their pod and will play Hunt in the first round. Now I don't know whether this is a punishment for Southern or Hunt but this just can not be right. I can see a 1 from a conference play a 4 but hold the phone here.
Tarboro after beating Beddingfield last night 34-0 will play them again next Friday they will play in Tarboro. As long as the Vikes win they get at least three home games. I can understand this game bracket but there is no way the NCHSAA can explain SN and Hunt first round no better than President Obama explained the other night in the debate why gas prices are $3.50 a gallon now over four years ago when they were $1.90.
Rocky Mount as the third team from the Big East gets a home game against Jaxsonville in the 3-A bracket and should they win they will meet the Havelock-Currictuck winner. How does the second seed from our league hit the road and the third get a home game. It's time for more splaining. By the way where is Fike the Big East number 4 seed isn't in the tournament.
SouthWest Edgecombe 5-5 gets about where they thought as they draw in the 2-AA East Duplin 9-1 and North Edgecombe plays at home against Weldon.
The Price sisters of Nash Central finish second in the state finals in tennis as they lose to a team from Charlotte Catholic another one of those private schools that wins a lot of titles 6-0-6-1
The Regional Cross Country Northern Nash finished third to qualify for the state finals next week. Rocky Mount finished fifth and didn't qualify. However Mason Holt did as he finished second with a time of 16:52 and he beat out Steven Whitehead of Northern who was third and he is also headed to the state.
Nash Central's Michaela Williams is heading as an individual runner in the girls but no team made it. Rocky Mount finished fifth.
Rainy Night
During my career I have been in a many a night of rainy football especially in the early years when you played when it was game time regardless of the weather. The last thirty years the gate receipts have over taken and one drop of rain in the afternoon will put a game off.
As recent as 1999 while covering North Edgecombe for WHIG-TV while the Warriors were in the third round against Pamlico at Pamlico the press box was so small we were outside when a monsoon fell starting at halftime and I got wetter than I could have gotten if I had been taking a shower There are not many of those type nights that happen any more and then there is last night. Having no lightening and it being the last game of the season and every so often a monsoon falling those that endured to stay and watch any game in our area last night needs to be saluted as a true fan. As for Pat and me we were dry in the gym at Campbell watching volleyball and even as I write this this morning not one drop of rain has fallen here. Here's what happened last night.
I have been concerned about the Tarboro Viking defense but the last two weeks they have come together to produce shutouts. Last night Beddingfield failed to score on the Vikes and for the ninth time this year Tarboro scores at least 34. 34-0 Tarboro.
Hunt looking for their second straight perfect regular season got a test for a half from Fike who still had dreams of a tie for second. Hunt throws a second half shutout to win 28-7. Fike will finish fourth in Big East and waits for the playoff seeding to where they travel next week. Hunt will be home.
In 1983 N C State basketball had a record of if I remember were 16-4 and had Ralph Sampson and Virginia by 20 in the first half when Derrick Whittenberg broke his foot and for the next month the Pack played lineups that enabled those players to step up and when Whittenberg returned the Pack was a better team. I think the same thing just might happen for Southern Nash as injuries and suspensions have given the Firebirds two very interesting week and yet they won both. Injured players will return and suspensions over for next week look out for the Firebirds in the playoffs. Nash Central gave the Birds all they wanted but the Firebirds prevail 38-36. Southern will be the most nervous team in area as they wait to see if they are home or on the road next week.
Rocky Mount clinched 3rd in the Big East but Northern Nash gave them all they wanted until the very end. Those times of not scoring in the second half are over for the Gryphons as they wait for for word where they will be heading next week. Rocky Mount 25 Northern Nash 9.
They had lost to Word of God 54-0 during the regular season but last night Rocky Mount Academy made WOG work before losing 38-7. The big question now for RMA is can they hold on to B W Holt for next year or will some public school snatch him away?
As recent as 1999 while covering North Edgecombe for WHIG-TV while the Warriors were in the third round against Pamlico at Pamlico the press box was so small we were outside when a monsoon fell starting at halftime and I got wetter than I could have gotten if I had been taking a shower There are not many of those type nights that happen any more and then there is last night. Having no lightening and it being the last game of the season and every so often a monsoon falling those that endured to stay and watch any game in our area last night needs to be saluted as a true fan. As for Pat and me we were dry in the gym at Campbell watching volleyball and even as I write this this morning not one drop of rain has fallen here. Here's what happened last night.
I have been concerned about the Tarboro Viking defense but the last two weeks they have come together to produce shutouts. Last night Beddingfield failed to score on the Vikes and for the ninth time this year Tarboro scores at least 34. 34-0 Tarboro.
Hunt looking for their second straight perfect regular season got a test for a half from Fike who still had dreams of a tie for second. Hunt throws a second half shutout to win 28-7. Fike will finish fourth in Big East and waits for the playoff seeding to where they travel next week. Hunt will be home.
In 1983 N C State basketball had a record of if I remember were 16-4 and had Ralph Sampson and Virginia by 20 in the first half when Derrick Whittenberg broke his foot and for the next month the Pack played lineups that enabled those players to step up and when Whittenberg returned the Pack was a better team. I think the same thing just might happen for Southern Nash as injuries and suspensions have given the Firebirds two very interesting week and yet they won both. Injured players will return and suspensions over for next week look out for the Firebirds in the playoffs. Nash Central gave the Birds all they wanted but the Firebirds prevail 38-36. Southern will be the most nervous team in area as they wait to see if they are home or on the road next week.
Rocky Mount clinched 3rd in the Big East but Northern Nash gave them all they wanted until the very end. Those times of not scoring in the second half are over for the Gryphons as they wait for for word where they will be heading next week. Rocky Mount 25 Northern Nash 9.
They had lost to Word of God 54-0 during the regular season but last night Rocky Mount Academy made WOG work before losing 38-7. The big question now for RMA is can they hold on to B W Holt for next year or will some public school snatch him away?
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Catch Up Time
Sometimes there is so much going on you just can get it all in where something hot pushes it off the front page. So let's catch up on a few thing that I never got around to:
One student has been arrested and authorities are looking for possibly two more students in the vandalizing of Dowdy-Ficklin Stadium at ECU. The young man who has been arrested has dropped out of ECU and has been on tweeter threatening with a rifle to take care of those who are tweeting against him. I would hope those in charge will put this young man under observation.
D H Conley has had to forfeit two victories due to the fact a player transferred from Rose High to Conley but according to the NCHSAA still lived in Rose district. This will effect our area schools who might play Conley in playoffs.
Today if you go on line to The Technician the student newspaper of N C State there is an article featuring the rise of the Club Tri program at N C State and both the men and Women's team heading to the nationals in April. A closer look and the by line is written by Tyler Ellis. Yes, this is freshman Tyler Ellis from Rocky Mount. If I recall Tyler was the sports editor of the Rocky Mount year book last spring.
Friday lead by five tennis players from Nash Central the State tennis singles and double titles will be decided this weekend.
Saturday the Cross Country finals will be held in Kernersville. Northern's team has the best chance from the area and Rocky Mount's Mason Holt looks to be the highest finisher from the area.
Today David Stern announced that he would retire Feb 1 2014 and Adam Silver will take over as Commissioner. Silver is a 1984 grad of Duke University.
Saturday is Military Appreciation day at Campbell's volleyball. Morgan Doughtie will be singing the National Anthem.
The Final Friday night of high school football's regular season is upon us. Tarboro and Beddingfield. There is a really good possibility that they might also meet in the opening round of playoffs. I would suspect if it happens the Vikes win twice but this Friday 42-14
Southern Nash at Nash Central: Second is all the Firebirds. It is a matter of how much the starters play. Firebirds 35 Nash Central 14.
Hunt and Fike: A perfect season two years in a row for Hunt. Hunt 28 Fike 7
Rocky Mount hosting Northern. Rocky Mount will score this year and they will score enough to win this one 26-7.
One student has been arrested and authorities are looking for possibly two more students in the vandalizing of Dowdy-Ficklin Stadium at ECU. The young man who has been arrested has dropped out of ECU and has been on tweeter threatening with a rifle to take care of those who are tweeting against him. I would hope those in charge will put this young man under observation.
D H Conley has had to forfeit two victories due to the fact a player transferred from Rose High to Conley but according to the NCHSAA still lived in Rose district. This will effect our area schools who might play Conley in playoffs.
Today if you go on line to The Technician the student newspaper of N C State there is an article featuring the rise of the Club Tri program at N C State and both the men and Women's team heading to the nationals in April. A closer look and the by line is written by Tyler Ellis. Yes, this is freshman Tyler Ellis from Rocky Mount. If I recall Tyler was the sports editor of the Rocky Mount year book last spring.
Friday lead by five tennis players from Nash Central the State tennis singles and double titles will be decided this weekend.
Saturday the Cross Country finals will be held in Kernersville. Northern's team has the best chance from the area and Rocky Mount's Mason Holt looks to be the highest finisher from the area.
Today David Stern announced that he would retire Feb 1 2014 and Adam Silver will take over as Commissioner. Silver is a 1984 grad of Duke University.
Saturday is Military Appreciation day at Campbell's volleyball. Morgan Doughtie will be singing the National Anthem.
The Final Friday night of high school football's regular season is upon us. Tarboro and Beddingfield. There is a really good possibility that they might also meet in the opening round of playoffs. I would suspect if it happens the Vikes win twice but this Friday 42-14
Southern Nash at Nash Central: Second is all the Firebirds. It is a matter of how much the starters play. Firebirds 35 Nash Central 14.
Hunt and Fike: A perfect season two years in a row for Hunt. Hunt 28 Fike 7
Rocky Mount hosting Northern. Rocky Mount will score this year and they will score enough to win this one 26-7.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
ADM's Released
The biggest school in the Big East is Hunt High school with 1329 students. That is according to the 2012 ADM's Average Daily Membership which was released Tuesday by the NCHSAA. Southern Nash comes in as the second biggest school with 1240. Their relationship with the other schools in the 3-A classification we know for sure that they will play in the 3-AA football brackets.
Rocky Mount is the third biggest with 1191 followed by Fike 1186 then Nash Central 1177 and Northern Nash is now the smallest school in the Big East at 1133. Rocky Mount hinges on the border between will they be in the AA or A bracket. The ADM's say Rocky Mount is the 48th largest out of 97 schools. The 3-AA bracket will have the top 32 schools that are eligible for the playoffs. Then the next 32 will play in the A bracket.
Last night Southern Nash ended Rocky Mount's soccer season beating the Gryphons 4-0 in the semi finals of the Big East Soccer Tournament. Southern host the finals Thursday.
This is rivalry week in more ways than one. State-Carolina play Saturday. Rocky Mount -Northern Nash Friday. Hunt-Fike and Nash Central- Southern Nash. If you ask Nash Central fans they would probably tell you their top rivals are Rocky Mount and Northern.
Tonight the World Series gets under way and I truly have no dog in this years series so I will not watch every pitch which I might do if I had a rooting interest. I have been made aware today that people in Rocky Mount just might have a reason to pull for the Detroit Tigers. Jim Leyland the Tiger manager and Gene Lamont the Tiger third base coach both played for the Rocky Mount Leafs Carolina League team here in the mid 60's. Oddly enough neither had much of a career in the majors but both have been big league Managers.
Rocky Mount is the third biggest with 1191 followed by Fike 1186 then Nash Central 1177 and Northern Nash is now the smallest school in the Big East at 1133. Rocky Mount hinges on the border between will they be in the AA or A bracket. The ADM's say Rocky Mount is the 48th largest out of 97 schools. The 3-AA bracket will have the top 32 schools that are eligible for the playoffs. Then the next 32 will play in the A bracket.
Last night Southern Nash ended Rocky Mount's soccer season beating the Gryphons 4-0 in the semi finals of the Big East Soccer Tournament. Southern host the finals Thursday.
This is rivalry week in more ways than one. State-Carolina play Saturday. Rocky Mount -Northern Nash Friday. Hunt-Fike and Nash Central- Southern Nash. If you ask Nash Central fans they would probably tell you their top rivals are Rocky Mount and Northern.
