It's Down To Three

Going into Tonight's action four teams had a shot to win the Big East football race but it is down to three and only three as the best can happen now is a two way tie with the tie breaker settling first place.

The only game  featuring two tied at the top Rocky Mount and Southern Nash were tied 21-21 early in the fourth quarter when  the Firebirds coach  Foster went down on the sidelines apparently from a non football related incident.  Seeing Coach Foster put in an ambulance seemed to spur on the Firebirds who stopped a Rocky Mount drive and preceded to take it down the field for the leading score.

Rocky Mount drove all the way to the Southern three and faced with third and two scored but a holding penalty was called marking the ball back at the 14 and then one of those flags that Rocky Mount seems to get all the time  an unsportsman like Conduct penalty pushed the ball all the way to the 29 pretty much ending the Gryphon hopes for a Big East title   28-21 Southern Nash

After the way this conference season has gone there were two ho-hum games in Wilson County as Fike blasted Northern Nash 43-7 and Hunt shutout Nash Central 28-0.  This leaves Fike and Hunt to play each other next week at 3-1 knowing that Southern 3-1 plays Nash Central and the best either Wilson County school can do is tie Southern assuming Southern wins .  Then if that happens if Hunt beats Fike Hunt will get first spot having beaten Southern and Southern gets first if Fike wins due to the 42-35 victory over Fike by Southern.

Tarbooro will meet North Edgecombe next week with first place on the line after Tarboro beat Northampton 48-9 and North Edgecombe Routed South Creek 48-20

Farmville blasted Beddingfield 55-0.  Riverside beat RM Prep by 40 48-8.  Southwest Edgecombe had little trouble with North Johnston 49-13.

Eight man football playoffs it is down to four and the top four seeds all won including Rocky Mount Academy's 67-13 win over Lawrence Academy.  They will play St Davids  who took down Halifax Academy 68-28.  Parrott roughed up Cary Christian 42 6 and Southampton beat Hobgood.  Southampton travels to Parrott next week in the 2/3 game while RMA is at home in the 1/4 game with St Davids

Northern Nash was beaten in the second round of the State soccer playoffs by Northern Guilford 3-0.  Saturday Northern Nash boys seeded fourth will be running in the State Cross country championship.  Good Luck Northern.

Who Will Step Foward?

One difficulty playing only five games in a conference season is one game can change  the entire conplextion of a season. Through three weeks of conference play everyone has lost at least one game that changes their season.  Since no one to this point have stepped forward to grab the Big East by the collar we are faced with another week where one game can change your season.  Every game this weekend  has an impact on who will win the Big East football conference this season.

Hunt @ Nash Central:  Hunt should be only contender who walks on the field knowing victory is available which should put them to 3-1 heading to the final night being one of the teams who all they have to do next week is beat their arch rival Fike and look who could be the conference champion.  Hunt humbles Nash Central 31-13

Northern Nash @ Fike:  This needs to be Northern's last stand.   Standing fifth in the standings  this is a must win for the Knights.  A lost and their hopes of sneaking in the back door to first place will be locked out.  A Fike victory and the Wilson County schools play for the title next week.  Fike 36 Northern 24.

Rocky Mount @  Southern Nash:  The winner of this game will be part of the championship sandwich for next week depending on who wins between Hunt/Fike.  A Southern victory over Rocky  Mount will have the Firebirds hoping for a Fike victory next week since they beat Fike.  A Gryphon victory and they will be pulling for Hunt next week.  This is power against speed.  Rocky Mount has not won at Southern since 2008.  Rocky Mount wins 17-14.

Tarboro heads to Northampton. Another victory for the Vikings 42-6. SouthWest Edgecombe host North Johnston and they should win with ease.  41-14. North  Edgecombe host South Creek and this will be be a dilly.  NE will play Tarboro next week for the title.  NE 22 South Creek 18.  Beddingfield travels to  Farmville Central.  Beddingfield loses 26-22.

Went 3-3 last week to run my guess record to 58-17 Need to have a good week.

Round two of the state soccer playoffs started tonight with Fike 11th seed  and Chapel Hill 6th seed butting heads .       Chapel Hill advances beating Fike 4-1.  The second round needs to be completed by Saturday night and there are games going on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  Northern 19th seed on the road for the second game heads to Northern Guilford  #3 seed where they will play Friday at 6pm.  Hunt  5th seed the Big East Top seed plays Saturday night hosting Jacksonville White Oak a number 12 seed..

Big Start For Big East Soccer

The Big East sent four teams  to the first round  of the state soccer playoffs and three will live to play another day.  Both Wilson County schools as the top two seeds in the conference got home games and both held serve Fike beat Rockingham County 5-2.  Hunt shutout Northern Vance 5 zip.  Where you can judge how strong  the conference might be is when the lower seed teams hit the road and tonight Northern Nash has advanced to round two after a 1-0 win at Cleveland.  Last night Rocky Mount traveled to Chapel Hill and was knocked out of the playoffs  7-0.  So the Big  East heads to round two with three still alive.

Who would have thunk it.  Had less than 500 week picking NFL games, right at 500 in high school and was 7-0 in last weeks college picks.  I'm up  to 65-23 on college guesses.  Has anybody notices that just about half the ACC teams have a 4-4 record?.  That surely can't help Florida State in keeping them in the top four for the college football playoffs.

North Carolina Wesleyan visits Maryville TN Battling Bishops 4-3 3-2 in USA South while Maryville is 5-2 4-1.  This is another hard one to pick  NCW.  Maryville 32- NCW 24

N C State 4-4 0-4 at Syracuse 3-5 1-3.  The Wolfpack beginning to run out of chances to break their conference losing streak if they don't get it this week.  I think they will.  Can you remember the last time the Pack played in the Carrier Dome.  They beat the Cuse in overtime beating Donavan McNabb.  Pack 31- The Orange 26

ECU 6-1 at Temple 4-3.  I think this game will be played in front of more ECU fans than Temple.  Hard to get up to play in an empty stadium.  Pirates have had a hard time getting up for anybody lately.
real trap game here.  Pirates survive 34-22.

UNC 4-4 2-2 at Miami 5-3 2-2.  If any body is going to win the division besides Duke it's Miami/  34-27 The U.

Duke 6-1 2-1 at Pitt 4-4 2-2.  The Devils keep winning and are 6-1.  They probably are at 7-1 Sunday   35-21.

Virginia 4-4 2-2 at Georgia Tech 6-2 3-2..  Virginia is a decent football team but GT call score on anybody  GT38 Virginia 24

BC 5-3 2-2 at Virginia Tech 4-4 1-3.  I am not picking Tech any more this year and don't see how they beat Ohio St which has to tell you something about the Big Ten.  BC 24 VT 16

Last Chance For Panthers

Thursday night  football returns to the NFL Network only and the Carolina Panthers host the Drew Brees lead New Orleans Saints.   If Panthers lose their playoff chances are cooked for this year.  Last week I was a brillant 7-8  reducing my record for the year to 78-41.  If you can't get half of the game right just trying to pick the winners of each game how in the world can you get any when a point spread is added to complicate your life.  I have never bet on games with point spread but I thought I would take this week's Las Vegas lines and see just how I can compare both ways.  There are only 13 games this week and the Baltimore - Pittsburgh game is a pickem so I will give you my picks both who I think is going to win and then by the spread so here we go.

New Orleans -2 at Carolina.  New Orleans can't beat anybody on the road Lost 7 in a row.  I'm picking the Panthers so I guess that means with the Saints a two point favorite I'll take Carolina on both picks.  27-24

San Diego +2 at Miami.  I hope the Chargers have their two cornerbacks who have been injured back after a ten day rest.  If they do Chargers D will be good.  Chargers  win outright 31-17

Jacksonville +11 at Cincinnati,  Cincy wins and they cover and win by more than 11  34-20

Tampa Bay +6.5 at Cleveland.  TB has taken everyone to the last second.  I'll take Cleveland to win the game and Tampa keeps it close.  27-23 Cleveland.

Washington +2.5 at Minnesota.  This shows you how Vegas feels about the Skins beating Dallas.  They are underdogs to the   Vikes who win outright   27-23

Philadelphia +2.5 at Houston   What ever happened to Chip Kelly was going to change the NFL. seems the NFL has figured out his offense. I think Houston wins 30-26

Jets +9 at Kansas City.  Take Kansas City in a blow out 34-13

Arizona+4 at Dallas.  You got to be kidding me that Dallas is the favorite.  What was Jerry Jones doing on the field when Romo went down telling coach to put him back in.  Here we go again Jerry thinks he knows football and Dallas loses.  I think Dallas might win this one but by a point 24-23.

Rams +9 at San Fransico.  Can't see the Rams winning this game much less keeping it close    SF 27- STL 17

Denver -3 at New England.  I think this will tell us about both teams this year.  Denver wins they probably make it to Super Bowl.  NE wins AFC is up for grabs.  Denver 38  Patriots 27

Oakland +9 at Seattle.  I think Oak can be pesky on the Seahawks, I'll take Hawks but Raiders cover.  24-17 Seahawks

Ravens even with Pittsburgh.  I don't think Pittsburgh can play that great two weeks in a row  Ravens 24-21

Indy -3 at Giants.  Indy can score points.  They can also give up points but this is Eli who will give at least seven to Indy..  Indy 37-Giants 24  

There is a Thursday night ACC game which could be a rather good one. Florida St at Louisville.  You know Louisville is going to throw the kitchen sink at the Noles.  Louisville didn't impress me beat N C State but this is close.  FSU 31 Louisville 27

Tragedy Strikes The Gryphon Nation

Monday was the first day for winter sports practice for all schools throughout North Carolina.  It was an extremely hard day for everyone at RMHS as they learned the news that Tiara Hinton had died in a Sunday car wreck.  Tiara wore #31 on the basketball team also a volleyball player and member of the track team an as a senior had already taken her senior graduation pictures.

