Gryphons Win Overtime Thriller

Once again the Gryphons come from behind trailing 21-14 in the 4th quarter. The Gryphons scored with 3:06 to play to cut the lead to 21-20, this may of been the play of the game. Chase Milller the Gryphon extra point kicker had to try a 35 yard extra point attempt after the Gryphons got a personal foul penalty after the touchdown. Miller puts it down right down the middle which causes the Gryphons to tie the game.

The Gryphons survive a 45 yard field goal attempt on the last play of the game by South Point which was wide left. In overtime the Gryphons elected to play defense. The Gryphons defense did its job forcing the Red Raiders to attempt a field goal attempt which again was wide left. Once the Gryphons got the ball, two running plays by Nick Bynum got the ball to the 4 yard line, electing to kick to win the game, Jason Battle elects to kick the field goal on 3rd down and the Rocky Mount Gryphons are STATE CHAMPIONS 24-21 in OT!

BJ Sanders excites the Gryphon crowd with an 81 yard kickoff on the opening play of the game. South Point proved to be a worthy opponent as quarterback Diontre King and full-back Ryland Etherton were problems all night for the Gryphons. When it looked like they only got 2 yards they actually got 5. Etherton scored on a 2 yard run to tie the game at 7 at the end of the 1st quarter.

Both sides moved the ball in the 2nd quarter and the Gryphons made it to the one yard line with 3 seconds to go in the half. Electing to go for a touchdown the Gryphons were stuffed at the line of scrimmage and the half ended 7-7.

The Red Raiders got the ball first in the second half and the Gryphons held and taking the ball on their own 19 yard line and marched down the field. Nick Bynum scores from 15 yards out to give the Gryphons the lead. Not done yet though, South Point comes back. first by a 5 yard run by Etherton, then King breaks a 27-yard touchdown run with 10:35 left.

Then it was time for Gryphon magic. The Gryphons drove the field and scored with 3:06 left in the 4th quarter. The big play of the drive was a 3rd and 18 run by quarterback Forrest Bell that kept the drive alive for the Gryphons.

Detrele Revis was named the Defensive player of the game. 
Nick Bynum was named the Offensive player of the game. 
Forrest Bell was named your State Championship MVP! 

Forrest Bell was 15-21 for 210 yards, also rushed 7 times for 33 yards. Rocky Mount had 345 total yards to South Points 291.  All but 12 yards were on the ground for South Point.

ROCKY MOUNT WINS ITS FIRST STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN 52 YEARS! It's 3rd overall. It is the 13th team State Championship for Rocky Mount High School. For Jason Battle, it is his first State Championship in football. Once the team receives their rings, Battles ring will join the other 3 rings that Battle already owns as an assistant coach on the 2008 State Championship Baseball team. He also owns two State Championship basketball rings from 2010 and 2012! He still has a thumb to go.

FINAL SCORE: YOUR STATE CHAMPIONS 24, South Point 21! 

For those of you who did not make the trip, about 5,000 faithful did. There were many fans from surrounding schools, surrounding county's, alumni and just plain Gryphon lovers that came to show support. South Point also had a great crowd. But everyone can agree that they watched one whale of a football game!