Holy Mackeral

Hunt High  School has lost only their second game ever in their six year career as a member of the Big East as Rocky Mount breaks a 7-7 tie at the half and clips Hunt 31-14.  Did he or didn't he is the question?  Rocky Mount recovers the second half kickoff on side kick.  Was it called or a poor kick.  regardless the Gryphons took it straight down the field and seemed to score only to have an aiding the runner penalty and settled for a Chase Miller 28 yard field goal and a 10-7 lead in which they would never lose..

The Gryphons D forced a Hunt punt and from their own seven yard line the Gryphons took it 93 yards and over came a couple of penalties to lead 17-7 on a Josh Carter one yard run with 25 seconds to go in the third quarter.  Under seven minutes to go Hunt on a 4th and 17 from the Gryphon 33 threw a touchdown pass to cut the Gryphon lead to 17-14.

Tonight the Gryphon offense would not be denied as the Gryphons once again marched down the field running the clock and scored on a one yard run by Nick Bynum  with 3:12 to play to up the lead to 24-14.

Now desperate to get the ball down field as fast as possible the Warriors tried a pass which Rashawn Harris stepped in front of  the intended receiver and put the icing on a Gryphon victory going 65 yards with the pick six and the Gryphons win 31-14.

The Gryphons over came an int and two first half fumbles to get a 7-7 tie at the half.  Hunt's seven points came after the Gryphons gave Hunt the ball on a fumble near the 50 which gave Hunt a 7-0 second quarter lead.  Josh Carter tied the game at 7 with a one yard plunge in the second quarter.

Hunt in their five full years in the Big East had lost only once and tonight's lost stopped a 18 game Big East winning streak.  Their last and only Big East lost was on October 22nd 2010 when they lost at Southern Nash 17-0.  Tonight is their first ever Big East loss at home.

Gryphons are tied for first with Southern Nash who scored their 28th point  just seconds before the first half ended and pretty much ended Northern Nash hopes for victory.  Final from Death Valley Southern Nash 42- Northern 7.  A healthy Firebird team is rolling.

Rocky Mount Academy all but wrapped up a conference championship beating once beaten Southampton Academy 52-42.  Washington beat SouthWest Edgecombe 20-13.  North Pitt over Beddingfield 23-12.  Fike beat Nash Central 49-26.  Understand Coach Crudup was suspended for tonight and next week's game  for misconduct after the JV game last night.  North Edgecombe beat Riverside 24-14.  Tarboro had little trouble with Rocky Mount Prep  57-6

Volleyball Playoffs Start Saturday

Three teams from the Big East unlike Tennis where only two teams get in the state playoffs begin the run  in the North Carolina Volleyball state championship Saturday.  Fike and Hunt are the power in the Big East and both draw home games Saturday. 

Fike as the #8 seed in the east host Eden Morehead who is seeded 25th.  Hunt the #2 from the Big East and the #15 seed will host Cleveland 18th seed..  Northern Nash as the # 3 representative from the Big East holds down the # 22 spot  is traveling this weekend.  They head to Cedar Ridge the #11 seed.  If you have no idea where Cedar Ridge is it is in Hillsbourgh.

Did not realize until coming home tonight that Va Tech and Pitt play Thursday night football so we need to get these college picks going .  Had a poor 5-4 record last week which runs me to 54-19 on the college circuit.

Virginia Tech at Pitt:  Don't think this will be high scoring but the Gobblers win.  26-17

N C State heads to Louisville Saturday and early in the week you would say the Pack has a shot.  Then you find out seven players are shooting b b guns and doing  damage to  personal property and half the defense will stay in Raleigh.  I think I am going to have to do to the Pack  like I am doing Nash Central.  Until they prove to me they can beat somebody pick against them.  Louisville 44- State 28

Georgia Tech at Carolina.  Carolina might have a shot in this one since their worse part of the defense is pass coverage.  Georgia Tech runs so that might be right at Carolina's strength.  Oh yeah, I forgot wasn't it last year Tech laid 60 on the Tar Heels.  Rambling Wreck 35 Carolina 31

The very best game of the day might be Virginia at Duke.  This is a hard pick-em game.  Both teams are better than anyone thinks.  I think in Wallace Wade Duke is very good so I'm taking the Devils at home 31-26

U Conn at ECU.  The lackluster play by the Pirates they have lost out on national media people who were looking at them to maybe a team that could sneak into then top ten with impressive wins over nobodys.  Their just get by mode has lost them many polling votes and here comes another you had better beat the pants off U Conn if you want to get noticed.  I think they win but the Huskies keep their pants on 36-21

Syracuse at Wake Forest.  This is the kind of game that the Deacons history they win.   I think they will again.  WF 24 Syracuse 21.

