Heisman Watch Todd Gurley

The pride of  Tarboro  Todd Gurley  puts his name front and center in the race for the Heisman Trophy as the best college football player as Gurley scores four times as a national tv audience watches.  Gurley set the all time all purpose yards for the Georgia Bulldogs getting 293 yards including a 100 yard kickoff return.  I had asked for 200 yards rushing  from Todd but he could only come up with a 198 yards rushing as the Georgia Bulldogs crush Clemson 45-21.

One point in time Carolina trailed 22-21 but scored at will after that to beat Liberty 56-29 to open the college football season.

Duke had little trouble with Elon as Duke wins their opener 52-13 over the Phoenix.

NC State pulls one out of the hat late just like they did with the first game of the season last year.  Only difference their quarterback heads to the second game healthy which didn't happen last year. Pack 24 Georgia Southern 23.

ECU with ESPN in the house had little trouble with North Carolina Central even after the Eagles score first.  The Pirates top 50 beating Central  52-7.

This college football season is under way and for the first time there will be a four team playoff.  The preseason  number one and two teams didn't play like they were the top two teams but a Florida State survives Oklahoma St 37-31 while Alabama beat West Virginia 33-23.

Today Campbell volleyball beat Wofford 3-0 and this afternoon Campbell beat Valparaiso in five sets winning set five 15-9.  After not winning a conference game two years ago and not making the  conference tournament  last year the Fighting Camels  are off to a 3-0 start and have a match with Duke on Tuesday and travel to Long Beach CA next weekend.  We will know about the Camels after next weekend.

Gryphons Dish It Out Vikings Dished

For the second week in a row the Rocky Mount Gryphons show speed and explosiveness and score the most points during the Jason  Battle era stomping JFWebb in Oxford 51-7.  Webb scored early but the Gryphons responded and by halftime had control.

The Gryphons go to 2-0 on the season and return home for their last home game in what will seem like the rest of the year when they host Hertford County next Friday.  Conference play will be well underway before the Gryphons will see the home turf after next week.

Hertford County hosted Hunt  and for a while it looked as if Hunt might start the season 0-2 but simply too much Warriors as Hunt wins their first game of the year 42-13 over Hertford County.  HC visits next week to Rocky Mount they will be 0-2 on the season.

Tarboro has had so much success this past decade but Friday night they got a dose of the real world and what it is like being on the other end  of a stomping.  Washington dishes the Vikings 51-7.  It took to the fourth quarter for the Vikings to find the end zone.

Rocky Mount Prep loses for the first time this year as Granville Central takes care of the Jags 45-16.

Friday night started the college volleyball season and the Doughtie's were in Durham to see Campbell get their season underway beating North Carolina Central 3-0.  Central was the scene last night of the Southern Durham Hillside  high school football game and I don't know how many fans the Central football field will hold but the stadium was jammed and Southern won the game 16-13.

The college football season gets underway today as State, Carolina, Duke and ECU all get their seasons underway at home.

Wrong Night To Play

Three of Nash County's four high schools chose to play on Thursday instead of Friday this week in order to allow players,fans and students to get as much of a three day weekend as possible and as it turns out they could have used another day to practice this week.

We all have our things in life we count down to get to one but in the case of Nash Central the count is upwards as the Bulldogs loss their 15th straight game tonight in their home opener losing to Kinston 41-12.  The first two weeks of the season the Bulldogs have given up 33 points to Tarboro and tonight 41 to Kinston while scoring Just 18.  They have been out scored 74-18 against  a 1A and 2A schools.

If you pay attention to my picks I told you this week had some really good games an I thought the Northeastern- Northern Nash game would be good one.  I thought it would be high scoring which it was for Northeastern.  Will be interested to see how the Eagles scored so many points.  Northeastern  48 Northern Nash 20.

Another good game which I thought would be high scoring was Southern Nash at Beddingfield.  Tonight Beddingfield opens some eyebrows and throttles the Firebirds by breaking a 7-7 tie and beat Southern Nash 19-7. Not a good night at all for the three Nash County schools as they  are  0-3 on the night.

What right now looks like the beast in the Big East is Fike rolls over Roanoke Rapids 41-7.

Leggett was the sight of what turned out to be a very competitive game as SouthWest Edgecombe beat North Edgecombe 22-12.

Rocky Mount Academy opened it's football season tonight whipping Halifax Academy 29-0.

Fike is showing the signs that they just might be the powerhouse of the Big East.  I think if you pull for North Edgecombe if you believe in good losses then you got one tonight.  They might be very good this year.  Don't know what to make of Northern's loss.  Thought that would be a better game.   Beddingfield may have made a statement that they could be the team to beat in Eastern Plains.

The college football season started tonight and where was SouthCarolina?  Where was the Wake Forest offense? 17-10 Louisiana La.

College Football Starts Tonight

The Deacons open the ACC and college football season on the road with a new coach in charge in Winston Salem.  They travel to Monroe Louisiana and play a team they lost to last year in Winston.  Don't think Deacs can pull this one out.  la- Monroe 36 WF 14.  The game will be on ESPN-U.

Villanova travels to Syracuse where Nova will give the Orange plenty but not enough Cuse 33 Nova 24.

UCLA at Virginia.  I doubt this one will be  will be close.  UCLA travels cross country and scorches the Cavs.  The Briuns 45 UVA 21.

Georgia Southern at NCState.  This is not going to be a blowout by any means but I suspect the Pack offense will be fine with their new QB as long as he stays healthy Pack 34 Georgia St 24.

Wofford at Georgia Tech.  This might be close for a half of the first quarter.  Rambling Wreck  62 Wofford 26.

UMass at Boston College.  How good is BC ?  Just good enough  to beat the minute men. 26-18.

Bill and Mary at Virginia Tech.  Tech hasn't had much offense the past few years and lived solely on it's defense.  I don't suspect this will be a run a way but the Techsters win 36-26.

It is time for the annual first game let's see what you got ACC  versus the SEC.  Clemson at Georgia. Tarboro's  Todd Gurley is being touted for the Heisman Trophy for the Bulldogs so I hope he gets 200 yards rushing.  Both teams looking at new quarterbacks and the hedges will be tough on Clemson
Dogs 31 Clemson 28.

Miami at Louisville  Is this a conference game or not?  Louisville has a new coach and have their first
Conference win 31-27.

Carolina host Liberty.  Carolina wins this one 44-34.  Two defensive backs suspended and the Heels didn't have much defense last year.

Labor Day Football Schedule Changes

There has been a trend over the past few years that several teams play on the Thursday night before the Friday night Labor Day weekend which gives many teams  three days off before practice on Monday.