Life is full of death in our life times and it seems the younger they are the harder it is to accept.  Those of us that watch our young people perform in sports find it harder than those in the class room because we don't get to watch them perform in the classroom like we do in sports.  Those injured will not only have to heal their physical pain but will have to heal the emotional pain that comes from death from someone you knew and loved.  Everyone that knew Tiara and those of us who only saw her play pray for healing for everyone involved with her life.  Her family and friends and classmates once they get over the shock will need healing time to go forth in life with out Tiara.

Monday in Fayetteville Terry Sanford high beat the Rocky Mount girls tennis team 6-0 to end the Lady Gryphons tennis season at 18-2. 

There is a four way tie for first in Big East football between Fike, Hunt,Southern Nash and Rocky Mount.  Northern is just a step back and both of their upcoming games are against teams ahead of them. Northern is right square in the middle of the hunt for the top seed in the conference.   Nash Central has been eliminated as far as finishing first but until they incur one more loss are still right in the middle  of the playoff hunt.  They still could be 2-3 and that hasn't eliminated them as of yet because every team in front of them only has two wins or less.

Fike still has Northern Nash and Hunt on their schedule.  Neither of those two games are gimme's. Hunt still has Nash Central and Fike.  They should win the NC game and a toss up with Fike.  Southern still has Rocky Mount and Nash Central.  More than likely a toss up with RM and a win against NC.  Rocky Mount still has Southern and Northern so nothing is guaranteed in either.  Northern still has Fike and Rocky Mount both tough games but look if they win both where they will be.

This is of course not unusual for the Big East.  The only thing hurt by the Big East is seedings and having to travel during the playoffs.  If one team had an outstanding record they would possible be the best team in the East.  Much like the Southeastern Conference in college football trying to get a team in the top four to make the college football playoff.  They keep beating up each other when in most years they are the best in college football, the Big East keeps sending somebody to the Eastern Finals every year regardless of how many road games they play to get to the fourth round. 

The state soccer playoffs begin Wednesday and four teams from the Big East are in the Big Show.
Hunt seeded 5th and 17-3 host Northern Vance 9-9 and seeded 12th.  Fike 11th seed and 16-4 host Rockingham Co 9-7 seeded 22nd.  Northern Nash is on the road 11-8 seeded 19th travels to 14th seed Cleveland 9-10.  Rocky Mount 10-11 seeded 27th heads toward Chapel Hill 6th seed 17-4.

Rocky Mount Academy 9-0 starts after their second straight State title Friday when they will host Lawrence Academy 2-7 a team they beat earlier in the year 64-8.  Only the top eight teams made the playoffs so RMA is  the top seed Lawrence is seeded 8th.  Arendell Parrott 8-1 seeded second takes on Cary Christian 7th seed and 3-6.  Southampton 7-2 third seed meets 6th seeded Hobgood Acadmey 4-5.  The final game Friday has St David's 6-3 4th seed hosting 5th seed Halifax Academy 5-4.

Northern Dominant In Cross Country

There is an old saying in Nascar that if you run up front enough you will win one after a while.  Northern Nash boys cross country team won the Eastern Regional 3-A championship on Saturday winning for the first time in the Regional since 1993.  Since 93 there haven't been many times that the Knights were not in the top five.

Why is it that they are so strong in long distance running.  You may have heard me say this not but a few weeks ago that football was 80% coaching.  It might be even more in cross country.  How do you convince teenagers that going out and running five miles a day is something you need to do in life when there are so many other distractions for our teenagers.

Jeff Dodrill has been coaching the Northern C/C teams for many years.  I met him for the first time in 1999 when I was doing the game of the week on WHIG TV.  I interviewed him for halftime and then you could see how well the players reacted with him.  There are many great coaches leading our youth in this area and if you could pick five from every sport our children play Jeff would have to be on that list.

He is of course the Athletic Director at Red Oak Middle and he gets first shot as those gangly seventh graders moving  to Junior High.  How in the world do you convince a 7th grader that running could be your passion.  He has and then as Northern Nash High cross country coach he has already invested two years or more  in these kids once they hit high school.  You will find him almost every day running  right along with his runners.

The results Northern is always near the top.  Injuries at the wrong time of year effect everyone one way or another year after year but under Dodrill Northern Nash is a power in cross country.  This Saturday they have a real chance in winning it all a state Crown.  Good luck Knights

Rocky Mount girls tennis team travels to Terry Sanford today for the third round of the State Duel Tennis playoffs.  RM 18-1 and TS 12-0 square off hoping to play in the fourth round Wednesday and if they survive that the state championships this weekend.

The Lady Gryphon doubles team of Chandler Brice and Eliza  Fike finished 3rd in the state doubles losing to the two time State champion duo of the Knors Sisters. 

Taylor Love the singles player from Hunt lost a heart breaker in the singles finals to Asheville's Adrienne Haynes.  The scores were 2-6- 6-2-6-4.

Is This A Surprise To Anybody

Jameis Winston has announced that he will be giving up his college eligibility after football season to pursue an NFL career.  One of the reasons I don't like giving trophies like the Heisman Trophy to under classmen is that  Winston has no way to go forward once you have won the biggest of college's big awards.

I am a believer regardless of who you are if you are getting a free education your actions should held accountable in order to keep getting a free ride.  This includes any one on a academic scholarships as well.  You need to live by the rules of said university.  Break those rules and you lose the free education granted you.  Winston has shown  to have stolen  seafood which was off campus but as a representative of Florida State he embarrassed the University. That should have been enough to kick him out of the University.  But, because he can help FSU win football games he was patted on the butt and told not to do that again.  If I had of done that I'm probably still in jail.

Winston just has too many incidents in his life at Florida State that I think the University is fed up and hope he does leave.  There is one question that this is an indictment against every sports playing University.  Since he knows he not coming back I wonder what his class attendance numbers are right now.  If he is not going to class at all he should be ineligible for this season?  I sure would like to have some record of that.  I am sure there are many college sports players with no intentions of returning at every university which would lead me to believe that colleges and sports are totally out of hand.

Todd Gurley will be  reinstated to the University of Georgia football team after sitting out  two games as Georgia checked to see if Gurley received money for signing his name to Georgia sportswear.  If the NCAA is to go along with this deal to pay  players here is what I do agree with.  I am against any player receiving money to play sports at a school he is already going to school for free.  I have no problem any time they sign their name to be paid for it for any person seeking autographs.  Why should the guy with all the sportswear get all the profit.  One way Universities could have to stay away from paying players don't put their names on the back of the uniforms.  Then it is the property of the University but the players name is his own and could get paid for it any time people ask to sign autographs.

Now to the business at hand.  UNC report on corruption was released on Wednesday and like everyone in the world knew except those who support UNC that the Moniker THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA should be shelved.   I'm I stupid enough to think that what goes on in Chapel Hill isn't going on right now in most every major University that first judges coaches on wins rather than his student graduation rate?  Maybe not a fake program like at Carolina but certain players are helped to keep eligible.

You know the Valvano Scandal back in the early 90's at State more than anything else was about should certain people be allowed to attend college just because they run fast, make baskets or throw a ball fast.  We all know college is not for everyone.  Don't care how much education you try to give someone but if that person has no more ability than a ditch digger that is all he will ever be.

Sending them to a bogus class and saying he graduated with honors after he has spent the money they make playing ball he will wind up behind the garbage truck.  Money rules the world and it is very unfortunate to say we all have our price.  Me as the consumer allows these school to continue to act as if the student comes first when we all know they play for a football factory, basketball or what ever.

 The ultimate deal is how much money can we get by forming a 15 member conference  and play against teams that we have to take a plane to send our soccer teams to.  The consumer is as fault as much as the Universities because I continue to buy season tickets or watch the game and as long as TV gets ratings they will continue to pay the Universities more money.

 The junior college system worked making those who didn't cut it in the class room in high school spent two years trying to be eligible to play at a major school.  I  think I will protest against all of these schools acting like they are academic institutions when it relates to sports.  I will rule myself ineligible to watch the first half   of  this Saturday's Georgia-Florida   3:30 TV game.  That should cure all the problems I have with college sports.

Can Anybody Believe This League

                                                              URGENT
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The Rocky Mount High doubles team of Chandler Brice and Eliza Fike won both of their matches on Friday and will face the defending State Champions in the team of Devin and Jenna Knors this morning in the semi finals.
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Just walked in the door from a volleyball match tonight in High Point as the Lady Camels of Campbell played at High Point against the Lady Panthers.  This starts the second time around for both as Campbell beat HP 3-1 four weeks ago but since both teams were just 2-5 each  in conference play.

 Only eight teams from the Big South make the tournament in Conway South Carolina in late November and both these teams were tied for eighth heading into tonight.  More than likely the loser will have to fight off UNC Asheville 9th 1-6 and  Charleston Southern 0-7 to make the tournament.  Both these teams played like this was for the conference championship.  Tied two all this went to a fifth  set and HP lead 14-12 with match point but Campbell managed to get to 15-all.  From that point on both teams traded their chance to win and until the final score 25-23 the lead never got beyond a one point lead for either side.  Both sides between them had 11 match points but Campbell scored three points in a row after down 23-22 to win the match.  I am drained more than the players.

Now the business of football.  I hear Rocky Mount had two kick returns called back and with out those points gave up a late field goal and lose for the first time in Big East play 14-12 to Fike.  This game went exactly as I predicted right?  Fike is held to their lowest point total of the year and still win.