Notre Dame at Florida State.  If Winston plays no contest, if he doesn't The Irish win.  So I'm making two picks here .  FSU with Winston 44 Notre Dame 28  Without 24-23 Irish.

Clemson at BC.  Is the Clemson QB hurt?  If he is BC just might win this one but I'll go with the Tigers  35-27

Finally the Todd Gurley Heisman watch will end if he doesn't play this week.  Gurly is practicing but no commitment on being able to play.  Without Gurly Arkansas wins with Gurley Georgia Wins.  I have a feeling Georgia will let Gurley play Saturday.

Fighting Eliminates Two From State Playoffs

This past Friday night during a football game between Trask a 1-A school on the Southeast coast and West Bladen a fight broke out and a 22 minute delay occurred while the referees sorted out the mess. Four players from Trash were thrown out of the game along with three from West Bladen. 

This week the NCHSAA sent both schools letters  informing them by rule that they are ineligible for the state football playoffs since both have had at least three players thrown out of games this season.  Trask at 2-5 and West Bladen at 5-2 can start basketball practice after their 11th game.  By the way WB won the game 46-24.

Rocky Mount girls tennis team knows that they will play Topsoil next Tuesday in Rocky Mount in the second round of the Duel Women's tennis championships.  Rain force many first round matches to Wednesday including Hunt who knock off once beaten C B Aycock and advance to round two.  More than likely they will play Cardinal Gibbons.

Last week went 6-1 on my high school picks which runs my guess record for the year to 51-11 .  If you thought last week's games were great look at what's up and coming Friday.  Scheduling when you only have five conference games is critical when you might be having to play three on the road and only two home conference games.  It is vital regardless of who you are you must win on your home turf.  How big is home field.  Nash Central was the only home loser last week.  Hunt and Northern Nash are the contenders playing at home against other contenders who need to protect home field this Friday.

Rocky Mount @ Hunt:  Hunt got all they wanted from Northern Last week and coming to Wilson County is Rocky Mount.  Both are tied for first and for one they will still be no worse than tied for first.  The Gryphons must show me that they got their heads right because they can't give  Hunt extra downs or short fields with penalties.  Hunt 27- Rocky Mount 21

In Death Valley Northern right now tied for last can't afford a 0-2 start play Southern the team that popped previously unbeaten Fike.  Teams tend to play better at home and Northern didn't play that badly on the road at Hunt last week.  Northern drops another to the one loss column as they beat Southern   31-28

Fike is probably boiling mad and they have the perfect team to take out their anger on in  Nash Central.  Suspect by the fourth quarter the clocking is running in this one.  Fike 56- NC 7

Last week RMA handled Parrot and earlier this year Parrot beat Southampton at Southampton.  RMA beat Parrot at Parrot so I would assume they can beat  Southampton in Rocky Mount .  RMA 56 Southampton 38.

SouthWest Edgecombe travels to Washington who seems down somewhat this year.  The Cougars got a roll going and it continues SWE 36 Washington 21

North Edgecombe host Riverside Martin.  I think the Warriors will play Tarboro the last game of the season for the conference championship.  NE 26 Riverside 18

Rocky Mount Prep is at Tarboro.  Tarboro rolled last week and I see nothing slowing their roll down hill.  The Vikings 52 RM Prep 8.

Lady Gryphons Advance.

Rocky Mount High's girls tennis team advanced to the second round of the State duel playoffs winning every match 6-0 over Southern Guilford.  Afternoon showers could have force a delay but the match was moved to Belmont Lakes.

Both Rocky Mount and Northern Nash lost in the semi finals of the Big East Volleyball Tournament. Hunt plays at Fike for the tournament crown.

Last week went 9-5-1 on NFL Picks so I guess we will drop the tie as if that game never happened so I stand right now  through six weeks of NFL season done at 61-28.

Thursday night has those J-E-T-S traveling to New England and on paper this looks like a mis-match and I think it will be.  Pats 31- Turbo Props. 16

Atlanta At Baltimore> What in the world has happen to Atlanta?  No defense at all and not enough offense to outscore the other side.  Ravens 31- Birds 13

Titans at Redskins> If you were going to try to predict a game that ends in a tie this one would be it.  These two can't beat their way out of a wet bag.  Just maybe the Redskins would get out of a wet bag first.  Skins 24- Titans  17

Seattle At Rams>  Rams looked great for about a quarter against the 49's.  Seahawks still trying to play defense the old fashion way try to knock your teeth out but I think you can see the couple of people who got big contracts and went else where has hurt the Hawks some.  This will be a close one but Seahawks will survive 27-24.

