It is not often that any team starts a season as the defending State Champions as the 2016 Rocky Mount Gryphon football team did. Even if the entire team except for one player returns to a team that one player makes a completely new team. There have been times this season that this team has looked like last years squad but for the most part there is nothing about this years team that matches up with last.
They started 5-1 and the one lost was a competitive game with Middle Creek who by the way is on the schedule again next year. No one in 4-A through the first 12 games this season has been as close as the Gryphons were to MC 25-37. The victory over Rose was impressive and total domination over Hoke County led up to a conference schedule.
We all found out that there is new life in Nash Central. Turnovers we said made that game closer than it should be. A hurricane put a stop to life for a week and Fike found the Gryphons very dominant. A visit to Southern Nash and a top quality dog fight and the Gryphons go down after practically handing the Firebirds a touchdown after a defensive stop.
Turnovers plague once again with Northern Nash and Hunt. There was a point midway in the third quarter against Southern Lee that the season is over gift wrapped very nicely by four turnovers. Then there was a transformation right in front of everyone's eyes. The Gryphons woke up and started playing the way they had the first six games. Anyone who attended the game could see the players that played the first 28 minutes were not the same players that finished the last 20 minutes.
This team has the ability to be just as dominant as last year running the ball. They are not very good when they just go through the motions. You could almost see a concentration focus in the last minutes that has been missing for over a month. The only defensive fumble that the Gryphons had all night against Southern Lee was the Southern Lee defender took the ball away on the second half kickoff. The other five times the ball was on the ground were mishandles in the backfield that the Cavaliers graciously pounced on.
The 2016 version of Rocky Mount Gryphon football team this season have convinced themselves that they are defending state champions and no one can stop them but are they ever so wrong. There is a team out there that can stop them and they are the Rocky Mount Gryphons. That Gryphon team shows up to games thinking the other team must be shaking in their cleats because we are on the field. They rely on that team to fold up before the kickoff.
If this team has any intentions of playing beyond next Friday night they had better get off the bus with the concentration level like they had at Rose. They went to Southern once and two unnecessary penalties gave new life to the Firebirds and the Birds are good enough to take any gift and cram it down your throat.
Ok Rocky Mount Gryphons, what team do you want to be? Are you going to be the Gryphons that show up for 28 minutes and give the game away or the team that wants to crush you. The only way to play A third round game is to be the Gryphon team that when they get off the bus they are focused as one. If they show up and play the first 28 minutes the way they did last Friday it will not matter about the last 20 minutes the game will be lost.
What will it be?
Sunday, November 20, 2016
High School Baseball Prospects
The third Nash County baseball player has signed Division one scholarship as Landon Roupp of Faith Christian has inked his name to an offer from UNC Wilmington. He becomes the third player in the class of 2017 to commit to a Major baseball program.
Roupp joins David Harrison from Rocky Mount and Reid Johnston from Rocky Mount Academy as baseball players that know what they will be doing in the fall of 2017. Most notably two of those players are from private schools Roupp and Johnston killing the myth that no player from a private school will ever get noticed at the level they play in high school because they don't play enough quality competition.
Those two players joined travel league teams and like Harrison traveled all over the southeast growing up and all three got noticed. Johnston and Harrison by Elliot Advent from N C State and Roupp by Mark Scalf at UNC-W. The last ten years travel ball has boomed and families are willing to join soccer, basketball, volleyball and baseball and I am sure there are others sports on travel teams that send families on weekend excursions all over the southeastern US. Their is a tremendous cost to families and for these three it has paid off for their college futures.
One of the biggest losers in the rise of travel baseball is American Legion baseball who has lost most of the top prospects to travel ball. Even high school baseball is feeling the effects as many travel teams play during high school season making spring time seven day a week baseball. It brings in question and all three of our signees are pitchers pitching during the week for their high school team and may be pitching an inning or two on weekends. The stress level on a players arm or body is never ceasing. Last season even during the summer both Johnston and Harrison played for Post 58 Legion team but when scheduling conflicts occurred they played travel.
This coming high school season all three should be set to show us their stuff as they prepare to move to the next level and at this point we don't know but hope there may even be a level beyond college if they want it. There is no need for any of our three signees to play travel next summer and just think of the Legion team Rocky Mount could have if all three spend the summer playing legion for Post 58.