Northern Nash did what they had to do shutting out Nash Central 28-0.  After the way all the other games turn out Northern is still in the running for first place in the Big East.  I don't believe if my math is right there any way for a five way tie  at 3-2.  If Nash Central loses all their game that's six losses and with five teams with two losses that is a total of 16 losses with 15 wins.  The worse case scenario would be a four way tie after the final game with one team at 2-3.

Southern Nash has a history of putting the ball on the ground too much and they did it again tonight.  It is hard to score when you don't keep it the entire time you are driving and Hunt took advantage and wins at Southern Nash 18-7.  The results FIke, Hunt, Rocky Mount and Southern Nash are all tied at 2-1 in league play with Northern one behind at 1-2.  All five schools have enough wins to qualify for the State football playoffs.  The only problem now is seedings.  If you are tied for first tonight you might be in fifth next week.

Rocky Mount Academy won their ninth game of the season beating Cary Christian 42-12 and in doing so won their conference championship and finished with an undefeated season.  42 is the least points they have scored all year.  Bet starters stayed off the field once they had this one under control.

North Edgecombe handled Northampton 42-20.  Tarboro is pretty good playing teams at their level 34-20 over Riverside.  South Creek takes down RM Prep 36-6 and SouthWest Edgecombe blistered Farmville 48-13.  Washington clobbered Beddingfield 47-13.

I believe I will try to go to bed but my heart is still pumping from VB.

Carolina Can Run The Table

Isn't it funny that you can look at some teams and figure out who they are where other teams are so up and down you never know what you are getting when they step on the field. anybody picked Virginia Tech right every game this year.  Had a very poor 4-4 record last week running my yearly gig to 58-23.

North Carolina @ Virginia:  Look the Tar heels can score and there is no reason why they can't run off a sting of victories just like last year.  Virginia is up and coming but I don't think they can outscore Carolina.  Tar Heels 45 Virginia 31

Methodist@ NC Wesleyan:  The USA South conference has 5 teams with only one loss and two of those five play in this game. Surely the loser can not or will not win the conference football title.  I think Methodist will out score the Battling Bishop.  36-28.

Boston College @ Wake Forest:  BC will powder the Deacs.   Wake just can't score and when that happens it is hard to win football games or for that matter any sporting event.  BC 27 WF 10

Georgia Tech @ Pitt:  tech started out like they were going to play in the football playoffs but they have been derailed by RDU Airport as they lost back to back in Durham and Chapel Hill.  Unless their flight to Pittsburgh has a stop off in Raleigh the Techster should be safe this week.  Georgia Tech 35 Pitt 27

Syracuse @ Clemson:  The battle of the Orange.  The southern orange will win with or without their starting quarterback.  It will be more of a blow out if he plays  Decent score if he doesn't.  I guess he is still out 34-24 Clemson Orange.

Today in Burlington the Rocky Mount doubles team of Chandler Brice and Eliza Fike the first stop at the state doubles tennis championships.  If they win their morning match have another this afternoon.  If they survive to play another day then they would have to win twice on Saturday to become State Champions  in doubles.  They play in their first match the doubles team of Maner and Marshall from local Burlington Williams High.  Fike High school also has a team of Short and Williams playing against the Cardinal Gibbons duo  of Freeman and Jacobs.

There is but one Big East girl alive in the singles competition and that is Taylor Love of Hunt who will face off with Julianne Hall of Union Pines.

Top Four Teams Collide

Week three of the Big East football season finds the two unbeaten teams facing off with the two teams that have one loss.  In a league where almost anybody can beat anybody there is a chance for a four way time at 2-1 in the league after Friday. Might happen, might not.  Last week was a poor 4-3 on the week running my record for the year on high school picks 55-14.  Having a hard time getting a handle on all these teams in Big East this year.

The folks at Rocky Mount get a chance to sit in the home stands for the first time this year(seems like) as they host Fike.  Here we go again.  In two wins Rocky Mount has given up only 14 points while Fike has scored 81.  On the other side of the ball Rocky Mount has scored 74 while Fike has given up 68.  Have a feeling this will be high scoring but the Gryphons will score more.  Rocky Mount 35- Fike 28.

The folks over at Southern Nash are gitty after the way the last three  weeks have unfolded.  The Hunt folks are nervous.  4-4 and coming off a home loss and a conference loss.  You know most of the time when streaks stop you lose more than once right after.  Southern Nash 41 Hunt 21

The folks over at Northern are wondering what in the world they need to do to win a game.  Rolling along fine and all of a sudden 0-2 in conference.  The folks over at Nash Central are wishing for a win.  As far as Northern is concern this week is a good week with Nash Central coming.  They just don't need to fall asleep before the game starts and they will have a victory under their Belt.  Northern 42- NC 7

Rocky Mount Academy seeks and undefeated season as they make the trip to Cary Christian Academy who comes into the game 3-5.  I think all the Eagles need to do is listen to Coach Holt and get on the bus ready to play.  RMA  66  Cary 20.  If they win I think it is the Eagles first undefeated season?

Oh boy is there going to be a good one at Pinetops this week.  Once beaten Farmville at SouthWest Edgecombe.  Both have lost to Washington in close games.  There are just certain teams when they are good they are good for North Carolina High school football.  Farmville is one of those schools much like Tarboro,  Richmond County etc.  Farmville in a close one 22-19.

North Edgecombe  travels to Conway to take on Northampton County who has a 2-6 record.  The Warriors should win with ease.  26-12.

ECU goes prime time tonight and a chance to show the national audience what they are.  U Conn travels to Dowdy-Ficklin and the next three games for the Pirates all can be seen on one or the other of the ESPN channels besides 3.  Tonight on ESPNU I think the Pirates play to impress.  ECU 45 Huskies 27

Thursday night football tonight is loaded with good games.  Chargers at Broncos, Pirate on the U and over on ESPN Miami visits Virginia Tech.  I have  about had all the pickings I'm going to do on VT rest of the season.  Miami 33 Tech 24 Start packing coach Beamer.

The Lady Gryphons tennis team will play undefeated Terry Sanford Monday in round three of the State Duel tennis Tournament.  Hunt season ended on Tuesday when they were beaten 5-1.  The Lady Gryphons are the only Big East still alive.

Fike the #2 seed in Big East soccer beat Northern Nash 3-2 Tuesday night while #1 Hunt took care of Southern Nash 5-0 to knock both Nash County teams of  the Big East tournament

Lady Gryphon Tennis Advances

Round two of the state Duel tennis championships are in the Books and the Rocky Mount Gryphons have advance with a five to four win over Topsoil.  The Lady Gryphons got four singles victories from Chandler Brice, Eliza Fike, Katie Mizelle and Mary Blair Thompson.  Brice and Fike heading this weekend to the State doubles Championships in Burlington manage the Lady Gryphons only double victory which was enough to send the Ladies into the third round next week.

Thursday night marks the first game of week eight of the NFL football season and with it the halfway pole to the NFL season. Picked Jaxsonville to win first game and went 10-5 on the week.  Now 71-33 on the season.  Pro football is a game where the worst team is only seven points worse than the best.  Scores get out of hand sometimes because of turnovers but generally if both teams play well  a touchdown difference is all that separates the best from the worse.

This might be one of the best NFL games this year as the high scoring Chargers meet the high scoring Broncos in Denver.  My heart is all over this one taking the Chargers.  I think Denver in order to break the record for Peyton Manning put a lot of emotion into their win over the 49's.  The Chargers banged up got stung against KC.  Chargers need this one while Denver will be flat after Sunday night Chargers 27-Denver 24

Detroit@ Atlanta...  I am all over this one with Detroit.  something tells me at some point in time the Falcons make a late season run but not this week.  Lions 34 Atlanta 27

Vikings @ Tampa Bay...  Like Tampa in this one and I have no reason why.  Tampa 27 Minn 24

Bills @ Jets....  First game for Percy Harvin as a Jet.  You know he will do everything he can to make Seattle look bad.  Bad time for the Bills to be in New York.  Jets will win maybe   26-23

Bears at Patroits... I keep looking for somebody to beat  New England.  There is no doubt they have played in worse division in football last ten years.  Here comes up and down Cutler.  Can the Bears be the team to knock off New England, No  Pats 34 Bears 24

Seattle @ Carolina...  Remember Seattle is so so on the road. you might recall I said earlier that Seattle would not be the team they were last year. Panthers almost got'em last year.  I think they do this year 26-23.

Miami @ Jacksonville... The battle for 2/3s of Florida.  I like Jaxsonville 28-17.

Ravens @ Bengals...  This is at least to this point the game of the year for both until next time.  Bengals giving up too many points Bal 30 Tigers 23.

Texans at Titans....I think Houston has too much defense for the Titans   27-13

Rams @ Chiefs....  you had better watch out for the Chiefs.  Don't be surprised if they don't make playoffs.  The only thing the Rams have going is they might go back to LA.  Wasn't that a great fake punt return the Rams fooled the Seahawks with.  Chiefs 31- STL 20

Eagles @ Cardinals.... I like the Cardinals a lot.  I think they have enough defense for the Eagles.  30-27.

Colts @ Steelers.....  Youngsters against the Oldsters.  Colt 41- Pitt 27

Raiders @ Browns...  I think this will be a good game.  I like the Browns to make a comeback after the dud they had in JAXsonville.   Browns 30  Guys in Black 24

Packers @ Saints.... Saints are at home.  Even though it's the Packers I like Saints at home.   I'm having a hard time pulling the trigger for Dree Brees.  Saints defense can't stop Packers.  Packers 35- Saints 27

Redskins@ Dallas....  Dallas is flying as high as they have been in a long time.  Deadskins are just as low as they have been mostly last few years.  I don't think it will be a rout but Big D wins.  Monday night football.  How many times will they show Jerry Jones on camera?

