Frequent Flyer Miles

The Gryphons got back to their winning ways Wednesday night taking three games from Hertford County.

The boys played for the second straight game without Tashawn Mabry who is sitting with an injury. The final was Gryphons 66, HC 53. They get back above .500 at 7-6

The girls' game was highlighted by Dyonna Battle receiving recognition for reaching the 1,000-point club which she had done this past Saturday at Kinston. The girls won their eighth game of the year against only four losses.

I did not see it, but I was told the JV boys game was tied but the Gryphons make a mid-court shot at the buzzer to win.

I went to church Wednesday night and arrived at the boys game at what I thought would be near the end of the first quarter about 7:45 p.m. There was only one minute left in the third quarter when I arrived. The game was over by 8.15.

The refs must had had another game somewhere else at 9.00 p.m.

Snooze and you lose.

Another Gryphon athlete has been honored by the Rocky Mount Telegram as the Athlete of the Year in their sport. Corinne Fischer wins the honor for volleyball.

Retiring Gryphon volleyball coach Debbie Webb was named Coach of the Year for the Twin Counties.

I sat near Stephan Virgil last night and asked him of his prospect of trying for the NFL this season. He told me he would be returning for his senoir season next year at Virginia Tech. Stephan did tell me he is rated about the 12th best cornerback by the NFL right now, but at best that would only be third or fourth round. So he is coming back hoping to move up higher in the draft next year.

We all try to do everything we can to support our children. This past football season, Richard and Sandra Virgil were on jets following Stephan play football that covered several thousand miles.

They started the season driving to Charlotte to see the ECU game. There were three straight homes games in Blacksburg, Va. Then they made their backyard game in Chapel Hill which was the shortest trip all season to any game.

Starting on Sept. 27, they traveled to Lincoln, Ne., Boston, Mass, Tallahassee, Fl., Miami, Fl. The ACC championship game was in Tampa, Fl. which they drove to and they finished up back on a plane to see the Orange Bowl back in Miami on Jan. 1.

I guess all the flight attendants know them on a first-name basis.

Friday night conference play starts at Northern Nash.

Tonight I will be at Northern doing a wrestling match for the Stretchlon Sports Show.

Friday, there is a banquet in Goldsboro the George Whitfield Hall of Fame Banquet which B.W. Holt and the Rocky Mount 2008 baseball team will be among the honored guests. Holt will be inducted into Whitfield's Hall of Fame. This is part of an annual youth baseball clinic which has been held in Goldsboro for many years.

NCPreps.com has released its 3-A All-State state football team and the Gryphons have four players to the team. Keith Strickland, wide receiver, Nick Hahula as kicker, Whit Barnes as an offensive lineman and Chris Pittman at linebacker.

When you win, you get all the glory. On Monday, Jan. 26, the baseball team will again be honored by the Wilson Hot Stove League for its 2008 state baseball championship.

I hope the baseball team isn't getting fat off of chicken and barbecue.

NFL'S Best Part TWO

The lady Gryphons and boys were swept last night in basketball at Beddingfield.

Tonight with not much time to think about last night the Gryphons host Hertford County.

We will continue today with my ALL PRO NFL team. Yesterday were covered most of the offense. I did leave off tight ends so we will start there before we jump to the defense.

Tight Ends: There is no doubt the best in football is Tony Gonzales of the Kansas City chiefs. Once again 88 gets over a thousand yards receiving the only tight end to do that. 70% of his catches were for first downs. Second best Jason Whitten Dallas Cowboys

The good thing about defensive players is they all have some type of stats where offensive line men have nothing. In the case of each position I set up a point system based on tackles, sacks, int etc.

Nose tackles: Shawn Rogers Cleveland Browns. had 76 tackles and 4.5 sacks. Second Vince Wilfork New England Patriots.