Depending on what game you might want to go to Friday you had better check because almost half of our locals games are being played Thursday.  The Northeastern at Northern Nash is now on Thursday.            
Roanoke Rapids at Fike will be Thursday night this week.  The Kinston at Nash Central game is now on a Thursday.  All of the other games as far as I know right now are on for Friday night.  There has been one time change for the Rocky Mount JV game has been changed  to 6pm Thursday night instead of 7.  Since several Thursday Varsity games are moved to Thursday that pushes JV games if your JV team is playing to tonight.

Just found out that the defending State Champion Rocky Mount Academy opens it football season Thursday night hosting Halifax Academy.  The booster Club will be serving Spaghetti dinners  as a fund raiser before the game.

Hobbs Johnson's first full year in pro baseball is coming down the stretch  and his pitching record  is 11-8.  His ERA stands at 3.08 having pitched 141 innings for the Manatees  of  Brevard in the Florida State League.  He is second on the team in innings pitched, wins, and ERA.  It will be interesting to see if he is sent to fall ball in Arizona.

Brian Goodwin remains out with a shoulder injury.  I doubt this late in the minor league season that he returns this season.

The latest update on two former Rocky Mount Gryphon sons playing pro baseball.  Bill Merrifield 's son Whit has now played 69 games for the Kansas City Royals  triple A affiliate Omaha is still batting 339. He has played left field for most of those 69 games.

Sonny Wooten's son John who was promoted to Potomac the Upper A by the Washington Nationals about a month ago has played 18 games and is hitting 266.

Week Two Guess Time

First week of the high school season brought about a 7-1 record to start the season.  Week two just might have a tougher schedule to predict and missing only one or less will be hard  to do this week.

3A Washington visits Tarboro.  Washington took a licking last week to Havelock.  The past few seasons everyone else has too so even though they come to Edgecombe County 0-1  this might be a closer game than those in Tarboro might expect.  The Vikings will win this one 26-14.

SouthWest Edgecombe buses across County to North Edgecombe.  The Warriors got a big win opening night  win but the Cougars will be too big across the front to slow up the Cougars.  The pound it up the middle Cougars win 36-8.

Rocky Mount travels to Webb where I suspect we will get a better feel about the Gryphons after Friday.  Webb won 39-30 on Friday  against a 1-A school so if a 1A  club can score 30 what could the Gryphons do?  Right now the big question for the Gryphons  is how good was there shutout of South Granville?  Gryphons 26 Webb 20.

Southern Nash travels to Beddingfield where after playing the run up the middle SouthWest Edgecombe they draw the wide open offense of Beddingfield.  Didn't have to worry about the pass last week but this week might all they need to prepare for.  This game could go to the wire but  and I'm holding with the Birds Southern Nash 36 Bedfingfield 28.

Kinston at Nash Central.  Until Nash Central proves they can beat anybody then I'll pick everybody they play.  This could be a close one if the Bulldog defense plays well because at this point it looks as if they will get no help from their offense.  Kinston 21Nash Central 6.

Roanoke Rapids at Fike.  Fike shut out Bunn last week which is a much better team than the Yellow Jackets.  Fike just might put 50 on board.  Fike 56 RR 7.

Hunt at Hertford County.  Hunt lost on the last play on the road to a really good team.  Hertford County lost opening night but rumors during preseason were they are down this year.  Sure does look like it.  Hunt 42 HC 21.

The final game of picks for this week just might be the hardest of all.  Northeastern at Northern Nash.        
This was a really good game last year at Northeastern.  Then and now this will be a good one but the Knights will go to 2-0 in a high scoring shoot out Northern 35- Northeastern 31.

Labor Day Weekend College Football

It has almost become tradition that the Labor Day Weekend is the beginning of the college football season.  So this makes this game week.  Having spent three summers in August football practice in high school it is a thrill  to head to practice on game week Monday knowing there is a games ahead by weeks end.

We will start with Carolina the only team in the area that is in anybody's poll.  Carolina has plenty of offensive punch coming back but must find a new quarterback.  Regardless of who wins the job  they will have a  untested signal caller under center.  The big question for the Tar Heels what have they done to improve the defense.  If they can't stop anybody then that untested qb will need to out score their opposition.   In order for the Heels to be the the top 25 their defense needs to be much better than last year.

Duke is coming off two of the best years since the early 60's.  Two straight bowl games when they could have won both but didn't win either.  Their backup qb left school to be near his sick mother.  They have lost two of their best players with injuries already in the preseason.  The question for the dookies is can  they possibly be as fortunate this year as last.  It hasn't started this year as well as last.

Over at Wake they have a new coach with new ideas replacing a coach that almosted seemed perfect for the Demon Deacons.  He could take the limited resources and won an ACC title.  Can the new man in charge do great things with little resources?  The Deacs had an average recruiting class while changing coaches so will this be a rough year in Winston?

The Pack was three and nine last year and clearly their problem was quarterback play.  The starting quarterback goes down in the second quarter of the first game whith a broken foot and they rush him back too soon and the season winds up a disaster.  A transfer Qb ready to lead the way.  If the Pack gets great quarterback play they could be good if not it could be a repeat of last year or somewhere in between.

The Pirates of ECU have their top passing combo back for another year.  They are in a new conference and most of these teams they have never played before  are on the schedule.  This could be a great year in Greenville if they match up well with their new conference members and the offense rolls.

ECU and Carolina could be in bowl games but anybody else makes it to a bowl their years need to get started this Saturday with big wins.  Anybody that struggles this Saturday May have more on the way during the season.

Sports Is Attitude

We have heard every time a coach goes to a school or any team that their recent history does not support winning the  word culture is use.  We must change the culture here.  If we knew what some coaches have that others don't  in being able to look at players and somehow know what it takes to get more out of that player.

Recent history would tell us before he arrived BW Holt took over an average program at Rocky Mount and by year two won 12 playoff games in five years.  The five years since his departure they have only played in four playoff games and lost three of them.  It surly looks that Jason Battle is heading in the right direction for Gryphon Football to get back in the playoff win column.

Over at Northern after the departure of Jim Brett  Knight football has had their period  of the dulldrums.  Now in his second season the word at Northern has been "we must change the culture".  Friday night Northern fell behind 14-0. Their most recent past would almost guarantee a loss was on the way but not this time.

Nash Central is down and out at the moment.  Once something goes wrong things just get worse.  I think the opinion since the inception of Nash Central is they have had the best talent over the years as anyone in the area year in and year out.  Recently however talent pool has dried up somewhat.  Every team goes through dry periods and if injuries are added to a dry pool the bottom falls out and it is hard to get it back.

We hear all the time about the Duke attitude.  I don't like the way they act in basketball, they act cocky.  Well let me tell you winning  is and attitude that when you walk on the field of play you know you have been prepared. by your coaches and you know you are talented enough to win.  We all in life show our attitude one way or the other.  Lose and hang your head.  It is an attitude in loss to hold your head high.  That old saying it does not matter whether you win or lose but how you play the game. The read between the lines about that old saying tells me  be prepared, do what you coaches ask and play your heart out.  That is an attitude in itself.