Browns at Jacksonville>  Browns are playing great, Jags are not..    About time for the Browns to lost one they shouldn't  Jags 23 Browns 21

Bengals at Colts>  Having thrown a tie into the loop Cincinnati needs this one. Letting the Panthers score 37 last week , how many can the Colts get?   Colts 45 Bengal Tigers 31

Vikings at Bills>  One of those who cares who wins games as neither will be going anywhere past December.  I like the Bills 26-23

Miami at Chicago>  Will this be the good Cutler or bad Cutler? I think even if it is the bad, Bears win anyway.  27-20

New Orleans at Detroit> Preseason thought Saints win this one.  Now who are the Saints?  Detroit 34-Saints 27

Carolina at Green Bay>  I think Carolina is better than what everybody thinks but going to the not yet frozen tundra will not be easy.  Same question for the Panthers if Cincy gets 37 how many with double check man get.    GB 35 Carolina 23

Kansas City At San Diego>  KC is really good  and have played one of the toughest  schedules in  NFL.    San Diego has their 4th center  and 4th string back in with Rivers.  This is the time if the Chargers can get healthy they could be a beast but they must survive and get in playoffs.  This is one of those games both need.  Chargers 31-KC 30

Cardinals At Raiders>  Second game for new coach at Oakland and they played inspired against Chargers.  Bout time the Raiders jumped somebody.  Oakland 27 Phoenix 24

Giants at Dallas> Ok how many times have you see a NFC East team start out 6-2 and another 2-6 and the 2/6 wins the division.  Could happen again this year but it won't be the Giants .  Dallas 27- Giants 17

49's at Denver>  Oh boy this is one of those games.  Both these teams need this one and especially Denver.  Chargers coming next Thursday.  Denver 32 San Fan 27

Houston at Pitt> I think this game will show you how old the Steelers are.  Houston 27 Steelers 17

Jeff Craddock Preaches God And Life

Our teachers and coaches in our area are some of the best anywhere. Some coaches coach more than one sport  and then there are the coaches who teach about  God and Life.  The Sunset Church Of God in Tarboro for several years now has had a Sunday there they invite all the athletes from the area to come to their church and hear Jeff Craddock talk about life with God and living life in our world today.

Sunset Church of God on an average Sunday has between two to three hundred to attend.  This past Sunday with all the athletes it is estimated almost 600 were there which many could not get inside the church.  Afterwards a meal was provided outside where church member had a struggle Saturday to prepare for the feast.  The church had several pop up tents set up Saturday afternoon when the wind storm came and destroyed every one.  Not to fear the church cleaned out all the Wal-marts in the area getting more tents set up.

I am so thankful during a year when Tarboro to most people in Tarboro would say they are having an awful year as they stand at 4-3. They are lead by a coach that continues to do God's work even when expectations on the football field might not be up to everyone in Tarboro's wish.

The duel championships in women's tennis start today as Rocky Mount host Burlington Williams and the Big East #2 team Hunt is on the road at C B Aycock.  RM is 16-1 on the season while Williams is 11-1.  Aycock is 15-1 and Hunt 14-2.  Only two teams from the Big East  make the playoffs in tennis.  If football only had two the playoffs could be over by December.

Today the two Nash County Big East volleyball teams still alive in the Big East tournament travel to the top two teams in the Big East.  Rocky Mount and Northern Nash both won their first round games and they now  Get Fike and Hunt.  The two winners will play for the conference tournament title later this week.

After thoughts:

How bout them Cowboys!  Got to give them credit I never thought they could go to Seattle and beat the Super Bowl champs.

Just doesn't seem the Seahawks are as good as they were last year.  As good as Russell Wilson has played he is a lot better qb with the lead that having to catch up.

Philip Rivers set another NFL record Sunday when he became the first quarterback in NFL history to have a quarterback rating over 120 five games in a row.  He broke the record of four previously held by Johnny Unitas  and Kurt Warner.

The good Manning brother Peyton continues to assault Brett Farves touchdown career total  of 508.  Manning should tie or break the record this weekend.  He now stands at 506. 

Battling Bishops Rolling

North Carolina Wesleyan won their third game in a row Saturday beating La Grange 48-21.  Battling Bishop quarterback Dustin Midgett set a school record tossing six touchdown passes which also tied the USA South record.  Midgett a sophomore from Currituck High school has helped the Battling Bishops to a 3-1 conference record and 4-2 over all record.  Wouldn't you know it,  now that they have won three games in a row and are hot.  They have an off week coming up.