Tonight the World Series gets under way and I truly have no dog in this years series so I will not watch every pitch which I might do if I had a rooting interest. I have been made aware today that people in Rocky Mount just might have a reason to pull for the Detroit Tigers. Jim Leyland the Tiger manager and Gene Lamont the Tiger third base coach both played for the Rocky Mount Leafs Carolina League team here in the mid 60's. Oddly enough neither had much of a career in the majors but both have been big league Managers.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Bulldogs Dominate
Round two of the 3-A Tennis playoffs for the Lady Bulldogs was the same result as round one. A 6-0 whitewash of Jacksonville. The difference this time was that Jacksonville came in with a 17-2 record and was going to be a dog fight but Nash Central did not let that happen. They were so dominant that the three doubles matches were not neccessary. This weekend the singles and doubles state championships will be contested.
Tarboro in the 2-A playoffs were not as fortunate as they lost 5-4 to Carrboro knocking the Lady Vikings out of the playoffs.
Tonight in the second round of the state volleyball playoffs Fike hosted and beat Northrn Nash 3-1 to advance to round three of the playoffs.
Southern Nash's Allison Pitts is the only player from Nash County to qualify for the state golfing championships. Those rounds will be Monday and Tuesday.
Later this week is the regional Cross Country championships will take place with several runners and teams still alive.
Last night Rocky Mount beat Northern Nash in the 4/5 game in the Big East soccer tournament. The Gryphons played the #1 seed Southern Nash this afternoon but I have not found a result.
Like to say congratulations to Northern Nash Trumpet player Joshua Freeman who has qualified to play for the All Star Invitational Marching Band and their assignment is be the official band for the BCS National Championship college football game in January. Good going Josh!
It doesn't matter what sport you play there is always somebody trying to predict the playoffs before they are set. Saturday at 6pm the high school football playoffs will be announced by the NCHSAA. High ScoolOT.COM the wral.com high school portion of their website is predicting Rocky Mount as the #3 from the Big East will draw Currituck in the opening Round. Currituck is 3-7 on the year. If the bracket is correct RM would play the #1 seed Havelock in round two. Southern who will be in the 3AA bracket will not be so lucky if HSOT.COM is correct. They would get Triton in the opening game and Triton has lost only once this year.
Tarboro in the 2-A playoffs were not as fortunate as they lost 5-4 to Carrboro knocking the Lady Vikings out of the playoffs.
Tonight in the second round of the state volleyball playoffs Fike hosted and beat Northrn Nash 3-1 to advance to round three of the playoffs.
Southern Nash's Allison Pitts is the only player from Nash County to qualify for the state golfing championships. Those rounds will be Monday and Tuesday.
Later this week is the regional Cross Country championships will take place with several runners and teams still alive.
Last night Rocky Mount beat Northern Nash in the 4/5 game in the Big East soccer tournament. The Gryphons played the #1 seed Southern Nash this afternoon but I have not found a result.
Like to say congratulations to Northern Nash Trumpet player Joshua Freeman who has qualified to play for the All Star Invitational Marching Band and their assignment is be the official band for the BCS National Championship college football game in January. Good going Josh!
It doesn't matter what sport you play there is always somebody trying to predict the playoffs before they are set. Saturday at 6pm the high school football playoffs will be announced by the NCHSAA. High ScoolOT.COM the wral.com high school portion of their website is predicting Rocky Mount as the #3 from the Big East will draw Currituck in the opening Round. Currituck is 3-7 on the year. If the bracket is correct RM would play the #1 seed Havelock in round two. Southern who will be in the 3AA bracket will not be so lucky if HSOT.COM is correct. They would get Triton in the opening game and Triton has lost only once this year.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Price Sister Do It Again.
Nash Central's Price sisters have done it again as they have won the doubles Regional Tennis Championship. Randi the senior and Kaley the junior are headed once again to the State Doubles after winning over teammates Dana Kelly and Lizzie Eakin. Kelly and Akin have also qualified for the State championships. Caley Bass second in singles and Northern Nash's Sarah Hinson 4th also qualified for the state championships from our area.
Round two of the State volleyball playoffs still have two Big East teams Fike and Northern Nash and one of them will make it to the third round as they will meet in the second round Tuesday at Fike.
Rocky Mount Academy is the #7 seed as the NCISAA playoffs that begin Friday night. They will face off against the number two seed Word Of God a team they already played earlier and gave a good accounting of themselves. I don't know how the NCISAA votes on coach of the year but B W Holt has the Eagles in the playoffs after not winning a game last year.
The Big East soccer conference Tournament starts tonight. Guess who plays each other. #4 Northern Nash host Rocky Mount with the winner meeting #1 seed Southern Nash Tuesday night.
Nash Central's football practice will have a little extra step this week even though it looks like the Bulldogs will finish the season Friday night. There is an outside possibility that the Bulldogs if they beat Southern Nash, Northern Nash beats Rocky Mount and Hunt beats Fike that here could still be a three way tie for third . The Bulldogs would still be fifth but have a good chance of getting in the playoffs as one of the best of the rest who fill in the brackets. If that happens they just might draw Hunt the first playoff game.
There seems to be an up rise of the quality of athletic teams at N C State since the arrival of Debbie Yow as Athletic Director. Sunday Tom O'Brian announced two football players had been dismissed from the team for their transgressions off the field and in one players case several speeding tickets he had received in his home County. A couple of weeks ago four soccer players week dismissed from the team for fighting in a bar on Hillsbourgh Street. Debbie Yow has gone as far as made the bar off limits to any N C State Athlete.
You know how I feel about any student who gets a free ride in college has a responsibility to those giving him the free education. I applaud the Wolfpack for their efforts to make sure those who don't deserve to continue to get a free ride don't. Maybe that could be a hint to Chapel Hill. Nothing like trying to get something started this week. Oh yea there is a game this week isn't it.
Duke is the only team in North Carolina at this late date that has secured a Bowl Trip in December or January more than likely the talk right now is the Belk Bowl for the Devils.
I do have to know one thing about the game Saturday night. What's up the the Tar Heel wearing Duke blue pants? I thought Duke was having a scrimmage when they came out in Duke Dark blue jerseys and Carolina had on Duke Blue Pants. Please get somebody to tell the Tar Heels what their school colors are.
Round two of the State volleyball playoffs still have two Big East teams Fike and Northern Nash and one of them will make it to the third round as they will meet in the second round Tuesday at Fike.
Rocky Mount Academy is the #7 seed as the NCISAA playoffs that begin Friday night. They will face off against the number two seed Word Of God a team they already played earlier and gave a good accounting of themselves. I don't know how the NCISAA votes on coach of the year but B W Holt has the Eagles in the playoffs after not winning a game last year.
The Big East soccer conference Tournament starts tonight. Guess who plays each other. #4 Northern Nash host Rocky Mount with the winner meeting #1 seed Southern Nash Tuesday night.
Nash Central's football practice will have a little extra step this week even though it looks like the Bulldogs will finish the season Friday night. There is an outside possibility that the Bulldogs if they beat Southern Nash, Northern Nash beats Rocky Mount and Hunt beats Fike that here could still be a three way tie for third . The Bulldogs would still be fifth but have a good chance of getting in the playoffs as one of the best of the rest who fill in the brackets. If that happens they just might draw Hunt the first playoff game.
There seems to be an up rise of the quality of athletic teams at N C State since the arrival of Debbie Yow as Athletic Director. Sunday Tom O'Brian announced two football players had been dismissed from the team for their transgressions off the field and in one players case several speeding tickets he had received in his home County. A couple of weeks ago four soccer players week dismissed from the team for fighting in a bar on Hillsbourgh Street. Debbie Yow has gone as far as made the bar off limits to any N C State Athlete.
You know how I feel about any student who gets a free ride in college has a responsibility to those giving him the free education. I applaud the Wolfpack for their efforts to make sure those who don't deserve to continue to get a free ride don't. Maybe that could be a hint to Chapel Hill. Nothing like trying to get something started this week. Oh yea there is a game this week isn't it.
Duke is the only team in North Carolina at this late date that has secured a Bowl Trip in December or January more than likely the talk right now is the Belk Bowl for the Devils.
I do have to know one thing about the game Saturday night. What's up the the Tar Heel wearing Duke blue pants? I thought Duke was having a scrimmage when they came out in Duke Dark blue jerseys and Carolina had on Duke Blue Pants. Please get somebody to tell the Tar Heels what their school colors are.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Fike/Northern Survive Round One
The Big East is off to a better start this year in the Volley ball playoffs over last year when the league went 0-4 in the opening round. Rocky Mount opened the playoffs Friday losing at D H Conley but the sun came up on Saturday and the big East finally got a win when Northern Nash traveled to Currituck and the Knights were able to win 3-0. Northern the Big East #3 will advance to round two.
Over in Wilson County Hunt and Fike hosted opening round playoff games and the Big East #2 Hunt lost a five setter to Jacksonville 3-2 while the top Big East team Fike was winning a five setter to Washington.
Other than having rival games the final football game of the season the playoff teams from the Big East are set, we just don't know their order completely. Hunt can go for another perfect season has the #1 seed win or lose against against Fike.
Southern Nash if they beat Nash Central will get the #2 seed but should they lose and if Rocky Mount and Fike win then there is a three way tie for second. Southern can solve everything by winning. Southern gets second regardless of what they do and what happens at Rocky Mount if Fike loses which would eliminate any possible three way tie scenerio
Rocky Mount can get third by beating Northern Nash but Rocky Mount has not scored on Northern in the last two meetings in fact their last score Northern folks will tell you they didn't get that one in that last second win at Northern three years ago.
Fike has the longest shot of anybody moving up as they not only play the undefeated Warriors of Hunt but must count on both Southern and Rocky Mount to lose in order to move higher than fourth a loss and all they can get is fourth.
You know they say the pigskin is not round like a basketball and because of that sometime odd things happen with a football like a kicker hooks the ball right into a goal post saving N C State from a sure loss. Then a ball rolling around on the ground for almost 25 yards gave Carolina what .they thought was a win at Duke. How Bout those Devils BOWL Bound.
Over in Wilson County Hunt and Fike hosted opening round playoff games and the Big East #2 Hunt lost a five setter to Jacksonville 3-2 while the top Big East team Fike was winning a five setter to Washington.
Other than having rival games the final football game of the season the playoff teams from the Big East are set, we just don't know their order completely. Hunt can go for another perfect season has the #1 seed win or lose against against Fike.
Southern Nash if they beat Nash Central will get the #2 seed but should they lose and if Rocky Mount and Fike win then there is a three way tie for second. Southern can solve everything by winning. Southern gets second regardless of what they do and what happens at Rocky Mount if Fike loses which would eliminate any possible three way tie scenerio
Rocky Mount can get third by beating Northern Nash but Rocky Mount has not scored on Northern in the last two meetings in fact their last score Northern folks will tell you they didn't get that one in that last second win at Northern three years ago.
Fike has the longest shot of anybody moving up as they not only play the undefeated Warriors of Hunt but must count on both Southern and Rocky Mount to lose in order to move higher than fourth a loss and all they can get is fourth.
You know they say the pigskin is not round like a basketball and because of that sometime odd things happen with a football like a kicker hooks the ball right into a goal post saving N C State from a sure loss. Then a ball rolling around on the ground for almost 25 yards gave Carolina what .they thought was a win at Duke. How Bout those Devils BOWL Bound.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
High Priced Athletes
The recent demise of the New York Yankees is being blamed on one man Alex Rodriquez. A-Rod still has more than 114 million dollars owed to him on his contract. The world is falling a part if you are a Yankee fan because A-Rod had a bad playoffs. Why is this any different from any other playoff. A-Rod is not Mr October, he never has been.
If there is any blame for all this then the Yankees have to look no further than the front office in putting them in such a position. My first question is why would any team pay such a high price for any player for such a long time. The effective life of any athlete is very short and to even think that any player in his thirties should get a ten year contract is preposterious
It seems people or businesses and I would throw any govenment agency into this category that has plenty of money (especially if it not theirs) they have a willingness to over pay for items that they could get cheaper but just because they can get it for any price they will pay that price. The Yankees paid A-Rod 24 million a year when they didn't have to pay a penny more than 10 or 12 million a year.
This dilemma for the Yankees is their team is old and all their players are over paid and they are tied up in long term contracts. Who's fault is that but the Yankees and their deep pockets? The California Angels will be facing this same situation as the older Albert Pulos gets.
