4th Quarter Belongs To Firebirds

During the last year and almost two year run that Rocky Mount has made in football there has only been one team that beat them in the fourth quarter.  Last Season Middle Creek came back to win in the fourth and now you can add Southern Nash.

Rocky Mount found themselves down 7-0 at the half in a first half that was totally the Firdbirds.  The Gryphons had only three plays in the first quarter for only one minute and five seconds.  The Firebirds took the opening kickoff and methodically drove down the field taking almost seven minutes to score and lead on a six yard run by Kendrick Bell.  After Rocky Mount three  and out the Firebirds finished off the first quarter but the Gryphon defense began to get their licks end and finally just before the half drove down to the Firebird five where the Southern Nash D made the stop.

Rocky Mount came right out and drove the field to tie at 9:44 of the third on a Collins 21 yard run.  The Firebirds played keep a way from the Gryphons going for several fourth down plays all night  and the Gryphons got the ball back and Chase Miller nailed a 30 yard field goal with 11:15 of the fourth to take a 10-7 lead.

The Gryphons had Southern right where they wanted them but a third down incomplete pass the Gryphons roughed the quarterback giving Southern a first down only out to the Southern 35. Three plays later a spectacular catch on a third and 15 was two yards short of a first down but another roughing the quarterback not only had a 13 yard pickup but add 15 more.  You can only give a good team some of their nine lives back so many times and Southern said that you Rocky Mount scoring on a 47 yard pass I think to Nadir Thompson In the far corner of the end zone with only 8:27 to go. Southern has the type numbers on their back you cannot see unless they have their back directly facing you. Right after the catch there were so many players celebrating the catch I had no way of telling who caught the ball.

Southern Defense did their job forcing a Gryphon punt around the seven minute mark.  Southern would not let the Gryphons get the ball back and score With 1:05 to play to ice the game by Bell and a 21-10 lead.  The Firebird D picked off a toss in the end zone to secure first place in the Big East.

Southern rush 45 times for 162 yards and another five passes for 87 yards.  Rocky Mount ran 33 times for 103 yards and added 53 yards on eight passes.  Southern runs 50 plays to Rocky Mount's 41 but it sure seemed as they had the ball twice as much as the The Gryphons.

Southern is now 9- 0 and in the drivers seat for first place in the Big East while Rocky Mount drops to 7-2.

Other action:

 Nash Central 28 Hunt 0

Fike 19 Northern Nash 7

Southampton Va 48 RMA 13

Riverside 57 RM Prep 13

Tarboro 51 Northampton 0

North Johnston 34 SouthWest Edgecombe 20

North Edgecombe 22 South Creek 16

College Schedule Tightens

Last week went 6-0 on the games played to spurt my record for the year to 57-18.  There are several games critical to conferences standing this week.  We will start with a biggie in Conference USA South.

Averitt 3-3 2-1 @ North Carolina Wesleyan 3-3 2-1:  These two are battling for second spot behind Maryville.  Let's compare scores.  Maryville 31 Averitt 26, Maryville 31 NC W 17.  Averitt 52 Greensboro 6, NC W 44 Greensboro  0.  All indications this will be a dog fight.  Playing home I give the edge to the Bishops  27-23

Connecticut 3-5 @ ECU 2-5:  The Pirates losers of five in a row. U Conn has lost five but they have been very competitive in all.  I'll take the Huskies 31-23

Boston College 3-4 @ N C State 4-3:  When was the last time State played a top ten team and that team stated they were ready to play against the Pack.  Just maybe a little respect was afforded to the Pack by Louisville.  Something the FSU and Clemson have never worried about against the Pack.  If they have at least risen to respectability they need to pound BC.  State 34 BC 24

Duke 3-4 @ Georgia Tech 4-3:  I wrongly thought this game was last week and picked Duke. Changed my mind this week.  Tech 27 Duke 24

Army 4-3 @ Wake Forest 5-2:  There is a chance the Deacs are 6-2 after this week but they had better be ready to play.  Wake 26 USMA 20

Miami 4-3 @ Notre Dame 2-5:  The Canes have lost three straight and the Irish are floundering as well.  The Irish just might win this one in front of touchdown Jesus.

Clemson 7-0 @Florida State 5-2:  FSU gave up 59 to Louisville and Clemson won in the fourth quarter against the Cardinals.  Just don't think the Noles can win this one but if you are going to compare scores between State and Clemson and Louisville and State, Louisville best team in league.  If The Tigers want any part of the playoffs they had better not lose in the Sunshine State.  Clemson 36 FSU 28.

Louisville 6-1 at UVA 2-5:  We will get to see how much respect the Cards give the Wahoos in Charlotteville.  Remember  with Ohio  State losing the Cards are inching up on top four in the polls with  no big head line game rest of the way.  Look for 60 if they can get it.  Louisville 56 UVA 17