Third Round Horror

There were only two local teams playing football on this Friday night and both teams were representing Edgecombe County and both were on the road.  Over in Elizabeth City the high powered speed of the Northeastern Eagles were taking on the SouthWest Edgecombe Cougars which this was a classic matchup of will speed or power win this one.

It did not take long as the Eagles took the opening kickoff and marched down the field to lead 7-0.  The Cougars responded by marching with their opening drive but a missed extra point and the water started pouring over the dam after that.  NE march with their second drive and the Cougars fumbled the kickoff and before you could blink it was 21-6 at the end of the quarter and 34-6 at the half.

It didn't get any better for the Cougars gave up two more scores and Northeastern went for a two point conversion to get the lead to 42 and the clock running.  When you are that far ahead get the game over and hope you have no injuries for the Eastern final.. Northeastern 48- SouthWest Edgecombe 6

Tarboro had a first quarter much like SWE as they found themselves down 15 to nothing in the first quarter against the defending 1-AA state champs James Kenan.  Both teams put scores on the board in the second to give Kenan a 22-6 halftime lead. 

Tarboro's defense stood tall in the second half and the offense scored but once as the defending state champs have beaten Tarboro 22-14.  This knocks every team from our area out of football for this season and it is now on to basketball.

Tonight now that Rocky Mount is out of the playoffs the basketball teams are in Asheville spending the night where Saturday morning they will be taking part in the second annual Coaches versus Cancer  at the University of North Carolina Asheville.  This is of course the North Carolina High school coaches Association high school version  in North Carolina of what the college coaches have been doing for several years.

The Lady Gryphons 1-0 on the season take on Hayesville a 1-A school  who will be playing their first game this season at 10am while the boys 0-1 will play in the second game of the day against East Chapel Hill. ECH is 2-1 having already beaten Hunt 54-49 and Carrboro while losing to Chapel Hill.

Friday night N C State won their 6th game of the season and are 6-0 for the first time since 2004.  They beat Boise State 60-54.  The Pack is second in the ACC so far if you are looking at RPI as Duke is 8th and State Top 30.  No other ACC team at this point have played any tougher schedule according to the RPI.

Sports Not All About The Glory

Every game when we celebrate victory over on the other side of the field is a team that lost a game.  Sometimes in order to achieve glory there are heartaches and pains to endure.  Two local athletes from this area have major injuries at their colleges and there are questions about their future sports endeavors.

Far from the spot light heard this week that MJ Gainey while playing basketball at Newport News Apprentice school has suffer the same knee injury that sidelined him his junior season at Rocky Mount high.  You may recall during the state championship game when Rocky Mount had the game at hand Gainey played the last minute still In a heavy knee brace and made a lay up near the buzzer which sent many in the stands to tears not only for the joy  of a Gryphon victory but for MJ getting in the game and scoring after being a major part of that state championship team.  This new injury may bring an end to MJ's basketball  career.

It was announced Tuesday that Todd Gurley underwent successful knee surgery which may have brought an end to Gurley's college career.  Gurley a junior at Georgia before his injury was in major conversation as the best college football player in the country.  Now a junior Gurley has the option to turn pro and may never play another down for Bulldogs.

6-2  last week on the picks which run my guess record to 85-30 on the season.   This is the last week of the regular season so this is last week of college picks this season.

Pack at Tar Heels:  I think this will be a good game as both team already bowl eligible.  Only thing they are playing for is this is the State-Carolina game.  Carolina 38-State 28

Deacs at Devils:  Duke offense struggling but Wake has no offense.  Duke 17-3

ECU at Tulsa:  A win is a better bowl game for the Pirates  38-23.

Pitt at Miami:  Miami is home 31-27

Florida at Florida State:  FSU field goal late wins it 31-21

Georgia Tech at Georgia:  Has the makings of great game.  Georgia at home wins. 33-28

South Carolina at Clemson:  Who is the  Clemson quarterback is the big question?  Clemson 28-26

Virginia at Virginia Tech:  a loss and VT has a losing record.  Tech 23 Virginia 21

Kentucky at Louisville:  Interstate rivalry goes to Louisville  38-27

Syracuse at BC:  BC isn't a bad team at all.  BC 24-19.