The Rocky Mount Gryphons have played the first three weeks of the playoffs all at home and there is still two more weeks for who ever survives next week. Simply too many games. Just suppose you were Morehead who had played the first three on the road and if they had beat the Gryphons would have played one more before Chapel Hill.
The Gryphons displayed their entire game plan in all three. Let's pound pound pound and see how things look in the fourth quarter. Morehead deployed the passing game designed to give their backs the ball outside the tackle box area because of their thirty rushing attempts only ten snaps went to the backs for eight yards. The quarterback had twenty carries for ninety yards.
Many of those tosses by the Panthers the Gryphons had men in place to make defensive plays but it was hard to stop them when many times they went for it on fourth down. Hard to believe the stats that the Gryphons held them to 204 yards on only 29 pass attempts. Seemed like they passed a lot more.
The trio of Gryphon backs with the most carries over the playoff Haul have done the job which has to give the Gryphon blockers credit that on the final offensive play the Gryphons run up the middle practically untouched. There are times when you need to loosen up eight men in the box Forest Bell was perfect passing the ball. The Gryphons averaged 9.3 yards per play on 48 plays. The defense held the Panthers to 302 yards on 59 plays or right at five yards per play. Morehead wanted to control the ball and they did but they could not stop the Gryphons when their defense was on the field.
It was the largest crowd at the new school's football field. I do have to question where the Rocky Mount band was? The Morehead crowd was their early except for their band that didn't arrive until middle of the second quarter. The Gryphon crowd didn't get seated until the end of the first quarter. The Panther cheerleader were the best we have seen all year. They cheered base on what was happening and they had the crowd cheering with them. Once the band got there they never stopped playing.
This third round game shows you how some where you have to play defense. Morehead gave up 35 points two games in a row and they just could not score enough points to keep winning. This was the best game I've seen in a while. The next question for the Gryphons is can they keep out scoring further foes for two more weeks?
This Monday in order to be State Champions in football the Gryphons need two wins in eleven days as the 3A championship is Friday night in Chapel Hill at 7:30pm. Ooh so close.
Monday, November 30, 2015
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Battle Reaches Milestone
The football playoffs with so many local teams playing has taken up a whole lot of space over the first three weeks of November in this blog. Recently the Lady Knights were winners and on that night was the 500th win for Grover Battle.
Two things that mark greatness in coaches is state championships and Grover Battle has one at Northern Nash. The other is winning 500 or more games during their coaching career. You must remember that in high school twenty to twenty five games is about all teams play every year so it is not like colleges when they may play 30 or more every year.
There is a banner hanging in the gym at Northern for one of their legendary coaches Bill Ennis. It is time to make room for one more.
Carmen Richardson sophomore guard for Queens University in Charlotte and former Lady Gryphon was named the Astro Turf South Atlantic player of the week on November 23rd after scoring 44 points in two games. She gathered 12 rebounds and 5 assists.
This was a very good year for Kyle Holland who quarterbacked the Eagles of Rocky Mount Academy. During the season he was honored by Tom Suitor and WRAL TV as The extra Effort award winner and last Sunday he was recognized by the Carolina Panthers and the U S Air Force as a Community Captain.
In order to qualify to be a Community Captain you must do more than excel on the football field but have at least a 3.0 grade point average and do community service work in your community. Congratulations to Kyle
Wes Bradshaw gave me a heads up this week that I needed to check out the Winter League baseball. Former Gryphon Brian Goodwin who finished the baseball season in AA baseball which from the Washington Nationals expectations of Brian last season was a major disappointment. Brian is playing Winter Ball in Venesuela.
This week has just started the second half of the season which runs through December 29th. The first half Goodwin hit 289 with 2 homers, a triple and five doubles.
If you recall at the beginning of the 2014 season Brian was scheduled to be the starting center fielder for the Nationals in 2015. A poor first half of the season Goodwin was hitting a mere 229 when a shoulder injury ended his season and it also ended his dream of playing in Washington in 2015.
Another slow start had Goodwin demoted from AAA to AA and demoted as the Nationals top prospect to the mid 20's. This either shows the Nationals haven't given up on Goodwin if they haven't it would show injuries are the poor performance by Goodwin or they are advertising him as trade bait. The Nationals have several players who have announced they were trying free agency and if the Nationals don't resign most of them the Nationals will have several holes to fill which could be done by their farm system or trading farm system players for top of the line players from other teams or signing free agents.
