Two years in a row the Rocky Mount Gryphons played in the last game of the season. Just think back to other teams this century that we thought had great shots at state titles who never made it to the big dance. We as fans who are the experts standing on the sidelines willing to tell others what they did wrong. Seldom did we have anything to do other than stand on the sidelines and watch our team get as far as it did.
What was the difference between winning this year and second this time around? South Point stopped our running game both years. This year and last they made the Gryphons win with the pass and any coach watching film would all tell you. Let's commit to stop the run and take our chances that their five times a game passes cannot beat us.
South Point found out the hard way last year that the Gryphon quarterback could throw but with the running attack the Gryphons had not much need to throw. Even with the success of the passing attack in Chapel Hill it took over time to beat the Red Raiders.
Looking at film of Rocky Mount again this year South Point saw a team that for the most part had used two quarterbacks all season. It would seem that position was more unstable over last and since we thought last year the way to beat the Gryphons was to make the quarterback beat us that is the way to try to win again this year.
Coaches make decisions all the time based on what they surmise as their strengths going up against the other teams weakness. Sometimes they get it right because they made the right decision. Then there are the times they still make the right decision but you still get beat.
South Point's coach Linberger took it from his fans last year for letting Rocky Mount get so many yards passing. Jason Battle was a genius last year. The roles are reversed and did either coach fail at what they thought was best for the team. Probably not because last year our quarterback surprised us all and led us to the promise land. This year the Red Raider defense did not budge. So each team has a title.
The writing was on the wall if we are willing to see. Last year only once did the 2015 Gryphons score less than 20. They scored 13 against Northern Nash the day of the death of a JV football player.
Hunt who didn't win a conference game held us to 17. Southern Nash 10. Havelock had begrudged less than 100 yards except for one play.
This team lived off defense all year and when faced with other teams with as good of defense struggled to win. Those games when we could not hold on to the ball we kept teams in the game. Let's face it. This team reached further than anyone expected. This team full of shortcomings finished second in the state. One of the best defense's in the history of North Carolina playoff football South Point Red Raiders scored one touchdown on a day they hardly saw the other end of the field living on our side all game. The 2016 Rocky Mount Gryphons are special team going further than their ability and we are all proud of you.
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
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