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

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