Very Entertaining

You got to hand it to the North Carolina Tar Heels, they can score on anybody.  Their problem everybody can score on them too.  I flipped back and forth between the Tar Heel game and Florida State all night Saturday.   There is no doubt the Tar Heels are great on offense.  There is no doubt they are terrible on defense.  That adds up to entertaining football for the half filled stadium.

I don't know who if anybody can beat Florida State during the rest of the season but they I don't believe are a top ten team.  If they survive with all the allegations against Winstead  and go undefeated they will get killed in their playoff game.  Their defense even though quick can't stop anybody.  N C State looked great on offense against them.

I think if you are a N C State fan today you kind of have to be saying that you played about as well as you can expect from a team that left four starters home in their trip to Louisville.  I really expected a blow out by the Ville but State gave a good effort. Their conference losing streak has grown to 12 in a row.

I think you can kiss the Todd Gurley Heisman chances as gone after this weekend.  He sits on the sidelines for a second game and Georgia has a freshman run for 200 yards.  A topic similar to the Gurley deal, do you remember several years ago when Tom Brady went down with a knee injury in the first game of the season which was a loss.  His replacement lead New England to 11 wins that year.  That kind of soured me on how great Tom Brady was because his replacement had his kind of numbers.  If I was a Heisman voter and Gurley returns I would in the back my mind think every time he rushes for big yardage that even his backup can do that.  If Georgia had of fell apart it would at least look like Gurley was needed but they have scored 40 in both games without him.

Two Big East conference girls tennis teams are alive an well in the state duel tennis Tournament.  Rocky Mount (17-1) plays Topsoil (9-7)a team they played as their first match of the season and beat Topsoil 5-4.  Hunt(15-2) in their second round match is playing Union Pines (13-1).  weather permitting both are today.

Northern Nash held serve at home while Rocky Mount lost in the shootout as Southern Nash the sixth seed in the Big East soccer tournament beat Rocky Mount 2-1 5th while Northern had no problem with Nash Central 7-1,  Southern travels travels to #1seed Hunt tonight while Northern Nash 3 seed visits #2 Fike.

There will be a visiting team in town this Friday night.  The Rocky Mount Gryphons return home for the first time since September 5th which was a rout over Hertford County.  Five away games and a bye week the Gryphons will probably have to be told  they don't need to go in the visitor locker room this week.

These kind of odd ball schedules happen when you play 11 games over ten.  The very best schedule any team can have is six home and five away which will flip the next year.  I wish the NCHSAA would go back to a ten game regular season.  I would like for every high school to show me where adding an eleventh game has brought in more revenue.  It also brings on more expenses.  I am sure the top ten schools in the state in game attendance love it.  On the other hand the top 100 team in  least attendance hate it.  They lose more money.

The Gryphons football record is 6-2  2-0.  They gave up 92 points in their two losses to Rose and SouthWest Edgecombe.  They have only given up 28 in their six wins.  They are tied at the top after two weeks with Southern Nash  and are the only team to win twice on the road.  Fike at home this week and then the big matchup with Southern at Southern  and finish up with Northern at home.  The schedule doesn't get any easier.

Did anybody notice that Eastern Wayne beat ROSE 63-23.  Is that a misprint????

Gryphon Duo Regional Winners

If your last name is Brice then there is a good chance you know a little something about tennis.  Chandler Brice along with her older sister made it to the state doubles in 2013.  Both are the daughters of Albe and April Brice.  Many years Albe was the head tennis pro at Belmont tennis facility.  This year without big sister Chandler will be returning to the state doubles tournament in Burlington on Friday with new teammate Eliza Fike.  This past weekend the Gryphon duo won the 3-A regional doubles championship in Wilson at Barton College.

We have discussed this in the past about how certain areas do good in certain sports.  The Big East just doesn't grow tall girls in this area which  can lead to bad situations in basketball and surely volleyball. Normally to be good in basketball there has to be an outstanding player on one of our teams. This past weekend the three members of the Big East began play in the state 3-A volleyball tournament.

When compared to other top notch volleyball schools height is the great divider.  Simply speaking none of the Big East schools have height.  Those that do most of the time the taller girl is not athletic enough blocking the other teams shots or offensive minded enough for the other team to fear being killed by a slam over the net.  A tall player having a free shot at the net is one of those situations the girl on the receiving end dreads.  The Big East simply doesn't have and has really never had a player or group of players who could dominant the net that is needed in volleyball.

Fike the top seed hosted Eden Morehead who was not the top team in their own league.  If they played in the Big East they would be as Morehead beat Fike 3-0 to advance.  Hunt the Big East #2 also hosted Saturday and like their cross town rivals fell to a lower seeded team but they did win a game losing to Cleveland 3-1.  Northern Nash the lone team that had to hit the road had a long ride back from Cedar Ridge as they fell 3-0.  The three teams representing the Big East lost by a combined 9-1.  It seems this is just the way it is when Big East plays in the volleyball playoffs.  This is not the first time this has happened. 

It kind of sounds like the Nash County soccer tournament.  Tonight starts the Big East boys soccer tournament as the 3/6 4/5 matches will be played today.  Northern Nash the 3 seed host the Number six seed Nash Central.  The winner of this game gets the #2 seed Fike Golden Demons at Fike on Tuesday.  The 4th seed Rocky Mount will host Southern Nash this afternoon and the winner draws Hunt Tuesday night at Hunt.  The championship game will be played at top seed still  playing.

Look What A Healthy Team Can Do

There are several factors that go into making teams be who they become.  I believe that high school football is 80% coaching and 15% talent and 5% luck.  This might be part of the luck factor but injuries play major roles in what teams become.  So you might want to turn around the 15% luck and 5% talent

During their six games of non-conference action Southern Nash was a very average 3-3.  Rightly so they did play a rather tough schedule and schedules can be made tougher when you don't always have your best players in the line up.  I heard  a lot of when we get healthy lookout coming from the southern part of the County.

I think those folks knew what they were talking about as with a healthy team the Firebirds put 46 on Tarboro, 42 on Fike and 42 on Northern Nash..  They surely are showing everybody healthy we are as good as anybody.  If that be the case then the Firebirds need to do every thing they can to keep their team healthy.

Rocky Mount maybe showed themselves when they play under control (penalties) they are good enough to play with anybody in this league.  They had a 15 yard face mask but when making tackles sometimes your hands grab for anything you can.  Against Hunt they reduced the penalty yardage in half.  They did have an aiding the runner  called but you can call that like holding almost on every play. Several games this year the Gryphons had penalties of  self destruction.  Didn't have to have a running your mouth 15 yard personal foul.  best way to run you mouth is put points on the board or stop the other side.  Let the scoreboard do the talking.  It worked Friday against Hunt.

Only two weeks into the season and Fike and Hunt find themselves in the middle of the pack.  All of a sudden Fike defense has given up 68 points in the first two conference games and yes they can score when they have the ball.  Giving up 68 and scoring 81 still adds up to a 1-1 record.  Hunt must be in shock today after losing at Home in a conference game.  They have now lost twice at home this year as Northeastern took them out 28-0 earlier this year.

How tough is the Big East in football? Northern Nash is 0-2.  I wonder if maybe the Knights had a let down after playing so well at Hunt in Randy Raper's return there last week.  In this league you had better be ready to buckle your chin strap tight every play and every game.  The Nash Central losing streak has reached 21.  Their 26 points  is the second most points they have scored in this streak.  They scored 36 in a 38-36 lost to Southern Nash the last game of the 2012 season which was the second lost in this losing streak.

Holy Mackeral

Hunt High  School has lost only their second game ever in their six year career as a member of the Big East as Rocky Mount breaks a 7-7 tie at the half and clips Hunt 31-14.  Did he or didn't he is the question?  Rocky Mount recovers the second half kickoff on side kick.  Was it called or a poor kick.  regardless the Gryphons took it straight down the field and seemed to score only to have an aiding the runner penalty and settled for a Chase Miller 28 yard field goal and a 10-7 lead in which they would never lose..

The Gryphons D forced a Hunt punt and from their own seven yard line the Gryphons took it 93 yards and over came a couple of penalties to lead 17-7 on a Josh Carter one yard run with 25 seconds to go in the third quarter.  Under seven minutes to go Hunt on a 4th and 17 from the Gryphon 33 threw a touchdown pass to cut the Gryphon lead to 17-14.

Tonight the Gryphon offense would not be denied as the Gryphons once again marched down the field running the clock and scored on a one yard run by Nick Bynum  with 3:12 to play to up the lead to 24-14.

Now desperate to get the ball down field as fast as possible the Warriors tried a pass which Rashawn Harris stepped in front of  the intended receiver and put the icing on a Gryphon victory going 65 yards with the pick six and the Gryphons win 31-14.

The Gryphons over came an int and two first half fumbles to get a 7-7 tie at the half.  Hunt's seven points came after the Gryphons gave Hunt the ball on a fumble near the 50 which gave Hunt a 7-0 second quarter lead.  Josh Carter tied the game at 7 with a one yard plunge in the second quarter.

Hunt in their five full years in the Big East had lost only once and tonight's lost stopped a 18 game Big East winning streak.  Their last and only Big East lost was on October 22nd 2010 when they lost at Southern Nash 17-0.  Tonight is their first ever Big East loss at home.

Gryphons are tied for first with Southern Nash who scored their 28th point  just seconds before the first half ended and pretty much ended Northern Nash hopes for victory.  Final from Death Valley Southern Nash 42- Northern 7.  A healthy Firebird team is rolling.