Two things that mark greatness in coaches is state championships and Grover Battle has one at Northern Nash. The other is winning 500 or more games during their coaching career. You must remember that in high school twenty to twenty five games is about all teams play every year so it is not like colleges when they may play 30 or more every year.
There is a banner hanging in the gym at Northern for one of their legendary coaches Bill Ennis. It is time to make room for one more.
Carmen Richardson sophomore guard for Queens University in Charlotte and former Lady Gryphon was named the Astro Turf South Atlantic player of the week on November 23rd after scoring 44 points in two games. She gathered 12 rebounds and 5 assists.
This was a very good year for Kyle Holland who quarterbacked the Eagles of Rocky Mount Academy. During the season he was honored by Tom Suitor and WRAL TV as The extra Effort award winner and last Sunday he was recognized by the Carolina Panthers and the U S Air Force as a Community Captain.
In order to qualify to be a Community Captain you must do more than excel on the football field but have at least a 3.0 grade point average and do community service work in your community. Congratulations to Kyle
Wes Bradshaw gave me a heads up this week that I needed to check out the Winter League baseball. Former Gryphon Brian Goodwin who finished the baseball season in AA baseball which from the Washington Nationals expectations of Brian last season was a major disappointment. Brian is playing Winter Ball in Venesuela.
This week has just started the second half of the season which runs through December 29th. The first half Goodwin hit 289 with 2 homers, a triple and five doubles.
If you recall at the beginning of the 2014 season Brian was scheduled to be the starting center fielder for the Nationals in 2015. A poor first half of the season Goodwin was hitting a mere 229 when a shoulder injury ended his season and it also ended his dream of playing in Washington in 2015.
Another slow start had Goodwin demoted from AAA to AA and demoted as the Nationals top prospect to the mid 20's. This either shows the Nationals haven't given up on Goodwin if they haven't it would show injuries are the poor performance by Goodwin or they are advertising him as trade bait. The Nationals have several players who have announced they were trying free agency and if the Nationals don't resign most of them the Nationals will have several holes to fill which could be done by their farm system or trading farm system players for top of the line players from other teams or signing free agents.
Friday, November 27, 2015
4th Quarter Grit
If you were not there you missed the best game played at Rocky Mount since the Eastern Final loss to West Craven 22-19 In 2008 but this game was better than that because this game came down to who had the ball last. Rocky Mount only had seven possessions in the game and they scored five times. Morehead had a 78 yard kickoff return and they recover a pooch kick after Rocky Mount failed to catch.
Morehead had 8 processions and Rocky Mount stopped them twice on an opening drive interception and held them to a field goal on another and one more fourth quarter stop which was good enough to win the third round playoff game and advance to the Eastern Finals for the first time since 2008 with a 35-31 come from behind win.
The Panthers took the opening kickoff and use a short passing game and moved down the field and kept the clock moving until they threw the ball for the first time down field got picked off By Gryphon Detrell Revis. Rocky Mount wasted little time marching down the field and got a 31 yard rumble from Nick Bynum an a pat from Chase Miller and the led 7-0 with 4:06 to play in the first quarter.
The lead was short lived as Judakiss Jumper fielded the kickoff and proceeded to run 78 yards untouched for the tying TD. The Gryphons got timely completions but the main bulk of yardage once again came from the running backs and the Gryphons regained the lead at 11:35 of the second quarter on a ten yard touchdown. The Gryphons got sneaky and out of the extra point set threw a two point conversion making it 15-7.
It was Moreheads ball and here they go throwing many passes to their backs and quarterback Will Dabbs running from the shotgun moved down the field and scored on a eight yard pass Dabbs to broadnax making it 15-13. The Gryphon two pointer force the Panthers to try one which the Gryphons snuffed out.
The first time the Panthers stopped the Gryphons was the Gryphons 3rd drive of the half and punted. The Panthers took advantage scoring with 25 seconds on a Daunte King one yard plunge and a two pointer to give Morehead a 21-15 half time lead.
The second half pooch kick was recovered by Morehead and they didn't take long before they scored on a Will Dabbs sneak and with 8:19 left in the third quarter the Gryphons found themselves down 15-28.