Defensive tackles: Kevin Williams Minnesota Vikes. 60 tackles and 8.5 sacks. next best Darnell Duckett Kansas City Chiefs

Defensive Ends: Jared Allen Minnesota Vikings... Had 14.5 sacks but added 54 other tackles. Julius Peppers Bailey North Carolina, Rebounded this season with 14.5 sacks and 51 tackles. second team. Justin Tuck New York Giants and Mario Williams Richlands NC. Easily the most talented position in football. Andre Ware with 20 sacks not in top 5.

Middle Line Backer: Barrett Rudd Tampa Bay 137 tackles, three sacks, and three Ints.

Inside Linebacker: D'qwell Jackson 154 tackles, two sacks, and 3 ints

Outside Linebackers: James Harrison Pittsburgh Steelers. 101 tackles,16 sacks,4 ints, and 7 force fumbles. No wonder he is the NFL Defensive player of the year. Patrick Willis San Francisco 49's. 141 tackles, 1 int and 1 sack.

Corner Backs: Cortland Finnegan... had 5 int lead league in batted balls 21 which means he is on his man. Chris Gamble Carolina Panthers. 5 ints and one returned for touchdown.

Strong safety: Michael Griffin 7 ints and one returned to the house.

Free safety: Ed Reed Mr Ball Hawk 9 ints and two returned to the house

Kickers: There are not many teams that don't have a good kicker. Josh Brown Hit 94% of all kicks and 6 of 8 from more than 50 yards

Punter: Mike Srifres San Diego.. Averaged 45.7 yards per punt. 19 of his 51 punts were down inside 20 yard line 37%. The real number only 2.8 yards per return the best by 2 yards.

Come back player of Year: Jake Delehomme Carolina. Only played two games last year and had total reconstruction surgery in elbow.

Worst move of year: Jerry Jones first of all letting Pacman Jones even play at all this year but after he beats up a team security guard letting him continue to play. The man is Al davis twenty years from now.

Defensive player of the year: James Harrison Pittsburgh Steelers. Stats speak for themselves. Almost the best ED Reed.

This is the NFL in a nutshell. 5 of 6 Pro Bowl quarter backs not in playoffs this weekend. My top two defenders still playing. What does that tell you? Win with defense!

As they say in golf"Drive for show putt for dough". In football sell tickets with offense win championships with defense.

NFL's Best

The Rocky Mount Gryphons tonight travel to Beddingfield to begin the new year. This is a busy week of basketball as Wednesday they host Hertford County and finish off the week with the Knights of Northern Nash at Northern.

The NFL playoffs are in high gear and shortly they will be naming the All PRO Team. Here is some of my thinking for the offense.

Quarterback: Peyton Manning Indianapolis Colts. He didn't throw for the most yards but the Colts are just average without him. Second Best Philip Rivers San Diego Chargers. It is no longer LT's Chargers

Running Back: Adrian Peterson Minnesota Vikings. What needs to be said, this dude is good. Second best Michael Turner Atlanta Falcons. The Falcon turn a round was because Turner kept the heat off Ryan.

Wide Receivers: Andre Johnson Houston Texans. The Texans didn't get to play a home game during the first month of season because of a Hurricane. Their bad start cost Johnson a possible MVP of the league if they could have made playoffs. Second best Steve Smith Carolina Panthers and Wes Welker New England Partiots

Linemen: In a world of instance stats you would think the NFL could come up with some type of stats for linemen. Knock down blocks, sacks allowed, etc. You make your own picks on linemen.

Offensive player of the Year: Drew Brees New Orleans Saints. Is the best pure passer in football. Remember I said passer not best quarterback.

Kick returner:Darren Sproles San Diego Chargers. Probably the most exciting player in the league

Most Surprising Team:Miami Dolphins Look last year they won ONE game

Most Disappointing: New York Jets. In week eleven they were talking a superbowl between the Giants and Jets. Now Brett Farve's teammates have thrown him under the bus. Jets didn't even make playoffs or finish first or second in their division. Runner Up Denver Bronco's.

Best Move of year: Hiring Mike Singletary as coach of the 49's. Look out next year after they have a full off season with Singletary in charge. Second best Charger hiring Ron Rivera as Defensive Coordinator mid season. That move may win super bowl

Tomorrow we will look at the defense.

