Is This A Surprise To Anybody

Jameis Winston has announced that he will be giving up his college eligibility after football season to pursue an NFL career.  One of the reasons I don't like giving trophies like the Heisman Trophy to under classmen is that  Winston has no way to go forward once you have won the biggest of college's big awards.

I am a believer regardless of who you are if you are getting a free education your actions should held accountable in order to keep getting a free ride.  This includes any one on a academic scholarships as well.  You need to live by the rules of said university.  Break those rules and you lose the free education granted you.  Winston has shown  to have stolen  seafood which was off campus but as a representative of Florida State he embarrassed the University. That should have been enough to kick him out of the University.  But, because he can help FSU win football games he was patted on the butt and told not to do that again.  If I had of done that I'm probably still in jail.

Winston just has too many incidents in his life at Florida State that I think the University is fed up and hope he does leave.  There is one question that this is an indictment against every sports playing University.  Since he knows he not coming back I wonder what his class attendance numbers are right now.  If he is not going to class at all he should be ineligible for this season?  I sure would like to have some record of that.  I am sure there are many college sports players with no intentions of returning at every university which would lead me to believe that colleges and sports are totally out of hand.

Todd Gurley will be  reinstated to the University of Georgia football team after sitting out  two games as Georgia checked to see if Gurley received money for signing his name to Georgia sportswear.  If the NCAA is to go along with this deal to pay  players here is what I do agree with.  I am against any player receiving money to play sports at a school he is already going to school for free.  I have no problem any time they sign their name to be paid for it for any person seeking autographs.  Why should the guy with all the sportswear get all the profit.  One way Universities could have to stay away from paying players don't put their names on the back of the uniforms.  Then it is the property of the University but the players name is his own and could get paid for it any time people ask to sign autographs.

Now to the business at hand.  UNC report on corruption was released on Wednesday and like everyone in the world knew except those who support UNC that the Moniker THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA should be shelved.   I'm I stupid enough to think that what goes on in Chapel Hill isn't going on right now in most every major University that first judges coaches on wins rather than his student graduation rate?  Maybe not a fake program like at Carolina but certain players are helped to keep eligible.

You know the Valvano Scandal back in the early 90's at State more than anything else was about should certain people be allowed to attend college just because they run fast, make baskets or throw a ball fast.  We all know college is not for everyone.  Don't care how much education you try to give someone but if that person has no more ability than a ditch digger that is all he will ever be.

Sending them to a bogus class and saying he graduated with honors after he has spent the money they make playing ball he will wind up behind the garbage truck.  Money rules the world and it is very unfortunate to say we all have our price.  Me as the consumer allows these school to continue to act as if the student comes first when we all know they play for a football factory, basketball or what ever.

 The ultimate deal is how much money can we get by forming a 15 member conference  and play against teams that we have to take a plane to send our soccer teams to.  The consumer is as fault as much as the Universities because I continue to buy season tickets or watch the game and as long as TV gets ratings they will continue to pay the Universities more money.

 The junior college system worked making those who didn't cut it in the class room in high school spent two years trying to be eligible to play at a major school.  I  think I will protest against all of these schools acting like they are academic institutions when it relates to sports.  I will rule myself ineligible to watch the first half   of  this Saturday's Georgia-Florida   3:30 TV game.  That should cure all the problems I have with college sports.

Can Anybody Believe This League

                                                              URGENT
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The Rocky Mount High doubles team of Chandler Brice and Eliza Fike won both of their matches on Friday and will face the defending State Champions in the team of Devin and Jenna Knors this morning in the semi finals.
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Just walked in the door from a volleyball match tonight in High Point as the Lady Camels of Campbell played at High Point against the Lady Panthers.  This starts the second time around for both as Campbell beat HP 3-1 four weeks ago but since both teams were just 2-5 each  in conference play.

