Big Play Gryphons

Jason Battle's Gryphons used four big plays that totaled 235yards and 27 points and Rocky Mount uses the fourth quarter for the youngsters as Rocky Mount goes to 2-0 on the season roughing up Webb 30-0.

The opening drive of the game Rasheed Harris took pass 40 yard pass to the house and the Gryphons were off to the races.  Micah Varnell added the extra and a field goal to give RM 10-0 lead.  The next big play shot the lead to 16-0 when JT Smith hit KB Kearney on an 80 yard pass  and the Gryphon defense holds Webb scoreless at the half.  

Two long runs highlighted the 3rd quarter as freshman Sherrod Green went 41 yards and just a few moments Later Malek Lewis hit pay dirt on a 60 yarder.  That point on it was let's get everyone in the game.  Final Rocky Mount 30 Oxford Webb 0.

The ride was long and the game even longer for the Knights of Northern Nash as Northeastern thumps Northern 45- 0.  Nash Central looked like a different team and shot to a 9-0 first half lead but by games end Kinston scores 26 and not giving up another point.  SouthWest Edgecombe had a 40 -0 halftime lead and wins 54-14 over North Edgecombe. As of this writing Tarboro
 is down 20-7 at Washington late.

Have been in Williamsburg today following Campbell VB.  Lost to Northern Arizona tonight play William and Mary at 10a Saturday.

Almost a Shocker

Southern Nash intercepted a Beddingfield pass in the enzone with six seconds to play to save a 30-24 victory over the Bruins.  The Bruins lead after their opening drive of the third quarter but from that point until two minutes to go it was all Firebirds taking a 30-17 lead.  The Bruins score with 1:53 to go to cut the lead to 30-24 and then used time outs and defense to get the ball back

For a moment with 30 seconds to go it looked like a simple five yard pass was going to win the game for Beddingfield until the runner stepped out of bounds near the 25.  The Bruins came close but no cigar as Southern Nash beats Beddingfield 30-24.

There was a shocker as Hertford County beat Hunt 21-15 and Fike drubbed Roanoke Rapids 49-0.
Carolina was playing in the first quarter when I walked inside the football stadium at Southern Nash and they were still playing when I came out after a hour and a half rain delay.  Didn't help the Heels as they lose 27-10

So we have a high school game out of the way for the upcoming weekend and Carolina off through for the night so let's take a look at other college action coming up on Saturday:

North Carolina Central at Duke:  If there is ever a reason to play a Division II team  having the two universities in Durham would be a good reason. Duke coming off it's best year in 20 years facing a Central team that just last week fired their coach. Duke 34- Central 20

Skip Holtz is back in town to run up and down the bleachers at Carter Finley like he use to do when his dad Lou was the Pack coach.  La Tech won 9 games last year and if the Pack starts slow  the Techsters could surprise.   Pack wins  their season opener 36 -24.

Wake opens with Presbyterian and look, seems like Wake is far removed from their ACC  title game seven years ago.  Wake doesn't have many winnable games but this is one.  Deacs 44 The religious guys 14.Wake wins 38-7

ECU plays ODU in their home opener and the Pirates need to get in the winning frame of mind cause Va tech is down the road and that is a winnable game this year.  Pirates  roll  42-13.

No Longer DII the App State Mounties head west to play Montana in Missoula Montana.  New coach for App St and Montana does them in 28-24.

Friday Night Picks On Thursday

Holiday weekend coming up and high school football starts tonight as I will join Wes Bradshaw and the High School Game of the Week TV crowd tonight in Bailey for Beddingfield and Southern.  We will start the picks right there.

Beddingfield at Southern Nash:  Trap game for sure for Southern.  Beddingfield seems with it's style to always give the Birds trouble.  The Problem for the Bruins is slowing down the Firebirds. Southern 34-Beddingfield 22.

North Edgecombe at SOUTHWest. Edgecombe :  I think I saw enough last week in the Cougars to think that having the Cobb's Switching jobs with dad Raymond standing behind  J C. not much has changed in Pinetops SWE 41. Northedge 16

Rocky Mount host J F Webb and this is not a basketball game.  Both won in Granville County last week with Webb beating Granville Central 29-14.   Gryphons home opener is a tight one 24-21 over Webb.

Rocky Mount Academy will start this week at Halifax and like last week I'll uptake the Eagles. 43-34 over. HA.

Nash Central did very little to encourage anybody who pulls for the Bulldogs.  This week they are on the road at Kinston the only team in Tarboro's conference last year to give them a test.  Kinston rolls 35-7 over the dogs.

Northern Nash travels to Northeastern and no one who made the Knights schedule did new coach Randy Raper any favors with four straight on the road and scheduling Northeastern during a era when they are. Back.  Only Tarboro had the Eagles last year and it is along ride to Elizabeth City.  NE Eagles. 35 Northern 14.

Tarboro at Washington: The problem I see for the Vikes this season they seem to be heavy with one back.  In the past when say Todd Gurley was there they didn't rely on him until crunch time and he delivered. They need to spread it around.  This could be their second toughest game of the regular season.  Somewhere down the line somebody will stop a one back offense but not this week.  Vikes 27Washington 21.

Rocky Mount Prep was undefeated for one week yep pee.  Granville Central delivers the first loss of the year.  28-12  

Hunt plays host to Hertford County which will be of interest to most of the Rocky Mount schools down the road who play Hertford County.  Hunt 35. HC14

Fike heads to Roanoke Rapids where they play 0-1 Yellow Jackets who will be 0-2 after Fike wins 38-13.

Off to a 5-1 after last week.

There is one college game of interest to all of us this week at Carolina heads south to play South Carolina on ESPN as this is the typical SEC/ACC match up Labor day weekend .  I think this has the best makings of all of the TV national games this weekend.  North Carolina will need to show me the defense has improved over last year but I think this is a really good game.  South Carolina 24 Carolina 17

Waiting For The Phone To Ring

Monday is the last day of minor league baseball's regular season and Rocky Mount's Gryphons  two minor league players will be finishing up baseball or will they.  The number one prospect of the Washington Nationals Brian Goodwin has played about two weeks since coming off the DL and his numbers may just get a call from the big club to come ride the jets in September in Washington.

First look Brian's batting average is not what the Nationals would like it to be but when you dissect the numbers whoa.  Brian has 17 doubles, 10 triples and ten home runs.  I have tried my best to look at all minor league baseball and I can't find any other player that has a triple double in the three power categories. Yes there are plenty that have more doubles and home runs but when you add the triples not only is Brian's showing power hitting 10 homers but double digits triples shows fantastic speed.

Since Washington is really out of the playoff race this is a good time to bring up the top prospects and give them a look in September. I of course just maybe wishful  thinking but there is a chance we just might be able to watch him on the satellite next week.

As far as Hobb's Johnson is concerned  I doubt that at this point  fall ball will probably be in the offing but boy has he has a great pro career since signing in June.  He has now pitched six times in Wisconsin and in 11 inning has given up 10 hits struck out 21 and has given up a measly one run.  That works out to an ERA of .082

Looking back at Carolina you know there was a period that all of the Gryphon baseball players that signed with Carolina never stayed during their time and went to other places.  Hobbs Johnson and Benton Moss have made up for the period as for Hobbs his three years he had a record of 12-2 for Mike Fox.  Two years now he has been joined by Benton Moss and Benton's two year pitching career stands at 15-3.  That is a total of 25-5 from Rocky Mount Gryphon pitchers for UNC. If there was a period when maybe there were second thoughts about Gryphon baseball players Johnson and Moss have helped out the next recruit that Mike Fox might coming looking.

A Hole That Just Gets Deeper

Some times I wonder why Pro football coaches get paid so much money to be stupider than you and me.  Point #1 what in the world was Rex Ryan doing putting who has to be the #1 quarterback in a preseason game in the 4th quarter with the third string line.  Today the Jets have no idea who their starting quarterback will be if Mark Sanchez can't play.