Wide Open Basketball

Back from the Holidays the Gryphon Basketball team has three games this week. Hertford County and Beddingfield and the cap off the week starting conference play with Northern Nash.

Caroline Gray was named the 'Rocky Mount Telegram" girls tennis player of the year and coach Barry Nettercutt was named Coach of the year.

I watched bits and pieces of the Carolina basketball game. It doesn't matter who you are but when you look for that next gear to go to in a game sometimes you just don't have it or the other team can stay with your extra gear. Last night Boston college had every answer for Carolina.

Now that the question of whether they will go undefeated is gone they can concentrate on winning the ACC which is now not a gimme for the Tar Heels.

Duke takes care of Virginia Tech but I just don't see the Devils winning the conference. They are to me too slow and the Belmonts of the world will give them trouble throughout the season.

Next possible trouble for Duke is Wednesday night against Stephan Curry and Davidson. I think Curry is getting a lot of attention this year but Davidson is not as good as they were last season.

The NFL playoffs are set for next weekend. I got three out of four this past weekend.

It starts at 4.45pm Saturday with the Baltimore Ravens at the Tennessee Titans. This one could be a slug fest and I will take Baltimore.

The prime time Saturday night game with feature the Carolina Panthers who will host the Arizona Cardinals. I think the Panthers will host the NFC championship game the following week.

The reason they will host is Philadelphia is going to take out the New York Giants on Sunday at 1.00pm.

If that happens it will setup a rematch between the Eagles and Panthers. Remember the Panthers unset Philly and went to the Superbowl in 2003.

The final game of the weekend will send the San Diego Chargers to Pittsburgh. I pick the Charger to Host the AFC Championship game since I am picking Baltimore to knock out Tennessee.

If I go four for four this weekend that will set up Philadelphia the #6 seed taking on the Panther the #2 seed in the NFC. The #6 seed Ravens will travel to the #4 seed San Diego Chargers for the AFC Crown.

If this were to happen it can only show all Gryphon fans the best team doesn't all ways win in the playoffs. Just ask the football team.

Gryphons mourn Dudley Whitley

There is sad news today in the Gryphon Nation of the passing of Dudley Whitley.

The former Blackbird won a baseball scholarship to N.C. State where he was All-ACC his final two years. After finishing his professional baseball career, Whitley returned to Rocky Mount High where he served in just about every capacity possible within the then Rocky Mount City School System from baseball coach to eventually becoming superintendent.

A memorial service will be held at 4 pm. Monday at the First Presbyterian Church of Rocky Mount.

There are those in life that leave an impression on our lives long after they have served their time and Dudley Whitley is one of those.

There is more sad news to pass along today, but this is on a personal note. I told you yesterday that we went to the beach Friday afternoon on a spur of the moment deal. We went out to eat in Nags Head and the Norfolk TV station was on a screen where I could see the news and I could only see the screen not hear it.

There was a headline where a woman was crushed by a falling tree. Come to find out that a Gates County High School coach's wife was killed when their family was returning from a holiday visit with family in Maryland.

The day was so windy that a hugh branch from an overhanging pine tree broke loose and fell as their car passed it along the highway.

Linda Edwards was killed while her husband Dave only receive cuts from the branches.

Dave was the longtime JV coach at Hertford County under both Daryl Allen and the late Carl Brock.

While we lived in Ahoskie, Daryl Allen invited his coaches and anyone who worked to help with the football program to his home after home games to watch the high school scores. It expanded where Pat and I took our turn being a host once a year.

Dave and Linda had visited our home many times as well as his.

The NFL playoffs for next week are set.

Saturday's 4.30 p.m. game will feature the Ravens at Tennessee. Then, the Saturday night headliner will have the Carolina Panthers hosting the Arizona Cardinals.

Sunday's games start at 1 p.m. with the New York Giants hosting the Philadelphia Eagles.

The 4:30 game next Sunday will be the Chargers at Pittsburgh in a rematch of an 11-10 Pittsburgh victory six weeks ago when Pittsburgh did not score a touchdown.