The media has come up with this idea that the Yankees have to trade A-Rod and then pay most of the contract to who ever weasles the deal with the Yankees. A-Rod hit 272 this year which is 28 points lower than this career batting average. That is still a decent average and if the Yankees get rid of A-Rod they are crazy especially if they were going to pay most of his salary to someone else to get rid of him.
The bottom line in all of this is people who think they are the smartest people in the world most of the time only have money not brains. Why the Washington Nationals decided to shut down their best pitcher when the innings count for the season finally arrived. If they were planning to do that all year why did they not instead of pitching every fifth day just let him pitch once a week. It is obvious to me having money and having brains don't mix. It seems this applies in government and sports.
If there is any blame for all this then the Yankees have to look no further than the front office in putting them in such a position. My first question is why would any team pay such a high price for any player for such a long time. The effective life of any athlete is very short and to even think that any player in his thirties should get a ten year contract is preposterious
It seems people or businesses and I would throw any govenment agency into this category that has plenty of money (especially if it not theirs) they have a willingness to over pay for items that they could get cheaper but just because they can get it for any price they will pay that price. The Yankees paid A-Rod 24 million a year when they didn't have to pay a penny more than 10 or 12 million a year.
This dilemma for the Yankees is their team is old and all their players are over paid and they are tied up in long term contracts. Who's fault is that but the Yankees and their deep pockets? The California Angels will be facing this same situation as the older Albert Pulos gets.
The media has come up with this idea that the Yankees have to trade A-Rod and then pay most of the contract to who ever weasles the deal with the Yankees. A-Rod hit 272 this year which is 28 points lower than this career batting average. That is still a decent average and if the Yankees get rid of A-Rod they are crazy especially if they were going to pay most of his salary to someone else to get rid of him.
The bottom line in all of this is people who think they are the smartest people in the world most of the time only have money not brains. Why the Washington Nationals decided to shut down their best pitcher when the innings count for the season finally arrived. If they were planning to do that all year why did they not instead of pitching every fifth day just let him pitch once a week. It is obvious to me having money and having brains don't mix. It seems this applies in government and sports.
Classic
It was just a battle for second place in the conference but you would have thought they were playing for the title. Southern Nash out slugs Rocky Mount 36- 29.
The first play of the game was only a prelude to the way this entire game was going as Rocky Mount race 65 yards on the first play of the game to lead 7-0. Southern tied the game at seven. Rocky Mount retook the lead 13-7 only to watch the Firebirds jump in front 21-13 only to watch the Gryphons tie it back up. Southern retook the lead at 28-21 only to watch Rocky Mount score with six minutes left but they went for a two point conversion to take the lead 29-28.
Faced with a 4th and seven from the Rocky Mount 35 Southern tossed their third td throw of the night to seal the victory. Before this game would end Rocky Mount had moved the ball into Southern territory but a desperation heave in the inzone fell harmlessly to the ground and seal the Firebird victory.
Wasted with the defeat was the effort of Gryphon Mason Hines as he had 18 carries on the night for a mere 266 yards which for him was apersonal high. Southern three touchdown pass will have people scouring the record books to see if they have ever donethat before.
Both Southern and Rocky Mount sealed playoffs spots Rocky Mount securing theirs courteous both Northern Nash and Nash Central losing tonight.Hunt Knocked of Nash Central 34-0 while Fike was beating Northern 42-21.
Tarboro remained unbeaten winning 21-0 over Farmville Central. SouthWest Edgecombe finished their regular season womping Greene Central 52-6. Tonight I attended the RMA- Halifax Academy game which was maybe my 5th eight man football game ever. RMA won 48-7. The biggest difference between eight man and eleven man is after a run of eight yards in eight man everyone says nice stop. It is wide open football.
Tonight Rocky Mount Volleyball lost in the opening round of the 3-A playoffs at D H Conley 3-0.
Need to pass on information concerning Hall of Fame former Rocky Mount High Trainer Bernie Capps who was hospitalized earier this week. Talked with Bernie tonight at the RMA game and he is doing fine.
The first play of the game was only a prelude to the way this entire game was going as Rocky Mount race 65 yards on the first play of the game to lead 7-0. Southern tied the game at seven. Rocky Mount retook the lead 13-7 only to watch the Firebirds jump in front 21-13 only to watch the Gryphons tie it back up. Southern retook the lead at 28-21 only to watch Rocky Mount score with six minutes left but they went for a two point conversion to take the lead 29-28.
Faced with a 4th and seven from the Rocky Mount 35 Southern tossed their third td throw of the night to seal the victory. Before this game would end Rocky Mount had moved the ball into Southern territory but a desperation heave in the inzone fell harmlessly to the ground and seal the Firebird victory.
Wasted with the defeat was the effort of Gryphon Mason Hines as he had 18 carries on the night for a mere 266 yards which for him was apersonal high. Southern three touchdown pass will have people scouring the record books to see if they have ever donethat before.
Both Southern and Rocky Mount sealed playoffs spots Rocky Mount securing theirs courteous both Northern Nash and Nash Central losing tonight.Hunt Knocked of Nash Central 34-0 while Fike was beating Northern 42-21.
Tarboro remained unbeaten winning 21-0 over Farmville Central. SouthWest Edgecombe finished their regular season womping Greene Central 52-6. Tonight I attended the RMA- Halifax Academy game which was maybe my 5th eight man football game ever. RMA won 48-7. The biggest difference between eight man and eleven man is after a run of eight yards in eight man everyone says nice stop. It is wide open football.
Tonight Rocky Mount Volleyball lost in the opening round of the 3-A playoffs at D H Conley 3-0.
Need to pass on information concerning Hall of Fame former Rocky Mount High Trainer Bernie Capps who was hospitalized earier this week. Talked with Bernie tonight at the RMA game and he is doing fine.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Northern Wins Cross Country Title
The Big East Conference Cross Country boys championship has been won by Northern Nash. Rocky Mount boys finished second. Rocky Mount High's Mason Holt is the conference champion with Northern Nash's Stephen Whitehead second and Southern Nash's Patel finishing third.
The girls conference champion is Fike while the Lady Gryphon women finished second. Nash Central's Micheala Williams was the conference champion. Nef Thigpen-Conyers of Rocky Mount finished third. All runners who finished in the top ten earned All Conference honors.
The playoff brackets are out and as expected Rocky Mount the # four seed from the Big East heads to D H Conley on Friday at 5pm. Rocky Mount and Conley have squared off twice during the regular season with Conley dominating in both matches. Last week Rocky Mount and Northern Nash played in a playoff game to give third place to the winner. By winning Northern heads to Currituck in the opening round and surely after you forget about the long drive have a much better chance of winning in round one than does Rocky Mount. Fike the conference champion is home hosting Jacksonville while #2 Hunt will welcome Washington.
This time there was a winner as Northern Nash soccer beat Rocky Mount 1-0 and in doing so grabs the #4 seed in next weeks Big East soccer tournament. The victory still leaves Northern on pins and needles until they see both Rocky Mount and Nash Central knocked out of next weeks tournament. RM and NC will have to win next week's tournament in order to displace the Knights from the playoffs.
High school football Friday night's big game is Rocky Mount at Southern Nash. If I was a guessing man Southern will pound the ball and if Rocky Mount can hang will be the difference. Will the two suspensions of Southern players effect this game? Who knows? Southern 26 Rocky Mount 14
Hunt travels to Nash Central and the entire season rides on a victory for the Bulldogs. Hunt only needs one victory to clinch first and I think this will be enough to motivate them. Hunt 34 Nash Central 20
Northern Nash and Fike collide and this is a needed game for both. Who is this most important to it hard to say. Northern can still get in the playoffs and Fike still has an outside chance to tie for first. Fike 26 Northern 20.
The girls conference champion is Fike while the Lady Gryphon women finished second. Nash Central's Micheala Williams was the conference champion. Nef Thigpen-Conyers of Rocky Mount finished third. All runners who finished in the top ten earned All Conference honors.
The playoff brackets are out and as expected Rocky Mount the # four seed from the Big East heads to D H Conley on Friday at 5pm. Rocky Mount and Conley have squared off twice during the regular season with Conley dominating in both matches. Last week Rocky Mount and Northern Nash played in a playoff game to give third place to the winner. By winning Northern heads to Currituck in the opening round and surely after you forget about the long drive have a much better chance of winning in round one than does Rocky Mount. Fike the conference champion is home hosting Jacksonville while #2 Hunt will welcome Washington.
This time there was a winner as Northern Nash soccer beat Rocky Mount 1-0 and in doing so grabs the #4 seed in next weeks Big East soccer tournament. The victory still leaves Northern on pins and needles until they see both Rocky Mount and Nash Central knocked out of next weeks tournament. RM and NC will have to win next week's tournament in order to displace the Knights from the playoffs.
High school football Friday night's big game is Rocky Mount at Southern Nash. If I was a guessing man Southern will pound the ball and if Rocky Mount can hang will be the difference. Will the two suspensions of Southern players effect this game? Who knows? Southern 26 Rocky Mount 14
Hunt travels to Nash Central and the entire season rides on a victory for the Bulldogs. Hunt only needs one victory to clinch first and I think this will be enough to motivate them. Hunt 34 Nash Central 20
Northern Nash and Fike collide and this is a needed game for both. Who is this most important to it hard to say. Northern can still get in the playoffs and Fike still has an outside chance to tie for first. Fike 26 Northern 20.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Nash Central Powers Forward
Nash Central won their opening round match in the State Tennis playoffs winning 6-love while Rocky Mount in their match with Cardinal Gibbons lost by the same score. If my memory serves me correctly the Lady Gryphons have three freshmen in their top six players and even after losing to perennial power Gibbons finished the season 13-3. The future is bright for both and Nash Central and Rocky Mount next year. This weekend Tennis turns to singles and doubles at Barton College and Nash Central and Rocky Mount will be well represented on both those levels. Nash Central will play round two in the team competition next week.
Hunt has the lead with two weeks to go in the football race at 3-0. Rocky Mount and Southern Nash are tied at 2-1. Fike and Nash Central are 1-2 and Northern is 0-3. The only thing we know for sure with two games to go is Northern cannot win the football title. Any thing else is still possible. Hunt and Southerns fight the other night with both losing players with ejections for the remainder of the regular season puts into play that Hunt is not as dominant going down the stretch as they could be but one more victory by them either against Nash Central or Fike and they will win the regular season title.
Should Hunt lose both and with a lot of dominoes falling into place there is a chance that a five way tie for first is still possible, maybe a four way tie or even a three way tie. Desperate teams will have to play with all their might and even with a win last week Nash Central is as desperate as anyone needing wins and they really need to beat both Hunt and Southern because they don't own any tie breakers with Rocky Mount or Fike should they fall into a fourth place tie with either.
The New York Yankees are on the verge of being swept out of the playoffs and I can assure you they will get sympathy here. I have no dog in any of the baseball playoffs but not having to watch the Yankees in the World Series will not make me cry.
I haven't mention this yet this week but Sunday afternoon I stumbled across the Discovery Channel and they were beaming live the altitude jump from 128,000 feet and I sat and watched history being made much like I did back in 1969 watching Neil Armstrong walk on the moon. I have to ask you this question. Would you step out on that platform and dive off and fall for almost five minutes before the chute opened at 5,000 feet?
For me NO Way Jose would I even peep out of that capsule from the platform. Maybe out the window but ain't no way I'm standing on that platform and then JUMP!
Hunt has the lead with two weeks to go in the football race at 3-0. Rocky Mount and Southern Nash are tied at 2-1. Fike and Nash Central are 1-2 and Northern is 0-3. The only thing we know for sure with two games to go is Northern cannot win the football title. Any thing else is still possible. Hunt and Southerns fight the other night with both losing players with ejections for the remainder of the regular season puts into play that Hunt is not as dominant going down the stretch as they could be but one more victory by them either against Nash Central or Fike and they will win the regular season title.
Should Hunt lose both and with a lot of dominoes falling into place there is a chance that a five way tie for first is still possible, maybe a four way tie or even a three way tie. Desperate teams will have to play with all their might and even with a win last week Nash Central is as desperate as anyone needing wins and they really need to beat both Hunt and Southern because they don't own any tie breakers with Rocky Mount or Fike should they fall into a fourth place tie with either.