Once they were down 14-0 Friday Northern was faced with  that old habit of here we go again, there
is no chance to win and we are going to lose again.  That culture change that Randy Raper has been preaching appeared for the first time under the Raper regime.  No not this time.  We have been taught what to do and when to do it.  We either grit our teeth or go ahead and lose another one.

All three of our city public high schools are not  preseason top twenty picks.  Winning is an attitude but whether you believe it or not so is losing.  It doesn't take much to Lose  a winning attitude but it takes a long time to find it.

First Week Review

Rocky Mount  won their sixth straight season opener.  The 34 points were the second most points in any game during the Jason  Battle era at Rocky Mount.  The second game of the Battle era the Gryphons scored 40 in a 40-7 victory over Bertie.  34 points is the biggest win for Jason as head coach of the Gryphons.

Friday's 24-20 win over Corinith Holders was Northern first opening night win since 2010. I know Northern fans like the sound of 1-0 over 0-1.   Nash Central lost their 14th straight game. During the losing streak the Bulldogs have scored 110 points in those 14 games.  36 came in the last game in 2012 when the Bulldogs lost to Southern Nash 38-36.  That leaves scoring only 74 points in the other 13 losses.

Rocky Mount Prep won their opening night game beating Kipp Pride 30-12. It is their third victory all time in their short two year plus history.  North Edgecombe drilled NW Halifax 52-0 to get their 2014 season off with a bang.

Went 7-1  Friday night pronosicating games.  Lone miss was the Hunt losing on the last play of the game.  If you are a watcher of the All New Sports Show Sunday nights on WHIG Wes and Edward once again are having a group of guest pickers each week. I'm one of them again this year.  If you are a close follower of my blog  you may fine sometimes I make one pick for them but on my blog I pick another.  Last year once Wes sent me a E-mail with the picks for TV I sent picks right back.  I do analyze more for my blog.

First week victories or losses are hard to judge whether a team is really as good or bad as the results from their first game.  Might take a couple more weeks before you can look and say a good win or bad loss.  South Granville lost only three times all season.  If that happens again this year that will prove to be a very good win for the Gryphons.  If SG wins only three all year the opening night victory will not look so great

The same thing will apply for Nash Central in their loss to Tarboro.  If the Vikings don't lose many this season then the Bulldogs and say look who we lost to.  Most teams will make a change or two after the way some players played on Friday.  One or two might lose their job while one or two may earn more playing time.

Gryphons Look Fast Northern Has Resolve

The Rocky Mount Gryphons for the sixth year in a row open up the football season with a 34-0 over South Granville.  Each  and every score came from swift runners outrunning the defense.  The first came on a 52 yard pass from Josh Carter to Bekimbe Kearney who had sped by the secondary at 5:05 in the first quarter.

The second score occurred when South Granville Dropped the snap from center the ball was kicked around before Broderick Caudle scooped up the ball at the SG  29 and ran all the way across the field to the end zone out running his chasers with 3:05 in first quarter

The second quarter Rocky Mount hit pay dirt once when Josh  Carter connected with Rashaun Harris on a 28 yard pass with 1:31 to go in the half to lead 20-0 at the half.  The second half started with the Gryphon defense holding SG to a three and out and let's talk about the defense that held SG to under 100 yards on the night.

Rashaun Harris fielded the punt at his own 25 and preceded  down the Gryphon side line for 75 yards and a 28-0 Gryphon lead.  The lone score in the fourth  happen as the Gryphons faced a third and fifty after three penalties that pushed the ball all the way back to their on 30 yard line. Malik Lewis ran off tackle right and preceded to break one tackle and then out ran everyone else 70 yards for the final Gryphon score.

Death Valley saw Northern fall behind 14-0 early in the second quarter but Knight fans may have seen the new face of a Knight football as Northern trimmed the Corinth Holders lead to 14-10 at the Half and late in the fourth quarter lead 24-20 and needed a defensive stand and they got it.

Eleven seconds to play Northern intercepted a pass to stop CH but a roughing the passer penalty  gave Holders one more shot but on the last play the ball falls incomplete and Northern Nash wins their opener 24-20 over Corinth Holders.

Other opening nights score Tarboro handle Nash  Central 33-6.  Hunt loses on the last play of the game at South Central 20-17.  Southern Nash  scores 33 while SouthWest Edgecombe gets 16.  Beddingfield out scores Greene Central 34-0.  Fike looks impressive 28-0 over Bunn.

Every bodies Expectation High Today

There is not a team anywhere that has a loss on there schedule as of yet.  Everyone is undefeated and until about 10 pm Friday night  everyone thinks a state title is possible.

Tarboro had every expectation that dropping to 1A would bring a sixth straight trip to the state championship game.  It was a reasonable expectation to think dropping down a level after beating up on almost everyone in 2A the 1A move would be a piece a cake.  Just goes to show how much luck is  involved for anyone doesn't matter what level they play. Most of the time it is very easy for coaches like Jeff Craddock to motivate his kids to rededicate themselves for a run for the 1A title this year.

One team trying to win it all to one team just trying to win one.  Kevin Crudup desperate to find a way to win just one for the Bulldogs of Nash Central.  Many are surprised that Crudup  was supported by the Nash Central administration to be back as coach this year.  It's almost like a second chance for him and one or two wins may not be enough this year to be back next.  It would help tremendously if among the new Bulldog faces this year there was some unknown talent that lifts the program to new level.

Randy Raper has had one year under his belt and an off season and a half to create a culture and regardless of what he calls it he wants a culture like he had at Hunt.  There is something about coaches especially good ones that Northern will as long as Raper is there become what he had at Hunt.  Pieces are appearing, if Northern's offensive line develops they could be a deep playoff player.

I don't think too many people at Rocky Mount are disappointed at the results of the last two regular seasons under Jason Battle.  Nobody is happy with two straight first round playoff losses one to a team with a losing record and the other a man handling loss to a decent team.   The Big East in football is a league that 3-2 could tie for first or 2-3 tie for last.  Regardless of the regular season  making it to the second round would be a giant step for the Battle regime.

Expectations are high so far no one has lost a game.  Let's go see a football game.

Football Is Here

Ok Friday night is opening night for high school football around the area  and the state.  It is now time for all us experts who will tell you who will win do so.  Two seasons ago I was so great at picking winners that I started the season 0-6.  Only missed one opening night last year and that was the Gryphon's opening game.  None of us who predict scores have no way of having seen every team in the area so we all have to make a gut call on what we think. Last year during the regular season I predicted 76 correct games while missing 13.  I hope I do as well this season.  Let's get this show on the road.