The prospects for the Legion is good without the three but with them the summer of 17 could last into August if these three anchor what looks like a good team already. If you remember Post 58 did not have a college player returning from college last season because of no Legion Baseball in 2015. Several senior players from last years team will have eligibility to return to Post 58 next season if they wish
Has anybody noticed this besides me that the best newspaper in Nash County is the Nashville Graphics. Even though it is only a weekly newspaper you can find more information in it than any other. In my opinion the second best paper to find out what is happening here in Nash County is WRAL.COM. Just thinking out loud.
Roupp joins David Harrison from Rocky Mount and Reid Johnston from Rocky Mount Academy as baseball players that know what they will be doing in the fall of 2017. Most notably two of those players are from private schools Roupp and Johnston killing the myth that no player from a private school will ever get noticed at the level they play in high school because they don't play enough quality competition.
Those two players joined travel league teams and like Harrison traveled all over the southeast growing up and all three got noticed. Johnston and Harrison by Elliot Advent from N C State and Roupp by Mark Scalf at UNC-W. The last ten years travel ball has boomed and families are willing to join soccer, basketball, volleyball and baseball and I am sure there are others sports on travel teams that send families on weekend excursions all over the southeastern US. Their is a tremendous cost to families and for these three it has paid off for their college futures.
One of the biggest losers in the rise of travel baseball is American Legion baseball who has lost most of the top prospects to travel ball. Even high school baseball is feeling the effects as many travel teams play during high school season making spring time seven day a week baseball. It brings in question and all three of our signees are pitchers pitching during the week for their high school team and may be pitching an inning or two on weekends. The stress level on a players arm or body is never ceasing. Last season even during the summer both Johnston and Harrison played for Post 58 Legion team but when scheduling conflicts occurred they played travel.
This coming high school season all three should be set to show us their stuff as they prepare to move to the next level and at this point we don't know but hope there may even be a level beyond college if they want it. There is no need for any of our three signees to play travel next summer and just think of the Legion team Rocky Mount could have if all three spend the summer playing legion for Post 58.
The prospects for the Legion is good without the three but with them the summer of 17 could last into August if these three anchor what looks like a good team already. If you remember Post 58 did not have a college player returning from college last season because of no Legion Baseball in 2015. Several senior players from last years team will have eligibility to return to Post 58 next season if they wish
Has anybody noticed this besides me that the best newspaper in Nash County is the Nashville Graphics. Even though it is only a weekly newspaper you can find more information in it than any other. In my opinion the second best paper to find out what is happening here in Nash County is WRAL.COM. Just thinking out loud.
Friday, November 18, 2016
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
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
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
Thursday, November 17, 2016
Playoff Picks
Finished the last week of the high school season with a 5-1 record to finish the regular season at 71-25. Every game rest of the way has season ending implications.
Rocky Mount Prep 3-8 at Northside Pinetown 8-3: Prep didn't beat any team during he season with a winning record so I found it hard to believe they start now. The Jags visit to eastern Beaufort county will make a hard long ride home Northside 36 RMP 6
Columbia 3-7 at North Edgecombe 9-1: The Warriors don't have to worry with Tarboro in their bracket and I suspect they can go deep into the playoffs but it must start with a first game win. North Edgecombe 43 Columbia 12
James Kenan 4-7 @ Tarboro 9-2: Kenan has grown enough they moved to 2-A next year and you have to rub your eyes to check their record. Seems in most years it is at least reversed but not this year. This is a team that has knocked the Vikings out the last two playoffs. That will not be forgotten in Viking land. Vikings win but they get a test. Tarboro 33 JK 12
South Granville 7-4 at SouthWest Edge 5-6: Seems like the home game team is wrong but the Cougars got their game together now. This is not a bad squad at all in South Granville. Hard game to pick as this one may go to wire. I like the way the Cougars have turned their season around as they play another week. SWE 32 South Granville 27
Nash Central 7-4 @ Eastern Alamance 9-2: This has been a proud turn a round for the Bulldogs. If they play a perfect game they could win this one. I think not having played in these type games in several years this will be a learning experience for the Bulldogs. Eastern Alamance 27 Nash Central 17
Northern Nash 5-6 @ Southern Nash 11-0. This will be another rock'em sock'em game. I think it will be closer than 28-11. I don't think the Firebirds can count on 14 points on defense. They could hold the Knights to less than 11. Southern Nash 14 Northern Nash 7