It is not like Sanchez has proven he is the best they have over the past few years but surely with the draftees and their performances there is nobody in Jets land that has taken away Sanchez's job.  So if no one has taken the job away from him why play him in a meaningless game against the cross town rivals the Giants?  The answer was that the Jets were trying to win the game.

The last time I looked and the NFL is trying to do something about it but this was only the Jets third preseason game and wins and losses don't count as of yet.  So why then is it so important to win a meaningless game when now when the real games start you just might not have anybody better than me to be your quarterback.  I thought they paid the big bucks for winning regular season games not practice games.

Point #2:  The Washington Redskins head toward the first regular season games with all indications that they will start RG3 in the opening game of the year.  Let's review here.  During the playoffs last year 3 hurt his knee and continued to play and it was quite obvious to me and you as unpaid advisers to the Redskins they needed to get 3 out of the game and put Cousins in the game a player that had shown quite capable during the regular season.  So for some reason it wasn't obvious to the Skins coach to take his franchise player out to play another year.

Now it just might happen that they keep him in too long during the playoffs and now they may bring him back too soon.  If he is ready which I doubt he needs some playing time to get into shape.  If they throw him in a game without a couple of weeks practice guess where he going to be by week two but back on the DL just maybe for the season.

I am offering my services to either the Jets or the Redskins.  I will gladly coach either team for a million a year.  That is a bargain and I know that I can make better decisions  than the dumb bunnies they have that cost them a lot more.  If my offer seems reasonable to you  call my agent immediately.  The season is almost here.

Put Up Time For The ACC

If you listened to all the experts you would think ACC football is one step short of Division III.  The truth says however that the ACC has more  players in the NFL except the SEC.  If all the talk in Tampa is true the Wolfpack will have three starting quarterbacks in the NFL and no other school in the country can boast of that.  Every Saturday when the TV ratings come out the ACC is nipping at the SEC heels at who watched college football.  They have more watcher than the Big Ten, Big 12 and The Pac ever how many.

Why does the ACC have such a bad repetition when it has so many players in the NFL.  The facts are these.  The ACC and the SEC are intertwined being southern football conferences.  When it comes to playing non-conferences games it is just so much easier playing somebody close by over flying halfway across the country.  When the ACC plays national TV games you don't see Florida State and Kentucky play each other but it is against the big boys of the SEC the Alabama's and LSU's of the conference.

Ever since Bobby Bowden stayed too long at Florida State which was around the turn of the century the ACC has not had a national championship contender.  Miami the team that when they joined the ACC everyone thought they would dominate football and baseball haven't come close in either.  This year Florida State and Clemson are suppose to be national title contenders if they are it's time to put up.

This week is the first week of the college football season.  The real Carolina (North) heads south to take on the team that likes to call themselves Carolina.  They are around sixth in preseason polls.  Once again the ACC is matched up with a team ranked higher but if the ACC is to get this monkey off their back about  being second fiddle to the SEC they have got to start beating the SEC.

I doubt the ACC has a chance with Virginia Tech playing Alabama even if everyone thought Tech was good but sounds like the are going to have more players on MASH than on the field.  Clemson and North Carolina one of the two needs to win for the ACC.  The ACC doesn't need to win all three to start getting some respect just win ONE.

Evaluation Time

If you are a Rocky Mount Gryphon fan you have every reason to feel good about what you saw from Jason Battle's second squad that traveled to South Granville Friday. The Gryphons showed big play potential, a solid run defense and grit to move the ball to run out the clock. Excellent start to the 2013 campaign.

Southern Nash started this season playing the one team that looks just like them in SouthWest Edgecombe.  A Running team playing a running team.  The difference in this game was the suck in the defense and pass which the Firebirds did twice for touchdowns.  Good start not stumbling for the Firebirds but there is good news for the Cougars.  They played one of the we think best teams around and went toe to toe.

Randy Raper's first game with Northern started out well but one problem that Northern had last year was depth. The Knights lead most of the way but down the stretch faltered. Could this been the trend for this year just like last?  The Knights must get a running game to help keep the defense off the field as much as possible.

The hardest part of the Tarboro schedule this year is it's now conference schedule.  A trip to 3-A Nash Central and the Vikings pitch a shutout.  Normally Tarboro gives up points during their non conference schedule but if this is any indication I pity the Tar Roanoke teams that have to play the Vikings.

Hard to visualize after having no offense at all against Tarboro that the future is bright for the Bulldogs of Nash Central.  Defense did a fine job giving up just over 200 yards on the night but if you are going to count on your defense to win every game there won't be many wins in the Bulldogs future.

1-0 how bout those Jags of Rocky Mount Prep.  They did rush for 200 yards but put the ball on the ground four times and did not lose one.  I doubt there will be many more wins coming the Prepster way this year but celebrate all you want this week.  You are still undefeated.

Poor old North Edgecombe gets a nice win over Northwest Halifax  but play second fiddle in Edgecombe County after the way Tarboro handled Nash Central.

Had a much better start this season in by prognostications went 5-1.  One thing about opening week wins and losses they are hard to judge.  A disappointing loss  or what you think is a great win may prove in five weeks not to be what you thought as it happened.  Another week coming and after this week more knowledge about who all the teams in the area really are.

Perfect

Last year playing all of their season on the road Rocky Mount Prep fail to win a game.  Tonight playing a home game for the first time Prep threw a shutout and the old wives  Tale that if you don't let'em score it  is hard to lose and they didn't as the JAGS win their first game ever 6-0 over Kipp Pride.  Way to hang in there coach Don Reams and his Prepsters.
       
Rocky Mount's Gryphon used big play most of the way but when the pressure was really on used ball control to beat South Granville 27-14.  RaShawn Harris had a big night scoring on a 65 yard punt return in the first quarter and then in the 3'rd quarter caught a Josh Carter screen pass and took it 52 yards to the house for a 17-7 lead.   Micah Varnell kicked two field goals and a kick butt 4th quarter drive sealed the game with a touchdown.

South Granville scored with 1.1 seconds to a make it 10-7 at the half and then scored to make it 17-14 before the Gryphons put the game away.

They may now be called 1-A but don't think it is not the same old Tarboro Vikings at the Vikes handle Nash Central with ease 21-0.

Other scores
Southern Nash 27 SouthWest Edgecombe 14
Hunt 28 South Central 12
Fike 36 Bunn 17
North Edgecombe 40 Northwest Halifax 6

Prediction Time

Let me say right up front that I expect to do 100% better this year on my first week high school football predictions than I did last year.  0-6 opening night.  I have all the confidence in the world I will get at least one of the seven right this go round.  You know first night is the hardest night of the year to predict any score when half the teams playing you don't know one thing about.  Let's see if we can get off to a better start this year.

Rocky Mount Academy-  His first year he had no idea the concept of eight man football but by playoff time his Eagles had earned the respect of Word Of God.  B W Holt will put his second team on the field at Halifax Academy which I have no idea about but I know the way the RMA Eagles finished up last year you had better be prepared this year when you play them.  RMA 45 Halifax 34.

North Edgecombe at South Creek.  Let me remember South Creek use to be Roanoke High School and last year as the new South Creek they won one game.  Put one in the books for NE as Danny Parisher and the Warriors start the year off right 26-12 over the Creek.

Rocky Mount Prep hosting Kipp Pride.  Now last year the Jags went 0 for the season in their first year of football,  Pride won one game and that was a 38-6 victory over Prep.  I think we see that having a home game makes a big difference and the Jags tear down their new goal post in winning 26-21 over Kipp.

Northern : The Knights starts with four straight road games and Wendell is the first stop at Corinth Holders. This is their 3rd year after being winless in 2011.  A nice 5-7 campaign in 2012.  I just think that Randy Raper has the touch and if they were playing say Tarboro tonight I'd pick the Vikings.  Not quite as tough of non conference schedule as the past and the Knights take advantage.  26-20.