 Only eight teams from the Big South make the tournament in Conway South Carolina in late November and both these teams were tied for eighth heading into tonight.  More than likely the loser will have to fight off UNC Asheville 9th 1-6 and  Charleston Southern 0-7 to make the tournament.  Both these teams played like this was for the conference championship.  Tied two all this went to a fifth  set and HP lead 14-12 with match point but Campbell managed to get to 15-all.  From that point on both teams traded their chance to win and until the final score 25-23 the lead never got beyond a one point lead for either side.  Both sides between them had 11 match points but Campbell scored three points in a row after down 23-22 to win the match.  I am drained more than the players.

Now the business of football.  I hear Rocky Mount had two kick returns called back and with out those points gave up a late field goal and lose for the first time in Big East play 14-12 to Fike.  This game went exactly as I predicted right?  Fike is held to their lowest point total of the year and still win.

Northern Nash did what they had to do shutting out Nash Central 28-0.  After the way all the other games turn out Northern is still in the running for first place in the Big East.  I don't believe if my math is right there any way for a five way tie  at 3-2.  If Nash Central loses all their game that's six losses and with five teams with two losses that is a total of 16 losses with 15 wins.  The worse case scenario would be a four way tie after the final game with one team at 2-3.

Southern Nash has a history of putting the ball on the ground too much and they did it again tonight.  It is hard to score when you don't keep it the entire time you are driving and Hunt took advantage and wins at Southern Nash 18-7.  The results FIke, Hunt, Rocky Mount and Southern Nash are all tied at 2-1 in league play with Northern one behind at 1-2.  All five schools have enough wins to qualify for the State football playoffs.  The only problem now is seedings.  If you are tied for first tonight you might be in fifth next week.

Rocky Mount Academy won their ninth game of the season beating Cary Christian 42-12 and in doing so won their conference championship and finished with an undefeated season.  42 is the least points they have scored all year.  Bet starters stayed off the field once they had this one under control.

North Edgecombe handled Northampton 42-20.  Tarboro is pretty good playing teams at their level 34-20 over Riverside.  South Creek takes down RM Prep 36-6 and SouthWest Edgecombe blistered Farmville 48-13.  Washington clobbered Beddingfield 47-13.

I believe I will try to go to bed but my heart is still pumping from VB.

Carolina Can Run The Table

Isn't it funny that you can look at some teams and figure out who they are where other teams are so up and down you never know what you are getting when they step on the field. anybody picked Virginia Tech right every game this year.  Had a very poor 4-4 record last week running my yearly gig to 58-23.

North Carolina @ Virginia:  Look the Tar heels can score and there is no reason why they can't run off a sting of victories just like last year.  Virginia is up and coming but I don't think they can outscore Carolina.  Tar Heels 45 Virginia 31

Methodist@ NC Wesleyan:  The USA South conference has 5 teams with only one loss and two of those five play in this game. Surely the loser can not or will not win the conference football title.  I think Methodist will out score the Battling Bishop.  36-28.

Boston College @ Wake Forest:  BC will powder the Deacs.   Wake just can't score and when that happens it is hard to win football games or for that matter any sporting event.  BC 27 WF 10

Georgia Tech @ Pitt:  tech started out like they were going to play in the football playoffs but they have been derailed by RDU Airport as they lost back to back in Durham and Chapel Hill.  Unless their flight to Pittsburgh has a stop off in Raleigh the Techster should be safe this week.  Georgia Tech 35 Pitt 27

Syracuse @ Clemson:  The battle of the Orange.  The southern orange will win with or without their starting quarterback.  It will be more of a blow out if he plays  Decent score if he doesn't.  I guess he is still out 34-24 Clemson Orange.

Today in Burlington the Rocky Mount doubles team of Chandler Brice and Eliza Fike the first stop at the state doubles tennis championships.  If they win their morning match have another this afternoon.  If they survive to play another day then they would have to win twice on Saturday to become State Champions  in doubles.  They play in their first match the doubles team of Maner and Marshall from local Burlington Williams High.  Fike High school also has a team of Short and Williams playing against the Cardinal Gibbons duo  of Freeman and Jacobs.

There is but one Big East girl alive in the singles competition and that is Taylor Love of Hunt who will face off with Julianne Hall of Union Pines.