Rocky Mount Academy all but wrapped up a conference championship beating once beaten Southampton Academy 52-42.  Washington beat SouthWest Edgecombe 20-13.  North Pitt over Beddingfield 23-12.  Fike beat Nash Central 49-26.  Understand Coach Crudup was suspended for tonight and next week's game  for misconduct after the JV game last night.  North Edgecombe beat Riverside 24-14.  Tarboro had little trouble with Rocky Mount Prep  57-6

Volleyball Playoffs Start Saturday

Three teams from the Big East unlike Tennis where only two teams get in the state playoffs begin the run  in the North Carolina Volleyball state championship Saturday.  Fike and Hunt are the power in the Big East and both draw home games Saturday. 

Fike as the #8 seed in the east host Eden Morehead who is seeded 25th.  Hunt the #2 from the Big East and the #15 seed will host Cleveland 18th seed..  Northern Nash as the # 3 representative from the Big East holds down the # 22 spot  is traveling this weekend.  They head to Cedar Ridge the #11 seed.  If you have no idea where Cedar Ridge is it is in Hillsbourgh.

Did not realize until coming home tonight that Va Tech and Pitt play Thursday night football so we need to get these college picks going .  Had a poor 5-4 record last week which runs me to 54-19 on the college circuit.

Virginia Tech at Pitt:  Don't think this will be high scoring but the Gobblers win.  26-17

N C State heads to Louisville Saturday and early in the week you would say the Pack has a shot.  Then you find out seven players are shooting b b guns and doing  damage to  personal property and half the defense will stay in Raleigh.  I think I am going to have to do to the Pack  like I am doing Nash Central.  Until they prove to me they can beat somebody pick against them.  Louisville 44- State 28

Georgia Tech at Carolina.  Carolina might have a shot in this one since their worse part of the defense is pass coverage.  Georgia Tech runs so that might be right at Carolina's strength.  Oh yeah, I forgot wasn't it last year Tech laid 60 on the Tar Heels.  Rambling Wreck 35 Carolina 31

The very best game of the day might be Virginia at Duke.  This is a hard pick-em game.  Both teams are better than anyone thinks.  I think in Wallace Wade Duke is very good so I'm taking the Devils at home 31-26

U Conn at ECU.  The lackluster play by the Pirates they have lost out on national media people who were looking at them to maybe a team that could sneak into then top ten with impressive wins over nobodys.  Their just get by mode has lost them many polling votes and here comes another you had better beat the pants off U Conn if you want to get noticed.  I think they win but the Huskies keep their pants on 36-21

Syracuse at Wake Forest.  This is the kind of game that the Deacons history they win.   I think they will again.  WF 24 Syracuse 21.

Notre Dame at Florida State.  If Winston plays no contest, if he doesn't The Irish win.  So I'm making two picks here .  FSU with Winston 44 Notre Dame 28  Without 24-23 Irish.

Clemson at BC.  Is the Clemson QB hurt?  If he is BC just might win this one but I'll go with the Tigers  35-27

Finally the Todd Gurley Heisman watch will end if he doesn't play this week.  Gurly is practicing but no commitment on being able to play.  Without Gurly Arkansas wins with Gurley Georgia Wins.  I have a feeling Georgia will let Gurley play Saturday.

Fighting Eliminates Two From State Playoffs

This past Friday night during a football game between Trask a 1-A school on the Southeast coast and West Bladen a fight broke out and a 22 minute delay occurred while the referees sorted out the mess. Four players from Trash were thrown out of the game along with three from West Bladen. 

This week the NCHSAA sent both schools letters  informing them by rule that they are ineligible for the state football playoffs since both have had at least three players thrown out of games this season.  Trask at 2-5 and West Bladen at 5-2 can start basketball practice after their 11th game.  By the way WB won the game 46-24.

Rocky Mount girls tennis team knows that they will play Topsoil next Tuesday in Rocky Mount in the second round of the Duel Women's tennis championships.  Rain force many first round matches to Wednesday including Hunt who knock off once beaten C B Aycock and advance to round two.  More than likely they will play Cardinal Gibbons.

Last week went 6-1 on my high school picks which runs my guess record for the year to 51-11 .  If you thought last week's games were great look at what's up and coming Friday.  Scheduling when you only have five conference games is critical when you might be having to play three on the road and only two home conference games.  It is vital regardless of who you are you must win on your home turf.  How big is home field.  Nash Central was the only home loser last week.  Hunt and Northern Nash are the contenders playing at home against other contenders who need to protect home field this Friday.

Rocky Mount @ Hunt:  Hunt got all they wanted from Northern Last week and coming to Wilson County is Rocky Mount.  Both are tied for first and for one they will still be no worse than tied for first.  The Gryphons must show me that they got their heads right because they can't give  Hunt extra downs or short fields with penalties.  Hunt 27- Rocky Mount 21

In Death Valley Northern right now tied for last can't afford a 0-2 start play Southern the team that popped previously unbeaten Fike.  Teams tend to play better at home and Northern didn't play that badly on the road at Hunt last week.  Northern drops another to the one loss column as they beat Southern   31-28

Fike is probably boiling mad and they have the perfect team to take out their anger on in  Nash Central.  Suspect by the fourth quarter the clocking is running in this one.  Fike 56- NC 7

Last week RMA handled Parrot and earlier this year Parrot beat Southampton at Southampton.  RMA beat Parrot at Parrot so I would assume they can beat  Southampton in Rocky Mount .  RMA 56 Southampton 38.

SouthWest Edgecombe travels to Washington who seems down somewhat this year.  The Cougars got a roll going and it continues SWE 36 Washington 21

North Edgecombe host Riverside Martin.  I think the Warriors will play Tarboro the last game of the season for the conference championship.  NE 26 Riverside 18

Rocky Mount Prep is at Tarboro.  Tarboro rolled last week and I see nothing slowing their roll down hill.  The Vikings 52 RM Prep 8.

Lady Gryphons Advance.

Rocky Mount High's girls tennis team advanced to the second round of the State duel playoffs winning every match 6-0 over Southern Guilford.  Afternoon showers could have force a delay but the match was moved to Belmont Lakes.

Both Rocky Mount and Northern Nash lost in the semi finals of the Big East Volleyball Tournament. Hunt plays at Fike for the tournament crown.

Last week went 9-5-1 on NFL Picks so I guess we will drop the tie as if that game never happened so I stand right now  through six weeks of NFL season done at 61-28.

Thursday night has those J-E-T-S traveling to New England and on paper this looks like a mis-match and I think it will be.  Pats 31- Turbo Props. 16

Atlanta At Baltimore> What in the world has happen to Atlanta?  No defense at all and not enough offense to outscore the other side.  Ravens 31- Birds 13

Titans at Redskins> If you were going to try to predict a game that ends in a tie this one would be it.  These two can't beat their way out of a wet bag.  Just maybe the Redskins would get out of a wet bag first.  Skins 24- Titans  17

Seattle At Rams>  Rams looked great for about a quarter against the 49's.  Seahawks still trying to play defense the old fashion way try to knock your teeth out but I think you can see the couple of people who got big contracts and went else where has hurt the Hawks some.  This will be a close one but Seahawks will survive 27-24.

Browns at Jacksonville>  Browns are playing great, Jags are not..    About time for the Browns to lost one they shouldn't  Jags 23 Browns 21

Bengals at Colts>  Having thrown a tie into the loop Cincinnati needs this one. Letting the Panthers score 37 last week , how many can the Colts get?   Colts 45 Bengal Tigers 31

Vikings at Bills>  One of those who cares who wins games as neither will be going anywhere past December.  I like the Bills 26-23

Miami at Chicago>  Will this be the good Cutler or bad Cutler? I think even if it is the bad, Bears win anyway.  27-20

New Orleans at Detroit> Preseason thought Saints win this one.  Now who are the Saints?  Detroit 34-Saints 27

Carolina at Green Bay>  I think Carolina is better than what everybody thinks but going to the not yet frozen tundra will not be easy.  Same question for the Panthers if Cincy gets 37 how many with double check man get.    GB 35 Carolina 23

Kansas City At San Diego>  KC is really good  and have played one of the toughest  schedules in  NFL.    San Diego has their 4th center  and 4th string back in with Rivers.  This is the time if the Chargers can get healthy they could be a beast but they must survive and get in playoffs.  This is one of those games both need.  Chargers 31-KC 30

Cardinals At Raiders>  Second game for new coach at Oakland and they played inspired against Chargers.  Bout time the Raiders jumped somebody.  Oakland 27 Phoenix 24

Giants at Dallas> Ok how many times have you see a NFC East team start out 6-2 and another 2-6 and the 2/6 wins the division.  Could happen again this year but it won't be the Giants .  Dallas 27- Giants 17

49's at Denver>  Oh boy this is one of those games.  Both these teams need this one and especially Denver.  Chargers coming next Thursday.  Denver 32 San Fan 27

Houston at Pitt> I think this game will show you how old the Steelers are.  Houston 27 Steelers 17

Jeff Craddock Preaches God And Life

Our teachers and coaches in our area are some of the best anywhere. Some coaches coach more than one sport  and then there are the coaches who teach about  God and Life.  The Sunset Church Of God in Tarboro for several years now has had a Sunday there they invite all the athletes from the area to come to their church and hear Jeff Craddock talk about life with God and living life in our world today.

Sunset Church of God on an average Sunday has between two to three hundred to attend.  This past Sunday with all the athletes it is estimated almost 600 were there which many could not get inside the church.  Afterwards a meal was provided outside where church member had a struggle Saturday to prepare for the feast.  The church had several pop up tents set up Saturday afternoon when the wind storm came and destroyed every one.  Not to fear the church cleaned out all the Wal-marts in the area getting more tents set up.

I am so thankful during a year when Tarboro to most people in Tarboro would say they are having an awful year as they stand at 4-3. They are lead by a coach that continues to do God's work even when expectations on the football field might not be up to everyone in Tarboro's wish.

