If you listened to all the experts you would think ACC football is one step short of Division III. The truth says however that the ACC has more players in the NFL except the SEC. If all the talk in Tampa is true the Wolfpack will have three starting quarterbacks in the NFL and no other school in the country can boast of that. Every Saturday when the TV ratings come out the ACC is nipping at the SEC heels at who watched college football. They have more watcher than the Big Ten, Big 12 and The Pac ever how many.
Why does the ACC have such a bad repetition when it has so many players in the NFL. The facts are these. The ACC and the SEC are intertwined being southern football conferences. When it comes to playing non-conferences games it is just so much easier playing somebody close by over flying halfway across the country. When the ACC plays national TV games you don't see Florida State and Kentucky play each other but it is against the big boys of the SEC the Alabama's and LSU's of the conference.
Ever since Bobby Bowden stayed too long at Florida State which was around the turn of the century the ACC has not had a national championship contender. Miami the team that when they joined the ACC everyone thought they would dominate football and baseball haven't come close in either. This year Florida State and Clemson are suppose to be national title contenders if they are it's time to put up.
This week is the first week of the college football season. The real Carolina (North) heads south to take on the team that likes to call themselves Carolina. They are around sixth in preseason polls. Once again the ACC is matched up with a team ranked higher but if the ACC is to get this monkey off their back about being second fiddle to the SEC they have got to start beating the SEC.
I doubt the ACC has a chance with Virginia Tech playing Alabama even if everyone thought Tech was good but sounds like the are going to have more players on MASH than on the field. Clemson and North Carolina one of the two needs to win for the ACC. The ACC doesn't need to win all three to start getting some respect just win ONE.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Evaluation Time
If you are a Rocky Mount Gryphon fan you have every reason to feel good about what you saw from Jason Battle's second squad that traveled to South Granville Friday. The Gryphons showed big play potential, a solid run defense and grit to move the ball to run out the clock. Excellent start to the 2013 campaign.
Southern Nash started this season playing the one team that looks just like them in SouthWest Edgecombe. A Running team playing a running team. The difference in this game was the suck in the defense and pass which the Firebirds did twice for touchdowns. Good start not stumbling for the Firebirds but there is good news for the Cougars. They played one of the we think best teams around and went toe to toe.
Randy Raper's first game with Northern started out well but one problem that Northern had last year was depth. The Knights lead most of the way but down the stretch faltered. Could this been the trend for this year just like last? The Knights must get a running game to help keep the defense off the field as much as possible.
The hardest part of the Tarboro schedule this year is it's now conference schedule. A trip to 3-A Nash Central and the Vikings pitch a shutout. Normally Tarboro gives up points during their non conference schedule but if this is any indication I pity the Tar Roanoke teams that have to play the Vikings.
Hard to visualize after having no offense at all against Tarboro that the future is bright for the Bulldogs of Nash Central. Defense did a fine job giving up just over 200 yards on the night but if you are going to count on your defense to win every game there won't be many wins in the Bulldogs future.
1-0 how bout those Jags of Rocky Mount Prep. They did rush for 200 yards but put the ball on the ground four times and did not lose one. I doubt there will be many more wins coming the Prepster way this year but celebrate all you want this week. You are still undefeated.
Poor old North Edgecombe gets a nice win over Northwest Halifax but play second fiddle in Edgecombe County after the way Tarboro handled Nash Central.
Had a much better start this season in by prognostications went 5-1. One thing about opening week wins and losses they are hard to judge. A disappointing loss or what you think is a great win may prove in five weeks not to be what you thought as it happened. Another week coming and after this week more knowledge about who all the teams in the area really are.
Southern Nash started this season playing the one team that looks just like them in SouthWest Edgecombe. A Running team playing a running team. The difference in this game was the suck in the defense and pass which the Firebirds did twice for touchdowns. Good start not stumbling for the Firebirds but there is good news for the Cougars. They played one of the we think best teams around and went toe to toe.
Randy Raper's first game with Northern started out well but one problem that Northern had last year was depth. The Knights lead most of the way but down the stretch faltered. Could this been the trend for this year just like last? The Knights must get a running game to help keep the defense off the field as much as possible.
