No Longer In The Shadow

Days that are sunny and walking  along I cast a shadow.  I look over to see my father walking beside me.  I look body shape wise just like him.  I might be eight inches taller than he was but casting a shadow he is the same size of me.

Day one of the rein of Jason Battle once he was hired as head football coach of the Rocky Mount Gryphons  there was a shadow of BW Holt.  He was not the coach that replaced Holt but like all coaches who follow the legend they are suppose to be just as good right off the bat.

Fans have expected Holt's shadow to make victories in bunches like he produced in his six year run.  Dickie Schock could only take three years living down the legend.  They say all things happen for a reason.  The second coach after B W Holt was Jason Battle.

Four years down the road from day one Battle's Gryphons have won eight games three times. It took year three to get the first playoff win.   It took year four to finally win a Regional title something the shadow never did.  Regardless of the results Friday The new shadow is that of Jason Battle. One game to go his four year tenure stands at 35-14.  Battle will be taking the Gryphons to the Big Dance the shadow of B W Holt never did.

It is time for the big one.  Rocky Mount has not played in a state championship game since 1977.  This will be their first appearance since the state playoffs have been move to college campus's. I have picked the Gryphons all four playoff games. Each step they have scored 28 or more.  I see no reason they can't score 28 or more again unless they put the ball on the ground.  They must play a perfect game having every chance when they have the ball score

South Point will be no pushover.  The Gryphons must not get caught up in playing in a stadium that holds 60,000 and you watch the scoreboard and high lights more than South Point.  Rocky Mount has won two basketball titles in Chapel Hill in the last five years.  The last three titles won by the Gryphons two basketball and a baseball title were all won on even years this century.  2008, 2010, and 2012.  We are a year late in winning a title in 2014.  They could get their title in Chapel Hill and third all time in football if they play better than they have played in any game this year..   Gryphons 31 Red Raiders 21.

Time is short for getting tickets from Rocky Mount High School for 9$.  Bus seats are filling up for 25 $ to ride the bus.   If you are driving the Gryphons are the visitors in this game and must enter at Gate 3 which is off  Stadium drive which is a left turn off highway 54 near the stadium.

If you love to take your radio while watching the game.  99.3fm, 96.5fm and 620am will all in the Chapel Hill area broadcasting the game live on radio.  I have not heard of any local station that will carry the game.  Live streaming  can be seen if you go to twcsportschannel.com and click on the NCHSAA logo and the only game going on Friday is in Chapel Hill.