It took less than two minutes for the Gryphons to pound the football for a touchdown when Nick Bynum from 22 yards out and the Miller extra point cut the lead to 28-22 with 7:08 in the third. From this point on either the Gryphons slow down the Panthers or this season is over and they did just enough.
Using a controlled passing game the Gryphons stop Morehead to a field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter so they were killing the clock at 11:45 to play in the game it is now 31-22. By this point in the game Rocky Mount was pounding the football at will and scored with 9:15 to play on a 29 yard run from Tyrell Forbes but the extra point hit the right bar and the score is 31-28
The Panthers once again moved the ball down the field and face 4th six at the a Rocky Mount 13 had to go for a touchdown because a field goal would be one point short if the Gryphons scored another touchdown. The Gryphons got their best pass rush of the game forcing a quick pass and an incompletions.
Four minutes the Gryphons rammed it down the field and scored with 44 seconds left but a wide receiver was in motion taking away the touchdown. Trying to be as dramatic as possible the Gryphons waited until four seconds to play and Nick Bynum scored standing up to send the Gryphons back to Eastern Alamance a 26-20 overtime winner over Southern Guilford.
The Gryphon stands were three quarters full and there was maybe 25 more people that could have found a seat on the Morehead side. The crowd was great and they got their money's worth.
Tarboro loses 21-14 to James Kenan
SouthWest Edgecombe romps 56-14 over Fairmont
Southside beat North Edgecombe 36-24
Morehead had 8 processions and Rocky Mount stopped them twice on an opening drive interception and held them to a field goal on another and one more fourth quarter stop which was good enough to win the third round playoff game and advance to the Eastern Finals for the first time since 2008 with a 35-31 come from behind win.
The Panthers took the opening kickoff and use a short passing game and moved down the field and kept the clock moving until they threw the ball for the first time down field got picked off By Gryphon Detrell Revis. Rocky Mount wasted little time marching down the field and got a 31 yard rumble from Nick Bynum an a pat from Chase Miller and the led 7-0 with 4:06 to play in the first quarter.
The lead was short lived as Judakiss Jumper fielded the kickoff and proceeded to run 78 yards untouched for the tying TD. The Gryphons got timely completions but the main bulk of yardage once again came from the running backs and the Gryphons regained the lead at 11:35 of the second quarter on a ten yard touchdown. The Gryphons got sneaky and out of the extra point set threw a two point conversion making it 15-7.
It was Moreheads ball and here they go throwing many passes to their backs and quarterback Will Dabbs running from the shotgun moved down the field and scored on a eight yard pass Dabbs to broadnax making it 15-13. The Gryphon two pointer force the Panthers to try one which the Gryphons snuffed out.
The first time the Panthers stopped the Gryphons was the Gryphons 3rd drive of the half and punted. The Panthers took advantage scoring with 25 seconds on a Daunte King one yard plunge and a two pointer to give Morehead a 21-15 half time lead.
The second half pooch kick was recovered by Morehead and they didn't take long before they scored on a Will Dabbs sneak and with 8:19 left in the third quarter the Gryphons found themselves down 15-28.
It took less than two minutes for the Gryphons to pound the football for a touchdown when Nick Bynum from 22 yards out and the Miller extra point cut the lead to 28-22 with 7:08 in the third. From this point on either the Gryphons slow down the Panthers or this season is over and they did just enough.
Using a controlled passing game the Gryphons stop Morehead to a field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter so they were killing the clock at 11:45 to play in the game it is now 31-22. By this point in the game Rocky Mount was pounding the football at will and scored with 9:15 to play on a 29 yard run from Tyrell Forbes but the extra point hit the right bar and the score is 31-28
The Panthers once again moved the ball down the field and face 4th six at the a Rocky Mount 13 had to go for a touchdown because a field goal would be one point short if the Gryphons scored another touchdown. The Gryphons got their best pass rush of the game forcing a quick pass and an incompletions.
Four minutes the Gryphons rammed it down the field and scored with 44 seconds left but a wide receiver was in motion taking away the touchdown. Trying to be as dramatic as possible the Gryphons waited until four seconds to play and Nick Bynum scored standing up to send the Gryphons back to Eastern Alamance a 26-20 overtime winner over Southern Guilford.