The hardest part of the Tarboro schedule this year is it's now conference schedule. A trip to 3-A Nash Central and the Vikings pitch a shutout. Normally Tarboro gives up points during their non conference schedule but if this is any indication I pity the Tar Roanoke teams that have to play the Vikings.
Hard to visualize after having no offense at all against Tarboro that the future is bright for the Bulldogs of Nash Central. Defense did a fine job giving up just over 200 yards on the night but if you are going to count on your defense to win every game there won't be many wins in the Bulldogs future.
1-0 how bout those Jags of Rocky Mount Prep. They did rush for 200 yards but put the ball on the ground four times and did not lose one. I doubt there will be many more wins coming the Prepster way this year but celebrate all you want this week. You are still undefeated.
Poor old North Edgecombe gets a nice win over Northwest Halifax but play second fiddle in Edgecombe County after the way Tarboro handled Nash Central.
Had a much better start this season in by prognostications went 5-1. One thing about opening week wins and losses they are hard to judge. A disappointing loss or what you think is a great win may prove in five weeks not to be what you thought as it happened. Another week coming and after this week more knowledge about who all the teams in the area really are.
Friday, August 23, 2013
Perfect
Last year playing all of their season on the road Rocky Mount Prep fail to win a game. Tonight playing a home game for the first time Prep threw a shutout and the old wives Tale that if you don't let'em score it is hard to lose and they didn't as the JAGS win their first game ever 6-0 over Kipp Pride. Way to hang in there coach Don Reams and his Prepsters.
Rocky Mount's Gryphon used big play most of the way but when the pressure was really on used ball control to beat South Granville 27-14. RaShawn Harris had a big night scoring on a 65 yard punt return in the first quarter and then in the 3'rd quarter caught a Josh Carter screen pass and took it 52 yards to the house for a 17-7 lead. Micah Varnell kicked two field goals and a kick butt 4th quarter drive sealed the game with a touchdown.
South Granville scored with 1.1 seconds to a make it 10-7 at the half and then scored to make it 17-14 before the Gryphons put the game away.
They may now be called 1-A but don't think it is not the same old Tarboro Vikings at the Vikes handle Nash Central with ease 21-0.
Other scores
Southern Nash 27 SouthWest Edgecombe 14
Hunt 28 South Central 12
Fike 36 Bunn 17
North Edgecombe 40 Northwest Halifax 6
Rocky Mount's Gryphon used big play most of the way but when the pressure was really on used ball control to beat South Granville 27-14. RaShawn Harris had a big night scoring on a 65 yard punt return in the first quarter and then in the 3'rd quarter caught a Josh Carter screen pass and took it 52 yards to the house for a 17-7 lead. Micah Varnell kicked two field goals and a kick butt 4th quarter drive sealed the game with a touchdown.
South Granville scored with 1.1 seconds to a make it 10-7 at the half and then scored to make it 17-14 before the Gryphons put the game away.
They may now be called 1-A but don't think it is not the same old Tarboro Vikings at the Vikes handle Nash Central with ease 21-0.
Other scores
Southern Nash 27 SouthWest Edgecombe 14
Hunt 28 South Central 12
Fike 36 Bunn 17
North Edgecombe 40 Northwest Halifax 6
Prediction Time
Let me say right up front that I expect to do 100% better this year on my first week high school football predictions than I did last year. 0-6 opening night. I have all the confidence in the world I will get at least one of the seven right this go round. You know first night is the hardest night of the year to predict any score when half the teams playing you don't know one thing about. Let's see if we can get off to a better start this year.
Rocky Mount Academy- His first year he had no idea the concept of eight man football but by playoff time his Eagles had earned the respect of Word Of God. B W Holt will put his second team on the field at Halifax Academy which I have no idea about but I know the way the RMA Eagles finished up last year you had better be prepared this year when you play them. RMA 45 Halifax 34.
North Edgecombe at South Creek. Let me remember South Creek use to be Roanoke High School and last year as the new South Creek they won one game. Put one in the books for NE as Danny Parisher and the Warriors start the year off right 26-12 over the Creek.
Rocky Mount Prep hosting Kipp Pride. Now last year the Jags went 0 for the season in their first year of football, Pride won one game and that was a 38-6 victory over Prep. I think we see that having a home game makes a big difference and the Jags tear down their new goal post in winning 26-21 over Kipp.
