NFL Picks Better But Not Great

Went 10-6 this past Sunday to raise my over all record 23-25.  I am glad I am not into fantasy football because I would be in last the way I'm going this season.  One reason I don't  Like fantasy is I think I would have a hard time pulling for a player in fantasy who was going up against either Carolina or San Diego.

Here we go:

Ravens 0-3 at Steelers 2-1:  No Big Ben but looks like this is a 6-10 season for the Ravens.  I'll take Steelers but this is a hard pick.  Steelers 16 Ravens 13

Jets 2-1 are Miami 1-2: Looks like Miami Can't score  and Jets probably can stop the Dolphins   24-13

Giants 1-2 at Bills 2-1:  I doubt the Giants can score enough to win this game.  21-13 Bills

Carolina 3-0 at Tampa 1-2:    Just seems like Carolina will play to the level of the team they are playing.  Some how or other they manage not to lose.  Carolina 26 Bucs 24

Eagles 1-2 at Redskins  1-2:  I think the Eagles will be near top of division by season end..  Philly 35 Skins 23

Raiders 2-1 at Da Bears:  0-3:  Raiders get Denver next week, might be for first place.  Raiders 26 Bears 10

Texans 1-2 at Falcons 3-0:  Can't see this being close.  Falcons 38 Texans 24

Chiefs 1-2 at Cincinnati 3-0:  bout time for Cincy to get clipped.  Chiefs two losses to Denver and Green Bay.  Cincinnati will not win this game.   KC 23 Cincy 20

Browns 1-2 at Chargers 1-2:  Chargers home Chargers Win 33-23

Packers 3-0 at 49's 1-2:  right now Packers best team in NFC.  9'ers are not very good. 34-20 Pack

Rams 1-2 at Cards 3-0:  Second best team in NFC is Cards.  I don't like what I see with Nick  Foles in St Louis:  Cards 31 Rams 20

Vikings 2-1 at Denver:  3-0:    I know they are undefeated but I don't see Denver winning AFC West but they will go to 4-0. 24-21

Cowboys 2-1 at Saints 0-3:  Boys will not play like Carolina did last week.. Big D 35 Saints 20

Lions 0-3 at Seattle 1-2:  Seattle is home and they have 12 players on field during home games. 26-22 Hawks.

Jags 1-2 at Colts 1-2:  Andrew Luck will throw a pick and will be behind for about five minutes Indy 38 Jags 16.

This is the first week with two teams having byes.

Rainy Function At The Junction

The game was put off because of Friday night weather but Monday was not much better and the show is on.  The home team took advantage in the first half to race out to a 21-6 lead but the Vikings score just before the half to make a 21-12 SouthWest Edgecombe lead.

The second half Tarboro fumbles inside their own ten yard line and gives the Cougars a 28-12 lead.  A poor snap by SWE results in a safety but in the battle of the unbeaten streak SouthWest Edgecombe is the 2015 Edgecombe County  champion. 28-14 over Tarboro.

There is no doubt Nash Central offense has improved drastically over the last few years.  Up to this point the Bulldog defense has not improved as much as the offense.  Tonight they had a tough foe and Bunn offense scores almost at will.  Bunn 77 Nash Central 37

Other Monday scores:

The Knights of Northern Nash have scored 73 points their last two games as they keep Smithfield Selma winless 35-7.

Fike 43 Corinth Holders 21. looks like Fike has found a defense knocking Holders to a one loss team
Hunt 21 Beddingfield 14. You want to compare scores?  Fike beat Beddingfield a couple weeks back 21-13.
Here's one I love DH Conley 37 Rose 14  wonder if Rose left their starters in this one to run up the score

Last year at this time Nash Central football player Houshun Gaines was making news declaring that he was accepting a football offer from University of Florida.  Florida burst his bubble by declaring no offer had been made.  One year later Gaines now at Virginia Tech is expected to be redshirted.  He wears number 41 and is listed at 6 feet 4 inches and 225.

Speaking of Virginia Tech it seems that the Hokies are going through the same events that both Florida State and  Penn State   Went through in when is it time for a legend coach to give up coaching.  Bobby Bowden at FSU and Joe Paterno at PSU both were duking it out as the all times wins leader in college football and both during their last five years or move no longer had their school as a major power.

Tech is faced with the same problem. Frank Beamer brought VA Tech  from the unknown and ten years in a row they won at least 10 games and Mike Vick led them to a National Championship game.  Florida ST, Penn ST and now Virginia Tech hates to be the school that looks ungrateful for the service that these legendary coaches obtained while at their school.

Beamer wants to retire on his time schedule but the Hokies look to be headed for another year of 6-6 or 7-5 season.  The last 25 years they have been better than that but not Any more.

Gurley Plays First Game

Years from now Todd Gurley may not want to remember much about his first game other than it was his first game.  Gurley came in the first drive for the Rams in the second quarter and by day's end carried the pigskin 6 times for 9 yards.  He had one catch for 5 yards.

Coach Jeff Fisher of the Rams had said before the game that he wanted  Gurley to get some touches this week and feed him some more next week depending on how he felt after the game.  There is no doubt it will be a game to remember as the Rams ran out on the field The fireworks pyrotechnics caught a patch of  turf on fire.

  This caused a 25 minute delay as they had to vacuum all the plastic of the carpet and get up all the fire extinguisher residue up before they could play.  This modern world we live in.  Players use to play on fields where the infield from a baseball field portion of a stadium  was at one end.  Today the NFL protects their million dollar players at all cost.

Thank goodness for backup quarterbacks.  ECU turned to Backup quarterback James Summers late in the first half against Virginia Tech.  Tied 14-14 Summers ran 21 times for 168 yards the second highest rushing total in Pirate history for a quarterback.  He tossed one TD in leading the Pirates to another victory over the ACC.  It is their fifth win in a row.

Floundering North Carolina went with backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky  and the Carolina backup passed 17-20 and four touchdown tosses and propelled Carolina to their third win in four starts this season.

You would think on a rainy day in Durham Georgia Tech would control any game in the slop.  Duke  dominated the Yellow Jackets way more than Notre Dame did last week.

Don't care how you rate NC State's 4-0 start and it's competition they have dominated all four.  State will find out whether they are as good as their start Saturday hosting Louisville.

Winston Salem State wins the Down East Viking Classic 17-10 over Elizabeth City State.  If you listen to the David Glenn State wide radio show you would know during the fotball season he goes around with his tailgate tour and I e-mailed Glenn late last week requesting putting the Down East Viking Classic on his schedule next year.  No response as of yet.

Jordan Speith capped a great year  by winning the Fed Ex Cup championship yesterday on the PGA tour.  Two majors and two regular events and the yesterday's win.  Not a back year winning 22 million dollars on the year.

We Live In A It's Not My Fault World

The recent happenings that two high school players attacked a game official while a game was in progress in Texas is another example that our world is in deep trouble.  The reason supposedly was that that official use racial comments to those players. The aftermath has brought forth that an assistant coach encouraged the players to attack the official.  The other team involved says that no racial comments were heard by them during the entire game to either team.

This week the assistant coach has resigned his job after admitting that he told the two players to attack the Ref.  It is my opinion that that coach should be banned from every associating with high school people ever again.  If he is a class room teacher he should be fired  because that is no way for a person responsible to  teach our children  should teach.  To me this is a lifetime offense never to even teach again.

The players action deserves some type of punishment maybe to the point of banning them from playing any sports for the rest of the school year.  These two players were 15 and 17 and whether they know right from wrong they are old enough that they should. 

Sports has all kind of rules that try to make the game as fair as possible.  Jumping across the line too soon to get an advantage over the other team.  Blocking a player in the back when he is about to tackle your player.  Any time a player violates one of those rules they are punished with a penalty.  This assault on the official goes beyond breaking the game rules but is an act that is  criminal.

We have come to the point that you can no longer tell someone that his mama  wears army boots  like it was in my day.  We have come to the point in America that if you claim it to be so  then it is ok to opening destroy anything.  Now that all the facts are in on Ferguson Missouri and evidence is there that the police officer was assaulted in his car with the victims blood, we now live in a society that we now have every reason to burn the town down regardless of the truth.

We now live where everyone wants to be a victim  because if I am a victim then I can do anything I want and get away with it. 

Right up to this point I have never seen the coach, players or ref involved other than hearing accounts of the attack on radio.  I don't know what the truth is but I do know we live in a world today that truth no longer matters as long as I can play the victim.  I would really like to know what the score of the game was at the time this assault took place.  I bet they were losing the game.

Our world is falling apart and I think we can all think when it started to happen.  When God was taken out of the schools we have now raised three generations of children that don't know who God is.  They have never opened a bible and seen the truth and when you have no knowledge of right and wrong you will always do wrong first because that is easier to do.  I would almost bet that the coach is of these three generations.  If so we have in place a society where right and wrong will be  less important.  That does not lead us to a very promising future.

Brings Back Memories

First of all found out something about this blog Friday night that I didn't know. My regular Friday blog during football season is my guesses about college football.   I wrote it earlier in the week and saved it to use on Friday.  Since Rocky Mount  moved their game to Thursday night I wrote about the game Thursday night.  Some time Thursday I accidentally hit the publish button and for a couple of minutes my college picks were on line.  When I discovered it I took it off line and after the few  Friday night games were over I added the scores to the college picks and hit publish.  I guess since it was originally published  Thursday my college football guesses are before the Rocky Mount game report. I think I have learned that I had better watch what button I touch on any report that I have done ahead of time.

Now let's turn the clock back to memories.  Friday night not many schools in the area were brave enough to slosh through the rain but Southern Nash did.  You all know I spent a lifetime doing play by play of Ahoskie High and through 1992 Hertford County.  HC played Southern Nash in the 3-A  playoffs two years in a row back in the ninety's.

They met each other for the first time in 1990 in Ahoskie and the Firebirds won 37-21.  The very next year on a night just like last night they met in the playoffs at Southern Nash.  As I recall the rain was worse in fact at the coin toss the Football Friday camera crew which were at mid field to show the toss put the camera on the feet of the players and their shoes were under water.

It turned out to be a classic game as Southern Nash won again 18-14 and they held Hertford late in the game from scoring.  So I know because I was  there that night that Southern Nash loves to play in the mud and it worked again last night.

It is funny how you remember things but earlier in the day at that point in my life I sold mobile telephones and pagers and I had been in the woods in the middle of Northampton County where we had installed a telephone on a log truck. By late morning on the way to Halifax Road just outside Dortches to show a customer how to operate his new cell phone  going through Weldon on highway 301 I was shot by a BB gun.

Yes that's right it was about 95 degrees that day an as I'm riding through Weldon my passenger side window blows up.  I thought maybe it was so hot that my window exploded.  I stopped by the road to figure out what happened and realized that I had been hit in my right rib.  Since I was going down 301 toward Halifax I stopped at the Sheriffs office and told those folks something had happened to me and I don't know what.

I thought that a piece of glass had hit me when the glass shattered an my skin had produced one drop of blood but nothing had entered me.  The deputy got on his hands and knees as sifted through the glass which was all over my car.  He found a slug which could be shot from a BB gun.

So later that night after driving on in to Rocky Mount with a passenger side window blown out helping a new customer with a phone drove back to Ahoskie only to return to do play by play in a rain storm at Southern Nash.

So every time I see Southern Nash play  in a sloppy field it brings back to me a day  out of my past which includes The Firebirds and a busted window and what a trooper I was with a band aide on my right rib to let everyone know back home a playoff football game.

Gryphons Rebound

Smithfield Selma @ Northern Nash moved to Monday 7pm
Bunn @ Nash Central Monday 6:30

Kipp Pride @ North Edgecombe Monday
Rocky Mount Prep @ Word of God Postponed

There were a couple of questions that the Rocky Mount Gryphons needed to answer early in this game with Hoke County.  Did the Gryphons still have concussion like symptoms after the crushing loss to Rose? Would the Gryphons take the 0-5 Bucks seriously?

The answer was no lingering effects from the Rose game and yes the Gryphons were ready to play.  What they ran into was the third best team that they have played to this point in the season and the Gryphons shut out the Bucks in the second half for a 35-14 victory.

Rocky Mount took the opening kickoff and promptly Moved  down the field aided by a long pass to get the ball deep in Hoke County Territory. Terrell Forbes off left tackle scored from two yards out to give Rocky Mount a 6-0 lead at the 9:40 mark in the first quarter.

The Bucks fumbled the kickoff and found themselves at the one yard line. A procedure penalty backed the ball to the three inch line but the Bucks kept the ball for 14 plays until they were stopped at the fifty.  They ate up almost all of the quarter.

Rocky Mount quickly moved the ball to the eight yard line and scored on the first play of the second quarter on a quarterback sneak by Forest Bell to give the Gryphons a 14-0 lead after Nick Bynum rolled in for the two point conversion.

Looking for the pass Hoke sprung tailback Jacob Rushing for a 54 yard jaunt and with the two point conversion the score at the 10:17 mark in the half to make the score 14-8.  B J Sanders scored from three yards out on the Gryphons third drive of the game with 49 seconds in the half.  The extra point made it 21-8 but Rushing broke another biggie and Hoke scored with 18 seconds in the half on 12 yard pass from quarterback Kevin Thorpe to wide receiver Andre Pegues.  They missed the two pointer to cut the lead to 21-14.  Despite only 18 seconds the Gryphons ended the half deep in Hope County territory.

Hoke opened the third quarter having to punt the ball.  The Gryphon offense scored on every procession in the third quarter twice so with an offense that punched  out yardage whenever they needed it.  BJ Sanders scamper 22 yards to give the boys in blue a 28-14 lead.

Another punt by Hoke gave the Gryphon first team offense one more try and they scored with 59 second left in the third on a three yard run by Angelo Collins.  The defense once again put a stop on a
Hoke drive and Jason Battle turn the game over to the second team and many snaps were waiting for the clock to get to five seconds to snap the ball.

Hoke County having trouble stopping  the run were at the mercy of Forest  Bell as he  hit four of five in the game passing for near 100 yards.   Gryphons get a week off and head to conference play standing at 4-2.  Gryphons 35 Hoke County 14.

Upcoming College Football Weekend

Friday night scores
North Raleigh Christian Academy 31 NE Carolina Prep 6
RMA 62 Wilson CC 26
Southern Nash 49 Ayden Grifton 33

The games were of more quality this weekend so after a 27-3 record  the first two weeks, dropped to 10-4 running my record to 37-7.  Several teams idle this week but plenty games to pick.

Samford 2-1 @ Louisville 0-3:  This is Samford not Stanford.  Louisville will finally get in the win  column.  The Ville 38 Samford. 16

LSU 3/0 @ Syracuse 3-0:  LSU might be best in SEC while Syracuse is in the middle of ACC.  LSU 26 The Orange 10

Northern Illinois 2-1 @ Boston College 2-1:  This will be a ball game.  BC was shutout by Florida State while NI almost took down Ohio State.  NI goes into Boston and wins.  27-17

Boise State 2-1 @ Virginia 1-2:  The team with the blue field travels east and picks on the ACC.  BS 34 Thomas Jefferson 24

Miami 3-0 @ Cincinnati 2-1:  No doubt the quality of games is getting better.  This is a tough road game for the Canes.  The Canes struggle but pull out a win.  Hurricanes 27 Cincinnati 24

Virginia Tech 2-1 @ ECU 1-2:  This is best Tech team in a while.   ECU still trying to find themselves.  You can count on a supreme effort from the Pirates but the Hokies win in Greenville.  30-20.

Georgia Tech 2-1 @ Duke 2-1:  both teams lost last week but Tech probably lost more than Duke in Defeat.  I am not sure Duke is as good this year as recent years.  Tech in order to still be in the running for a major bowl needs this one.  Tech 36 Duke 27

Delaware 1-2 @ North Carolina 2-1.  I smell 60 for the Heels.  Delaware hasn't really played anybody and are 1-2.  1-3 by dark Saturday.  Carolina 56 Blue Hens 20

NC State 3-0 @ South Alabama  2-1:  The Pack looks for real but they can't afford to head into Louisville game on a downer so they don't need to be looking ahead.  Pack finishes their non conference schedule 34 20 over S Ala.

The ACC was 3-2 in the ACC/Big ten Challenge if you want to call it that.  Those games tore my week up since I had call on only one ACC to win.

Final Tuneup Friday

Gryphon Football Tonight At 6:30.  Weather Permitting
Tarboro @ SouthWest Edgecombe moved to Monday

Started the season 26-3 in and last week went a meager 6-3 running record to 32-6.  This is the final week before the playoff push starts so this is the last chance to tune up and rest next week and heal any injuries any team might have.

Hoke County 0-5 @ Rocky Mount 3-2:  Hoke has given up 48 points in every game and averaging giving up 54 per game.  They have played all 4A schools so the Gryphons had better not sleep on this one.  Gryphons win 38-20.

