Schedule Helps Teams Grow

Depending on what part of the state you are in you like to schedule teams in close proximity to your location.  Some cases that means like Tarboro they play 3A schools Washington, Nash Central and Northern Nash.  As a 1-A school they should only rarely win any of those games regardless of how good or bad those 3A schools are year to year.

Any team that plays teams better or bigger they must play at their best to win.  Do you remember in 1984 Tarboro was 0-4 losing to Rocky Mount and Northern Nash among others and yet they won the 3-A state title because they learned early how to compete against better schools just to keep from getting embarrassed.  By the time conference time rolled around they were battle tested and until the playoffs didn't play a team better than who they played in non conference.

Rocky Mount won the state title last season in 3A with two losses to teams that both were in the semi finals in 4AA playoffs or the championship game. The Gryphon schedule has several 2A schools in which they should win with no problem.  All that does is give playing time to those that might be needed should injury occur later in the season.  The fact that Middle Creek could not stop Rocky Mount consistently is a good sign this year's offense can score.

They surely need to improve extra point and punt snaps cause if they don't a conference game could decide an outcome the wrong way.  High school football today as we saw in all the Gryphon playoff games they had  a running quarterback who throws.  Middle Creek hits some big pass plays but for the most part had too many incomplete passes.

The Gryphons I think Friday night went to passing a bit too early on first downs.  The playoffs last year the Gryphons won every fourth quarter because no team could stop their running game when it counted.  If for no other reason play keep a way from the other team.

Last year every important game was at home but this year Hunt, Southern Nash are on the road. Please don't forget the Havelock upset gave the Gryphons a home game against Eden Morehead and that turned out to be a last play of the game win.

Next year Nash Central will be a non conference game hopefully replacing say South Granville.  I feel like our relationship with Hertford County will stay as more than not they are most years a good football team.  I would love to get Tarboro back on the schedule not only for travel but a packed house wherever it's played.  Despite their dominance over the Gryphons in most sports I hope Rose stays on the schedule.  I doubt whether Middle Creek will want to return to the country again in two years.

Winning every game is not that important.  Learning what you have to do to get better is.  Playing a team better than you is not a bad thing as long as you get better as a team for having played that game.