Friday, October 21, 2016

Showdown Is Set

I don't care who you pull for having a week off in the middle of conference play has to be unnerving not knowing how a forced layoff will effect your team.  Both Southern Nash and Rocky Mount took care of business to set up the battle for first place next week.

The Gryphons had little resistance when they had the ball as they scored four of the first five times they had the ball. The Gryphons for the game rushed for 433 yards on 49 carries. Deangelo Collins carried the load in the first half rushing for 114 yards.  BJ Sanders out of action against Nash Central didn't carry the ball until the third quarter finishing with 130 yards.  Mckenzy Wright 4/7 82 yards passing and Shabios Lynch 4/4 29 yards passed for 111.

Fike got 211 total yards on 106 rushing on 35 tries while passing 2-12 105 yards.  Down 35-0 at the half Fike took the second half kickoff scoring on a Kenny Johnson one yard dive.  Syquan Hutchinson caught a 64 yard bomb for Fikes second score.

Rocky Mount took the opening kickoff and marched down the field scoring at 7:26 of the first on a three yarder by Deangelo Collins. A quarterback sneak gave Mckenzy Wright a score at 1.26 of the first.

The Gryphons third score came on maybe the prettiest play of the year as the Gryphons looked to be running the option as Wright faked a pitch to Charlie  Williams who acted as if the pitch has gone over his head instead it went to Detrell Revis on the reverse and he promptly went 53 yards for a score at 7:49 of the half.  Charlie Williams got in the act at 2:16 scoring the Gryphons fourth td of the half.  The defense didn't want to get left out scored on a sack fumble recovered by Sherrod Green for point 34.  Maybe trouble on the horizon as kicker Chase Miller was injured on his fifth extra point and did not play in the second half.

Once Fike scored on their opening drive on the second half the Gryphons responded on an 80 yard drive finished off by a one yard dive by B J Sandrrs at 4:59 of the third.  Sanders scored again getting a 50 yard gallop to finish off the Gryphon scoring.  The fourth quarter belonged to the clean shirts as Rocky Mount goes to 2-0 in Big East play beating  Fike 47/14

Southern Nash with all the difficulty that  coach Brian Foster family has had this week started slow but picked up the pace to defeat Hunt 35-6

I am not sure this is a major surprise but maybe the score as Nash Central wins a conference game besting Northern Nash 22-16

Other scores.

Shocked to see all three Edgecombe County schools play and all three win
Tarboro 52 Riverside 8
SouthWest Edgecombe 21-FarmVille 17
North Edgecombe 48 Northampton 8
Rocky Mount Academy 44 Grace Christian 6
South Creek 26 Rocky Mount Prep 8

Another Critical Week

Last Week went 6-2 on college picks to run my record to 51-18.  We are at the point in the season where every game now has an effect on Bowl Games.  As long as you have only lost one conference game you are still in the running for the division title.  A division title gets you in the conference championship game.

North Carolina Wesleyan 2-3 @ Greensboro College 1-5:  Their five losses Greensboro has given up 228 points.  Their record shows three losses but as far as the Battling Bishops are concerned they have all been to heavy weights.  Bishops 38 Greensboro 17

ECU 2-4 @ Cincinnati 3-3:  There  is no doubt the Pirates ship is sinking having lost four in a row after winning their opening two.  Doubt they break losing streak in Ohio.  Would love to see the Pirate defense improve.  Bearcats 33 Pirates 27

NC State 4-2 @ Louisville 5-1:  I don't know if I have  ever seen the Wolfpack  defense play any better than they did against the Tigers.  It is a pity Rocky Mount High  School has a better kicker than the Wolfpack.  If D plays as well this week Pack has a chance Louisville 26 NC State 24


North Carolina 5-2 @ Virginia 2-4:  V Tech loss last week puts the Heels right back in the division lead.. Virginia is much improved since first couple of weeks but not to the Tar Heels level Carolina 44 Virginia 21

  Duke 3-4 @ Georgia Tech:  There is just something about Duke that they seem to be able to make other teams play poorly.  Has not led to a win every week but the Devils have been in every game most of he time.  Duke 27 Georgia Tech 24

Miami 4-2 @ Virginia Tech 4-2:  Both teams have had moments this year that they look like title contenders.  They both have two losses that they looked lost.  I have a feeling Blacksburg is a good place for a Gobbler win.  Va Tech 30 Miami 24

Syracuse 3-4 @ Boston College 3-3:  All of a sudden the Orange are scoring points. BC hasn't scored much but defense has played well.  Have a feeling the Cuse wins on the road. 38 -27