Northern Nash Wins East Regional Cross Country

Northern Nash was the favorite going into Saturday's Eastern Regional cross country championships on their home course at Red Oak Middle and there was no doubt that the Knights are the best in the East and have earned the right to run the the state championship next weekend.  They win the 3A Eastern  Regional Cross Country Championships.

Probably the only disappointment on the day is no Knight won the  indivual title but that was not needed when all five Knight runners finished in the top 22 runners led by senior Daniel Belton who ran the 3.1 miles in 16:06.  Seniors Stephen Whitehead 5th running 16:20 and Coleman Cherry 6th ran  a 16:25.  Two freshmen made sure the Knights brought home the biggest trophy  as ninth graders Jordan  Richardson  17:01 finished  17th and running fifth in 22nd was Tyric  Hill.

Hoping for and outside shot to make the state championship meet both Rocky Mount Girls and Northern go home disappointed as Rocky Mount ran 6th and Northern Nash 8th but you have to finish in top four teams to qualify for the state.

Another disappointed team  is Rocky Mount's Brenna Bryant-Chandler Brice who lost in the 3A doubles tennis championship semi finals to the Terry Sanford's Huda McGraw- Sophia McGraw. 6-2 - 6-1.  Bryant and Brice will be back in action Monday at 4pm  when they will be joined by the rest of their teammates in the third round of the 3A duels.  They will take on Union Pines from Cameron.

Hunt finished the Big East boys soccer season 10-0 and the regular season champions.  Fike and Southern Nash were 7-3 in conferences games finished tied for second.

Campbell won their first Big South Cross Country championship Saturday.  Former Gryphon Mason Holt a junior was named to the Big South All Academic team.

Second Half Push

If you went to Rocky Mount looking for a championship quality game you didn't see it in the first half as Rocky Mount produced 3 fumbles and an interception all on the Southern Nash side of the field.  The Firebirds had two fumbles and an interception.  It is a wonder with the ball changing hands  
That either side scored but they did and it was dead even at the half 14-14.

The Gryphons struck first when Rodquan White picking up a Firebird fumble and race 16 yards for a Gryphon touchdown.  The next two scores belonged to Southern Nash 's Kendrick Bell as he scored on runs of 13 and 14 yards to give Southern Nash the lead.  Rocky Mount scored just before the half 14 seconds to go on a six yard tote by Nick Bynum.

The fumbles continued in the third when Firebird quarterback Zack  Foster was sacked and Gryphon  Sherrod Green scooped and scored on a 68 yard fumble recovery.  The Gryphons finished the 3rd quarter in fine fashion scoring on a Nick Bynum 36 yard jaunt to give the Gryphons a 28 14 third quarter lead.

The Gryphons stopped turning the ball over in the second half and Terrell Forbes joined the touchdown club with three minutes to play on a 20 yard run.  Rocky Mount earns the  number one seed and the Big East crown the first for Jason Battle by downing Southern Nash 35-14.

Final Fike 19 Northern Nash 6. Knights dominated first half only to lead 6-0.  All Golden Demons in second half
Final Tarboro 51 Northampton 8
Final Hunt 49 Nash Central 0
Riverside Martin 66 Rocky Mount Prep 0
Final South Creek 32 North Edgecombe 14
Final SWE 49 North Johnston 0
Thank goodness for the mercy rule of running clock.  Rocky Mount Academy 48 Halifax Academy 0

Halloween Football

Brenna Bryant and Chandler Brice have won two doubles matches today in Burlington and have now survived to the semi-finals Of the state 3A doubles Championships Saturday morning at the Burlington Tennis Center at 9am.  Rocky Mount's number two team of  Fike and Thompson won their round of 16 match up but lost in the round of eight.


Did Florida State's loss hurt Clemson's chances to make the college final four.  They are 3rd in the polls but seriously who is better in college football.  I think Dabo is following the Bobby Bowen theory.  Pour it on the whole game.

Clemson 7-0 @ NC State 5-2:  I truly believe Clemson is best team in the country.  One of the only ways to impress voters or the computers is win win and win big.  I just hope the score is not like last year. Clemson 38 Pack 14.

Miami 4-3 @ Duke 6-1:  Humm Fire your coach with a winning record.  Down hill from here for
Miami. Duke's play calling very questionable at Virginia Tech but it is a road win. Duke needs to find some offense quick.  Duke 26 Miami 10

Syracuse 3-4 @ Florida St 6-1:  I pity Syracuse this week.  Bad week to have to play FSU after they get a wake up call.  FSU 45 Cuse 24
The
Georgia Tech 3-5 @ Virginia 2-5:  I still think the wreck is better than their record.  The Cavs play better at home.  Tech 31 Virginia 27

Louisville 3-4 @ Wake Forest  3-5:  If Wake can't beat State in Winston  who can they beat any where.  Louisville 38 Wake Forest 17

Virginia Tech 3-5 @ BC 3-5:  VT looks better with a healthy QB.  I think the Gobblers healthy enough to win this one.  VT 20 BC 10

NC Wesleyan 2-5 @ Averitt 1-5: Battling Bishops have played much better over the last four games winning two of them.  Just might make it 3 out of five Bishops 36 Averitt 24.

This morning the top two doubles teams from Rocky Mount High play in the state doubles tournament.  Brenna Bryant and Chandler Brice are seeded as a number one.  Eliza Fike and Mary Blair Thompson are the number two in the east.

Game Of Century Week

Had a horrible 4-4 week to drop to 58-13 on the year.  North East Carolina Prep season is over and we now look at the next to last week of the high school football regular season.

SWE 8-1 @ North Johnston 5-4:  The Cougars have injuries in the offensive line which is not good for a running football team.  North Johnston has lost three in a row and I think the Cougars are just too powerful for them SWE 26 North Johnston 19

Rocky Mount Prep 1-6 @ Riverside Martin 6-3.  Riverside is the second best team behind Tarboro in the conference.  Enough said. Riverside Martin 36 RM Prep 8.

North Edgecombe 5-3 @ South Creek 6-2:  the Warriors have fallen on hard times.  The team from Robersonville seems to be playing better than NE right now.  South Creek 30 North Edgecombe 25

Tarboro 8-1 @ Northampton County 5-4: Don't know if Tarboro has ever been to Conway before.  Hard place to play out in the middle of Northampton County and where the football field is it gives you the  feel you are playing in the middle of a field.  Tarboro 42 Northampton 16

Rocky Mount Academy 6-3 @ Halifax Academy 2-7:  Final regular season game for RMA before playoffs.  This game will be a game of not getting any more injuries this close to the playoffs.  Eagles 44 Halifax 6.

Nash Central 1-8 @  Hunt 6-3:  Hunt has lost two conference games in a row which hasn't happened often in their history.  Nash Central is floundering on defense.  Hunt big 45 -14

Fike 5-4 @ Northern Nash 3-6:  Northern may be good enough defensively to hold down the Golden Demons.  Northern has gotten better all season on offense.  Northern just might pull this one out and since the preseason coaches pick Fike first and Northern last that would be a major upset but not the way both teams are playing now.  NN 27 Fike 20

Southern Nash 7-2@ Rocky Mount 7-2:  I see this game coming down to Rocky Mount ability to rush the passer.   Both sides should be equal running the ball.  The Gryphons have been beaten in the pass game against some really good receivers.  Nobody has stopped the Gryphons on offense.  The Firebirds have balanced passing and running.  Rocky Mount has been shaky passing the last couple of weeks.

  You realize that The Firebirds have played at Fike, at Hunt and will now play at Rocky Mount.  Boy talk about a tough conference schedule.  Rocky Mount's two losses come from the #4 Middle Creek  and #21 Rose ranked 4-A schools.  Should have beat the #4 Middle Creek team.  The Firebirds lost to #2 Tarboro in 1-A and a team lower than them #40 South Johnston.  I like the Gryphons 28-20

The loser will not have a high seed but should get at least one home game.  The winner because of the two losses could get at least two home games if they win their first playoff so a lot is on the line and it is not November yet.

Tennis Title Up For Grabs Friday/ Saturday

 Friday morning at 9am at the Burlington Tennis Center  two doubles teams from Rocky Mount take aim at a State championship.  Rocky Mount's #1 team Brenna Bryant and Chandler Brice will square of with Ashley Robinson-Andrea Brenk from Concord.  The Gryphon's #2 team Eliza Fike- Mary Blair Thompson face Ryleigh Burns- Hannah Scott of Marvin Ridge.

Should they win their Morning match and the field is reduced to 8 teams there will be a afternoon session.  If you win both matches you come back Saturday morning at 9am when we are down to four to win twice again on Saturday.  You must remember that there are also 8 singles matches following the same process as doubles so it will be mid afternoon both Friday and Saturday before there will be any official announcement of the winners unless you know someone  on site feeding you the action.

Now the NFL:

It is a struggle this year picking NFL games.  Just did get more than half right 8-6 running my year's record To 57- 48.  Nothing at all to brag about.   So we will try once more to act like we know what we are doing.

Dolphins 3-3 @ Patriots 6-0:  Really would like to pick the fish in this one but remember this is a AFC East game in Boston.  Pats 27 Dolphins 20

Lions 1-6 @ Chiefs 2-5:  Here's a real high profile game that all the nation will follow.  Chiefs do have some defense but no offense.  Lions have neither of the above. Chiefs 23 Lions 16

Tampa 2-4 @ Falcons 6-1:  Bucs are competitive and Falcons are up and down.  They will be up in this one.  30-23 Falcons.

Cardinals 5-2 @ Browns 2-5:  Browns will make this a game but who will quarterback?  Cardinals had better keep up the pace as they had better be watching the Rams and the Seahawks  on their tail.  Cards 30 Browns 23

49's 2-5 @ Rams 3-3: Any body noticed that the Rams are a different team with Todd Gurley running.   Rams 30 9er's16


Giant's 4-3 @ Saints 3-4:  let's see who is in the lead in NFC East?  Must be Giants this week so that must mean they lose.  Saints 31 Giants 27


Vikings 4-2 @ Bears 2-4:  can Bears slow down Peterson and I think that answer is no.  27-16 Vikes.

Chargers 2-5 @ Ravens 1-6:  Philip Rivers has a chance to pass for more yardage this year in history. They have no offensive line and their defense actually steps on the field once in a while. Chargers will always be behind and with no line Rivers has to let it go as soon as he gets it and yet he completes nearly 70%  to his team.   Ravens 35 Chargers 31

Bengals 6-0 @ Steelers 4-3:  I don't really think Steeler defense is that good. Bengals coming off bye may be fresh.  Bengals 35 Steelers 20.

Titans 1-5@ Texans 2-5:  Is there going to be a tie this year this might be it.  If there has to be a winner I'll take Texans 3-2

Jets 4-2 @ Raiders 3-3:  Raiders are on the rise.  Jets are not playing New England.  Oakland is alway difficult on the bay.  Raiders 24 Jets 23

Seahawks 3-4 @ Cowboys 2-4:  Let me tell you about the Cowboys.  Any owner who backs the action of Greg a Hardy and praises him as a leader must have dementia.  Cowboys are in trouble with this kind of leadership.  Seahawks 27 Boys 17

Packers 6-0 @ Broncos 6-0.  A couple of teams have shown teams how to slow down Aaron Rogers but Packers  defense  backed up Rogers. Denver's offense has not backed up the Denver defense.  Packers 20 Broncos 13.

Colts 3-4 @ Panthers 6-0:   Still the Panthers haven't beaten a team with a winning record.  Guess what Colts have lost more than they have won.  Can't blame Panthers for winning their scheduled games.  Panthers 30 Colts 23

Game Of The Century

This is the Big East Football.  Week eleven gives us two more weeks of conference football.  If this was a normal year three teams would be 2-1 in conference and the other three 1-2 and every team still have hopes of tying for first some how or other.

This is a crazy year with two weeks left only two teams can win the title.  Those two are three and zero on conference.  Southern Nash has wins over both Wilson County schools and rival Northern Nash.  Rocky Mount has two wins over the Wilson County schools and Nash Central.  Both Southern and Rocky Mount have a  rival game left and against each other Friday night.  The winner is the number one seed in the playoffs and another week left after this one.

Fike, Hunt and Northern Nash are 1-2 and still can get a rather good seeding with a good last two weeks.  Because either Southern  Nash or Rocky Mount will win Friday and remain undefeated those three have no chance left for first.  What a crazy year this has become because this is not the way the last few years have been each year since the conference went to the Six  schools we have now.

Rocky Mount through the years has dominated against Southern Nash when Rocky Mount was the 4-A school and Southern was smaller but the last ten years they have split 5 wins each.  Both are 4-1 at home and Friday night is in Rocky Mount.  There will be no need to score board watching Friday as no other game matters.  This game is THE Game.

This Even Steven football against each other started in 2006 in that overtime won by Southern at Southern  21-20.  The 2009 game in Rocky Mount when the Gryphons scored on a 65 yard pass in the last 25 seconds to win 24-19.  This series has become about as even as any can get.
If the last ten years have been even how do they stack up this year?

Both teams are 7-2.  Both have won four in a row after both had two non conference losses against very good teams.  Southern Nash averages 250.8 yards per game rushing while Rocky Mount 250.00.  Southern passes 120 yards per game Rocky Mount 90.  The three conference games the
Firebirds are averaging 29.3 while the Gryphons 41.  Defending the goal line Southern has given up 15 points while Rocky Mount 18.

The History of this league has been we need to win this game and watch the score board and see who loses.   There is no need for that.  This should be the biggest crowd ever at Rocky Mount's new stadium.  Southern probably has the best fans when on the road as they come in droves whenever they play Rocky Mount.  Here is an outdated statement.  This one is for all the marbles.  I wonder how many of you have ever gone home from school with every bodies marbles at recess? Somebody is going to win the whole shebang.

Thursday night college football features a game that I doubt anybody could visions this game could have playoffs implications  in preseason.  North Carolina 6-1 @ Pittsburgh 6-1:  Carolina at times has  struggled when you wonder why they are struggling.  Pittsburgh struggles against everybody.  Carolina 27 Pitt 24

Beating the rains Rocky Mount girls tennis team advanced to the third round of the duels beating Rockingham county 6-0.  So far in the first two rounds the lady Gryphons at 12-0 in matches played.  The third round is next week.

Are The Stars In Line For The Lady Gryphons?

It doesn't always matter how much talent you have  sometimes it comes down to being good teammates.  Before this year started Rocky Mount Lady Gryphons tennis team returned their top three singles players who were also the top doubles team.  Insert an up and coming sophomore and if you don't look out jealousy can infect the entire team.

Coach Barry Nettercutt inserted sophomore Brenna Bryant as the Lady Gryphon number one player.  That dropped  Chandler Brice to  the number two.  It also leveled last year's number two to fall to the number three player Eliza Fike.  Just maybe it would lead to the breakup of the number one doubles team of Brice and Fike. If all the changes bring on internal  tensions then this year's team just might turn out to be a season of what could have been.

Even if the top three accept their new roles those posing as the 4-5-6 singles and 3rd doubles must also elevate  their play in order to make the Lady Gryphons an elite team so insert as the number four singles Mary Blair Thompson a junior who also dropped a spot in the singles line up.  Sarah Bland junior would ride the five singles and Grace Warren junior would anchor the 6th singles.  These spots also created the third doubles team in Sarah Bland  and Grace Warren.

Coaches all the time talk about senior leadership and this Lady Gryphon tennis team had great leadership all season. Brice, Fike and Thompson all took their spots gracefully.  The second round of the team playoffs is Tuesday at 4pm at the Rocky Mount High court where they will meet Rockingham County 12-2.   So far this season the Lady Gryphons are 13-0  as a team.

Sophomore Brenna Bryant as the one singles went   12-1 on the season.  Chandler Brice stands 13-0 as the number two.  Eliza Fike 9-1 as three singles 9-1.  Number four singles Mary Blair Thompson 8-2,  five singles Sarah Bland 10-0  and the  sixth singles Grace Warren went 9-1.  You add all those scores up and it comes down to a record of 70-6 record by the top six all year.

You take a coach that saw how this team could be better with changes, you add players that accepted their role as what was best for the team.  Then you add what the entire team did  seeing what  role required of them and this team could be playing a couple weeks more in the duels.

But, there is more Nettercutt's changes  the new doubles teams have been as good as the singles.  The Bryant/Brice number one doubles team went 9-1 on the season.  Number two duo of Fike/Thompson went 9-1 and the third team of Bland/Warren went 9-0.  27-2 to go along with 70-6 in singles. No wonder this team has a shot at a state team title but there is yet so much left to do.

This past weekend in the Eastern Regional in Wilson the number one and two doubles team went 6-0 against other doubles teams.  The only loss incurred was when Bryant /Brice beat Fike /Thompson for the regional title.  Finishing second both of Rocky Mount's doubles teams qualify for the doubles championship Friday at 9am at the Burlington Tennis Center.

Rocky Mount has sent teams to the singles and doubles championship before.  This just may be the first time that those in the know Rocky Mount top two doubles teams have a real shot at the state title.  Good luck this week Lady Gryphons.