Had a 12-4 week and adding up the numbers for the year now stand at 119-57. Five weeks to go until end of NFL season. About half the teams are already eliminated but the other half all those teams want to win enough game to qualify. Let's see who still has a shot.
Cowboys @ Vikings Right now Cowboys are safe. Vikes need more wins to qualify either as divisions champs or wild cards. Losses are not good for Minnesota. Who needs it more? The Vikings. Vikes 27 Cowboys 24
Chiefs @ Falcons. If playoffs started today both are in. The loser of this game just might fall to outside looking in. Falcons win at home over a good defense poor offensive team. Birds 26 Chiefs 19
Rams @ Patriots: Rams srtruggling to put points on the board. The Patriots are having issues with injuries including Tom Brady. I think I could start at QB for Pats and score enough to win. Pat's 27 Rams 16
Broncos @ Jaguars: Bronc's have a hard time winning not being able to score points. Their defense is so good teams have a hard time scoring on them so they are in playoff hunt. Mathematically 5-6 are still alive for playoffs. Those teams need Denver to lose. I think they have a chance in Jax of going down. Jaxsinville 21 Denver 16
Texans @ Packers: Texans play in weak division Packers have weak defense. Somebody this week has to win this game. Packers 30 Texans 20.
Eagles @Bengals: Both these teams are no where near what was expected them to be at this time. The question for the Bengals is what has happen to them they have most of their team they had last year. Eagles new coach and system so they may have an excuse. So who do you pick in a game like this. Cincy 30 Eagles 23
Dolphins @ Ravens: Both these teams still holding on to playoff hopes. A loss dims the playoff light but both need a win. Ravens 27 Dolphins 23
49'ers @ Bears: This is one of those games that nobody cares about the winner or loser. I'll takes Bears 17-16.
Bills @Raiders: Buffalo is having a good year but the Raider Nation is having a better one. Raiders 26 Bills 20
Giants @Steelers: New York trying to stay up with the Cowboys while Steelers trying to stay in playoff contention. The Steel curtain is tough to beat in Pittsburgh. Steelers 33 Giants 27
Redskins @ Cardinals: Both these teams are still in the playoff picture. Skins not a half bad team but Phoenix hard place to play for for half bad teams. Cardinals 27 Skins 23
Tampa @ San Diego: If you watch all the TV experts most will tell that San Diego is very good. As badly as they gave away games the first six weeks they are still in the playoff picture. Right now is there a more improved Team than Tampa? A must win game got both. Chargers win at home 33 Tampa 26
Panthers @Seattle: No playoffs this year for the Panthers but Seattle is a different team at home Seattle 26 Panthers 17
Colts @ Jets: Colts right in the middle of their division playoff but Jets right in middle of being out of playoffs. Jets 22 Colts 17
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Been Here Before
Last word about the Southern Nash Rocky Mount game. I felt that during the regular season match up with the schedule being moved around because of the hurricane that it being senior night but most of all the family situation going on with coach Brian Foster's family and coach Foster not being on the sidelines the Firebirds had everything to play for with an undefeated season riding, a first place in the conference and yet Rocky Mount had pretty much controlled the game until the two roughing the passer penalties. Update on Foster family. Understand both wife Kim and son Zack did make the game Friday but have much rehab still in front of them. We need to all pray for their full recoveries which may take at least another six months if not more.
I have no dispute at all with the penalties as both were bone head plays totally unneeded and it gave the Firebirds new life and any team as good as the Firebirds didn't need much help anyway but the Gryphons beat themselves.
Here we are in a second round game and now the Firebirds are the hunted, the team favored to win the game. Coach Foster's family no longer in intensive care and out of the Wilmington hospital. All of the things helping the Firebirds the first time were not there in this match up. I thought Rocky Mount had something to prove in this match up.
The one thing that I saw was the on the field change made by Rocky Mount after giving up three scores in one quarter to Southern Lee in the first round and falling behind by 14 in the third quarter. The Gryphons quit being a the going through the motions team and started playing ball the way they are capable. I thought I could see even in the first Southern Nash game a take for granted play that even only up 10-7 they thought they had the game. Up 7-0 to Southern Lee and now down 14 the Gryphons finally woke up to the fact they had to work to win. It carried over into the Second round Firebird matchup.
Rocky Mount's last lost in the playoffs was a second round defeat in 2014 to Southern Guilford at SG. That thing that had been a bug-a-boo this season fumbles, they had two in the first half in 2014. The Storm also had a special running back in Reggie Gallespy who now plays at NC State. The final score was 36-18.
I have no dispute at all with the penalties as both were bone head plays totally unneeded and it gave the Firebirds new life and any team as good as the Firebirds didn't need much help anyway but the Gryphons beat themselves.
Here we are in a second round game and now the Firebirds are the hunted, the team favored to win the game. Coach Foster's family no longer in intensive care and out of the Wilmington hospital. All of the things helping the Firebirds the first time were not there in this match up. I thought Rocky Mount had something to prove in this match up.
The one thing that I saw was the on the field change made by Rocky Mount after giving up three scores in one quarter to Southern Lee in the first round and falling behind by 14 in the third quarter. The Gryphons quit being a the going through the motions team and started playing ball the way they are capable. I thought I could see even in the first Southern Nash game a take for granted play that even only up 10-7 they thought they had the game. Up 7-0 to Southern Lee and now down 14 the Gryphons finally woke up to the fact they had to work to win. It carried over into the Second round Firebird matchup.
Rocky Mount's last lost in the playoffs was a second round defeat in 2014 to Southern Guilford at SG. That thing that had been a bug-a-boo this season fumbles, they had two in the first half in 2014. The Storm also had a special running back in Reggie Gallespy who now plays at NC State. The final score was 36-18.
Monday, November 28, 2016
Who's Up Next
Yesterday I Mentioned that the 28 points the Gryphons scored on Southern Nash was the most scored on the Firebirds all year. Looking at Middle Creek the Gryphons scored 25 on the 4A school which stands at 13-0 on the season and have not given up more than 14 points in any other game.
There is one big problem any running team has whenever they get behind by more than a touchdown. The Firebirds first score of the second half took almost eight minutes of the clock. The next two trips by Rocky Mount produced field goals and each drive lasted over four minutes. Running teams cannot afford to get behind more than one score. Just too much time comes off when they grind it down the field.
So far this year the Gryphons have not shown that if they are trailing in the fourth quarter and the running game is not working they have the ability to move the length of the field. If you recall the state championship game last year the Gryphons only rushed for 120 yards the entire game and needed a passing game to stay in the game.
This week the Gryphons head down that I-85 corridor which during this century has been a familiar territory have played in Mebane, Gibbonsonville, and now back to South Greensboro in the playoffs They will be playing a coach who had a heartache against the Gryphons just last season as the head coach Earl Bates was the coach of Eden Morehead who the Gryphons beat on the last play of the game in the third round. Either Bates saw the well running dry in Eden or it shows you how great a coach he is as Eden Morehead did not win a game this season. They scored only 88 points while giving up 488.
Let't look at what the Gryphons face In the Storm on Friday. They are 11-2 on the season with 10 wins in a row. They have scored 340 points which is a 26.4 points per game. They have allowed only 148 points or just a little over 11 per game.
They average 211 yards rushing per game and their leading rushing attempt guy only carries the ball 10 times per game. They play a lot of running backs combining for their 2534 yards rushing on the season. They average 5.9 yards per attempt. Throwing they have completed 51-102 for 670 yards or 55 yards a game.
The Gryphons come into game 14 averaging 280 yards per game rushing. The passing game has added 68 per game. BJ Sanders went over 1000 yards rushing on the season against the Firebirds. He missed the first conference game because of illness and then the week off for the hurricane it seemed as if he had lost his speed. It definitely looks as his speed is back in the two playoff games. DeAngelo Collins has rushed for 850 and another 650 from Charlie Williams.
The Gryphons are scoring at a 32 points per game pace on 402 points. They have allowed 221 points on the season but 78 came against Middle Creek 37 and Rose 41. They did hold Rose under their season average of 46. The other 11 games they are yielding 13 per contest.
We are to the point in the season where every win from here on out will have to be earned. The 5-7, 6-6 teams are now wrestling and playing basketball. This is a tough travel game due to the fact in order to be there on time you have to fight the Raleigh traffic and catch parts of the Greensboro jams in order to get to Southern Guilford.
I will not be able to be in attendance Friday night and help coach the Gryphons to victory from the stands. Will be behind the mic at the Roger Taylor Invitational at North Carolina Wesleyan. Same thing happened last year against East Alamance. The Gryphons did rather well without me in that one. Expect the same type results from the Gryphons in Greensboro in order to return to coaching in Vanceboro or Havelock with all the other Rocky Mount fans/coaches who sit in the stands.
There is one big problem any running team has whenever they get behind by more than a touchdown. The Firebirds first score of the second half took almost eight minutes of the clock. The next two trips by Rocky Mount produced field goals and each drive lasted over four minutes. Running teams cannot afford to get behind more than one score. Just too much time comes off when they grind it down the field.
So far this year the Gryphons have not shown that if they are trailing in the fourth quarter and the running game is not working they have the ability to move the length of the field. If you recall the state championship game last year the Gryphons only rushed for 120 yards the entire game and needed a passing game to stay in the game.
This week the Gryphons head down that I-85 corridor which during this century has been a familiar territory have played in Mebane, Gibbonsonville, and now back to South Greensboro in the playoffs They will be playing a coach who had a heartache against the Gryphons just last season as the head coach Earl Bates was the coach of Eden Morehead who the Gryphons beat on the last play of the game in the third round. Either Bates saw the well running dry in Eden or it shows you how great a coach he is as Eden Morehead did not win a game this season. They scored only 88 points while giving up 488.
Let't look at what the Gryphons face In the Storm on Friday. They are 11-2 on the season with 10 wins in a row. They have scored 340 points which is a 26.4 points per game. They have allowed only 148 points or just a little over 11 per game.
They average 211 yards rushing per game and their leading rushing attempt guy only carries the ball 10 times per game. They play a lot of running backs combining for their 2534 yards rushing on the season. They average 5.9 yards per attempt. Throwing they have completed 51-102 for 670 yards or 55 yards a game.
The Gryphons come into game 14 averaging 280 yards per game rushing. The passing game has added 68 per game. BJ Sanders went over 1000 yards rushing on the season against the Firebirds. He missed the first conference game because of illness and then the week off for the hurricane it seemed as if he had lost his speed. It definitely looks as his speed is back in the two playoff games. DeAngelo Collins has rushed for 850 and another 650 from Charlie Williams.
The Gryphons are scoring at a 32 points per game pace on 402 points. They have allowed 221 points on the season but 78 came against Middle Creek 37 and Rose 41. They did hold Rose under their season average of 46. The other 11 games they are yielding 13 per contest.
We are to the point in the season where every win from here on out will have to be earned. The 5-7, 6-6 teams are now wrestling and playing basketball. This is a tough travel game due to the fact in order to be there on time you have to fight the Raleigh traffic and catch parts of the Greensboro jams in order to get to Southern Guilford.
I will not be able to be in attendance Friday night and help coach the Gryphons to victory from the stands. Will be behind the mic at the Roger Taylor Invitational at North Carolina Wesleyan. Same thing happened last year against East Alamance. The Gryphons did rather well without me in that one. Expect the same type results from the Gryphons in Greensboro in order to return to coaching in Vanceboro or Havelock with all the other Rocky Mount fans/coaches who sit in the stands.
Sunday, November 27, 2016
48 Is Enough
High school basketball season is underway in most quarters but at this point the high school playoffs have over shadowed the beginning of the season. There is one game played so far that over shadows football talk for just a moment.
The Lady Firebirds of Southern Nash have not won a basketball game since the end of January of 2013. There have been times when they struggled to even score in a quarter and getting 20 in a game has been a big offensive output. Jordan Bass in his second year endured through a winless season as a rookie coach.
The Lady Birds opened the season playing Bunn and their 48 game losing streak is over after they beat Bunn. 31-29, Their chance to make it two wins in a row could happen Tuesday when they have a trip to Corinth Holders.
Rocky Mount's 28 points Friday night was the most that Southern Nash football team gave up all year. They gave up 18 to Nash Central which had been the highest all season.
What a difference a week makes. After six fumbles losing four last week against Southern Lee the Gryphons did not put it on the ground against the unbeaten Firebirds. When the Gryphons hold on to the ball they are really good but when they put it on the ground multiple times average at best.
Last year had to miss the East Alamance Eastern Finals game having PA duty for NC Wesleyan. Friday and Saturday at Wesleyan is the Roger Taylor Invitational and I'm stuck in Rocky Mount again. The Gryphons need to play as well on 1-85 as they did last year.
Three teams remain alive from the Twin Counties. This week Rocky Mount 11-2 is on the road to Southern Guilford. The other bracket is West Craven 13-0 hosting Havelock 12-1 from the same conference.
Tarboro 11-2 travels to East Carteret 12-0 unbeaten while the other bracket has Lakewood hosting Wallace Rose Hill. North Edgecombe hits the road playing Plymouth. Win or lose there will be no more high school football played in the twin counties this year.
If you were in Chapel Hill Friday during the State Carolina football game you might have heard the loudest cheer of the day was the Carolina Basketball team making an appearance at the football stadium having just arrived back from Hawaii after winning the Maui Classic with three convincing wins.
I realize the football team had a bad start Friday against the Pack and the crowd had little to cheer about as the basketball team made their appearance. It only proves that basketball is still king on campus and most Carolina fans could care less if Fedora leaves Chapel Hill to go any where else.
The Lady Firebirds of Southern Nash have not won a basketball game since the end of January of 2013. There have been times when they struggled to even score in a quarter and getting 20 in a game has been a big offensive output. Jordan Bass in his second year endured through a winless season as a rookie coach.
The Lady Birds opened the season playing Bunn and their 48 game losing streak is over after they beat Bunn. 31-29, Their chance to make it two wins in a row could happen Tuesday when they have a trip to Corinth Holders.
Rocky Mount's 28 points Friday night was the most that Southern Nash football team gave up all year. They gave up 18 to Nash Central which had been the highest all season.
What a difference a week makes. After six fumbles losing four last week against Southern Lee the Gryphons did not put it on the ground against the unbeaten Firebirds. When the Gryphons hold on to the ball they are really good but when they put it on the ground multiple times average at best.
Last year had to miss the East Alamance Eastern Finals game having PA duty for NC Wesleyan. Friday and Saturday at Wesleyan is the Roger Taylor Invitational and I'm stuck in Rocky Mount again. The Gryphons need to play as well on 1-85 as they did last year.
Three teams remain alive from the Twin Counties. This week Rocky Mount 11-2 is on the road to Southern Guilford. The other bracket is West Craven 13-0 hosting Havelock 12-1 from the same conference.
Tarboro 11-2 travels to East Carteret 12-0 unbeaten while the other bracket has Lakewood hosting Wallace Rose Hill. North Edgecombe hits the road playing Plymouth. Win or lose there will be no more high school football played in the twin counties this year.
If you were in Chapel Hill Friday during the State Carolina football game you might have heard the loudest cheer of the day was the Carolina Basketball team making an appearance at the football stadium having just arrived back from Hawaii after winning the Maui Classic with three convincing wins.
I realize the football team had a bad start Friday against the Pack and the crowd had little to cheer about as the basketball team made their appearance. It only proves that basketball is still king on campus and most Carolina fans could care less if Fedora leaves Chapel Hill to go any where else.
Saturday, November 26, 2016
12-1
Before we begin talking about this game it is a shame the top two teams from any conference have to meet in the second round. Especially when the combined record of the two going into the game is 22-2. I maybe could see it if the second place team was 6-6.
They expected 3,500 hundred and I think they got it as both stands were full on the Southern side on the hill by the entrance has several hundred and the Gryphon side had four and five deep from about the 20 yard line towards the concession stand in the field house.
The Firebirds took the opening kickoff and did what they did the first time these two met going 71 yards in seven plays and took the lead after a five yard run up the middle by Kendrick Bell. The Gryphon first series was a first down and punt but starting on the Firebird second pocession the Gryphons defense took over for rest of the half.
The Gryphon offense took over too as they went on a 86 yard drive capped off by two yard punch up the middle by Deangelo Collins and after the Chase Miller the Gryphons led 7-6 because the Firebirds missed their PAT and the time stood at 3:40 of the first.
The very next drive the Gryphons scored on one play as B J Sanders ran straight up the middle 60 yards and at 49 seconds before the end of the first it was 14-6. The Gryphons had a surprise in store for Southern Nash as Sherrod Green came in and ran at full back for the first time this year. He started preseason with a broke hand and did not see middle linebacker play until the fourth game and then toward the end of the season he has been bother by a shoulder injury. The Firebirds found out nothing is wrong with him now his first three carries total 42 yards and that led to a DeAngelo
Collins 22 yard jaunt with only .54 seconds in the half.
