Get Off My Back Monkey

Jason Battle weights 50 pounds less than he did when he took the field Friday night carrying his Gryphons to Elon and Western Alamance High School.  Battle's first year as coach of  the Gryphons they laid an egg in an opening round home loss to Jacksonville and last year even though not favored were dominated by Orange losing 31-3.

The Gryphons were not favored Friday but steller defense holding WA on a fourth down from the 50 with less than a foot to go and taking the ball down the field for the winning score.  No longer does Jason Battle have to ride that monkey around on his shoulders.  If you look at Battle's first three years you might say that this is the first win for the Gryphons over a team that was deemed better than them.

If there was one coaching point that if I was Battle I would be preaching on Monday is look what we can do when we keep our mouth shut.  I have many people who give me information and I heard Friday night from a ref who has done a couple of Rocky Mount games this year and I can tell you he said Rocky Mount is the talkingest team by far of all the games he has done this year.  You can bet other refs have heard from others and before they step on the field they are watching.  No major issues against Western Alamance and what comes from it but a great Gryphon comeback win.

Up next for the Gryphons is the top seed in the east Southern Guilford.  12-0.  I know Battle and his coaches are already looking at Southern Guilford but if I was a player I would celebrate until practice on Monday after their effort against the WA Warriors.

Another Monkey removed from the Gryphons was the stigma of having lost to WA three times since 2005 in the State playoffs.  2005 the Warriors came into Rocky Mount  for the eastern Finals when the Gryphon only loss of the year had been a very respectable 35-20 loss to Rose.  When everyone went home after the game there was no doubt that WA was the best team winning 30-10.

2006 in the third round WA gave up the lead very late in the game 37-34 only to score with seconds remaining to beat the Gryphons 41-37 and breaking the Gryphons hearts.  The following year another thrilling tussle at Western Alamance as WA lead 43-36 with the Gryphons driving with less than a minute to go and WA picked of a pass which became a pick six  50-36 win.

2005,2006,2007 the Gryphons were 12-2, 10-4 and 14-1 a record of  36-7 during that span but 0-3 against Western Alamance.  The Gryphons preformed an Exorism on Friday night.  Jason Battle has won a playoff game and the Gryphon Nation finally beat that demon  Western Alamance.

Perfect Season

Rocky Mount Academy has completed their first undefeated season beating Parrott Academy to win the  NC eight man football title for the second season in a row.  Cold weather didn't hinder the crowd  as over two thousand came  to Bishop Stadium. RMA lead 26-14 at the half and a sloppy third quarter of penalties to RMA and fumbles marred Parrott. Both teams scored once in the fourth quarter  as The Eagles finish the season 12-0 after a 33-20 win over Parrott.

The real upset of the night almost happened in Stanhope as  Burlington Williams came close to knocking off the top seed in the Big East.  Down 14-7 just before the half Firebirds were driving on the two yard line when an intercepted pass was returned 98 yards for a pick six and a 21-7 Williams lead.  The second half saw the Firebirds fight back but every time they scored Williams did just enough to stay ahead  Burlington Williams lead   28-20 in the fourth quarter.  Southern Nash would not be denied as they score twice late to beat Burlington Williams  35-28.

Tonight Rocky Mount has gone to a place where they have been twice  in the last ten years only to lose deep in the high school playoffs.  Rashawn Harris scored on a 16 yard run to tie game in the second quarter but the Gryphons scored twice in the fourth quarter after Western Alamance had taken a 14-7 lead on   runs by Nick Bynum and his last score came with 2:41 to go.  Gryphons win 21-14

Tonight we can give you at least one reason why there is too many teams in the high school playoffs.  Tarboro played host to Hobbton and they are a traditional power most years but not this year.  By halftime the clock was already running at Tarboro as they had forged a 49 to 0 lead.  Need I say more the Vikings win  61-0.