The BCS Bowls crank up again tomorrow night with the Fiesta Bowl. Ohio State faces Texas.

You know so far this has been a rather dull bowl year.

I can't believe what I just saw, but Carolina goes down in basketball at home to Boston College.

More on this tomorrow.

A Point Guard Away

North Carolina State is a point guard away from having a really good team. Today, traveling to Florida, the Wolfpack had every chance in the world to win except late in the game there was no one to get the ball to the people who need it to score.

State will be lucky to win six conference games with the point guard play they are getting and will get during the rest of the season. They will get blown out a couple of times, but I think for the most part they will be in every game to the end.

Hey Carolina fans, you had better pay attention to the Demon Deacs of Wake Forest. Tonight they won at BYU who had a 53-game home winning streak going which was the longest in the nation. Wake wins at Provo.

The spiral continues for the Rocky Mount Gryphons as they are scalped at Kinston Saturday night to drop to 6-5. The Gryphons have lost five of six.

Saturday, in the NFL playoffs, the home teams won both games.

Arizona won its first playoff game ever, but the Cardinals franchise, it was the first win in 61 years.

Saturday night you saw why the Colts-Chargers were the prime time game as the Charger win in overtime .

The two best players on the field for the Chargers were the two smallest in the game. Darren Sproles, who have the third most total yards in a playoff game in history 322 and two touchdowns.

The other best player was Mike Scifres, the Charger punter who had a 65-yard punt which was the longest punt in the playoffs in 35 years. Four times on his punts Peyton Manning and the Colts started inside their own 10-yard line because of Scifres including his last one with less than three minutes to play that roll out of bounds at the one.

The three Pro Bowl quarterbacks for the AFC have all been eliminated from the playoffs after Manning lost Saturday night. Farve and Cutler failed to make the playoffs and the one quarterback who didn't Phillip Rivers plays on.

San Diego becomes the first NFL team which did not have a winning record to win a playoff game.

As of right now, I am 15-16 in my bowl picks and in the fantasy bowl league I am in the upper 25 percent which tells me nobody has done that well picking the bowl games.

Boy did the Pirates lose a heartbreaker or what.

My wife Pat decides at 11 a.m. Friday that we needed to go to Nags Head Friday night. I saw the ECU Pirates were ahead 16-3 at the half and the next time I cut the tube on they had lost.

Carolina, State, and ECU lose their bowl games with only Wake Forest winning.

Virgil leads Gobblers to Orange Bowl victory

Former Rocky Mount Gryphon Stephan Virgil intercepted a pass in the end zone with just under three minutes to play in the first half of Virginia Tech's Orange Bowl game with Cincinnati. The interception prevented the Bearcats from taking the lead and spurred the Hokies to get a field goal on the last play of first half.

Virgil had three tackles, one being a tackle behind the line of scrimmage. His effort won the "Allstate Insurance Good Hands Play of the Game" for his interception.

Finally, the ACC gets a game as the Hokies dominated it after Cincinnati's opening drive. Final: Virginia Tech 20, Cincinnati 7

The ACC finishes its bowl games with a 4-6 worksheet.

The ECU Pirates get into action today at 5 p.m. in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis.

Through January's first bowl games, I am now 14-13 in my picks.

Does any body know why commentator Paul McGuire rides on the sidelines with the camera man? It makes no sense to me. He must be afraid of elevators. He was on the air New Year's Eve in one of the games. Which one I don't remember. There are so many.

The NFL will name the MVP today and I think it will be Peyton Manning.

Can anybody tell me why Chad Pennington won the Comeback Player of the year? Where did he go to have to come back?

Much better choices would be Jake Delhomme of Carolina who only played two games last year before his "Tommy John surgery."

Two other good candidates would be Kurt Warner and Kerry Collins. Both are quarterbacks long over their starting quarterback careers, but both have found new life this year with high price quarterbacks ahead of them in turmoil.

Rocky Mount's varsity basketball teams will play endowment games Saturday night in Kinston. The boys need to find a groove which has been lacking since the football players joined the team.