Mostly Saturday NFL

Christmas is Sunday and only two games on the NFL slate as most are Saturday as well as the Regular Thursday and Monday night games.  Last week went 12-4 to push my record for the year to 155-72  Let's get the Ho-Ho Ho games under way.

Giants @ Eagles:  Giants defense is playing well, Philly not doing so much but it is time to beat somebody.  Eagles 26 Giants 23

Dolphins @ Bills:  No telling what kind of conditions the field will be in Buffalo.  Don't see the fish playing well in the cold.  Bills 27 Dolphins 16

Jets @ Patriots:  I Don't give the Jets much of a chance.  36-23 Pat's

Titans @ Jags:  Tennessee is not out of playoffs.  Jags been out of playoffs for a while.  Titans 23 Jags 20

Vikings @ Packers:  Vikes heading down while the Packers still in playoff hunt.  Packers 36 Vikings 24

Chargers @ Browns:  If the Browns are going to win one this is it.  Chargers somehow or other stay close against most and they just might win this one.  Chargers 30 Brown's 20

Redskins @ Bears:  Why would I think the Bears can win this one but I do.  Bears 26 Skins 24

Colts @ Raiders:  Colts have their act together while Raiders are very close to being best in AFC. Oakland 36 Colts 32

Falcons @ Panthers:  I think Panthers defense just might hold down the Flying birds.  Carolina 27 Atlanta 26

Bucs @ Saints. This is a real football game.  Saints can score but they give up plenty.  Bucs probably can hold hold the Saint offense.  Tampa 31 New Orleans 28

Cards @ Seahawks:  Cardinals just not the team they were last year  while Seattle is a different team  at home so I suspect a 26-14 Seahawks victory.

49'ers @ Rams:  Dud game of the week.  Is it possible for a 0-0 tie.  Rams 17-10

Bengals @ Texans:  The Texans need this more than Bengals.  Texans 27-23

Two extra special Christmas Day games.

Ravens @ Steelers:  Ravens are sneaky good.  Steelers are tough at home.  Playoffs on the line.  This is when the NFL gets good.  Steelers 26 Ravens 23

Bronco's @ Chiefs. Denver can't score enough to beat good teams with a defense.  Chiefs 17 Denver 10

Lions @ Cowboys:  I could see the  Lions giving Dallas a game but I can't see a Detroit win Boys 27 Lions 21

Let's Talk Basketball

The Rocky Mount run in the football playoffs there has been a complete ignoring of basketball on my part but it's time to turn to the indoor sport.  Last week with the football playoffs shoved back a week the conflict with the Nash County Christmas tournament in which Northern Nash Wins while the Nash Central girls top out as winners.  Today a look at where the boys are at this point and then Friday a look at the girls.

Northern Nash: 10-1 Henry Drake in his second year I think has the Knights rolling.  Having seen many games over the years I thought just listening to Rick Ruffin coach when he was at Northern I thought he was a very good coach but hardly anybody listened and did what he said.  A coach who connects with his players is vital in order to have success.

So Far the Knights are averaging over 71 per game while giving up just 57.  Darius Spragley leads the scoring at 16.6  and Undray Cherry follows 15..  Raymond Bullock hauls down seven rebound per game and Spragley gives his teammates open shots  at a rate of 3.7.  I think you can lookout all year as this team is for real.

Nash Central 7-1: Open with seven straight wins until beaten by Northern in the Christmas tournament.  Averaging 68.3 yards while holding others  to 56.6.  The Bulldogs are led by Montre' Cash scoring at a clip of  22.8.  Seems like just yesterday as a six year old Montre' sat at the scoring table being the score keeper for his mom's Lady Bulldogs team.  I don't recall ever hearing of any controversy over his making a mistake. He was almost a tourist attraction watching him for his age and size work the score book.

Elijah Cole is second on the Bulldogs scoring 13.5.  Dominic Dixon is pulling down 9.3 rebounds to lead the dogs.  Cash is handing out 5.3 assist so between his points and what assists he is responsible for 33 points per game.