Just maybe the best game that goes on Friday just might be in Winterville when Hunt travels to South Central.  The past few years South Central had been growing in their football even though their record may not show that.  Hunt may not be as good as last year but they are still Hunt until they prove otherwise.  Hunt 34 South Central 21....

Northwest Halifax at North Edgecombe:  not much to discuss here Warriors 26 NWH 7

Bunn at Fike:  If Fike is the cream of the crop in the Big East they need to show it to everyone right off the bat against a team that could give the Golden Demons all they want.  Fike 35 Bunn23

There are two games featuring  teams from our area competing against each other.  Nash Central who went o for the season last year travels to Tarboro.  Listening to the folks in Tarboro  they will be the Tarboro  of before last year again this year.  Look they are still a 1A school playing a bad 3A school so the Vikes should win.  Don't expect the Bulldog defense to lay down.  Tarboro 21-0 over the Bulldogs.

Southern Nash buses over  to Pinetops to play a traditional foe SouthWest Edgecombe. These two teams look just a like. Passes are a cuss word  so look for this one to be over my 9:30.  Southern beats Southwest 26-12.

Beddingfield hits the highway to Greene Central.  GC had one of their worse seasons ever last year and the season starts off against the offensive minded Bruins.  Too many points for Beddingfield in this one  41-14.

Northern Nash got the Randy Raper era off with a half season full of road games and the first one was at Corinith Holders.  Northern couldn't hold on but with the defense I saw in the Jamboree  all they need to do is score and they should have a defense to hold any lead.  They just might have the best running backs in the conference.  Northern 26 Holders 13.

Last season Rocky  Mount shocked South Granville in the opener and it was a blemish on SG record last year when there weren't many blemishes.  The Gryphons have only four home games  this season and they need to win everyone.  Gryphons win opening night 26-19.

Common Bond

Heard the news today that Don Pardo the voice of Saturday Night Live died on Monday.  I can remember sitting at home in the late 1950's watching the Price is Right with Bill Cullen and adding the original Jeopardy in the 60's to his voice aided shows.

Pardo  was a news reporter for NBC during World War Two and worked for NBC for seventy years.  The last Saturday Night live show taped in May Pardo  was behind the Mic and was prepared to once again be the voice of SNL when the new season started this fall.   He was 96 years old. Can you believe that.

Like Pardo many of my events that I have done over the years I am recognized by voice over what I look like.  This weekend while on our visit to Ahoskie  a person walked up to me and asked if I was who I was because they recognized my voice some 20 years having left the town.  My body may have changed over the years but I guess my voice is still the same.

Tonight the defending American Legion world champions have won the World Series again. Brooklawn New Jersey took advantage of  Midland Michigan's  15 walks which made the game look a lot of what we saw during the Cary 14-13 win over Rocky Mount during the opening round of the state Legion playoffs.  Woodlawn wins the most lopsided win in American Legion World Series history 18-0. The road to Shelby started when Rocky Mount hosted Cary on July 3rd and ended tonight  47 days later.

Carlos  Rodon's Rise to AAA bsseball just three months since pitching for NC State started tonight in Charlotte pitching for the Knights. Rodon threw 55 pitches struck out three and gave up an earn run in the third and left having the lead 2-1.  However Charlotte gave up six in the fourth.  The White Sox have taken it slow with Rodon limiting the number of pitches he has thrown per outing.  The number one draft pick for Houston has already had arm trouble and the Sox are trying their best to keep Carlos Rodon healthy.

Legion Down to Three

Tonight is the semi finals for the four teams left in the American Legion World Series in Shelby.  The 4:30 game saw Brooklawn New Jersey defeat Hawaii 7-6 to move into the championship game Tuesday night, as we speak Michigan is playing Nebraska with the winner playing in the title game Tuesday.

This year for the first time the World Series has not been a double elimination affair.  ESPN3 for the past couple of years have broadcast every game but this year for the first time ESPNU will broadcast the championship live.  In order to get ESPNU to broadcast the championship game ESPN required that the Tuesday night game be the championship game and there would be no chance of another game in case the undefeated team lost to the once beaten team.

The formula was created that all eight teams play three games over four days and the top four teams made the semi finals and the two semi winners meet in the final.  Not a bad formula but here we go again TV dictating  how people  had to run their tournament in order that TV would cover the event.

If you have been watching the Little League World Series you may have heard Sam Slaughter played for the Tennessee team. His great great Uncle was Enos Slaughter  or you may know him by the name Country Slaughter.

Country Slaughter was born in Roxboro NC and played 19 years for four different teams but he was one of the many players during world war two spent four years of his career in the war. He was a ten time allstar and in the annals of St Louis Cardinals baseball is about fourth all time in every offensive category.  He is in the baseball Hall of Fame.  Slaughter die in 2002 the same year that Sam was born so he never knew his great great uncle.

Saturday night Pat and I had to make a trip back home to Ahoskie to attend a visitation of Pat's second cousin who died in Mid week.  During our stay Gaddis Hodges walks in the door and I had  no idea how he was connected.  Come to find out my wife Pat and Gaddis are cousins three or four time removed.

Enjoyed our few minutes together you know as soon as we figured each other's association we spent time talking football as he is the voice of the Hertford County Bears which he has now I think this will be year 22  after I departed in 1993 he became the play by play voice. I have seen Gaddis three times so far this year and all three have been going back home to funerals.  Sure would like to see you Gaddis under more pleasant terms.

A Needed Good Finish

Lauren Doughtie Cousin to yours truly has four weeks to go  until the Sentra Futures Tour championship tournament.  Lauren is outside the top fifty and if it was the top fifty on the LPGA that would lead to a very good season on tour, but this is the minor league tour and top fifty is a struggle to survive.

This weekend the tour made a stop in Richmond which since she is a resident of Suffolk this would be considered her home course on tour.  Two years ago Richmond didn't act like a home course as Lauren failed to make the cut.

Lauren opened with 71 on Friday which was good to be tied for 23rd.  Saturday Lauren shot her second best professional score carding a 67 which bumped her all the way to fourth 2 shots off the lead.  I can tell you being two shots out heading  into the final round sends the entire Doughtie clan into a frenzy.  Today Lauren shot a 70 giving her a three day total of -8 and alone in fourth place.

She won once in 2012 so this fourth is her second top five finish in her career now in her fourth on the Futures Tour and one on the big tour.  Her winnings today will hardly budge her upwards in money earnings but now with three regular tournaments to go she has momentum.  The goal for any on the minor league tour needs to finish the year in the top ten to automatically qualify for the LPGA without having to go to a qualifying school.

Today is day four of the American Legion World Series but opening day the Shelby Tournament broke the all time attendance record with more than 7,300 at the opening game Thursday afternoon. .  The all time record had stood since 1936. The next record to be broken is the all time tournament attendance record which is over 108 thousand set in 1938. There have been three games per day
giving every team three games.  The top four after today play Monday and Tuesday for the title.