Nash Central At Tarboro.  The past two seasons I thought the Bulldogs had the best talent in the Big East.  I don't know if they have as good of talent as four or five other teams in the league this year. Seems to me Nash Central program is going backwards.   Despite being a little bitty 1-A school Tarboro opens with a win.  34-20.

Rocky Mount: opens on the road at South Granville a 2-A team that finished 9-4 last season.  This could very well be the best game of the night and in a slug fest the Gryphons win their opener on the field this year instead of getting a forfeit  a week later.  Rocky Mount 34 South Granville 26.

SouthWest Edgecombe at Southern Nash:  New coach in Cougar land but the old one still patrols the sidelines as an assistant.  By years end last year the Cougars were a handful for every body.  If this is really the Firebirds year they need to make a statement tonight.  Firebirds 35 SWE 22.

Shelby The Legion World Series Home

There is a reason why Shelby North Carolina  got the American Legion World Series to come to it's town.  If there is such a thing as a hotbed for Legion baseball Cleveland County North Carolina is it.  It is to Legion baseball what Tobacco Road is to college basketball.  It is the center of the Legion Universe and spreads out from there.

Tuesday night Brooklawn New Jersey won their third World Series title beating Petaluma California 10-0 in seven innings.  Brooklawn has twice finished second and has made it to the World Series 15 times in their history.  The championship was won in front of 6,000 fans there to watch the game, it was standing room only for two teams as far as North Carolina is concerned should be from the moon.  How in the world did the city of Shelby and the American Legion get so many to attend?  Two local companies bought up all the tickets that were  not sold  and gave away to fans to attend the game.

When it comes to marketing  Shelby hit a home run. Just think of the concession sales from 6,000 thirsty and hungry attendees.  Yes the two companies not only did something for their commumity but think of the good will they now have in their home town.  I think this was the 4th year that Shelby has been the host of the World Series and I think the average attendance for all 15 games played during the tournament was 3,000 or more.  Shelby loves that Legion ball.

On that same thought you know that athletics in high schools cost a few dollars to fund all the sports that high schools  provide their students.  I have often wondered when a baseball game only has 200 people or basketball is played on a Tuesday night with only 400 in the house or about 1/3 full wouldn't it be better to charge students just $1 to get in and have a stands full of students who you know at the half are going out in the mezzanine and buy popcorn.

In order to make money you either have to have a winning product that everyone wants to follow or you have to make it cheap enough to want to go anyway.  I can assure you I don't go to movies any more because of the high cost to get in and even then the higher cost to enjoy the stay.

The Survival Of Football

The NFL has been for the past few years  fining players for hits to the head.  Somewhere in the array of rules that has occurred over the years football  lost sight of a rule that was in place when I played high school football.  If you lead with the helmet on a tackle it is called spearing and you were tossed out of the game.

Today's helmets as suppose to be safer and with a safer helmet has come the comfort zone that I can't get hurt because this helmet will keep me safe.  That also applies to runners who lower their heads when they are about to be tackled.Sure seems to me that a helmet offers no protection if it can't stop someone hitting you in the helmet from hurting you.  Where is the so called protection?

So far this NFL preseason the target area where players are hitting others has lowered as those doing the hitting and are trying to stay away from the head and in doing so several knee injuries related to helmet hits has happen.  Sounds to me like the NFL needs to make the helmet less safe or even go back to the days of no helmets in order to reduce injuries.  Would you rather have a broke nose or at age 50 not be able to add 2 plus 2.

I sure would love to see the injured list of all professionals sports from say up to 1970 and compare it today during the era of steroids.  If human growth hormones  are suppose to make you into a superman why is it then that players get as many injuries today as before all of these incredible hulks were created?

I like what I saw Tuesday night on WRAL on the project going on that is being sponsored in part by the NFL that they are teaching midget league players the proper way to tackle.  That means as those players work their way up to become NFL players in 20 years there may be a generation of players that know how to play the game the right way.  Seems they could cut the time down by teaching those already in the NFL how to tackle the right way.

Pitching Is Order Of The Day At Legion World Series

Tuesday is championship day at the American Legion World Series in Shelby NC.  Going into Monday night it was down to four teams and Wilmington Post 10 is not one of them.  Friday Post 10 got off to a good start beating Connecticut 5-0 behind the 3 hit pitching of N C State recruit Joe O'Donnell.  Saturday during the winners bracket game against Louisiana Post 10 lost 6-5.  Sunday Hawaii belted Wilmington 12-3.  Through Sunday the 12 runs Hawaii got was the only game during the World series that a team has given up double digit runs.  Post 10 the State Champion of North Carolina finished the season 35-4

The lone unbeaten team Brooklawn N J played California one loss Monday night.  Win or lose New Jersey plays for the title tonight.  If Cal beats New Jersey then New Jersey plays for the title at 8pm.  The late game Monday night had once beaten Hawaii and Louisiana playing and the winner plays at 5pm today either against Cal  if that happens the winner of that game plays New Jersey at 8 for the championship.  If New Jersey won Monday night then the championship game is at 5pm with the 8pm held in case New Jersey loses the 5pm game.   All games of the World Series can been seen on ESPN3.

There were not that many top ten players who played in Greensboro on the PGA Tour this past weekend but the top two in the tournament just might be the next wave of Tiger and Phil.  Jordan Spieth who has already won a PGA Tournament and has just turned 20 lost in a playoff to Patrick Reed the 23 year old who has his wife as caddy and she is every bit of 110 pounds .  The two holes of playoffs between the two players were as good as any golf played this year.  Both made huge plays when it looked like they were down and out.  Spieth lying 3 on the first playoff hole nailed about a 50 foot putt to get to the second playoff hole while Reed hit his second shot on the second playoff hole to about five feet after his tee shot was under an limb.  Look out for these two up and comers.

The Major League Baseball Players Union has a real dilemma on it's hand.  The Union is suppose to help defend players any time there is a dispute between the player and Major League Baseball.  What should the Union do in the case of A-Rod.  All of a sudden several players within the Union are asking the Union to not support A-Rod who they all feel is a cheater.  Do you defend one probably guilty player over the wishes of players who don't like all the cheating going on.  I see that all professional Unions are on the line with the way that the Baseball Players Union handles the A-Rod case.  The players could revolt against the Union and fire everyone within the Union and start over and that could lead to a real drug policy in all sports. If the players want a drug policy you can believe it will happen.

Play Ball

Even though the first day of school for Nash County schools is not until next Monday today is the first official day that athletic teams can take the courts and playing fields and the action counts.  Those teams that can are wasting no time starting as football on Friday night will be the last varsity sport to get under way.  Here's RMHS game schedule for this week.

Girls tennis at Holmes High in Edenton this afternoon.
JV Volleyball 4:30 Gym
Varsity boys soccer 5pm soccer field
Varsity Volleyball 5:30 gym

Tuesday August 20th
JV Volleyball 4:30 Gym  North Lenoir
Cross Country at Roanoke Rapids High at Roanoke Rapids Dam 5:pm
Varsity Volleyball 5:30 Gym  North Lenoir

Wednesday August 21st
Girls tennis 10:30am at Topsoil High
JV Volleyball  4:30 Gym Louisburg
Varsity Volleyball 5:30 Gym Louisburg

Thursday August 22nd
Girls Tennis 3:30 at Greene Central

Friday August 23rd
Boys soccer 5:00pm at Swansboro
Varsity Football 7:30 at South Granville

Saturday August 24th
Boys Soccer 10:00am White Oak High

To my knowledge this is the first time ever that Rocky Mount and South Granville have met in football?  SG is located in Creedmoor.  The school has 1062 students last year and was built in 1962 replacing Creedmoor High school.