The New York Yankees are on the verge of being swept out of the playoffs and I can assure you they will get sympathy here. I have no dog in any of the baseball playoffs but not having to watch the Yankees in the World Series will not make me cry.
I haven't mention this yet this week but Sunday afternoon I stumbled across the Discovery Channel and they were beaming live the altitude jump from 128,000 feet and I sat and watched history being made much like I did back in 1969 watching Neil Armstrong walk on the moon. I have to ask you this question. Would you step out on that platform and dive off and fall for almost five minutes before the chute opened at 5,000 feet?
For me NO Way Jose would I even peep out of that capsule from the platform. Maybe out the window but ain't no way I'm standing on that platform and then JUMP!
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Timing Is Everything
Another big week of Big East Football is up and coming on Friday night. Now with a victory under their belt Nash Central is faced with the daunting task of having to win twice against two teams ahead of them in the standings. Friday the Bulldogs Host Hunt and in the last week of the season they face Southern Nash.
I have heard but have not been able to get an answer that there was a fight in the Hunt- Southern game with a couple of players tossed out for both teams. If so those players will have to sit two weeks. Don't know whether Nash Central can win either game but if a couple of starters are missing from either Hunt or Southern and Nash Central plays both in the next two weeks then they can't ask for a better gift since they need to win both games this really helps their chances.
If players were tossed then Rocky Mount is the other team that can benefit from Southern being short a player or two. Like the Bulldogs Rocky Mount needs one more win to secure for sure a playoff spot but there is still a chance for maybe a four way tie or three way tie for first. A loss in the next two games would kill any chance they have left of working their way into a tie for first..
Last night I probably have never been down in the dumps about a football game any more than after the Bronco's -Chargers game Monday night. Philip River and the Charger played about as sorry of a second half as you could ask for. If there is one thing Philip has never had is foot speed so he needs protection in order to stay in the pocket. If you recall last year the first 11 games were so so for Philip and then they traded and picked up a left tackle who gave up only one sack the last five games and Philip had the best QB rating in football during those last five games.
You hear all the time about how professional sports is so mental that you have to have great coaching. Pro basketball is simple the team with the most good players win and in football the team that protects their qb and sacks the others teams win.
Now that N C State has been chosen as the team to beat in the ACC basketball race it will be interesting to see how they play as the hunted instead of the hunter. The ACC coaches picked the Pack to finish first this season and that is the first time the Pack has been the preseason favorite since 1974. I am looking for good things but my bottom line is when the year is over I want the Pack to finish the year with only single digit losses. I am tire of these 16-12 and 24-12 seasons. It's time for a 27-8 type season. If that happens look out next year.
I have heard but have not been able to get an answer that there was a fight in the Hunt- Southern game with a couple of players tossed out for both teams. If so those players will have to sit two weeks. Don't know whether Nash Central can win either game but if a couple of starters are missing from either Hunt or Southern and Nash Central plays both in the next two weeks then they can't ask for a better gift since they need to win both games this really helps their chances.
If players were tossed then Rocky Mount is the other team that can benefit from Southern being short a player or two. Like the Bulldogs Rocky Mount needs one more win to secure for sure a playoff spot but there is still a chance for maybe a four way tie or three way tie for first. A loss in the next two games would kill any chance they have left of working their way into a tie for first..
Last night I probably have never been down in the dumps about a football game any more than after the Bronco's -Chargers game Monday night. Philip River and the Charger played about as sorry of a second half as you could ask for. If there is one thing Philip has never had is foot speed so he needs protection in order to stay in the pocket. If you recall last year the first 11 games were so so for Philip and then they traded and picked up a left tackle who gave up only one sack the last five games and Philip had the best QB rating in football during those last five games.
You hear all the time about how professional sports is so mental that you have to have great coaching. Pro basketball is simple the team with the most good players win and in football the team that protects their qb and sacks the others teams win.
Now that N C State has been chosen as the team to beat in the ACC basketball race it will be interesting to see how they play as the hunted instead of the hunter. The ACC coaches picked the Pack to finish first this season and that is the first time the Pack has been the preseason favorite since 1974. I am looking for good things but my bottom line is when the year is over I want the Pack to finish the year with only single digit losses. I am tire of these 16-12 and 24-12 seasons. It's time for a 27-8 type season. If that happens look out next year.
Monday, October 15, 2012
The Second Season Begins
Both Nash Central and Rocky Mount begin their playoff aspiration Tueday when the team playoff begins for girls tennis. Nash Central is at home and Rocky Mount is on the road to Cardinal Gibbons. Yes this is the same Cardinal Gibbons the private school that almost got kicked out of the NCHSAA last year, saved only by about 100 schools that voted present when the vote was taken. Don't look now but Cardinal Gibbons is in position to again win most of the State Championship in the minor sports. We will see how those that voted present feel after this fall state championship results. The Regional for the singles and doubles is this weekend at Barton College.
Girls volleyball playoffs begin Saturday but if you go on line to see who the Big East is playing the seedings will not be posted until Wednesday night. Fike and Hunt will get home matches with Northern Nash and Rocky Mount on the road. Hope the entire conference does better this year as they were 0-4 in the first round a year ago.
Rocky Mount soccer has three Big East matches this week as they play Southern Nash tonight, Hunt Wednesday and they finish the regular season with Northern Nash Thursday night. Maybe this week there will be a winner when the Gryphons and Knights plays after tying last time after overtime.
Those you that watched the Notre Dame-Stanford game saw a finish of did he score or not. The refs said no he didn't and Notre Dame remains undefeated and they have moved up to fifth in the latest polls. A similar situation occurred at Rocky Mount Academy as the Eagles lead 25-18 when Hobgood scored with 40 seconds to play in the game and went for a two point conversion for the win. Depending on which sideline you were on the refs rules the two point conversion good but RMA folks will tell you he didn't get in.
Sounds a lot like the finish to the Rocky Mount -Northern Game in 2009 when 5,000 Northern Fans who were all on the sidelines at the goal line that still say that Collin Cuthrell didn't score. I am sure as this RMA game is talked about more and more over the years everyone in Rocky Mount was there and everyone was on the sidelines right on the goal line when it happened.
If major league baseball doesn't vote in instant replay now they never will. The New York Yankees over the years certainly have had their share of shall we say fortunate calls. This weekend a Tiger Runner was out by a mile and the ump called him safe. Replay would have solved that on in about thirty seconds. All we need now is red flags for the managers.
Girls volleyball playoffs begin Saturday but if you go on line to see who the Big East is playing the seedings will not be posted until Wednesday night. Fike and Hunt will get home matches with Northern Nash and Rocky Mount on the road. Hope the entire conference does better this year as they were 0-4 in the first round a year ago.
Rocky Mount soccer has three Big East matches this week as they play Southern Nash tonight, Hunt Wednesday and they finish the regular season with Northern Nash Thursday night. Maybe this week there will be a winner when the Gryphons and Knights plays after tying last time after overtime.
Those you that watched the Notre Dame-Stanford game saw a finish of did he score or not. The refs said no he didn't and Notre Dame remains undefeated and they have moved up to fifth in the latest polls. A similar situation occurred at Rocky Mount Academy as the Eagles lead 25-18 when Hobgood scored with 40 seconds to play in the game and went for a two point conversion for the win. Depending on which sideline you were on the refs rules the two point conversion good but RMA folks will tell you he didn't get in.
Sounds a lot like the finish to the Rocky Mount -Northern Game in 2009 when 5,000 Northern Fans who were all on the sidelines at the goal line that still say that Collin Cuthrell didn't score. I am sure as this RMA game is talked about more and more over the years everyone in Rocky Mount was there and everyone was on the sidelines right on the goal line when it happened.
If major league baseball doesn't vote in instant replay now they never will. The New York Yankees over the years certainly have had their share of shall we say fortunate calls. This weekend a Tiger Runner was out by a mile and the ump called him safe. Replay would have solved that on in about thirty seconds. All we need now is red flags for the managers.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Playoffs Loom
Friday night was home coming at Rocky Mount High and as I sat there in the first half I was rather disappointed in the crowd. Yes there was a nice crowd there but this is home coming and this Gryphon team is heading to the playoffs for the first time in three years. Halftime I found out there were a lot more fans there they just were not sitting down. Once you get to the end of the bleacher the patio area between the concession stand and the bathrooms were wall to wall people.
Evie Hunter was named homecoming with dad Sam as her escort. Every game that the Hunter children have ever played in volleyball or soccer Sam has been there with a camera in hand filming his kids. I sure hope mama Victoria was in the stands filming Friday. J'Kyra Brown was the runner up. Austin Warner was crowned home coming king at a pep rally Friday since he was in the locker room at the half with his football team mates.
Talk throughout the stands is about how amazed everyone is in the attitude of the players this season. There is no doubt that one of the strong points of Jason Battle is how well he relates with the kids just in the hallways. If there was any question about whether he could transfer that to the football field has been answered.
You can look at the players body language and this team simply hasn't drooped even when losing at Hunt. Coaches job is to get everything a player has to give in order to win any game. Jason Battle has gotten more from this team than any one expected. You can see this team is having fun something that never happened last year.
Winning seems to do this to any team. It is always more fun winning than not. Winning doesn't just happen by luck. Somebody had to put all the pieces in place and Jason Battle has done that. It is customary that the coach that wins first place will win the Coach of the Year in the Big East. There is no doubt that Jason Battle has brought pride back to the Gryphon nation and he should be COACH OF THE YEAR!
Evie Hunter was named homecoming with dad Sam as her escort. Every game that the Hunter children have ever played in volleyball or soccer Sam has been there with a camera in hand filming his kids. I sure hope mama Victoria was in the stands filming Friday. J'Kyra Brown was the runner up. Austin Warner was crowned home coming king at a pep rally Friday since he was in the locker room at the half with his football team mates.
Talk throughout the stands is about how amazed everyone is in the attitude of the players this season. There is no doubt that one of the strong points of Jason Battle is how well he relates with the kids just in the hallways. If there was any question about whether he could transfer that to the football field has been answered.
You can look at the players body language and this team simply hasn't drooped even when losing at Hunt. Coaches job is to get everything a player has to give in order to win any game. Jason Battle has gotten more from this team than any one expected. You can see this team is having fun something that never happened last year.
Winning seems to do this to any team. It is always more fun winning than not. Winning doesn't just happen by luck. Somebody had to put all the pieces in place and Jason Battle has done that. It is customary that the coach that wins first place will win the Coach of the Year in the Big East. There is no doubt that Jason Battle has brought pride back to the Gryphon nation and he should be COACH OF THE YEAR!
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Thundered But Never Rained
Today those folks who pull for the Duke Blue Devils should hold their heads high tonight as to the question is this Duke Football team any good was a very solid yes-yes-yes. There was a period of time today in Blacksburg Virginia where many people who pull for the best football program was on the verge of losing to Duke. It thundered but but the Hokies stayed dry.
Yes, so far this year these Hokies are not the Hokies that make VA Tech the best program in the ACC. I am sure there were more people in Lane Stadium ready to fire Bud Foster the Tech D coordinator when Duke was ahead 20-0 than those that even thought the Hokies could win the game.
Duke lost 41-20 but anybody that thinks this is the same old Duke in football had better not hope they still have these Devils on the schedule the rest of the season. Their schedule that they have left they may not win another game but I bet every film session that every future Duke opponent has left will not fall asleep this year when watching Duke film.
Miami has given up more points than Carter has pills and yet today Carolina and their hurry up offense can score but 18. N C State scores 37 on Miami and loses. What does all this add up to? The State-Carolina game should be a dandy when they play in a few weeks.
ECU used Homing Coming to rout Memphis and all Pirate fans went away from Greenville happy.
Preseason basketball polls have all three triangle schools in the Top 15. Last night a huge crowd showed up at the PNC Center as N C State gave their fans that braved the traffic of the State Fair their first look at Mark Gottfried's second team. I am sure those in Chapel Hill had fun watching the Tar Heels dance last night. Right now everyone is having fun since everyone is still undefeated.
The Carolina Panthers play Dallas next Sunday. Cam Newton has not had the season they he had last year. If he doesn't improve his play the Panthers will be destined for another losing year not the playoff year many fans thought could happen.
