Lindsay Thomas And Kate Gray Make Finals.

The doubles team of Lindsay Thomas and Kate Gray after winning their quarter final match yesterday open today's play needing two victories to be state Champs in Ladies Doubles. They got one but not the second and the first one may have played a role.

The Thomas/Gray team met one of the home field advantage teams when they took on the doubles team from Burlington Williams. Today's action was moved inside because of the morning rains and Rocky Mount lost the first game 5-7. Thomas and Gray almost didn't get to a third game but they pulled out a 7-6 win in game two. The third game went The Gryphon teammates way as they won 6-2 to advance to the finals.

Any time that you struggle against a quality opponent and by the end of the match you have given every thing just to win this one, it is hard to refill the tank a few minutes later and play and even harder foe.

The Chapel Hill team of Helpingstine and Kimbrough took two straight from Lindsay and Kate and win the state title 6-2/6-1.

The number one doubles team will not have much time down before they get back to the third round of the team playoffs. They meet Fike in the third round Tuesday at Sunset Park at 4.00pm.

NEWS FLASH-NEWS FLASH-NEWS FLASH

More career records fall into the hands of Terrell Hudgins. Today in Spartanburg S C Elon beat Wofford 34-6 and Terell Hudgins had three touchdown catches and 153 Yards receiving as Terrell Breaks the all time 100 yards games record in FCS history. Today was the 24th time he has gotten over 100 in a game receiving the ball for Elon. Earlier this year Terrell broke the all time career catches list and only one more record is left standing and that is the all time yardage record which may well fall next week.

Mike Gainey told me last night in the press box that Soccer as the number two seed will get a home game Wednesday. The NCHSAA wants the game played at 7.00pm which puts the soccer field out because of no lights. First option would be to play at the football stadium like they did once last year but because of the crown in the field the stadium is not meant for soccer.

Now there is a new option. There is a possibility that the playoff game may be played at the soccer complex at the Roccky Mount Sports complex. I understand that the Sports complex fields are being used on Sunday's and middle of the week may be available and Mike Gainey hopes to finalize where the soccer team plays Monday if all possible.

Boy is there was ever reason for a new school, I think soccer would vote for it.

Their Victory over Nash Central last night clinched the #1 seed for Hunt in Football. They are 4-0 and are followed by Rocky Mount at 3-1. Southern and Northern Nash are tied for third at 2-2. Nash Central is 1-3 and Fike has yet to win a conference game at 0-4.

Regardless of the outcome of Hunt and Fike, Hunt is conference champs, but If Northern was to beat Rocky Mount and Nash Central beats Southern again then there would be a three way tie for second between, Rocky Mount, Northern and Southern.

Tell me how to figure the seedings out there.

H O L Y C O W

It was the battle for second place in the Big East 3-A conference. Southern Nash runs nearly two plays to every one for Rocky Mount. Tonight turns out to be not how many plays but what you did with what you had.

Including the first two series of the game and the last by the Firebirds, the Gryphons kept Southern out of the end zone three times where they came away with no points at all. The first defensive stop set up a safety when Southern Tackled Jordan Ford on the first play for a 2-0 lead.

Rocky Mount retaliated with a drive that ended with a twenty five yard run for a touchdown by Marquavis Alston and a 7-2 Gryphon lead. The second quarter saw Southen retake the lead after a nice drive and Southern lead 10-7. The first play from scrimmage Jordan Ford found a hole and 72 yards later Rocky Mount is back on top 14-10

The Gryphons blocked a punt with less than 30 seconds to play in the half inside the 25 yards line and finished the half on a 27 yard field goal by Tim Bishop.

You kind of have the feeling with the field goal that this might be a Gryphons kind of night, that Rocky Mount would score any points off a field goal the way the kicking game started out this season.

Back and forth third quarter ended on an Eric Coppedge 66 yard run but the snap from center was mishandled and the Gryphons lead 17-16 at the end of the third quarter.