Football Week Is Here

The high school football season is upon us and it is time to take a look at how the football season may pan out.  I feel sorry for everyone in the Tar-Roanoke as Tarboro drops down to 1-A and after going to five straight 2-A Title games.  Their prospects of making it to six straight is very good as the word in Tarboro is this is a fast team.  Don't even bother to look at any Tar-Roanoke scores during the year as I doubt there is a team in the league that holds Tarboro under forty.

On to the Big East-  Some shuffling has gone on in the Big East leaving hurt feelings in Wilson and gladness in Red Oak.  The Big East coaches picked Hunt but you can never trust a coach to try to put the pressure on the other team and vote them higher than themselves knowing full well that they can win that game when it is on the schedule. One through four all have a shot at first if they don't have key  injuries and play at high levels every time out.

1.  Southern Nash:  All of us media types have for years been in denial that Southern has had a good program going now under Brian Foster.  Their history shows they have a strong line program going on  and if they hold on to the ball could very well go unbeaten in conference play.  Seems if some where along the way they fumble a game or two away every year.  That's the Firebirds next step don't give any thing away.

2. Northern Nash:  Randy Raper is a coach that teaches running.  His defense has to practice against the run every day.  I think what you will see again this year is another strong defense with the Knights and if Raper gets a running game going  holding on to the ball so you can't get it look out for the Knights.  Three years ago the Knight tried to get a B W Holt type coach and they got one in Raper.

3. Hunt:  I just can't see the Warriors being as good this year as they have been the last five.  A change in coaches just can't be good for a stable program like Hunt.  Despite being down that doesn't mean they are out. 

4.  Rocky Mount:  The Gryphons could be second or they could be fourth.  I suspect they will score some points but am unsure about the defense.  They get both Hunt and Southern at Home.  They were in every game last year right down to the last minute.  I think how much every player remembers that playoff loss in the opening round of the playoffs is big for this team. If they are ready every Friday night this team could be good.

5.  Nash Central:  Might have the best backfield in the conference.  The last two seasons I thought the Bulldogs had the best athletes in the conference and what did they win?  Not quite as good athletically and not as high in the standings either.

6.  Fike:  Seems to me some where I heard they had 26 seniors last year on a team that relied on it's seniors
Seems to me that makes them a young football team this season and this is not a league to be inexperienced. 

Twin Counties Football schedule

 Today we will look at the upcoming high school football schedules of the nine  football playing schools in the Twin Counties  Everyone plays 11 games  North Edgecombe  as they play just 10. RMA will play a nine game schedule. Tarboro drops down to 1-A.  Northern Opens with four straight games on the road.  Rocky Mount plays during the season five straight games at home.  Rocky Mount Prep plays their first home game ever August 23rd at their new home at the Sports Complex.

The game of the year will probably occur 10-4 when Southern Nash travels to Tarboro!

8-23
Nash Central-  Tarboro
Northern Nash at Corinth-Holder
Rocky Mount at South Granville
Southern Nash-  SouthWest Edgecombe
Rocky Mount Academy at Halifax Academy
Rocky Mount Prep- Kipp Pride
North Edgecombe at Nothwest Halifax
8-30
Nash Central at Kinston
Northern Nash at Northeastern
Rocky Mount-Oxford Webb
Southern Nash- Beddingfield
Rocky Mount Academy- Open
Rocky Mount Prep at Granville Central
North Edgecombe at Southwest Edgecombe
Tarboro at Washington
9-6
Nash Central at Rose
Northern Nash at Tarboro
Rocky Mount at Hertford County
Southern Nash-Bunn
Rocky Mount Academy at Hobgood
Rocky Mount Prep at Louisburg
North Edgecombe- Open
SouthWest Edgecombe0 Greene Central
9-13
Nash Central at Hertford County
Northern Nash at Warren County
Rocky Mount-Rose
Southern Nash at Roanoke Rapids
Rocky Mount Academy- St David's School
North Edgecombe at SE Halifax
Tarboro at SouthWest Edgecombe
9-14
Rocky Mount Prep-Walkertown
9-20
Nash Central- Beddingfield
Northern Nash-Southern Vance
Rocky Mount-SouthWest Edgecombe
Southern Nash- Open
Rocky Mount Academy- Word Of God
Rocky Mount Prep at Kipp Pride
North Edgecombe- Weldon
Tarboro- Roanoke Rapids
9-27
Nash Central- Hillside
Northern Nash-Smithfield-Selma
Rocky Mount-Triton
Southern Nash-Ayden Grifton
Rocky Mount Academy at Lawrence Academy
Rocky Mount Prep-Southeast Halifax
North Edgecombe-Kipp Pride
Tarboro-Open
SouthWest Edgecombe- Open
10-4
Nash Central-Open
Northern Nash-Open
Rocky Mount-Open
Southern Nash at Tarboro
Rocky Mount Academy at Northeast Academy
Rocky Mount Prep-Open
North Edgecombe-Open
Southwest Edgecombe at East Carteret
10-11
Nash Central at Rocky Mount
Northern Nash-Hunt
Southern Nash at Fike
Rocky Mount Academy-Arendell Parrott Academy
Rocky Mount Prep at North Edgecombe
Tarboro-South Creek
SouthWest Edgecombe at North Pitt
10-18
Nash Central-Fike
Northern Nash at Southern Nash
Rocky Mount- Hunt
Rocky Mount Academy-Southampton Academy
Rocky Mount Prep-Tarboro
North Edgecombe at Riverside-Martin
SouthWest Edgecombe at Farmville Central
10-25
Nash Central- Northern Nash
Rocky Mount at Fike
Southern Nash at Hunt
Rocky Mount Academy- Cary Christian Academy
Rocky Mount Prep- South Creek
North Edgecombe-Northampton County
Tarboro-Riverside-Martin
SouthWest Edgecombe at Farmville Central
11-1
Nash Central at Hunt
Northern Nash-Fike
Rocky Mount-Southern Nash
Rocky Mount Prep at Riverside Martin
North Edgecombe at South Creek
Tarboro-Northampton Co
SouthWest Edgecombe at North Johnston
11-8
Nash Central at Southern Nash
Northern Nash-Rocky Mount
Rocky Mount Prep at Northampton county
North Edgecombe-Tarboro
Southwest Edgecombe-Beddingfield

A Night Of Entertainment

If there was ever a thought that just maybe having a jamboree featuring all four teams from Nash County would work or not boy that got answered in a big way YES,YES, YES.  Nash Central hosted what is hoped will be an annual bash featuring Nash Central, Southern Nash, Northern Nash and Rocky Mount along with Southeast Halifax, D H Conley and Bertie.  If you think Nash County doesn't like football think again as even before we talk football fans came out in a big way.  Even though they would have loved a fourth visiting team people got their monies worth tonight as football is just a week away. Northern Nash had the soccer lights on as they held a soccer jamboree a couple of miles from the football.

Down highway 64 Rocky Mount held their annual 42 days late Fourth of July celebration featuring the Tams and I would say about three thousand show up for that.  The fire works show ended the  after work celebration to make up for the heavy rains that fell on July's fireworks.

John Wooten meet Hobbs Johnson. Last week right here on this blog we talked about John Wooten the son of former Rocky Mount Gryphon who was a member of the 1973 State Championship baseball team for Rocky Mount.  His son John is playing for Beloit and Monday night the former ECU baseball player who was drafted after his junior year went face to face with Hobbs Johnson who was making his third appearance since moving up to the Wisconsin Rattlers.

Johnson who seems to be destined to be a middle relief pitcher came in the game and one of the batters that Hobbs Johnson faced was none other than former Eastern Wayne and ECU Pirate.  On this night Wooten who has hit 16 home runs this year and is batting 242 face the former Gryphon and Carolina pitcher and the pitcher wins the battle as Wooten became the 11th strikeout victim in six innings of pitching so far for Hobbs Johnson since he has joined the Rattlers.  Hobb's three appearances since joining the Rattlers six inning, seven hits, 11k's and he has walked only one batter.  That adds up to a 1.50 ERA.  If Hobbs pitches like this next spring he may start out at Double A if not higher.