Since Shelby became the  home to  the World Series. Three of the top five most attended days at the World Series have come in Shelby.  It is surely a good decision by the American Legion to move to Shelby just wish eastern North Carolina was a hotbed like that area is around Charlotte.

Right now is week two of the NFL four weeks of preseason football.  These games are being played in front of half empty stadiums due to the fact season ticket holders are required to buy the two preseason games as part of the eight game home football schedule.  Who wants to go watch no names who mostly will get cut play three quarters of the game after the starters are on the bench with baseball caps on.

There have been several games that I have watched that just before the half or after the score of the game was decided teams have gone in the victory formation and let the last few seconds of the half or games run out.  I thought that this was the time when those trying to make the team needed to shine.  I don't know many players that will make the team because they stand around really well after the center snaps the ball to the backup QB.  Why don't teams work on their two minute offenses with the second and third stringers on the field? How are these guys going to shine and impress anybody  in victory formation?

Monday high schools around the area will go into game week practices.  There are other fall sports team that will also begin their sports season this week and the next.  All teachers during their teaching careers in order to make higher incomes or if they want  to move in administration have to get certificates to continue their teaching skills.  Recently Rocky Mount High Athletic Director Michael Gainey received a certificate from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.

The two time state champion basketball  coach wears two hats at RMHS being basketball coach and athletic director.  Everyone that plays a part  in educating our children regardless of job has to stay up to date in order to know the latest in education.

The professional golf tour is back in North Carolina in Greensboro this week and it is the last week of the regular season in golf.  Next week starts the four week playoffs and a month from now the Ryder Cup.  Scotland will host the Cup this year and one of the few times in the history of the Ryder Cup the US will not be the favorite.

Basketball Season?

The University of North Carolina basketball team is in the Bahamas this weekend and tonight lose to Providence Bahamas 83-82.  Too early in fact this is summertime to worry one way or the other about  how the Heels will be this doing this basketball season.

The American Legion World Series is underway  in Shelby NC and opening day was Thursday and the three game winners were New Jersey, Nebraska and Michigan.  The Southeast winner Florida lost opening day to Nebraska  and on Friday Florida lost their second game so the so called host team representing the Southeast is heading home.   Today Nebraska, New Jersey have won so far and Hawaii playing in their first game is winning tonight.

Only saw the last inning of the girl pitching for Pennsylvania today during the little league World Series as Penn beat Tennessee 4-0 on a shutout.  During my little league coaching days in the Tar Heel playoffs coaching in Ahoskie there was a girl in Plymouth who pitched during a district Tournament played in Ahoskie.  We never had to face her but I can tell you she killed us batting and when not pitching played first base.  Not only was she a good pitcher but she was the best first baseman in the tournament.

I know girls up to about about 12 years old some are as big as boys but then there is that growth spurt for boys to leave girls behind in size.  Can you amagine if this young lady was already playing fast pitch softball.  Who knows she might grow to be six feet and just might stay in baseball.  Wouldn't that be something when she is high school age.

Nash County Football Front And Center

Rocky Mount High School played host to six other teams tonight and for many it is their last chance to face a different colored uniform until the big night next Friday when the high school football season begins.

D H Conley dropped out of the four visiting teams so instead of all four Nash County squads getting four different teams to face it left them with only three while Southeast Halifax, Bertie and Knightdale got four Nash County squads to face.

I suspect by the end of the night the teams  glad to go home were Bertie and Southeast Halifax as each got four sessions on the field all against larger Nash County schools both in team size and school size.  Knightdale the only 4-A school held their own in both those categories.

As far as who looked the best it is hard to say but of the four Nash County schools  Northern Nash  defense was stout. Southern Nash was right on their heels and Rocky Mount held their own. Nash Central's defense did well.

The jamboree each team ran 20 plays that they started at the forty yard line and not many sustain drives were put together to get the ball in the enzone.  Each team got ten plays from the ten yard line and Northern, Rocky Mount and Southern all scored multiple times.  Nash Central struggled to move the football regardless of where the ball was.

My impression is Southern was the best Nash County team overall.  Northern struggled moving the ball during the twenty plays from 40.  Rocky Mount looked slow in the offensive line but running the spread showed team speed.

The varsity teams all played in the football stadium while the JV's were on the practice field.  If you could put all the crowd that were at both fields it was well attended but being spread out hard to see a crowd.

Found out tonight Brian Goodwin has hurt his non throwing shoulder sliding into a base and is on the injured list for the Syracuse Chiefs.  This will surely be a setback for Brian in his  quest to be the starting center fielder for the Washington National in 2015.

Coach Wants To See You

If you saw the movie Bull Durham there is that call that the coach wants to see you and every player trying to make it to the majors wants to hear.  Luke Laloose  got word that he was heading to the majors.  Crash Davis got word that the team was releasing him  and now what can an old player do.

Last night Xavier Macklin got word that he was being released  by the Gateway Grizzlies in the Frontier League. The  Frontier league is made up of players who are not signed by any professional team hoping their play will get noticed and someone will ask them to try out with their ball club next year.

Macklin was down to a 201 batting average which is last in batting average in the league.  Is this the end of X Man's dream? He is still young enough  24 and he has been coming off  surgery where he had Tommy  John  Surgery a couple years ago. If it is not where might he turn?  No where for the remainder of this summer but across the big pond might be next if X Man decides he hasn't given up hope yet.

The good year for Hobbs Johnson Continues.  He is  now 11-7 on the season pitching in the Florida State League for Brevard.  His ERA has dipped below three to 2.85 and he is two innings pitched from having pitched the most innings this season for the Manatees.  It will be interesting to see what happens next season for Hobbs.  He should as well he has pitched be invited  to the AA spring training and just might get work this fall in Arizona.

Mystery remains on where Brian Goodwin  is as he had played in almost every game the Syracuse a Chiefs had played in and for Brian that was 81 games but hasn't seen the field in about six weeks.  Minor league baseball does not give a player injury update like the majors do  and since he is not on any other teams roster we have to assume he is injured.  Brian has been on the fast track to the majors but his 219  batting average has slowed his progress.  The season is running out  and we need help in finding out how Brian is doing.

Head Knocking

Tonight for the first high schools around North Carolina could meet up with someone else on the other side of the line of scrimmage that had a different football helmet on.  Louisburg and Northern Vance paid a vist to Rocky Mount.

Mixed results for the Gryphons as at times moved the ball showing their speed and at times the offensive line didn't get off their blocks well.  The defensive side of the ball just like the offense  at time showed speed and at times looked small.   Over all about what all coaches expect there is still plenty to work on before the first game two Friday's from now.