The game nobody wanted to play this week Hunt gave Fike all they wanted in this opening round playoff game but in the end Fike holds off their arch rival  Hunt 21-16

Back in August when Rocky Mount had their football jamboree one of the teams that looked good was SE Halifax.  Didn't really pay all that much attention to them but tonight as expected having lost only once on the season SE crushes RM Prep 54-8.  The Prepsters have made more progress this year but were no match for SE Halifax.

There was a time in the second quarter when SouthWest Edgecombe and North Brunswick were  14-13 SWE. A second half dominated by the Cougars SWE advances with a 35-13 win.

North Edgecombe demonstrated that they are a real contender  in the 1-A playoffs as they shut out  Kestrel Heights  47-0 so between Tarboro and North Edgecombe they win 108-0 tonight.

All local teams from the Big East and the Twin Counties all win with the exception of Hunt who lost to Fike.

Finally Feels like Football Weather

Several teams from around the area start high school playoffs tonight while RMA tries to wrap up another state title in eight man.  The college scene has NC Wesleyan wrapping up their season as well as the other area colleges hitting the ten games played mark.  Went 4-1 last week to run my guess record for the year in college games to 75-25.

Huntingdon Al at N C Wesleyan:  This should be an excellent game to finish up the season with.  Huntingdon is second while Wesleyan is middle of the pack.  This has been a fairly good season for the Battling Bishops and could get topped off if they can spring an upset.  Home field will help but Huntingdon wins 34-28

The Big one in the ACC has Florida State traveling to Miami.  Let's face it FSU played a couple of strong teams early but nobody the last six weeks or so.  The folks with the playoff vote have been dropping the Noles every week due to their lack luster play.  The Canes will be the team to knock Florida State off the ACC perch.  Miami 38- FSU 35

Clemson and Georgia Tech:  Should FSU go undefeated the winner of this game will be in competition with Duke for the Orange Bowl game.  Clemson has been hurt by injuries but somehow or other during this period in football where the quarterback passing is king Georgia Tech keeps on running the wishbone and winning 9 games every year.  I'll take Tech  36-33

Virginia Tech after beating Ohio State hasn't done much since.  Duke just keeps on winning and I think they win again this week in a low scoring game.  Duke  24  VA Tech 17

Pitt at North Carolina:  I hope the score board has new light bulbs because the points will be flying.  Hope a week off for the Tar Heels helps the defense.  Pitt 52- Carolina 42

Wake at N C State:  Wake has a good defense which will probably hold the Pack scoring down.  A win and the Pack will have enough wins to be Bowl Eligible.  Pack 31- Wake 17

Time to vent:   Now that everyone plays 12 football games please change the bowl eligibility to seven wins.  No team 6-6 has earned a special trip to a bowl game.

The state 1-A playoffs in the east have eight teams that range from 1-8, 2-6, 2-9, 2-8, 3-8, 3-7, 3-7 4-7.  What are they doing in the playoffs.  If their is not enough quality teams cut 1-A back to a four game playoff PLEASE.

Eagles Go For Two Straight

The Rocky Mount Academy Eagles go after their second straight NC eight man football title Friday and in the process go after their first ever undefeated season in Eagle History.  Arendell Parrott  Academy a team they have already beaten by 18 earlier this year in Kinston stands in RMA's way for their second straight title.

This will not be an easy game by any means.  If the Eagles are not ready from the get go in this one Parrott could easily pull the upset.  Expect a large crowd again this year as there is no Rocky Mount school at home this weekend so many will be out in force like last year supporting the Eagles and the newly named Bishops Stadium..  Eagles will get the job done 54-34.