Southern Lee 8-3 @ Rocky Mount 9-2. Southern Lee loves to throw the football and this season the Gryphons weakness on defense is the pass. They will need a pass rush. The key for the Gryphons who have been staigant on offense for three weeks is pound, pound, pound the football. They need to control the clock and turnovers would keep that from happening. Rocky Mount 26 Southern Lee 20
Rocky Mount Prep 3-8 at Northside Pinetown 8-3: Prep didn't beat any team during he season with a winning record so I found it hard to believe they start now. The Jags visit to eastern Beaufort county will make a hard long ride home Northside 36 RMP 6
Columbia 3-7 at North Edgecombe 9-1: The Warriors don't have to worry with Tarboro in their bracket and I suspect they can go deep into the playoffs but it must start with a first game win. North Edgecombe 43 Columbia 12
James Kenan 4-7 @ Tarboro 9-2: Kenan has grown enough they moved to 2-A next year and you have to rub your eyes to check their record. Seems in most years it is at least reversed but not this year. This is a team that has knocked the Vikings out the last two playoffs. That will not be forgotten in Viking land. Vikings win but they get a test. Tarboro 33 JK 12
South Granville 7-4 at SouthWest Edge 5-6: Seems like the home game team is wrong but the Cougars got their game together now. This is not a bad squad at all in South Granville. Hard game to pick as this one may go to wire. I like the way the Cougars have turned their season around as they play another week. SWE 32 South Granville 27
Nash Central 7-4 @ Eastern Alamance 9-2: This has been a proud turn a round for the Bulldogs. If they play a perfect game they could win this one. I think not having played in these type games in several years this will be a learning experience for the Bulldogs. Eastern Alamance 27 Nash Central 17
Northern Nash 5-6 @ Southern Nash 11-0. This will be another rock'em sock'em game. I think it will be closer than 28-11. I don't think the Firebirds can count on 14 points on defense. They could hold the Knights to less than 11. Southern Nash 14 Northern Nash 7
Southern Lee 8-3 @ Rocky Mount 9-2. Southern Lee loves to throw the football and this season the Gryphons weakness on defense is the pass. They will need a pass rush. The key for the Gryphons who have been staigant on offense for three weeks is pound, pound, pound the football. They need to control the clock and turnovers would keep that from happening. Rocky Mount 26 Southern Lee 20
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Just win Nine
If you look at the NFL they have become a league of average teams and any team getting to nine wins in sixteen has a shot at the Super Bowl. Teams tend to be hot for two weeks and win one lose one rest of the way. The one's that manage to keep from every other week are odds on favorites with seven weeks to go.
Saints 4-5 @ Panthers 3-6: What a game on national TV to showcase your league. I do think that the scoreboard will light up again like the first matchup in New Orleans. Cam is back to the two years ago Cam. I may be because of the hits he has taken. Both these teams will figure a way to lose but one will lose worse. Panthers 33 Saints 30
Steelers 4-5 @ Browns 0-10: I said last week the Browns were going to knock somebody off and this is the one. Browns 27 Steelers 24
Ravens 5-4 @ Cowboys 8-1. I am not as impressed with Dak as rest of the Cowboy World is but I have to give him credit for one thing. He not losing games for the Cowboys like Romo. Boys defense is one of best in NFL. Ride Defense and go as far as Dak will take you. Boys 27 Ravens 21
Jags 2-7 @ Lions 5-4: The world seems on fire for the 5-4 Lions. If they are the same old Lions Jags win. I'll give them a chance to be the new Lions. Lions 30 Jax 23
Titans 5-5@ Colts 4-5:Here is another game the Titans playing well and Colts playing better. I do like the Titans in this game. Nashville 26 Indy 23
Bills 4-5@ Bengals 3-5: What happened to the up and coming Bengals. They look like the Bills. Bungles 30 Bills 27
Bucs 4-5 @ Chiefs 7-2: Here is my pick as one of the teams in AFC championship game. The Chiefs started the season coming from 17 behind to beat Chargers and now a blocked extra point. You have to like their chances. Chiefs 24 Bucs 21
Bears 2-7 @ Giants 6-3: It time for the Giants to lose one they shouldn't. But this is the Bears Giants 23 Bears 14
Cards 4-4 @ Vikes 5-4: The Cards are suppose to be a Super Bowl contender and the Vikes are a suicidal maniac right now. They can't get out of their own way after having a spot in the Super Bowl in early October. Cards 26 Vikes 24
Dolphins 5-4 @ Rams 4-5:Dolphins make their second straight trip west to meet Todd Gurley and the bumbling Rams. It is hard for Gurley to run with the ball when he is hit before it gets it. Dolphins 24 Rams 17
Pat's 7-2@ 49'ers 1-8: I pity the Niners catching the Pat's after a loss. Pat's 38 SF 17
Eagles 5-4 @ Seahawks 6-2: Eagles can't afford drop any further behind Cowboys while the Hawks have worked themselves into a rather good football team again. Seattle 27 Eagles 23
Packers 4-5 @ Redskins 5-3: Packer defense can't get saved this year by Aaron Rogers. Preseason I would have never thought I would pick Skins in this one. Redskins 29 Packers 26
Texans 6-3 @ Raiders 7-2: Here is my other pick in AFC championship game THE OAKLAND RAIDERS. Raiders 32 Texans 26
Last week went 10-3 to run my record for the season to 77-36.