Yes, so far this year these Hokies are not the Hokies that make VA Tech the best program in the ACC. I am sure there were more people in Lane Stadium ready to fire Bud Foster the Tech D coordinator when Duke was ahead 20-0 than those that even thought the Hokies could win the game.
Duke lost 41-20 but anybody that thinks this is the same old Duke in football had better not hope they still have these Devils on the schedule the rest of the season. Their schedule that they have left they may not win another game but I bet every film session that every future Duke opponent has left will not fall asleep this year when watching Duke film.
Miami has given up more points than Carter has pills and yet today Carolina and their hurry up offense can score but 18. N C State scores 37 on Miami and loses. What does all this add up to? The State-Carolina game should be a dandy when they play in a few weeks.
ECU used Homing Coming to rout Memphis and all Pirate fans went away from Greenville happy.
Preseason basketball polls have all three triangle schools in the Top 15. Last night a huge crowd showed up at the PNC Center as N C State gave their fans that braved the traffic of the State Fair their first look at Mark Gottfried's second team. I am sure those in Chapel Hill had fun watching the Tar Heels dance last night. Right now everyone is having fun since everyone is still undefeated.
The Carolina Panthers play Dallas next Sunday. Cam Newton has not had the season they he had last year. If he doesn't improve his play the Panthers will be destined for another losing year not the playoff year many fans thought could happen.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Gryphon Slump Is Over
Next Friday night three years ago Rocky Mount beat Southern Nash 24-19 and since then tonight is the next time that the Gryphons have scored more than 20 in a Big East Conference game. Armad Harrell opened the first play of the game scampering 51 yards then two plays later Mason Hines went ten yards for a touchdown and the Gryphons were on their way to 20 points before the half and a 28-14 victory over Fike.
Despite their offensive first half explosion it took a fourth quarter drive, two keys Mason Hines runs, a made fourth down and then a catch on the sidelines by Hines who acted like Raymond Berry who had just caught a pas from Johnny Unitas or in this case J T Smith with a defender drape on him to secure the Gryphon victory.
J T Smith's qb sneak at the start of the second quarter and a Brodrick Caudle six yard run gave the Gryphons a 20 -0 lead with 3:39 until half. Fike drove the field to score with 28 second in the half and then opened the second half by taking a long drive down the field and Gryphons fans were sweating as the Gryphons looked once again as if the second half would produce no scoring. A fumble recovery and two ints help keep Fike out of the end zone rest of the way
Mason Hines went over the century mark rushing the football with 104 yards and Armad Harrell added 82 of the 270 yards the Gryphons rushed on the evening. J T Smith added 46 more through the air. Fike who failed to make a first down in the first quarter rushed for 176 yards on the night while adding 50 through the air.
This victory sets up a showdown next Friday night with Southern Nash for second place in the Big East and a possible home game in the opening round of the playoffs for the #2 in the Big East. This showdown comes after Southern lost at home to Hunt after the game had been tied 21 all but Hunt wins it 30-21.
The battle at the Junction even though it was in Tarboro the Vikings looked like the Vikings of the past four years as they beat SWE 43-14. Nash Central won their first conference game of the year rolling over Northern Nash 33-7.
Finally tonight: One of the greatest people in education ever in the state of North Carolina died today in Bill Friday. Somehow or other an N C State graduate made his way to Chapel Hill and during his 30 years at the helm of the UNC system help lead the UNC System into one of the United States best college systems. Seen for the past 30 years on his public TV interview show North Carolina People. If you ever got on his show you had to be someone special to the State Of North Carolina. Friday who has been ill since the spring has not done his show since and it is something I miss. Bill Friday was 92 years old.
Despite their offensive first half explosion it took a fourth quarter drive, two keys Mason Hines runs, a made fourth down and then a catch on the sidelines by Hines who acted like Raymond Berry who had just caught a pas from Johnny Unitas or in this case J T Smith with a defender drape on him to secure the Gryphon victory.
J T Smith's qb sneak at the start of the second quarter and a Brodrick Caudle six yard run gave the Gryphons a 20 -0 lead with 3:39 until half. Fike drove the field to score with 28 second in the half and then opened the second half by taking a long drive down the field and Gryphons fans were sweating as the Gryphons looked once again as if the second half would produce no scoring. A fumble recovery and two ints help keep Fike out of the end zone rest of the way
Mason Hines went over the century mark rushing the football with 104 yards and Armad Harrell added 82 of the 270 yards the Gryphons rushed on the evening. J T Smith added 46 more through the air. Fike who failed to make a first down in the first quarter rushed for 176 yards on the night while adding 50 through the air.
This victory sets up a showdown next Friday night with Southern Nash for second place in the Big East and a possible home game in the opening round of the playoffs for the #2 in the Big East. This showdown comes after Southern lost at home to Hunt after the game had been tied 21 all but Hunt wins it 30-21.
The battle at the Junction even though it was in Tarboro the Vikings looked like the Vikings of the past four years as they beat SWE 43-14. Nash Central won their first conference game of the year rolling over Northern Nash 33-7.
Finally tonight: One of the greatest people in education ever in the state of North Carolina died today in Bill Friday. Somehow or other an N C State graduate made his way to Chapel Hill and during his 30 years at the helm of the UNC system help lead the UNC System into one of the United States best college systems. Seen for the past 30 years on his public TV interview show North Carolina People. If you ever got on his show you had to be someone special to the State Of North Carolina. Friday who has been ill since the spring has not done his show since and it is something I miss. Bill Friday was 92 years old.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Teenage Prank?
Yesterday during the weekly Big East Cross country run at Southern Nash Mason Holt of Rocky Mount was the winner of the boys race. Sometime during the race students identified as Southern Nash football players tried to block or slow down Mason as he ran. Who they are is of no concern to me because I am of the opinion that this was a teenage prank. Yes I am sure that Mason being a Gryphon just might have lead to this mischief considering a Southern Nash runner was running second.
Here is what concerns me about this situation and that is the lack of respect given to other athletes in others sports. I realize that Cross Country is not a money making sport but for those who participate it is very important to them. Holt has already been accepted to Campbell for his academics not his running ability. He has visited Buies Creek talking with the Track/Cross Country Coaches about a possible athletic scholarship. If he had of gotten an injury resulting in a teenage prank it might have cost him his running future. I bet if a member of the chain gang ran out on the field an tackled one of those football players during a game they would not be very happy about that.
Tonight Northern Nash Lady Knights have beaten Rocky Mount in the special playoff game for third place in the Big East. Northern won three games to one. Both Northern and Rocky Mount will be on the road but because of the loss and if I read the brackets right Rocky Mount heads south to Cumberland County and takes on the #1 Seed from the Cape Fear Valley where Northern will travel the first round back to Hunt where they have already played once this year.
Two Twin County area football players have been selected to play in the Shrine Bowl game coming up the week after the State Championship football games in December. Northern Nash's Dequavais Mann who has committed to play football at Duke will represent Nash County in the 2012 Shrine Bowl game which pits the All Stars of North Carolina and South Carolina. Mann will be joined by Tarboro's Tyquan Lewis who is headed to OhioState.
Whole lot to talk about and out of space. The big game of the week Hunt at Southern Nash.. Hunt 28 Southern Nash 14... Weldon at North Edgecombe. Weldon 22-6. Despite four losses this one in Tarboro will be a dandy Tarboro 34- SWE 26. Northern Nash will help Nash Central fall even more. Northern 20 Nash Central 14. Home Coming at Rocky Mount the Gryphons will need a score in the second half to win. Rocky Mount 26 Fike 20.
Heard on the David Glenn Show this afternoon while Glenn was interviewing David Cutcliffe of Duke. "Coach do you realize the six conference games you have left since 2004 when all of these teams have been in the ACC that Duke has won only one game and lost thirty Nine." Cutcliffe's answer "Please don't tell our players that stat"
Here is what concerns me about this situation and that is the lack of respect given to other athletes in others sports. I realize that Cross Country is not a money making sport but for those who participate it is very important to them. Holt has already been accepted to Campbell for his academics not his running ability. He has visited Buies Creek talking with the Track/Cross Country Coaches about a possible athletic scholarship. If he had of gotten an injury resulting in a teenage prank it might have cost him his running future. I bet if a member of the chain gang ran out on the field an tackled one of those football players during a game they would not be very happy about that.
Tonight Northern Nash Lady Knights have beaten Rocky Mount in the special playoff game for third place in the Big East. Northern won three games to one. Both Northern and Rocky Mount will be on the road but because of the loss and if I read the brackets right Rocky Mount heads south to Cumberland County and takes on the #1 Seed from the Cape Fear Valley where Northern will travel the first round back to Hunt where they have already played once this year.
Two Twin County area football players have been selected to play in the Shrine Bowl game coming up the week after the State Championship football games in December. Northern Nash's Dequavais Mann who has committed to play football at Duke will represent Nash County in the 2012 Shrine Bowl game which pits the All Stars of North Carolina and South Carolina. Mann will be joined by Tarboro's Tyquan Lewis who is headed to OhioState.
Whole lot to talk about and out of space. The big game of the week Hunt at Southern Nash.. Hunt 28 Southern Nash 14... Weldon at North Edgecombe. Weldon 22-6. Despite four losses this one in Tarboro will be a dandy Tarboro 34- SWE 26. Northern Nash will help Nash Central fall even more. Northern 20 Nash Central 14. Home Coming at Rocky Mount the Gryphons will need a score in the second half to win. Rocky Mount 26 Fike 20.
Heard on the David Glenn Show this afternoon while Glenn was interviewing David Cutcliffe of Duke. "Coach do you realize the six conference games you have left since 2004 when all of these teams have been in the ACC that Duke has won only one game and lost thirty Nine." Cutcliffe's answer "Please don't tell our players that stat"
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Volley Ball Finals Thursday
The Big East #1 Fike will host the Volleyball Tournament championship match against County rival Hunt Thursday night at 7pm. Fike the regular season champion will head into the state playoffs as the Big East #1 regardless of the out come on Thursday.
Before the championship match at 4.30pm Northern Nash and Rocky Mount will square off in a game to determine the playoff seeding. RM and NN both won on the others home court during the regular season. A coin flip was held last weekend and for this week's conference tournament Rocky Mount was seeded third. Both won their first round tournament games and both lost semi finals matches to Hunt and Fike. So to this point neither has an edge to the 3rd seed.
I have been on the NCHSAA web site tonight and looked up we seedings for the state playoffs. What are these two rivals playing for Thursday. The loser will be the #4 seed and travel to the #1 seed in the Cape Fear Valley. The #3 travels to Big East #2.. That of course will be Hunt. Taking on a #1 is a lot harder than taking on Hunt who both Northern and Rocky Mount have been competitive with this year.
We all know that historically the Big East is not a very strong VB conference as all four teams lost last year in the opening round. We can't of course judge anybody from their past but from what I have seen this year this league will truly be lucky if anyone is standing heading into round three.
Haven't heard any results but the Big East tennis started today after the Tuesday rain. The top two teams heading into the team playoffs next week are Nash Central and Rocky Mount. I don' t understand why Rocky Mount as a #2 starts the playoffs at a conference #1. I think that is how the playoffs should be but if it is good for Tennis it ought to be good for Volleyball or football. I really would like to see all playoffs in all sports go back to only the top two teams in each league and if after doing that there are three slots left to make a 16 team bracket fill in with the best three #3's that are left. There are simply too many meaningless
games in the playoffs.
I told you earlier this week that my son Brook's N C State boys Tri Club team qualified for the National Championships this weekend in Maryland. They finished third and the top ten teams all go to the Nationals in April. Come to find out the State Girls team finished 7th and they are in too. It is the first time in the history of the N C State Tri team that both the boys and girls will go to the Nationals... Must be they got a great coach?
Before the championship match at 4.30pm Northern Nash and Rocky Mount will square off in a game to determine the playoff seeding. RM and NN both won on the others home court during the regular season. A coin flip was held last weekend and for this week's conference tournament Rocky Mount was seeded third. Both won their first round tournament games and both lost semi finals matches to Hunt and Fike. So to this point neither has an edge to the 3rd seed.
I have been on the NCHSAA web site tonight and looked up we seedings for the state playoffs. What are these two rivals playing for Thursday. The loser will be the #4 seed and travel to the #1 seed in the Cape Fear Valley. The #3 travels to Big East #2.. That of course will be Hunt. Taking on a #1 is a lot harder than taking on Hunt who both Northern and Rocky Mount have been competitive with this year.