Rocky Mount Prep the #15 seed in 1-A travels to SE Halifax who holds down the #2 seed and have already dispose of the Jags once this year 58-8.  Might not be as bad as earlier but a loss for Prep.  SEH 49 RMP 16

North Edgecombe has demonstrated this year that they are very capable of going deep into the 1-A playoffs and since Tarboro is 1-AA they very well might.  # 12 seed Kestrel Heights out of Durham will take on the #5 seed Warriors and North Edgecombe will advance 33-12

Tarboro the # three seed in 1-AA host Hobbton who in most years is near the top of the bracket not the bottom.  Hobbton is a 14 seed having won but twice and I see no way they get number three.  The Vikings win going away 38-13

SouthWest Edgecombe has proven to be well tested as they have played four other area teams in the Twin Counties who are seeded high in their playoff bracket.  Cougars are a 6 seed hosting the #11 North Brunswick.  By night's end the Cougars will play another Friday.  44-21

In the why do we have to do this game Hunt #15 travels to Fike #2.  Hunt lost by 30 at home to Fike last week but we switch sites this week and the score will not be as bad but Fike still wins. 35-20

Southern Nash the Big East champs and a four seed host #13 Burlington Williams.  The trick for the Firebirds and hold on to the ball and they can beat almost anybody.  Put it on the ground two or three times they may finish up on Friday.  Firebirds advance 28-14.

The Rocky Mount Gryphons a nine seed has to hit the road to eight seed Western Alamance a place where it is easy for Gryphons to find having  played a 3rd and 4th round playoff games there in last seven years.  7-4 and just maybe could have been 9-2 with less talk on the field.  This game just might be another great one between these two programs.  It would be something if this Gryphon team could beat WA after two far superior teams couldn't.   Western Alamance  27 Rocky Mount 17.

Had a 7-0 week last week in picking the final week of the high school season.  As we head to the playoffs now stand at 71-20.

Extra Work Pays Off

That private closed door meeting I had with myself plus all those extra wind sprints got me back on the right track in the NFL football picks.  Considering how lousy I have been the last two weeks a very decent 9-4 on the week pushing my record to 92-53.  The NFL is getting down to the point now where every win or loss could knock a team out of the playoffs or put them squarely in it.

Got one right off the bat with playoff implications.  Buffalo at Miami.  Miami beat down of San Diego has them squarely in the hunt and so are the Bills.  I like the fish in this one by the tuna  of 26-17.

Minnesota at Chicago: Can the Bears be as bad as they have played the last two weeks. It is about time for Jay Cutler to play like Superman because the last two weeks he has been super bad.  I'll take Chicago  but just bearly.  26-24.

Houston and Cleveland:  The Browns are first in their division.  Houston needs this one,  bout time for Cleveland to lay an egg.  Not this week Browns  23- Texans 17.

Atlanta at Carolina;  The loser can kiss this season good bye I don't care if New Orleans doesn't win but 8 games this year.  I like Cam at home and only because they are home.   24-21

Cincinnati at New Orleans:  Everyone expects the Saints to take off and win about five in a row.  The Bengals are another one of those great one week and sorry the next.  Sounds like the Saints too.  Brees is good enough in this one 31-21

Tampa Bay at Washington:  One of the dud games of the week.  Neither team going anywhere  when the season is over except home.  Skins win another one.  31-24

Denver at St Louis:  The Broncs had better not sleep on this one.  St Louis is one of those teams you had better look out for next year.  Peyton throws some more TD's Denver 35-21

San Fran at the G-men.  Looks like the 9er's beginning to put a little something together while the Giants still have Peyton's little brother and that's enough for me 49's  30 Giants  17

Seahawks at KC:  This game has playoffs wrote all over it.  Both need it and one will lose.  I'll take Chiefs  27-23.

Oakland at San Diego:  Winless Raiders against the got to have a win Chargers  River returns to over a hundred QB rating Chargers 31 Oakland 20.

Detroit at Phoenix:  Cardinals lose their starting qb but that has nothing to do with defense.  Cards 24-21

Philadephia at Green Bay:  May be the frozen Tundra this week and right now who can go against the double check man..  GB 38- Philly30

New England at Indianapolis:  Another AFC position game.  Somehow Indy wins a shootout   38-35.

Steelers at Titans:  I still think Steelers are too old on defense.  Might be a 17-16 type game and Nashville might win.

Hendricks Tops National In All Purpose Yards

You may have wondered what happened to the Big East player of the year in football in 2011 Jalen Hendricks of Nash Central.  Jalen is a member of the Livingstone football team located in Salisbury NC.  Livingstone is a member of the CIAA and that puts them smack in the middle of Division II football.