The Gryphons did nothing with their first try of the third quarter and Southern took more than seven minutes off the clock and cut the lead to 21-14 when Kendrick Bell saw the end zone from ten yards out. Bell added a two point conversion. Once again the Gryphon went to number 44 as they march close enough to the goal line to get a 28 yard field goal an extend the lead to 24-14.
An interception by Detrelle Revis set up another scoring drive that ended in Chase Miller belting his second field goal from 22 yards out and the lead is 27-14 with 3:40 to go. Southern Nash wasn't undefeated for no reason as they scored in just over two minutes getting the last 36 on the arm of Toonice Hampton to Nadir Thompsom and with 1:25 to go the Firebirds are an onside kick from having a shot but the Gryphons recover the onside kick and three neil downs sends the Gryphons to round three with a 27-21 victory over Southern Nash.
Rocky Mount rushed 51 times for 325 yards led by BJ Sanders 20 176 also Sherrod Green 8 carries 87 and DeAngelo Collins 11-64. The Gryphons completed only one pass in three tries losing three yards. Bam Knight led the Firebird 13-77, Nadir Thompson 3-55 and Kendrick Brll 14-50. Their totals 43 - 196 and passing 4-11 for 66.
For the Firebirds a perfect season ends at 12-1 while Rocky Mount advances to Southern Guilford who was a second round winner over South Johnston 29-7.
Big Night for Edgecombe County as Tarboro made the NCHSAA look like fools having to travel to a 6-6 team winning 61-0
North Edgecombe lives to play another week besting Northside Pinetown 16-14.
They expected 3,500 hundred and I think they got it as both stands were full on the Southern side on the hill by the entrance has several hundred and the Gryphon side had four and five deep from about the 20 yard line towards the concession stand in the field house.
The Firebirds took the opening kickoff and did what they did the first time these two met going 71 yards in seven plays and took the lead after a five yard run up the middle by Kendrick Bell. The Gryphon first series was a first down and punt but starting on the Firebird second pocession the Gryphons defense took over for rest of the half.
The Gryphon offense took over too as they went on a 86 yard drive capped off by two yard punch up the middle by Deangelo Collins and after the Chase Miller the Gryphons led 7-6 because the Firebirds missed their PAT and the time stood at 3:40 of the first.
The very next drive the Gryphons scored on one play as B J Sanders ran straight up the middle 60 yards and at 49 seconds before the end of the first it was 14-6. The Gryphons had a surprise in store for Southern Nash as Sherrod Green came in and ran at full back for the first time this year. He started preseason with a broke hand and did not see middle linebacker play until the fourth game and then toward the end of the season he has been bother by a shoulder injury. The Firebirds found out nothing is wrong with him now his first three carries total 42 yards and that led to a DeAngelo
Collins 22 yard jaunt with only .54 seconds in the half.
The Gryphons did nothing with their first try of the third quarter and Southern took more than seven minutes off the clock and cut the lead to 21-14 when Kendrick Bell saw the end zone from ten yards out. Bell added a two point conversion. Once again the Gryphon went to number 44 as they march close enough to the goal line to get a 28 yard field goal an extend the lead to 24-14.
An interception by Detrelle Revis set up another scoring drive that ended in Chase Miller belting his second field goal from 22 yards out and the lead is 27-14 with 3:40 to go. Southern Nash wasn't undefeated for no reason as they scored in just over two minutes getting the last 36 on the arm of Toonice Hampton to Nadir Thompsom and with 1:25 to go the Firebirds are an onside kick from having a shot but the Gryphons recover the onside kick and three neil downs sends the Gryphons to round three with a 27-21 victory over Southern Nash.
Rocky Mount rushed 51 times for 325 yards led by BJ Sanders 20 176 also Sherrod Green 8 carries 87 and DeAngelo Collins 11-64. The Gryphons completed only one pass in three tries losing three yards. Bam Knight led the Firebird 13-77, Nadir Thompson 3-55 and Kendrick Brll 14-50. Their totals 43 - 196 and passing 4-11 for 66.
For the Firebirds a perfect season ends at 12-1 while Rocky Mount advances to Southern Guilford who was a second round winner over South Johnston 29-7.
Big Night for Edgecombe County as Tarboro made the NCHSAA look like fools having to travel to a 6-6 team winning 61-0
North Edgecombe lives to play another week besting Northside Pinetown 16-14.
Friday, November 25, 2016
An End To College Football Season
Last week went 7-2 to send my tepid football guessing record 83-31. Only thing left after this week is playoffs and bowl games.
It is funny the N C State fans bemoaned the fact that this season's non conference slate was harder no patsies in the first four. A surprising victory over Notre Dames sent Wolfpack fans into hysteria only to find out the Fighting Irish is having their worse year in 20 years. Last chance to be bowl eligible if they can get to 6-6. Please let's end six and five win teams going to bowls.
Friday High Noon N C State 5-6 @ North Carolina 8-3: I thought the Pack had a chance against the Heels this season but it has turned out that the best quarterback they have is reckless with the ball. Tar Heels 41 Pack 17
ECU 3-8 @ Temple 8-3: After their home victory over N C State the season has been up hill all the way for the Pirates. It will end in an avalanche in Philadelphia. Temple 35 ECU 24
Miami 7-4 @ Duke 4-7: Coach Cut has proven beyond a doubt he is a great sidelines coach. This is team probably should have only won one game. Miami 38 Duke 24
Florida 8-2 @ Florida State 8-3: Both teams are good but not great taking plenty of luster off this game. Noles win 30-27
Georgia Tech 7-4 @ Georgia 7-4: Another game that I know Georgia fans are disappointed at the records. The hedges too much for the rambling wreck 27-24
South Carolina 6-5 @ Clemson 10-1: A must win for the Tigers if they are to make final four. You hear this every once in a while they are the best one loss team but I think it is on the other foot this time Clemson is the worse one loss team either the luckiest. Clemson 35 South Carolina 24
Boston College 5-6 @ Wake Forest 6-5: I think you could switch uniforms as both these teams are an image of themselves. I have a feeling the Eagles get to 6-6 26-24
Virginia 2-9 @ Virginia Tech 8-3: An ACC Championship game awaits the Hokies with a win. I think Cavs will be glad to end this season. Tech 28 Whoo's 16
Kentucky 6-5 @ Louisville 9-2: A major bowl game awaits the Cardinals with a victory while Kentucky will get a shot at any bowl game they can Louisville 45 Kentucky 28
Notre Dame 4-7 @ Southern Cal 8-3: I bet the Irish give them a run for their money only to lose in a close one. USC 27 Notre Dame 24.
It is funny the N C State fans bemoaned the fact that this season's non conference slate was harder no patsies in the first four. A surprising victory over Notre Dames sent Wolfpack fans into hysteria only to find out the Fighting Irish is having their worse year in 20 years. Last chance to be bowl eligible if they can get to 6-6. Please let's end six and five win teams going to bowls.
Friday High Noon N C State 5-6 @ North Carolina 8-3: I thought the Pack had a chance against the Heels this season but it has turned out that the best quarterback they have is reckless with the ball. Tar Heels 41 Pack 17
ECU 3-8 @ Temple 8-3: After their home victory over N C State the season has been up hill all the way for the Pirates. It will end in an avalanche in Philadelphia. Temple 35 ECU 24
Miami 7-4 @ Duke 4-7: Coach Cut has proven beyond a doubt he is a great sidelines coach. This is team probably should have only won one game. Miami 38 Duke 24
Florida 8-2 @ Florida State 8-3: Both teams are good but not great taking plenty of luster off this game. Noles win 30-27
Georgia Tech 7-4 @ Georgia 7-4: Another game that I know Georgia fans are disappointed at the records. The hedges too much for the rambling wreck 27-24
South Carolina 6-5 @ Clemson 10-1: A must win for the Tigers if they are to make final four. You hear this every once in a while they are the best one loss team but I think it is on the other foot this time Clemson is the worse one loss team either the luckiest. Clemson 35 South Carolina 24
Boston College 5-6 @ Wake Forest 6-5: I think you could switch uniforms as both these teams are an image of themselves. I have a feeling the Eagles get to 6-6 26-24
Virginia 2-9 @ Virginia Tech 8-3: An ACC Championship game awaits the Hokies with a win. I think Cavs will be glad to end this season. Tech 28 Whoo's 16
Kentucky 6-5 @ Louisville 9-2: A major bowl game awaits the Cardinals with a victory while Kentucky will get a shot at any bowl game they can Louisville 45 Kentucky 28
Notre Dame 4-7 @ Southern Cal 8-3: I bet the Irish give them a run for their money only to lose in a close one. USC 27 Notre Dame 24.
Thursday, November 24, 2016
Friday After Thanksgiving Football
It is not often that the Twin Counties still have four teams alive the Friday after Thanksgiving but thanks to Hurricane Matthew we will this year. That extra week of the regular season has seen to that.
Northside Pinetown 8-4 @ North Edgecombe 10-1: Coming in to this season Keith Parisher had averaged only four wins a year as the Warriors head football coach. He has ten this year. Sounds like coach of the year talk. Don't let the 8-4 Panther record deceive you. They have played three common foes.
South Creek Northside won 24-7 while the Warriors 22-16. Riverside the Panthers lost 61-14 while North Edgecombe won 74-56. Rocky Mount Prep Pinetown beat last week in the playoffs 61-12 while in conference play the warriors were winners 54-8. Two of the three games show this as a close game while the Riverside game tilts this matchup the Warriors way. NE 33 Northside 27
Can someone please explain to me why a 6-6 team that didn't even go undefeated in their conference is seeded higher than Tarboro and the Vikings go on the road to Stem. Tarboro 10-2 @ Granville Central 6-6: This games has all the makings of a second round clobbering for the Vikings.
Tarboro averages 287 yards a game rushing an another 25 passing. GC averages 130 yards rushing and 67 passing. Maybe that explains why they don't score much. The Vikings had better not be thinking about Wallace Rose Hill next week as a possible third round game or that could lead to fumbles and a poor offensive performance. See no way Granville Central can keep this close. Tarboro 38 Granville Central 6.
Rocky Mount 10-2 @ Southern Nash 12-0: This is for the Big East championship. This is the way the ACC basketball tournament use to be winner only moves on. Oh, I forgot this is a second round playoff game. Rocky Mount hoofs out 267 yards rushing a game while the Firebirds 300. Rocky Mount gets another 84 through the air while the Firebirds 50. That works out to 351-350. Even Steven.
The Firebirds had a great opening drive for a touchdown the first time around but the Gryphons put the clamps on the Birds until a 3rd and 15 incomplete pass roughing the passer call gave new life and the Big Mo to win the game.
I saw in the last 20 minutes against Southern Lee the Gryphon football team that played the first six games like a great football team. Rocky Mount played at Southern like that first 28 minute team the other night and yet carried a 10-7 lead into the fourth quarter.
Which Gryphon team shows up? I'm betting that last 20 minute team and with it a victory for the Gryphons at Southern a place that has not been friendly the last ten years. Rocky Mount 21 Southern Nash 14. I have checked with Southern Nash officials and it is a 7:30 kickoff. Repeating 7:30
Today is a religious holiday whether you think so or not. The Pilgrims were so thankful for surviving their first year in the new world that they celebrated life in the new world. We should be thankful for the life we have and I hope you can enjoy it with family today and let's get back to football tomorrow.
Northside Pinetown 8-4 @ North Edgecombe 10-1: Coming in to this season Keith Parisher had averaged only four wins a year as the Warriors head football coach. He has ten this year. Sounds like coach of the year talk. Don't let the 8-4 Panther record deceive you. They have played three common foes.
South Creek Northside won 24-7 while the Warriors 22-16. Riverside the Panthers lost 61-14 while North Edgecombe won 74-56. Rocky Mount Prep Pinetown beat last week in the playoffs 61-12 while in conference play the warriors were winners 54-8. Two of the three games show this as a close game while the Riverside game tilts this matchup the Warriors way. NE 33 Northside 27
Can someone please explain to me why a 6-6 team that didn't even go undefeated in their conference is seeded higher than Tarboro and the Vikings go on the road to Stem. Tarboro 10-2 @ Granville Central 6-6: This games has all the makings of a second round clobbering for the Vikings.
Tarboro averages 287 yards a game rushing an another 25 passing. GC averages 130 yards rushing and 67 passing. Maybe that explains why they don't score much. The Vikings had better not be thinking about Wallace Rose Hill next week as a possible third round game or that could lead to fumbles and a poor offensive performance. See no way Granville Central can keep this close. Tarboro 38 Granville Central 6.
Rocky Mount 10-2 @ Southern Nash 12-0: This is for the Big East championship. This is the way the ACC basketball tournament use to be winner only moves on. Oh, I forgot this is a second round playoff game. Rocky Mount hoofs out 267 yards rushing a game while the Firebirds 300. Rocky Mount gets another 84 through the air while the Firebirds 50. That works out to 351-350. Even Steven.
The Firebirds had a great opening drive for a touchdown the first time around but the Gryphons put the clamps on the Birds until a 3rd and 15 incomplete pass roughing the passer call gave new life and the Big Mo to win the game.
I saw in the last 20 minutes against Southern Lee the Gryphon football team that played the first six games like a great football team. Rocky Mount played at Southern like that first 28 minute team the other night and yet carried a 10-7 lead into the fourth quarter.
Which Gryphon team shows up? I'm betting that last 20 minute team and with it a victory for the Gryphons at Southern a place that has not been friendly the last ten years. Rocky Mount 21 Southern Nash 14. I have checked with Southern Nash officials and it is a 7:30 kickoff. Repeating 7:30
Today is a religious holiday whether you think so or not. The Pilgrims were so thankful for surviving their first year in the new world that they celebrated life in the new world. We should be thankful for the life we have and I hope you can enjoy it with family today and let's get back to football tomorrow.
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Turkey Day Football Tripleheader
Went 9-5 last week to run my record to 105 -53 on the season. All the bye weeks are out of the way and we are down to the stretch. It all starts with a Tripleheader. Thanksgiving is a day of thanks, family, food and football.
Vikings @ Lions: It is probably the most important Turkey game in Detroit in 30 years. Lions win a much needed game 27-24
Washington @ Dallas: The NFL are games that need wins more. Dallas has best D in NFL and Washington one of best surprises of season. The Skins need this one more and teams cruising have lapses. Skins 30 Boys 27
Pittsburgh @ Indy: Luck probably out and that means no offense for them. Steelers will score enough. Steelers 27 Colts 17
Arizona @ Atlanta: Cards no where near the team of last two years while Falcons a real contender in NFC South. Falcons 30 Cards 24
Bengals @ Ravens: Cincy a big disappointment while Ravens are hanging in playoff picture. Ravens 24 Cats 23
Jacksonville at Buffalo: Jags are improved but who can see it with only two wins. Bills are up and down. Bills survive 26-23
Tennessee @ Chicago: Titans still alive for playoffs while bears looking for new coach and quarterback. Titans 26 Bears 17
Giants @ Cleveland: I am picking the Browns again this week. Giants are the perfect team to lose when they shouldn't Cleveland 30 New York 23
San Diego @ Houston: The Chargers for the third year in a row with more injuries than anybody else playing Houston a contender. Texans 35 Chargers 31
SF @ Miami: How can anybody pull for a team that has a protester who dishonors his country and then find out he is not registered to vote. A true leader. Miami 27 9'ers 19
Rams @ Saints: Rams can't score 20 and the Saints can. Saints 30 Rams 17
Seattle @ Tampa: Hawks look Super Bowl bound while Bucs are still playoff possible. Hawks 23 Bucs 21
New England @ Jets: The Pats are best team in the elite division. Every team when they play New England wilt. New England 35 Jets 21
Carolina @ Oakland: Raiders look like Super Bowl possibilities while Panthers are the losers of last year's Super Bowl. Oakland 23 Panthers 17
KC @ Denver: Low scoring and loser is in jeopardy of falling out of playoff contention. 19-17 KC
Green Bay @ Philadelphia: Packers can't stop anybody and Philly struggling. Might be highest scoring game of weekend. Philly 38 Packers 35
Vikings @ Lions: It is probably the most important Turkey game in Detroit in 30 years. Lions win a much needed game 27-24
Washington @ Dallas: The NFL are games that need wins more. Dallas has best D in NFL and Washington one of best surprises of season. The Skins need this one more and teams cruising have lapses. Skins 30 Boys 27
Pittsburgh @ Indy: Luck probably out and that means no offense for them. Steelers will score enough. Steelers 27 Colts 17
Arizona @ Atlanta: Cards no where near the team of last two years while Falcons a real contender in NFC South. Falcons 30 Cards 24
Bengals @ Ravens: Cincy a big disappointment while Ravens are hanging in playoff picture. Ravens 24 Cats 23
Jacksonville at Buffalo: Jags are improved but who can see it with only two wins. Bills are up and down. Bills survive 26-23
Tennessee @ Chicago: Titans still alive for playoffs while bears looking for new coach and quarterback. Titans 26 Bears 17
Giants @ Cleveland: I am picking the Browns again this week. Giants are the perfect team to lose when they shouldn't Cleveland 30 New York 23
San Diego @ Houston: The Chargers for the third year in a row with more injuries than anybody else playing Houston a contender. Texans 35 Chargers 31
SF @ Miami: How can anybody pull for a team that has a protester who dishonors his country and then find out he is not registered to vote. A true leader. Miami 27 9'ers 19
Rams @ Saints: Rams can't score 20 and the Saints can. Saints 30 Rams 17
Seattle @ Tampa: Hawks look Super Bowl bound while Bucs are still playoff possible. Hawks 23 Bucs 21
New England @ Jets: The Pats are best team in the elite division. Every team when they play New England wilt. New England 35 Jets 21
Carolina @ Oakland: Raiders look like Super Bowl possibilities while Panthers are the losers of last year's Super Bowl. Oakland 23 Panthers 17
KC @ Denver: Low scoring and loser is in jeopardy of falling out of playoff contention. 19-17 KC
Green Bay @ Philadelphia: Packers can't stop anybody and Philly struggling. Might be highest scoring game of weekend. Philly 38 Packers 35
Monday, November 21, 2016
Showdown Number Two Is Near
When you look at the season the Firebirds of Southern Nash have had 12-0 it is all the more remarkable when you think of everything that has happen to them along the way. Their coach missing two weeks while taking care of a wife and son almost killed in a head on collision with a truck. One of those two missed weeks was against the Gryphons and it was for the conference crown and they prevailed.