Fike 8-2: Scoring 64.5 giving up 55.9.  Led in scoring by Samson Strickland 18.3 and Ricky Fuller 12.7.  Strickland is the top rebounder in the conference at 12 per game.  Kavaris Evans is the leading assist maker doling out 5.9 per game.

Southern Nash 3-4:  Scoring at a 60 point per game while giving up 61.  I am sure football has effected the roster as the Firebirds lasted to Thanksgiving so we will see after Christmas how the Birds flow.  They are led by Darius Edmonson who scores 10.1 and Matt Hampton 8.4. Top rebound grabber  is Hampton who grabs 6.4 per outing. Corey Foster shares passes with teammates at 4.1

Hunt 2-6:  So far in the major sports the Warriors are struggling having not won a conference football game and basketball off to a slow start.  They score at a rate of 55 per game and are giving up 57.  The Warriors are led by KJ Jones at 12.8.  Jeremiah Ganaway is a double digit scorer ripping the cords for 10.2.

Ricky Mount 1-1:  There is no doubt Mike Gainey decided after his basketball team lost eight straight games while the football team was winning a state championship last season and then lost five more waiting for those football players to get in basketball shape said not this year.  Every game except the Christmas tournament has been moved or dropped altogether.

The Gryphons split their two games and at least three football players will join them after Christmas. The two games to dates they are scoring 62.5 while allowing  64.  The hope is the football players make the impact that they did last year tying for the conference regular season and a win in the opening round playoff game.

The Last Word On Football

Two years in a row the Rocky Mount Gryphons played in the last game of the season.  Just think back to other teams this century that we thought had great shots at state titles who never made it to the big dance.  We as fans who are the experts standing on the sidelines willing to tell others what they did wrong.  Seldom did we have anything to do other than stand on the sidelines and watch our team get as far as it did.

What was the difference between winning this year and second this time around?  South Point stopped our running game both years.  This year and last they made the Gryphons win with the pass and any coach watching film would all tell you.  Let's commit to stop the run and take our chances that their five times a game passes cannot beat us.

South Point found out the hard way last year that the Gryphon quarterback could throw but with  the running attack the Gryphons had not much need to throw.  Even with the success of the passing attack in Chapel Hill it took over time to beat the Red Raiders.

Looking at film of Rocky Mount again this year South Point saw a team that for the most part had used two quarterbacks all season.  It would seem that position was more unstable over last and since we thought last year the way to beat the Gryphons was to make the quarterback beat us that is the way to try to win again this year.

Coaches make decisions all the time based on what they surmise as their strengths going up against the other teams weakness.  Sometimes they get it right because they made the right decision.  Then there are the times they still make the right decision but you still get beat.

 South Point's  coach Linberger took it from his fans last year for letting Rocky Mount get so many yards passing.  Jason Battle was a genius last year.  The roles are reversed and did either coach fail at what they thought was best for the team.  Probably not because last year our quarterback surprised us all and led us to the promise land.  This year the Red Raider defense did not budge.  So each team has a title.

The writing was on the wall if we are willing to see.  Last year only once did  the 2015 Gryphons score less than 20.  They scored 13 against Northern Nash the day of the death of a JV football player.
Hunt who didn't win a conference game held us to 17.  Southern Nash 10.  Havelock had begrudged less than 100 yards except  for one play.

This team lived off defense all year and when faced with other teams with as good of defense struggled to win.  Those games when we could not  hold on to the ball we kept teams in the game.  Let's face it.  This team reached further than anyone expected.  This team full of shortcomings finished second in the state.  One of the best defense's in the history of North Carolina playoff football South Point Red Raiders scored one touchdown on a day they hardly saw the other end of the field living on our side all game.  The 2016 Rocky Mount Gryphons are special team going further than their ability and we are all proud of you.

16 games Is Too Many

You all know I hate the five playoff games in order to win a state title.  It is simply too many games.  Think about this, it is a NFL regular season.  If a high school school year is 36 weeks then in order to win a state championship or even make the state championship game football takes up 44% of a school year. Simply too much.

The weather has played a major factor in the way this season played out.  A week before the start of conference play every team in eastern North Carolina has to shut down because of Hurricane Matthew.  Rocky Mount played for a month after the week down unlike  the team they were before.  They were able to find it again in the late part of the first round game.