The first week of the conference football races are in the books and Southern Nash's victory over Fike came as a surprise to many but talking with Firebird fans most of the injuries they have had so far this year are over as just about everyone is healthy.  Really good time to be healthy.

Hunt beat Northern in Randy Raper's first return.  Most of the way Hunt goes about their business is a carry over from the 22 years Raper was the head coach.  Why change a winning way?  Now at Northern Raper is trying to get Northern to play that same way that is good for Hunt.  Two teams squared off Friday night and looked the same.  Northern is up and coming.  Under Randy Raper Northern Nash is future is very bright.

Fike  found out Friday night there is no team in the Big East scare of any body else.  I think their losing will probably mean the conference winner may have one loss by the end of the first week in November.  That will not get who ever is number one a very high seed in the playoffs  but in two or three cases this year in the Big East it doesn't matter where they play.

Rocky Mount had little trouble with Nash Central.  I will tell you this one of the best football players in the Big East is Rashawn Harris.  He returned another punt for a touchdown and had a int.  Rocky Mount is a rather good team with him in the lineup. 

Thursday I help Bobby English and the chain crew at Rocky Mount during the JV football game between the Bulldogs and Gryphons.  The chain crew is on the visitors sidelines and you can hear the coaches calling plays.  You should hear some of the calls.  Sounds like CIA Encrypted code.  Noticed every player both Thursday night and Friday for Nash Central as they leave the huddle look at their play sheets as each one had on  their wrist.  This is not the NFL where players watch film six hours a day and go practice for an hour and a half.  They have time to learn all that double  talk where high school kids are suppose to go home and study homework not decode what I'm suppose to do on Bronco right,  zip left, uncle Larry blue  tango.

My old  high school coach Al Vaughn told us his objective every play was make 4 yards.  Any thing more than that was gravy.  I heard this more than once after a five or six yard run.  He would holler out run the same play.  He use to say that one of the most demoralizing things that happens to any team is they can't stop it when they know it's coming.  In Nash Central's case it's hard to make four yards when your players leave the huddle looking at their play sheet. 

Dis-ci-pline

The definition  of discipline has three parts.  1.  Control that is gained by requiring rules or orders to be obeyed and punishing bad behavior.  2.  A way of behaving that shows a willingness to follow rules or orders.  3.  Behavior that is judged by how well it follows a set of rules or orders.

Due to the fact that Campbell volleyball  has played every Friday night since high school football season the Rocky Mount-Nash Central game was only my second Gryphon  varsity football game of the year.  I heard from the crowd several times that the Gryphons had to beat 16 on the field meaning the refs as well as as the players on the field from Nash Central.

The Gryphons were penalized way to many times for personal fouls or unsportsmanlike like conduct. Yes this Gryphon team has outstanding talent as they say at the skilled positions.  It wasn't hard at all to see the infractions of the rules.  The only major penalty I didn't see was the ruffing the passer because I followed the ball down field and at the time the Nash Central passer threw the ball  with no Gryphon on top of him at release.

We already see that the top level of the Big East is once again loaded with teams  that can do great damage to other teams once the playoffs start.  Unless the Gryphons get their act together they will not fall in the category  of a team that will play many nights in November.

You simply can not give good teams first downs by playing stupid.  The Gryphons played the worse team in the Big East Friday and if they continue this type of play they will finish just one slot ahead of the Bulldogs.  A fifth place finish will send they to a very high seed in the playoffs where they will get their heads handed to them on a platter and it will be basketball season.

If you are one of those who thinks the refs are out to get us they probably are.  Since Friday's game was not the first time the Gryphons have had 100 yards of penalties teams get reputations.  Refs know before they step on the field  that Rocky Mount talks too much junk so they are looking for it.  The Gryphons are easy prey for a ref because the first play of the game two Gryphons were in the face of Nash Central's D one football prospect after the play was over.  If I can see it from the stands you know the refs can hear it.

Remaining on the Gryphon schedule is the meat of the Big East.  There is not a game left where they can give the other team a short field or a first down from penalties after they have made a defensive stop.  If these penalties don't stop the Gryphons will not win another game  this year including the playoffs.

That would be very unfortunate because this team has talent.  This team could have the best over all speed in the Big East. Their blocking is average and maybe under sized on the defensive front but speed makes up for Many short comings.  Speed does not make up for undisciplined actions when the team on the other side of the ball is not only good but disciplined.

This past week the North Carolina  Shrine Bowl team was announced an only one player from the Big East made the team and that player is Nash Central's Houshon Gaines.  The defensive end will be in Spartanburg South Carolina on December 20th playing for the North Carolina squad.