We all know that historically the Big East is not a very strong VB conference as all four teams lost last year in the opening round. We can't of course judge anybody from their past but from what I have seen this year this league will truly be lucky if anyone is standing heading into round three.
Haven't heard any results but the Big East tennis started today after the Tuesday rain. The top two teams heading into the team playoffs next week are Nash Central and Rocky Mount. I don' t understand why Rocky Mount as a #2 starts the playoffs at a conference #1. I think that is how the playoffs should be but if it is good for Tennis it ought to be good for Volleyball or football. I really would like to see all playoffs in all sports go back to only the top two teams in each league and if after doing that there are three slots left to make a 16 team bracket fill in with the best three #3's that are left. There are simply too many meaningless
games in the playoffs.
I told you earlier this week that my son Brook's N C State boys Tri Club team qualified for the National Championships this weekend in Maryland. They finished third and the top ten teams all go to the Nationals in April. Come to find out the State Girls team finished 7th and they are in too. It is the first time in the history of the N C State Tri team that both the boys and girls will go to the Nationals... Must be they got a great coach?
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
What Have You Been Smoking?
Don't pass out when I say this but should Duke beat Virginia Tech on Saturday since they play the early game on TV they could be the first ACC team this year that would have earn an invite to a bowl game. Now if you have been in a coma for the past thirty years or even if you haven't then you know that Duke going to a bowl game just ain't going to happen. Just one more is all they need and the way the Hokies are playing this might be the year for the Devils to beat the Turkeys. Heck Carolina just beat them and they hadn't beat Tech in Chapel Hill since 1924. If might have helped that they had a fifty year spell that the two teams didn't play each other but hey 1924 is a long time.
This Friday night just might be the biggest Friday night of the year in Big East football. Right now the two teams at the bottom play for last. The two teams in the middle play for the lower bunk while the loser has to climb in the top of the bunk bed. Then the two at the top square off. This scenario just might not happen again this year.
Those Northern Nash fans out there looking at what has transpired the first two weeks just might be able to say "Boy we have played both of the big boys". Surely the way the Knights played their non conference schedule they were going to be a factor when conference cranked. So far not so as they lost big to Hunt and lost to Southern. Both those teams remain unbeaten in conference play. Nobody else can say they have played both. If Northern can score the way they did in non conference they just might finish third. I still scratch my head at Nash Central. Just maybe as much talent as anyone in the league but they just plain and simple haven't got the pieces put together.
Hunt and Southern will be playing with the winner a leg up for the top seed which after Friday night has only two games to go before the playoffs. The winner of this game can propel themselves to a high playoff seeding and the loser has got to keep from falling back in the pack the last two weeks.
Rocky Mount will host Fike and for each one of these teams this is a playoff game. The loser will have two losses in conference and each will have a game left with either Hunt or Southern. Fike has scored a lot of points but can't stop anybody. Rocky Mount has played good defense but their offense has slumped in the second half of both conference games. The winner will have the edge for third place but not guaranteed.
Tonight in semi final Volley Ball the three seed Rocky Mount is at Hunt while the 4th seed Northern is at #1 Fike. The two winners collide in the finals Thursday at the highest seed left.
This Friday night just might be the biggest Friday night of the year in Big East football. Right now the two teams at the bottom play for last. The two teams in the middle play for the lower bunk while the loser has to climb in the top of the bunk bed. Then the two at the top square off. This scenario just might not happen again this year.
Those Northern Nash fans out there looking at what has transpired the first two weeks just might be able to say "Boy we have played both of the big boys". Surely the way the Knights played their non conference schedule they were going to be a factor when conference cranked. So far not so as they lost big to Hunt and lost to Southern. Both those teams remain unbeaten in conference play. Nobody else can say they have played both. If Northern can score the way they did in non conference they just might finish third. I still scratch my head at Nash Central. Just maybe as much talent as anyone in the league but they just plain and simple haven't got the pieces put together.
Hunt and Southern will be playing with the winner a leg up for the top seed which after Friday night has only two games to go before the playoffs. The winner of this game can propel themselves to a high playoff seeding and the loser has got to keep from falling back in the pack the last two weeks.
Rocky Mount will host Fike and for each one of these teams this is a playoff game. The loser will have two losses in conference and each will have a game left with either Hunt or Southern. Fike has scored a lot of points but can't stop anybody. Rocky Mount has played good defense but their offense has slumped in the second half of both conference games. The winner will have the edge for third place but not guaranteed.
Tonight in semi final Volley Ball the three seed Rocky Mount is at Hunt while the 4th seed Northern is at #1 Fike. The two winners collide in the finals Thursday at the highest seed left.
Monday, October 8, 2012
A Rainy Day For Tennis
The opening day of the Big East Tennis Tournament as you can imagine got a good soaking today and they will try again tomorrow. The next two weeks will be taken up in Tennis with the conference championships for teams and then the individuals. Nash Central once again this season lead by the Price sisters are undefeated in conference play but Rocky Mount with a very young team is set to pounce if Nash Central has a let up in any way. I suspect with the rain today there now might be three straight days of tennis for those who win as the week goes forth.
Today Rocky Mount and Northern Nash who tied for third in Big East Volley ball and Rocky Mount won the coin flip and played at home tonight against Nash Central as the last place or 6th seed. Northern also got a home game and took on Southern Nash as the 5th seed. The Lady Gryphons beat The Lady Bulldogs in three sets 3-0 and Tomorrow travel to Hunt who is the #2 seed in the conference. If Northern Wins tonight they get Fike the #1 conference seed Tuesday at Fike.
Saturday something happened in ACC football that hasn't happen in 18 years. State, Carolina and Duke all won conference games on the same day. It had not happened since Oct 5th 1994. In fact in the 60 year history of the ACC it has only happen four times that all three won conference games the same day. Must show you that these three schools are basketball schools but I bet if we could find all the facts and figures it has happened more in basketball but not as much as you think.
Here is a head scratcher for you. How many times in ACC Tournament history has the Big Four met each other in the opening round of ACC Tournament? Think about that for a couple of days.
If you watched last night's NFL game the question you must be asking this morning is what happened to the real referees. There must have been six of seven pass interference penalties that didn't get called but their was one offensive pass interference called on Antonio Gates in which the defender held him the entire run down the field until he fell down. I sure wish we could get those scabs back.
Finally tonight we all as couch potatoes yell at coaches and players when they mess up but yesterday the Kansas City Chief fans went beyond fans when their starting quarterback Matt Cassell went down with a n injury and the fans cheered. We have become a sick society that has lost all compassion for our fellow man. KC fans now join Philadelphia fans who have booed Santa Claus.
Today Rocky Mount and Northern Nash who tied for third in Big East Volley ball and Rocky Mount won the coin flip and played at home tonight against Nash Central as the last place or 6th seed. Northern also got a home game and took on Southern Nash as the 5th seed. The Lady Gryphons beat The Lady Bulldogs in three sets 3-0 and Tomorrow travel to Hunt who is the #2 seed in the conference. If Northern Wins tonight they get Fike the #1 conference seed Tuesday at Fike.
Saturday something happened in ACC football that hasn't happen in 18 years. State, Carolina and Duke all won conference games on the same day. It had not happened since Oct 5th 1994. In fact in the 60 year history of the ACC it has only happen four times that all three won conference games the same day. Must show you that these three schools are basketball schools but I bet if we could find all the facts and figures it has happened more in basketball but not as much as you think.
Here is a head scratcher for you. How many times in ACC Tournament history has the Big Four met each other in the opening round of ACC Tournament? Think about that for a couple of days.
If you watched last night's NFL game the question you must be asking this morning is what happened to the real referees. There must have been six of seven pass interference penalties that didn't get called but their was one offensive pass interference called on Antonio Gates in which the defender held him the entire run down the field until he fell down. I sure wish we could get those scabs back.
Finally tonight we all as couch potatoes yell at coaches and players when they mess up but yesterday the Kansas City Chief fans went beyond fans when their starting quarterback Matt Cassell went down with a n injury and the fans cheered. We have become a sick society that has lost all compassion for our fellow man. KC fans now join Philadelphia fans who have booed Santa Claus.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
If I Knew The Answer I'd be Rich
Why is it that one week a team commits 14 penalties, allows a team to score on a Hail Mary and then the next week they knock off the third best team in the country and the best in the ACC. If there was a coach that had the answer then they would win every game
Even while falling behind 16-0 in the first half I could tell that the Pack was not playing that badly just getting beat by a better team. There is no doubt that State became more aggressive on defense with blitzes and Mike Glennon five yarded Florida State to death in the second half. Still without the partial blocked punt and great field position State may not have had enough time to go 80 yards to win.
There is just something in us that when we think everything is under control that is when disaster happens. The Titanic Sunk because because they thought they were unsinkable and yet it sunk. Florida State thought that they had control of the game and they did until they thought they had control and then they didn't.
North Carolina's victory over Va Tech was outstanding but here is a problem for the Tar Heels. Don't know now that this just might be the worst Tech team in 20 years. Pittsburgh handled the Gobblers. Any victory is good and in the preseason this one might have been marked as a Hokie win but the way the season has unfolded it was one the Tar Heels needed and they got it.
Duke is 5-1. Duke outscored Virginia 27-0 in the second half. Now this is Duke we are talking about when they are suppose to be shutout and the other team scores 27 on them in the second half. Coaches are salesman and not only has the Duke players bought Coach Cut's sales pitch but Duke is expanding Wallace Wade. Everyone in Durham is buying in on David Cutcliffe.
Wake Forest lost at Maryland and for the first time I got a chance to watch Whit Barnes play for the Deacs for more than just a few plays. The former Gryphon now a redshirt Junior started at right guard and for the most part played pretty well. When your team only scores 14 points it hard to feel like you played well in a loss.
Just got word from Brooks Doughtie that the N C State Tri team has qualified for the National Tri Championships in the spring. Today was the conference championships in Endicot Maryland. The top ten teams qualify. The Tri team is not a varsity sport so the club conference is a lot more schools than just ACC schools. The men finished third. Not bad since two of State's top three were out injured.
Even while falling behind 16-0 in the first half I could tell that the Pack was not playing that badly just getting beat by a better team. There is no doubt that State became more aggressive on defense with blitzes and Mike Glennon five yarded Florida State to death in the second half. Still without the partial blocked punt and great field position State may not have had enough time to go 80 yards to win.
There is just something in us that when we think everything is under control that is when disaster happens. The Titanic Sunk because because they thought they were unsinkable and yet it sunk. Florida State thought that they had control of the game and they did until they thought they had control and then they didn't.
North Carolina's victory over Va Tech was outstanding but here is a problem for the Tar Heels. Don't know now that this just might be the worst Tech team in 20 years. Pittsburgh handled the Gobblers. Any victory is good and in the preseason this one might have been marked as a Hokie win but the way the season has unfolded it was one the Tar Heels needed and they got it.
Duke is 5-1. Duke outscored Virginia 27-0 in the second half. Now this is Duke we are talking about when they are suppose to be shutout and the other team scores 27 on them in the second half. Coaches are salesman and not only has the Duke players bought Coach Cut's sales pitch but Duke is expanding Wallace Wade. Everyone in Durham is buying in on David Cutcliffe.
Wake Forest lost at Maryland and for the first time I got a chance to watch Whit Barnes play for the Deacs for more than just a few plays. The former Gryphon now a redshirt Junior started at right guard and for the most part played pretty well. When your team only scores 14 points it hard to feel like you played well in a loss.
Just got word from Brooks Doughtie that the N C State Tri team has qualified for the National Tri Championships in the spring. Today was the conference championships in Endicot Maryland. The top ten teams qualify. The Tri team is not a varsity sport so the club conference is a lot more schools than just ACC schools. The men finished third. Not bad since two of State's top three were out injured.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Hunt-Southern Cream of Big East
Hunt last night did what championship caliber teams are able to do. Respond when someone slaps you in the face. Down 7-6 at the half to the Gryphons the Warriors stormed right out of the locker room down the field to take the lead and never blinked after that.
Southern Nash has shown that they can be as good as anybody when they hold on to the ball but you know every three or four games they have a five fumble night and fumbles just take away scoring chances even if you recover your own fumble.
