Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Jeff Craddock Preaches God And Life

Our teachers and coaches in our area are some of the best anywhere. Some coaches coach more than one sport  and then there are the coaches who teach about  God and Life.  The Sunset Church Of God in Tarboro for several years now has had a Sunday there they invite all the athletes from the area to come to their church and hear Jeff Craddock talk about life with God and living life in our world today.

Sunset Church of God on an average Sunday has between two to three hundred to attend.  This past Sunday with all the athletes it is estimated almost 600 were there which many could not get inside the church.  Afterwards a meal was provided outside where church member had a struggle Saturday to prepare for the feast.  The church had several pop up tents set up Saturday afternoon when the wind storm came and destroyed every one.  Not to fear the church cleaned out all the Wal-marts in the area getting more tents set up.

I am so thankful during a year when Tarboro to most people in Tarboro would say they are having an awful year as they stand at 4-3. They are lead by a coach that continues to do God's work even when expectations on the football field might not be up to everyone in Tarboro's wish.

The duel championships in women's tennis start today as Rocky Mount host Burlington Williams and the Big East #2 team Hunt is on the road at C B Aycock.  RM is 16-1 on the season while Williams is 11-1.  Aycock is 15-1 and Hunt 14-2.  Only two teams from the Big East  make the playoffs in tennis.  If football only had two the playoffs could be over by December.

Today the two Nash County Big East volleyball teams still alive in the Big East tournament travel to the top two teams in the Big East.  Rocky Mount and Northern Nash both won their first round games and they now  Get Fike and Hunt.  The two winners will play for the conference tournament title later this week.

After thoughts:

How bout them Cowboys!  Got to give them credit I never thought they could go to Seattle and beat the Super Bowl champs.

Just doesn't seem the Seahawks are as good as they were last year.  As good as Russell Wilson has played he is a lot better qb with the lead that having to catch up.

Philip Rivers set another NFL record Sunday when he became the first quarterback in NFL history to have a quarterback rating over 120 five games in a row.  He broke the record of four previously held by Johnny Unitas  and Kurt Warner.

The good Manning brother Peyton continues to assault Brett Farves touchdown career total  of 508.  Manning should tie or break the record this weekend.  He now stands at 506. 

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Battling Bishops Rolling

North Carolina Wesleyan won their third game in a row Saturday beating La Grange 48-21.  Battling Bishop quarterback Dustin Midgett set a school record tossing six touchdown passes which also tied the USA South record.  Midgett a sophomore from Currituck High school has helped the Battling Bishops to a 3-1 conference record and 4-2 over all record.  Wouldn't you know it,  now that they have won three games in a row and are hot.  They have an off week coming up.

The first week of the conference football races are in the books and Southern Nash's victory over Fike came as a surprise to many but talking with Firebird fans most of the injuries they have had so far this year are over as just about everyone is healthy.  Really good time to be healthy.

Hunt beat Northern in Randy Raper's first return.  Most of the way Hunt goes about their business is a carry over from the 22 years Raper was the head coach.  Why change a winning way?  Now at Northern Raper is trying to get Northern to play that same way that is good for Hunt.  Two teams squared off Friday night and looked the same.  Northern is up and coming.  Under Randy Raper Northern Nash is future is very bright.

Fike  found out Friday night there is no team in the Big East scare of any body else.  I think their losing will probably mean the conference winner may have one loss by the end of the first week in November.  That will not get who ever is number one a very high seed in the playoffs  but in two or three cases this year in the Big East it doesn't matter where they play.

Rocky Mount had little trouble with Nash Central.  I will tell you this one of the best football players in the Big East is Rashawn Harris.  He returned another punt for a touchdown and had a int.  Rocky Mount is a rather good team with him in the lineup. 

Thursday I help Bobby English and the chain crew at Rocky Mount during the JV football game between the Bulldogs and Gryphons.  The chain crew is on the visitors sidelines and you can hear the coaches calling plays.  You should hear some of the calls.  Sounds like CIA Encrypted code.  Noticed every player both Thursday night and Friday for Nash Central as they leave the huddle look at their play sheets as each one had on  their wrist.  This is not the NFL where players watch film six hours a day and go practice for an hour and a half.  They have time to learn all that double  talk where high school kids are suppose to go home and study homework not decode what I'm suppose to do on Bronco right,  zip left, uncle Larry blue  tango.