Smithfield Selma 0-5 @ Northern Nash 1-4:  I  told you last week Northern needed to show me something and that something was that they had figured out how to score  on offense.  They have no problem with defense.  38 points last week convinces me and  they have  a home game against a team they could shutout.  Northern Nash 35 SS 14

Bunn 3-2 @ Nash Central 1-4:  Seems as if the Bulldog defense needs work.  May not be a good game to have trouble on defense.  Bunn 38 Nash Central 14

Ayden Grifton 3-2 @ Southern Nash 3-2:  So  far this season the Firebirds offense not like most powerful Southern Nash offenses.  Defense doing it's job but not lights out defense. This one could be a test but AG  is not a Tarboro.  Firebirds 34 AG 14.

Community Christain 2-2 @ Rocky Mount Academy 4-1:  Another 50 on the board for the Eagles. 54 -  22.

Kipp Pride 0-4 @ North Edgecombe 3-1:  North Edgecombe putting a great year together.  They will add to that year Friday night.  NE 36 Pride 6

Tarboro 5-0 @ SouthWest Edgecombe 5-0:  Don't know whether any of the Cougars wins are against anybody in Tarboro's league.  Doesn't matter because this will be a game.  This game will not determine a conference championship but a county championship will do.Tarboro 23 SWE 21

North East Carolina Prep 2-2 @ North Raleigh Christian Academy 2-2.  Losers of two in a row but NECP gets back on track. 48-13.

Rocky Mount Prep 1-2 @ Word of God 2-1: Prep scored 50 last week and lost. Hard one to call but WOG wins 26-18

NFL Week Three

Gryphons Football game with Hoke County has been moved to Thursday Night @ 6:30 due to the pending rain moving up the coast.  Rain is in the forecast for Wednesday night-Thursday and Friday and if game is rained out Thursday it will be moved to Monday.

Is it possible that New England has beaten everyone in the AFC East so much over the last 15 years that all the AFC east  teams are intimidated by New England?  If you have been with me over the years I have told the intimidation story back when I was doing play by play while it was still called Ahoskie High. 

Sitting in the press box in Roanoke Rapids some time around 1980 and RR had one of their best starts in history 5-0.  There was a stretch where Ahoskie wore out Roanoke Rapids every year and Ahoskie was coming off a 2nd place finish in the state in 1979 and were 4-1 in 1980.  I was sitting beside the RR radio  play by play man and we were both in commercials just before kickoff.  One of the RR coaches heading to the top of the  press box to go on top to call plays started up the ladder  and the RR's play by play man asked the coach "How we going to do tonight coach?.  We are so tight, we think the Green Bay Packers are here.  Ahoskie won 47-0.  I think the AFC East teams all think New England is the Green Bay Packers!

Todd Gurley was not on the St Louis playing roster Sunday after all.  He worked out on the field before the game like all 53 men do that are part of the 53 man roster but was not put on the game day roster.  Word from coach Fisher  is they will look again next week.  If bet he plays because they  play at home and the running game sucked at Washington.

Thursday Night football starts with the NFC East battle. Had worse week ever picking games.  Went 4-12 running my two week total to 13-19.  Looks like We need new picker.  Embarrassing !


Redskins 1-1 @ Giants 0-2:  Redskins looked like world champs for a half Sunday while Giants play prevent win football. Giants 23 Redskins 17

Atlanta 2-0 @ Dallas 2-0:  Dallas will struggle scoring while Atlanta will win NFC South.  Falcons 23 Dallas 17

Colts 1-1 @ Titans 1-1:  I think Colts will have trouble winning on the road. Right now they are having trouble any where.  Titans 26 Colts 17

Raiders 1-1 @ Browns 1-1:  I thought Raiders were going to improve this year.  A victory in Cleveland would go a long way.  Raiders 23 Brownies 16

Bengals 2-0 @ Ravens 0-2:  I think Bengals great at home Ravens win Baltimore 27 Cincy 20

Jags 1-1 @ Patroits 2-0 :  This  is not AFC east games and Jags  are not terrible.  Pats 34 Jacksonville 20

Saint 0-2 @ Panthers 2-0:  Preseason picks I would expect Saints to win this one.  No Bree's no Saints win Carolina 3-0 26-10.

Eagles 0-2 @ Jets 2-0 :  What happened to the Eagle offense that would change the NFL?  Jets D looks  like a winning D.  Jets 26 Eagles 23

Tampa Bay 1-1 @ Texans 0-2.  Bucs will Need to have another starting quarterback to go down in order to win this one. Houston 27 Tampa 21


Chargers 1-1 @ Vikings 1-1 :  Chargers have played only NFC North teams so far.  All NFL teams play better at home.  If Chargers hold on to the ball they win 27-26

Steelers 1-1 @ Rams 1-1:  Pitt had better be ready for Todd Gurley.  Rams 30 Steelers 27

49er's 1-1 @ Cardinals 2-0:  Don't think 9ers are very good.  Cards 33 SF 16

Bills 1-1 @ Dolphins 1-1:  Everyone thought both teams might take down New England  this year.  Loser will be two games behind NE Miami 26 Buffalo 21

Bears 0-2 @ Seahawks 0-2:  This  will be a mercy killing Hawks 33 Bears 13

Broncos 2-0 @ Detroit 0-2:  Denver 38 Detroit 13

Chiefs 1-1 @ Packers 2-0:  Chiefs have hangover from their giveaway last week.  Packers 27 Chiefs 13.

Bad News For The ACC

Notre Dame's dominate performance over Georgia Tech is bad news for the ACC in their bid to get a team in the final four college playoff.  As of now the team that I thought was the best GT has a loss. Florida State and Clemson just seem to be good but not great.  Miami had a big win over a once great program Nebraska but I don't know about lately.

The next big chance for the ACC is the Irish travel to Clemson in a couple of weeks.  Right now Clemson could throw themselves into the final four talk with a win at home over the Irish. Notre Dame as a final four team would just about doom the ACC from ever wanting to join a conference in football as long as they keep getting in the big games as a independent.  The only way to get the Irish to become a full fledge ACC member is they keep just outside the final four but if they had of been in ACC champion they would make the final four.

Carolina finally played the way Carolina offense has looked in the past under Larry Fedora.  They still can have an outstanding season as their defense is as good as it has ever been under Fedora.  I have to admire Fedora as I am sure those people who recruited him to be Carolina's coach never told him how severe the academic fraud was.  Maybe those at Carolina really didn't know how bad it was going to get.  Fedora has never openly complained.  It is obvious many players have avoided Chapel Hill with an impending NCAA verdict looming on the program.

I was lucky enough to scan the dial Saturday night and found NC State on TV.  Don't care whether you are a Pack fan or not Dave Doeren Has the Wolfpack turned around.  He is committed to the running game first.  The Pack will not make high light shows the way they play running it.  They will be hard to beat in the fourth quarter.

Up 28 -7 and they held ODU  to -3 yards rushing for the game and ODU went totally to the pass. State went with the all out blitz but ODU countered with a shot passing game and had a nice drive to cut it to 28-14.  State countered by only rushing the down linemen and covered the short game.  The Pack has some good pieces on both sides of the ball and if they stay healthy will win or
contend for the division title or higher.

High School Review

There was a play in the Rose-Rocky Mount game when the score was 21-6 and the Gryphons had some momentum going where the Rose runner after a tackle was tossed out of the game.  Working on the chain crew you have to pay attention to where the ball is and that sometimes presents plays right in front of you and you don't see how  the event started.

Knowing the issues the Gryphons had last year with discipline and you look up and players are face mask to face mask with each other after a play my first thought was Oh Lord the Gryphons are faced with severe panic with the pressure Rose is applying and here we go with the failure of staying focused and we are losing our composure.  When the dust had settled the Rose player was tossed out and nothing given to the Gryphons.

If there is any evidence that this Gryphon team is a better team than last year you saw it Friday night. Last year the way the Gryphons were dominated they would have had three personal fouls before the game was over.  None Friday night.  They took their lumps from what I consider the best Rampant team since the Andre Brown team on 04.

Rose had great athletes on both sides of the line and really good people who handle the ball.  Their quarterback who was their backup because of injury was average but all they need is a quarterback that stays out of Trouble.

The Gryphons had their moments and the kickoff return was spectacular penalty or not.  Considering the pressure that Forest Bell was under he played about as well as any quarterback could under the circumstances.

The Gryphons have lost twice to two 4-A schools Middle Creek and Rose and one of those two might win the 4A eastern title.  Once conference play starts and one concern any time you play a team as physical as Rose is injuries.  If the Gryphons are healthy they will be a load for somebody in the playoffs.

Friday is the final non conference game before conference play  starts in two weeks.  Humbled by Rose Hoke County another 4A squad  but so far winless.  The Gryphons need to come out and dominant a team that can be if the Gryphons come to play.  If they do this team has a shot at a conference crown and a deep playoff run.