The Firebirds will be playing their seventh straight conference game. Their last four games have been Rocky Mount, Nash Central, Northern Nash, Northern Nash and now Rocky Mount again. They have score at least 21 in all four and not giving up more that 18 in any of the four. Hard to find any team that has played their biggest rivals four straight times and about to be five.
The Big East is down to two teams and it was expected to be this way and after Friday only one will stand. The third round for the winner will be the Southern Guilford 10-2/South Johnston winner 6-6. If the Firebirds play the first Friday in December they will be at home. If Rocky Mount wins they would travel to Southern Guilford should they win and that school is east of I-85 toward High Point. If South Johnston wins they come to Rocky Mount.
Got a real shock entering the stadium Friday night only to learn there was three minutes until kickoff of what everyone on the chain crew and I think most fans thought was a 7:30 kickoff. If you go to the NCHSAA playoff bracket all games are scheduled for 7:30. Why the Big East changed to 7 this year for I have no idea but I bet when the count up ticket sales they lost big starting at 7 all year. I remember when kickoff was 8pm and that got changed in the late 70's to 7:30. Please go back to 7:30 next year.
Regardless of the outcome this Friday the Rocky Mount Gryphons have had two superlative years right now at 24-4. From what I saw coming up on the JV's winning ten will be tough next year. I heard it again more than once since Friday night why isn't Detrell Revis used more on offense. He reminds me of Stephan Virgil. Every time he touches the ball seems like magic happens.
All Nash Central Bulldog fans can be proud to hold their head high as they have a football team again. They finished 7-5 and didn't get embarrassed in any game. Many they scared the day lights out of a few winners.
Northern Nash finished 5-7 but they played better than a 5-7 record especially on defense. Just one more score in all those losses might have been an 9-3 season.
Tarboro is headed to Stem Friday night to play Granville Central. They have not been tested this year in any game when playing someone else in 1-A
North Edgecombe will get a test hosting Northside Pinetown. The Warriors have the best team they have had probably since Raymond Cobb left.
SouthWest Edgecombe was leading until the fumble bug struck which ended a comeback year in which four games into the season there were doubts they would win one. Yet, they won the conference.
Rocky Mount Prep continues to grow in football with three wins. They were respectable in most games except the big boys.
The Firebirds will be playing their seventh straight conference game. Their last four games have been Rocky Mount, Nash Central, Northern Nash, Northern Nash and now Rocky Mount again. They have score at least 21 in all four and not giving up more that 18 in any of the four. Hard to find any team that has played their biggest rivals four straight times and about to be five.
The Big East is down to two teams and it was expected to be this way and after Friday only one will stand. The third round for the winner will be the Southern Guilford 10-2/South Johnston winner 6-6. If the Firebirds play the first Friday in December they will be at home. If Rocky Mount wins they would travel to Southern Guilford should they win and that school is east of I-85 toward High Point. If South Johnston wins they come to Rocky Mount.
Got a real shock entering the stadium Friday night only to learn there was three minutes until kickoff of what everyone on the chain crew and I think most fans thought was a 7:30 kickoff. If you go to the NCHSAA playoff bracket all games are scheduled for 7:30. Why the Big East changed to 7 this year for I have no idea but I bet when the count up ticket sales they lost big starting at 7 all year. I remember when kickoff was 8pm and that got changed in the late 70's to 7:30. Please go back to 7:30 next year.
Regardless of the outcome this Friday the Rocky Mount Gryphons have had two superlative years right now at 24-4. From what I saw coming up on the JV's winning ten will be tough next year. I heard it again more than once since Friday night why isn't Detrell Revis used more on offense. He reminds me of Stephan Virgil. Every time he touches the ball seems like magic happens.
All Nash Central Bulldog fans can be proud to hold their head high as they have a football team again. They finished 7-5 and didn't get embarrassed in any game. Many they scared the day lights out of a few winners.
Northern Nash finished 5-7 but they played better than a 5-7 record especially on defense. Just one more score in all those losses might have been an 9-3 season.
Tarboro is headed to Stem Friday night to play Granville Central. They have not been tested this year in any game when playing someone else in 1-A
North Edgecombe will get a test hosting Northside Pinetown. The Warriors have the best team they have had probably since Raymond Cobb left.
SouthWest Edgecombe was leading until the fumble bug struck which ended a comeback year in which four games into the season there were doubts they would win one. Yet, they won the conference.
Rocky Mount Prep continues to grow in football with three wins. They were respectable in most games except the big boys.
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Did The Gryphons Learn Something
It is not often that any team starts a season as the defending State Champions as the 2016 Rocky Mount Gryphon football team did. Even if the entire team except for one player returns to a team that one player makes a completely new team. There have been times this season that this team has looked like last years squad but for the most part there is nothing about this years team that matches up with last.
They started 5-1 and the one lost was a competitive game with Middle Creek who by the way is on the schedule again next year. No one in 4-A through the first 12 games this season has been as close as the Gryphons were to MC 25-37. The victory over Rose was impressive and total domination over Hoke County led up to a conference schedule.
We all found out that there is new life in Nash Central. Turnovers we said made that game closer than it should be. A hurricane put a stop to life for a week and Fike found the Gryphons very dominant. A visit to Southern Nash and a top quality dog fight and the Gryphons go down after practically handing the Firebirds a touchdown after a defensive stop.
Turnovers plague once again with Northern Nash and Hunt. There was a point midway in the third quarter against Southern Lee that the season is over gift wrapped very nicely by four turnovers. Then there was a transformation right in front of everyone's eyes. The Gryphons woke up and started playing the way they had the first six games. Anyone who attended the game could see the players that played the first 28 minutes were not the same players that finished the last 20 minutes.
This team has the ability to be just as dominant as last year running the ball. They are not very good when they just go through the motions. You could almost see a concentration focus in the last minutes that has been missing for over a month. The only defensive fumble that the Gryphons had all night against Southern Lee was the Southern Lee defender took the ball away on the second half kickoff. The other five times the ball was on the ground were mishandles in the backfield that the Cavaliers graciously pounced on.
The 2016 version of Rocky Mount Gryphon football team this season have convinced themselves that they are defending state champions and no one can stop them but are they ever so wrong. There is a team out there that can stop them and they are the Rocky Mount Gryphons. That Gryphon team shows up to games thinking the other team must be shaking in their cleats because we are on the field. They rely on that team to fold up before the kickoff.
If this team has any intentions of playing beyond next Friday night they had better get off the bus with the concentration level like they had at Rose. They went to Southern once and two unnecessary penalties gave new life to the Firebirds and the Birds are good enough to take any gift and cram it down your throat.
Ok Rocky Mount Gryphons, what team do you want to be? Are you going to be the Gryphons that show up for 28 minutes and give the game away or the team that wants to crush you. The only way to play A third round game is to be the Gryphon team that when they get off the bus they are focused as one. If they show up and play the first 28 minutes the way they did last Friday it will not matter about the last 20 minutes the game will be lost.
What will it be?
They started 5-1 and the one lost was a competitive game with Middle Creek who by the way is on the schedule again next year. No one in 4-A through the first 12 games this season has been as close as the Gryphons were to MC 25-37. The victory over Rose was impressive and total domination over Hoke County led up to a conference schedule.
We all found out that there is new life in Nash Central. Turnovers we said made that game closer than it should be. A hurricane put a stop to life for a week and Fike found the Gryphons very dominant. A visit to Southern Nash and a top quality dog fight and the Gryphons go down after practically handing the Firebirds a touchdown after a defensive stop.
Turnovers plague once again with Northern Nash and Hunt. There was a point midway in the third quarter against Southern Lee that the season is over gift wrapped very nicely by four turnovers. Then there was a transformation right in front of everyone's eyes. The Gryphons woke up and started playing the way they had the first six games. Anyone who attended the game could see the players that played the first 28 minutes were not the same players that finished the last 20 minutes.
This team has the ability to be just as dominant as last year running the ball. They are not very good when they just go through the motions. You could almost see a concentration focus in the last minutes that has been missing for over a month. The only defensive fumble that the Gryphons had all night against Southern Lee was the Southern Lee defender took the ball away on the second half kickoff. The other five times the ball was on the ground were mishandles in the backfield that the Cavaliers graciously pounced on.
The 2016 version of Rocky Mount Gryphon football team this season have convinced themselves that they are defending state champions and no one can stop them but are they ever so wrong. There is a team out there that can stop them and they are the Rocky Mount Gryphons. That Gryphon team shows up to games thinking the other team must be shaking in their cleats because we are on the field. They rely on that team to fold up before the kickoff.
If this team has any intentions of playing beyond next Friday night they had better get off the bus with the concentration level like they had at Rose. They went to Southern once and two unnecessary penalties gave new life to the Firebirds and the Birds are good enough to take any gift and cram it down your throat.
Ok Rocky Mount Gryphons, what team do you want to be? Are you going to be the Gryphons that show up for 28 minutes and give the game away or the team that wants to crush you. The only way to play A third round game is to be the Gryphon team that when they get off the bus they are focused as one. If they show up and play the first 28 minutes the way they did last Friday it will not matter about the last 20 minutes the game will be lost.
What will it be?
High School Baseball Prospects
The third Nash County baseball player has signed Division one scholarship as Landon Roupp of Faith Christian has inked his name to an offer from UNC Wilmington. He becomes the third player in the class of 2017 to commit to a Major baseball program.
Roupp joins David Harrison from Rocky Mount and Reid Johnston from Rocky Mount Academy as baseball players that know what they will be doing in the fall of 2017. Most notably two of those players are from private schools Roupp and Johnston killing the myth that no player from a private school will ever get noticed at the level they play in high school because they don't play enough quality competition.
Those two players joined travel league teams and like Harrison traveled all over the southeast growing up and all three got noticed. Johnston and Harrison by Elliot Advent from N C State and Roupp by Mark Scalf at UNC-W. The last ten years travel ball has boomed and families are willing to join soccer, basketball, volleyball and baseball and I am sure there are others sports on travel teams that send families on weekend excursions all over the southeastern US. Their is a tremendous cost to families and for these three it has paid off for their college futures.
One of the biggest losers in the rise of travel baseball is American Legion baseball who has lost most of the top prospects to travel ball. Even high school baseball is feeling the effects as many travel teams play during high school season making spring time seven day a week baseball. It brings in question and all three of our signees are pitchers pitching during the week for their high school team and may be pitching an inning or two on weekends. The stress level on a players arm or body is never ceasing. Last season even during the summer both Johnston and Harrison played for Post 58 Legion team but when scheduling conflicts occurred they played travel.
This coming high school season all three should be set to show us their stuff as they prepare to move to the next level and at this point we don't know but hope there may even be a level beyond college if they want it. There is no need for any of our three signees to play travel next summer and just think of the Legion team Rocky Mount could have if all three spend the summer playing legion for Post 58.
The prospects for the Legion is good without the three but with them the summer of 17 could last into August if these three anchor what looks like a good team already. If you remember Post 58 did not have a college player returning from college last season because of no Legion Baseball in 2015. Several senior players from last years team will have eligibility to return to Post 58 next season if they wish
Has anybody noticed this besides me that the best newspaper in Nash County is the Nashville Graphics. Even though it is only a weekly newspaper you can find more information in it than any other. In my opinion the second best paper to find out what is happening here in Nash County is WRAL.COM. Just thinking out loud.
Roupp joins David Harrison from Rocky Mount and Reid Johnston from Rocky Mount Academy as baseball players that know what they will be doing in the fall of 2017. Most notably two of those players are from private schools Roupp and Johnston killing the myth that no player from a private school will ever get noticed at the level they play in high school because they don't play enough quality competition.
Those two players joined travel league teams and like Harrison traveled all over the southeast growing up and all three got noticed. Johnston and Harrison by Elliot Advent from N C State and Roupp by Mark Scalf at UNC-W. The last ten years travel ball has boomed and families are willing to join soccer, basketball, volleyball and baseball and I am sure there are others sports on travel teams that send families on weekend excursions all over the southeastern US. Their is a tremendous cost to families and for these three it has paid off for their college futures.
One of the biggest losers in the rise of travel baseball is American Legion baseball who has lost most of the top prospects to travel ball. Even high school baseball is feeling the effects as many travel teams play during high school season making spring time seven day a week baseball. It brings in question and all three of our signees are pitchers pitching during the week for their high school team and may be pitching an inning or two on weekends. The stress level on a players arm or body is never ceasing. Last season even during the summer both Johnston and Harrison played for Post 58 Legion team but when scheduling conflicts occurred they played travel.
This coming high school season all three should be set to show us their stuff as they prepare to move to the next level and at this point we don't know but hope there may even be a level beyond college if they want it. There is no need for any of our three signees to play travel next summer and just think of the Legion team Rocky Mount could have if all three spend the summer playing legion for Post 58.
The prospects for the Legion is good without the three but with them the summer of 17 could last into August if these three anchor what looks like a good team already. If you remember Post 58 did not have a college player returning from college last season because of no Legion Baseball in 2015. Several senior players from last years team will have eligibility to return to Post 58 next season if they wish
Has anybody noticed this besides me that the best newspaper in Nash County is the Nashville Graphics. Even though it is only a weekly newspaper you can find more information in it than any other. In my opinion the second best paper to find out what is happening here in Nash County is WRAL.COM. Just thinking out loud.
Friday, November 18, 2016
Gryphons Act Like Santa Finish Like Grinch
During my predictions on Thursday I suggested that Rocky Mount must pound and hold on to the ball. The Gryphons pounded but they didn't hold on to the ball fumbling 6 times losing 4 and three led directly to 21 points for Southern Lee and those 21 points gave the Caviliers a 21-7 lead seconds into the third quarter after Rocky Mount led 7-0 at the half.
So the Gryphons acted like Santa fumbling the second half kick off returned 24 yards to tie the score 13 seconds into the second half. Very first play the Gryphons fumble the snap and give it to Southern Lee at the 21. Five plays later a 8 yard pass gives S Lee the lead. The ensuing kickoff is bobbled retrieved at the eight yard and tackled at the one yard line. The very first play the ball is bobbled dropped in the enzone where Southern Lee recovered and within a couple of minutes they trail 21-7.
Over maybe the last five weeks the Gryphons on offense have been in neutral but now down and on the verge of being blown out this Gryphons team played the last 22 minutes the way championship teams play. The tied the score with 11:01 in the fourth.
A Chase Miller field goal gave the Gryphons the lead with 6:29 to go. An interception inside the red zone led to a Gryphon drive to seal the victory an a 30-21 lead. Southern Lee fought to the end scoring their only earned offensive touchdown with 22 seconds to play to make the final 30-28.
The lone Gryphon first half score happened at 5:22 of the second on a 17 yard run by Deangelo Collins and a Chase Miller extra points. 13 and 14 points happened after the Gryphons went into over drive on a B J Sanders score at 3:06 in third. Sanders scores a 15 yard dive over the goal line at 11:06 of the fourth. Miller's field goal gave the Gryphons the lead at 6:29 at 24-21 and Deangelo Collins gave the Gryphons the insurmountable lead at 2:06 to go on a 15 yard clincher.
Rocky Mount rushed for 48-314 passing4-6 for 60 for 374 yards on the night. Southern Lee rushed 11 times including sacks of the quarterback for 0 yards. They attempted 35 passes completing 18 for 184 yards for a total offense of 184 on the game.
The Gryphons when they are in the Christmas spirit are only an average team but when the concentrated on being Grinch and pound they can be unstoppable. They head to Southern Nash next week for the second time this year.