The duel championships in women's tennis start today as Rocky Mount host Burlington Williams and the Big East #2 team Hunt is on the road at C B Aycock.  RM is 16-1 on the season while Williams is 11-1.  Aycock is 15-1 and Hunt 14-2.  Only two teams from the Big East  make the playoffs in tennis.  If football only had two the playoffs could be over by December.

Today the two Nash County Big East volleyball teams still alive in the Big East tournament travel to the top two teams in the Big East.  Rocky Mount and Northern Nash both won their first round games and they now  Get Fike and Hunt.  The two winners will play for the conference tournament title later this week.

After thoughts:

How bout them Cowboys!  Got to give them credit I never thought they could go to Seattle and beat the Super Bowl champs.

Just doesn't seem the Seahawks are as good as they were last year.  As good as Russell Wilson has played he is a lot better qb with the lead that having to catch up.

Philip Rivers set another NFL record Sunday when he became the first quarterback in NFL history to have a quarterback rating over 120 five games in a row.  He broke the record of four previously held by Johnny Unitas  and Kurt Warner.

The good Manning brother Peyton continues to assault Brett Farves touchdown career total  of 508.  Manning should tie or break the record this weekend.  He now stands at 506. 

Battling Bishops Rolling

North Carolina Wesleyan won their third game in a row Saturday beating La Grange 48-21.  Battling Bishop quarterback Dustin Midgett set a school record tossing six touchdown passes which also tied the USA South record.  Midgett a sophomore from Currituck High school has helped the Battling Bishops to a 3-1 conference record and 4-2 over all record.  Wouldn't you know it,  now that they have won three games in a row and are hot.  They have an off week coming up.

The first week of the conference football races are in the books and Southern Nash's victory over Fike came as a surprise to many but talking with Firebird fans most of the injuries they have had so far this year are over as just about everyone is healthy.  Really good time to be healthy.

Hunt beat Northern in Randy Raper's first return.  Most of the way Hunt goes about their business is a carry over from the 22 years Raper was the head coach.  Why change a winning way?  Now at Northern Raper is trying to get Northern to play that same way that is good for Hunt.  Two teams squared off Friday night and looked the same.  Northern is up and coming.  Under Randy Raper Northern Nash is future is very bright.

Fike  found out Friday night there is no team in the Big East scare of any body else.  I think their losing will probably mean the conference winner may have one loss by the end of the first week in November.  That will not get who ever is number one a very high seed in the playoffs  but in two or three cases this year in the Big East it doesn't matter where they play.

Rocky Mount had little trouble with Nash Central.  I will tell you this one of the best football players in the Big East is Rashawn Harris.  He returned another punt for a touchdown and had a int.  Rocky Mount is a rather good team with him in the lineup. 

Thursday I help Bobby English and the chain crew at Rocky Mount during the JV football game between the Bulldogs and Gryphons.  The chain crew is on the visitors sidelines and you can hear the coaches calling plays.  You should hear some of the calls.  Sounds like CIA Encrypted code.  Noticed every player both Thursday night and Friday for Nash Central as they leave the huddle look at their play sheets as each one had on  their wrist.  This is not the NFL where players watch film six hours a day and go practice for an hour and a half.  They have time to learn all that double  talk where high school kids are suppose to go home and study homework not decode what I'm suppose to do on Bronco right,  zip left, uncle Larry blue  tango.

My old  high school coach Al Vaughn told us his objective every play was make 4 yards.  Any thing more than that was gravy.  I heard this more than once after a five or six yard run.  He would holler out run the same play.  He use to say that one of the most demoralizing things that happens to any team is they can't stop it when they know it's coming.  In Nash Central's case it's hard to make four yards when your players leave the huddle looking at their play sheet. 

Dis-ci-pline

The definition  of discipline has three parts.  1.  Control that is gained by requiring rules or orders to be obeyed and punishing bad behavior.  2.  A way of behaving that shows a willingness to follow rules or orders.  3.  Behavior that is judged by how well it follows a set of rules or orders.

Due to the fact that Campbell volleyball  has played every Friday night since high school football season the Rocky Mount-Nash Central game was only my second Gryphon  varsity football game of the year.  I heard from the crowd several times that the Gryphons had to beat 16 on the field meaning the refs as well as as the players on the field from Nash Central.

The Gryphons were penalized way to many times for personal fouls or unsportsmanlike like conduct. Yes this Gryphon team has outstanding talent as they say at the skilled positions.  It wasn't hard at all to see the infractions of the rules.  The only major penalty I didn't see was the ruffing the passer because I followed the ball down field and at the time the Nash Central passer threw the ball  with no Gryphon on top of him at release.

We already see that the top level of the Big East is once again loaded with teams  that can do great damage to other teams once the playoffs start.  Unless the Gryphons get their act together they will not fall in the category  of a team that will play many nights in November.

You simply can not give good teams first downs by playing stupid.  The Gryphons played the worse team in the Big East Friday and if they continue this type of play they will finish just one slot ahead of the Bulldogs.  A fifth place finish will send they to a very high seed in the playoffs where they will get their heads handed to them on a platter and it will be basketball season.

If you are one of those who thinks the refs are out to get us they probably are.  Since Friday's game was not the first time the Gryphons have had 100 yards of penalties teams get reputations.  Refs know before they step on the field  that Rocky Mount talks too much junk so they are looking for it.  The Gryphons are easy prey for a ref because the first play of the game two Gryphons were in the face of Nash Central's D one football prospect after the play was over.  If I can see it from the stands you know the refs can hear it.

Remaining on the Gryphon schedule is the meat of the Big East.  There is not a game left where they can give the other team a short field or a first down from penalties after they have made a defensive stop.  If these penalties don't stop the Gryphons will not win another game  this year including the playoffs.

That would be very unfortunate because this team has talent.  This team could have the best over all speed in the Big East. Their blocking is average and maybe under sized on the defensive front but speed makes up for Many short comings.  Speed does not make up for undisciplined actions when the team on the other side of the ball is not only good but disciplined.

This past week the North Carolina  Shrine Bowl team was announced an only one player from the Big East made the team and that player is Nash Central's Houshon Gaines.  The defensive end will be in Spartanburg South Carolina on December 20th playing for the North Carolina squad.

Opening Night Great

I don't care what football conference you pull for there is no doubt the Big East is the premium conference east of I 85.  Tonight four of the top five met and if opening night is any indication we are in for another wild year of Big East football

Southern Nash hosted Fike the only unbeaten team to survive the six games of non conference play unblemished but after tonight they have an L in the loss conference as Southern smacks the Golden Demons 42-35.

Hunt hosted Northern Nash and  this game was the return of Randy Raper to the land where he spent 29 years of his coaching life 22 as Hunt's head coach.  Northern scored first but trailed 21-14 at the half.  Hunt scored to move up 31-20 only to see Northern score with a few seconds left and then recovered an on side kick to give themselves one last chance but a desperation heave was intercepted in the end zone and Hunt holds on 31-27.

The most excitement all night at Nash Central was the surprise shower that struck with 2 minutes to go in a game already well under Rocky Mount's control and sent those still at the game scampering for the exits.

Rocky Mount got two penalties before the clock ever started kicking the opening kick off out of bounds twice.  The Gryphons had more penalty yardage on the night than did the Bulldogs  total offense.  Rocky Mount 42- 0 over Nash Central.

Over in Kinston the biggest game of the night in private school eight man football belongs to Rocky Mount Academy 49-42 I bet these two meet again in November.


Beddingfield rips North Johnston 41-6

Tarboro gave notice that they are still the Vikings as on the road they dumped South Creek 49-14.

SouthWest Edgecombe struck for 51 in downing North Pitt 51-21.

North Edgecombe out slugged Rocky Mount Prep 42-6

Gurley Suspended

Thursday afternoon the University of Georgia suspended Heisman trophy Candidate and Tarboro native Todd Gurley for NCAA Violations.  This is such fresh news University of Georgia gave no reason other than allegations.  NFL.com reports Gurley was paid $400 this spring for signing his name on 80 items.

All three Big Four teams from the Triangle are at this  point in the season are right on the cusp of the edge of the cliff.  All three can fall into the valley of doom or there is still time to pick up the pieces but a couple of them the rocks are slipping from under their feet.

North Carolina @ Notre Dame:  This is a winnable game if Carolina plays the best they have played this year.  It would help if the Irish have a let down having won a thrilling last minute game over Stanford.  The way Carolina has played so far I  don't  have the faith.  Notre Dame 31- Carolina 21

Boston College @ N C State:  Winnable, which means losable too.  Look if the Pack is going to be any good this year they have to have this one and break the conference losing streak which is now half of Nash Central's total losing streak.  Pack  31-BC 27

Duke @ Georgia Tech:  Just don't think the Devils are as good as last year especially at quarterback  GT 34-Duke 24

ECU @ South Florida:  Seems as if the Pirates have played at home forever  but they are on the road Saturday.  I wish the Pirates defense had of crushed during last week's home coming.  This one just might be closer than needed. but the Pirates are the best team in the state ECU  38 South Florida 27

Florida State @ Syracuse:  If the Indians show up this is no contest but look no further than N C State gave FSU all they wanted while Clemson had no problem with the Pack,  Best team in ACC comes from either in  Georgia or South Carolina  not Florida but who do the Seminoles have left that can knock them off.  Only themselves.  FSU  42  Syracuse 26

Cincinnati @ Miami:  I like what I see in Miami  but they keep losing games they could win.  I doubt they lose this one   MI 45  Cincy  31

Virginia Tech @ Pittsburgh:  This just might be best game in the ACC on Saturday  Hokies pull it out 26-23

The Heisman watch continues for Tarboro's Todd Gurley  or does it.  We all know how long NCAA investigations take  and Gurley's season may be over.  Without Gurley Missouri will beat Georgia 38-26

North Carolina Wesleyan @ Lagrange.  That that long a trip just to the other side of Goldsboro.  Sorry but this is a trip to Tennessee to play a team that both have only one common opponent Averitt both won 34-31 and 29-28.  This one is at Lagrange where both teams are 3-2  Lagrange 35- NCW 32

Hitch Up Your Britches It's Conference Time

There will be no bigger game played anywhere Friday night than the one right close to the airport in Kinston.  Undefeated Arendell Parrott Academy  6-0 will host Rocky Mount Academy 6-0.  They have just about played the same teams and they have whipped everybody by about the same score.  RMA is averaging about 54 per game while APA 41.  Both have been begrudging on defense RMA about 11 per game while APA 14.  This is a toughie but here's what I think.  RMA could have score a lot more in many games and their roster near 25 players all have had plenty of playing time.  It be close one 46-38 RMA.