Long Term Contracts

The word theses days in college athletics is the bigger the better.  1953 the seven orginal schools that formed the ACC jumped from the Southern Conference because the conference was too big.  As time passed by the 1990's  the ACC schools made more money per each team in the conference from radio and TV than any other conference.

Along comes ESPN who wants to dominant everything sports with an array of channels to lure conferences to throw their conference sporting events to ESPN.  The SEC with it's football power  has passed the ACC in money in their pockets and with the ESPN money frenzy every college is looking to make more and more.  Get me a TV contract some way some how.

Our government works of the premise that we have so many people in this country paying taxes and as the year goes by and your tax dollar comes in they can pay for all the promises the government has made on the money they are expecting to come in.  When all the money expected doesn't come in then the short fall is borrowed to pay all the promises.  Now our government pays interest on the money borrowed so all that promised services now cost more when the government has to borrow.

Now what will happen if all this income promised by Nike, ESPN, EA Sports, Fox Sports, your name a network that is outlaying money for the next 20 years for any conference rights, what happens if all these advertisers cut back on spending and now ESPN or who ever can't pay on these promises.  Seems to me that all this long term promise is based on inflation tripling in the future.  All the Networks are running their business like the government on hope not money already in the bank.

How good does a long term contract work.  Ask the New York Yankees whether they got their monies worth from the 210 millions they will spend on A-Rod.  It might have worked the first five years but they would love to see A-Rod put down by MLB.   I see this game called Satellite, Cable TV hitting the point where people are not going to be able to afford the monthly cost to continue service.  When the viewers start going away  watching all these games on cable so goes the promised money and all these 16 teams conferences who wanted more money will wind up with less.  Unlike the government who borrows to pay promises when viewership goes down the hands held out waiting for their cut will find empty hands.

The Glorification Of Sports

Our country is more than 200 years old but sports in America is a relative new sensation.  Lacrosse is one of the first sports played by a group of people in this country.  Baseball has been around about 150 years.  Basketball and football came later.  Why is it then that the creation of this country no where in the Constitution of even in the Declaration of Independence is there a mention of sports? What is it that this country is so sports crazy?

The Olympics started from a military action when a runner ran 26.8 miles to warn of an invasion. The Olympics were started to see who could run the fastest, jump the highest and even throw two crazy spheres.  One was a metal ball that weighted 15 pounds and the other a disc that had no purpose to want to throw it.

  Somewhere along the way America became addicted to sports.  Babe Ruth made $100,000 in one season before the the President of the USA ever did.  When asked why he made 100,000 Ruth bragged that he had a better year than the president.

Our addiction to sports puts normal human beings in a position where they want their team to win and if it means cheat to do it, then do it just don't tell me about it.  I will look the other way as long as you win but if you don't we will get someone who will win. 

When ever our athletes get too big for their britches we make excuses for them.  We have put them on a pedestal just because they can throw a ball, hit a home run or even make a shot and tear down a rim.  Somewhere along the way we as a society have forgotten what life is all about.  What really is important.  As long as we as a country worry about where we rank in world power we will continue to put importance of being the best.

It doesn't matter where it is a rocket, the stock market, if it  didn't make Sports Center high lites you are nowhere man.  We are suppose to be intelligent people.  I wonder if the Martians landed here tomorrow what they would think?

Head Knocking Time

Jason Battle put his second edition of the Rocky Mount Gryphons on display for the first time tonight at Rocky Mount High school as former Gryphon JV coach Chris Lee brought his Louisburg team to Rocky Mount for a scrimmage.  Those familiar with the old B W Holt Double wing offense thought that the old Gryphons were playing the new Gryphons as Lee who use to be the head JV coach when at Rocky Mount took the Holt offense with him to Louisburg.

The results for Gryphon fans was mixed  as the Gryphons introduced a pistol  offense some of the time to go along with the offense from a year ago.  There is plenty to be pleased about and plenty left to work on.  Today during the Media day held at Rocky Mount it was learned that most of the teams that have been invited to the Jamboree Thursday at Nash Central to scrimmage the four Nash County schools have backed out leaving only the four Nash County schools to scrimmage each other.  Don't think there is a coach in the county that likes that idea and unless some replacements can be found in a hurry the Jamboree Thursday is in trouble.  More later this week.

Today the Big East Conference coaches voted Hunt to repeat as conference champions. After an undefeated season and coach Raper departing for Northern Nash the other coaches still feel there are enough weapons left in Wilson to pick Hunt. Southern Nash was picked second and Rocky Mount Third, Nash Central fourth, Fike fifth and Northern Nash last.

You have to think that Randy Raper has plenty of bulletin board material for his Knights being picked last. I don't think in the last ten years at Hunt they have loss four games in a season much and Raper being the coach he is will not allow Northern to Finish last.  Northern had a very good jamboree last week and finishing last is not in their vocabulary this season. All thought that last year right down to the last week the conference was even and that might be even more so this year.

Tonight Wilmington Post 10 has won the American Legion South East Regional and have earned the right to head to the American Legion World Series next  week in Shelby. Post 10 lost one game during the regular season and so far during the playoff they are 16-1.  Randolph County who was the host team for the Regional proved to be a bad host. They were the losing team tonight losing 7-0 but during the Regional they went 4-2 only losing to Wilmington twice.

End Of the Golf Season

Jason Duffner has won the last major of the golf tournament of the season in winning the PGA.  Duffner the stiffed face player you can't tell whether he is on the verge of laughing or crying after every shot.  Over the past three years or so Duffner's name has been at or near the top of almost every tournament that he is in.  He's one of those walk up to the ball and wail away.  Just for that he is easy to like but until he lets loose with a little emotion every now and then he will be a hard player for the masses to follow and like.

I could care less about the rest of the golf season even though the tour championship playoffs will be starting in September.  Next week is really the last tournament of the year and they play in Greensboro.  I could not even tell you right now without looking it up whether this is the Ryder Cup Year or the President's Cup.  I will watch if it the Ryder but who wins the Tour championship or the President's Cup is of little consequence to me.  It's football time.

19 of the last 21 majors have been won by different people and it has been 22 majors since Tiger won.  He proved last week he still has plenty of kick left in his arsenal but the majors take accuracy off the tee, get it on the green and putt.  Last week Tiger was knocking down the the pins and had five foot birdie putts.   This week those ten foot parr putts were not close. Phil has never been an accurate driver and this week he was awful from the tee.  It is hard getting any score when you are trying to one putt for parr.  I would be a perfect example of that being a two putt bogey man that I am.

There are so many good players on the tour that from week to week it is hard to run up front all the time.  If you have ever noticed it seems that the really good players go about six weeks at a time when they are hot and can't miss.  Then they flatten out and somebody else steps up for a period of time.  Tiger over the last 15 years is the only exception to that rule.  He has reached the age where a bad tournament has him teeing off on Sunday's at 11 instead of 2:30.

So now it is time to concentrate on football.  I don't care high school, college or pros I like all football.  I have no idea how I got such a passion for football.  Back during my playing days I spent more time at guard and end than any other position.  End of the bench guarding the water bucket.  I at my mighty 135 pounds of solid  fear hated one on one drills because I was always going up against somebody 30 pounds bigger than me and my face always found the dirt.  I wish I had  the passion then that I have now.

What Took So Long?

A couple of days ago President Obama announced that Dean Smith has won the Presidential Freedom Medal which is the highest award given out by the United States to one of their citizens.  I grew up in a time when Charlie Scott became the first black basketball player at Carolina was National News, not because he was the #1 player on ESPN prospects list but was the first black player recruited at Carolina.