Other playoff scores
Tarboro 46 James Kenan 12
North Edgecombe 44 Columbia 0
East Alamance 35 Nash Central 21
Northside 61 Rocky Mount Prep 12
Orange County 48 Fike 7
Southern Nash 30 Northern Nash 15
So the Gryphons acted like Santa fumbling the second half kick off returned 24 yards to tie the score 13 seconds into the second half. Very first play the Gryphons fumble the snap and give it to Southern Lee at the 21. Five plays later a 8 yard pass gives S Lee the lead. The ensuing kickoff is bobbled retrieved at the eight yard and tackled at the one yard line. The very first play the ball is bobbled dropped in the enzone where Southern Lee recovered and within a couple of minutes they trail 21-7.
Over maybe the last five weeks the Gryphons on offense have been in neutral but now down and on the verge of being blown out this Gryphons team played the last 22 minutes the way championship teams play. The tied the score with 11:01 in the fourth.
A Chase Miller field goal gave the Gryphons the lead with 6:29 to go. An interception inside the red zone led to a Gryphon drive to seal the victory an a 30-21 lead. Southern Lee fought to the end scoring their only earned offensive touchdown with 22 seconds to play to make the final 30-28.
The lone Gryphon first half score happened at 5:22 of the second on a 17 yard run by Deangelo Collins and a Chase Miller extra points. 13 and 14 points happened after the Gryphons went into over drive on a B J Sanders score at 3:06 in third. Sanders scores a 15 yard dive over the goal line at 11:06 of the fourth. Miller's field goal gave the Gryphons the lead at 6:29 at 24-21 and Deangelo Collins gave the Gryphons the insurmountable lead at 2:06 to go on a 15 yard clincher.
Rocky Mount rushed for 48-314 passing4-6 for 60 for 374 yards on the night. Southern Lee rushed 11 times including sacks of the quarterback for 0 yards. They attempted 35 passes completing 18 for 184 yards for a total offense of 184 on the game.
The Gryphons when they are in the Christmas spirit are only an average team but when the concentrated on being Grinch and pound they can be unstoppable. They head to Southern Nash next week for the second time this year.
Other playoff scores
Tarboro 46 James Kenan 12
North Edgecombe 44 Columbia 0
East Alamance 35 Nash Central 21
Northside 61 Rocky Mount Prep 12
Orange County 48 Fike 7
Southern Nash 30 Northern Nash 15
College Weekend Of Disaster
All of the college football upsets last week had an awful week on picks. 5-5 which sinks my record for the year to 76-29. Just two weeks to go in the regular season and Clemson and Louisville are in position to send the ACC with two teams in college playoffs. All they have to do is win both of their remaining games.
Navy 7-2 @ ECU 4-6: Would love to think ECU had a chance but I think the triple option of the Naval Academy runs rough shod over Pirates. Annapolis 44 ECU 26
Miami 6-4 @ N C State 5-5: This game could be even Steven right down the middle. The Pack needs this one and they just might get it Pack 26 Miami 24.
Duke 4-6 @ Pitt 6-4: Was Duke's victory over Carolina just two arch rivals meeting or is a Duke capable of beating anybody? Pitt scores on anybody their question is always can they stop anybody. Pitt 36 Duke 27
Citadel 10-0 @ Carolina 7-3: Carolina can't stop the run and that's all the Cadets do. They might make this game interesting if they if control the ball. Their problem will be the rapid fire scoring the Tar Heels will do. Carolina 42 Citadel 24
Clemson 9-1 @ Wake Forest 6-4. Clemson's rabbitt's foot finally fell out of their pocket last week. The Deacons can make it sticky for a team still in the running for the playoffs. Clemson 42 Wake 17
Florida State 7-3 @ Syracuse 4-6: The Noles should win but over the years they have trouble on the road in games if they are disinterested. Doubt the Cuse has enough horses to keep it close. Florida State 38 Syracuse 23
Virginia 2-8 @ Georgia Tech 6-4: The Rambling Wreck's status sky rocketed with the win over Va Tech. Bowl status will rise with win over Virginia. GT 33 Virginia 20
Virginia Tech 7-3 @ Notre Dame 4-6: The Gobblers still control their own destiny but they had better play better than they have all year. VT 26 ND 23
Louisville 9-1 @ Houston 8-2: Did not realize that this was the Thursday night game. Louisville is back in playoff picture with the three losses by Clemson, Michigan and Washington falling. The Ville had better not let the Cougars slip up on them or it is too late to catch back up in a week. Louisville 35 Houston 27
Navy 7-2 @ ECU 4-6: Would love to think ECU had a chance but I think the triple option of the Naval Academy runs rough shod over Pirates. Annapolis 44 ECU 26
Miami 6-4 @ N C State 5-5: This game could be even Steven right down the middle. The Pack needs this one and they just might get it Pack 26 Miami 24.
Duke 4-6 @ Pitt 6-4: Was Duke's victory over Carolina just two arch rivals meeting or is a Duke capable of beating anybody? Pitt scores on anybody their question is always can they stop anybody. Pitt 36 Duke 27
Citadel 10-0 @ Carolina 7-3: Carolina can't stop the run and that's all the Cadets do. They might make this game interesting if they if control the ball. Their problem will be the rapid fire scoring the Tar Heels will do. Carolina 42 Citadel 24
Clemson 9-1 @ Wake Forest 6-4. Clemson's rabbitt's foot finally fell out of their pocket last week. The Deacons can make it sticky for a team still in the running for the playoffs. Clemson 42 Wake 17
Florida State 7-3 @ Syracuse 4-6: The Noles should win but over the years they have trouble on the road in games if they are disinterested. Doubt the Cuse has enough horses to keep it close. Florida State 38 Syracuse 23
Virginia 2-8 @ Georgia Tech 6-4: The Rambling Wreck's status sky rocketed with the win over Va Tech. Bowl status will rise with win over Virginia. GT 33 Virginia 20
Virginia Tech 7-3 @ Notre Dame 4-6: The Gobblers still control their own destiny but they had better play better than they have all year. VT 26 ND 23
Louisville 9-1 @ Houston 8-2: Did not realize that this was the Thursday night game. Louisville is back in playoff picture with the three losses by Clemson, Michigan and Washington falling. The Ville had better not let the Cougars slip up on them or it is too late to catch back up in a week. Louisville 35 Houston 27
Thursday, November 17, 2016
Playoff Picks
Finished the last week of the high school season with a 5-1 record to finish the regular season at 71-25. Every game rest of the way has season ending implications.
Rocky Mount Prep 3-8 at Northside Pinetown 8-3: Prep didn't beat any team during he season with a winning record so I found it hard to believe they start now. The Jags visit to eastern Beaufort county will make a hard long ride home Northside 36 RMP 6
Columbia 3-7 at North Edgecombe 9-1: The Warriors don't have to worry with Tarboro in their bracket and I suspect they can go deep into the playoffs but it must start with a first game win. North Edgecombe 43 Columbia 12
James Kenan 4-7 @ Tarboro 9-2: Kenan has grown enough they moved to 2-A next year and you have to rub your eyes to check their record. Seems in most years it is at least reversed but not this year. This is a team that has knocked the Vikings out the last two playoffs. That will not be forgotten in Viking land. Vikings win but they get a test. Tarboro 33 JK 12
South Granville 7-4 at SouthWest Edge 5-6: Seems like the home game team is wrong but the Cougars got their game together now. This is not a bad squad at all in South Granville. Hard game to pick as this one may go to wire. I like the way the Cougars have turned their season around as they play another week. SWE 32 South Granville 27
Nash Central 7-4 @ Eastern Alamance 9-2: This has been a proud turn a round for the Bulldogs. If they play a perfect game they could win this one. I think not having played in these type games in several years this will be a learning experience for the Bulldogs. Eastern Alamance 27 Nash Central 17
Northern Nash 5-6 @ Southern Nash 11-0. This will be another rock'em sock'em game. I think it will be closer than 28-11. I don't think the Firebirds can count on 14 points on defense. They could hold the Knights to less than 11. Southern Nash 14 Northern Nash 7
Southern Lee 8-3 @ Rocky Mount 9-2. Southern Lee loves to throw the football and this season the Gryphons weakness on defense is the pass. They will need a pass rush. The key for the Gryphons who have been staigant on offense for three weeks is pound, pound, pound the football. They need to control the clock and turnovers would keep that from happening. Rocky Mount 26 Southern Lee 20
Rocky Mount Prep 3-8 at Northside Pinetown 8-3: Prep didn't beat any team during he season with a winning record so I found it hard to believe they start now. The Jags visit to eastern Beaufort county will make a hard long ride home Northside 36 RMP 6
Columbia 3-7 at North Edgecombe 9-1: The Warriors don't have to worry with Tarboro in their bracket and I suspect they can go deep into the playoffs but it must start with a first game win. North Edgecombe 43 Columbia 12
James Kenan 4-7 @ Tarboro 9-2: Kenan has grown enough they moved to 2-A next year and you have to rub your eyes to check their record. Seems in most years it is at least reversed but not this year. This is a team that has knocked the Vikings out the last two playoffs. That will not be forgotten in Viking land. Vikings win but they get a test. Tarboro 33 JK 12
South Granville 7-4 at SouthWest Edge 5-6: Seems like the home game team is wrong but the Cougars got their game together now. This is not a bad squad at all in South Granville. Hard game to pick as this one may go to wire. I like the way the Cougars have turned their season around as they play another week. SWE 32 South Granville 27
Nash Central 7-4 @ Eastern Alamance 9-2: This has been a proud turn a round for the Bulldogs. If they play a perfect game they could win this one. I think not having played in these type games in several years this will be a learning experience for the Bulldogs. Eastern Alamance 27 Nash Central 17
Northern Nash 5-6 @ Southern Nash 11-0. This will be another rock'em sock'em game. I think it will be closer than 28-11. I don't think the Firebirds can count on 14 points on defense. They could hold the Knights to less than 11. Southern Nash 14 Northern Nash 7
Southern Lee 8-3 @ Rocky Mount 9-2. Southern Lee loves to throw the football and this season the Gryphons weakness on defense is the pass. They will need a pass rush. The key for the Gryphons who have been staigant on offense for three weeks is pound, pound, pound the football. They need to control the clock and turnovers would keep that from happening. Rocky Mount 26 Southern Lee 20
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Just win Nine
If you look at the NFL they have become a league of average teams and any team getting to nine wins in sixteen has a shot at the Super Bowl. Teams tend to be hot for two weeks and win one lose one rest of the way. The one's that manage to keep from every other week are odds on favorites with seven weeks to go.
Saints 4-5 @ Panthers 3-6: What a game on national TV to showcase your league. I do think that the scoreboard will light up again like the first matchup in New Orleans. Cam is back to the two years ago Cam. I may be because of the hits he has taken. Both these teams will figure a way to lose but one will lose worse. Panthers 33 Saints 30
Steelers 4-5 @ Browns 0-10: I said last week the Browns were going to knock somebody off and this is the one. Browns 27 Steelers 24
Ravens 5-4 @ Cowboys 8-1. I am not as impressed with Dak as rest of the Cowboy World is but I have to give him credit for one thing. He not losing games for the Cowboys like Romo. Boys defense is one of best in NFL. Ride Defense and go as far as Dak will take you. Boys 27 Ravens 21
Jags 2-7 @ Lions 5-4: The world seems on fire for the 5-4 Lions. If they are the same old Lions Jags win. I'll give them a chance to be the new Lions. Lions 30 Jax 23
Titans 5-5@ Colts 4-5:Here is another game the Titans playing well and Colts playing better. I do like the Titans in this game. Nashville 26 Indy 23
Bills 4-5@ Bengals 3-5: What happened to the up and coming Bengals. They look like the Bills. Bungles 30 Bills 27
Bucs 4-5 @ Chiefs 7-2: Here is my pick as one of the teams in AFC championship game. The Chiefs started the season coming from 17 behind to beat Chargers and now a blocked extra point. You have to like their chances. Chiefs 24 Bucs 21
Bears 2-7 @ Giants 6-3: It time for the Giants to lose one they shouldn't. But this is the Bears Giants 23 Bears 14
Cards 4-4 @ Vikes 5-4: The Cards are suppose to be a Super Bowl contender and the Vikes are a suicidal maniac right now. They can't get out of their own way after having a spot in the Super Bowl in early October. Cards 26 Vikes 24
Dolphins 5-4 @ Rams 4-5:Dolphins make their second straight trip west to meet Todd Gurley and the bumbling Rams. It is hard for Gurley to run with the ball when he is hit before it gets it. Dolphins 24 Rams 17
Pat's 7-2@ 49'ers 1-8: I pity the Niners catching the Pat's after a loss. Pat's 38 SF 17
Eagles 5-4 @ Seahawks 6-2: Eagles can't afford drop any further behind Cowboys while the Hawks have worked themselves into a rather good football team again. Seattle 27 Eagles 23
Packers 4-5 @ Redskins 5-3: Packer defense can't get saved this year by Aaron Rogers. Preseason I would have never thought I would pick Skins in this one. Redskins 29 Packers 26
Texans 6-3 @ Raiders 7-2: Here is my other pick in AFC championship game THE OAKLAND RAIDERS. Raiders 32 Texans 26
Last week went 10-3 to run my record for the season to 77-36.
Saints 4-5 @ Panthers 3-6: What a game on national TV to showcase your league. I do think that the scoreboard will light up again like the first matchup in New Orleans. Cam is back to the two years ago Cam. I may be because of the hits he has taken. Both these teams will figure a way to lose but one will lose worse. Panthers 33 Saints 30
Steelers 4-5 @ Browns 0-10: I said last week the Browns were going to knock somebody off and this is the one. Browns 27 Steelers 24
Ravens 5-4 @ Cowboys 8-1. I am not as impressed with Dak as rest of the Cowboy World is but I have to give him credit for one thing. He not losing games for the Cowboys like Romo. Boys defense is one of best in NFL. Ride Defense and go as far as Dak will take you. Boys 27 Ravens 21
Jags 2-7 @ Lions 5-4: The world seems on fire for the 5-4 Lions. If they are the same old Lions Jags win. I'll give them a chance to be the new Lions. Lions 30 Jax 23
Titans 5-5@ Colts 4-5:Here is another game the Titans playing well and Colts playing better. I do like the Titans in this game. Nashville 26 Indy 23
Bills 4-5@ Bengals 3-5: What happened to the up and coming Bengals. They look like the Bills. Bungles 30 Bills 27
Bucs 4-5 @ Chiefs 7-2: Here is my pick as one of the teams in AFC championship game. The Chiefs started the season coming from 17 behind to beat Chargers and now a blocked extra point. You have to like their chances. Chiefs 24 Bucs 21
Bears 2-7 @ Giants 6-3: It time for the Giants to lose one they shouldn't. But this is the Bears Giants 23 Bears 14
Cards 4-4 @ Vikes 5-4: The Cards are suppose to be a Super Bowl contender and the Vikes are a suicidal maniac right now. They can't get out of their own way after having a spot in the Super Bowl in early October. Cards 26 Vikes 24
Dolphins 5-4 @ Rams 4-5:Dolphins make their second straight trip west to meet Todd Gurley and the bumbling Rams. It is hard for Gurley to run with the ball when he is hit before it gets it. Dolphins 24 Rams 17
Pat's 7-2@ 49'ers 1-8: I pity the Niners catching the Pat's after a loss. Pat's 38 SF 17
Eagles 5-4 @ Seahawks 6-2: Eagles can't afford drop any further behind Cowboys while the Hawks have worked themselves into a rather good football team again. Seattle 27 Eagles 23
Packers 4-5 @ Redskins 5-3: Packer defense can't get saved this year by Aaron Rogers. Preseason I would have never thought I would pick Skins in this one. Redskins 29 Packers 26
Texans 6-3 @ Raiders 7-2: Here is my other pick in AFC championship game THE OAKLAND RAIDERS. Raiders 32 Texans 26
Last week went 10-3 to run my record for the season to 77-36.
Monday, November 14, 2016
Prospects For Friday Victories
Nash County will send five teams to the playoffs Friday night and a loss for any of the five ends football season. We need to take a look at the prospects of any of the five playing week two.
Southern Lee 8-3 4-2 @ Rocky Mount 9-2 4-1: Southern Lee finished tied for third but lost the tie breaker after Terry Sanford beat them last week. Truly a passing team averaging 190 yards per game through the air. They run it for only 85 yards per game. Despite big number passing they have failed to complete half but those completed have averaged 15.8 per catch.
They have scored 323 points for an 29.4 points per game giving up 166 or 15 per in a pass happy league. They have 33 sacks on the year with 12 picks while recovering 8 fumbles.
Rocky Mount second in the Big East and their two losses have come to teams with a combined 22-0 record. The Gryphons average 267 yards rushing or 6.1 yards per carry. They add another 84 yards passing. The Gryphons average 34 points per contest while yielding 15.5. So far this year Rocky Mount has fumbled 12 times and thrown 8 picks.