Northern : The Knights starts with four straight road games and Wendell is the first stop at Corinth Holders. This is their 3rd year after being winless in 2011. A nice 5-7 campaign in 2012. I just think that Randy Raper has the touch and if they were playing say Tarboro tonight I'd pick the Vikings. Not quite as tough of non conference schedule as the past and the Knights take advantage. 26-20.
Nash Central At Tarboro. The past two seasons I thought the Bulldogs had the best talent in the Big East. I don't know if they have as good of talent as four or five other teams in the league this year. Seems to me Nash Central program is going backwards. Despite being a little bitty 1-A school Tarboro opens with a win. 34-20.
Rocky Mount: opens on the road at South Granville a 2-A team that finished 9-4 last season. This could very well be the best game of the night and in a slug fest the Gryphons win their opener on the field this year instead of getting a forfeit a week later. Rocky Mount 34 South Granville 26.
SouthWest Edgecombe at Southern Nash: New coach in Cougar land but the old one still patrols the sidelines as an assistant. By years end last year the Cougars were a handful for every body. If this is really the Firebirds year they need to make a statement tonight. Firebirds 35 SWE 22.
Rocky Mount Academy- His first year he had no idea the concept of eight man football but by playoff time his Eagles had earned the respect of Word Of God. B W Holt will put his second team on the field at Halifax Academy which I have no idea about but I know the way the RMA Eagles finished up last year you had better be prepared this year when you play them. RMA 45 Halifax 34.
North Edgecombe at South Creek. Let me remember South Creek use to be Roanoke High School and last year as the new South Creek they won one game. Put one in the books for NE as Danny Parisher and the Warriors start the year off right 26-12 over the Creek.
Rocky Mount Prep hosting Kipp Pride. Now last year the Jags went 0 for the season in their first year of football, Pride won one game and that was a 38-6 victory over Prep. I think we see that having a home game makes a big difference and the Jags tear down their new goal post in winning 26-21 over Kipp.
Northern : The Knights starts with four straight road games and Wendell is the first stop at Corinth Holders. This is their 3rd year after being winless in 2011. A nice 5-7 campaign in 2012. I just think that Randy Raper has the touch and if they were playing say Tarboro tonight I'd pick the Vikings. Not quite as tough of non conference schedule as the past and the Knights take advantage. 26-20.
Nash Central At Tarboro. The past two seasons I thought the Bulldogs had the best talent in the Big East. I don't know if they have as good of talent as four or five other teams in the league this year. Seems to me Nash Central program is going backwards. Despite being a little bitty 1-A school Tarboro opens with a win. 34-20.
Rocky Mount: opens on the road at South Granville a 2-A team that finished 9-4 last season. This could very well be the best game of the night and in a slug fest the Gryphons win their opener on the field this year instead of getting a forfeit a week later. Rocky Mount 34 South Granville 26.
SouthWest Edgecombe at Southern Nash: New coach in Cougar land but the old one still patrols the sidelines as an assistant. By years end last year the Cougars were a handful for every body. If this is really the Firebirds year they need to make a statement tonight. Firebirds 35 SWE 22.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Shelby The Legion World Series Home
There is a reason why Shelby North Carolina got the American Legion World Series to come to it's town. If there is such a thing as a hotbed for Legion baseball Cleveland County North Carolina is it. It is to Legion baseball what Tobacco Road is to college basketball. It is the center of the Legion Universe and spreads out from there.
Tuesday night Brooklawn New Jersey won their third World Series title beating Petaluma California 10-0 in seven innings. Brooklawn has twice finished second and has made it to the World Series 15 times in their history. The championship was won in front of 6,000 fans there to watch the game, it was standing room only for two teams as far as North Carolina is concerned should be from the moon. How in the world did the city of Shelby and the American Legion get so many to attend? Two local companies bought up all the tickets that were not sold and gave away to fans to attend the game.
When it comes to marketing Shelby hit a home run. Just think of the concession sales from 6,000 thirsty and hungry attendees. Yes the two companies not only did something for their commumity but think of the good will they now have in their home town. I think this was the 4th year that Shelby has been the host of the World Series and I think the average attendance for all 15 games played during the tournament was 3,000 or more. Shelby loves that Legion ball.