Top Four Teams Collide

Week three of the Big East football season finds the two unbeaten teams facing off with the two teams that have one loss.  In a league where almost anybody can beat anybody there is a chance for a four way time at 2-1 in the league after Friday. Might happen, might not.  Last week was a poor 4-3 on the week running my record for the year on high school picks 55-14.  Having a hard time getting a handle on all these teams in Big East this year.

The folks at Rocky Mount get a chance to sit in the home stands for the first time this year(seems like) as they host Fike.  Here we go again.  In two wins Rocky Mount has given up only 14 points while Fike has scored 81.  On the other side of the ball Rocky Mount has scored 74 while Fike has given up 68.  Have a feeling this will be high scoring but the Gryphons will score more.  Rocky Mount 35- Fike 28.

The folks over at Southern Nash are gitty after the way the last three  weeks have unfolded.  The Hunt folks are nervous.  4-4 and coming off a home loss and a conference loss.  You know most of the time when streaks stop you lose more than once right after.  Southern Nash 41 Hunt 21

The folks over at Northern are wondering what in the world they need to do to win a game.  Rolling along fine and all of a sudden 0-2 in conference.  The folks over at Nash Central are wishing for a win.  As far as Northern is concern this week is a good week with Nash Central coming.  They just don't need to fall asleep before the game starts and they will have a victory under their Belt.  Northern 42- NC 7

Rocky Mount Academy seeks and undefeated season as they make the trip to Cary Christian Academy who comes into the game 3-5.  I think all the Eagles need to do is listen to Coach Holt and get on the bus ready to play.  RMA  66  Cary 20.  If they win I think it is the Eagles first undefeated season?

Oh boy is there going to be a good one at Pinetops this week.  Once beaten Farmville at SouthWest Edgecombe.  Both have lost to Washington in close games.  There are just certain teams when they are good they are good for North Carolina High school football.  Farmville is one of those schools much like Tarboro,  Richmond County etc.  Farmville in a close one 22-19.

North Edgecombe  travels to Conway to take on Northampton County who has a 2-6 record.  The Warriors should win with ease.  26-12.

ECU goes prime time tonight and a chance to show the national audience what they are.  U Conn travels to Dowdy-Ficklin and the next three games for the Pirates all can be seen on one or the other of the ESPN channels besides 3.  Tonight on ESPNU I think the Pirates play to impress.  ECU 45 Huskies 27

Thursday night football tonight is loaded with good games.  Chargers at Broncos, Pirate on the U and over on ESPN Miami visits Virginia Tech.  I have  about had all the pickings I'm going to do on VT rest of the season.  Miami 33 Tech 24 Start packing coach Beamer.

The Lady Gryphons tennis team will play undefeated Terry Sanford Monday in round three of the State Duel tennis Tournament.  Hunt season ended on Tuesday when they were beaten 5-1.  The Lady Gryphons are the only Big East still alive.

Fike the #2 seed in Big East soccer beat Northern Nash 3-2 Tuesday night while #1 Hunt took care of Southern Nash 5-0 to knock both Nash County teams of  the Big East tournament

Lady Gryphon Tennis Advances

Round two of the state Duel tennis championships are in the Books and the Rocky Mount Gryphons have advance with a five to four win over Topsoil.  The Lady Gryphons got four singles victories from Chandler Brice, Eliza Fike, Katie Mizelle and Mary Blair Thompson.  Brice and Fike heading this weekend to the State doubles Championships in Burlington manage the Lady Gryphons only double victory which was enough to send the Ladies into the third round next week.

Thursday night marks the first game of week eight of the NFL football season and with it the halfway pole to the NFL season. Picked Jaxsonville to win first game and went 10-5 on the week.  Now 71-33 on the season.  Pro football is a game where the worst team is only seven points worse than the best.  Scores get out of hand sometimes because of turnovers but generally if both teams play well  a touchdown difference is all that separates the best from the worse.