I don't know if  the American Legion Southeast Regional could have had a better ending.  Florida scored two runs in the top of the ninth and then had to survive Asheboro getting two runners on second and third in the bottom of the ninth to win the Regional 8-7.  You have to hand it to Asheboro.  They were the last seeded team and only played in the regional because they were hosting the event and yet they made it all the way to the last pitch and almost won it all.

If you have ever looked at my profile I have as one of my top ten favorite movies is Mrs. DoubtFire.  My favorite line in the movie is where Priece Bronson is sitting in the bar by the pool and Robin Williams throws a lemon or some type of fruit that hits Bronson beside the head.  Mrs DoubtFire turns to look to see who threw it and of course Williams upset because his wife is dating someone else had thrown it and he makes the statement "a drive by Fruiting".  Williams of course made the line up on the spot during filming and to me it is a screamer of a line.  I am snickering now as I write this because I find it a very funny line.

Monday Robin Williams died and his death was self inflicted.  As far as comedians are concern he was the master of all.  However I do think the news media has over blown  his death and I don't think there needs to be wall to wall coverage.  An hour special would have been plenty.  Isn't it funny that all of a sudden nothing else is happening in the world. Last week the Middle East was on the verge of war and tonight it's back page news.  The world is still in turmoil.

Coaches Pick Fike

This morning the Big  East held media day and the main attraction is the football coaches being interviewed by local media and then the coaches vote on who they think will win in football.  The coaches voted for Fike as the top team followed by Hunt.  Three through five were Northern Nash, Southern Nash and Rocky Mount.  Nash Central was voted to finish last.  Tuesday night both Rocky Mount and Nash Central will be holding Srimmages before the big one Thursday night.

Tonight Florida is playing the host team from Asheboro in the final game at the southeast regional of the American Legion playoffs in Asheboro.  Asheboro has made a mess for everyone in this tournament  by beating everyone they were suppose to lose to, In fact the one undefeated team Asheboro beat them last night to give them their first loss but Florida by virtue of being the last unbeaten had already qualified to play in the finals.

This afternoon Asheboro beat South Carolina who had lost to Florida in the winners bracket showdown game and as we speak Asheboro  is playing Florida with the winner heading to the American  Legion World Series in Shelby later  this month.

This weekend racing In a local track in upstate New York Tony Stewart  bumped a local racer into the wall and as all racers do the racer  jumps out of his car and while running towards Stewart's car points his finger at Stewart's  and he somehow runs  over and killed the driver that he spun out.

The media has already sentenced Stewart to death as most are accusing him of murder. I would advise all since we only know what we have seen from a couple of clips that none of us know what Stewart saw and we should not convict until all the facts are in.

My Grandma told me that only believe  three quarters  of what see and only believe half of what hear.  So when you add up what you saw and what you heard only believe two thirds of what you see and hear. In the case of this tragic death of a race driver let 's let all the fact come out.

Finally are the rumblings about the 18th hole of the PGA finish Sunday letting the final two groups play the final hole together almost.  Me as a spectator sitting home I wanted to see a champion last night and I got it.  I didn't have to go on line Monday morning to find out who won.  If the PGA officials could have done better was maybe play threesomes starting so late in the afternoon after the heavy rains.  Here is one other villian in this deal.  How much pressure did TV put on the PGA officials to finish Sunday night. You know CBS didn't want to let the Golf Channel show the last hole Monday morning.

Who Needs Tiger

If you were wondering what golf was going to do without Tiger it has been answered this weekend just as it has always in the past the new generation has arrived.  Since the TV age arrived in the mid to late 50's and the hard charging Arnie went for every shot and golf was made for TV.  The mid sixties saw Jack dethrone the King there was resentment because Jack was a little fat and played like a stone wall but hit every shot down the middle and made way too many putts. Jack as time passed learned to melo  and the crowds  loved him.

There was a ten year period from the late 80's to late 90's where several tried to take over for the aging Jack but none could sustain.  Curtis Strange, Nick Faldo then enter Tiger.  Since about 1997 until 2008 Tiger by showing up almost meant victory.  Tiger was a robot and didn't mind one bit ignoring everyone on the course while winning.  He has never got beyond the robot stage and can you see a Tiger becoming an honorary starter at the Masters?

Since 2008 Tiger has slipped and golf needed someone to become the new one word star.  Phil was just old enough he couldn't do it.   Els too was aging  and this twenty something generation has been on the verge but no one stepped forward.  Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson and Sergio Garcia.  All have shown moments but not enough.

All most over night but really the last three years Rory has become the new one named star. The news  media so wrapped up in wanting Tiger to make a comeback they didn't see Rory heading to number one in the world.   Less than three years Rory has won four majors.  He has had a big lead and today came from three back on the back nine to win.  It wasn't someone ahead of him failed  it was just plain Rory doing what Tiger never did out playing those others who were having great days too.

Every superstar needs someone who will push them.  Arnie first off had The aging Ben Hogan and then Jack.  Jack had Tom Watson and Tiger had Phil.  Rory needs a pusher and I think that will be Ricky Fowler.  This spring when I went to the Masters I was within five feet of Fowler and he is only five five or five seven.  How can he hit it as far as he does is amazing.  I think ten years from now when Rory is passing Tiger, Fowler will have five or six majors.  Then it would be time to find another one named star.

Gryphon Football Featured In USA Today

USA Today sports writer Jason Jordan was in Rocky Mount on Friday and on the campus of Rocky Mount High School doing a story on the first day for every high school football team in America as those in the football business call the first day of practice, the first day of hitting.  The day you find out who you have that really wants to play football.

If you go on line to USA Today and go to sports and then click on others, others brings up a choice of high school sports and the story is under All Access.  Not only is there a nice story about that first day of hitting but there is actual footage of some of that smack mouth one on one drill.

You might ask the question how did Rocky Mount get featured and I understand Jason Jordan went to school with Jason Battle.  Since Battle attended I don't know at this point whether Jordan went to Northern Nash with Battle or Battle's last year at Rocky Mount. He may have gone to college together I will try to find the connection that has gotten the Gryphons featured in a national newspaper about something other than shootings and murder.

Even though it has rained very steady today the Southeast regional of the American Legion playoffs went on and today saw both teams in the tournament from North Carolina squared off against each other.  The state champion Shelby and  the host team Asheboro.  Asheboro is in the tournament solely as the host team and since they are the only team not a state  champion should have been eliminated  after two games but guess what?  Today Asheboro has knocked off Shelby 5-3 and the host team has knocked off two state champions.  Virginia who was the only team that was undefeated coming in to this tournament is going home after losing to Alabama today.  Tonight's featured game is the winners bracket game with Florida and South Carolina.