The Gryphon stands were three quarters full and there was maybe 25 more people that could have found a seat on the Morehead side. The crowd was great and they got their money's worth.
Tarboro loses 21-14 to James Kenan
SouthWest Edgecombe romps 56-14 over Fairmont
Southside beat North Edgecombe 36-24
Final Week Regular Season College Football
Went 8-1 last week running college picks for year to 86-23. Wish pro picks were like this. Just about every game this week is a traditional rival game that means so much for which ever side you pull for. Just might keep a coach on the job by beating that one game that if you won only one game every year this has to be the one.
Miami 7-4 @ Pittsburgh 8-3: A win by Pitt and they will have the surprise season over all others. Nobody expected the Panthers to be this good. Take away the Duke gift this year a complete disappointment for the Canes. Pitt 30 Miami 24
Florida St 9-2 @ Florida 10-1: Florida can still get into the playoffs. FSU could fall out of a top tier bowl with a loss. This would be a boost for ACC but Gators win. 27-23
Georgia 8-3 @ Georgia Tech 3-8: Both coaches on the hot seat. Could be fatal for Mark Reicht should Tech win, doubt it. Georgia 36 GT 21
Clemson 11-0 @ South Carolina 3-8: All Clemson needs is a win. In order to be seeded number one Clemsom may need a slaughter for style points. Close game Clemson will drop to three or four. Clemson 35 South Carolina 10
Duke 6-5 @ Wake Forest 3-8: I think with the offense Duke has just shows you how good coach Cut
and his staff are. Wake's rebuilding is at least another year away. Wake's D will keep this a low scoring game. Duke 24 Wake 14
BC 3-8 @ Syracuse 3-8: Coaching change coming at the Cuse. BC has been competitive in just about all games. Will the Orange try to win one for the coach or or BC play as the better team. BC 23. Syracuse 17
Louisville 6-5 @ Kentucky 5-6: The Ville is a perfect example of not having a quarterback can ruin a season. Other than Alabama there is no other SEC football team the Wildcats would rather beat. The Cards 34 Kentucky 26
Virginia Tech 5-6 @ Virginia 4-3: Both these teams may have new coaches next year. You know all Bowls and TV networks want a Gobbler win so Beamer ball just might be in their bowl. Gobblers win not have to wait to see if a team with losing record get in they win their 6th. Tech 27 Thomas Jefferson 23.
North Carolina 11-0 @ North Carolina State 7-4: This just maybe the most important game ever for the Tar Heels. They may be 14th in Bowl playoff but stranger things have happened. Two more victories the Heels could make the playoffs but not if they lose in Raleigh. The Pack's goal this year was nine wins which is Still possible. I know this is going to stir Tar Heel Nation but State has played the top two teams in the ACC and after this game they will have played the top three in ACC Carolina none of top teams. Pack 30 Carolina 26.
Miami 7-4 @ Pittsburgh 8-3: A win by Pitt and they will have the surprise season over all others. Nobody expected the Panthers to be this good. Take away the Duke gift this year a complete disappointment for the Canes. Pitt 30 Miami 24
Florida St 9-2 @ Florida 10-1: Florida can still get into the playoffs. FSU could fall out of a top tier bowl with a loss. This would be a boost for ACC but Gators win. 27-23
Georgia 8-3 @ Georgia Tech 3-8: Both coaches on the hot seat. Could be fatal for Mark Reicht should Tech win, doubt it. Georgia 36 GT 21
Clemson 11-0 @ South Carolina 3-8: All Clemson needs is a win. In order to be seeded number one Clemsom may need a slaughter for style points. Close game Clemson will drop to three or four. Clemson 35 South Carolina 10
Duke 6-5 @ Wake Forest 3-8: I think with the offense Duke has just shows you how good coach Cut
and his staff are. Wake's rebuilding is at least another year away. Wake's D will keep this a low scoring game. Duke 24 Wake 14
BC 3-8 @ Syracuse 3-8: Coaching change coming at the Cuse. BC has been competitive in just about all games. Will the Orange try to win one for the coach or or BC play as the better team. BC 23. Syracuse 17
Louisville 6-5 @ Kentucky 5-6: The Ville is a perfect example of not having a quarterback can ruin a season. Other than Alabama there is no other SEC football team the Wildcats would rather beat. The Cards 34 Kentucky 26
Virginia Tech 5-6 @ Virginia 4-3: Both these teams may have new coaches next year. You know all Bowls and TV networks want a Gobbler win so Beamer ball just might be in their bowl. Gobblers win not have to wait to see if a team with losing record get in they win their 6th. Tech 27 Thomas Jefferson 23.