This might be one of the best NFL games this year as the high scoring Chargers meet the high scoring Broncos in Denver.  My heart is all over this one taking the Chargers.  I think Denver in order to break the record for Peyton Manning put a lot of emotion into their win over the 49's.  The Chargers banged up got stung against KC.  Chargers need this one while Denver will be flat after Sunday night Chargers 27-Denver 24

Detroit@ Atlanta...  I am all over this one with Detroit.  something tells me at some point in time the Falcons make a late season run but not this week.  Lions 34 Atlanta 27

Vikings @ Tampa Bay...  Like Tampa in this one and I have no reason why.  Tampa 27 Minn 24

Bills @ Jets....  First game for Percy Harvin as a Jet.  You know he will do everything he can to make Seattle look bad.  Bad time for the Bills to be in New York.  Jets will win maybe   26-23

Bears at Patroits... I keep looking for somebody to beat  New England.  There is no doubt they have played in worse division in football last ten years.  Here comes up and down Cutler.  Can the Bears be the team to knock off New England, No  Pats 34 Bears 24

Seattle @ Carolina...  Remember Seattle is so so on the road. you might recall I said earlier that Seattle would not be the team they were last year. Panthers almost got'em last year.  I think they do this year 26-23.

Miami @ Jacksonville... The battle for 2/3s of Florida.  I like Jaxsonville 28-17.

Ravens @ Bengals...  This is at least to this point the game of the year for both until next time.  Bengals giving up too many points Bal 30 Tigers 23.

Texans at Titans....I think Houston has too much defense for the Titans   27-13

Rams @ Chiefs....  you had better watch out for the Chiefs.  Don't be surprised if they don't make playoffs.  The only thing the Rams have going is they might go back to LA.  Wasn't that a great fake punt return the Rams fooled the Seahawks with.  Chiefs 31- STL 20

Eagles @ Cardinals.... I like the Cardinals a lot.  I think they have enough defense for the Eagles.  30-27.

Colts @ Steelers.....  Youngsters against the Oldsters.  Colt 41- Pitt 27

Raiders @ Browns...  I think this will be a good game.  I like the Browns to make a comeback after the dud they had in JAXsonville.   Browns 30  Guys in Black 24

Packers @ Saints.... Saints are at home.  Even though it's the Packers I like Saints at home.   I'm having a hard time pulling the trigger for Dree Brees.  Saints defense can't stop Packers.  Packers 35- Saints 27

Redskins@ Dallas....  Dallas is flying as high as they have been in a long time.  Deadskins are just as low as they have been mostly last few years.  I don't think it will be a rout but Big D wins.  Monday night football.  How many times will they show Jerry Jones on camera?

Very Entertaining

You got to hand it to the North Carolina Tar Heels, they can score on anybody.  Their problem everybody can score on them too.  I flipped back and forth between the Tar Heel game and Florida State all night Saturday.   There is no doubt the Tar Heels are great on offense.  There is no doubt they are terrible on defense.  That adds up to entertaining football for the half filled stadium.

I don't know who if anybody can beat Florida State during the rest of the season but they I don't believe are a top ten team.  If they survive with all the allegations against Winstead  and go undefeated they will get killed in their playoff game.  Their defense even though quick can't stop anybody.  N C State looked great on offense against them.

I think if you are a N C State fan today you kind of have to be saying that you played about as well as you can expect from a team that left four starters home in their trip to Louisville.  I really expected a blow out by the Ville but State gave a good effort. Their conference losing streak has grown to 12 in a row.

I think you can kiss the Todd Gurley Heisman chances as gone after this weekend.  He sits on the sidelines for a second game and Georgia has a freshman run for 200 yards.  A topic similar to the Gurley deal, do you remember several years ago when Tom Brady went down with a knee injury in the first game of the season which was a loss.  His replacement lead New England to 11 wins that year.  That kind of soured me on how great Tom Brady was because his replacement had his kind of numbers.  If I was a Heisman voter and Gurley returns I would in the back my mind think every time he rushes for big yardage that even his backup can do that.  If Georgia had of fell apart it would at least look like Gurley was needed but they have scored 40 in both games without him.