 Dean Smith was still trying to get Carolina basketball moving forward because in the early sixties Vic Bubus and Duke were held in higher regard  than this long nosed coach in Chapel Hill that we are ready to get rid of and now he wants to bring a black player to THE UNIVERSITY as Carolina fans think of themselves.  As it turns out Charlie Scott was the type player that put Dean Smith over the hump into becoming a basketball legend.  Forgotten is the courage it took for Smith still a coach floundering to do such a thing that helped change the world.

I'm in total agreement on Smith getting this Medal.  My question is this.  Smith retired from coaching in 1997.  Since he has been out of the lime light in retirement I don't think he has done much to add to what was done back then.  Why then wasn't he up for this award in 1965, 1975,1985.1997?  If he was worthy of such an award let him have it. 

Along the same lines. Most professional sports puts a five year waiting period on those who can be in the Hall Of Fame? I  have no problem with that rule but why if you don't make it the first time around why are players continually put up for the Hall Of Fame.  If you numbers from what ever your sport was couldn't get you in  after you had been out of the sport five years what made your numbers get better over time?  I would like to see Hall Of Fame's concentrate only on those eligible for the first time. They either make it or they don't.

Monday is the BIG East Kickoff for athletics in the school year 2013-14.  It starts at 9am in the cafeteria at Rocky Mount High school.  All six athletic directors will be speaking during the morning and at 10:15 the football coaches will have media day with sorts like me.  They will vote on who they think is the preseason pick in football and this year I'm picking Southern Nash.

The NCAA And It's Role

The United States Government and the NCAA are two sets of administrations that have superseded what their intentions were.  The US Government was for the most part is suppose to protect it's citizens while the NCAA was built to administer Championships of college athletics.  Both have out grown their usefulness because they do so many other things over what they are suppose to be doing no one has control of their direction.

You can say all you want about the Civil War but it was about States Rights first and foremost.  The NCAA is under attack from the 80 or so major football universities in this land over for the most part the NCAA not being able to control itself.  They have lied and cheated when handing out punishment to institutions because in order to catch any cheaters they have no power to get to the answers.  It has taken three years in the Miami case and they are no closer today to resolving the Miami case than they were the first day.

The first and foremost actions of the NCAA is to administer I think it is 89 championships.  Who is going to be the TV network to televise any one of them should keep the NCAA busy for the rest of their lives  Who is eligible to me is a States right case or in other words the conference which is a member of the NCAA should declare what their standards are and each institution in that conference live by that standard and you know this as well as I do if  Carolina is cheating the folks in Raleigh will Howl.  If Alabama is cheating Auburn will know about it.  This they are cheating so we have to too has to stop.

Power is a dreadful thing when in the hands of people who can't handle it whether it is the Federal Government or the NCAA.  I think  a hatchet job in Indianapolis and whittle the NCAA down to championships only is where the NCAA is needed to head.  Get out of the compliance business, get out of the selling jersey business.  If the colleges don't do something to cut the power of the NCAA down to size there just might be a Civil War and the top 80 Succeed from the NCAA and with it all the flow of all the big time money.  If that happens the NCAA will be no more than the NAIA.

They say that history repeats itself.  Does anybody remember why the ACC was formed in the first place?  All seven members that broke away from the Southern Conference thought that having 23 members in one conference was way too big so they formed the ACC.  Today it has grown back and heading to 16.  So this word called progress when put in hands of people get greedy.  The Federal Government, the NCAA or your local church progress means more money coming in.  Not many people know how to handle progress.

David Williams Wins American Legion Scholarship

Northern Nash High School Valedictorian David Williams has won a $500 scholarship From the American Legion.  You might say that's nice  but it's only $500.  David has been chosen  and when the American Legion World Series begins in Shelby later this month he is now on a list of candidates to be named American Legion All American Academic Team.  If he is one of the eight chosen for this team with it comes another $2,500.  By the end of the World Series the National American Legion will announce the National winner of the eight All Americans and if he should win that there sits another $5,000 Scholarship. David is proof that athletics and education can work together when you have a family that stands behind you every step of the way.

You may recall in the spring of this year we featured David on this blog which was titled Every Team Needs a Williams Family.  The story celebrated David's accomplishments on the playing field of Northern Nash and every member of his family mom, dad and grand dad for everything they do following Northern Nash Baseball. This summer David played second, short and even caught for Post 58 during this past Legion season and yes his family was right there every step of the way.  David will be leaving later this month for Duke University where he will be a member of the baseball team while he studies in Blue Devil Land.

Busy day for Northern Nash as not only August 15th is the big Football Jamboree at Nash Central where all four Nash County high schools will take on four other teams from outside the area but back on the campus of Northern Nash there will be a boys soccer Jamboree.  The event starts at 5:30pm and tickets will be $5.  The four teams taking part will be Northern, Southern Nash, D H Conley and Corinth Holder.

So next Thursday with football, and soccer  don't forget that next Thursday is also the makeup night for the Fourth of July rain out  at the Sports Complex as the Tams will be part of the festivities going on at Sports Complex football field.  The Fourth Of July Fireworks will fire off at about 9:15pm.  If you can't find any thing to do next Thursday you just don't want to do anything.

Oh Good The ACC Has A Bowl Game For Every Team

The ACC announce Wednesday that it has signed contracts that nine ACC teams will play in a bowl game every year through 2020.  Isn't that wonderful that will give us six of the nine teams will be 6-6 every year and they will go play in some of the biggest bowls games around. There are 13 bowl tie ins.  The ACC will only be in nine in any one year.  Thank goodness there is only nine per year. How can anyone keep up as to  where these games are.   . Let's play "Guess Where this game is"

1.  The Hyundai Bowl:  Yes siree I have been wanting to go there for years.  My only problem where is it?  How bout if I say Sun Bowl?  Now you know that hot spot in Texas where in late December the temperature might get above freezing El Paso Texas.
 
2.  The Detroit Lions Bowl:  Must be in Detroit.  I guess since the Lions never win in the NFL they will try to beat up on a college team.  Don't think that is a hot spot for sun bathers either.

3. New ERA Bowl:  That bowl game has been around for years hasn't it.  Maybe this will help Pinstripe Bowl, yes this one is in New York at the same place the ACC basketball Tournament is going.

4. Birmingham Bowl:  Guess that couldn't  get a sponsor like KIA.

5. Beef O' Brady Bowl:  That one is played in a restaurant.  I actually had to look that one up.  It's played in St Peterburg Russia, I mean Florida.

6.  Franklin American Mortgage:  Must be in Philadelphia, nope how bout if I say Music City.  That's right Nashville, NC

7.  Taxslayer Bowl:  That's a good one.  They don't play this game until April 15th.  They have really messed up the Gator Bowl with this name.

8.  The Military Bowl:  Has been moved to Fort Bragg. Used to be in Washington DC.

9.  Russell Athletic Bowl:  This one is played in the jock strap capital of the world  Orlando

10:  Orange Bowl: Least it is still in Miami and is played in Sun Life Stadium.  Bet it rains on game day.

11:  Belk Bowl:  For you old timers it is really the Belk Tyler Bowl.

12:  Capital Bowl:  Don't know how Orlando can stand having two top notch bowls games every year.

13:  Advo Care V100 Bowl:  Saved the best for last.  Here is the easy part.  It is played in Houston in Reliant Stadium.  It goes down here from there.  Advo Care promotes a power drinks and some kind of watermelon cream for your skin.

Alright now let's get fire up!!!

Weekly Minor League Update

Been worried over the past week as Brian Goodwin has not played for a week or so.  Checked all the wires to see whether he may be injured but I don't believe the minor leagues have the disabled list so if a player is injured he just doesn't play.    I can find no official word from the Washington Nationals.  I hope if he is injured he is healthy by September.  I just have a feeling that since the Nationals going into Tuesday's game with the Braves were 12 games back that Brian might get called to and see some action in Washington during September since they are pretty much out of the race in the National League East.