North Carolina 11-0 @ North Carolina State 7-4: This just maybe the most important game ever for the Tar Heels. They may be 14th in Bowl playoff but stranger things have happened. Two more victories the Heels could make the playoffs but not if they lose in Raleigh. The Pack's goal this year was nine wins which is Still possible. I know this is going to stir Tar Heel Nation but State has played the top two teams in the ACC and after this game they will have played the top three in ACC Carolina none of top teams. Pack 30 Carolina 26.
Thursday, November 26, 2015
A Time For Thanksgiving
We the people of the United States have so much to be Thankful. Those considered in poverty in this country have no popped bellies like you see in third world countries when ribs are visibly seen over the poaching belly.
Today we go to Grand Ma's house and get to eat turkey, ham, collards, sweet potatoes and plenty of stuffing and gravely. Then we recline to watch football and which I believe for the first time the unbeaten Carolina Panthers take part on one of the three TV games against the team if you listen to their fans will not lose another game this year because Tony Romo is back for Dallas.
We have four high school teams who by the time you read this probably have already finished their Turkey Day work to prepare for their Friday night playoff game in the third round of the state playoffs. last week got all eight playoff games right giving me a 89-17 record for the year.
North Edgecombe 7-5 4th place Twin Rivers @ Southside 11-1 2nd place Coastal Plains. Common opponents Riverside Martin. NE lost 22-40. Southside 46-42... Northampton NE lost 32-34 Southside won 40-36. North Edgecombe averaged 32 points per game, Southside 42. The defense the Warriors gave up 23 plus while the Seahawks 16.
The Warriors are almost healthy and this game has the making of a real doozy. The tilt toward the winner is Southside is home. Southside 36 North Edgecombe 32
James Kenan 12-1 Tied first in Carolina 1A with Lakewood @ Tarboro champion of Twin Rivers 1A 12-1. Common opponents Riverside Martin. Tarboro 49-28 JK 47-14. Lakewood 37-7 Tarboro, James Kenan 35-6. Tarboro averaged. 41 points JK 44. Points allowed Tarboro 14 James Kenan 10.
This is a state championship quality game. The winner has every chance to win it all in two weeks. Once again I'll take the home team. Tarboro 24 James Kenan 21.
Fairmont 11-2 champion of Three Rivers 2A/1A @ SouthWest Edgecombe 12-1 champion of Eastern Plains 2-A. No common opponents. Cougars averaged 36 points per game, Fairmont 42. SWE yielded 15 points on defense every time out while Fairmont 19.
Over riding issue for me in this game is Fairmont plays in a split league and some are 1-A schools inflating Fairmont 's numbers. Once again I will go with the home team. The Cougars will advance SWE 38 Fairmont 24.
Morehead 10-3 3rd place Mid State 3A @ Rocky Mount 11-2 champions of the Big East. One common opponent Williams. RM 24 Williams 13. Morehead 42 Williams 15 at Williams. The Gryphons average 36 per outing while Morehead 31. The tackling side Rocky Mount gives up 18 while the Panthers 25.
This game will not be decided until the 4th quarter. The Panthers are one of the hottest teams at this point in time. Just like the others two home local teams Gryphons will be hard to beat at home. Need a full house in attendance. I think this one will be in fourth quarter before Gryphon gets control. Rocky Mount 31 Morehead 23.
So I'm taking all the home team's Friday but let me tell you. The Cougars have the best chance to advance while both Tarboro and Rocky Mount have their work cut out for themselves. North Edgecombe has a shot. All four could lose and all four could win. The best place to be Friday is in one of our four teams still alive and cheer hard.
Today we go to Grand Ma's house and get to eat turkey, ham, collards, sweet potatoes and plenty of stuffing and gravely. Then we recline to watch football and which I believe for the first time the unbeaten Carolina Panthers take part on one of the three TV games against the team if you listen to their fans will not lose another game this year because Tony Romo is back for Dallas.