Saints 4-5 @ Panthers 3-6: What a game on national TV to showcase your league. I do think that the scoreboard will light up again like the first matchup in New Orleans. Cam is back to the two years ago Cam. I may be because of the hits he has taken. Both these teams will figure a way to lose but one will lose worse. Panthers 33 Saints 30
Steelers 4-5 @ Browns 0-10: I said last week the Browns were going to knock somebody off and this is the one. Browns 27 Steelers 24
Ravens 5-4 @ Cowboys 8-1. I am not as impressed with Dak as rest of the Cowboy World is but I have to give him credit for one thing. He not losing games for the Cowboys like Romo. Boys defense is one of best in NFL. Ride Defense and go as far as Dak will take you. Boys 27 Ravens 21
Jags 2-7 @ Lions 5-4: The world seems on fire for the 5-4 Lions. If they are the same old Lions Jags win. I'll give them a chance to be the new Lions. Lions 30 Jax 23
Titans 5-5@ Colts 4-5:Here is another game the Titans playing well and Colts playing better. I do like the Titans in this game. Nashville 26 Indy 23
Bills 4-5@ Bengals 3-5: What happened to the up and coming Bengals. They look like the Bills. Bungles 30 Bills 27
Bucs 4-5 @ Chiefs 7-2: Here is my pick as one of the teams in AFC championship game. The Chiefs started the season coming from 17 behind to beat Chargers and now a blocked extra point. You have to like their chances. Chiefs 24 Bucs 21
Bears 2-7 @ Giants 6-3: It time for the Giants to lose one they shouldn't. But this is the Bears Giants 23 Bears 14
Cards 4-4 @ Vikes 5-4: The Cards are suppose to be a Super Bowl contender and the Vikes are a suicidal maniac right now. They can't get out of their own way after having a spot in the Super Bowl in early October. Cards 26 Vikes 24
Dolphins 5-4 @ Rams 4-5:Dolphins make their second straight trip west to meet Todd Gurley and the bumbling Rams. It is hard for Gurley to run with the ball when he is hit before it gets it. Dolphins 24 Rams 17
Pat's 7-2@ 49'ers 1-8: I pity the Niners catching the Pat's after a loss. Pat's 38 SF 17
Eagles 5-4 @ Seahawks 6-2: Eagles can't afford drop any further behind Cowboys while the Hawks have worked themselves into a rather good football team again. Seattle 27 Eagles 23
Packers 4-5 @ Redskins 5-3: Packer defense can't get saved this year by Aaron Rogers. Preseason I would have never thought I would pick Skins in this one. Redskins 29 Packers 26
Texans 6-3 @ Raiders 7-2: Here is my other pick in AFC championship game THE OAKLAND RAIDERS. Raiders 32 Texans 26
Last week went 10-3 to run my record for the season to 77-36.
Monday, November 14, 2016
Prospects For Friday Victories
Nash County will send five teams to the playoffs Friday night and a loss for any of the five ends football season. We need to take a look at the prospects of any of the five playing week two.
Southern Lee 8-3 4-2 @ Rocky Mount 9-2 4-1: Southern Lee finished tied for third but lost the tie breaker after Terry Sanford beat them last week. Truly a passing team averaging 190 yards per game through the air. They run it for only 85 yards per game. Despite big number passing they have failed to complete half but those completed have averaged 15.8 per catch.
They have scored 323 points for an 29.4 points per game giving up 166 or 15 per in a pass happy league. They have 33 sacks on the year with 12 picks while recovering 8 fumbles.
Rocky Mount second in the Big East and their two losses have come to teams with a combined 22-0 record. The Gryphons average 267 yards rushing or 6.1 yards per carry. They add another 84 yards passing. The Gryphons average 34 points per contest while yielding 15.5. So far this year Rocky Mount has fumbled 12 times and thrown 8 picks.
If you remember last year's playoffs first three games for Rocky Mount against pass happy teams. Pass happy teams practice passing and their defense doesn't get pounded by the run. Rocky Mount must pound the football and breakdown the pass effective Southern Lee. Rocky Mount must hold on to the ball in order to win and limit the big pass plays.