Hobbs Johnson has pitched another two inning in his new home of Appleton Wisconson.  He has give up one run in two appearances but he has struck out eight batters in four innings.  Every time he has pitched this summer he has pitched two innings so it surly looks as if the Brewers are grooming him as a long relief pitcher.

Since I don't have a crystal ball to look in to but from where I sit in North Carolina Xavier Macklin days seemed to be numbered with the Oakland A's.  This summer X has been relegated to playing about one game a week  Being and outfielder that is not a good sign when you are not in the lineup.  I would suspect that at the end of the season X will probably get released by Oakland and Xavier will have to make a decision.  Can I play this game at this level and do I want to shop myself around to other teams?  Right now X have only batted about 12 times in the last month and his batting average is less than 190.

Some of you may be interested in the progress of John Wooten who's dad is Sonny Wooten and was a member of the 1973 Gryphon State Championship baseball team.  John who played at Eastern Wayne in Goldsboro and played at ECU is hitting 251 in Beloit for the A's.  Beloit is the upper A level and is the same league where Hobbs Johnson is.  John has shown  to be a power hitter having hit 16 dingers so far since signing out of ECU.

Finally today I run into many people over a week's period and have been asked this question many times.  Where is Wes Bradshaw these days?  Many of you Gryphon fans know when Wes Graduated from Rocky Mount I think in 2000 he had a hard time cutting loose his high school ties and for many years was at every Gryphon sporting event there was.  Funny thing about what getting married and having  a child it can really change your life.   Wes works for a Home Health Care Company out of Wilson but he works the Greenville area.  This summer you could find Wes in Pinetops coaching little league.

 Since many of you are like me and have direct TV or Dish and you don't get WHIG-TV then you wouldn't know that Wes still can be seen every Sunday night on the All New Sports show and will be doing play by play of the game of the week this fall during football season.

Who Has The Right Answer?

I asked this question to Lynn Driver of the City of Rocky Mount Recreation  Department many years ago.  Why is Rocky Mount in the Tar Heel Little League Association instead of the Little League Association where the team could go to Williamsport Pa to the Little league World Series?  His answer was very simple and over the years I have forgotten exactly what he told me but this is the jest of it.  The city decided because of cost to send teams to Regional tournaments and maybe even to Williamsport  it was better to be involved in a program where the State Championship was the last stop.

The local Babe Ruth Association has just sent a team to Union City Tennessee and Union City is in the eastern half of the great State of Tennessee. This was the Southeast Regional of 13 year old Babe Ruth. They held fund raisers in order to help get the team there.  If they had of won that tournament the Babe Ruth World Series this year is being played in Williston North Dakota.  If they had to raise money to send the team to Tennessee, what kind of funding would have been needed to send a team across the country?

I don't see that there is a right  or wrong answer to this question of which one is the right way to go.  Both are working and it is as easy to see as the end of you nose that Rocky Mount/Nash County does well in what ever baseball event they are taking part in having won Little League state titles  the last two years and the Babe Ruth has won four Eastern State Championships in the last ten years and three Southeast Regional  championships.

Any family that commits to follow their children  in any sport now days is committing their life to that sport.  Those players good enough to make all star teams have practically been playing ball every day since March.  I would suspect the all Stars players have played some with their regular seasons and now all stars fifty games and that doesn't include practice.

The further you go in playoffs the farther the games get away from home.  This year the little league Championships were in Williamston so in some cases that was seven straight days driving there.  The just recent completed Babe Ruth Regional required in Union City required motel rooms for just the players and coaches at least five days and that doesn't include family.  Just suppose they had of won and were heading to Williston North Dakota 1900 miles away.  Williston boarders Montana and a good rock throw from Canada.

Somehow or other  the city's decision was a right one and the local Babe Ruth is also right.  I guess this is a great example of how great our country really is.  We are able to make decisions on what we want to do in life.  Some times different decisions work together for the betterment of all of us that enjoy watching sports.

Judgement Day

If all the reports are true then Major League baseball will bust all of the drug users in the latest scandal rocking baseball. If all of the reports are true 12 have signed off on their suspensions and will take the medicine being given them  by Major League baseball.  Only Alex Rodriquez seems to be the only holdout denying all allegations.

Those of you who can remember this  sounds  a whole lot like Pete Rose and even Ryan Braun.  We are a country of innocent until proven guilty in the court system but this is a business telling their employees they are out of work because you didn't follow company policy, so all that legal stuff is out the window.  If 12 of the 13 names are guilty and taking their punishment then why would Rodriquez be the innocent one of the bunch getting frame?  Of all the players at this point in the high price player world of sports he has made more than anybody else.  Do you suppose I could get my money back every time during his career that I paid a ticket to see him play since he was cheating right in front of my eyes.

Drugs to help you hit the ball farther is to me worse than gambling and there is no way under the sun baseball could survive if gambling was allowed to exist.  It is time all sports teams and franchises and leagues got together with all unions involved and said this is it and all came together to wipe cheating out from all sports.

We have had so much Babe Ruth and American Legion going on the past few weeks I have never said one thing about the P J Hairston drama in Chapel Hill.  Once the NCAA puts a value on all the free vehicles he seems to use from people that don't like Carolina I would guess they will sit him down for a few games when basketball cranks up in November.

However I do feel that Carolina has a more serious problem to deal with in Hairston.  He is either the dumbest  or the most arrogant player to ever go to school at Carolina.  After having all those marijuana and gun charges dropped three days later gets caught driving 93 in a 65 MPH zone in a car he doesn't own.   He is a danger to all of us when on the highway and it seems he has no vehicle of his own only ones given to him.  I just don't see how Roy Williams can afford to allow him to play this year regardless of what the NCAA rules. Hairston needs to learn about life from the sidelines when something you cherish is taken away because of your stupidity.  If something isn't done to help this young man he will be a trouble maker the rest of his life.

Finally today I want to thank everyone  as Sunday turned out to be the third biggest hit day on this blog as people followed what little bit of info I had on the 13U team as the day unfolded.  It is obvious when something of major importance sports wise goes on in our area people want to know what is happening in supporting our teams and players and I am glad that some times I can be that  information. I can't do it alone and I am thankful for everyone who knew anything kept feeding me what they knew so I could pass it on to you.

OUT SLUGGED

I am sure for the rest of their lives the bottom of the fifth inning will haunt the the 13U Nash County Babe Ruth team.  Nash County scored two in the top of the first, five more in the second to lead 7-0.  Lawrenceberg scored one in the bottom of second and two in the third.  Nash Co got one in the fourth while Lawrenceberg got two more in the fourth. Nash got one more in the fifth but in the bottom of the fifth the Tennesseeans score ten times to break the hearts of Nash County. Just for good measure Tennessee added two more in the bottom of the 6th.  Nash County scored twice in the top of the 7th but fall in the finals.

Lawrenceberg Tennessee 17 Nash Co North carolina 11

 Nash County finishes the Babe Ruth playoffs having gone 11-1.

Nash County will play Sarasota Fl sometime today in the semi finals of the Southeast Regional 13U Babe Ruth Tournament in Union City Tennessee.  All games were completed by the time they cut the lights off Saturday night except for two games and both of those games have an impact on the semi finals.  Glen Allen Virginia has two  games left to play in the Tournament.   Those two games they have left are with the Gaffney SC who has already been eliminated and Tallahassee FL.  Either Tallahassee or Glen Allen will play Lawrenceberg TN sometime today.** Tournament officials decided to complete all necessary games on Saturday so it was well after midnight before Tallahassee beat  Glen Allen to win the #2 seed in the American bracket behind Nash County.

Both semi final games are starting at 11am CDT or noon Eastern.  Nash County is playing Sarasota Fl and Lawrenceberg TN is playing Tallahassee FL.  Once both games are completed the two winners will play one hour after the completion of the last game.  