If you remember last year's playoffs first three games for Rocky Mount against pass happy teams. Pass happy teams practice passing and their defense doesn't get pounded by the run. Rocky Mount must pound the football and breakdown the pass effective Southern Lee. Rocky Mount must hold on to the ball in order to win and limit the big pass plays.
Nash Central 7-4 3-2 @ Eastern Alamance 9-2 6-2: EA averages 239 yards per game rushing or 6.3 yards per attempt. They add another 136 passing or 12.8 per reception. They score 36.5 per game and begrudge 14 points on defense.
Nash Central runs the ball for 211 yards per game while adding through the air another 141. Their pace of putting points on the board is 28.5 while allowing 21.5. The Bulldogs have had 23 turnovers on the year 11 fumbles and 12 interceptions. They can't have any in this one.
Nash Central must put points on the board and the defense must get some stops to give the themselves any chance. I guarantee you Eastern Alamance remembers the licking they got from Rocky Mount because they didn't respect the Gryphons. You had better bet the coaches are pounding and into the EA players that Nash Central is capable of winning if they are not ready.
There is no need to feed you the stats of the Northern Nash 5-6 1-4 @ Southern Nash 11-0 6-0. Let's talk facts. 28-11. Take away two defensive touchdowns and the score 14-11. Northern is more than capable of holding the Firebird offense and if the Firebirds think just because they got a home game this go around against the Knights this will be easy pickings.
I relate this game just like Eastern Alamance and Rocky Mount last year. The team thinking about next week got plucked big time and if the Firebirds sleep walk in this one the season and undefeated team ends quick.
Rocky Mount Prep 3-8 @ Northside Pinetown 8-3: RMP had not fared well against any team this season that you could classify as a good team. It started with Kipp Pride. Who at the time thought they would finish 6-4. It will be hard for the Jags to keep this one close.
Playoff time is for winners. The teams that dig down when the end is in sight and finds away to play another day. Let's go play some football.
Southern Lee 8-3 4-2 @ Rocky Mount 9-2 4-1: Southern Lee finished tied for third but lost the tie breaker after Terry Sanford beat them last week. Truly a passing team averaging 190 yards per game through the air. They run it for only 85 yards per game. Despite big number passing they have failed to complete half but those completed have averaged 15.8 per catch.
They have scored 323 points for an 29.4 points per game giving up 166 or 15 per in a pass happy league. They have 33 sacks on the year with 12 picks while recovering 8 fumbles.
Rocky Mount second in the Big East and their two losses have come to teams with a combined 22-0 record. The Gryphons average 267 yards rushing or 6.1 yards per carry. They add another 84 yards passing. The Gryphons average 34 points per contest while yielding 15.5. So far this year Rocky Mount has fumbled 12 times and thrown 8 picks.
If you remember last year's playoffs first three games for Rocky Mount against pass happy teams. Pass happy teams practice passing and their defense doesn't get pounded by the run. Rocky Mount must pound the football and breakdown the pass effective Southern Lee. Rocky Mount must hold on to the ball in order to win and limit the big pass plays.
Nash Central 7-4 3-2 @ Eastern Alamance 9-2 6-2: EA averages 239 yards per game rushing or 6.3 yards per attempt. They add another 136 passing or 12.8 per reception. They score 36.5 per game and begrudge 14 points on defense.
Nash Central runs the ball for 211 yards per game while adding through the air another 141. Their pace of putting points on the board is 28.5 while allowing 21.5. The Bulldogs have had 23 turnovers on the year 11 fumbles and 12 interceptions. They can't have any in this one.
Nash Central must put points on the board and the defense must get some stops to give the themselves any chance. I guarantee you Eastern Alamance remembers the licking they got from Rocky Mount because they didn't respect the Gryphons. You had better bet the coaches are pounding and into the EA players that Nash Central is capable of winning if they are not ready.
There is no need to feed you the stats of the Northern Nash 5-6 1-4 @ Southern Nash 11-0 6-0. Let's talk facts. 28-11. Take away two defensive touchdowns and the score 14-11. Northern is more than capable of holding the Firebird offense and if the Firebirds think just because they got a home game this go around against the Knights this will be easy pickings.
I relate this game just like Eastern Alamance and Rocky Mount last year. The team thinking about next week got plucked big time and if the Firebirds sleep walk in this one the season and undefeated team ends quick.
Rocky Mount Prep 3-8 @ Northside Pinetown 8-3: RMP had not fared well against any team this season that you could classify as a good team. It started with Kipp Pride. Who at the time thought they would finish 6-4. It will be hard for the Jags to keep this one close.
Playoff time is for winners. The teams that dig down when the end is in sight and finds away to play another day. Let's go play some football.
Sunday, November 13, 2016
The Computer Generation
The is no doubt that the last twenty years of my life I have received move information than I did my first forty. I think I can expand that and say I have been inundated just the last year with more information than the last twenty. A computer can aid greatly your life. We have become a society that we have to put on Facebook where we went to eat or what time we are planning to go to bed. Who Cares about all that. We can not live unless we are using that computer.
Even in Chapel Hill the NCHSAA has come solely dependent on the computer that they are paralyzed if they have to make a change in what the computer rankings tell them. There is no one in Chapel Hill that can look at the pairings and say: "you know Southern Nash is the top seed in the east is a member of The Big East and they are matched up with Northern Nash an eight seed also from the Big East. We can not let any conference members play each other in the first round."
I have no problem that those match ups start happening in the second round like what might happen if Rocky Mount can best Southern Lee they would play either Northern or Southern Nash. But, somebody in Chapel Hill needs to make an executive decision that we need to over ride the computer and move Northern Nash to a seven seed. How easy could that be? I have not cared to check all eight levels of the playoffs and I know this is not the only time two conference members are match up this Friday.
Our nation is becoming a robot society that we no longer have an ability to think for ourselves. We have to check the computer before we decide if is time to eat. My belly lets me know that and my belly is telling me we need to get back to common sense in matters of creating a playoff format.
The Big East is sending five teams to the playoffs and two of them could be out by week of week two losing to another conference member. This is the state playoffs not the Big East football tournament.
The Big East all season has had Friday night kickoffs at 7pm but all of the state playoffs start at 7:30. Please take note.
Even in Chapel Hill the NCHSAA has come solely dependent on the computer that they are paralyzed if they have to make a change in what the computer rankings tell them. There is no one in Chapel Hill that can look at the pairings and say: "you know Southern Nash is the top seed in the east is a member of The Big East and they are matched up with Northern Nash an eight seed also from the Big East. We can not let any conference members play each other in the first round."
I have no problem that those match ups start happening in the second round like what might happen if Rocky Mount can best Southern Lee they would play either Northern or Southern Nash. But, somebody in Chapel Hill needs to make an executive decision that we need to over ride the computer and move Northern Nash to a seven seed. How easy could that be? I have not cared to check all eight levels of the playoffs and I know this is not the only time two conference members are match up this Friday.
Our nation is becoming a robot society that we no longer have an ability to think for ourselves. We have to check the computer before we decide if is time to eat. My belly lets me know that and my belly is telling me we need to get back to common sense in matters of creating a playoff format.
The Big East is sending five teams to the playoffs and two of them could be out by week of week two losing to another conference member. This is the state playoffs not the Big East football tournament.
The Big East all season has had Friday night kickoffs at 7pm but all of the state playoffs start at 7:30. Please take note.
Saturday, November 12, 2016
Five Teams Big East Are In
Hunt will be the only Big East football team staying home and if they have any basketball players they can join the basketball team come Monday. Every other team still has that gleam in their eye of doing what Rocky Mount did last season and win the state championship. You would think as much as the NCHSAA changes the system every year they would finally come up with some way or other to keep conference foes from meeting each other in the first round and of course they have done it again to the Big East.
Southern Nash 10-0 is seeded as the number one seed in the Mideast after West Craven gets the top seed in the east. Southern Nash will play the eight seed in the east Northern Nash 5-5 after the two just clashed last Thursday night with Southern winning at Northern 28-11. As the top seed Southern will host.
Nash Central 7-3 returns to the playoffs as the 5th seed in the east and they hit the road traveling to 4th seed in the Mideast Eastern Alamance 8-2 This is a tough opening round game for the Bulldogs but winnable. This is also the same Eastern Alamance Rocky Mount played the Eastern Finals last season.
Orange County 10-0 the second seed in the Mideast will host Fike 6-4 the seven seed in the east. You must remember when you look at each teams overall record the NCHSAA only goes by a ten game schedule and if you played an approved endowment game can drop a loss from your record for playoff purposes.
Rocky Mount 9-1 is seeded 4th in the east and will host the 5th seed Southern Lee 8-2. This bracket has floated back and forth all morning. This is certainly a tougher game that it could have been the other way. The winner draws Southern/Northern Nash winner and this is no guarantee it will be the Gryphons.
The 2A playoffs will feature maybe the hottest team in the area SouthWest Edgecombe the champs of the Eastern Plains 5-5 and seeded 4th in the east hosting South Granville 5th seed from Mideast. Rocky Mount open their season with South Granville so the Cougars should have some film on SG.
1AA finds Tarboro 9-1 as three seed in the east hosting six seed James Kenan 4-6. I know everybody has questions what determines east and Mideast and that is a good question.
1A playoffs will feature North Edgecombe 9-1 number two in the Mideast hosting Columbia 3-7 seven seed in east.
Rocky Mount Prep 3-7 is in as they travel as a 7th seed in the Mideast to the 2nd seed in east Northside -Pinetown 7-3
Around 3pm Friday afternoon I received a call from a gentleman in charge of the Internet broadcasting of the Conference Carolina's volleyball tournament being played at Barton College Saturday and Sunday. They asked if needed would I fill in and help get the semifinal doubleheader coverage on the air Saturday afternoon at 5 and 7:30. This morning at 11:00 they finally decided they needed my help and I made it to Barton expecting yo do color commentary but instead did play by play of Erskine College defeat of Belmont Abbey and the nightcap was Barton defeating in five sets Kings College.
The Battling Bishops of North Carolina Wesleyan go out on a winning note on the arm of quarterback Nathan Gardner and the catch and running ability of Malik Adams three touchdown catches as the Bishops finish the season 5-4 after a 27-13 victory over Ferrum in Virginia.
One more note, John Carroll defeated Mt Union today 31-28 snapping a 112 game regular season winning streak.. Mt Union opened the season in Rocky Mount beating Wesleyan.
Southern Nash 10-0 is seeded as the number one seed in the Mideast after West Craven gets the top seed in the east. Southern Nash will play the eight seed in the east Northern Nash 5-5 after the two just clashed last Thursday night with Southern winning at Northern 28-11. As the top seed Southern will host.
Nash Central 7-3 returns to the playoffs as the 5th seed in the east and they hit the road traveling to 4th seed in the Mideast Eastern Alamance 8-2 This is a tough opening round game for the Bulldogs but winnable. This is also the same Eastern Alamance Rocky Mount played the Eastern Finals last season.
Orange County 10-0 the second seed in the Mideast will host Fike 6-4 the seven seed in the east. You must remember when you look at each teams overall record the NCHSAA only goes by a ten game schedule and if you played an approved endowment game can drop a loss from your record for playoff purposes.
Rocky Mount 9-1 is seeded 4th in the east and will host the 5th seed Southern Lee 8-2. This bracket has floated back and forth all morning. This is certainly a tougher game that it could have been the other way. The winner draws Southern/Northern Nash winner and this is no guarantee it will be the Gryphons.
The 2A playoffs will feature maybe the hottest team in the area SouthWest Edgecombe the champs of the Eastern Plains 5-5 and seeded 4th in the east hosting South Granville 5th seed from Mideast. Rocky Mount open their season with South Granville so the Cougars should have some film on SG.
1AA finds Tarboro 9-1 as three seed in the east hosting six seed James Kenan 4-6. I know everybody has questions what determines east and Mideast and that is a good question.
1A playoffs will feature North Edgecombe 9-1 number two in the Mideast hosting Columbia 3-7 seven seed in east.
Rocky Mount Prep 3-7 is in as they travel as a 7th seed in the Mideast to the 2nd seed in east Northside -Pinetown 7-3
Around 3pm Friday afternoon I received a call from a gentleman in charge of the Internet broadcasting of the Conference Carolina's volleyball tournament being played at Barton College Saturday and Sunday. They asked if needed would I fill in and help get the semifinal doubleheader coverage on the air Saturday afternoon at 5 and 7:30. This morning at 11:00 they finally decided they needed my help and I made it to Barton expecting yo do color commentary but instead did play by play of Erskine College defeat of Belmont Abbey and the nightcap was Barton defeating in five sets Kings College.
The Battling Bishops of North Carolina Wesleyan go out on a winning note on the arm of quarterback Nathan Gardner and the catch and running ability of Malik Adams three touchdown catches as the Bishops finish the season 5-4 after a 27-13 victory over Ferrum in Virginia.
One more note, John Carroll defeated Mt Union today 31-28 snapping a 112 game regular season winning streak.. Mt Union opened the season in Rocky Mount beating Wesleyan.
Friday, November 11, 2016
Predictions for the NFL.
SouthWest Edgecombe has beaten Washington 44-20 to win the top seed in the Eastern Plains.
I wonder if there will be a tie somewhere in the NFL or will there be a game when the refs let go a personal foul roughing the kicker or stand over the ball until the pre snap clock runs out. How can a crew of officials be that awful and not get suspended?
Texans 5-3 @ Jacksonville 2-7: Jacksonville is like the Browns they are going to beat somebody down the stretch and knock some playoff team for a loop. Will it be the Texans Houston 26 Jags 17
Broncos 6-3 @ Saints 4-4: Here is a game that the Bronc's can't score but the Saints defense is porous. The saints can score but the question is can a staggering Denver team hold them down enough to win on the road. My answer is No. New Orleans 30 Denver 21
Rams 3-5 @ Jets 3-6: This is your average NFL game two teams that are average at best and one has to win or do they? Might be a tie. Jets 22 Rams 16
Falcons 6-3 @ Eagles 4-4: The NFL season is so long that a team like the Eagles looked like Super Bowl Champs five weeks ago may not even make playoffs now. The Panthers need Philly to win this one and I think they will 33-30
Chief's 6-2 @ Panthers 3-5: Panthers defense seems to have started playing like last year's super bowl Run. The offense is not how ever. Chiefs 26 Panthers 23
Chicago 2-6 @ Tampa 3-5: I like the way the Buc's have improved. I doubt the Bears can win in the Sunshine State. Tampa 27 Bears 22
Vikings 5-3 @ Redskins 4-3: Just three weeks ago the Vikings were the best team in football, now trying to get over a three game losing streak. Redskins at home 30-23
Packers 4-4 @ Titans 4-5: Packers are capable when Aaron Rogers is playing best in football quarterbacking. One problem for the Packers is their defense is not super Bowl ready. Titans 33 Packers 28
Dolphins 4-4 @ Chargers 4-5: Looks like the LA Chargers are soon to be by 2019 now that San Diego voted down new stadium. Will it affect the Chargers? Dolphins are winless on the road and Philip Rivers is still under center in the city by the ocean. Chargers 36 Miami 30
49er's 1-7 @ Cardinals 3-4: San Fran is playing like the whole team is on one knee while the games are going on. Cardinals D needs to start asserting it'selve to keep Cards in playoff hunt. Cards 30 9'ers 20
Seahawks 5-2 @ Patriots 7-1: Hawks defense capable of stopping Brady and company. W#ould not hurt to have a set of officials on the Hawks side. Hawks 23 Pats 21
Bengals 3-4 @ Giants 5-3: The Bengals have never played this year to the level of last season. I don't see it starting now despite Eli being on the other side. Giants 23 Bengals 17
I wonder if there will be a tie somewhere in the NFL or will there be a game when the refs let go a personal foul roughing the kicker or stand over the ball until the pre snap clock runs out. How can a crew of officials be that awful and not get suspended?