Rocky Mount continues to struggle in Big East play in the second half. There is hope on the horizon for Gryphon fans however as the defense despite giving up three scores in the second half kept the Gryphons in striking distance but they need help from the offense. Just maybe come out and run the wishbone or some offense that the teams at the half could not adjust to and throw the other sides defense off.
Nash Central continues to struggle trying to score using their best athlete at quarterback where it is obviously not working. There are times when a coach has to decide what type of players do we have this year and what do they do best, not here is our offense you players learn to run it. The best coach I have ever been around adjusting every year to his talent was Daryl Allen while I was doing radio in Ahoskie. It didn't matter offense or defense he coached the system for the players he had.
What in the world has happen to the Northern Nash offense? They started out nobody could stop them. Their problem was they couldn't stop anybody either. Since conference play has started the offense has pressured the defense. Next week Northern and Nash Central collide. All Northern needs to do is help their defense just a little in that game.
SouthWest Edgecombe I think had the same problem Friday that President Obama had Wednesday. Looked as though the President had been watching his rise in the polls and thought all he had to do was show up for the debate. After three straight conference victories thew Cougars thought North Pitt was going to lay down for them and guess what both the President and the Cougars got thumped.
They keep right on ticking like a Timex watch but Tarboro had better start stopping people or they will not make it back to the 2-A championship game five years in a row. Normally by now they are showing signs that they are getting in the groove. A B Whitley being out of action on the side lines for the Viking defense is showing.
Rocky Mount Academy has won three games this year. There is no doubt that when the Rocky Mount Telegram does their end of year all conference teams the battle for Coach of the year will be between Jason Battle at Rocky Mount and B W Holt at RMA. The way their teams finish out will determine who wins that award.
Southern Nash has shown that they can be as good as anybody when they hold on to the ball but you know every three or four games they have a five fumble night and fumbles just take away scoring chances even if you recover your own fumble.
Rocky Mount continues to struggle in Big East play in the second half. There is hope on the horizon for Gryphon fans however as the defense despite giving up three scores in the second half kept the Gryphons in striking distance but they need help from the offense. Just maybe come out and run the wishbone or some offense that the teams at the half could not adjust to and throw the other sides defense off.
Nash Central continues to struggle trying to score using their best athlete at quarterback where it is obviously not working. There are times when a coach has to decide what type of players do we have this year and what do they do best, not here is our offense you players learn to run it. The best coach I have ever been around adjusting every year to his talent was Daryl Allen while I was doing radio in Ahoskie. It didn't matter offense or defense he coached the system for the players he had.
What in the world has happen to the Northern Nash offense? They started out nobody could stop them. Their problem was they couldn't stop anybody either. Since conference play has started the offense has pressured the defense. Next week Northern and Nash Central collide. All Northern needs to do is help their defense just a little in that game.
SouthWest Edgecombe I think had the same problem Friday that President Obama had Wednesday. Looked as though the President had been watching his rise in the polls and thought all he had to do was show up for the debate. After three straight conference victories thew Cougars thought North Pitt was going to lay down for them and guess what both the President and the Cougars got thumped.
They keep right on ticking like a Timex watch but Tarboro had better start stopping people or they will not make it back to the 2-A championship game five years in a row. Normally by now they are showing signs that they are getting in the groove. A B Whitley being out of action on the side lines for the Viking defense is showing.
Rocky Mount Academy has won three games this year. There is no doubt that when the Rocky Mount Telegram does their end of year all conference teams the battle for Coach of the year will be between Jason Battle at Rocky Mount and B W Holt at RMA. The way their teams finish out will determine who wins that award.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Big Boy Football
For the second week in a row Rocky Mount won the first quarter and for the second week in a row tried to make that good quarter stick but not tonight. I don't know many Gryphons fans thought that the Gryphons could run up and down the field with Hunt but if they could occupy the clock and limit Hunt's opportunities they just might have a chance.The Gryphons took the opening kickoff and used up over five minutes to drive down the field and take a 7-0 lead.
Hunt responded and went right down the field themselves only to be stopped by the Gryphons on the six yard line. Rocky Mount held the ball into the second quarter and moved the ball to near the Hunt 20 before the Hunt defense held. From there Hunt marched quickly down the field to score and a blocked extra point gave Rocky Mount a 7-6 lead at the half.
Last week Nash Central never started outside the Gryphon side of the field in the second half but could only score on the Gryphons once. Tonight Hunt took the second half kickoff and combined passing and Josh Joyner running scored on their opening drive and never looked back.
Rocky Mount held Hunt to three possessions in the first half and made Hunt start from their 28 on average. Three times Hunt started on the Rocky Mount side of the field and score twice after the opening second half drive.
Rocky Mount opening two drives produced 153 yards of offense but their final six could gather only 75 yards and that just will not beat the big boys. Hunt had 148 yards at the half and produced another 210 in the second half.
Once again in their second straight conference game the Gryphon offense stayed in the locker room coming back from halftime but tonight the defense could not do it again this week Final Hunt 28 Rocky Mount 7
Southern Nash spoiled Northern Nash's homecoming beating the Knights 34-14 and in doing so tied Hunt for first in the Big East
Rocky Mount Academy wins again beating St David 42-21. Last Year RMA losted 54-8 what a turn-a-round for the Eagles.
Hunt responded and went right down the field themselves only to be stopped by the Gryphons on the six yard line. Rocky Mount held the ball into the second quarter and moved the ball to near the Hunt 20 before the Hunt defense held. From there Hunt marched quickly down the field to score and a blocked extra point gave Rocky Mount a 7-6 lead at the half.
Last week Nash Central never started outside the Gryphon side of the field in the second half but could only score on the Gryphons once. Tonight Hunt took the second half kickoff and combined passing and Josh Joyner running scored on their opening drive and never looked back.
Rocky Mount held Hunt to three possessions in the first half and made Hunt start from their 28 on average. Three times Hunt started on the Rocky Mount side of the field and score twice after the opening second half drive.
Rocky Mount opening two drives produced 153 yards of offense but their final six could gather only 75 yards and that just will not beat the big boys. Hunt had 148 yards at the half and produced another 210 in the second half.
Once again in their second straight conference game the Gryphon offense stayed in the locker room coming back from halftime but tonight the defense could not do it again this week Final Hunt 28 Rocky Mount 7
Southern Nash spoiled Northern Nash's homecoming beating the Knights 34-14 and in doing so tied Hunt for first in the Big East
Rocky Mount Academy wins again beating St David 42-21. Last Year RMA losted 54-8 what a turn-a-round for the Eagles.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Rocky Mount / Northern Trade Wins
Waiting to Thursday this week to have the weekly Big East Cross Country run Rocky Mount pulled out first place at Nash Central. Northern ran short of three runners but still finished second after a sloppy course had postponed this week's race a day. Rocky Mount's Mason Holt wins again as he has won every Big East race so far this year. The girls race belonged to Fike and Michaela Williams of Nash Central was once again the girls winner.
The final regular season volleyball match of the year saw Northern Nash girls come to Rocky Mount and pin a loss on the Gryphons after the Gryphons had won earlier this year at Northern. Final score was 3 - 1 Northern. The Big East VB Tournament is next week.
Tonight Hunt and Rocky Mount jvs played three over times before Hunt scored on play 11 or 3rd down on their third possession of over time. Rocky Mount has 12 plays and failed to score. Hunt 26 Rocky Mount 20.
Let's start on the football. Perfect 6-0 last week looking to get into playoff prognostication form.
Anybody noticed that SouthWest Edgecombe is averaging 42 points a game in conference games. Friday they host North Pitt. Might not get forty but 35 should still win 35-16.
Nash Central has got to win this game when they travel to Fike. Both teams lost their conference openers and any hope of a home playoff game is out the door with another loss. Fike can score and for some reason the Bulldogs can't. Fike 26 Nash Central 20. By the way the 52 New Bern scored on the Bulldogs not so bad when you see that New Hanover gave up 63 last week to New Bern.
North Edgecombe needs a victory and Kipp Pride is up next on the schedule and to me that seems to be good medicine for the Warriors. 38-14 NE Warriors.
The next two weeks could be the whole season for the Tarboro Vikings. They host Kinston and SouthWest Edgecombe back to back. Kinston is only average this year and the only thing average about this Viking team is their defensive coordinator is out of action when a passing team comes to town. Kinston might scare the Vikes but will not score enough Tarboro 42 Kinston 34.
Time to pick the most confusing game of the week. Which Firebird team will show up. The one that fumbles six times a game or the one that protects the ball. Will Northern's offense be a factor. Northern needs points to win this one unless the Firebirds give the Knights a couple of easy scores. Southern Nash 27- Northern Nash 20
The battle for first place. These two both played SWE and both games were close. Rocky Mount needs to score in the second half of this game. Look for Hunt to go off tackle often until Rocky Mount shows it can stop the power running. The question for this game is Rocky Mount going to keep the ball away from Hunt like they did SWE. If so it's close if not Hunt. Hunt 35 Rocky Mount 14.
Friday and
The final regular season volleyball match of the year saw Northern Nash girls come to Rocky Mount and pin a loss on the Gryphons after the Gryphons had won earlier this year at Northern. Final score was 3 - 1 Northern. The Big East VB Tournament is next week.
Tonight Hunt and Rocky Mount jvs played three over times before Hunt scored on play 11 or 3rd down on their third possession of over time. Rocky Mount has 12 plays and failed to score. Hunt 26 Rocky Mount 20.
Let's start on the football. Perfect 6-0 last week looking to get into playoff prognostication form.
Anybody noticed that SouthWest Edgecombe is averaging 42 points a game in conference games. Friday they host North Pitt. Might not get forty but 35 should still win 35-16.
Nash Central has got to win this game when they travel to Fike. Both teams lost their conference openers and any hope of a home playoff game is out the door with another loss. Fike can score and for some reason the Bulldogs can't. Fike 26 Nash Central 20. By the way the 52 New Bern scored on the Bulldogs not so bad when you see that New Hanover gave up 63 last week to New Bern.
North Edgecombe needs a victory and Kipp Pride is up next on the schedule and to me that seems to be good medicine for the Warriors. 38-14 NE Warriors.
The next two weeks could be the whole season for the Tarboro Vikings. They host Kinston and SouthWest Edgecombe back to back. Kinston is only average this year and the only thing average about this Viking team is their defensive coordinator is out of action when a passing team comes to town. Kinston might scare the Vikes but will not score enough Tarboro 42 Kinston 34.
Time to pick the most confusing game of the week. Which Firebird team will show up. The one that fumbles six times a game or the one that protects the ball. Will Northern's offense be a factor. Northern needs points to win this one unless the Firebirds give the Knights a couple of easy scores. Southern Nash 27- Northern Nash 20
The battle for first place. These two both played SWE and both games were close. Rocky Mount needs to score in the second half of this game. Look for Hunt to go off tackle often until Rocky Mount shows it can stop the power running. The question for this game is Rocky Mount going to keep the ball away from Hunt like they did SWE. If so it's close if not Hunt. Hunt 35 Rocky Mount 14.
Friday and
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
That Ugly Word Choke
I have heard this a lot this week. "Those American Ryder Cups guys sure choked on Sunday". Couch potatoes that we are it is easy for us to know exactly what was happening to each of those players. Poor old Phil Michelson got beat by a 3/4 court desperation shot. Justin Rose's putt you know from where he hit that putt he probably could not see the hole but it went in.
I even heard today that Adam Greenberg choked last night striking out on three pitches. I hope you know what I am talking about when we say Adam Greenberg the former Carolina baseball player who worked his way up to the major leagues and the first pitch he faced in the majors hit him in the temple in 2003. He is lucky to see, let alone be able to work his way back through the minors and last night made it back to the majors.
He struck out on three pitches to the best knuckle ball pitcher in the majors. Who cares that he struck out. We should be raving about the comeback and hopefully last night is not the only major league at bat in Greenburg's future.
I want to tell you a sports story that I was a part of and you decide whether I choked or not. I use to bowl while living in Ahoskie every Monday night at the bowling alley in Williamston. I was in a league there for several years and my average ranged from 177-182 every year. Each year the team that I bowled on went to the state tournament and this year when this story occurs it was in Winston Salem.