NASH County has advanced to the Southeast Regional final beating Sarasota FL 4-3.  Waiting on the finish of the Lawrenceberg TN /Tallahassee FL game.  The two winners will play one hour after the completion of the game in progress.

Lawrenceberg TN has beaten Tallahassee FL 10-4 and will now play Nash County for the SE Regional 13U Babe Ruth Championship.  Both teams are 5-0 in the tournament so the winner of this game will be the best from the SE Region.  First pitch is scheduled for 3.20pm.

U13 Advances

Even before they take the field to play their final game  in pool play at the Southeast Regional Babe Ruth 13u Tournament Nash County has advanced by virtue of the results from other games in the bracket Friday night.  This morning Nash County plays Lexington Tennessee and there was  still a possible three way tie scenario that should Lexington beat Nash County  this morning that despite being 3-1 in pool play NC could have been sent home with the three way tie breaker.

That scenario was solved for Nash County last night when Lexington had to forfeit it's game to to Tallahassee Florida giving them two losses and the other two teams with one loss Tallahassee and Glen Allen Virginia play each other in the final game of pool play tonight at 7.00 so one of them will have two losses and since Nash County owns any tie breaker with either team they will be the top seed from the American Bracket when the single elimin
ation portion of the Regional begins Sunday.

I have no idea at this point why Lexington had to forfeit and whether that forfeit will effect whether they can play Nash county this morning or not.  Check back around 1pm as by then I should have the results of this mornings games.  It has been raining all morning in Union City.  Nash County final pool game will not start until 4pm.

Nash County  has completed pool play going undefeated winning 12-0 over Lexingon TN.  Due to rain that right now has the second set of four games to be play in progress at just after 8pm don't know how this will effect the semi finals schedule to be play Sunday afternoon.

Both Gaffney SC and Tallahassee FL the two teams that will be fighting to get the #2 seed in the American bracket behind Nash County will not play each other until the last game of the tournament.  If would suspect that  game will not play until Sunday and tournament officials would have to decide  whether to put the championship game off until Monday.  I doubt they would want any team to have to  play three times Sunday and if Gaffney or Tallahassee winner made it to the championship game that could happen.

The National League bracket Lawrenceberg TN will be the top seed and they will play the Gaffney /Tallahassee winner.Nash County looks as they will play Sarasota FL who still has a game to play but it is against the host team who had been beaten rather easily in all their games so far.

Who Are Those Guys?

Butch Cassidy asked Sundance "Who are those guys?" referring to Joe Leflores  and his band of sheriffs chasing after Butch and Sundance for their never give up chasing the those famous outlaws.  Today that same question just might be floating around Union City Tennessee as Nash County has brought the bats to the Southeast Regional Babe Ruth 13U tournament.

Last night in their second game of the day Nash County outscored Glen Allen Virginia 13-11 to go 2-0 in pool play.  This morning playing their third game in less than 26 hours Nash County took no prisoners in beating Gaffney SC 26-6 to stand 3-0 in the American Bracket.  53 runs in three games.  What is even more amazing is that the Champs of Eastern North Carolina have given up 30 runs in three games and are undefeated.

They will play their final pool play game Saturday morning at 9am against Lexington Tn who at this writing was the only other team in the American Bracket still undefeated but they stand at 1-0.  They are playing Glen Allen Virginia Friday night and if they win that game then the 9am Saturday will probably be for the #1 seed in Sunday's semi final single elimination tournament. Should Nash County finish 1st or 2nd  both the semi finals and finals will be played Sunday.   Lexington has another game Saturday afternoon to finish off their four games.

Moving on UP.... Hobbs Johnson has been promoted from the rookie league in Helena Montana to the upper A team of the Milwaukee Brewers in Appleton Wisc.  As soon as he shows up the Brewers waste little time in deciding whether they are going to pitch him or not.  He pitched 2 innings Thursday night what has now become his routine as it surly seems he is destined to be a middle relief pitched.

Not a bad outing at all as he gave up two hits but struck out four batters and did not allow a run.  In his five professional outings in the minor leagues Rocky Mount Gryphon and North Carolina Tar Heel pitcher has pitched 10 innings and given up one run that is an ERA of .90.  Since it is now so late in the baseball season look for Hobbs to start next spring at AA.

SE Regional Babe Ruth U13 Tournament Underway

Nobody said that winning any tournament would be easy and Nash County opened the Babe Ruth SE Regional 13U Tournament this morning in Union City Tennessee with a rousing 14-13 victory over Tallahassee Florida. There are 10 teams in two brackets and Nash County is in the American bracket and during pool play they will play four games in three days.  That will put Nash County right back on the field for the second game of the day Thursday night against Glen Allen Virginia who will be playing their first  game.  The top two teams from each bracket will then play a single elimination tournament with one from the American playing #2 from the National Bracket and the two winners play for the title.

Friday morning at 9am Nash County plays Gaffney SC so they will have played three games in basically 24 hours and will have a single game Saturday morning against Lexington TN.  Most of the time in pool play you will need to win at least three games to qualify for the semi final round an accomplishment that Nash County did in 2004-2005-2006 when all three years Nash County made the World Series,  Should there be a three way tie along the way and one of the tie breakers is the team that gives up the least runs.  Even though Nash County won their first game 13 is a big number if a three way tie happens.

High school football practices are on going all around North Carolina and there is no area more thrilled than the folks at Northern Nash.  Randy Raper now as the new coach hope abounds that he will be the answer to turn the program around.  Part of turning a program around sometimes is as simple as to change things up and Friday night when the Knights finish practice at 9pm they are going to feed the team  and they will then return to the practice field where Northern will have their brand of midnight madness.  They will practice from 11pm until 12:01.

August 15th all four Nash County football teams will be taking part in a football jamboree at Nash Central.  They hope to make this an annual event with each school hosting every four years. Right now Bertie, D H Conley and SE Halifax have committed to play in the jamboree.  It starts at 6pm and the cost is $6 per person.

Our First Lustrum Together

Five years ago today the late Charles Alston set this blog up for me because I had no idea how to do it and I still don't know anything about the inner workings of the machinery of this blog other than how to publish. Sometimes I get very frustrated how slow  this thing is on some days.  I can type three words and it takes 30 seconds to pop up on the screen, then the next day it works like a charm. I had been up to then giving my opinions about once a week on the Gryphon Grapevine.  I thought that I would find something to talk about about once a week.

Since then 1825 days have past and that once a week has turn into 1970 blogs or about 1.1 per day. Before the week is out more than 160,000 times you the reader have come to me.  Over the five year period that is about 87 per day but over the last six months you all have been here about 150 times per day.  From the bottom of my heart I thank you for the privilege you have given me to talk to you on a daily basis about anything sports related mostly that I might have information on.  

Lets begin our second Lustrum:

Wilmington won the State American Legion Baseball title in Wilson beating Kernersville 3-2.

The Southeast Regional Babe Ruth 13U baseball Tournament starts today in Union City Tn.  I don't know what time Nash County plays but if you google  Southeast Regional Babe Ruth Baseball you might find a score card on all of the age groups all over the south that are playing in all age groups .  You might be able to follow the Nash County game inning by inning when ever they play.

Today is the first official day of high school football practice.  If you have been by any high school football field since Monday then you know they have been doing something on football fields but it is not called practice.

For you people who can't wait for the NFL there is a game Sunday night.  Dallas plays in the Hall of Fame game.  I think the kickoff is 8pm but don't hold me to that.  I just don't care too much about  preseason games until the fourth game when the starters play more than half the game.  Even then you can't judge how your team is going to be until about the third week of the regular season.

Glad to see that NC Wesleyan has finally gotten back home to the Sports Complex to play their home football games.  Since they will be the only team using the field for the time being it can truly be home to the Fighting Bishops.  I have a suggestion for the Down East Viking Classic.  Why don't some year NCW play Elizabeth City State in a game there.