The game of the week in The Big East sends Northern Nash 4-2 and Randy Raper back to his old stomping grounds for the first time to Hunt 3-3.  Talk about a toss up game but emotions will be high on both side lines.  I want to pull the trigger for Northern then I think about it some more and then I think Hunt and I think about it some more.  Hunt 28- Northern 27

North Edgecombe 4-2  at Rocky Mount Prep 2-3.  The Warriors will control this one 34-16.  This is one of the better Warrior teams since the departure of Raymond Cobb. 

North Pitt 2-4 at SouthWest Edgecombe 4-2  This might be a better game that the records would indicate but  the Cougars will win it 36 - 24

Fike 6-0 at Southern Nash 3-3:  Fike's favored but they had better not be thinking about their record or this could be a trap game.  Southern holds on to the ball and this could be a dandy.  Fike 42- Firebirds 28.

North Johnston 1-5 at Beddingfield3-3  Every body that has beaten the Bruins have been real good.  North Johnston does not fit that category and this one is all Beddingfield.  38-13

Tarboro 3-3   At South Creek 3-3.  Not sure about how healthy  the Vikings are after the schedule they have played but I think you will see what playing tough teams can do for you when you hit conference and nobody is as tough as you have already played.  Vikes  42- South Creek 14

Rocky Mount 4-2 at Nash Central 0-6.  Rocky Mount had better  be in the right frame of mind getting off the bus  in Bulldog land.  The last three years they have beaten  Central 10-3-  13-6 and 24-16.  really pushed them around haven't they.  Seems like for Central this is their last chance for a win this year against a team they play close all the time.  Gryphons 20- Nash Central 6

Campbell Volleyball is playing conference games in Lynchburg Va Friday and Radford on Saturday.  The Doughtie's are about tripped out for a while and plan to go to The Rocky Mount- Nash Central game. 

Not A Bad Week Picking

Last week in NFL Picks went 11-3 for the week to go to 52-23 on the year.  Only had three high school games and went 3-0 and college got seven out of eight.  The NFL has already whittled down to about six teams that you can just about pick will win each week unless playing each other.  There are about six teams you don't need to pick them any week unless they are play each and then there is about 20 who knows when they play each other who's going to win.  My goal every week is 10-6 and if I hit that I think I had a good week.

Thursday night football just maybe has a good one this week as Indy travels to Houston.  This is  two really good teams  going at it.  The winner has the inside track for the division but the loser will be in the playoff picture to the end.  I doubt that the loser of this game loses more than six games all year.  The Texans win 31-28

Those up and down Steelers take on the better than expected Browns in Cleveland.  That's good enough for me.  Browns 26-23 over the Steelers

There is no worry now Tom Brady is all world Tom Brady again and the Pats will walk in to Buffalo and whomp'em right?  Bills 27 Pats 23.

Panthers travel to the Bengals who had it handed to them by New England.  Panthers beat one of those teams that are probably pretty good  The Bears but are you kidding me Jay Cutler is the quarterback.  He is the greatest bad quarterback in the league. That's a lot like me in school I was the fastest in the slow group.  Bengals 35 Panthers 23

Jacksonville who is not all that bad on defense but not very good on offense.  They are one of the six never pick.  Titans they are in that middle 20 teams.  Take the Titans 31-13

Packers travel to Miami.  Believe this or not if this is a hot day might really favor Miami.  I'm not going to pick against  Mr  State Farm man unless he is hurt which is not very often.  I won't now for sure.  Packers 38- Fish 21

Lions and Vikings.  Here are  two teams in that middle 20 and you never know from week to week what you are going to get.  I like the home team the Vikes  28-26

Broncos at Jets.  Jets just got killed by San Diego and here comes Peyton.  Too bad that San Diego or Denver isn't in the AFC Eastern Division this year cause I think they are going to win all 8 games against the east.  Denver 38-  Jets 17

Ravens Travel to Tampa to take on those annoying Pirates.  Raven had better look out cause Tampa seems to stick around in every game.  Ravens defense too much 23-17

Chargers travel to their arch ememy Oakland.  This is another one of those games if the Chargers blast the Raiders out of the water you had better look out for the Chargers.  Raiders are always pesky to Chargers.  Chargers are down to the 4th string center and 4th string tailback and this is only game six, and yet walked the dog on the Jets.  27-7 Chargers

Chicago at Atlanta.  Another who knows what you are going to get game.  Cutler plays for Chicago and on the road.  That's good enough for me.   Falcons 34- 24.

Cowboys at Seahawks.  Really this game could tell us a lot about the boys.  If this is a down to the wire loss for the Cowboys then they might be good this year.  If they are blown out same old boys.  Hawks 31- Cowboys 23

Skins at Cardinals.  Need to remember since game one  Cardinals have had backup qb in action.  Cards rip the Skins  33-17

Giants at Eagles:  Well Giants loss their first two games and the world was going to end.  They have won three in a row and are now headed to the Super Bowl.  Bout time for the Giants to lose three in a row.  Eagles 42 Giants 28

San Fran at St Louis. We are not talking baseball so San Fran has a chance.  Seems to me the Rams are not quite as bad as they seem.  49's 23 St Louis 20.

Band Wagon One Week Dumpster Fire The Next

The world we live in these days when we can see our college teams play every Saturday or our pro teams on Sunday when all rejoice in victory and we automatically decide how great our team is.  Then the next when they lay and egg we talk about how sorry they are.

Expectations can be a great thing when they are realistic but  can be over amplified when we think to big and it is not true.  Carolina was ranked in the preseason top 25.  That is a great expectation but now almost half way through with the season not realistic.  State won four games in a row against little expected from schools  but when the big boys showed up got put in their place quickly.

Last week I picked Cincinnati to go to New England and win.  Why, we all saw the end of Tom Brady last Monday night.  My thinking was you know New England will play better but I think the undefeated Bengals will pull it out.  What actually happened.  Yes New England after being embarrassed on Monday Night Football  came out and played great.  Cincinnati on the other hand was coming off a bye and for two weeks they heard from their fans and the TV that they are one of only two unbeaten teams in the NFL.  Boy were they ripe for a plucking

Pro football if you are a betting man you had better pick the desperate team that is good over the fat and happy team.  Point in case.  Carolina Panthers 2-0 have that sorry Steeler team coming in  and it is a home game for us.  What happens but the desperate team wore the Panthers out.  Since then the Steelers have proven that they will be no better than 8-8 cause they turned around and loss to Tampa Bay in Pittsburgh.

The question now after being pummeled is where will Cincinnati and Arizona go this week.  The up and down Carolina Panthers who stole one from another up and down team the Bears head to Cincinnati.  If the Bengals are who we think they are they will have a good game and beat the Panthers easily.  The other unbeaten Arizona probably played pretty good but they played Peyton Manning becoming the second quarter back in history to throw 500 touchdown passes.  The were the lamb given to the slaughter.  Bad place at the wrong time.  They play the Redskins at home.  Is anybody picking the Redskins in that one?

So State looked like a JV team playing the varsity they play Boston College in Raleigh.  Two even teams.  If they get stomped this weekend you might need to started digging a grave this team is going no where.  A close fought game win or lose their season is still possible to be good.

Carolina on the other have not looked good at all on defense three weeks in a row.  If  VT can score in the high 30's who can't.  Where was Carolina's offense?  This week they travel to the Golden Dome to play Norte Dame who had a last second win over Stanford and the Irish just might be ripe for picking.  If the Heels get run out their season is gone.

Finally I have thought all weekend about what I could say about the incident at Nash Central on Friday when one of their football players made a formal announcement that he was accepting a scholarship to the University of Florida but none had been offer by the Gators.  Why would  such a thing happen to any program when no coach had made contact with Nash Central since spring from Florida.

A typical spring day football coaches get visits from college recruiters all the time.  They ask coach do you have any players that we might use.  I would hope the coach at Nash Central said yes let me show you a film of high lights of my player.  The coach will ask if he can have a copy and carry it back to his school.  He might also say can I talk to this player because I would like to see what he looks like .  So the recruiter says to the player your coach says you have potential at our school and we might be interested.  Once they get back and all the coaches look at the film and they say no he is not what we are looking for that is it. 

A school showed interest but is not recruiting a typical player.  There is a big difference in recruiting a player and asking about a player.  The head coach at Nash Central should have called to find out what do you think , we haven't heard from you so what gives.  Oh we are not interested.  So all of this twitter hullabaloo that the player was trapped in could have been stopped by a coach looking out for his player. That might be one reason they have lost 19 in a row.

Big Four Lack Defensive Speed

Let's think back to just about every game in which any of the Big Four football teams plays someone that is highly rated and in all most every case they all find themselves behind  early because the other team has tremendous speed and it takes a while to adjust to speed.

North Carolina's opening game loss last year at South Carolina down 21-0 early.  Saturday State is down 21 before they ever got a first down.  Duke against Florida St in the ACC championship game just not capable to keep up with the Florida State speed.  Saturday Wake who can't move the ball on anybody can't slowdown the Seminoles offensive speed.