There should have been no way what so ever any team was allowed to play three games in eight days.  The world we live in now the word is safety for the players and yet how can anyone say it is safe to play three games in eight days.

I want to go back to a ten game schedule and only four playoff games.  I want the football championships to end in November the way it use to be.  I know there were years where two playoff games won a state title then it went to three and that wasn't enough to four and now five with nearly 30% of the teams with losing records.

Saturday seven state championships games were played at three different locations.  Games were played at 11,3 and 7:30.  If I remember Tarboro had one of the 11 o'clock games one year but this is my first experience of really paying attention to these 11 am games.  Let's don't even consider how bad the weather was because it could have pour down rain as no one has control of the weather.

The attendance was announced at less than three.  Weather was the biggest factor of course.  Rocky Mount fans had to leave around seven to get to the game on time.  What time did every team who played the early one leave to get to their game?

My question today is why three sites with three games at some sites.  Why not four sites and play two at each site.  I see playing the first game at 2pm and the second at 6pm on Saturday giving every person who would love to follow their team time to get there.  Saturday many fans got up wanting to go but the road conditions scared them to stay home because it's either go now and or not get there by kickoff.

I know I have no idea how the major venues used in the state championship games are procured.  If you can get three you ought to be able to get four. ECU, State, Carolina, Duke, Wake all hold over 30,000.  I know each would love to host because it is a recruiting tool to get a player into your facility  without using a recruiting visit.

Through the years the NCHSAA has thought about money over the safety of the players and even the convenience of the fans whole attend the games and help put more money in ticket sales.  It's time to think about the education of the players over how much money can be made.

13-3 Season Still A Season To Be Proud

How many teams win 10 games in a season?  Now five years into his tenure as Rocky Mount High's football coach Jason Battle after a 13-3 season and a second place finish in 3A football standings with a coaching record of 51-17.  Any coach who can maintain a 75 % winning total throughout his coaching career is on the verge of on legendary talk by the time they hit twenty years coaching.  Now I want to be as honest as possible with you.  How many people just two years ago foresaw Jason Battle leading any team to two state finals.

The night Rocky Mount hosted the  jamboree with Goldsboro, Southern Nash and Western Harnett I talked with Battle on the field and he was showing the signs of stress as the defending state champions and the fan expections of winning another this season.

Already the season was full of injuries as Sherrod Green had broken his hand in a weight lifting injury.   He would miss the first three and a half games.  Who was going to be the quarterback to replace Forest Bell the offensive player of the game in the state championship game?  Just maybe he saw this team as a far cry from the level of the 2015 squad.

A opening night shutout and a a third quarter lead against Middle Creek one of the best teams in the state gave hope to the 2016 Gryphons were rounding into form.  A persistent mishandling of the ball created some uncomfortable moments as the season progressed.  A trip to Greenville leaves all Gryphons fans thinking that this team just might.

Then there is a month of average football playing where it looks as if the Gryphons  are going to have trouble winning the Big East.  Southern uses senior night and and inspired play from the Firebirds to win the conference crown.

Then there is a first round third quarter melt down that faced with 20 minutes to rally or start basketball season the Gryphons find the focus missing for a month.  A victory over Southern Nash  and Southern Guilford send the Gryphons to a miracle finish and an another shot at state championship  glory.

The Havelock game battered and bruised the Gryphons so they head to Winston Salem not as healthy as last year.  They once again drop the ball on the ground three times losing one and an interception takes away two drives that gave South Point more field position.

Many fans left Winston wondering why the Gryphons went for it on fourth down four times in their own territory only making it once.  You know for a coach that has won  75% of his games there is a good chance he knows the health of his team as well as how they stack up against the team across the line and he knows if you can't control the ball you may not get it back. Keeping the ball was a major need in this game and the South Point defense would not allow the Gryphons any yardage to take away the Gryphon championship. The only fourth down call I can question  was the 4th and 17 with six minutes left.  I'm punting and looking for my defense to get me the ball back.

I heard one of their players during the handshakes told our guys "we know how you feel". Referring to last year.  Revenge was a major factor in this one.  Any time any teams has great runs of winning you never know when the well runs dry. This team just maybe over achieved.   Appreciate what this team has done.  No telling when the next championship game will be.