Southern retook the lead with a field goal and with six minutes to play 19-17. Each defense stopped the other one more time and Rocky Mount got the ball back with 2.38 to play at their own thirty yard line.

Three running plays produced a first down at the forty. On first down Collins Cuthrell dropped back in the pocket, any time this year Collins has been in the pocket he has been on back side but on this play the Gryphon line gave Collins the protection and he fired a pass to a wide open Jordan Ford who out ran the defense for a 60 yard touchdown pass and after Bishops kick lead 24-19 with 1.09 to play.

Southern managed to get the ball inside the 20 but four incomplete passes hit the ground and Rocky Mount has sole procession of second place in the Big East with a 24-19 win over Southern.

Northern Nash spotted Fike a 21-0 lead in the first half but came all the way back to beat Fike 22-21. That is the second win on the season, but look at what this sets up. If Northern beats Rocky Mount next Friday at Northern there is a possibility of a three way tie for second and Northern could finish in second with a 3-8 record.

Who would have thought just three weeks ago that the Gryphon -Knight game would have so much riding on it as it has now.

Hunt wrapped up the #1 seed in the conference with a 43-7 drubbing of Nash Central.

In the State Tennis doubles: The doubles team of Lindsey Thomas and Kate Gray are still a live as they won their quarter final match today and are down to the final four in tennis doubles. The Rocky Mount team of Addie Keeter and Caroline Nelson lost in the quarters.

I am almost at complete exhaustion, and I have not played one play tonight, but the excitement and for the first time in a long while you can say that the Gryphons showed some improvement. The blocking was outstanding when it had to be. The defensive front held their own against a good running team this side of SouthWest Edgecombe. Lordy Be, we got a field goal.

Three weeks ago I think Rocky Mount would have gone to Northern next Friday night expecting to win easy. I think Northern has their attention now.

Hunt Trips Gryphons Again

Twenty minutes to go in tonight's conference tournament soccer finals at Hunt it was a 0-0 match Neither side able to penetrate the others net. The Warriors applied the first dagger with16 mintes remaining to take a 1-0 lead. The match was nip&tuck until the two minute mark when Hunt struck for their second goal. A disappointed Gryphon defense allowed another in the last few seconds and Hunt blanks the Gryphons 3-0.

Rocky Mount has lost but three times is season and all three to Hunt. Hunt is 19-1-1 on the season while the Gryphons head into the state playoffs 18-3-2.

State finals Friday: Rocky Mount sends two doubles teams to the state tennis championships in Burlington . The team of Lindsey Thomas-Kate Gray are the # one seed in the east will take on the # three seed Corin Krause-Kindell Schmitt of Cardinal Gibbons

The Addie Keeter- Caroline Nelson team who are seeded as the #3 seed in the east meet up with Kathyrn Ferebee-Kelly Tomlin the #two seed in the Midwest, they are from Charlotte Catholic

The singles will feature Fike's Mary Katherine Prince the # one seed in the singles taking on Alison Bogs of Statesville. Northern Nash's Randi Price just a freshman meets Dominque Linsdsey of Charlotte Harding

Friday night is the last home game of the season for Gryphon football. Carter Varnell who has been out with a knee injury since the second quarter of the second game will try to play with a knee brace. Aaron Barnes who missed last Friday's game with a knee injury will also play.

This is brand new news as of today but this is old news in a sort of way. Xavier Macklin former Nash Central baseball star, The MEAC rookie of the year in baseball last spring at North Carolina Central was named today as the Area I American Legion Player of the year.

Xavier didn't even join the team until the very last regular season game. His first two bats of the season were home runs and even during the playoffs all sixteen of them his hitting and outfield play were outstanding for Post 58.

Macklin will receive the Player of the year award during the American Legion Hall of Fame induction ceremonies which will be held this year in Kinston sometime in March.