Gurley Debuts Today

Heard on ESPN's Mike And Mike show Friday as St Louis Ram head coach Jeff Fisher was on that Todd Gurley would be on the 45 man Ram Game day roster today.  Tre Mason has been activated from the injured list will start as the number one back and just how much Gurley plays is up in the air.

Fisher called Gurley a special talent and they were not going to do anything to jeopardize his playing future.  I don't think there is any doubt that Gurley is physically ready but the Rams are trying to be regarded as over protective over being accused of rushing him back too soon.

Any time you carry the chain you can hear coaches coaching and of course any conversation that goes on near where the chain gang can hear.  Rose had excellent coaching on the sidelines.  Rose runs a wide open offense and they attempted 30 passes during the game.  They had 35 points at the half and with Rocky Mount only scoring 21 for the game there was only one need in the second half and that was let's get this game over and get out of here healthy.

Rose continue with their full throttle offense right down to the last play of the game and the two fourth quarter scores were scored by their first team.  Coaches were asking  on the sidelines when were they going to start subbing.

I don't mind at all you put in the subs and they continue to run over you but I think the pass should be put away for the day. You need to run out the clock stay healthy and get on he bus with another win.  If you feel like you need your backup quarterback needs to throw some put him in the game when it was 21-0.

Rose was not kind to the Gryphons as they totally dominated the game.  I don't think Rose's Head coach did much to make his team better by running up the score.  You might need those backups to play in a critical game because one of the stars gets hurt while you are running up the score.

Gryphons Punished More Ways Than One

The first Rose drive of the night was an early indication of what was about to happen.  A Rose pass was almost intercepted but instead bounced of the defender right into the hands of another receiver and off to the races.

The Gryphons had done to them what they have done to both Edenton and Hertford County as  Rose was faster at every position.  Many passes by Rose was thrown up for grabs and the Gryphon defender played in most cases as good as you can play the ball and yet Rose's D1 Clemson bound receiver Cornell Powell  came down with just about every one.

Rose led 14-0 at the end of the first.  35 -14 at the half.  49-21 after three.  The only disturbing event for the night as Rose kept passing the ball the entire fourth quarter scoring on two passes.  Rose mauls Rocky Mount 61-21.  They finally put the second team in the game at the 18 yard line after a long pass by the first team with 5:32 to go in the game.As good as Rose is they don't need getting star players hurt when the game was never in doubt in the second half.

I said on my picks this week that I couldn't pick Northern Nash until they showed me something.  Tonight after and embarrassing second half last week against Laney Randy Raper got the attention of the Knights as they win their first game.  The Knights 38 Goldsboro 35

The big battle in Tarboro went right down to the very end of the and Tarboro beat Southern Nash scoring the last 11 points of the game and beat the Firebirds 23-20.

Beddingfield put Nash Central in their place winning 49-13

North Edgecombe  beat Winless Weldon 26-12

Rocky Mount Academy knows how to score as they roll Hobgood  76-34

Hunt Ripped Currituck 63-7

Looks as if Fike has solved their defensive problems beating South Granville 48-14

SouthWest Edgecombe devoured Bertie 54-6

South Creek took care of North East Carolina Prep 52-0

Kestrel Heights 24 Rocky Mount Prep 17

Gurley Is A Go Sunday?

There is a good chance come Sunday Tarboro High's Todd Gurley will be part of the 45 man game day roster for the St Louis Rams.  The good news  is that Sunday the Rams are in Washington and we can all watch Fox 50 and see Gurley in action at 1pm.

So far this season 27-3 doing college picks.  The quality of games picks up this week as  the ACC/ Big Ten Challenge week as several games are between the two.

NC State 2-0 @ ODU 2-0:  State should win this one but it will not be a blowout. ODU home field is Foreman Field where I saw Joe Namath play in his first game as a New York Jets.  Back when the NFL use to allow their teams to go to places like Norfolk to play in a game called the Kiwanis Bowl the Redskins always played  one game in Norfolk an that year they played Broadway Joe.  Pack 31 ODU 20

Illinois 2-0 @ North Carolina 1-1:  Not sure about either of these teams to this point.  The Big Ten gets a win on the road. Illinois 31 Carolina 27

Northwestern 2-0 @ Duke 2-0:  Northwestern gets Big Ten another win NW 30 Duke 23

Shenandoah 2-0 @ NC Wesleyan 0-2:  The Bishops start off with three home games and lose all three Shenandoah 36 Bishops 17.

ECU 1-1 @ Navy 1-0:  Would love to be in Annapolis for this one.  Pirates win a sweaker. 36-32

Wake Forest 1-1 @ Army 0-2:  Another wonderful place to be on a college football Saturday especially for Wake as they win 35-14

Nebraska 1-1 @Miami  2-0.   Just not sure Miami has proven to be able to win this game.  Neb 35 Miami 24

FSU 2-0 @ BC 2-0:  BC hasn't played anybody yet. I don't think FSU is great but after Saturday 3-0. 31- 24

Georgia Tech 2-0 @ Notre Dame 2-0:  I think GT gets national notice after this one GT 45 ND  24

Clemson 2-0 @ Louisville 0-2 :  Could  it be the Ville 0-3. Clemson 31 Louisville 27. sorry didn't realize this was Thursday night.

Virginia Tech 1-1 @ Purdue 1-1:  The ACC gets a Big Ten win.  Tech 38  Purdue 28

William And Mary 1-0 @ Virginia 0-2:  Cavs get first win but they will sweat.  35-30

Pitt 2-0 @ Iowa 2-0 :  Hawkeyes take down the Panthers 26-23

Central Michigan 1-1 @ Syracuse 2-0:  The Orange had better not sleep this week Cuse 30 CM 21

High School Football Approaches Mid Season

Nitty Gritty time as we have two games this week in the area that will be as big as any in state.  Other teams will find out how good they really are as the tempo picks up

Rose 2-1  @ Rocky Mount 3-1:  Rose is averaging 61 points per game, however they have given up at least 42 every time out.  Rocky Mount scored 21 on Middle Creek who looks like a beast since the Rocky Mount game.  This may be a game of triple digits scored between the two.  History tells us this will be game that will give Gryphon fans a true read on this year's Gryphons.  Rose 38 Rocky Mount 30.  To me any thing closer or victory is good news for the blue and gold for the remainder of the season.

Southern Nash 3-1 @ Tarboro 4-0.  No disrespect here for the Southern Loss at South Johnston.  Get there early or game could be over by 9:15 with all the runs in this one.  Southern Nash just a little bit better than the Vikings. Southern  Nash 28 Tarboro 22.

Nash Central 1-3 @ Beddingfield 1-3:  This will be a game in which the Bulldogs can judge a common conference foe after Fike beat Beddingfield 21-13 last week.  The Bulldogs have a shot in this one but this is a road game. Nash Central 26 Beddingfield 21

Goldsboro 3-1 @ Northern Nash 0-4.  The Knights really need a win.  Goldsboro has been surprising so far but questionable the quality of wins.  Northern will need to win one before I can's pick'em until they show me something.  Goldsboro 27 Northern 20.

RMA 3-1 @ Hobgood 0-3:  Don't care where this one is played the Eagles may get 60.  RMA 58 Hobgood 12

Kestrel Heights 3-0 @ RM Prep 0-2:  KH should take this one 38-12

Weldon 0-3  @North Edgecombe 2-1:  Too much Warriors !  NE 35 Weldon 6

Bertie 2-1 @ SouthWest Edgecombe 4-0:  Would like SWE to clean up a couple of areas in  this game they had better be ready for the Falcons.   Cougars 36 Bertie 22

North East Carolina 2-0 @ South Creek 3-1:  Don't think the two wins for NECP add up to three wins this week.  South Creek 35 NECP 14

26-3 after four weeks but this is a good week of several games that could go either way.

Week Two Of a The NFL

Buffalo Bills look like world beaters. Titans may have best Rookie quarterback.  Giants look like the Giants.  Can't figure how they have won two Super Bowls with Eli.  Had a so so week to begin the season going 9-7 on my picks

Peyton  Manning @ Kansas City:  Peyton looked old but defense looked stout.  I think we will see a low scoring Kansas City win.  KC 20 Denver 13

Texans @ Panthers:  I don't know how anybody could watch that whole Panther game against Jacksonville but somebody had to Lose.  Texans 26  Carolina 17.

49er's @ Steelers:  Their headsets will  work this week guaranteed! Steelers 30 9ers 20

Buc's @ Saints:  I doubt Tampa wins 4 while Saints will double that total. Saints 33 Tampa 17

Lions @ Vikes:  After what I saw from Detroit I'll take Minesota at Home Vikes 30 Detroit 28

Atlanta @ Giants:  If one game made a season the Falcons would win Super Bowl.  The Giants still have Eli so I go with the Birds 27-17.