Who needs Tiger in order to see good TV golf. Soggy conditions left the best players in the world knocking the pins down on Saturday and at one point  five were tied for first and five were one shot back.  There is no doubt the best player on the planet right now is Rory Mcilroy  and he seems now to have that gear to get into like Tiger use to have.  If he slips any at all Ricky Fowler is lurking and so is Phil.  Can 't wait for Sunday afternoon.

Two Weeks To Go

Two weeks from tonight the high school football season will be in full swing.  Next week for the first time teams can begin to bump heads with other teams in scrimmage action.  Nash Central will scrimmage Bunn on Tuesday.  Then Thursday they will be part of the Nash County jamboree with all the other Nash  County High Schools.

Last season due to the conflict with Campbell Volleyball playing on Friday nights I got to see only two high school games during  the regular season.  Next week's scrimmages and opening night will be my only games this year.  Campbell this year will travel to Long Beach California to play Long Beach State, Army, San Fransico.  The Doughtie's will be right there.

Saw in the Nashville Graphic  and it reminded me that I hadn't brought up with all the local baseball coverage from Legion, little league and Babe Ruth that former Gryphon jv football coach Chris Lee now the head coach at Louisburg  has been named an assistant coach for the East-West all star  game next year.

Under B W Holt's tenure  Lee coached  during Holt's first five years and the JV's lost  3 games with Lee calling the plays and Kent Cox calling the defense.  Lee left to take over at Louisburg during Holt's last year at Rocky Mount.

Day two of the American Legion Southeast regional  going on in Asheboro is down to six teams as in the loser bracket games today the host team Asheboro stays alive beating Shelbyville Kentucky 11-3. And also heading home is Georgia as they lost to Alabama 3-1.  The winners bracket game between Jacksonville Florida and Shelby North Carolina goes to Florida 2-1. This puts both of North Carolina's teams with one loss.

Legion Regional Underway

It has been a rough two weeks for Shelby North Carolina after winning the State Championship after losing twice only to be given one back on a forfeit when High Point was ruled ineligible.  They have had to hear it from everyone about not being worthy of representing North Carolina in any further playoffs.

Today Shelby started in the Southeast Regional and they not only looked worthy but today Shelby defeated Covington Georgia 11-1. Now in the winners bracket they play again Friday afternoon.  In other action finished so far today Jacksonville Florida  beat Tuscaloosa  Alabama 2-1.  The early afternoon game Florence South Carolina topped Shelbyville a Kentucky 5-4.

Hobbs Johnson has appeared in 20 games and started 19 for  Brevard Fl of the Florida State upper A level baseball team.  He has pitched 115 innings with a 10-7 record  and an earn run average of 3.03.  He is second on the team in innings pitched, wins and ERA.

The mystery involving Brian Goodwin not having play in a month now for the Syracuse Chiefs continues.  He remains at 219 batting average and now two prospects have moved pass Brian on the Washington National top prospect list.

The word on Xavier Macklin playing in Illinois is not very good either. X man is down to a 202 batting average playing for the independent Gateway Grizzles.  Players in the Frontier a League has players not affiliated with any major league team.  Every player hopes they play well enough in  the Frontier a League that a major league team will pick them up.

News on X's little brother Khalil  who graduated from Nash Central signed up to play at Chowan during the spring but the word now is he will enroll at Wake Tech in Raleigh.

Rocky Mount  High will hold a scrimmage on Tuesday and then host a jamboree on Thursday of next week.

We Live In Different Times

There use to be every high school team played 10 games in football and you signed contracts with teams where you knew you would have five home and away games.  Today that eleventh game has caused some unusual schedules to be the norm.

Rocky Mount this season has only four home varsity football games and seven on the road and at one point will have five straight road games.  They open at home on August 22nd against South Granville and then play six of next seven on the road with their last three non conference games at Rose, at SouthWest Edgecombe, at Triton, then the first two conference games at Nash Central and at Hunt.  Those five road games could determine the season for the Gryphons.

Last year Randy Raper began his coaching career at Northern Nash not knowing where his home stadium was until Midseason so it is reversed this season as Northern doesn't have a road game until the fall.  They start off with four home games Corinith Holders 8-22, Northeastern 8-29,Tarboro 9-5 and Warren Co 9-12.  Northern has a really good chance to get the season rolling before they get on a bus this season.

Southern Nash starts on the road in their first three games. At SouthWest Edgecombe 8-22, at Beddingfield 8-29 and at Bunn 9-5.  Even being on the road first three the Firebirds could be undefeated hosting Tarboro in their 6th non conference game on October 3rd.

Nash Central spent the entire football season last year trying to win once.  They are the only team in the area that has a top 20 prospect in Houshun Gaines the six feet four inch defensive end  is rated number 17 as the top college prospect list according to Rivals. Com.  They start at Tarboro on 8-22 and follow that with games with Kinston, Rose, Hertford Co, Beddingfield and Hillside.  If they can't win at least once in their non conference schedule who can they beat when the conference starts?

Just 15 days to go until football begins.

Bridgers Retires At South Johnson

Mickey Bridgers the head  Lady's softball coach at South  Johnston has retired. The name should be familiar to those in this area as Bridgers was the head coach of the 1987 Lady Knights of Northern Nash as they won the state championship at that time was slow pitch softball.  Bridgers coach South Johnson to the state finals in fast pitch in 2010 and closed out his coaching career this past season taking South Johnson to the finals again.

Diego Hasty the head football coach at Kipp Pride die last week of a heart attack.  Hasty a Northampton County High grad coach at Hertford County, Northampton, Northampton West and Pride.  During the Late 80's I use to do a morning oldies show on the radio station in Murfreesboro and each week during football season Hasty then at Northampton East would come on the  air with me and talk football during the season. He was 60 years old.

Thanksgiving  day last year I interviewed Tom Suitor the Rocky Mount Native who has just been inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame and as his football show on WRAL 's "Football Friday" was nearing it's last show of the season and nearing the age of 65  didn't know whether he would return to "Football Friday" but if you have seen the advertising  is returning for another year.

The NFL just had their first preseason game of the year Sunday night and From here until Febuary  there will be an NFL game on every weekend.  College football is in full practice  and so is high school.  Thursday night August 14th there will be a jamboree at Rocky Mount high school and all four Nash County High Schools will be in  action.  Several teams from around the area will compete against the Nash County schools as every team in the area prepares for the first week of the high school football season on August 22nd.

The Cross Roads Of Life

We often face decisions in life that we take detours  to get to the other side of what we think is our path in life.  Sometimes we regret when we look back wishing we hadn't 't made the decision we did. It didn't lead to where we thought we wanted go.  So every career decision takes some  risk  as you go forward in what you hope is your right path in life.

