Gryphons Need Better Starts

Four straight games now Rocky Mount has found themselves down in one game in the third quarter two others in the second quarter and during the first playoff game found themselves trailing after Williams opening drive.  The deeper the Gryphons go this trait must stop.  The only good news from these four come backs is the Gryphons out scored the team's they trailed to 118-27 once the Gryphons got going.

The second round they are matched up against South Johnston a team with a 8-4 record.  These two met in the second round in the 2009 playoffs at South Johnston with S J winning 36-18.  This is not a team to take lightly since they own a victory over Southern Nash.

A respectable crowd was on  hand in the first round but this could possibly be the last home game of the season win or lose.  The RM /SJ winner is matched up in the third round with the winner of the Havelock 12-0 - Morehead 9-3 winner.   If Havelock wins then the Rocky Mount/ South Johnston winner travels to  the home of Cherry Point Marine Corp Air Station.  In order for the Gryphons to host the third round they must beat South Johnston and Havelock lose and the Gryphons would host Morehead.

One of the best parts to this Gryphon team is their aggressive play both on offense and defense.  They are not overly big on either side of the ball.  On offense the backs love to put their heads down and try to run over the defense when necessary.  Over the course of a game this Gryphon team can become a load by games end.  The line is better that what you think and by the fourth quarter they are a load for anybody.

The defense is quick but anyone who has watched this Gryphon team knows the further the game goes the harder they hit.  Their quickness is their best attribute which means they are in position to deliver blows head on instead of having to grab.  We have all seen some body jarring tackles made when delivering a blow.

This special team group has scored on both kickoffs and punts and there has been a time or two a hard block was called a clip because the person hit was flattened and the ref throwing the flag thought that had to be a clip.  Having to kickoff or punt they have delivered hits that could make ESPN highlights.  They have also gotten a fumble or two so the Gryphon special teams had  done their share to make this team 10-2.

Do you realize that six teams that the Gryphons played during this season have made it to the second round.  This team has one victory in the playoffs. In order to get two or more this team has to come out of the gate a lot quicker than they have over the last month.  The deeper the playoffs the harder the comeback.  Come on Gryphons let's get out of the gate as if this game was a sprint not a mile run.