On that same thought you know that athletics in high schools cost a few dollars to fund all the sports that high schools provide their students. I have often wondered when a baseball game only has 200 people or basketball is played on a Tuesday night with only 400 in the house or about 1/3 full wouldn't it be better to charge students just $1 to get in and have a stands full of students who you know at the half are going out in the mezzanine and buy popcorn.
In order to make money you either have to have a winning product that everyone wants to follow or you have to make it cheap enough to want to go anyway. I can assure you I don't go to movies any more because of the high cost to get in and even then the higher cost to enjoy the stay.
Tuesday night Brooklawn New Jersey won their third World Series title beating Petaluma California 10-0 in seven innings. Brooklawn has twice finished second and has made it to the World Series 15 times in their history. The championship was won in front of 6,000 fans there to watch the game, it was standing room only for two teams as far as North Carolina is concerned should be from the moon. How in the world did the city of Shelby and the American Legion get so many to attend? Two local companies bought up all the tickets that were not sold and gave away to fans to attend the game.
When it comes to marketing Shelby hit a home run. Just think of the concession sales from 6,000 thirsty and hungry attendees. Yes the two companies not only did something for their commumity but think of the good will they now have in their home town. I think this was the 4th year that Shelby has been the host of the World Series and I think the average attendance for all 15 games played during the tournament was 3,000 or more. Shelby loves that Legion ball.
On that same thought you know that athletics in high schools cost a few dollars to fund all the sports that high schools provide their students. I have often wondered when a baseball game only has 200 people or basketball is played on a Tuesday night with only 400 in the house or about 1/3 full wouldn't it be better to charge students just $1 to get in and have a stands full of students who you know at the half are going out in the mezzanine and buy popcorn.
In order to make money you either have to have a winning product that everyone wants to follow or you have to make it cheap enough to want to go anyway. I can assure you I don't go to movies any more because of the high cost to get in and even then the higher cost to enjoy the stay.
The Survival Of Football
The NFL has been for the past few years fining players for hits to the head. Somewhere in the array of rules that has occurred over the years football lost sight of a rule that was in place when I played high school football. If you lead with the helmet on a tackle it is called spearing and you were tossed out of the game.
Today's helmets as suppose to be safer and with a safer helmet has come the comfort zone that I can't get hurt because this helmet will keep me safe. That also applies to runners who lower their heads when they are about to be tackled.Sure seems to me that a helmet offers no protection if it can't stop someone hitting you in the helmet from hurting you. Where is the so called protection?
So far this NFL preseason the target area where players are hitting others has lowered as those doing the hitting and are trying to stay away from the head and in doing so several knee injuries related to helmet hits has happen. Sounds to me like the NFL needs to make the helmet less safe or even go back to the days of no helmets in order to reduce injuries. Would you rather have a broke nose or at age 50 not be able to add 2 plus 2.
I sure would love to see the injured list of all professionals sports from say up to 1970 and compare it today during the era of steroids. If human growth hormones are suppose to make you into a superman why is it then that players get as many injuries today as before all of these incredible hulks were created?
I like what I saw Tuesday night on WRAL on the project going on that is being sponsored in part by the NFL that they are teaching midget league players the proper way to tackle. That means as those players work their way up to become NFL players in 20 years there may be a generation of players that know how to play the game the right way. Seems they could cut the time down by teaching those already in the NFL how to tackle the right way.
Today's helmets as suppose to be safer and with a safer helmet has come the comfort zone that I can't get hurt because this helmet will keep me safe. That also applies to runners who lower their heads when they are about to be tackled.Sure seems to me that a helmet offers no protection if it can't stop someone hitting you in the helmet from hurting you. Where is the so called protection?
So far this NFL preseason the target area where players are hitting others has lowered as those doing the hitting and are trying to stay away from the head and in doing so several knee injuries related to helmet hits has happen. Sounds to me like the NFL needs to make the helmet less safe or even go back to the days of no helmets in order to reduce injuries. Would you rather have a broke nose or at age 50 not be able to add 2 plus 2.
I sure would love to see the injured list of all professionals sports from say up to 1970 and compare it today during the era of steroids. If human growth hormones are suppose to make you into a superman why is it then that players get as many injuries today as before all of these incredible hulks were created?