Cardinals @ Bears:  Bears surprised me at how well they played  the Packers.  Bears can't afford losing twice at home first two weeks. Da Bears 24 Cardinals 23

New England @ Buffalo:  I wonder whether the Bills headsets work this week.  I don't think Buffalo has much offense but neither does New England. Buffalo  27 Pats 20

Chargers @ Bengals:  I like Chargers defense this year.  Already Chargers had a lineman go down but Philip is healthy.  Chargers 23 Cincy 20

Titans @ Browns:  Played worse team in league in Tampa and this week next to worse.  Titans 30 Brownies 20

Rams @Redskins:  Could this be a Todd Gurley debut week.  Either way Rams 27 Skins 17

Dolphins @ Jags:  I think Jaxsonville has potential.  Porpoises 27 Black Cats 21

Ravens @Raiders:  I thought Raiders might be most improved team in NFL this year but last week they played like same old Raiders.  Baltimore 27 Raiders 20

Cowboys @ Eagles:  Boys had plenty of coaching help from Giants last week, they'll get none from Philly. Eagles smoke Cowboys. 31-20

Seahawks @ Packers:  Too much discontent in the Northwest with the holdout of the d back of Seattle.  They need plenty of help this week against Rogers. Pack 24 Hawks 17

Jets @ Colts:  Don't go crazy yet Jet fans you only beat the Browns.  Colts have to win this one or their season is in jeopardy. Colts 30 Jets 27.

Can You Explain Preseason Football

The NFL plays four so call preseason games and after all the games played the starters just maybe played a total 25 minutes if that much.  The amount of money players are paid the NFL teams would love to start the season with healthy players.  Todd Gurley is a prime example of a player being protected to try not get any further injury to his already repaired knee.

What happened the first games of the season?  Let's start by looking at the Detroit- San Diego game.  Detroit had nine defensive lineman on their 53 man roster because they knew they needed to pressure Philip Rivers and all game every series they had three new lineman going after Rivers.

The first three series Detroit dominated the line of scrimmage but by the middle of the second quarter their lineman started giving out of gas and the entire second half Rivers never pressured went 25-27 for 260 yards and two touchdown tosses plus they scored twice rushing the ball.

Detroit was not in shape to play a full game and the only reason I can think of is just running does not get you in shape when on every play you collide with a 300 pound person across the line 40 times NFL  players are not ready.  Why not?  Almost every team has been practicing since around July 29th

Sixteen weeks from now and Detroit comes up one game short from making the playoffs they can point to the season opener when they simply were not prepared to play a full game.  All these people whether players or coaches get paid big Bucks to take the first three of four regular season just to get ready to finish the season.  When the season nears the 12 game mark and you see teams streaking with several wins in a row think back to see if in the first game of the season they wilted in the second half in the first game and just think what they can do when in game shape.

Other than somebody falling across someone knees which is unavoidable look at every teams injury list and I think most are out of shape injuries.  So what good did it do to save these players if they are not prepared to play a full game opening day and get hurt?

By the way Philip Rivers two TD passes against Detroit ties him for the San Diego all time touchdown passing list with Dan Fouts at 254. Fouts is in the Hall of Fame.

Trends

We have played just enough games that teams are becoming who they are going to be all year.  Injuries will sway the trend as time goes by but what is trending for this season.

Rocky Mount can for sure state they are the kings of 2A football having drubbed two historically  strong teams Hertford Co and Edenton.  Middle Creek is showing to be for real in Wake County so the three point loss at the Creek is showing to be good loss for Gryphons.  Up next Rose who has shown so far to give up points. The question will be Can the Gryphons slow down the Rampants?

Southern Nash lost Friday in a state playoff preview with South Johnston.  I don't care about a one point loss in overtime.  I admire any coach that says I want to win now and I take responsibility if we lose.  Brian Foster went for two over kicking extra point and extending overtime.  That's my kind of coach.

Nash  Central has shown in their four games this season more offense than at any point during their 25 game losing streak.  Down 19-13 the Bulldogs had a chance inside red zone to tie or take the lead with SWE but the Cougars  held.  The next step for the Bulldogs will be punching it in over being stopped.

Northern Nash has shown that they can play good defense.  They however have scored only 28 points all season.  The old saying if the other team doesn't score you can't lose.  If you don't score you can't win either.  Northern needs to find some offense or that last place prediction by the Big East coaches will be right.

Tarboro is getting better each week.  While carrying the chain Friday night I had a discussion with one of the coaches from Edenton about the possibility they were dropping to 1A over playing up to 2A.  The coach has no fear of any 2A team schools they didn't want to face Tarboro every year in second or third round.  That is respect for a program.

RMA is proving to be one of the upper echelon teams in their conference.  Just maybe a surprise to many of us who thought graduations and defections were going to drop the Eagles down.

SouthWest Edgecombe is playing well.  Not sure they are where coach Cobb wants them to be but they are close.

North  Edgecombe smacked SE Halifax real hard on the road.  Just might have something to say by Tarboro time.

Last week went 7-0 on the high school picks.  I believe this is my best start ever now at 25-3.

Patriots At It Again

The latest addition of the reality TV show called The Real NFL Football Team in Boston has had another show in which the New England Patriots demonstrate how to make life difficult for the team they are playing.  This week's show as the coaching headsets of the Pittsburgh Steelers are fed the play by play of the New England Patriots radio broadcast by which they can't talk coach to coach about what plays or defenses they want to be in.

The NFL handles all the headsets as each team's is programmed into a frequency only that team has that day.  The other team has another frequency.  The Patriots  claimed they had to change their headsets too because they were having the same problem.  What a coverup.  There is no way that broadcast could be on two different frequencies unless someone was deliberately knowing the frequencies being used by the NFL. What would changing headsets do if the same frequency were in  those too.

Even though the score was 0-0 in first quarter Pittsburgh might have scored if everyone had of been knowing what plays were being called.  Deflate Gate,  going  into the other team's locker room stealing the scripted  plays that many teams use to start a game, filming the other teams hand signals to the team on the field or filming other teams practices.  It is a shame that a team that seems to be the best one of the best teams over the last 15 years has to rely on cheating because they don't feel they are good enough otherwise to win.

The NASCAR rule about "If you ain't cheating you ain't trying"must be the only team in NFL cheating or trying is New England.  They are really good at it as somehow or another they always use delay tactics much like Hillary Clinton is using on her E-Mail scandal.

You know Bill Belichek was never a winning coach until he came to New England.  He sounds to me just like the player using steroids.  I' m not good enough let me try this stuff to see if it will  help me.   Belichek said I'm not quite good enough coach unless I have every advantage I can get.

Now let's get by the the accusations at hand.  In the mid 1980 's We were doing a game at Bertie.  My location in the press box was at the left end and above us were the Bertie coaches. Once the game started we could hear the Bertie coaches through our headsets and some of the language was not presentable for radio broadcast.  Scared that this was getting out on the air we broke for commercials so I could talk with the board operator to see if this was over the air.  It was not.  It  Was however very distracting for me all during the game.  I am sure it was for the Pittsburgh coaches too.

Our problem was being so close to their transmission was bleeding into our headsets. This problem in New England the only answer is someone was deliberately programing the radio broadcast into the frequency of the headsets of Pittsburgh.  This would be the same thing the Germans used in WWII jamming frequencies in order not to be able to use radios.

If I was a fan of New England I would protest the actions of the owners the Kraft family, head coach Bill Bellichek  and any player if they know what is going on to let it continue.  All of these incidents taint whatever greatness New England has obtained over the last decade plus.

Here is another problem that our modern world has caused.  It is a shame that coaches make millions of dollars can't coach unless they have a headset.  Only in the last 40 years or so have headsets been available even to high school coaches.  We live in an electronic world where if the power goes off our life stops for all of us.  Remember Hurricane Floyd and how our lives changed for a week or a decade trying to recover having no power.  There will be a day when some country will invade us and all they have to do is cut off the power and we are useless.

Gryphons Trump Aces

Just how good are the 2015 Gryphons?  Hard to tell when the Aces lose six fumbles in the first half and four are snaps over the head of the quarterback while in the shotgun.  The Gryphons scored on five of their six drives in the first half and only a great deflection of a Forest Bell pass in the back left corner of the end zone or the Gryphon would have score six times on offense in the first half.