I don't care if you give up 70 Carolina looked awful against ECU.  Just as bad the other way the State blockers couldn't block anybody that had a Garnet jersey on.  Both were embarrassing.  Right now there is no doubt the best coach in the Triangle is David Cutcliff.

Rumblings are stirring about Larry Fedora not being able to coach defense.  In Fedora's defense the Carolina Administration lied to the man  and did not tell him the truth about all the scandal that was on the horizon in Chapel Hill.  If any body needs to go it's all those that lied and hire him to begin with.  Oh, that's right they are gone already.

 I think one of the worse things about the modern world of Win every game or go is coaches are not given time to do it their way.  Especially the mess Carolina handed him.  In Raleigh the signs look good that they have a good man if given time.  They surely can beat teams worse than them and it is only the second year for Doeren.

The big difference for Duke this year is they don't have the second string quarterback they had last year because he went home to California to be nearer his sick mother.  If you recall Boone got bailed out of several games last year but there is no one on the bench to bail him out this year.

Wake in the first year under their new coach they look like a team floundering under a new coach that wants to install his own offense with the old coaches players.  He needs more time.

The only team that looks like they are hungry is the Pirates.  Quite frankly I was disappointed in the way they played home coming Saturday but a win is a win.  I hope now that they are in conference play they are ready each Saturday to blow people out.  A really good bowl game could come if they do. 

Finally the answer to my trivia question yesterday is Austin Texas.  Austin is the 11th largest city in the US and does not have a NFL, NBA, Major League or NHL team.  When I stumbled on this I thought Austin was about the size of Raleigh but they have 883,000 people in the city limits.  The most famous thing Austin is noted for is it is the home of the University of Texas and the PBS show Austin City Limits is recorded there.

Those Other High School Sports

Football gets all the attention and as far as the Big East football is concerned and the first conference games start this Friday.. All of the other fall sports are either finished with the regular season or almost done and the playoffs start soon.  Let's give the other kids some notice.

Girls Tennis:  Rocky Mount dominated the regular season going 10-0 and 16-1 over all.  Their 89 singles matches played during conference the Lady Gryphons were 80-9. Four of those losses came in a 5-4 win over Hunt.  Hunt and Fike having winning conference records with everyone else trailing the field.  The Big East Tennis Tournament starts Wednesday at Barton.  Rocky Mount's  lone loss on their schedule was to Cardinal Gibbons and you know at some point in the playoffs they will have to meet the so called no scholarship  Private school.

You don't have to look too far to see who has the best Cross country team. Northern has dominated conference runs plus place high up against all schools any time they have run in invitationals beating most 4-A schools.  This squad has a real shot when the regionals and state comes up at placing at least top five which this year might be a disappointment cause they could win it all.

Boys Soccer:  If you want to see where the best in the Big East reside you will have to go to Wilson County.  Hunt and Fike both are scrapping at the top with Northern Nash as the only other team with a winning conference record.  Rocky Mount is 500 but the Big East power is at Fike and Hunt.

Girls Volleyball:  Once again you need to visit Wilson County as Fike and Hunt have lost only game between themselves as volleyball regular season ends this week.  Northern is 5-3 and everybody else  is looking from the bottom up on the top teams.

I hate to beat  dog  down but I have to ask the question about what is going on at Nash Central.  The football team has yet to win, Volleyball has one conference win, tennis has one conference victory and at this point Soccer has yet to win a conference game. 

I ran across and interesting fact that I want you to ponder.  Can you name the largest city in America that does not have even one of the so call big four professional sports team. First of all I was shocked at the size of this city and can't believe for it's size they don't have some kind of pro team.  Answer on Monday.

Life Changing Opportunity

Friday night made the trek to Buies Creek for another conference Volleyball game and which Campbell came back from the dead in the fifth set down 8-13 to win 16-14 to win their second conference game of the year to go 2-0.

I'm working on Saturday so wife Pat drove and I came back after the game while she is staying at the Lillington Hilton.  While heading down I'm thinking only got three football games tonight what am I going to fill space with  only three games and I am not at any of them?

I started playing in organized sports when I was eight years old and after high school have spent another 43 being a part time/full time broadcaster of sports.  I guess God has blessed my family as having a cousin Lauren playing minor league golf, a son Brooks  even though he graduated from N C State in a field related to Coastal Enviroment has been a coach for more than six years in the Tri Athlon field.  The final daughter  Morgan the manager of the Campbell Volleyball team has decided that coaching is where she wants to be.  The apples have not fallen far from the old tree.

Tonight while in the middle of the second set  at 7:40pm received a text from son Brooks. "Dad, Just got game changer of my life.  Have been selected as a developing coach for the USA  Triathon Oympic Team"  WOW I sat stunned for a few seconds.  In six short years Brooks has gone from  a kid still trying to figure where he wanted to be in life  to maybe the fifth top USA Tri coach in the country. I've been broadcasting for all this time and ESPN never called me.

The USA is not a major contender in the Olympics as of yet but the National Tri Association thinks Brooks is one of those that can help get us there.  He will help with those contenders to make the Olympic team in 2016 but the realism is 2020.

This may require a move to Scottsdale Arizona where the Tri training Center is located but Tri Athletes train and race  all over the world so this will not be a stay at home every night job.   Boy I won't sleep for a week after this news.

Ok, lets talk ball:  As expected RMA crushed Northeast Academy 58-0.  SouthWest Edgecombe punished East Carteret 49-16 and the Big game in the area Southern Nash out scores Tarboro 46-27.  I don't think any team at any level has played the quality schedule that the Vikings have and record wise you would say "not very good this year" Look they have not played a 1A school yet this year and this is what happens when you don't have D1 players on your squad.  They will be alright starting next week as long as they are healthy.

Heading to bed to thank the Good Lord for a wonderful day..  All days are great but some are just more special. 

Big Four Schools Need A Win

Had another 6-4 week in college picks having gotten three of the four Big Four right.  Jump to 42-14 on the year.

Virginia Tech @ North Carolina.  VT upset Ohio State and their offense has stunk ever since.  What does that tell you about Ohio State.  Heels will get plenty of points and they just might hold the Gobblers under 30.  NC 44 VA Tech 28

Pack @ Clemson.  This game will go along way in letting us know if the Pack is better this year.  Don't think they will win but I bet it is a barn burner.  If they get blown out not many wins left for Raleigh.  38-35 Tigers

Wake Forest @ FSU.  Deacs offense probably will not score 10.  You know Tallahassee will get 50.  FSU 56 WF 10

SMU @ECU Here is a tester for the Pirates.  Pirates should will by 50.  Two weeks off after one of the greatest slaughters in Pirate history. The Pirates need to crush the horses from opening whistle.  ECU. 48-3

Averitt @ North Carolina Wesleyan.  The Battling Bishops win their second in a row 31-20.

Pitt @ Virginia  The Whoos are a good team this year.  Pitt is not, Virginia 38 Pitt 28

Louisville @ Syracuse. The Cards take down the Cuse 35-20

Miami @ Georgia Tech. Rambling Wreck is undefeated, Miami should have beat Duke badly but didn't.   The wreck remains undefeated 27-23

You may not heard about this but last Saturday night  Todd Gurley was accused of assault in a bar in Athens Georgia.  Here we go again another athlete  trying to get away with any thing they want.

Turns out the accuser had been taking selfies all night with Todd in the background pictures. Some time during the night  the accuser dropped his hat but he thought Gurley had grab it and started cursing Gurley.  Some white dude cold cocked the accuser and the next day the accuser  went to the police thinking Gurley had hit him  and filed charges on Gurley.

The police looked at security film in the bar and Gurley was cleared of any miss doings.   You know when you are famous there are plenty of people looking to benefit  from your fame and young kids get caught up being in the wrong place at the wrong time.  This was a case of mistaken idenity since the accuser never saw the punch.

Gurley gets 200 yards again as we have reach the point where Georgia will force feed Todd Gurley the ball in the Heisman Trophy Race.  Georgia 45 Vanderbilt 28.

Slack High School Week For Games

There is always a debate about off weeks.  If you are rocking and rolling you hate to break the momentum that your team has  going.  Fike sits in that position as they are the only unbeaten team in the league.

If you sit at the opposite end of the the spectrum like Nash Central and have no wins there are just not enough days of practice left before conference.  You look for the magic potion that will turn you around over night.

The next level is Northern Nash, Hunt, Rocky Mount.  All three have shown signs of greatness and all three have looked bad at times.  Those in the middle win games they shouldn't and lose one that give away.  If you sit in this category you have shown potential and just maybe a week off you discover what you have been striving for.

Southern Nash the lone team in the league playing Friday fits in the Northern, Hunt and Rocky Mount.  They could if all the parts finally fit  make a run for the title.  Funny thing about all the parts sometimes teams never find the right parts.

Will Fike keep rolling or will somebody in the middle and jump up and grab everybody else by the throat and win the league? Those that have injuries are hoping a week off cures all to full health. Next week the playoffs begin and the bottom line is who wants it the most will win it.  It will help along the way if a fumble bounces your way or you get a ref's call and of course you have to stay healthy.

Only seven games to pick last week and went 7-0 which runs my high school record for the season to 42-10.

Tarboro @ Southern Nash:  Neither team has followed the GPS route to solid football.  Both need this one to get from making a U turn to get back on course.  This is going to be low scoring for somebody.  The Firebirds win a close on 16-14.

East Carteret @Southwest Edgecombe:  I doubt this one is close.  The Cougars warm up for the Eastern Plains with a romp.   Cougars 42 East Carteret 13

Northeast Academy @ Rocky Mount Academy:  Another pick the score game for the Eagles.  68-8 sounds about right to me.