Two Big East conference girls tennis teams are alive an well in the state duel tennis Tournament.  Rocky Mount (17-1) plays Topsoil (9-7)a team they played as their first match of the season and beat Topsoil 5-4.  Hunt(15-2) in their second round match is playing Union Pines (13-1).  weather permitting both are today.

Northern Nash held serve at home while Rocky Mount lost in the shootout as Southern Nash the sixth seed in the Big East soccer tournament beat Rocky Mount 2-1 5th while Northern had no problem with Nash Central 7-1,  Southern travels travels to #1seed Hunt tonight while Northern Nash 3 seed visits #2 Fike.

There will be a visiting team in town this Friday night.  The Rocky Mount Gryphons return home for the first time since September 5th which was a rout over Hertford County.  Five away games and a bye week the Gryphons will probably have to be told  they don't need to go in the visitor locker room this week.

These kind of odd ball schedules happen when you play 11 games over ten.  The very best schedule any team can have is six home and five away which will flip the next year.  I wish the NCHSAA would go back to a ten game regular season.  I would like for every high school to show me where adding an eleventh game has brought in more revenue.  It also brings on more expenses.  I am sure the top ten schools in the state in game attendance love it.  On the other hand the top 100 team in  least attendance hate it.  They lose more money.

The Gryphons football record is 6-2  2-0.  They gave up 92 points in their two losses to Rose and SouthWest Edgecombe.  They have only given up 28 in their six wins.  They are tied at the top after two weeks with Southern Nash  and are the only team to win twice on the road.  Fike at home this week and then the big matchup with Southern at Southern  and finish up with Northern at home.  The schedule doesn't get any easier.

Did anybody notice that Eastern Wayne beat ROSE 63-23.  Is that a misprint????

Gryphon Duo Regional Winners

If your last name is Brice then there is a good chance you know a little something about tennis.  Chandler Brice along with her older sister made it to the state doubles in 2013.  Both are the daughters of Albe and April Brice.  Many years Albe was the head tennis pro at Belmont tennis facility.  This year without big sister Chandler will be returning to the state doubles tournament in Burlington on Friday with new teammate Eliza Fike.  This past weekend the Gryphon duo won the 3-A regional doubles championship in Wilson at Barton College.

We have discussed this in the past about how certain areas do good in certain sports.  The Big East just doesn't grow tall girls in this area which  can lead to bad situations in basketball and surely volleyball. Normally to be good in basketball there has to be an outstanding player on one of our teams. This past weekend the three members of the Big East began play in the state 3-A volleyball tournament.

When compared to other top notch volleyball schools height is the great divider.  Simply speaking none of the Big East schools have height.  Those that do most of the time the taller girl is not athletic enough blocking the other teams shots or offensive minded enough for the other team to fear being killed by a slam over the net.  A tall player having a free shot at the net is one of those situations the girl on the receiving end dreads.  The Big East simply doesn't have and has really never had a player or group of players who could dominant the net that is needed in volleyball.

Fike the top seed hosted Eden Morehead who was not the top team in their own league.  If they played in the Big East they would be as Morehead beat Fike 3-0 to advance.  Hunt the Big East #2 also hosted Saturday and like their cross town rivals fell to a lower seeded team but they did win a game losing to Cleveland 3-1.  Northern Nash the lone team that had to hit the road had a long ride back from Cedar Ridge as they fell 3-0.  The three teams representing the Big East lost by a combined 9-1.  It seems this is just the way it is when Big East plays in the volleyball playoffs.  This is not the first time this has happened. 

It kind of sounds like the Nash County soccer tournament.  Tonight starts the Big East boys soccer tournament as the 3/6 4/5 matches will be played today.  Northern Nash the 3 seed host the Number six seed Nash Central.  The winner of this game gets the #2 seed Fike Golden Demons at Fike on Tuesday.  The 4th seed Rocky Mount will host Southern Nash this afternoon and the winner draws Hunt Tuesday night at Hunt.  The championship game will be played at top seed still  playing.