The ESPN highlight of the night was score number six for Rocky Mount when Gryphon kicker Sherrod Green kicked his kickoff to about the nine yard line then at the 21 met the runner with a vicious hit knocking the ball loose where it was returned for points.  Less than two minutes to go in the half and a 42-0 lead the officials started running the clock and with just about the entire team playing the second half the final was 42-0.

The first score came on a Forest Bell to Kerjorick Edwards  38 yard toss with 5:14 to go in the first.  The 14th point came   As Nick Bynum plunged in from three yards out.  The quarter ended 14-0.  39 seconds into the second BJ Sanders went 22 yards making it 21-0.  Forest Bell got his second scoring toss hitting  Jaclayton Freeman on a 52 yard bomb and third TD toss of the night went for  65 yards to Chris Richardson  The big hit by Green got Jacqual Walker on the score board as Chase Miller added all six extra points.

Gryphons record goes to 3-1 but next Friday night will be the night when we find out just how good this team is when Rose marches in to Gryphon stadium. Rose lost their first game of the year 49-48 to Havelock. Rose has given up a lot of points and next week may be a shoot out.

I assume South Johnston and Southern Nash tried to beat the expected rains for Friday that never came and both were unbeaten and the game was played like a playoff game. Over time Southern Nash goes for a two point conversion and misses and lose the first game of the season 41-40

Northern Nash had two rain storms on Thursday night which caused Laney to come back to Northern Friday night  and Laney didn't want to come to Rocky Mount twice and lose and they dominated the second half played Friday night winning 26-6 after the Knights had pitch a Thursday night first half shutout but gave up 26 in the second.  Second week in a row Northern led at the half but failed to score in second half.

Rocky Mount Academy wins number three in a row 47-14 over Cary Christian

SouthWest Edgecombe won over Nash Central 33-13

Tarboro put 62 on Franklinton 62-26

Fike won 21-13 over Beddingfield
Hunt 10 Northeastern 9
North Edgecombe 30 SE Halifax 9

Week Two College football

Thursday Night high school football
 Final  South Johnston 41 Southern Nash 40 ot
 Half  Northern Nash 6 Laney 0 Weather delay game to be finished tonight

Started the season out at 13-2 and quite frankly not very many hard games opening week.  Most of the big boys played patsies.  Missed both of the tough games picking Texas and Louisville and both lost.  New week but another week of  soft schedules in most cases.  Let's  start with the first conference tilt of 2015.

Wake Forest 1-0 @ Syracuse 1-0:  Wake Forest just not good enough in this one Cuse 31- Wake 20

The next game is almost a conference game when Notre Dame 1-0 travels to Virginia 0-1.  Notre Dame looked for real in holding Texas to a field goal.  Virginia just got beat by UCLA.  If the Fighting Irish are for real this if no game.  Irish 34 Virginia 7

Lincoln University 1-0 @ North Carolina Wesleyan 0-1:  Second of three straight home games and
Fighting Bishops need to win at home.  Lincoln 30 Bishops 21

ECU 1-0 @ Florida 1-0:  Don't think the Pirates played well enough  last week to expect upset this week.  If it is close Pirates season will be ok a blowout and Pirates could be in for long season.  Gators 36 Pirates 14

Eastern Kentucky 1-0 @ N C State 1-0:  I think if Pack stays healthy 9 or 10 wins possible.  In order for that to happen this game is a must.  Pack 35 E Ky 20

North Carolina Central 1-0 @ Duke 1-0:  not much of a road game for Central but Duke stings the walk back.  Duke 44 NC Central 24


North Carolina A&T 1-0 @ North Carolina 0-1:  This should make it a sweep for the Triangle big three.  Carolina 45 A&T 20

Miami 1-0 @ Florida Atlantic 0-1:  Another game for the ACC to fatten is non conference record.  Canes 52 FA 22

South Florida 1-0 @ Florida St 1-0:  This game is not necessarily a soda pop game for the Noles. FSU 35 South Florida 24

Tulane 0-1 @ Georgia Tech 1-0 :  Tulane will be 0-2 in ACC after this one.  Tech 52 Tulane 7

App St 1-0 @ Clemson 1-0:  The Mounties lose their first game.  Tigers 44  Mountaineers 17

Furman 0-1 @ Virginia Tech 0-1:  Short week for the Hokies after revenge loss to Ohio State.  QB injury could be fatal as conference games approach Tech 24 Furman 10

Pitt 1-0 @ Akron 0-1:  Pitt handles Chuck Amato's  defense.  Pitt 35 Akron 20

Houston 1-0 @ Louisville 0-1:  This no cake walk either.  Good come back feel short for the Cards in Atlanta.  They find their first win Ville 35 Houston 28

Howard 0-1 @ Boston College 1-0: Howard was bombed in Boone won't do any better in Boston.  BC 38 Howard 7

Friday Night Picks

Got five of seven picks right last week to give my overall record so far this high school season to 18-3.  All three misses have been bad misses that I had the score almost right but for the wrong team winning. Try to do better this week.

North Edgecombe 1-1 @ SE Halifax 1-1 I think  the Warriors are for real.  They win at SE in a close game 26-20

Franklinton  2-1 @ Tarboro 3-0:  could be interesting game if the Vikings  let it be with fumbles and mistakes.  Find it hard to see Franklinton winning. Tarboro 26 Franklinton 14

Southern Nash  3-0 @ South Johnston 3-0:  This could be a dog fight.  This will be a game in order to win you will have to play excellent football.  S Johnston 28 Southern Nash 26

SouthWest Edgecombe  3-0 @ Nash Central 1-2:  I told you a couple weeks back Nash Central could have two or three wins by conference time.  This week was not one of those win weeks.  SWE 30 Nash Central 14.

Laney 0-3 @ Northern Nash 0-3:  Neither team has put together anything resemblance of  a possible win. Laney can't stop anybody while Northern can't score on offense.  Laney in a sweeker.  20-14

Holmes 1-2 @ Rocky Mount 2-1:  Holmes may fall to 1-A but a possibility they may ask to play up next year.  Rocky Mount looks like real deal and can not afford let down with two big 4-A games on the horizon. Gryphons 45 Edenton 20.

Cary Christian 1-1 @ RMA 2-1:  The Eagles have a real shot at winning their third in a row.  Cary's lone win was 8-6 over Halifax Academy.  RMA rolls 45-6

South Lake Christian Academy @ NorthEast Carolina Prep 2-0:  Great start for Mike Mabry's  troops.   Handled RM Prep and now here comes a teams from Charlotte area.  Have no idea about this one and neither of  NECP victories are head turners against quality teams.  Just don't know how good South Lake is.  South Lake 26 NECP 20.

Rocky Mount Prep is idle.

It's NFL Time

Thursday night begins the opening of the NFL football season which now exist solely for fantasy sports.  New England is the defending Super Bowl Champions and are also the defending courtroom champs.  Will this off season of fines and court rooms procedures effect the Patroits?  First game of the season starts in Foxbourgh.

Pittsburgh @ New England:  Don't know if either team has looked good in preseason but at home Pats win.  New England 31 Pitt 20

Indianapolis @ Buffalo:  Good time of year to play in Buffalo.  Indy 20 Buff 17

Green Bay @  Chicago:  GB could be best team in NFL.  In order to be best they need to start with a win on the road.  Packers 27 Bears 17

Kansas City @ Houston:  I think Chiefs are for real.  They can prove it with a road win.  KC 26 Texans 23

Carolina @ Jacksonville:  Listen the Panthers didn't win half their games last year even after winning a playoff game.  It will be a struggle but Panthers escape in Jacksonville.  Panthers 24 Jags 20

Cleveland @ N Y Jets:  This is a game that either team could lose but Cleveland is on the road.  Jets 16 Browns 13

Seattle @ St Louis:  Will Todd Gurley play for the Rams? I doubt he will be on 45 man game roster for first game.  Seahawks 23 Rams 20

Miami @ Washington:  Miami is suppose to be good Redskins have new quarterback.  Skins 27 Fish 24

New Orleans @Arizona:  Might be best game of weekend.  Zona wins at home.  Cards 23 Saints 17

Detroit @ San Diego:  Another good opening day game.  Super Chargers 26 Detroit 23

Baltimore @ Denver:  The beginning of the end for Broncos. Ravens 26 Denver 17

Cincinnati @ Oakland:  Raiders are improved.  Cindy picked by many to finish last in their division.  If they lose they could be.  Raiders 30  Striped Cats 20

Tennessee @ Tampa Bay:  top two quarterbacks in draft face off.  Titans 26 Bucs 10

NY Giants @ Dallas:  Dallas wins because Giants have Eli and no blocking Dallas 26 Giants 17

Philadelphia @ Atlanta:  If there is a blowout  this weekend it happens here.  Eagles soar higher than Falcons 36 -24

Vikings @49'ers:  Are Vikes rising and 9'ers falling.  Minnesota 27 SF 24

My goal every week is to go 10-6.  The NFL the worse can beat the best on any weekend.  Picking games is total guess work.

