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.