First Loss Ends Season

This past weekend at the singles and doubles championship the Rocky Mount Gryphons two Lady Gryphons doubles teams watched the doubles team from Union Pines win the state championship. Wednesday the entire Union Pines team showed up in the early afternoon to the Gryphon Tennis courts and before dark Union Pines gives Rocky Mount their first loss on the season 5-1.  Senior Chandler Brice playing her final high school match was the only winner of a point for the Lady Gryphons.  The Gryphon season ends with a 14-1 record.

The final week of the high school football season is upon us and in the Two Rivers and the Big East the champions are already known.  The Eastern Plains is another story.  Last week went 7-1 to boost my overall picks to 65-14.  We will start out with the only game that has an impact on the a conference championship.

Beddingfield 6-4 4-0 @ SouthWest Edgecombe 9-1 3-1:  If Beddingfield wins they are the Eastern Plains champions.  A lost and a possible three way tie including Washington who lost to Beddingfield but beat SWE.  The Cougars have rolled since their lone loss.  This by far hardest game to pick this week.  The Bruins losses are to no light weights.  Bruins 26 SWE 22

Rocky Mount Prep 1-7 @ Northampton 5-5:  this might be a fairly close game Northampton 26 Prep 14.

Eight man playoffs begin and I don't understand why some teams played five conference games and others played  10.

RMA  7-3 @ Arendell Parrott 9-1:  They started the season and it was the first game for Terrell Hudgins as the new head coach at RMA.  I am sure ten games in Hudgins feels he can call a better game now over then. I am sure he can but Parrott will win.  38-26
Other  Eight man picks:

Cary Christian 3-7 @ St David's 10-0. St Davids plays Parrott -RMA winner next week. St Davids 65-0
Lawrence Academy 4-6 @ Southampton Academy 8-2.   SA 38-13
Community Christian 6-4 @ Northeast Academy: NE won last week at CC 52-40.  This one is in Lasker NE 54 Community Christian 36

Tarboro 9-1 @ North Edgecombe 5-4:  The Warriors have lost 3 in a row.  It comes down to how much Tarboro wants 48-6 Vikes

Rocky Mount 8-2 @ Northern Nash 3-7:  Perfect game for Northern.  Rocky Mount fat and happy and Northern still has playoff implications.  28-7 Gryphons.

Nash Central 1-9 @ Southern Nash 7-3:  The Firebirds need to forget the Rocky Mount game.  If they do 48-6 Firebirds.

Hunt 7-3 @ Fike 6-4:  I think Hunt has been the most steady team of these two.   Hunt 28 Fike 24

Halfway In The NFL

Maybe today? Rocky Mount's girls tennis team washed out in the third round of the state duel tennis championship on Tuesday.  The schedule calls for the Eastern Finals today so a victory today and a match tomorrow.

Now the NFL: Had the type week expect to have every week but it hasn't happened.  Went 12-2 to shoot my picks up to 69-50

Thursday football features the battle of Ohio.  Cleveland 2-6@ Cincinnati 7-0:  The Browns seem to play just good enough to lose.  Cincy showed they might be on a different level last week.  Bengals 27 Browns 20

Packers 6-1 @ Panthers 7-0:  Aaron Rogers hasn't play very well against good defenses.  Panthers I believe qualify for a good defense.  Packers last two games have given up 500 yards to Chargers and Broncos.  I find it hard to believe I'm picking the Panthers. 26-23.

Titans 1-6@ Saints 4-4:  You noticed Saints are on a roll. Saints 42- 17

Dolphins 3-4@ Bills: 3-4: Looks to me fish are on the way up while Bill Cody has been over rated because of their coach.  Miami 27 Bills 20

Redskins 3-4@Patroits 7-0. Do you remember the last time these two played.  Brady ahead by 50 passed from one the yard line to win by 50plus.  This year the Redskins get revenge they only lose by 30 45-14

Rams 3-4 @ Vikings 5-2:  This might be best game of the weekend as Todd Gurley meets the master Adrian Peterson. I think Rams defense can help them win this game 30-27

Jags 2-5 @ Jets 4-3: Jets-Jets-Jets 23-17

Giants 4-4 @ Bucs 3-4:  Anybody noticed but Bucs have  a good D.  Bucs kick butt 24-23

Falcons 6-2 @ 49's2-6: Falcons have a better record that what they truly are.  9'ers will win 27-23

Bronco's 7-0 @ Colts 3-5. 14 points for the Colts will not be enough.  Denver 31-14.

Eagles 3-4 @ Cowboys 2-5:  Boys need this one to stay close.  Eagles win 31-17

Raiders 4-3 @ Steelers 4-4:  One of the things I hate about the NFL is when a player passes and gets ok to play like Big Ben did  he is out of shape and needed a week or two to get in playing.  He played like he had never been on the field before.  Doubt he will be good enough again this week against one of the rising teams in NFL Oakland. Raiders 26 Pitt 20.

Monday night football has a reunion of two good friends Philip Rivers and  Jay Cutler.  Chicago 2-5@ Chargers 2-6.  Rivers may throw for 500 yards. 26-20 a Chargers.