The legion Hall of Fame will add to it's ranks Ricky Crumpler a umpire from Kinston who did many games in Rocky Mount this year and in the past also, Athletic Director of Post 39 in Greenville Ernie Taylorwill make th HOF. The final inductee will be Clay Council one of the coaches of the Cary Legion team in which Post 58 beat to go State Tournament. Council is famous as Josh Hamilton's pitcher during Hamilton's Home run derby of 2008.

Friday night Nash Central will be without head coach Greg Crudup when they line up to play Hunt. Coach Crudup was suspended earlier this week by Principal Hartsfield after Nash Central lost to Northern Nash. He is expected back for the final regular season game at Southern Nash next week.

We will try again at 7.00pm for the pregame show on am 1390. Wes and I will also do double duty Friday as we will also be taping the game of the week for WHIG-TV.

Fike Next For Tennis

Unlike Volleyball tennis has survived to play another day. I had kitchen duty tonight at church and was unable to get by Sunset Park this afternoon but looking at the NCHSAA playoff bracket our Ladies have beaten Union Pines 5-4.

This can only mean that the match was up in the air right down to the last doubles match. This also sets up a rematch with Fike next week in the third round of the playoffs. Rocky Mount and Fike beat each other once during the season and as the #one seed will play at Sunset Park. I think that is scheduled for Tuesday.

Lindesy Thomas. Kate Gray, Addie Keeter and Caroline Nelson have all qualified for the State doubles title which will be fought for Friday and Saturday in Burlington.

Today's team victory over Union Pines is pay back for Union Pines knocking us out last year at their place. This sets up Fike and Rocky Mount for the second time in three years to meet in the third round.

My Bad, the conference tournament soccer championship is tomorrow night and yes host Hunt will be there taking on the Gryphons. This is the third meeting of the season and Hunt won both matches by two goals.

JV Football Thursday night will travel to Southern Nash.

Having a daughter that was one of the managers of the volleyball team I hope your children take part in some sort of extra curricular activity while in school. It is good for their health to get them is some sort of shape. I have watched as the playoffs developed even Morgans desire to win and play another day in the playoffs.

Sports develops the habits of working together, gives them goals to shoot for and most of all when they lose how to cope with not making your goal. I know there are those who think sports should be eliminated but, in my honest opinion if it were a requirement that every child do something outside of school our children would all be better off. Whether it is the band, Chorus or sporting team I know I did better in school knowing I needed to stay eligible.

Ooh Sooo Close

Never in the history of Rocky Mount Volleyball have they made it to the third round of the state playoffs. Tonight the Lady Gryphon can not create new history as they fall in five games to West Carteret 3-2.

Trailing 23-21 in game four and down two games to one the lady Gryphons fought back to take game four 25-23. The deciding fifth game the Lady Gryphons surge to a 14-12 lead in the game and serving for the match only to have three straight points ( hard fought all three ) go to The Patriots. Now trailing 15-14 a miss play on the return serve never crossed the net and the Patriots win the deciding fifth game 16-14 and move on to the third round.

Volley ball ends it's season at 18-5.

Soccer tonight has moved to the finals of the Big East Soccer Tournament beating Northern Nash 5-1. Justin Marsigli got a hat trick to lead the way for the Gryphons. They will play Wednesday for the tournament title at Hunt. At this writing we think they will play Hunt again but that game has not finished.

Tennis got washed out tonight in their second round match against against Union Pines. Talked with coach Barry Nethercutt at the volley ball game and Union Pines was scheduled to leave to make the trip to Rocky Mount at 11.00am. During the playoffs all travel is paid for from playoff monies and you certainly don't want to come all the way from Union Pines and have to come again tomorrow because of rain.

