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.