My old  high school coach Al Vaughn told us his objective every play was make 4 yards.  Any thing more than that was gravy.  I heard this more than once after a five or six yard run.  He would holler out run the same play.  He use to say that one of the most demoralizing things that happens to any team is they can't stop it when they know it's coming.  In Nash Central's case it's hard to make four yards when your players leave the huddle looking at their play sheet. 



Dis-ci-pline

The definition  of discipline has three parts.  1.  Control that is gained by requiring rules or orders to be obeyed and punishing bad behavior.  2.  A way of behaving that shows a willingness to follow rules or orders.  3.  Behavior that is judged by how well it follows a set of rules or orders.

Due to the fact that Campbell volleyball  has played every Friday night since high school football season the Rocky Mount-Nash Central game was only my second Gryphon  varsity football game of the year.  I heard from the crowd several times that the Gryphons had to beat 16 on the field meaning the refs as well as as the players on the field from Nash Central.

The Gryphons were penalized way to many times for personal fouls or unsportsmanlike like conduct. Yes this Gryphon team has outstanding talent as they say at the skilled positions.  It wasn't hard at all to see the infractions of the rules.  The only major penalty I didn't see was the ruffing the passer because I followed the ball down field and at the time the Nash Central passer threw the ball  with no Gryphon on top of him at release.

We already see that the top level of the Big East is once again loaded with teams  that can do great damage to other teams once the playoffs start.  Unless the Gryphons get their act together they will not fall in the category  of a team that will play many nights in November.

You simply can not give good teams first downs by playing stupid.  The Gryphons played the worse team in the Big East Friday and if they continue this type of play they will finish just one slot ahead of the Bulldogs.  A fifth place finish will send they to a very high seed in the playoffs where they will get their heads handed to them on a platter and it will be basketball season.

If you are one of those who thinks the refs are out to get us they probably are.  Since Friday's game was not the first time the Gryphons have had 100 yards of penalties teams get reputations.  Refs know before they step on the field  that Rocky Mount talks too much junk so they are looking for it.  The Gryphons are easy prey for a ref because the first play of the game two Gryphons were in the face of Nash Central's D one football prospect after the play was over.  If I can see it from the stands you know the refs can hear it.

Remaining on the Gryphon schedule is the meat of the Big East.  There is not a game left where they can give the other team a short field or a first down from penalties after they have made a defensive stop.  If these penalties don't stop the Gryphons will not win another game  this year including the playoffs.

That would be very unfortunate because this team has talent.  This team could have the best over all speed in the Big East. Their blocking is average and maybe under sized on the defensive front but speed makes up for Many short comings.  Speed does not make up for undisciplined actions when the team on the other side of the ball is not only good but disciplined.

This past week the North Carolina  Shrine Bowl team was announced an only one player from the Big East made the team and that player is Nash Central's Houshon Gaines.  The defensive end will be in Spartanburg South Carolina on December 20th playing for the North Carolina squad.


Friday, October 10, 2014

Opening Night Great

I don't care what football conference you pull for there is no doubt the Big East is the premium conference east of I 85.  Tonight four of the top five met and if opening night is any indication we are in for another wild year of Big East football

Southern Nash hosted Fike the only unbeaten team to survive the six games of non conference play unblemished but after tonight they have an L in the loss conference as Southern smacks the Golden Demons 42-35.

Hunt hosted Northern Nash and  this game was the return of Randy Raper to the land where he spent 29 years of his coaching life 22 as Hunt's head coach.  Northern scored first but trailed 21-14 at the half.  Hunt scored to move up 31-20 only to see Northern score with a few seconds left and then recovered an on side kick to give themselves one last chance but a desperation heave was intercepted in the end zone and Hunt holds on 31-27.

The most excitement all night at Nash Central was the surprise shower that struck with 2 minutes to go in a game already well under Rocky Mount's control and sent those still at the game scampering for the exits.

Rocky Mount got two penalties before the clock ever started kicking the opening kick off out of bounds twice.  The Gryphons had more penalty yardage on the night than did the Bulldogs  total offense.  Rocky Mount 42- 0 over Nash Central.

Over in Kinston the biggest game of the night in private school eight man football belongs to Rocky Mount Academy 49-42 I bet these two meet again in November.