Not This Year

Team to arrive at Gym about 4:45

It will be a game where the South Point Red Raiders will say their defense came to play state championship football.  Today Rocky Mount crosses the fifty yard line only twice while the Red Raider offense  felt the soil under their feet to start a drive twice.  Field position, a Gryphon fumble, interception  and three field goals made by the kid that wore  the goat tag for a year ago Thomas Lempereur leads South Point to a 16-7 victory over Rocky Mount denying the Gryphons back to back titles.

The game for the Gryphons was like they were treading in mud all games as the best field position they had  all day was their own forty after a Detrell Revis interception return.  South Point started on the Rocky Mount side all but twice which tells you how great the Gryphon D played giving up only one touchdown and that occurred after a Gryphon Fumble at their own 24 eventually turn into a 7 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Scottie Lee  to Ray Grier which bumped the score to 13-7.

Rocky Mount's offense only moved the ball once all game and it came  on their only drive of the game that started at their own 31 and with eight seconds to play in the half.   Shabios Lynch hit Shyheim Battle with a 25 yard score and Rocky Mount had a 7-3 halftime lead and had been completely dominated by field position and the Red Raider defense.

A very disappointing crowd of around 4,000 weathered the cold and even icy road conditions  as both side had about 2,000 people no where near the internet talk that South Point would fill one side of the stadium.

South Point had 199 yards rushing in the game all but about ten came on the Rocky Mount side of the field.  The only pass they completed was the seven yard td for a total of 206 yards.  Rocky Mount rushed for 27 yards once quarterback sacks were subtracted and passed for 91 for 118 total offense.  If there was ever a game in which a team defense bottled the other them up today was it as the Red Raiders who only allowed the Gryphons across the 50 twice.

Sherrod Green was named the Gryphons defensive player of the game while Shabios Lynch was the offensive performer.   Even in defeat the fans need to be at the gym to support this team on their arrival.  I will post as soon as there is a time set for their return.  I am sure they will stop on the way back to eat so as soon as they know arrival time I'll feed it to you.

Rocky Mount finishes 13-3 while South Point wins their 5th football title their first since 2009

The Go For Two In A Row

The Rocky Mount  Gryphons if they can be victorious today will repeat back to back state championships in football for the first time since 1962/63.  When you arrive at the stadium the Gryphons are the home team and will sit on the East stands. BBT Stadium holds 31,500 or about 15,000 on each sideline.

Some where around 7,500 fans made the trip last year in Chapel Hill on a Friday night. Many simply could not get off soon enough to get to the game so with this being a Saturday game even though it's 165 miles away there should be more in Winston this year.

I assume everyone knows how to get out on I-40 near the airport in Greensboro.  Stay on I-40 west where you can either take 1-40  or I 40 Business toward Winston Salem.  About 14 miles on either road you need to take US 52 toward Mount Airy.  If you take I 40 you will cross over I 40 business where you will join those that go Business I-40.  About four miles take Cherry Street turn right at bottom of the ramp off the exit.  The stadium is not that far the address is 411 Deacon Blvd.  Remember the Gryphons are in the East stands.

Many people from all over the world during those special weeks hit this blog in order to find out what's happening leading up to the big game.  That has happened again this year but it started back during the regular season game with Southern Nash and has continued right up to today.  My blog hits have tripled every day for six weeks now over a normal every day  Thank You all.

Both teams spent the night near Winston Salem.  The Gryphons left around 1pm and stopped in Greensboro and practiced at North Carolina A&T late Friday afternoon.  Not sure where they stayed but that sure beats getting up early and maybe worry with the weather to get to the stadium.

Those who are stuck home not making the trip to Winston and you are on Time Warner Cable you can go to channel 324 and the game will be live.  You can access  a live internet feed by going to NCHSAA.ORG and on the front page it says Don't miss a minute of action.  All the state championship games will be listed.  Click on the Rocky Mount game and it will appear at 11am. You may need to put the Time Warner App on your computer to view the game but it is free.

I will blog the results by 2pm if the game is over by then  GO GRYPHONS!!!!!!