I like what I saw Tuesday night on WRAL on the project going on that is being sponsored in part by the NFL that they are teaching midget league players the proper way to tackle. That means as those players work their way up to become NFL players in 20 years there may be a generation of players that know how to play the game the right way. Seems they could cut the time down by teaching those already in the NFL how to tackle the right way.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Pitching Is Order Of The Day At Legion World Series
Tuesday is championship day at the American Legion World Series in Shelby NC. Going into Monday night it was down to four teams and Wilmington Post 10 is not one of them. Friday Post 10 got off to a good start beating Connecticut 5-0 behind the 3 hit pitching of N C State recruit Joe O'Donnell. Saturday during the winners bracket game against Louisiana Post 10 lost 6-5. Sunday Hawaii belted Wilmington 12-3. Through Sunday the 12 runs Hawaii got was the only game during the World series that a team has given up double digit runs. Post 10 the State Champion of North Carolina finished the season 35-4
The lone unbeaten team Brooklawn N J played California one loss Monday night. Win or lose New Jersey plays for the title tonight. If Cal beats New Jersey then New Jersey plays for the title at 8pm. The late game Monday night had once beaten Hawaii and Louisiana playing and the winner plays at 5pm today either against Cal if that happens the winner of that game plays New Jersey at 8 for the championship. If New Jersey won Monday night then the championship game is at 5pm with the 8pm held in case New Jersey loses the 5pm game. All games of the World Series can been seen on ESPN3.
There were not that many top ten players who played in Greensboro on the PGA Tour this past weekend but the top two in the tournament just might be the next wave of Tiger and Phil. Jordan Spieth who has already won a PGA Tournament and has just turned 20 lost in a playoff to Patrick Reed the 23 year old who has his wife as caddy and she is every bit of 110 pounds . The two holes of playoffs between the two players were as good as any golf played this year. Both made huge plays when it looked like they were down and out. Spieth lying 3 on the first playoff hole nailed about a 50 foot putt to get to the second playoff hole while Reed hit his second shot on the second playoff hole to about five feet after his tee shot was under an limb. Look out for these two up and comers.
The Major League Baseball Players Union has a real dilemma on it's hand. The Union is suppose to help defend players any time there is a dispute between the player and Major League Baseball. What should the Union do in the case of A-Rod. All of a sudden several players within the Union are asking the Union to not support A-Rod who they all feel is a cheater. Do you defend one probably guilty player over the wishes of players who don't like all the cheating going on. I see that all professional Unions are on the line with the way that the Baseball Players Union handles the A-Rod case. The players could revolt against the Union and fire everyone within the Union and start over and that could lead to a real drug policy in all sports. If the players want a drug policy you can believe it will happen.
The lone unbeaten team Brooklawn N J played California one loss Monday night. Win or lose New Jersey plays for the title tonight. If Cal beats New Jersey then New Jersey plays for the title at 8pm. The late game Monday night had once beaten Hawaii and Louisiana playing and the winner plays at 5pm today either against Cal if that happens the winner of that game plays New Jersey at 8 for the championship. If New Jersey won Monday night then the championship game is at 5pm with the 8pm held in case New Jersey loses the 5pm game. All games of the World Series can been seen on ESPN3.
There were not that many top ten players who played in Greensboro on the PGA Tour this past weekend but the top two in the tournament just might be the next wave of Tiger and Phil. Jordan Spieth who has already won a PGA Tournament and has just turned 20 lost in a playoff to Patrick Reed the 23 year old who has his wife as caddy and she is every bit of 110 pounds . The two holes of playoffs between the two players were as good as any golf played this year. Both made huge plays when it looked like they were down and out. Spieth lying 3 on the first playoff hole nailed about a 50 foot putt to get to the second playoff hole while Reed hit his second shot on the second playoff hole to about five feet after his tee shot was under an limb. Look out for these two up and comers.
The Major League Baseball Players Union has a real dilemma on it's hand. The Union is suppose to help defend players any time there is a dispute between the player and Major League Baseball. What should the Union do in the case of A-Rod. All of a sudden several players within the Union are asking the Union to not support A-Rod who they all feel is a cheater. Do you defend one probably guilty player over the wishes of players who don't like all the cheating going on. I see that all professional Unions are on the line with the way that the Baseball Players Union handles the A-Rod case. The players could revolt against the Union and fire everyone within the Union and start over and that could lead to a real drug policy in all sports. If the players want a drug policy you can believe it will happen.
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