Texans 5-3 @ Jacksonville 2-7: Jacksonville is like the Browns they are going to beat somebody down the stretch and knock some playoff team for a loop. Will it be the Texans Houston 26 Jags 17
Broncos 6-3 @ Saints 4-4: Here is a game that the Bronc's can't score but the Saints defense is porous. The saints can score but the question is can a staggering Denver team hold them down enough to win on the road. My answer is No. New Orleans 30 Denver 21
Rams 3-5 @ Jets 3-6: This is your average NFL game two teams that are average at best and one has to win or do they? Might be a tie. Jets 22 Rams 16
Falcons 6-3 @ Eagles 4-4: The NFL season is so long that a team like the Eagles looked like Super Bowl Champs five weeks ago may not even make playoffs now. The Panthers need Philly to win this one and I think they will 33-30
Chief's 6-2 @ Panthers 3-5: Panthers defense seems to have started playing like last year's super bowl Run. The offense is not how ever. Chiefs 26 Panthers 23
Chicago 2-6 @ Tampa 3-5: I like the way the Buc's have improved. I doubt the Bears can win in the Sunshine State. Tampa 27 Bears 22
Vikings 5-3 @ Redskins 4-3: Just three weeks ago the Vikings were the best team in football, now trying to get over a three game losing streak. Redskins at home 30-23
Packers 4-4 @ Titans 4-5: Packers are capable when Aaron Rogers is playing best in football quarterbacking. One problem for the Packers is their defense is not super Bowl ready. Titans 33 Packers 28
Dolphins 4-4 @ Chargers 4-5: Looks like the LA Chargers are soon to be by 2019 now that San Diego voted down new stadium. Will it affect the Chargers? Dolphins are winless on the road and Philip Rivers is still under center in the city by the ocean. Chargers 36 Miami 30
49er's 1-7 @ Cardinals 3-4: San Fran is playing like the whole team is on one knee while the games are going on. Cardinals D needs to start asserting it'selve to keep Cards in playoff hunt. Cards 30 9'ers 20
Seahawks 5-2 @ Patriots 7-1: Hawks defense capable of stopping Brady and company. W#ould not hurt to have a set of officials on the Hawks side. Hawks 23 Pats 21
Bengals 3-4 @ Giants 5-3: The Bengals have never played this year to the level of last season. I don't see it starting now despite Eli being on the other side. Giants 23 Bengals 17
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Just Enough
The Rocky Mount Gryphons finished up the 2016 football season at Hunt in the makeup game that was delayed by Hurricane Matthew and it was Home Coming for the Warriors faithful. Coach Jason Battle rested those with nagging injuries so far this season when the Gryphons are not focused they make the games more interesting than need be.
The Gryphons have four turn overs on the night two fumbles and two pass interceptions three of the Turnovers in the first but still managed to hold Hunt scoreless and lead 3-0 at the half and win going away 17-0.
The first half Rocky Mount could not execute the handoffs fumbling three time but lost only one. A change at quarterback did not improve anything as two intercepts were thrown on three attempts to snuff out any scoring drives. The only points came off the foot of kicker Chase Miller who's 32 yard field goal hit the crossbar and bounced over for the only Gryphon first half points.
The second half the Gryphons stuck to the ground game scoring at 7:05 of the third on a 12 yard DeAngelo Collins run around left end. The final score of the night came in the fourth quarter when quarterback Shabios Lynch faked a handoff toward the left and kept it himself to score from three yards
Rocky Mount got the best running they had in several weeks as DeAngelo Collins 10-94, BJ Sanders 14-99 and Charlie Williams 6-74 lead for Gryphons attack getting 304 on the night. The Gryphon defense held the Warriors to 39 rushes 54 yards. They held the Warriors to 5-14 passing 60 yards with Detrell Revis picking off two interceptions.
Rocky Mount waits for the playoff seeding which come out Saturday afternoon. They finish 9-2 4-1 in the big East as Hunt finishes 3-8 0-6. I doubt they make the playoffs.
Southern Nash finished off a perfect regular season beating Northern Nash 28-11
Nash Central won the only game that could effect the conference seeding as they beat Fike and secured 3th place winning at Fike 48-20
Tarboro had no trouble with Rocky Mount Prep 54-0
North Edgecombe 76 Riverside 54 that's the second place game behind Tarboro
Congrats to Reid Johnston of Rocky Mount Academy he signed a baseball letter of intent to play at NC State. He will join Legion and travel league teammate David Harrison on the Wolfpack.
The Gryphons have four turn overs on the night two fumbles and two pass interceptions three of the Turnovers in the first but still managed to hold Hunt scoreless and lead 3-0 at the half and win going away 17-0.
The first half Rocky Mount could not execute the handoffs fumbling three time but lost only one. A change at quarterback did not improve anything as two intercepts were thrown on three attempts to snuff out any scoring drives. The only points came off the foot of kicker Chase Miller who's 32 yard field goal hit the crossbar and bounced over for the only Gryphon first half points.
The second half the Gryphons stuck to the ground game scoring at 7:05 of the third on a 12 yard DeAngelo Collins run around left end. The final score of the night came in the fourth quarter when quarterback Shabios Lynch faked a handoff toward the left and kept it himself to score from three yards
Rocky Mount got the best running they had in several weeks as DeAngelo Collins 10-94, BJ Sanders 14-99 and Charlie Williams 6-74 lead for Gryphons attack getting 304 on the night. The Gryphon defense held the Warriors to 39 rushes 54 yards. They held the Warriors to 5-14 passing 60 yards with Detrell Revis picking off two interceptions.
Rocky Mount waits for the playoff seeding which come out Saturday afternoon. They finish 9-2 4-1 in the big East as Hunt finishes 3-8 0-6. I doubt they make the playoffs.
Southern Nash finished off a perfect regular season beating Northern Nash 28-11
Nash Central won the only game that could effect the conference seeding as they beat Fike and secured 3th place winning at Fike 48-20
Tarboro had no trouble with Rocky Mount Prep 54-0
North Edgecombe 76 Riverside 54 that's the second place game behind Tarboro
Congrats to Reid Johnston of Rocky Mount Academy he signed a baseball letter of intent to play at NC State. He will join Legion and travel league teammate David Harrison on the Wolfpack.
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
College Football's Stretch Run
November has run around and high schools begin the playoffs while colleges hit the front stretch heading to the finish line lining up front bowl games. Last week had one of the best weeks of the season picking nine of ten right to run my college pick totals for the year to 71-24.
The final game of the season for the Battling Bishops happens in Ferrum Virginia. Ferrum is 6-3 4-2 in the league. The Bishops 4-4 3-2 winning season is on the line since they lost the one game to the hurricane. This could be a close one but the home team wins Ferrum 34 NCW 28
SMU 4-5 @ ECU 3-6: The last month has been a tough one for the Pirates and the Mustangs come to town not much better off than the Pirates. There is still a chance for a 500 season but the Pirates need to win out and a win against the horses helps. ECU 31 SMU 27
NC State 4-5 1-4 @ Syracuse 4-5 2-3: State is just good enough to lose. Pack gave a good effort against FSU but nothing in the credit column only more debits. This will hard one to win considering the way the Pack's last month has gone the Orange 28 Pack 24
North Carolina 7-2 5-1 @ Duke 3-6 0-5: The Tar Heels will be hard to slow down but this is the Thursday night national TV game so I am sure the Devils will give a supreme effort to no avail. Tar Herls 42 Duke 24
Wake Forest 6-3 3-2 @ Louisville 8-1 5-1: Wake Forest has a habit of making people play ugly. This one will probably be ugly Louisville 42 Wake Forest 17
Miami 5-4 2-3 @ Virginia 2-7 1-4: Miami got back on the winning ways last week and Virginia continues to find winning hard. This will not be a run a way but the Canes win. Hurricanes 38 Hoos 21
Florida State 6-3 2-3 @ Boston College 4-5 1-5: The Noles are not the dominant Noles of the past. They had a struggle with the Pack and see no reason FSU is fired up for this one either. FSU 26 BC 17
Georgia Tech 5-4 2-4 @ Virginia Tech 7-2 5-1: The Gobblers are winning but not by much. Georgia Tech is a load for everybody and despite their wins not very impressed with the way they are winning. I feel an upset GT 26 VT 24
Pitt 5-4 2-3 @ Clemson 9-0 6-0: Pitt lost some luster last week getting crushed at Miami. Could be worse in Death Valley. Clem 54 Pitt 27
Army 5-4 @ Notre Dame 3-6: The Irish lost to the Navy last week and this week it's the Army. Army not quite as good as Navy so the Irish will pick up win number 4. Notre Dame 34 Army 20
I'm doing NFL picks Saturday this week and there is a Thursday night game Browns 0-9 @ Ravens 4-4. I don't think the Browns go winless this year. They are going to beat somebody so will it be this week? Ravens 26 Browns 20
The final game of the season for the Battling Bishops happens in Ferrum Virginia. Ferrum is 6-3 4-2 in the league. The Bishops 4-4 3-2 winning season is on the line since they lost the one game to the hurricane. This could be a close one but the home team wins Ferrum 34 NCW 28
SMU 4-5 @ ECU 3-6: The last month has been a tough one for the Pirates and the Mustangs come to town not much better off than the Pirates. There is still a chance for a 500 season but the Pirates need to win out and a win against the horses helps. ECU 31 SMU 27
NC State 4-5 1-4 @ Syracuse 4-5 2-3: State is just good enough to lose. Pack gave a good effort against FSU but nothing in the credit column only more debits. This will hard one to win considering the way the Pack's last month has gone the Orange 28 Pack 24
North Carolina 7-2 5-1 @ Duke 3-6 0-5: The Tar Heels will be hard to slow down but this is the Thursday night national TV game so I am sure the Devils will give a supreme effort to no avail. Tar Herls 42 Duke 24
Wake Forest 6-3 3-2 @ Louisville 8-1 5-1: Wake Forest has a habit of making people play ugly. This one will probably be ugly Louisville 42 Wake Forest 17
Miami 5-4 2-3 @ Virginia 2-7 1-4: Miami got back on the winning ways last week and Virginia continues to find winning hard. This will not be a run a way but the Canes win. Hurricanes 38 Hoos 21
Florida State 6-3 2-3 @ Boston College 4-5 1-5: The Noles are not the dominant Noles of the past. They had a struggle with the Pack and see no reason FSU is fired up for this one either. FSU 26 BC 17
Georgia Tech 5-4 2-4 @ Virginia Tech 7-2 5-1: The Gobblers are winning but not by much. Georgia Tech is a load for everybody and despite their wins not very impressed with the way they are winning. I feel an upset GT 26 VT 24
Pitt 5-4 2-3 @ Clemson 9-0 6-0: Pitt lost some luster last week getting crushed at Miami. Could be worse in Death Valley. Clem 54 Pitt 27
Army 5-4 @ Notre Dame 3-6: The Irish lost to the Navy last week and this week it's the Army. Army not quite as good as Navy so the Irish will pick up win number 4. Notre Dame 34 Army 20
I'm doing NFL picks Saturday this week and there is a Thursday night game Browns 0-9 @ Ravens 4-4. I don't think the Browns go winless this year. They are going to beat somebody so will it be this week? Ravens 26 Browns 20
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Wrap It Up Thursday
Normally Thursday is high school football prediction day but it is moved up a day this week with the action switching to Thursday to wrap up the 2016 high school football season six days late. Games are finishing on Thursday due to schools being out Friday for Veterans Day. Had bad week going 4-4 dropping my season score to 66-24. Maybe I'll do better this week.
Rocky Mount Prep 3-7 0-4 @ Tarboro 8-2 4-4: This is a classic example of why I am against seeding teams in the playoffs base on overall record. Are you going to try to tell me with two losses to Both Southern and Northern Nash three A schools Tarboro is not a top five 1A school in North Carolina? The clock will run in the second half if coach Craddock wants it. 49-0 Vikings.
Here we go again with a seedings game. SouthWest Edgecombe 4-6 3-1 @ Washington 3-7 3-1 play for the Eastern Plains championship. If you look at their overall record both are borderline even making the playoffs. Washington started out with losses to Havelock one loss. DH Conley averaging 60 points per game in 3A/4A league in league games. SWE just as tough of non conference slate. One will win the conference while the other will probably play the number one seed in the east in round one. Washington 33 SWE 28
Riverside 8-2 3-1 @ North Edgecombe 8-1 3-1. Hurricane Matthew did the Warriors no favors forcing North Edgecombe to play three games in eight days the third game being Tarboro and a week later Riverside. Let's compare, a Riverside lost to Tarboro 52-7 and North Edgecombe 48-6. This is a tossup. I have to give North Edgecombe the edge playing at home and their game with Tarboro the third game of eight days. Warriors 26 Riverside 24
Rocky Mount 8-2 3-2 @ Hunt 3-7 0-4: Been a long year for Hunt and a long two weeks for the Rocky Mount offense. Good news for the Gryphons is that Hunt's defense is not quite to the Firebirds and Knights level but almost. Hunt has struggled all year on offense which the Gryphon D should handle. It is important the Gryphons find some flow on offense. Rocky Mount 26 Hunt 6
Southern Nash 10-0 4-0 @ Northern Nash 5-5 1-3: The first seed wrapped up but not the outright Big East championship so the Firebirds have plenty to play for. Can Northern muster enough offense and the defense only allow 14 or less and make this a dogfight? For this one to be an upset the Firebirds will need to put it on the ground several times. The Knights defense is capable of causing that to happen. Southern 21 Northern 7
The biggest game of the night has no ramifications of championships but who is third best in Big East. Nash Central 6-4 2-2 @ Fike 5-5 2-2. Both have taken different paths and are both standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona. I doubt the victor gets a home first round game but the loser could fall to that dreaded 25th seed area which will be close to getting a conference champ in the first round. If we just look at how both fared against both Southern and Rocky Mount Nash Central stacks up better. Bulldogs 35 Golden Demons 31
A ball players dream will come true today for David Harrison Pitcher for the Rocky Mount Gryphons. 1:30 this afternoon in the gym at Rocky Mount High School David will sign his letter of intent to play baseball at North Carolina State.
Rocky Mount Prep 3-7 0-4 @ Tarboro 8-2 4-4: This is a classic example of why I am against seeding teams in the playoffs base on overall record. Are you going to try to tell me with two losses to Both Southern and Northern Nash three A schools Tarboro is not a top five 1A school in North Carolina? The clock will run in the second half if coach Craddock wants it. 49-0 Vikings.
Here we go again with a seedings game. SouthWest Edgecombe 4-6 3-1 @ Washington 3-7 3-1 play for the Eastern Plains championship. If you look at their overall record both are borderline even making the playoffs. Washington started out with losses to Havelock one loss. DH Conley averaging 60 points per game in 3A/4A league in league games. SWE just as tough of non conference slate. One will win the conference while the other will probably play the number one seed in the east in round one. Washington 33 SWE 28
Riverside 8-2 3-1 @ North Edgecombe 8-1 3-1. Hurricane Matthew did the Warriors no favors forcing North Edgecombe to play three games in eight days the third game being Tarboro and a week later Riverside. Let's compare, a Riverside lost to Tarboro 52-7 and North Edgecombe 48-6. This is a tossup. I have to give North Edgecombe the edge playing at home and their game with Tarboro the third game of eight days. Warriors 26 Riverside 24
Rocky Mount 8-2 3-2 @ Hunt 3-7 0-4: Been a long year for Hunt and a long two weeks for the Rocky Mount offense. Good news for the Gryphons is that Hunt's defense is not quite to the Firebirds and Knights level but almost. Hunt has struggled all year on offense which the Gryphon D should handle. It is important the Gryphons find some flow on offense. Rocky Mount 26 Hunt 6
Southern Nash 10-0 4-0 @ Northern Nash 5-5 1-3: The first seed wrapped up but not the outright Big East championship so the Firebirds have plenty to play for. Can Northern muster enough offense and the defense only allow 14 or less and make this a dogfight? For this one to be an upset the Firebirds will need to put it on the ground several times. The Knights defense is capable of causing that to happen. Southern 21 Northern 7
The biggest game of the night has no ramifications of championships but who is third best in Big East. Nash Central 6-4 2-2 @ Fike 5-5 2-2. Both have taken different paths and are both standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona. I doubt the victor gets a home first round game but the loser could fall to that dreaded 25th seed area which will be close to getting a conference champ in the first round. If we just look at how both fared against both Southern and Rocky Mount Nash Central stacks up better. Bulldogs 35 Golden Demons 31
A ball players dream will come true today for David Harrison Pitcher for the Rocky Mount Gryphons. 1:30 this afternoon in the gym at Rocky Mount High School David will sign his letter of intent to play baseball at North Carolina State.
Monday, November 7, 2016
Quick Final Week
This Thursday night ends the Big East football season and Saturday the 2016 football brackets will be issued. They are trying a new seedings process and the Big East teams that make the playoffs are matched up with the I-85 corridor teams which is of course the Alamance County schools and the Guilford County which was the path that Rocky Mount had to take in order to get to Chapel Hill.
That of course was not an easy venture for last year's Gryphons and if each step is as tough this season I doubt that the Gryphons will find themselves in the final game of the year. Assuming sometimes can be a big word. If we are going to base each playoff game against all five playoff games from last season is there anyone capable of winning four or five playoff games this year from the Big East?
Rocky Mount's offense has not shown the burst of speed that they have had since BJ Sanders had his medical issue the week before conference started. Last year during the playoff run they controlled the ball with power running in the fourth quarter. That has disappeared lately. Is this team walking the Pirates plank thinking they are so good they can win it when needed? If so they need to have a heart to heart talk with themselves. This is not last year. You have to earn everything nobody is going to lie down and shake in their boots just because the Gryphons are on the field.
Southern Nash is enjoying maybe their best football season ever. They can have an undefeated season by midnight Thursday. It never hurts any team to have that motivational "win one for the Gipper" deep down in your heart. Rocky Mount had it last year with the death of their JV player prominently displaying his jersey on the sidelines every game throughout the playoffs. The Firebirds have that with coach Brian Foster's family auto accident which has taken coach Foster off the side lines for at least two weeks of the season.