The decision was made at 11.00 to postpone when unfortunately as the day went by the match could have been played. They will try again tomorrow at Sunset park at 4.00pm

Saw ECU playing on ESPN Two tonight in football and reminded me that I need to pass this along to all Gryphon supporters of all former Rocky Mount players. Jacobi Jenkins made his first career catch for ECU in their game ten days ago. The red shirt freshman has appeared in three games so far for the Pirates. I will finish watching to see if he gets any more tonight.

I would like to pass along some very good comments I heard from Tarboro fans Friday night. I was told it was the best officiated game that they had ever been to at Southwest Edgecombe. They were all talking about Raymond Cobb who was the guess on Brian Bailey's "Coaches Corner: Segment . Cobb praised the Vikings on TV and predicted that Tarboro would make it back to the 2-A finals again this year. There is no doubt about it raymond Cobb is a class act as coach at SouthWest Edgecombe.

Time Change For Volleyball

Tuesdays second round volleyball match between the Lady Gryphons and West Carteret has been moved up to 5.30pm instead of 6.00pm. This has been done to accommodate WC and getting home earlier on a school night.

If the Lady Gryphons advance through the eastern bracket will will more than likely have to beat a Coastal Conference team every step of the way. They already disposed of the #3 seed White Oak, they will now face the #4 seed West Carteret. The winner of this match could very well meet South Central who has already beaten our ladies twice this season. If the Lady Gryphons are still alive D H Conley would probably be waiting. The good news is South Central if it happens would have to come to us.

The Coastal earned five spots in the playoffs and four are still alive as our victory over White Oak their only blemish.

I would think the Big East Soccer tournament has been delayed by weather, I have not heard however that it has.

Weather permitting Tuesday tennis will play at Sunset park at 4.00pm against Union Pines. This is a second round team match in the state playoffs.

Sometimes there are games that when they are over you just think, this is a team of destiny. Being down by 21 in the first half the New Orleans Saints score 22 points in the fourth quarter to take down Miami.

Brett Farve played like late last season Brett Farve and Minnesota loses for the first time. the Giants have played like the midgets the last two weeks and Peyton Manning still continues to be the best quarterback in the NFL.

Monday night football features the Deadskins. I doubt if I can take much of that. Jake Delhomne is playing like he forty five and seen his best day. Didn't they just give him a big contract in the spring?

Sometimes it does good to have a change of scenery. I suggest the Deadskins and Panthers trade quarterbacks. Delhomme for Campbell. One over the hill and one who has seen the hill yet.

Doubles Team State Bound

The Rocky Mount High school doubles team of LindsayThomas and Kate Gray swept through the competition Friday and Saturday and won the Regional crown and qualify for the State Championships coming up this Friday in Burlington.

The team of Addie Keeter and Caroline Nelson won their opening match, lost in the semifinals which prevented an all Rocky Mount finals. Keeter and Nelson won the consolation match which gives them third place in the regional.

I honestly don't know how players can switch back and forth. Tuesday the entire tennis team host Union Pines in the team portion of the playoffs. If the Lady Gryphons win then it's back to doubles in Burlington Friday for Thomas and Gray.

The first round of the volley ball playoffs are over and in order to judge the strength of your conference your #1 and #2 have to win and the Big East got that in the opening round. Hunt yesterday advanced as well as the Lady Gryphons from Thursday.

If your top two lose then it shows the conference as being weak. The lower seeds did lose but the power of the Big East is still playing. Tuesday the Lady Gryphons play host to West Carteret the upset winner in the first round . When ever your conference has more than two making it to the second round that conference is strong and the Coastal has that with Conley, South Central still playingand West Carreret.

In the short history of Volleyball at Rocky Mount they have never made it past the second round. Volleyball is controlled by the tall players on the front line which historically Rocky Mount has never been extremely tall. The ladies face a tall task the rest of the way each team left in the playoffs is tall and athletic.

Both Tennis and Volleyball are home Tuesday and they need you support to be there to watch. Very seldom does either sport have more than mamas and papas and family there to watch. They both can be very entertaining.