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.