I have been very fortunate in life that three adult children Stephanie, Brooks and Amy all seem very secure in their lives.  Morgan still in college has a purpose but at this point not sure on her life's path. Brooks at this point has his eyes set on college coaching in Triathlon.  The recent decision by the NCAA to start varsity sports in Tri has open opportunity for many.  However NC State the team he would love to coach at this time has no desire or budget to add more varsity sports.

It will be about 2016 before many colleges and universities if they choose to start Tri programs start funding the programs.  So if your desire in life is to be named a coach in 2016 or whenever the right job calls you need to get you feet wet at someplace that has Tri now.  Most of the schools that already have Tri are Division III schools.

Brooks has a very  good job coaching professional Tri athletes and if he moves to a college this fall he will be able to continue with the professional.  Where he may  have to give up some would be his junior program which has produced a national champion because most are still in high school and as a college coach at a university may be a conflict of interest already training athletes you are trying to recruit to your college

Decisions in life to get to the goal you want. Sometimes you have to step sideways to move forward. We may have announcement soon.

The injury to Paul George has brought back a major debate between pro teams who's athlete go play for their country.  Since the 1992 Olympics Michael Jordan and the dream have stomped all comers and we as people of the USA can  pump our chest out at how we slam teams with our professionals. The injury to George will set the Indiana Pacer back for at least a year. Will this cause pro teams to deny their players access to being on Olympic teams.  You must remember many players come from many foreign countries and if the NBA pulls their players we just might have to go back to amateurs. I don 't see where that is such a bad idea.

The latest injury to Tiger Woods probably will mean he will miss out on the PGA tournament next week which is another major which he will not win and now Tiger has not won a major in six years now.  Even if Tiger was healthy Tiger has lost the ability to make that ten foot putt which in his heyday was automatic.  He has always been off the fairway  but that one putt on the green had him dominating golf.  Tiger can't save his game with the putter any more.  Even though he has a desire to pass  Jack Nicklaus should he ever get healthy again can you see Tiger at 44 years old fighting every week trying to just make the cut.   I don 't think so.

Need Two Wins Today

Nash County's 14u Babe  Ruth team  dream of winning the Southeast Regional did not come to pass today as they lost their semi final game to Lawrenceburg Tn the western state champions of Tennessee by a score of 7-6.  The other semi Key West Fl beat Fernadina Beach Fl and then Lawrenceburg Tn beat Key West to win the Regional and earn a trip to the Babe Ruth World Series in Ocala Fl.

During the Regional Nash County went 3-2 and their only two losses were to the champion and the runner up.  I don 't care what sport it is people don 't realize how hard it is to win any sports tournament.  NFL, NCAA, Babe Ruth and this group now 14 have won two state titles and shown that they can play with any team at any time.  If you recall last year the only loss this group suffered was the Regional championship game but that one loss knocked them out then.   This group of players headed by Coach Lee Gold has done us proud.  Great job guys!!!!!

The Nash County Babe Ruth 14u team plays Lawrenceburg Tn at 11:30 this morning in the semi final round of the Southeast Regional in Newton NC.  Lawrenceburg is the top seed in the National bracket of the regional.  After ten teams  played four pool play games the top two from each bracket now square off for the regional title.

Lawrenceburg won the National bracket with Fernadina Beach Fl drawing the second seed.  Fernadina Beach plays the top seed from the American bracket in which Nash County was in Key West Fl.  The two winners will square off the the Southeast Regional title and winning a trip to Ocala Fl in the 14u Babe Ruth World Series later this afternoon.

One Step To Semi's

Nash County 14u Babe Ruth All Stars have advanced to the semi finals of the Southeast Regional Sunday after they beat Monroe Al 8-3 to survive after losing the opening game in their  American Pool and fought back with three straight wins.  They now wait for rest of tonight's Regional action to finish to see if they play Fernadina Beach Fl or Lawrenceburg Tn.


Last year the Nash County Babe Ruth 13u team lost the Southeast title game to knock them out of the World Series.  Almost to a player everyone now as 14 year olds are back hoping to at least go one step further than last year and make the. Babe  Ruth World Series in Ocala Fl.

Their first game this week was a lost to what now looks like the best team in the American bracket Key West Fl 5-2.  A 12-2 win over Union County NC on Thursday gave Nash County hope that they could still reach their dream.

This morning forced into playing two games weather permitting after Friday was washed out Nash County beat McLean-Great Falls Virginia this morning in the first game of the day winning 3-2.  This victory which now makes Nash County 2-1 in pool play allows them to play tonight's 9pm game against Monroe Al a win and we are in.  Depending on how every one else does in their two games today it is possible that 2-2 and win the tie breakers is still possible to make the semi's but a straight up win and they are in.

They play at 9 tonight, I'll know around 11pm if there is good news or not.

All Day Rainout

Schedule Change:  Babe Ruth officials in an effort to finish the 14u  Southeast Regional by Sunday have decided to double up everyone on Saturday  and play two games each.  Nash County will now play McLean-Great Falls Virginia at 9am Saturday and then play their 4th and final round Robin game at 9:00pm Saturday night against Monroe County Al.

The third day of the 14u Babe Ruth baseball Tournament in Newton NC was rained out.  The rains that started here around noon had already drenched the ball field in Newton even before the first game could get started at 9am this morning.

So after two days of play in the four days of round Robin play Nash County stands 1-1 along with a Union County NC and Monroe County Al.  The team in trouble is McLean-Great Falls VA who in two games has two losses and given up 32 runs and The  tie breaker  in Babe Ruth is runs allowed so even if Virginia won their last two games they have given up way too many runs compared to everyone else.

The team right now sitting pretty in the American bracket is Key West Florida who has beaten Nash County 5-2 and Monroe Al 6-1.  That's two of the teams chasing Key West and they hold the tie breaker against either at this point.  The first game Saturday morning for Key West is against McLean-Great Falls and we all expect a Key West win and that would make they 3-0  with Union County being game four for them Sunday.

Nash County plays McLean -Great Falls at 7pm Saturday night and that would be Virginia's second game of the day and quite possibly already eliminated from the semi final round  might  be thinking about going home Sunday and a great chance for Nash County to go to 2-1.  If Nash County wins that game that sets up a good situation for Nash County.

Saturday weather permitting Monroe Alabama will meet Union County.  Since both are 1-1 one will have two losses after Saturday and that opens up that with a win over McLean-Great Falls by Nash County Saturday then their game Sunday against Monroe will be at least for Nash County a win and they make the semi's.

Union County still plays Key West on Sunday and and for the best results for Nash  County it would be better at this point for Key West to go 4-0 in the bracket. The Key here is Nash County owns the tie breaker with Union County.  If it becomes a 3 way tie and it comes down to runs allowed. As of right now Key West has given up only three runs, Nash County 10 and both Monroe and Union have given up 12.

Right now looking on a day of rain in Newton Nash County is in a good spot if they keep winning.  Hope they can play Saturday.