Minor League Baseball Season Ends

Benton Moss pitched for the last time this season on Sunday for Hudson Valley in the New York Penn Rookie League and was on the losing end when his team got shut out.  He finishes his first year in pro baseball  with a 2-3 record having pitched in 14 games starting 10 and had a 2.93 ERA.  He pitched 58 innings and had excellent control walking only 10 and hit two batters.  He struck out 66.  He will return home to Enfield and will get married in November here in Rocky Mount.

We have previously reported that Collins Cuthrell had successful surgery on his broken arm a couple of weeks ago finishing up batting 271 with nine homers while playing for Florence Kentucky an unaffiliated minor league team hoping to be picked up by a major league team. He is headed to UNC Pembroke where he will finish up his graduate degree and in the spring help with UNCP baseball.  Looks as if his future is in coaching.  Remember he helped Hank Jones with Legion ball in 2014.

Hobbs Johnson finishes up with a 7-8 record pitching for the Miami Marlins in AA Biloxi  Mississippi.  He pitched in 25 games this season and started all 25 pitching 118 innings.  His ERA finished at 3.83 striking out 94 but his base on balls finished at 77.  Needs to cut down on base on balls but being a left hander pitcher His future is bright as all major league teams look for that lefty who's curve ball finishes in the dirt.

Brian Goodwin completed his season this afternoon hitting 226  and after just a little more than a year ago expected to be the starting center fielder in Washington this year but a shoulder injury and surgery had Brian spending the entire 2015 season in AA Harrisburg Pa.  The question now is, is this the injury that will keep him from ever making the majors?  93 strikeouts not helping  average.

Greenfield Academy's Isaiah White showed plenty of speed playing in the Gulf Coast League for the Miami Marlins.  He finishes hitting 294.  Here is where he excelled.  He attempted 13 stolen bases and never got caught.  He future is excellent.  He struck out one of three times which is the part of his game that he has to improve.

The pro football careers of Two former Tarboro Vikings are alive and well.  Shawn Draughn and Takoby Cofield both were signed for taxi squads or to each teams practice squads.  Both as expected signed with the teams they have been trying to make all summer for Draughn the Cleveland Browns and Cofield the Washington Redskins.

A practice squad player run the plays of this week's upcoming opponent.  They are paid weekly  at a rate of 6,300 dollars.  Any other team at any time can call a practice squad player from another team but if they do they have to be promoted to the 53 man playing squad and their salary is pro rated at a minimum of 435,000 dollars. Not a bad life at all is it?

The St Louis Rams have already announced Todd Gurley will not play in the Rams opener and may use him sparingly the month of September.  They plan on protecting him as much as possible in September and wean him more and more each game when they are 100 percent sure about his knee.

Football Career Takes Another Turn

I tried out for the 7th and 8th grade football team when I was in Junior high back in the olden days of the mid 60's.  During tryouts of my 7th grade year I started out as a running back but got moved to third string quarterback.  Cut day came and the 3rd team backs had all quit and with no need for a third team quarterback I got cut.

The next year I was a second team half back and third team quarterback.  I was a safety on defense.  I was a perfect safety man in a zone defense as I would lay back whenever a team did throw which wasn't much and step in front to make an interception.  One game at Colerain I stepped in front three times and dropped all three.

My freshman and sophomore years I was a backup left halfback in the T formation.  My greatest game came against Williamston when I carried three times for 50 yards.  One of those plays was a dive and I broke out in the open and  had only one man to beat at about the 10 yard line so I put a move on the safety and cut to the right and ran smack in to my left tackle Johnny White causing me to fumble.

My running days were over as I was moved to guard on varsity and on defense I was a 135 pound nose tackle if and when I ever got into a game.  I did recover a fumble one night at Northampton but that play had no effect on our 50-0 win.

I graduated high school in 1971 and in September was the color man as Ahoskie High open the season at The old West Craven High School.  There was no pressbox And we sat on a 2x12 board connecting two light poles near the concession stands that did not face the field.  I have done several games over the years sitting in the stands with people yelling at us any time their team did something good.  Those of you that know me know that I am a loud talker.  I think it comes from having to yell over crowds to be heard when on the radio.

Seems as if local radio has given up on broadcasting sports and my career has Turned  to PA announcing, blogging and over the years I have been on the sidelines maybe 20 times in my life working on the chain crew.  Bobby English ask me several years ago to fill in on the chain gang after the death on one of the gang.  The next year after that I was back in the booth doing Gryphon Sports.

I have rejoined the chain gang this year.  So over my career I have done almost everything there is to do concerning high school football from pressbox to the sidelines.  I think next year I might try refereeing.  Second thought the other night while carrying the down marker the quarter ended on the two yard line and had to sprint(ha ha) to the other end.  Luckily no pulled hammy or cramp.  Why today I'm ready for another four quarters.

One Play Away

Every coach from Pee Wee to Pros in any sport preaches that if you are a backup you are one play away from being a starter and you need to be ready when it is your turn.  We all witnessed as I recall a Saturday afternoon NFL playoff game in 2012 when the Washington Redskins were in the playoffs with their rookie quarterback leading the way RGIII.  There was  a play in which III was tackled and he came up limping after running with the ball.  He would not come out of the game.  The longer the game went the worse his limp was and since that day RGIII has not been the same player.

There are times when managers go to the mound to pull a pitcher out of the game and the pitcher talks his way out of staying in the game.  Managers and coaches have to do what is best for the team.  There is no way Mike Shanahan should have left III in the game with the way he was dragging his leg around.

The following summer during camp III kept telling everyone he would be ready the first game of the season and he had no practice time at all and went into the first game unprepared and never really healed and had a terrible second season.  I don't know who in the Redskins organization has to make a call on a player playing or not but it surely seems to me that playing when injured just maybe is costing RGIII his football career.

All the hoopla surrounding the Redskins there doesn't seem to be one player that has spoke out in support of III.  Somewhere along the way he lost the respect of his teammates.  Was it already that way his rookie year but because winning cures all ?  III like many players has been in hot water plenty over social media.  Just maybe III is one of those guys that is a prima donna and his welcome has worn out in Washington.  His ability to lead a team has evaporated.

You know the two worse run football organization in pro football are Washington and Dallas.  Jerry Jones thinks he knows more football than anybody else and they have won two playoff games since  he got rid of Jimmy Johnson  and  "How bout them Cowboys" coach Barry Switzer.  Daniel Snyder  just happens to be a guy with a lot of money and too much of a fan over knowing football inner workings.

Gryphons Put On A Show

Takoby Cofield the Tarboro Viking and Duke University offensive tackle  NFL rookie has been cut but the Washington Redskins.

Shawn Draughn the the 3rd year pro running back  from Tarboro and UNC has been cut by the Cleveland Browns

Todd Gurley the top draft pick of the St Louis Cardinal and Tarboro High and Georgia has made the 53 man roster.

There are just some nights that everything you do turns to gold and tonight in Ahoskie the Gryphons of Rocky Mount did any and everything they wanted to do any time they wanted.  Leading 40-13 the Gryphons returned the second half kickoff back for a touchdown and on Hertford County's first drive picked up a sack fumble and scored to lead 54-13

They would score three more times in the third to lead 75-20 before the officials starting letting the clock run all the time.  HC got one score in the fourth as Rocky Mount responded after last week's close lost to Middle Creek who by the way clobbered Garner 38-14 tonight.  The Gryphons come home for their home opener next Friday hosting 4-A Hoke County..

Any time a team has a almost perfect game as Tarboro had last week against Washington and here comes a team Northern Nash who has yet to win and score many points what would you expect a blowout right?

Tarboro tried a fourth down pass which Northern picked and returned it to the house to take a 7-0 lead over the Vikings in Tarboro.  The Vikings looked like the Vikes in the second half and scored three times to win 20-7.  Tarboro is 3-0 while Northern drops to 0-3.

The only game in town on Friday night was the Fighting Bishops of North Carolina Wesleyan.  Nice crowd on hand for the home opener against Stevenson from just outside of Baltimore.  The Bishop's offense sputtered all game and produced only one touchdown just before the half to produce a 17-9 Stevenson lead.

The Fighting Bishops defense did a great job in the second half holding Stevenson to only a field  but that was enough as NC W fails to score in the second half and they lose their opener 20-9.