Nash Central 7-4 3-2 @ Eastern Alamance 9-2 6-2: EA averages 239 yards per game rushing or 6.3 yards per attempt. They add another 136 passing or 12.8 per reception. They score 36.5 per game and begrudge 14 points on defense.
Nash Central runs the ball for 211 yards per game while adding through the air another 141. Their pace of putting points on the board is 28.5 while allowing 21.5. The Bulldogs have had 23 turnovers on the year 11 fumbles and 12 interceptions. They can't have any in this one.
Nash Central must put points on the board and the defense must get some stops to give the themselves any chance. I guarantee you Eastern Alamance remembers the licking they got from Rocky Mount because they didn't respect the Gryphons. You had better bet the coaches are pounding and into the EA players that Nash Central is capable of winning if they are not ready.
There is no need to feed you the stats of the Northern Nash 5-6 1-4 @ Southern Nash 11-0 6-0. Let's talk facts. 28-11. Take away two defensive touchdowns and the score 14-11. Northern is more than capable of holding the Firebird offense and if the Firebirds think just because they got a home game this go around against the Knights this will be easy pickings.
I relate this game just like Eastern Alamance and Rocky Mount last year. The team thinking about next week got plucked big time and if the Firebirds sleep walk in this one the season and undefeated team ends quick.
Rocky Mount Prep 3-8 @ Northside Pinetown 8-3: RMP had not fared well against any team this season that you could classify as a good team. It started with Kipp Pride. Who at the time thought they would finish 6-4. It will be hard for the Jags to keep this one close.
Playoff time is for winners. The teams that dig down when the end is in sight and finds away to play another day. Let's go play some football.
Southern Lee 8-3 4-2 @ Rocky Mount 9-2 4-1: Southern Lee finished tied for third but lost the tie breaker after Terry Sanford beat them last week. Truly a passing team averaging 190 yards per game through the air. They run it for only 85 yards per game. Despite big number passing they have failed to complete half but those completed have averaged 15.8 per catch.
They have scored 323 points for an 29.4 points per game giving up 166 or 15 per in a pass happy league. They have 33 sacks on the year with 12 picks while recovering 8 fumbles.
Rocky Mount second in the Big East and their two losses have come to teams with a combined 22-0 record. The Gryphons average 267 yards rushing or 6.1 yards per carry. They add another 84 yards passing. The Gryphons average 34 points per contest while yielding 15.5. So far this year Rocky Mount has fumbled 12 times and thrown 8 picks.
If you remember last year's playoffs first three games for Rocky Mount against pass happy teams. Pass happy teams practice passing and their defense doesn't get pounded by the run. Rocky Mount must pound the football and breakdown the pass effective Southern Lee. Rocky Mount must hold on to the ball in order to win and limit the big pass plays.
Nash Central 7-4 3-2 @ Eastern Alamance 9-2 6-2: EA averages 239 yards per game rushing or 6.3 yards per attempt. They add another 136 passing or 12.8 per reception. They score 36.5 per game and begrudge 14 points on defense.
Nash Central runs the ball for 211 yards per game while adding through the air another 141. Their pace of putting points on the board is 28.5 while allowing 21.5. The Bulldogs have had 23 turnovers on the year 11 fumbles and 12 interceptions. They can't have any in this one.
Nash Central must put points on the board and the defense must get some stops to give the themselves any chance. I guarantee you Eastern Alamance remembers the licking they got from Rocky Mount because they didn't respect the Gryphons. You had better bet the coaches are pounding and into the EA players that Nash Central is capable of winning if they are not ready.
There is no need to feed you the stats of the Northern Nash 5-6 1-4 @ Southern Nash 11-0 6-0. Let's talk facts. 28-11. Take away two defensive touchdowns and the score 14-11. Northern is more than capable of holding the Firebird offense and if the Firebirds think just because they got a home game this go around against the Knights this will be easy pickings.
I relate this game just like Eastern Alamance and Rocky Mount last year. The team thinking about next week got plucked big time and if the Firebirds sleep walk in this one the season and undefeated team ends quick.
Rocky Mount Prep 3-8 @ Northside Pinetown 8-3: RMP had not fared well against any team this season that you could classify as a good team. It started with Kipp Pride. Who at the time thought they would finish 6-4. It will be hard for the Jags to keep this one close.
Playoff time is for winners. The teams that dig down when the end is in sight and finds away to play another day. Let's go play some football.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