The state tournament take 10-12 weeks to compete as bowlers from around the state pick weekends and your team bowls. This week we bowled singles where five team members bowl the highest score they can for themselves. Then there is a doubles where you and a partner combine you two scores. The following day the team bowls trying to get the highest score possible for the team. Then after the tournament is over depending where your scores are you may win money if you had a very high score during the entire event.
My first game in singles I had a rather dull 166. I started my second game with four strikes in a row. Now you have to imagine that with your score on the screen over your lanes it doesn't take long that every bowler in the house knows that guy on lane 16 has four in a row. Then five in a row and I can tell you I was sweating beads at this point as every bowler who is not throwing on his lane are gathering to watch me.
Six and seven and everybody in the house is watching me as I approach my ball on the eighth frame. My ball was always one of those kind that when I buried my ball in the pocket the pins just explode or they all fall at once. I'm not one of those guys that when the ball hits the head pin you can stand there and count them as they fall.
That eighth frame was the best ball I threw all night and all the pins flew except the ten pin that never moved. I can tell you my worse night mare staring at the ten pin which to me is the worse spare in the world. I can't throw a ball straight and every thing has to be right for me to make the ten pin. As my ball approached the ten pin it was right where I wanted it but as it curved away it hit the ten pin and it wobbled but did not fall. My perfect game ruined with an open in the eighth frame.
I finished with a 255 which is my all time high ever. I got a check from the State Tournament for $54 as I had the 27th highest game bowled out of like 40,000. Did I choke when I missed that ten pin or did I do the best I could and it wasn't good enough. I think there are plenty of people willing to tell somebody else they choked sitting on the couch.
I even heard today that Adam Greenberg choked last night striking out on three pitches. I hope you know what I am talking about when we say Adam Greenberg the former Carolina baseball player who worked his way up to the major leagues and the first pitch he faced in the majors hit him in the temple in 2003. He is lucky to see, let alone be able to work his way back through the minors and last night made it back to the majors.
He struck out on three pitches to the best knuckle ball pitcher in the majors. Who cares that he struck out. We should be raving about the comeback and hopefully last night is not the only major league at bat in Greenburg's future.
I want to tell you a sports story that I was a part of and you decide whether I choked or not. I use to bowl while living in Ahoskie every Monday night at the bowling alley in Williamston. I was in a league there for several years and my average ranged from 177-182 every year. Each year the team that I bowled on went to the state tournament and this year when this story occurs it was in Winston Salem.
The state tournament take 10-12 weeks to compete as bowlers from around the state pick weekends and your team bowls. This week we bowled singles where five team members bowl the highest score they can for themselves. Then there is a doubles where you and a partner combine you two scores. The following day the team bowls trying to get the highest score possible for the team. Then after the tournament is over depending where your scores are you may win money if you had a very high score during the entire event.
My first game in singles I had a rather dull 166. I started my second game with four strikes in a row. Now you have to imagine that with your score on the screen over your lanes it doesn't take long that every bowler in the house knows that guy on lane 16 has four in a row. Then five in a row and I can tell you I was sweating beads at this point as every bowler who is not throwing on his lane are gathering to watch me.
Six and seven and everybody in the house is watching me as I approach my ball on the eighth frame. My ball was always one of those kind that when I buried my ball in the pocket the pins just explode or they all fall at once. I'm not one of those guys that when the ball hits the head pin you can stand there and count them as they fall.
That eighth frame was the best ball I threw all night and all the pins flew except the ten pin that never moved. I can tell you my worse night mare staring at the ten pin which to me is the worse spare in the world. I can't throw a ball straight and every thing has to be right for me to make the ten pin. As my ball approached the ten pin it was right where I wanted it but as it curved away it hit the ten pin and it wobbled but did not fall. My perfect game ruined with an open in the eighth frame.
I finished with a 255 which is my all time high ever. I got a check from the State Tournament for $54 as I had the 27th highest game bowled out of like 40,000. Did I choke when I missed that ten pin or did I do the best I could and it wasn't good enough. I think there are plenty of people willing to tell somebody else they choked sitting on the couch.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
The Limelight Again
It has been almost four years since Gryphon fans walked out of the Rocky Mount Athletic Complex stunned that they had just been beaten by West Craven for the East Regional title in a game that they seemed to have in their back pocket just two minutes before.
No one leaving that stadium that night thought to themselves " boy we may never get back in this position again." There was no thought that B W Holt might not return. There was no reason to think that the returning team even though many seniors were lost from that team couldn't possibly be back in the third round or more of the playoffs for the sixth year in a row. Never crossed anybodies mind.
Here we are four years later and Rocky Mount is facing what has become now the most important game that they have played since that night. Yes in 2009 they had to beat Northern on a miracle play on the last play of the season to make the playoffs but Friday night the Gryphons will be playing for first place or a share of it two weeks into the conference season. Those days of who is going to contest Rocky Mount for first are in the past until this Friday night.
The Gryphons travel to Hunt who has become the Rocky Mount of the past four years and the question these days is who is going to challenge Hunt for the title? Let me give you a stat and chew on this awhile. During the six years of B W Holt the Gryphons play in more plays off games than losses during that span. 12 losses, 20 playoff games.
Jason Battle will now get his turn to see whether this team is ready for such a big game. Six wins they are already almost assured of a playoffs. More wins are needed to improve that seeding and just maybe a home playoff game. Like that night leaving the stadium stunned, Gryphon fans in their right mind could not have envisioned a 6-0 start and playing Hunt for a share of lead the seventh game of the season.
I suspect if you want to get a seat at this one you had better be early as with every win that wave of "How bout them Gryphons grows". They may stumble Friday night or they may shock the state and pull an upset. Regardless of the outcome mores games are coming to make this the most important Gryphon football season in four years. The Gryphons will be playing in one of the biggest games in high school football in the state Friday night. At least for this Friday the limelight is back on the Gryphons.
No one leaving that stadium that night thought to themselves " boy we may never get back in this position again." There was no thought that B W Holt might not return. There was no reason to think that the returning team even though many seniors were lost from that team couldn't possibly be back in the third round or more of the playoffs for the sixth year in a row. Never crossed anybodies mind.
Here we are four years later and Rocky Mount is facing what has become now the most important game that they have played since that night. Yes in 2009 they had to beat Northern on a miracle play on the last play of the season to make the playoffs but Friday night the Gryphons will be playing for first place or a share of it two weeks into the conference season. Those days of who is going to contest Rocky Mount for first are in the past until this Friday night.
The Gryphons travel to Hunt who has become the Rocky Mount of the past four years and the question these days is who is going to challenge Hunt for the title? Let me give you a stat and chew on this awhile. During the six years of B W Holt the Gryphons play in more plays off games than losses during that span. 12 losses, 20 playoff games.
Jason Battle will now get his turn to see whether this team is ready for such a big game. Six wins they are already almost assured of a playoffs. More wins are needed to improve that seeding and just maybe a home playoff game. Like that night leaving the stadium stunned, Gryphon fans in their right mind could not have envisioned a 6-0 start and playing Hunt for a share of lead the seventh game of the season.
I suspect if you want to get a seat at this one you had better be early as with every win that wave of "How bout them Gryphons grows". They may stumble Friday night or they may shock the state and pull an upset. Regardless of the outcome mores games are coming to make this the most important Gryphon football season in four years. The Gryphons will be playing in one of the biggest games in high school football in the state Friday night. At least for this Friday the limelight is back on the Gryphons.
Monday, October 1, 2012
FINALLY Three Tied At Top
Southern Nash was able to finish off what they could not do Friday night as the weather delayed second half of the opening Big East football for the Firebirds and Golden Demons is over. Southern Nash tied 21 all at the half scored twice and jump to a 35-21 lead and made it stand up as the as Southern Nash Joins Hunt and Rocky Mount at 1-0 in Big East play. Southern Nash gave up a score to Fike with under eight minutes to play but 35 was enough as the Firbirds win 35-28.
We all as fans make our opinions and assumptions on who we think will be good or bad in any season. Nobody thought that Rocky Mount would still be unbeaten and facing Hunt would be as big as this game Friday night has become. Almost after every game fans every where keep saying well we will have an idea about Rocky Mount after this Friday night and for sure we will say it again this week. We will have a good idea about Rocky Mount after this week..
They needed more seats tonight at Northern Nash as Rocky Mount and Northern squared off in Big East soccer. A standing room only crowd saw Northern score in the first half and Rocky Mount score in the second and neither scored in overtime. Northern 1 Rocky Mount 1
The final week of the volleyball season finds Northern Nash and Rocky Mount both 5-3 in the conference and neither has been eliminated as of yet from finishing in a tie for first place. Rocky Mount has Southern Nash and Northern on the docket this week. Northern has a real task ahead. They play Fike the one time loser and then Rocky Mount. Should Northern Knock off Fike then the winner of RM/NN could get a share of first if Hunt beats Fike Thursday.
Rocky Mount lead in the Wells Fargo Cup race from the fall right on through the entire school year last season. Looks as if the fall is any indication this is going to be a tight race with several teams changing places. Fike seems to have the early lead with Soccer and Volleyball. Northern Boys look to be the best in Cross Country. Rocky Mount and Fike the top two in girls CC. Tennis has Nash Central and the Price sisters on top with Rocky Mount second. Football is wide open but Hunt seems to have the edge at this point. Who ever comes out the leader after the fall will be the team that finished well in the other sports that they didn't win.
Heard Sunday in church that A B Whitley was on the prayer list. Called A B Tonight to find out whats going on with the defensive coordinator of the Tarboro Vikings. A B has had surgery on an old high school football injury that has crept up as he seems to keep getting older. He has missed the last two weeks which are the first two conference games for Tarboro.
I made mention last week that Tarboro in order to go deep in this years playoffs needed to improve their defense. Whitley coaching by phone with head coach Jeff Craddock the Viking first team held Greene Central scoreless last Friday. I asked A B how long he would be out of action and his foot recovery is another two to three weeks but last Thursday while trying to hobble around the house he hurt his back and now he has two ailments to get fixed. A B hopes to be back by the SouthWest Edgecombe game.
We all as fans make our opinions and assumptions on who we think will be good or bad in any season. Nobody thought that Rocky Mount would still be unbeaten and facing Hunt would be as big as this game Friday night has become. Almost after every game fans every where keep saying well we will have an idea about Rocky Mount after this Friday night and for sure we will say it again this week. We will have a good idea about Rocky Mount after this week..
They needed more seats tonight at Northern Nash as Rocky Mount and Northern squared off in Big East soccer. A standing room only crowd saw Northern score in the first half and Rocky Mount score in the second and neither scored in overtime. Northern 1 Rocky Mount 1
The final week of the volleyball season finds Northern Nash and Rocky Mount both 5-3 in the conference and neither has been eliminated as of yet from finishing in a tie for first place. Rocky Mount has Southern Nash and Northern on the docket this week. Northern has a real task ahead. They play Fike the one time loser and then Rocky Mount. Should Northern Knock off Fike then the winner of RM/NN could get a share of first if Hunt beats Fike Thursday.
Rocky Mount lead in the Wells Fargo Cup race from the fall right on through the entire school year last season. Looks as if the fall is any indication this is going to be a tight race with several teams changing places. Fike seems to have the early lead with Soccer and Volleyball. Northern Boys look to be the best in Cross Country. Rocky Mount and Fike the top two in girls CC. Tennis has Nash Central and the Price sisters on top with Rocky Mount second. Football is wide open but Hunt seems to have the edge at this point. Who ever comes out the leader after the fall will be the team that finished well in the other sports that they didn't win.
Heard Sunday in church that A B Whitley was on the prayer list. Called A B Tonight to find out whats going on with the defensive coordinator of the Tarboro Vikings. A B has had surgery on an old high school football injury that has crept up as he seems to keep getting older. He has missed the last two weeks which are the first two conference games for Tarboro.
I made mention last week that Tarboro in order to go deep in this years playoffs needed to improve their defense. Whitley coaching by phone with head coach Jeff Craddock the Viking first team held Greene Central scoreless last Friday. I asked A B how long he would be out of action and his foot recovery is another two to three weeks but last Thursday while trying to hobble around the house he hurt his back and now he has two ailments to get fixed. A B hopes to be back by the SouthWest Edgecombe game.
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