We have four high school teams who by the time you read this probably have already finished their Turkey Day work to prepare for their Friday night playoff game in the third round of the state playoffs. last week got all eight playoff games right giving me a 89-17 record for the year.
North Edgecombe 7-5 4th place Twin Rivers @ Southside 11-1 2nd place Coastal Plains. Common opponents Riverside Martin. NE lost 22-40. Southside 46-42... Northampton NE lost 32-34 Southside won 40-36. North Edgecombe averaged 32 points per game, Southside 42. The defense the Warriors gave up 23 plus while the Seahawks 16.
The Warriors are almost healthy and this game has the making of a real doozy. The tilt toward the winner is Southside is home. Southside 36 North Edgecombe 32
James Kenan 12-1 Tied first in Carolina 1A with Lakewood @ Tarboro champion of Twin Rivers 1A 12-1. Common opponents Riverside Martin. Tarboro 49-28 JK 47-14. Lakewood 37-7 Tarboro, James Kenan 35-6. Tarboro averaged. 41 points JK 44. Points allowed Tarboro 14 James Kenan 10.
This is a state championship quality game. The winner has every chance to win it all in two weeks. Once again I'll take the home team. Tarboro 24 James Kenan 21.
Fairmont 11-2 champion of Three Rivers 2A/1A @ SouthWest Edgecombe 12-1 champion of Eastern Plains 2-A. No common opponents. Cougars averaged 36 points per game, Fairmont 42. SWE yielded 15 points on defense every time out while Fairmont 19.
Over riding issue for me in this game is Fairmont plays in a split league and some are 1-A schools inflating Fairmont 's numbers. Once again I will go with the home team. The Cougars will advance SWE 38 Fairmont 24.
Morehead 10-3 3rd place Mid State 3A @ Rocky Mount 11-2 champions of the Big East. One common opponent Williams. RM 24 Williams 13. Morehead 42 Williams 15 at Williams. The Gryphons average 36 per outing while Morehead 31. The tackling side Rocky Mount gives up 18 while the Panthers 25.
This game will not be decided until the 4th quarter. The Panthers are one of the hottest teams at this point in time. Just like the others two home local teams Gryphons will be hard to beat at home. Need a full house in attendance. I think this one will be in fourth quarter before Gryphon gets control. Rocky Mount 31 Morehead 23.
So I'm taking all the home team's Friday but let me tell you. The Cougars have the best chance to advance while both Tarboro and Rocky Mount have their work cut out for themselves. North Edgecombe has a shot. All four could lose and all four could win. The best place to be Friday is in one of our four teams still alive and cheer hard.
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Another Week Of NFL Agony Guessing
Another struggle to pick games last week going 8-6 to run my record for the season 86- 73. Between refs getting calls wrong and half the the teams in the NFL with their rosters on IR hard to get any rhythm picking games. Thursday Turkey triple header is first on tap.
Eagles 4-6 @ Lions 3-7: Lions finally have some mo and they are playing a team full of defections. This one should be close. Lions 31 Eagles 27
Carolina 10-0 @ Cowboys 3-7: Perfect time to get knocked off. Short week Cowboys on Thanksgiving in Dallas. Romo the Cowboy fans hero back for his second game. The Panther D has been great. Cam's improved play has come because he is not putting the ball in risk. I know it would be great not going undefeated because the streak gets more pressurized every week. This has all the signs for a Cowboy win but the Panthers make it another week 27-24.
Bears 4-6 @ Packers 7-3: There's something wrong with Packers. They need this one for any home field in playoffs. Bears improved but not enough to win in Green Bay. Packers 27 Bears 20.