Final
Corinth Holders 21 Hunt 19

You may have seen this week that the football conferences in Wake County that voted to not play Cardinal Gibbons have recinded their ruling and have made a new bylaw that they are to play no private school not a member of the NCHSAA which Gibbons is a member.

Streak Ends At One

Nash Central's winning streak ends at one as they lose 19-18 to North Johnston.
Southern Nash 21 Bunn 13
Rocky Mount Academy 48 Grace Christian 0
Green Central 14 Beddingfield 12
SW Edgecombe 23 South Central 7
Kinston 55 Fike 8
NE Prep 32 RM Prep 14

NCW starts their college football season Friday night  at Bishop Stadium against Stevenson University.  Last  season Stevenson won by  three touchdowns.  Don't have much to go on other than past history.  Stevenson won seven times last year.  First game pick Stevenson 35- NCW 24

The men of Troy roll into Raleigh Saturday but we are not talking about Southern Cal.  Hopes are high in Raleigh and the only way to keep high hopes is win.  Pack 38 Troy 20

Towson State at ECU.  Mystery surrounds the Pirates now losing their top quarterback but I doubt much problem in this one if JVs played.  ECU 52 Towson 27

Howard travels to App St.  The move to D1 has been hard so far on the Mounties but they start the new season with a win.  App 41 Howard 22

Ohio State at Virginia Tech:  The Techsters shocked the Buckeyes last year in Columbus.  The Buckeyes  are chomping at the bit but several players not playing for various reasons.  Ohio St 27 VAT 10

Texas St at Florida St: Needed this one for an easy pick FSU 45 Texas St 17

Bethune-Cookman at Miami: File this one under scrimmage  Canes 55 Cookman 10

Virginia at UCLA:  Here is another ACC win last year that will not happen this year.  UCLA 35 Virginia 16

Maine at BC:  Should be blowout but I doubt it BC  30 Maine 20

Youngtown St at Pitt:  Pitt by the skin of their teeth.  22-17

Louisville And Auburn in Chicken Bowl:  Two top ten teams on the neutral site of the Georgia Dome.  This is truly the biggest game of weekend for ACC.  Historically the ACC doesn't shine well in opening weekend against SEC.  Cards 28 Auburn 27

Texas at Notre Dame:  Interesting game against two teams kind of stuck no longer being powerhouse teams of the past.  Texas 26 Golden Dome 21.

Labor Day Weekend Football Starts Tonight For Some

We have made it all the way to the third weekend of high school football and trends are happening.  For some not good trends but for others the future is bright.. So far the first two weeks have gone 13-1 picks.  I missed the Tarboro game which I thought would be close but wasn't as The Vikings romped.  Did pick the Nash Central losing streak to end.

Nash Central has a shot at two in a row as the coaching theme has been one is not enough.  The Bulldogs are headed to Micro to take on North Johnston.  Bulldogs will be 2-1 36-18.

Rocky Mount could be 2-0 but head east to Ahoskie 1-1.  Hertford County will defend the home turf 1-1 after a big win over Gates Co and and extremely close game at Hunt.  Seems as if the Bears might be back after being down a couple of years.  If RM heads east expecting and easy one they could be in trouble.  I think The Gryphons have too much talent. 35-20 over HC

Oh boy, already 0-2 Northern Nash has a trip to Tarboro to take on the Vikings who are coming off a stomping administered to Washington.  This point Northern has not shown any ability to beat Anybody including Tarboro.  Vikes 40 Northern Nash 14

The Thursday night special has Bunn at Southern Nash. Bunn lost by only one to Fike opening night. Put 70 on NW Halifax last week.  This one scares me.  The Firebirds had better cut out the turnovers
Or else.  I think the Firebirds win a close one 34-28

SouthWest Edgecombe takes on South Central who so far this year everybody is clobbering.  This is a 4-A team and this might be a close one.  Cougars 26 South Central 20.

Northeast Prep travels to Rocky Mount Prep.  The Jags will probably win their second game this year which puts them on cusp of the most wins in any year since started playing football.  RMP 32- NE Prep 14.

Grace Christian at Rocky Mount Academy.  Grace is 0-2 but are having a hard time scoring.  Defense has played well but in this game they must out score the Eagles.  Eagles 45-6.

The college football season starts tonight in Charlotte when the battle of the Carolina's take place.  Surprising this game is not a sellout.  Must be that the die hard fans don't believe there teams are that good this year.  Hard one to pick but for my money The Tar Heels much prove to me they can stop somebody before I'll pick'em.   South 34 North 24.

Duke at Tulane:  I don't think Duke will be as good as last two years but they win tonight 27-17
Elon At Wake Forest:  Deacs need this one 24-17
Alcorn at Georgia Tech:  Is there a 40 point start the clock rule for this one.  56-16 Techsters

Survived For Another Day

The NFL had their first big cut of the preseason yesterday as all teams had to reduce their rosters to 75 by 4pm.  Yes everyday teams waive players who they know already are not working out and let them go.  Many players are still on pins and needles as the last major cut comes after the final preseason games finish up this weekend.  Come Tuesday of next week all teams will be down to their 53 man rosters and they will also announce their practice squad which is not the end of the world because those guys get $6,000 per week to run this week's scheduled opponent's plays in practice for the 1st team offense and defense.

Three players from Tarboro High have survived Tuesday's cut but nobody can breathe easy as of yet as a cut of 22 more will happen this weekend.

Takoby Cofield:  Played for Duke after helping the Viking win state championships.  Listed on the Washington Redskins depth chart as the third right tackle. These next few days will be crucial.  Doubt if he makes it unless a couple of injuries  to somebody else.  Practice squad is possible.

Shawn Draughn:  Third year since playing at Carolina.  Has not carried the ball all preseason due to an injured hand.  Looks like no problem however as the Cleveland Browns seem content to keep Draughn as a special teams player and as their 3rd down back.  Looks as if he will carry the ball this weekend.  Sure sounds me like he has made the team.

Todd Gurley: Fresh out of Georgia and looks fully recover from knee surgery which he had last November.  Has not played a down in preseason but is listed as the number two running back on the St Louis Rams.  His job is safe.

This past weekend two players one playing sports now and another while in high school played sports were shot.  One a SouthWest player shot right here in Rocky Mount.  The other a former Hertford County Bear visiting his brother for the weekend in Greensboro.   The Greensboro shooting resulted in death.

Both were very similar.  Both occurred around two am in the morning.  It seems at this point both were shot for no reason at all.  The SouthWest player looks as if he will recover and maybe by the end of the season be able to play for the Cougars.  Most cases athletes stay out of trouble because if they don't they probably will not be allowed to stay on the team.

Both cases the question has to best asked, why did they have to be out at 2am in the morning.  I don't know how many times I heard this over the years but nothing happens good at 11pm.  Don't know this to be so in either case but today's tough guys have to resort to being tough with a gun and most of the time have several guys behind them with more guns to really be tough.  I don't see if you got to have a gun that you are tough at all.  There you are standing there with a gun and the person you are shooting is unarmed and you still need you group behind you to back you up.  That doesn't sound like a tough guy to me.

Call Up Day In Majors

September 1st for all minor league players is the day especially those at AAA and AA baseball they hope they get a telephone call that they have been invited to spend September on their major roster mostly to sit on the bench and find out how life is in the major leagues.

Most teams these days let the players who are playing on a team that will be in the minor league playoffs stay in the minors until their team is either out and then call up to come to the big club.  We have two players in AA and both would love a phone call.

Brian Goodwin has fallen all the way down the Washington National priority list and right now hitting only 230 I doubt he gets invited to the big club.   Right now he is probably trade bait once the season is over to get shipped to another team.  The old saying a change of scenery might do him good.

Hobbs Johnson stands 7-7 in Biloxi Mississippi.  Being a left hander might be on call up list. ERA stands at 3.61 and his walks continue to be his bug-a-boo.  Doubt he gets called up but it could be close.

Collins Cuthrell had successful surgery and will stay in Florence Kentucky until the season ends this weekend.  He will then head back to UNC Pembroke to continue his Graduate studies and he plans on helping in the spring with UNCP baseball.  Sounds like his professional playing career is over and he is heading into coaching.

Iasiah White has now play 35 games playing for the Marlins in the Gulf Coast League.  His batting average is 294 so he is having a good summer.  Has struck out 44 of 126 at bats is one out of three which is not good.

Benton Moss started for the ninth time in thirteen appearances last night and it will probably be his last of the season. Had a 6-0 lead but gave up five runs in the fourth which is the most runs in any inning since turning pro.  Will finish the season with a 2-2 record and and ERA of 2.55 which is an excellent summer.  His base on balls per innings pitched is excellent.  Be interesting to see if he gets invited for fall ball.