They are big up front and fast in the backfield. Their defense to me is their question mark making a five game March in the playoffs. Southern and coach Foster love to pound you to death. Even though they set you up run-run-run and hit you with a big pass when you are sucked up with eight in the box they are for the most part are four yards 16 play drive type team and that means ball control. You cannot put the ball on the ground.
Just think back to Rocky Mount's run last year they had a fourth quarter drive to win the game again Morehead that took a score on the last play which was almost all running. Then the 89 yard drive in Chapel Hill to get the game into overtime. That drive had a few passes but mostly down the throat running. Is Southern capable of those type drives?
If the Big East is to make it back to the prom this season it will be in Southern Nash's hands. Remember this the playoffs are five games which is another half season to go and teams have injuries, even improve every week. The deeper the Firebirds go and coach Foster's life gets back to normal somewhat there is that chance the Firebirds could represent the Big East at the Academy Awards of high school football.
Both Nash Central and Northern Nash had better start packing for first round road games in the playoffs. They will both be seeded where they will get teams right off the bat on the road that will have finished as a conference champion or second in their league so winning opening round games will be long shots.
The Bulldogs should be proud of the season they had winning more games that the last three seasons combined. They had chances to beat Rocky Mount and lose by ten to the conference champions. Welcome back Bulldogs to respectability.
The Knights are the Denver Broncos of North Carolina High School football. Their defense is capable of stopping any offense and springing and upset. They have a bright future in sophomore quarterback Davontae Wiggins. As much as their offense has struggled all season I believe I would let Wiggins run more than what he did against Rocky Mount. He looks like Cam Newton and can stand up to the hits and is hard to tackle. I would for the remainder of this season find out how far the Knights can go on the legs of Wiggins.
That of course was not an easy venture for last year's Gryphons and if each step is as tough this season I doubt that the Gryphons will find themselves in the final game of the year. Assuming sometimes can be a big word. If we are going to base each playoff game against all five playoff games from last season is there anyone capable of winning four or five playoff games this year from the Big East?
Rocky Mount's offense has not shown the burst of speed that they have had since BJ Sanders had his medical issue the week before conference started. Last year during the playoff run they controlled the ball with power running in the fourth quarter. That has disappeared lately. Is this team walking the Pirates plank thinking they are so good they can win it when needed? If so they need to have a heart to heart talk with themselves. This is not last year. You have to earn everything nobody is going to lie down and shake in their boots just because the Gryphons are on the field.
Southern Nash is enjoying maybe their best football season ever. They can have an undefeated season by midnight Thursday. It never hurts any team to have that motivational "win one for the Gipper" deep down in your heart. Rocky Mount had it last year with the death of their JV player prominently displaying his jersey on the sidelines every game throughout the playoffs. The Firebirds have that with coach Brian Foster's family auto accident which has taken coach Foster off the side lines for at least two weeks of the season.
They are big up front and fast in the backfield. Their defense to me is their question mark making a five game March in the playoffs. Southern and coach Foster love to pound you to death. Even though they set you up run-run-run and hit you with a big pass when you are sucked up with eight in the box they are for the most part are four yards 16 play drive type team and that means ball control. You cannot put the ball on the ground.
Just think back to Rocky Mount's run last year they had a fourth quarter drive to win the game again Morehead that took a score on the last play which was almost all running. Then the 89 yard drive in Chapel Hill to get the game into overtime. That drive had a few passes but mostly down the throat running. Is Southern capable of those type drives?
If the Big East is to make it back to the prom this season it will be in Southern Nash's hands. Remember this the playoffs are five games which is another half season to go and teams have injuries, even improve every week. The deeper the Firebirds go and coach Foster's life gets back to normal somewhat there is that chance the Firebirds could represent the Big East at the Academy Awards of high school football.
Both Nash Central and Northern Nash had better start packing for first round road games in the playoffs. They will both be seeded where they will get teams right off the bat on the road that will have finished as a conference champion or second in their league so winning opening round games will be long shots.
The Bulldogs should be proud of the season they had winning more games that the last three seasons combined. They had chances to beat Rocky Mount and lose by ten to the conference champions. Welcome back Bulldogs to respectability.
The Knights are the Denver Broncos of North Carolina High School football. Their defense is capable of stopping any offense and springing and upset. They have a bright future in sophomore quarterback Davontae Wiggins. As much as their offense has struggled all season I believe I would let Wiggins run more than what he did against Rocky Mount. He looks like Cam Newton and can stand up to the hits and is hard to tackle. I would for the remainder of this season find out how far the Knights can go on the legs of Wiggins.
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Gainey Wins Big East Volleyball Player Of The Year.
When your team finishes third in the standings but your top player wins the MVP of the league just how good is your player when the last name is Gainey and both your parents coach basketball at your school? Michelle Gainey already a three year varsity basketball player resume' just might look better to college recruiters in VB.
Gainey leads three Gryphons on the All Conference team. Joining Gainey is Asia Jones and Anna Reese Vick. Northern Nash has Ashley Wollett and Ashlee Bracket. Southern Nash has Lauren Fassnacht and Abigail Cowart. Nash Central's lone all star performer is Robbi Allen.
Gainey had 233 kills on the season, 22 blocks, 24 aces, 219 digs and 154 assists in leading the Gryphons 7-3 conference record and good for 3rd place behind Hunt and Fike.
I guess Sports Illustrated still has their faces in the crowd page as it has been years since I have looked at a copy. I have one for you here that should have made the magazine as faces in the crowd tells you of great athletic feats worth mentioning.
A couple of weeks back both Baseball and softball held fall Ball Alumni/ Varsity games at North Carolina Wesleyan. Rikki Rich Assistant Athletic Director/ Communication / Compliance is a former basketball and softball player from Southern Nash back then Rikki Cockrell. She played basketball and softball at UNC Pembroke graduating in 2003. She has a lovely family Husband Marcus and two daughters Addison and Mackenzie. I tell you that in order you can figure out how old the petite Sports information director is.
Playing for the alumni Rich pitched a seven inning shutout which in itself is well worth shouting about. She also led the old timers at the plate belting three home runs in the 15-0 alumni win. The big question is does she have any eligibility left ?
I got a chance to vote in my first presidential election November 8th 1972. I have never missed voting in the presidential but on occasions I have missed a runoff primary. I have taken very seriously my privilege to vote. This year I find for the first time that there is no person running for the presidency of the United States worthy as a candidate.
The good ole boy system has allowed a trader to our country to be the last democrat standing and a billionaire who has seldom in his life ever heard the word no the last standing republican. This years election is the first time that I have ever thought about not voting. I voted Friday for what I call the lesser of two evils. I hate to see that our country has fallen to such a low level.
Gainey leads three Gryphons on the All Conference team. Joining Gainey is Asia Jones and Anna Reese Vick. Northern Nash has Ashley Wollett and Ashlee Bracket. Southern Nash has Lauren Fassnacht and Abigail Cowart. Nash Central's lone all star performer is Robbi Allen.
Gainey had 233 kills on the season, 22 blocks, 24 aces, 219 digs and 154 assists in leading the Gryphons 7-3 conference record and good for 3rd place behind Hunt and Fike.
I guess Sports Illustrated still has their faces in the crowd page as it has been years since I have looked at a copy. I have one for you here that should have made the magazine as faces in the crowd tells you of great athletic feats worth mentioning.
A couple of weeks back both Baseball and softball held fall Ball Alumni/ Varsity games at North Carolina Wesleyan. Rikki Rich Assistant Athletic Director/ Communication / Compliance is a former basketball and softball player from Southern Nash back then Rikki Cockrell. She played basketball and softball at UNC Pembroke graduating in 2003. She has a lovely family Husband Marcus and two daughters Addison and Mackenzie. I tell you that in order you can figure out how old the petite Sports information director is.
Playing for the alumni Rich pitched a seven inning shutout which in itself is well worth shouting about. She also led the old timers at the plate belting three home runs in the 15-0 alumni win. The big question is does she have any eligibility left ?
I got a chance to vote in my first presidential election November 8th 1972. I have never missed voting in the presidential but on occasions I have missed a runoff primary. I have taken very seriously my privilege to vote. This year I find for the first time that there is no person running for the presidency of the United States worthy as a candidate.
The good ole boy system has allowed a trader to our country to be the last democrat standing and a billionaire who has seldom in his life ever heard the word no the last standing republican. This years election is the first time that I have ever thought about not voting. I voted Friday for what I call the lesser of two evils. I hate to see that our country has fallen to such a low level.
Saturday, November 5, 2016
Out With A Bang
The Battling Bishops of North Carolina Wesleyan college closed out their home portion of their 2016 home football season dominating the second half in taking down the Panthers of LaGrange 49-23. The first half looked nothing like a game in which either side was going to go any length of time without scoring.
The Bishops took the opening kickoff and took more than eight minutes before Adrian Minondo scored from seven yards out and after the Chris Richardson PAT the Bishops led 7-0. The Panthers wanted no part in the of a slug it out game only attempting 17 rushes the entire day took little time in driving in just over two minutes to tie the game on a Marsalis Jackson 30 yard pass catch from quarterback Conner Blair.
Early second quarter Brad Hodgson 32 yard field goal put the Panthers in the lead. Seventy seconds later defender Rodney Simon on a blitz practically took the ball out of the hands of Bishops quarterback Nathan Gardner but the ball hit the ground where a scoop and score gave the Panthers a 16-7 lead after the blocked PAT.
The Bishops got closer 16-14 at the 5:37 after Deandre Gillis scampered from 16 yards out. Less than two minutes later Blair connected with Kiontai Button for 28 yards and the Panthers back up 23-14. Before the half ended DeAndre Gillis scored again to cut the halftime lead to 23-21.
Don't know exactly what coach Jeff Filkovski said at half time because it works the offense scored 14 points in both the third and fourth quarter and the defense gave up zero points in both the 3rd and 4th quarters.
After stopping the Panthers after the second half kickoff the Bishops retook the lead when Nathan Gardner spotted all American wide receiver Malik Adams had a step on the defender and race 33 yards for a score. Adrian Minondo scored has second touchdown of the game five minutes later and the lead zoomed to 35-23.
The Bishops opened the fourth quarter and put icing on the cake when Gardner connected again with Adams who was five yards in the clear and 78 yards later the lead has ballooned to 42-23. How good is Adams his two touchdown passes today added to his already all time touchdown career scoring record 44 in Conference USA South. He has a very good chance to become the first battling Bishop to play in the NFL as the pro scouts are making visits to Rocky Mount just to see Malik Adams.
The icing got a little thicker ten seconds later when the first play from scrimmage Tyreik Dix picked off a bobbled pass to run the Bishops total to 49-23 which would be the final
How often do you have two hundred yard rushers and two hundred yard receivers as Adrian Monondo carried the pigskin 27 times for 178 while scamper running back DeAndre Gillis 21-123. Add to that Malik Adam four catches 125 yards and Trey Lancaster 5-123.
The Bishops roamed the field for 574 yards 329 rushing and 245 passing . The Panthers had 328 passing on 26-45. They ran 17 times for 67 for a total of 395. The Bishops record goes to 4-4 on the season and ends the 2016 campaign at Ferrum next Saturday.
This afternoon in the state cross country championship Northern Nash runner Daniel Belton finished 7th finishing one spot out of making all state running in 16 minutes and 18 seconds. Teammate Jordan Richardson crossed the finish line 14th leading Northern to a ninth place finish in the championship won by Chapel Hill. Northern girls finished 12th.
The Bishops took the opening kickoff and took more than eight minutes before Adrian Minondo scored from seven yards out and after the Chris Richardson PAT the Bishops led 7-0. The Panthers wanted no part in the of a slug it out game only attempting 17 rushes the entire day took little time in driving in just over two minutes to tie the game on a Marsalis Jackson 30 yard pass catch from quarterback Conner Blair.
Early second quarter Brad Hodgson 32 yard field goal put the Panthers in the lead. Seventy seconds later defender Rodney Simon on a blitz practically took the ball out of the hands of Bishops quarterback Nathan Gardner but the ball hit the ground where a scoop and score gave the Panthers a 16-7 lead after the blocked PAT.
The Bishops got closer 16-14 at the 5:37 after Deandre Gillis scampered from 16 yards out. Less than two minutes later Blair connected with Kiontai Button for 28 yards and the Panthers back up 23-14. Before the half ended DeAndre Gillis scored again to cut the halftime lead to 23-21.
Don't know exactly what coach Jeff Filkovski said at half time because it works the offense scored 14 points in both the third and fourth quarter and the defense gave up zero points in both the 3rd and 4th quarters.
After stopping the Panthers after the second half kickoff the Bishops retook the lead when Nathan Gardner spotted all American wide receiver Malik Adams had a step on the defender and race 33 yards for a score. Adrian Minondo scored has second touchdown of the game five minutes later and the lead zoomed to 35-23.
The Bishops opened the fourth quarter and put icing on the cake when Gardner connected again with Adams who was five yards in the clear and 78 yards later the lead has ballooned to 42-23. How good is Adams his two touchdown passes today added to his already all time touchdown career scoring record 44 in Conference USA South. He has a very good chance to become the first battling Bishop to play in the NFL as the pro scouts are making visits to Rocky Mount just to see Malik Adams.
The icing got a little thicker ten seconds later when the first play from scrimmage Tyreik Dix picked off a bobbled pass to run the Bishops total to 49-23 which would be the final
How often do you have two hundred yard rushers and two hundred yard receivers as Adrian Monondo carried the pigskin 27 times for 178 while scamper running back DeAndre Gillis 21-123. Add to that Malik Adam four catches 125 yards and Trey Lancaster 5-123.
The Bishops roamed the field for 574 yards 329 rushing and 245 passing . The Panthers had 328 passing on 26-45. They ran 17 times for 67 for a total of 395. The Bishops record goes to 4-4 on the season and ends the 2016 campaign at Ferrum next Saturday.
This afternoon in the state cross country championship Northern Nash runner Daniel Belton finished 7th finishing one spot out of making all state running in 16 minutes and 18 seconds. Teammate Jordan Richardson crossed the finish line 14th leading Northern to a ninth place finish in the championship won by Chapel Hill. Northern girls finished 12th.
Friday, November 4, 2016
Gryphons Beat Northern By A Yard
A game that can only be described as a slobber knocker the Knights of Northern Nash quarterback Davontae Wiggins ran a bootleg on third and long from Rocky Mount 23 midway in the fourth quarter and looked as if he was going into the end zone after jumping over a tackler at the five but while stretching trying to get the ball over the goal line Rocky Mount knocked the ball free, it rolled in the end zone and out of bounds giving the ball to Rocky Mount on their 20. That was as close as Northern would get again as Rocky Mount wins 14-7.
Rocky Mount scored first on a two yard dive by Charlie Williams and Chase Miller's extra point gave the Gryphons the 7-0 lead. A quarterback sneak by Davontae Wiggins and a single point by Travis Smith tied the game at 7. A spectacular kickoff return by Detrelle Revis put the Gryphons in business and a pass in the flat to B J Sanders of 12 yards put the Gryphons in the lead at 14-7 at 5:02 of the half. The last play of the half the Gryphons missed a 29 yard field to increase the lead.
Northern defense held Rocky Mount to 88 yards rushing and another 92 passing. The Gryphons got only 67 yards in the second half. Rocky Mount held Northern to 195 yards for the game. 132 rushing and 63 passing.
Rocky Mount's biggest offensive threat on the night was Detrelle Revis who had two kickoff returns totaling over 100 yards and a punt return of 50. He may also have been the defensive player of the game intercepting two passes and had a third but was ruled a completed pass as Northern Receiver Raymond Bullock was able to get his mitts to force equal pocession to be called.
Neither team scored in the second half but the Northern defense kept giving the offense the ball on the Rocky Mount side of the field or near the 50. So Rocky Mount's defense came up big when they needed it.
Davonte Wiggins rushed 10 times 66 yards to lead Northern while BJ Sanders 40 yards led the Gryphons. Wiggins was just 2-12 passing for 63 yards while Gryphon quarterback Mckenzy Wright
Was 7-10 for 92 yards.
The Big East season ends next Thursday night instead of Friday. Rocky Mounts heads to Hunt 8-2 3-1 while Northern drops to 5-5 1-3 and they Host rival Southern Nash.
Southern Nash earned the top seed in the Big East beating Nash Central 28-18
Tarboro 42 North Edgecombe 6
Fike 14 Hunt 7
SouthWest Edgecombe 32 Bedfingfield 29
Northampton 28 RM Prep 14
The shocker of the night St David's 24 RMA 16. RMA won by 52 just a month ago.
Rocky Mount scored first on a two yard dive by Charlie Williams and Chase Miller's extra point gave the Gryphons the 7-0 lead. A quarterback sneak by Davontae Wiggins and a single point by Travis Smith tied the game at 7. A spectacular kickoff return by Detrelle Revis put the Gryphons in business and a pass in the flat to B J Sanders of 12 yards put the Gryphons in the lead at 14-7 at 5:02 of the half. The last play of the half the Gryphons missed a 29 yard field to increase the lead.