Saints 4-6 @ Texans 5-5. T J Yates has made a difference for the Texans. The Saints have no defense but Houston does. Texans 27 Saints 23
Rams 4-6 @ Bengals 8-2: One lost has made 2 in a row for Bengals. It will not go to three. Cincy 23 St. Louis 17
Vikings 7-3 @ Falcons 6-4: Falcons are in free fall. Vikings are better than they showed against Green Bay. Vikes 27 Falcons 17
Giants 5-5 @ Washington 4-6: The leader in the NFC east are Eagles and Giants and after Redskins win could be three way tie. If Dallas beats Panthers they could be just one game back. Remember Redskins home so they will play great. Washington 31 NewYork 27
Bills 5-5 @ Colts 5-5: Bills another team you never know which team shows up. Colts look the same. I don't know who to pick here. Home team is my pick. Indy 23 Bills 16
Raiders 4-6 @. Titans 2-8: Raiders have hit a rut after showing a big push Titans never got any flow. Raiders get back on the winning track. 36-28
Chargers 2-8 @ Jags 4-6: Chargers don't have a healthy receiver who can catch a ball five yards beyond line of scrimmage. I don't see Chargers winning another game this year. Jacksonville 24 Chargers 20
Dolphins 4-6 @ Jets 5-5: Here is another game against two teams going no where. One has to win. Jets 23 Dolphins 21
Cards 8-2 @ 49's 3-7 : This is probably lopsided game of week. Cardinals 31 San Fran 13.
Steelers 6-4 @ Seattle 5-5: Seattle D just not the the Super Bowl caliber of the last two years. Pitts D best thing the Steelers got going. Hawks in a close one 23-21
Patriots 10-0 @ Broncos 8-2: Denver D will be a test for a New England offense that some how or other wiggles off the hook. Denver has better offense with Manning on sideline. I like the Denver D in this one. Pats bite the dust for the first time. Denver 23 NE 17
Ravens 3-7 @ Browns 2-8. Seems Monday Night Football has really had some stinkers this year. Here's another one. Browns will win with who ever quarterbacks. Ravens will lose with who ever quarterbacks. 26-23
Eagles 4-6 @ Lions 3-7: Lions finally have some mo and they are playing a team full of defections. This one should be close. Lions 31 Eagles 27
Carolina 10-0 @ Cowboys 3-7: Perfect time to get knocked off. Short week Cowboys on Thanksgiving in Dallas. Romo the Cowboy fans hero back for his second game. The Panther D has been great. Cam's improved play has come because he is not putting the ball in risk. I know it would be great not going undefeated because the streak gets more pressurized every week. This has all the signs for a Cowboy win but the Panthers make it another week 27-24.
Bears 4-6 @ Packers 7-3: There's something wrong with Packers. They need this one for any home field in playoffs. Bears improved but not enough to win in Green Bay. Packers 27 Bears 20.
Saints 4-6 @ Texans 5-5. T J Yates has made a difference for the Texans. The Saints have no defense but Houston does. Texans 27 Saints 23
Rams 4-6 @ Bengals 8-2: One lost has made 2 in a row for Bengals. It will not go to three. Cincy 23 St. Louis 17
Vikings 7-3 @ Falcons 6-4: Falcons are in free fall. Vikings are better than they showed against Green Bay. Vikes 27 Falcons 17
Giants 5-5 @ Washington 4-6: The leader in the NFC east are Eagles and Giants and after Redskins win could be three way tie. If Dallas beats Panthers they could be just one game back. Remember Redskins home so they will play great. Washington 31 NewYork 27
Bills 5-5 @ Colts 5-5: Bills another team you never know which team shows up. Colts look the same. I don't know who to pick here. Home team is my pick. Indy 23 Bills 16
Raiders 4-6 @. Titans 2-8: Raiders have hit a rut after showing a big push Titans never got any flow. Raiders get back on the winning track. 36-28
Chargers 2-8 @ Jags 4-6: Chargers don't have a healthy receiver who can catch a ball five yards beyond line of scrimmage. I don't see Chargers winning another game this year. Jacksonville 24 Chargers 20
Dolphins 4-6 @ Jets 5-5: Here is another game against two teams going no where. One has to win. Jets 23 Dolphins 21
Cards 8-2 @ 49's 3-7 : This is probably lopsided game of week. Cardinals 31 San Fran 13.
Steelers 6-4 @ Seattle 5-5: Seattle D just not the the Super Bowl caliber of the last two years. Pitts D best thing the Steelers got going. Hawks in a close one 23-21
Patriots 10-0 @ Broncos 8-2: Denver D will be a test for a New England offense that some how or other wiggles off the hook. Denver has better offense with Manning on sideline. I like the Denver D in this one. Pats bite the dust for the first time. Denver 23 NE 17
Ravens 3-7 @ Browns 2-8. Seems Monday Night Football has really had some stinkers this year. Here's another one. Browns will win with who ever quarterbacks. Ravens will lose with who ever quarterbacks. 26-23
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Four Locals Still Alive
First round of the playoffs all eight local teams from the three county area all won going 8-0 for the first week. The second round the list was chopped in half as we send four teams to a Thanksgiving Day Practice and a Friday night third round. Three of the four will play on the home turf and at this time of year you need anything to help and when even teams tangle the home turf can be the turning point for victory.
