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!

Time To Bring Home A Ship

OTW to see the Gryphons play with youngest daughter Morgan! 

Attention all Gryphon Fans attending tonight's game with a pre sale ticket bought at Rocky Mount High School.   Remember to enter on the north side of the stadium at Gate 3.  There are several areas of parking that will cost $10.  Be prepared for a rather long walk to the stadium once parked.  The stadium will open at 6pm

When entering the stadium you can not carry any of the following items into the stadium.  Coolers, thermos bottles, and no outside food.  If you are making signs they can be no bigger than 8.5 inches but 11 inches. No flag poles, sticks or umbrellas, No Full Face paint.  No electronics noise makers, no pyrotechnics exploding devices of any kind and no dangerous noise makers.

What does tonight's game mean?

South Point is 3-0-1 in state championship games.

They are 2-0 in games played in Chapel Hill

Bringing back bad memories.  I saw South Point win their first title in 1979.  Those days the east champ hosted the odd years and South Point came to Ahoskie.  Bus loads arrived from Belmont at 4pm. 7:00pm  their side which held 800 was completely filled.

 Their star player was a quarterback named Jeff Williams who many times while going back to pass and Ahoskie had good coverage  would tuck the ball and run.  South Point won 34-13.  Williams signed with Clemson and as a freshmen hurt his knee in August drills and never did much for the Tigers

It is the sixth time Rocky Mount  High has played in a state championship game 1940, 1947, 1962, 1963 and 1977.

They are 2-3 all time

0-1 all time as the Gryphons

A win tonight would be the 3rd state championship in football.

It would be the 13th team state championship title in school history.

It would be the 4th state title since the Gryphons went 3-A In 2005.

It would mean that Rocky Mount  had won state titles in all three major sports since going 3A.

It is the first state championship football game for Rocky Mount since the NCHSAA went to playing title games on college campus's.

Rocky Mount  is the last of the eight  local teams from our area alive on championship weekend.

Those staying home can watch live streaming of the game on twcsportschannel.com.  Click on NCHSAA.  Tonight that's the only game to see. 

Weather forecast calls for about 65 at kickoff  and 55 near 10pm.  No rain in the forecast

Be safe traveling to the game.  Cheer loud.  Remember no one is allowed on the field during the trophy presentation.

Hope we all have a loud and proud trip home.

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOGRYPHONS