Washed Out Try Again Tuesday Maybe Wednesday

The 3rd round of the 3-A duel girls tennis got washed out on Monday.  Weather forecast doesn't look to be much better for Tuesday.  If they are washed out Tuesday they of course will play Wednesday weather permitting.  If that happens and the Lady Gryphons win they would turn around play again Thursday in the eastern Finals. If they win that the duel state championship us Saturday.  It is a possibility that who ever plays in the duel state championship they just might play three straight days to win it all due to the weather.

The State Playoffs begin  on Wednesday in the boys soccer.  The Big East has all three of their teams that won more than they lost in conference play have made the tournament.  The Top seed in the Big East Hunt who lost but one game all year while winning 21 are the top seed in the east and they will play the last team in the eastern bracket West Brunswick.

Now as always there has to be some kind of Tom Foolery.  Southern Nash and Fike both finished 7-3 in the league which tied for second.  Southern Nash gets the number 14 seed and Fike gets the 19th seed which pairs them in the opening round.  Just seems to me one of those teams could be shifted just one seed to at least keep them from playing in the opening round.

Any time you are in a tournament and keep winning there is always a chance you will meet another conference member some where down the road.  This truly is unacceptable for  a conference member to play someone from your own conference in the first round especially when you tied with them in record.  This is a matter of those at the state level being lazy an accepting what ever the computer spits out.

Did you know Monday was the first day of high school winter sports practice.  Basketball can play their first game on November 16th.

Even though he sat out the first ten quarters of the NFL season Todd Gurley is fifth in rushing with 575 yards on 94 rushes.  Sunday he had his longest run for a touchdown going 71 yards If Gurley stays healthy he will be rookie of the year in the NFL. He trails Atlanta's Devonta Freeman by only 134 yards.  The top ten rushers in the league all are averaging between 4 to 4.7 yards per carry.  Todd is averaging 6.1 per tote

Gryphons Grew on the sidelines And And On The Field

When I was a high school disc jockey soon to be the greatest disc jockey alive in my mind there were many things that I had to learn.  I use to tape every game, every shift I worked as a jock and would go back an listen to each just like a coach looks at film.  I am embarrassed to listen to what I thought at the time was a super star disc jockey in the making.

Jason Battle has just won his first Big East football title and he too had to learn some things in order that this Gryphon team could grow to champions.  How many sideline penalties in his previous years has the coaching staff gotten which also led to penalties on the field.

This year I don't recall one on the coaches and only a couple by them on the team  and those weren't so called mouthing off personal fouls but late hit etc.  This entire team grew in maturity together.  Yes there are a couple of stud players on this team but for the most part this is a team loaded with gritty team players doing their job.

They have been battle tested.  A big lead melted to a touchdown against Hunt but a big fourth quarter.   Down 14 nothing in the first half to Fike only to win going away.  Then down to Southern mostly because of failure to hold on to the ball they dominate Southern Nash when they had too.  Last year with the heat on somebody was getting a penalty.

Jason Battle and his staff some changes made this year have seen this team respond to their better coaching.   High school football is 80 per cent coaching and this year's Gryphon team has responded with a championship with a chance for more.

This afternoon the Lady a Gryphon Tennis team plays at home at 4 pm in the 3rd round of the state 3A duels.

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