Monday, September 19, 2016

Nash County Football Riding High

I wonder when was the last time that all for Nash County High Schools had winning records near the half way point in any season.  Combined all four are 16-4 with two weeks to go before conference play starts.  Southern Nash 5-0, Rocky Mount 4-1, Nash Central 4-1 and Northern Nash 3-2.

Last year at this time after the Gryphons had suffered an embarrassing 40 point loss to Rose in Rocky Mount many including myself felt Rose ran the score up keeping their first team in the game and throwing three touchdown passes in fourth quarter.  There is no doubt the Gryphons had marked that game on their schedule.  Friday for the first time the Gryphon offense looked like the playoff team of last year.

Seeing what Rose can do on offense they are still loaded with talent but injuries are playing a major role in their 1-3 start. They both ran and threw the ball for big yardage.  Rose attempted 33 passes completing 13 for about 20 yards per completion.  Over all the defense made more good plays over bad but Rose had too many big plays.  If there is one place the Gryphons have to improve is the defense.  They had three turnovers while the Gryphons fumbled once late when they mishandled a handoff late In the game. Where I thought the Gryphons looked like veteran players was when the game was over there was no ripping and raring.  They walked, got in line to shake hands.  There was no acting like they had just won the Super Bowl.  That is a sign to me Jason Battle  is doing a great job coaching.

If you are a supporter of the Tarboro Vikings all is well despite two straight losses.  Any team that beats the Vikings in the playoffs will not run over them. Losses to Northern and Southern Nash within four days is not a death Nail to this year's Vikings.

Did we see the first crack in the Firebirds. SN did not dominate the line of scrimmage the way they should have against a tired Tarboro Vikings playing their third game in eight days  against a 2A squad in Franklinton and two 3A schools Northern And Southern Nash.  Considering I thought Southern should have dominated the Vikings on both sides of ball and they didn't until the fourth quarter.

Four wins in a row for the Bulldogs of Nash Central.  That's more wins in one season than the last three years.  Speaking of Nash Central we would like to say congratulations to Central's boys basketball coach Rennie Taylor who when not blowing a whistle on the Central Gym floor teaches history and he has been named the Nash County teacher of the year.

Take away one quarter against Northeastern Northern Nash has been as good as anyone. The offense seems to be getting in gear.  The defense is still stingy.  Who is the only team to hold Rocky Mount to under twenty in a game last year?  Northern Nash 13.

The second week in a row RMA is handed a forfeit which will be three weeks without a game with Parrott on the horizon next week.  This is not good for the Eagles.

Looking at the Big East teams to this point the conference seems to be improved from top to bottom.
Nash Central this year will be no pushover.  Northern is capable of winning more than one conference game. Looking at both Hunt and Fike they seem to be capable of being at least  in the middle of the pack.  Southern Nash is still the only unbeaten team as we hit the halfway point.  Rocky Mount seems to still be unknown as far as how good they really are?  Only one more week to get the kinks out.