Beddingfield rips North Johnston 41-6

Tarboro gave notice that they are still the Vikings as on the road they dumped South Creek 49-14.

SouthWest Edgecombe struck for 51 in downing North Pitt 51-21.

North Edgecombe out slugged Rocky Mount Prep 42-6

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Gurley Suspended


Thursday afternoon the University of Georgia suspended Heisman trophy Candidate and Tarboro native Todd Gurley for NCAA Violations.  This is such fresh news University of Georgia gave no reason other than allegations.  NFL.com reports Gurley was paid $400 this spring for signing his name on 80 items.

All three Big Four teams from the Triangle are at this  point in the season are right on the cusp of the edge of the cliff.  All three can fall into the valley of doom or there is still time to pick up the pieces but a couple of them the rocks are slipping from under their feet.

North Carolina @ Notre Dame:  This is a winnable game if Carolina plays the best they have played this year.  It would help if the Irish have a let down having won a thrilling last minute game over Stanford.  The way Carolina has played so far I  don't  have the faith.  Notre Dame 31- Carolina 21

Boston College @ N C State:  Winnable, which means losable too.  Look if the Pack is going to be any good this year they have to have this one and break the conference losing streak which is now half of Nash Central's total losing streak.  Pack  31-BC 27

Duke @ Georgia Tech:  Just don't think the Devils are as good as last year especially at quarterback  GT 34-Duke 24

ECU @ South Florida:  Seems as if the Pirates have played at home forever  but they are on the road Saturday.  I wish the Pirates defense had of crushed during last week's home coming.  This one just might be closer than needed. but the Pirates are the best team in the state ECU  38 South Florida 27

Florida State @ Syracuse:  If the Indians show up this is no contest but look no further than N C State gave FSU all they wanted while Clemson had no problem with the Pack,  Best team in ACC comes from either in  Georgia or South Carolina  not Florida but who do the Seminoles have left that can knock them off.  Only themselves.  FSU  42  Syracuse 26

Cincinnati @ Miami:  I like what I see in Miami  but they keep losing games they could win.  I doubt they lose this one   MI 45  Cincy  31

Virginia Tech @ Pittsburgh:  This just might be best game in the ACC on Saturday  Hokies pull it out 26-23

The Heisman watch continues for Tarboro's Todd Gurley  or does it.  We all know how long NCAA investigations take  and Gurley's season may be over.  Without Gurley Missouri will beat Georgia 38-26

North Carolina Wesleyan @ Lagrange.  That that long a trip just to the other side of Goldsboro.  Sorry but this is a trip to Tennessee to play a team that both have only one common opponent Averitt both won 34-31 and 29-28.  This one is at Lagrange where both teams are 3-2  Lagrange 35- NCW 32

Hitch Up Your Britches It's Conference Time

There will be no bigger game played anywhere Friday night than the one right close to the airport in Kinston.  Undefeated Arendell Parrott Academy  6-0 will host Rocky Mount Academy 6-0.  They have just about played the same teams and they have whipped everybody by about the same score.  RMA is averaging about 54 per game while APA 41.  Both have been begrudging on defense RMA about 11 per game while APA 14.  This is a toughie but here's what I think.  RMA could have score a lot more in many games and their roster near 25 players all have had plenty of playing time.  It be close one 46-38 RMA.

The game of the week in The Big East sends Northern Nash 4-2 and Randy Raper back to his old stomping grounds for the first time to Hunt 3-3.  Talk about a toss up game but emotions will be high on both side lines.  I want to pull the trigger for Northern then I think about it some more and then I think Hunt and I think about it some more.  Hunt 28- Northern 27

North Edgecombe 4-2  at Rocky Mount Prep 2-3.  The Warriors will control this one 34-16.  This is one of the better Warrior teams since the departure of Raymond Cobb. 

North Pitt 2-4 at SouthWest Edgecombe 4-2  This might be a better game that the records would indicate but  the Cougars will win it 36 - 24

Fike 6-0 at Southern Nash 3-3:  Fike's favored but they had better not be thinking about their record or this could be a trap game.  Southern holds on to the ball and this could be a dandy.  Fike 42- Firebirds 28.