If you go to NCAA.org and look under the stats you will find that Jalen is fourth in the nation in pass receiving yards getting 118.9 yards per game.  There is one other stat that will impress you about Hendricks is he leads the nation in D2 in all purpose yards.  That's receiving, rushing, punt returns, kickoff returns any thing that helps your team move forward.  So far this year Jalen is averaging 210.33 yard per game which leads all of D2.

Todd Gurley is out of the penalty box and is ready to rejoin his team mates at Georgia this weekend.  He has missed four games for taking three thousand dollars in cash for signing his name to Georgia gear.  Up until his suspension Gurley was the leader in the race for the Heisman Trophy but his bench time has knocked him out of the running.

Barry Nethercutt of Rocky Mount has been named the Big East coach of the year after his team lost only two matches all season in women's tennis.

All schools at some time or other lose students because of death or illness and Rocky Mount High is one of the latest.  My senior year in high school our class lost four members in an auto crash six days before our graduation.  If you live life long enough we all have to go through life losing a loved one or in this case a class mate and teammate.

The Rocky Mount girls basketball team has the biggest adjustment to make with the loss Tiara Hinton.  She was not only one of the taller players but with this upcoming team would have been one of the better players.  Hinton was not the only basketball player in the car as another Lady Gryphon  and two boy players were there as well as one of the boys driving.  None of us know at anytime that we might be that person who hits some one and injury or death may be caused.  I pray for the Hinton family as they begin life with a hole in their heart for Tiara.  We must also remember that those left behind have to carry the burden of responsibility and he needs our prayers too.

Why Only Football

Can anyone tell me why football is the only sport played in the North Carolina public education that there  are eight state champions?  Don't tell me it is because football generates so much money that more games are more money.  Basketball the other great money generator only has four champions and if you wanted to make more money with more games surely since you can play two and three basketball games per week basketball would be the best sport to play more games.

Fike gets a home playoff game in the first game of the state playoffs and as the number two seed in the east they play the number 15 seed Hunt.  Not only  a cross county rival but also  a Big East partner with Fike.  So the state association will tell you they have this formula and they let the chips fall where they land.  How much more time would it take the state to browse through the brackets and where two teams from the same conference go head to head in the first round make an adjustment?

Why it only took me to look at the number one seed in the 3-A east to find the number one team Southern Durham facing off with conference foe Cardinal Gibbons the number 16 seed.  Wasn't there anybody in Chapel Hill looking and saying why don't we flip flop the 15th and 16th seeds.  Send Hunt to Southern Durham and Cardinal Gibbons to Wilson.  There are many conference games being played this Friday in the first round. The State association is not doing a service to it's members with such idiotic  seedings.  This past election many old timers were thrown out of office.  Might be time for the NCHSAA schools do something to wake up the sleeping parties in Chapel Hill.

 Past years the playoff brackets are hardly ever official until 5 to 6 pm.  They were official at 12:40pm.  Guess the folks at the high school athletic association had to get to Kenan Stadium for the Carolina kickoff.  Oh no, Carolina didn't play Saturday.  How long would it take to scan the brackets and everywhere there are conference against same conference make a switch.  That will probably take to at least 1pm.

The gorilla on the back of Jason Battle is he has had three very good years since becoming the head coach at Rocky Mount.  His regular season record is 23-8.  That gorilla is he is 0-2 in the playoffs.  There can be no complaint from Rocky Mount  about a 9th place seeding.  They head to Western Alamance the 8th seed who carries a 9-2 record.  The Gryphons will not be favored in this one.  Should they somehow pull an upset then they are set to possibly play the number one seed in 3-A the undefeated team Southern Guilford.  No easy road at all for the Gryphons.

All teams from the Big East are out of the soccer playoffs.  Hunt lost in the fourth round to Cardinal Gibbons 2-1.  CB now plays Jacksonville another eastern team that has been a thorn in the side of the Big East in the past.