Collision Course

Last year at this time the Rocky Mount Gryphons were celebrating a second round win over North Johnston.  Only a few minutes remained and word came that Morehead had upset previously unbeaten Havelock and the trip to Havelock avoided.  At the time what the Gryphons didn't know was they were going to be jumping on a Wildcat in Eden Morehead but were able to get out with their football life still alive to play another day.

This season Havelock lost their regular season matchup with conference foe West Craven so as far as the football world saw was that Havelock was on the back burner much like the Gryphons faced in their regular season loss to Southern Nash.  Both West Craven and Southern Nash received all the state wide attention with both schools going undefeated during the regular season. 

Both were able to seek revenge from their regular season losses to the conference champions.  I guess the Rocky Mount blowout of Southern Guilford  at Guilford shines a light a lot brighter on all of us who have complained about this year's seeding process that matches up the top two teams in a conference 12-0 Southern Nash against their arch rival Rocky Mount 10-2 in the second round.  After the aftermath of the rout of the Storm there is no doubt that the Southern Nash Rocky Mount game should have been a third round match up.  Anyone who attended the Gryphon game Friday night saw that the Firebirds would have advanced as easily as the Gryphons.

There is no upset that can avoid it but Rocky Mount will travel to Havelock Friday night to play the game that should have been played last year.  It will be for the Eastern Regional 3-A title.  It will be the first time Rocky Mount has played in the Eastern Regional  two years in a row since 07/08.  Neither of those games were good news for the Gryphons losing at Western Alamance 36-50.  If you remember down 44-38 the Gryphons were driving very late when a pick six ended the Gryphon run.  A year later ahead 19-14 and running out the clock a fumble near the Eagle 20 yard line gave West Craven time to march down the field and score with only seconds to play to win 22-19

I have complained over the conference play that the Gryphons were playing in cruise control waiting for the other team to wilt under the pressure of playing the defending state champs.  I have heard from many in attendance that have told me that they felt Southern Guilford actually looked intimidated in pregame and certainly after a few hits by the Gryphons buckled to the pressure being applied by the now Gryphon team that is not waiting for you to wilt but are playing at a level to make you wilt.

There will be no intimidation in the trip to the town that is all Marine Corp.  Funny isn't it but as late as eleven years ago these two were in the same conference with each other and both struggled being the smallest schools in 4A.  Now that both are on equal footing with schools their own size they have both had amazing decade of football.

We all around here are prideful of the success of our conference having had someone in our conference to play in the Eastern finals now 2016, 2015 Rocky Mount, 2013 Hunt 3AA, 2012, Hunt 3AA 2010 hunt 3AA, Southern Nash 3AA 2009, Rocky Mount 2008 and Rocky Mount 2007.  Very impressive right?  Havelock themselves have played in the State championship game 2014, 2011-2013 three time state champions.

There will be no intimidation in this game.  This will be a matchup of two of the best programs going in the state of North Carolina.  You are crazy if you are not there to see it. Oh, by the way do you see who is out west South Point is still alive.

Tyquan Lewis Named Big Ten Lineman Of The Year

What is it about certain areas produce items better than others.  North Carolina is the Sweet potato capital of the world.  Northern Nash Produces runners who run long distances fast.  Rocky Mount has fast runners in short distances.  Tarboro High produces very good football players.  Already with three players on NFL rosters looks like a fourth is on the way.

Tyquan Lewis a junior defensive end from the Tarboro Vikings was named the Big Ten defensive lineman of the year.  What did he do to earn such an award.  Had 27 total tackles, 7.5 sacks of the quarterback, 10 of his tackles were for a loss on the play by the runner and he caused three fumbles.   Other than that Tyquan had an ordinary year for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Will he turn pro now a junior next spring when the NFL holds it's next draft?  If he decides to turn pro he will join three other Tarboro Vikings living the NFL life in one way or the other.  Todd Gurley Running back of the LA Rams the 2015 NFC offensive rookie of the year. Shaun Draughn 5th year backup running back on the San Francisco 49'ers and Takoby Cofield and offensive lineman who right now is on The practice Squad of the Oakland Raiders but is on injured reserve.  Have you noticed that all these guys play for California teams.  I guess if Lewis goes pro next spring he will get drafted by San Diego.

 The sports world has changed over the years how players prepare for competition about as much as cell phones have changed the world of communications.  The push-up was a big part of my high school sports life.  I don't know how far back weight lifting goes for football but hardly anyone who played basketball or baseball lifted weights in my day.

We have all been told weight lifting strengthens muscles but at an alarming rates today's athletes go under the knife for the failure of the body to endure the physical beating taken day in and day out.  Thus this past Thursday during the NCHSAA Board of Directors meeting they took steps to protect high school pitchers from sometimes the coach who only has one pitcher and he over works him.  More it is protecting the pitcher from himself and family who are looking for the free college ride.

The B of D put pitch counts limits on all pitchers for this coming baseball season.  No longer will you hear of a pitcher who pitches 150 pitch complete game.  The limit has been put at 105 pitches.  Even more impressive is that any pitcher who pitches  105 pitches in one game will have to rest for four days which in essence will create a world of one pitched games per week.  

If a pitcher tosses more than 76 pitches he must rest for three days.  61-75 two days rest and 31-45 one day.  Any pitcher  pitching less than 31 pitches can pitch on consecutive days.  As the season goes along teams with the most capable pitching will surely have advantage over those with only average pitching.  Scoring should go up from this ruling.