North Johnston 1-5 at Beddingfield3-3  Every body that has beaten the Bruins have been real good.  North Johnston does not fit that category and this one is all Beddingfield.  38-13

Tarboro 3-3   At South Creek 3-3.  Not sure about how healthy  the Vikings are after the schedule they have played but I think you will see what playing tough teams can do for you when you hit conference and nobody is as tough as you have already played.  Vikes  42- South Creek 14

Rocky Mount 4-2 at Nash Central 0-6.  Rocky Mount had better  be in the right frame of mind getting off the bus  in Bulldog land.  The last three years they have beaten  Central 10-3-  13-6 and 24-16.  really pushed them around haven't they.  Seems like for Central this is their last chance for a win this year against a team they play close all the time.  Gryphons 20- Nash Central 6

Campbell Volleyball is playing conference games in Lynchburg Va Friday and Radford on Saturday.  The Doughtie's are about tripped out for a while and plan to go to The Rocky Mount- Nash Central game. 

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Not A Bad Week Picking

Last week in NFL Picks went 11-3 for the week to go to 52-23 on the year.  Only had three high school games and went 3-0 and college got seven out of eight.  The NFL has already whittled down to about six teams that you can just about pick will win each week unless playing each other.  There are about six teams you don't need to pick them any week unless they are play each and then there is about 20 who knows when they play each other who's going to win.  My goal every week is 10-6 and if I hit that I think I had a good week.

Thursday night football just maybe has a good one this week as Indy travels to Houston.  This is  two really good teams  going at it.  The winner has the inside track for the division but the loser will be in the playoff picture to the end.  I doubt that the loser of this game loses more than six games all year.  The Texans win 31-28

Those up and down Steelers take on the better than expected Browns in Cleveland.  That's good enough for me.  Browns 26-23 over the Steelers

There is no worry now Tom Brady is all world Tom Brady again and the Pats will walk in to Buffalo and whomp'em right?  Bills 27 Pats 23.

Panthers travel to the Bengals who had it handed to them by New England.  Panthers beat one of those teams that are probably pretty good  The Bears but are you kidding me Jay Cutler is the quarterback.  He is the greatest bad quarterback in the league. That's a lot like me in school I was the fastest in the slow group.  Bengals 35 Panthers 23

Jacksonville who is not all that bad on defense but not very good on offense.  They are one of the six never pick.  Titans they are in that middle 20 teams.  Take the Titans 31-13

Packers travel to Miami.  Believe this or not if this is a hot day might really favor Miami.  I'm not going to pick against  Mr  State Farm man unless he is hurt which is not very often.  I won't now for sure.  Packers 38- Fish 21

Lions and Vikings.  Here are  two teams in that middle 20 and you never know from week to week what you are going to get.  I like the home team the Vikes  28-26

Broncos at Jets.  Jets just got killed by San Diego and here comes Peyton.  Too bad that San Diego or Denver isn't in the AFC Eastern Division this year cause I think they are going to win all 8 games against the east.  Denver 38-  Jets 17

Ravens Travel to Tampa to take on those annoying Pirates.  Raven had better look out cause Tampa seems to stick around in every game.  Ravens defense too much 23-17

Chargers travel to their arch ememy Oakland.  This is another one of those games if the Chargers blast the Raiders out of the water you had better look out for the Chargers.  Raiders are always pesky to Chargers.  Chargers are down to the 4th string center and 4th string tailback and this is only game six, and yet walked the dog on the Jets.  27-7 Chargers

Chicago at Atlanta.  Another who knows what you are going to get game.  Cutler plays for Chicago and on the road.  That's good enough for me.   Falcons 34- 24.

Cowboys at Seahawks.  Really this game could tell us a lot about the boys.  If this is a down to the wire loss for the Cowboys then they might be good this year.  If they are blown out same old boys.  Hawks 31- Cowboys 23

Skins at Cardinals.  Need to remember since game one  Cardinals have had backup qb in action.  Cards rip the Skins  33-17

Giants at Eagles:  Well Giants loss their first two games and the world was going to end.  They have won three in a row and are now headed to the Super Bowl.  Bout time for the Giants to lose three in a row.  Eagles 42 Giants 28

San Fran at St Louis. We are not talking baseball so San Fran has a chance.  Seems to me the Rams are not quite as bad as they seem.  49's 23 St Louis 20.