Northern defense held Rocky Mount to 88 yards rushing and another 92 passing. The Gryphons got only 67 yards in the second half. Rocky Mount held Northern to 195 yards for the game. 132 rushing and 63 passing.
Rocky Mount's biggest offensive threat on the night was Detrelle Revis who had two kickoff returns totaling over 100 yards and a punt return of 50. He may also have been the defensive player of the game intercepting two passes and had a third but was ruled a completed pass as Northern Receiver Raymond Bullock was able to get his mitts to force equal pocession to be called.
Neither team scored in the second half but the Northern defense kept giving the offense the ball on the Rocky Mount side of the field or near the 50. So Rocky Mount's defense came up big when they needed it.
Davonte Wiggins rushed 10 times 66 yards to lead Northern while BJ Sanders 40 yards led the Gryphons. Wiggins was just 2-12 passing for 63 yards while Gryphon quarterback Mckenzy Wright
Was 7-10 for 92 yards.
The Big East season ends next Thursday night instead of Friday. Rocky Mounts heads to Hunt 8-2 3-1 while Northern drops to 5-5 1-3 and they Host rival Southern Nash.
Southern Nash earned the top seed in the Big East beating Nash Central 28-18
Tarboro 42 North Edgecombe 6
Fike 14 Hunt 7
SouthWest Edgecombe 32 Bedfingfield 29
Northampton 28 RM Prep 14
The shocker of the night St David's 24 RMA 16. RMA won by 52 just a month ago.
Soccer Joins The Playoffs
The 2016 soccer brackets are out and only one Nash County High School gets in. Southern Nash 9-7-4 is seeded 12th in the East and will begin play in 3A boys soccer at Terry Sanford 5th seed and 15-3-1 on the season. Big East teams Hunt 1st seed 19-1-1 will host 16 seed Ledford 11-10 while Fike rounds out the Big East seeded 9th traveling to Southern Lee 8th seed 11-6.
The third round of the Girls tennis season is the end of the line for the Lady Gryphon Tennis season losing at Union Pines 6-0 Thursday. One piece of late business from last week Sarah Bland and Grace Warner won their doubles match in the round of 16 in the state doubles championships. They were beaten in the round of eight.
This is the part of the season for DIII teams that if you don't finish first then all there is to the season is to play out the string. The Battling Bishops 3-4 2-2 find themselves with two games to go and no NCAA playoffs coming forth. They meet LaGrange 2-5 1-3 also out of the running. It comes down to the team that the coaches can convince to play for pride.
This is suppose to be the last home game of the season which will only be the fourth home game of the year having lost a home game which was Hall of Fame weekend. The Hall of Fame went off that Saturday night but a home football game was lost. Bishops get back on winning track 36-27 over LaGrange.
Florida State 5-3 @ NC State 4-4: Totally confused about the mental health of the Wolfpack. Since the give-a-way of the Clemson game and total first half flop at Louisville and now a no show against BC. What reason or motivation does FSU have now? I can't pick the Pack again until they look healthy again. Noles 35 Pack 20
Virginia Tech 6-2 @ Duke 3-5: All the Hokies need to do is win out and they are in the ACC championship game. They can't afford a slip up in Durham. This will be too close for comfort. Tech 27 Duke 23
Georgia Tech 5-3 @ North Carolina 6-2: Carolina needs to win out and hope that VT falls somewhere. GT is always a load for anybody. Heels can probably score just enough to win this one. Carolina 42 Rambling Wreck 27
Virginia 2-6 @ Wake Forest 5-3 : Records show the Deacons should win this one but hold the phone. The Deacs don't really run away and hide from anybody. WF qualifies for a Bowl. 26-23.
Pitt 5-3 @ Miami 4-4: Hard one to call. Pitt can Score and Pitt can give up points. Miami has lost four in a row. Find it hard to believe the Canes outscore the Panthers. Pitt 38 Miami 31
Syracuse 4-4 @ Clemson 8-0: The Tigers have had a rabbitt's foot all season and I just cannot see them letting a decent Orangeman team destroy the playoffs Clemson 38 Syracuse 24
Louisville 7-1 @ Boston College 4-4: I doubt Louisville will show up in Boston asleep like they were in Charlottesville. Louisville 38 BC 17
Notre Dame 3-5 @ Navy 5-2. The Sailors hardly ever beat the Irish. They will this year. Navy 33 The Irish 27
Last week went a meek 5-5 to send my record for the 62-23.
The third round of the Girls tennis season is the end of the line for the Lady Gryphon Tennis season losing at Union Pines 6-0 Thursday. One piece of late business from last week Sarah Bland and Grace Warner won their doubles match in the round of 16 in the state doubles championships. They were beaten in the round of eight.
This is the part of the season for DIII teams that if you don't finish first then all there is to the season is to play out the string. The Battling Bishops 3-4 2-2 find themselves with two games to go and no NCAA playoffs coming forth. They meet LaGrange 2-5 1-3 also out of the running. It comes down to the team that the coaches can convince to play for pride.
This is suppose to be the last home game of the season which will only be the fourth home game of the year having lost a home game which was Hall of Fame weekend. The Hall of Fame went off that Saturday night but a home football game was lost. Bishops get back on winning track 36-27 over LaGrange.
Florida State 5-3 @ NC State 4-4: Totally confused about the mental health of the Wolfpack. Since the give-a-way of the Clemson game and total first half flop at Louisville and now a no show against BC. What reason or motivation does FSU have now? I can't pick the Pack again until they look healthy again. Noles 35 Pack 20
Virginia Tech 6-2 @ Duke 3-5: All the Hokies need to do is win out and they are in the ACC championship game. They can't afford a slip up in Durham. This will be too close for comfort. Tech 27 Duke 23
Georgia Tech 5-3 @ North Carolina 6-2: Carolina needs to win out and hope that VT falls somewhere. GT is always a load for anybody. Heels can probably score just enough to win this one. Carolina 42 Rambling Wreck 27
Virginia 2-6 @ Wake Forest 5-3 : Records show the Deacons should win this one but hold the phone. The Deacs don't really run away and hide from anybody. WF qualifies for a Bowl. 26-23.
Pitt 5-3 @ Miami 4-4: Hard one to call. Pitt can Score and Pitt can give up points. Miami has lost four in a row. Find it hard to believe the Canes outscore the Panthers. Pitt 38 Miami 31
Syracuse 4-4 @ Clemson 8-0: The Tigers have had a rabbitt's foot all season and I just cannot see them letting a decent Orangeman team destroy the playoffs Clemson 38 Syracuse 24
Louisville 7-1 @ Boston College 4-4: I doubt Louisville will show up in Boston asleep like they were in Charlottesville. Louisville 38 BC 17
Notre Dame 3-5 @ Navy 5-2. The Sailors hardly ever beat the Irish. They will this year. Navy 33 The Irish 27
Last week went a meek 5-5 to send my record for the 62-23.
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Final Week OOPs Not Quite
Poor showing on picks going 5-3 which gets me to 62-20 on the year. This is suppose to be the last week of the season but Matthew has had a say in that. Let's start with the playoff game.
St David's 8-2 @ Rocky Mount Academy 8-2: Eagles won by 52 last time. Might not be as bad but Eagles will get Southampton again next week. RMA 48 St David's 13
SouthWest Edgecombe 3-6 2-1 @ Beddingfield 2-1 5-4: Might not be for the conference championship but who knows what might happen. Beddingfield 26 SWE 20
Fike 1-2 5-4 @ Hunt 0-3 3-6: Hunt just can't score. Fike at times has shown they can. When was the last time one of these was not in the battle for first in Big East? Fike 26 Hunt 8
Northampton 1-3 4-6 @ Rocky Mount Prep 0-3 3-6: The Jags can win this one. RMPrep 26 Northampton 20
Northern Nash 1-2 5-4 @ Rocky Mount 7-2 2-1: Remember Northern Nash was the only team to hold Rocky Mount under twenty points last year. The Knights two losses are two of the leaders and they get the third one in this one. Rocky Mount has too much still for play for. Rocky Mount 26 Northern Nash 6.
North Edgecombe 8-0 3-0 @ Tarboro 7-2 3-0: I wish I could tell you this has a chance to be a game but I don't think it will be. Tarboro 42 North Edgecombe 6
Southern Nash 9-0 3-0 @ Nash Central 6-3 2-1: Who in their right mind had any idea that this game could produce the conference champion and it could be Nash Central. Will there be a Firebird let down after taking control of the conference with it's victory over Rocky Mount? There is no doubt the Bulldogs have improved every time they have suited up this year.
The Bulldogs have a chance. Their defense has grown stout as conference play progresses. I am going to shock the Big East world that after the victory over Rocky Mount the Firebirds put the ball on the ground in this won and Nash Central creates a 3 way tie. Nash Central 26 Southern Nash 21
Rocky Mount Lady Gryphon Tennis team heads to Union Pines 19-1 today in round three of the team state tennis championships. The Lady Gryphons seeded 6th 14-2 will be playing the 5th seed in Cameron.
St David's 8-2 @ Rocky Mount Academy 8-2: Eagles won by 52 last time. Might not be as bad but Eagles will get Southampton again next week. RMA 48 St David's 13
SouthWest Edgecombe 3-6 2-1 @ Beddingfield 2-1 5-4: Might not be for the conference championship but who knows what might happen. Beddingfield 26 SWE 20
Fike 1-2 5-4 @ Hunt 0-3 3-6: Hunt just can't score. Fike at times has shown they can. When was the last time one of these was not in the battle for first in Big East? Fike 26 Hunt 8
Northampton 1-3 4-6 @ Rocky Mount Prep 0-3 3-6: The Jags can win this one. RMPrep 26 Northampton 20
Northern Nash 1-2 5-4 @ Rocky Mount 7-2 2-1: Remember Northern Nash was the only team to hold Rocky Mount under twenty points last year. The Knights two losses are two of the leaders and they get the third one in this one. Rocky Mount has too much still for play for. Rocky Mount 26 Northern Nash 6.
North Edgecombe 8-0 3-0 @ Tarboro 7-2 3-0: I wish I could tell you this has a chance to be a game but I don't think it will be. Tarboro 42 North Edgecombe 6
Southern Nash 9-0 3-0 @ Nash Central 6-3 2-1: Who in their right mind had any idea that this game could produce the conference champion and it could be Nash Central. Will there be a Firebird let down after taking control of the conference with it's victory over Rocky Mount? There is no doubt the Bulldogs have improved every time they have suited up this year.
The Bulldogs have a chance. Their defense has grown stout as conference play progresses. I am going to shock the Big East world that after the victory over Rocky Mount the Firebirds put the ball on the ground in this won and Nash Central creates a 3 way tie. Nash Central 26 Southern Nash 21
Rocky Mount Lady Gryphon Tennis team heads to Union Pines 19-1 today in round three of the team state tennis championships. The Lady Gryphons seeded 6th 14-2 will be playing the 5th seed in Cameron.
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Tennis Upset
Tuesday afternoon the Lady Gryphon Tennis team seeded sixth traveled to Cleveland High in Clayton who were rated 3rd and when the rackets were put back in their covers the Lady Gryphons have advanced to the third round after knocking off Cleveland 6-3. Round three is Wednesday.
Just in case you missed this North Edgecombe 8-0 beat Rocky Mount Prep 3-7 54-8 Monday night. That sets up the showdown Friday at Tarboro 9-0.
Remember last week there was so much going on related to the revamped high school playoffs in Volleyball and girls tennis didn't have enough space for my NFL picks too. Last week went 7-6 and another tie and that sends my overall record for the season to 68-35. Remember ties are thrown out as if not played. Let's see if somebody else this week can play to a tie.
Falcons 5-3 @ Buccaneers 3-4: I think the Falcons will win the NFL South. I also believe that Tampa is getting better. I don't think Atlanta can win the division without this week's game in the win column. Falcons, 27 Bucs 23
Lions 4-4 @ Vikings 5-2: Just a few weeks ago the Vikings looked the part of a Super Bowl Champ. Now their offense looks like Denver's. The Lions are just as unpredictable but at home I like Vikes 30-27
Eagles 4-3 @ Giants 4-3: I thought going into the Dallas game that the Eagles were the best in division. I still think that. Eagles 27-20
Jaguars 2-5 @ Chiefs: It is hard to look at a 2-5 team and say they are playing better than last year. I think at this point Chiefs have inside track to AFC West championship. Chiefs 27-16
Cowboys 6-1 @ Browns 0-8: It would be just like the Cowboys to go into Cleveland and lose. If that was to happen both sides of the ball will have miserable days for Jerry's team. No way This is the Browns Cowboys 30 Browns 21
Steelers 4-3 @ Ravens 3-4: This is one of those tough to call games because at this time on Tuesday no word on Big Ben for the Steelers. These two are 7-7 disappointing for both. Ravens win at home 20-17.
Saints 3-4 @ 49er's 1-6: You had better look out for the Saints as they are nipping at the heels of the Falcons. Saints 35 SF 33
Panther 2-5 @ Rams 3-4: Let's see if Cam's conversation with the Commish does any good. Whether you pull for the Panthers or not you know the corps of refs that have called Panther games are blind when people hit Cam. Panthers pull this one out 19-17. We will get to see Todd Gurley for a TV game.
Colts 3-5 @ Packers 4-3: Rogers beginning to look the way Aaron Rogers is suppose to look. That is bad news for the defenseless Colts. Packers 30 Colts 23
Titans 4-4 @ Chargers 3-5: The schedule they have left the Chargers could go 6-2 rest of the way and somehow have a say in the playoffs. They will not however if they lose at home to the improved Titans. Chargers 33 Titans 24
Bronco's 6-2 @ Raiders 6-2: Raiders can win this game if they cut down on penalties. Their defense can hold the Bronk's offense down everybody else has. Can Raiders score anything on Denver D. Raiders 27 Denver 20
Bills 4-4 at Seahawks 4-2: This is a typical NFL game. Both these teams have looked like Super Bowl teams and both are on a toilet bowl streak. Hawks have enough D to win this one. Seattle 23 Bills 17.
Just in case you missed this North Edgecombe 8-0 beat Rocky Mount Prep 3-7 54-8 Monday night. That sets up the showdown Friday at Tarboro 9-0.
Remember last week there was so much going on related to the revamped high school playoffs in Volleyball and girls tennis didn't have enough space for my NFL picks too. Last week went 7-6 and another tie and that sends my overall record for the season to 68-35. Remember ties are thrown out as if not played. Let's see if somebody else this week can play to a tie.
Falcons 5-3 @ Buccaneers 3-4: I think the Falcons will win the NFL South. I also believe that Tampa is getting better. I don't think Atlanta can win the division without this week's game in the win column. Falcons, 27 Bucs 23
Lions 4-4 @ Vikings 5-2: Just a few weeks ago the Vikings looked the part of a Super Bowl Champ. Now their offense looks like Denver's. The Lions are just as unpredictable but at home I like Vikes 30-27
Eagles 4-3 @ Giants 4-3: I thought going into the Dallas game that the Eagles were the best in division. I still think that. Eagles 27-20
Jaguars 2-5 @ Chiefs: It is hard to look at a 2-5 team and say they are playing better than last year. I think at this point Chiefs have inside track to AFC West championship. Chiefs 27-16
Cowboys 6-1 @ Browns 0-8: It would be just like the Cowboys to go into Cleveland and lose. If that was to happen both sides of the ball will have miserable days for Jerry's team. No way This is the Browns Cowboys 30 Browns 21
Steelers 4-3 @ Ravens 3-4: This is one of those tough to call games because at this time on Tuesday no word on Big Ben for the Steelers. These two are 7-7 disappointing for both. Ravens win at home 20-17.
Saints 3-4 @ 49er's 1-6: You had better look out for the Saints as they are nipping at the heels of the Falcons. Saints 35 SF 33
Panther 2-5 @ Rams 3-4: Let's see if Cam's conversation with the Commish does any good. Whether you pull for the Panthers or not you know the corps of refs that have called Panther games are blind when people hit Cam. Panthers pull this one out 19-17. We will get to see Todd Gurley for a TV game.
Colts 3-5 @ Packers 4-3: Rogers beginning to look the way Aaron Rogers is suppose to look. That is bad news for the defenseless Colts. Packers 30 Colts 23
Titans 4-4 @ Chargers 3-5: The schedule they have left the Chargers could go 6-2 rest of the way and somehow have a say in the playoffs. They will not however if they lose at home to the improved Titans. Chargers 33 Titans 24
Bronco's 6-2 @ Raiders 6-2: Raiders can win this game if they cut down on penalties. Their defense can hold the Bronk's offense down everybody else has. Can Raiders score anything on Denver D. Raiders 27 Denver 20
Bills 4-4 at Seahawks 4-2: This is a typical NFL game. Both these teams have looked like Super Bowl teams and both are on a toilet bowl streak. Hawks have enough D to win this one. Seattle 23 Bills 17.
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