Who's Better This Year

The same two teams that played for the title last year are back again this year.  Seems as considering they are 15 miles southwest of Charlotte we have become very familiar with the Red Raiders having played them in the 2010 State Championship basketball game.

Neither squad has played a like opponent so who can say who has played the toughest schedule.  I am going to tell you one thing the Red Raiders  have every right to howl is their defense.  They return eight starters off a team that lost in overtime to us last year.  They have now won nine games in a row and so far in the state playoffs have given up only six points.  Six points total should they shutout the Gryphons would be the state high school record since the playoff system went to five games.

The Match up:

South Point 11-4- Rocky Mount 13-2.  South Points four losses were to teams that had a combined 44-11 record this season while the Gryphons two losses were a combined 26-2.  South Point started out the season after replacing 22 seniors mostly on offense by losing four of their first six but have now won nine in a row.  The sixth game of the season seems light years ago now.

The Red Raiders average 247 yards per game rushing led by Jake Alexander who has footed out 1669 yards on the season at 5.7 yards per tote. The Gryphons counter with 266 yard rushing led by BJ Sanders 1296 yards or 6.8 per carry.  South Point for the season has covered 3715 over the turf at 5.7 yards per clip.  The Gryphons 3996 and every carry went for 6.3 yards.

Neither team relies on passing as the only player to make a throw for the Red Raiders this season is Scottie Lee. a junior  65-137 1118 yard, 12 touchdowns 11 picks. The Gryphons passing this season 74-133 1082 yards with 7 touchdown and 4 interceptions.  Shabious  Lynch  who has won the quarterback job was on the year 24-44 4 touchdown and zero ints.

Nick Muse is the Red Raiders top pass catcher making 31 catches for 553 yards or 17.8 per catch. That about half of all catches and yards. When the Gryphons throw the ball their main threat is K K Edwards with 45 snags for 685 yards.  He has about 65 percent of the catches and yards.

During the nine game win streak in which the Red Raiders have  they have given up  only 27 points.  Last week against Hilbriten who came into the game averaging 366 yards rushing per game they held the undefeated team to 86 yards rushing.  Remember they held us last year to 120.  If they hold us to around 100 yards rushing this year can we expect to return a kickoff for a touchdown or like at Havelock who held us to under 100 get a pass pick six?  Can we get 219 passing like last year.  Those kind of questions will be answered Saturday morning in Winston Salem.

Tickets are still on sale at Rocky Mount High School until noon Friday for $9 and call and check on buses with Beluah Battle 467-3759.