North Edgecombe the 11th seed has the worse record still standing 7-5 so they are the only team dodging pot holes as they visit Southside 11-1 and the number two seed in Chocowinity. Round four matchup for the NE/Southside winner is the winner of the top seed Plymouth 11-2 hosting South Creek 9-3 the fourth seed
Tarboro 8-0 at home this year and they are always a hard out whoever the team is when the game is on Viking Turf. Tarboro is the two seed in 1AA and James Kenan number three 12-1. This will be a monster game. When ever two conference champions collide at this stage the luck of the year when one conference has the seedings priority over the other is huge. Awaiting for the winner the Wallace Rose Hill 12-1- East Carteret 11-2 winner. WRH is the top seed and will host round four if they win. The Tarboro-James Kenan winner can only host if East Carteret is a winner next week. All four teams left are conference champions.
SouthWest Edgecombe 12-1 the number two seed in 2-A will host Fairmont 11-2 the three seed. This is another matchup of conference champions. Next week the winner will be facing the Kinston 13-0 the top seed or Elizabeth City Northeastern 11-2 the fourth seed who is another conference champion. All four teams left alive in this bracket are a conference champion. The Cougars are familiar with Kinston but Northeastern is more familiar with Rocky Mount and Northern Nash who both had to make the long trips to Elizabeth City when they were conference members and Northern still plays the Eagles in non conference games.
Rocky Mount the two seed in 3-A 11-2 will host Morehead from Eden a ten seed with a 10-3 record. The Gryphons had better not think avoiding Havelock is an automatic ride into the fourth round. Morehead scored at will against the Havelock Rams. The winner will match up with the top seed Eastern Alamance 13-0 or Southern Guilford 11-2. Looking back this century in the high school playoffs it seems as if we do well against so called east of Raleigh teams but that I - 85 corridor has bitten us just about every time. The next two games if the Gryphons survive this week both games will feature I-85 teams.
I hope you Gryphon fans realize that having their top two teams alive the Mid East just might be the best 3-A league in football this year. The Gryphons are the only Big East team left so that should tell you Morehead will be no patsie as that Mid State number three team.
So all eight local teams won opening night of the playoffs. Half lost in round two. Will half lose again in round three or for that matter will all four win their games or will they all lose???
North Edgecombe the 11th seed has the worse record still standing 7-5 so they are the only team dodging pot holes as they visit Southside 11-1 and the number two seed in Chocowinity. Round four matchup for the NE/Southside winner is the winner of the top seed Plymouth 11-2 hosting South Creek 9-3 the fourth seed
Tarboro 8-0 at home this year and they are always a hard out whoever the team is when the game is on Viking Turf. Tarboro is the two seed in 1AA and James Kenan number three 12-1. This will be a monster game. When ever two conference champions collide at this stage the luck of the year when one conference has the seedings priority over the other is huge. Awaiting for the winner the Wallace Rose Hill 12-1- East Carteret 11-2 winner. WRH is the top seed and will host round four if they win. The Tarboro-James Kenan winner can only host if East Carteret is a winner next week. All four teams left are conference champions.
SouthWest Edgecombe 12-1 the number two seed in 2-A will host Fairmont 11-2 the three seed. This is another matchup of conference champions. Next week the winner will be facing the Kinston 13-0 the top seed or Elizabeth City Northeastern 11-2 the fourth seed who is another conference champion. All four teams left alive in this bracket are a conference champion. The Cougars are familiar with Kinston but Northeastern is more familiar with Rocky Mount and Northern Nash who both had to make the long trips to Elizabeth City when they were conference members and Northern still plays the Eagles in non conference games.
Rocky Mount the two seed in 3-A 11-2 will host Morehead from Eden a ten seed with a 10-3 record. The Gryphons had better not think avoiding Havelock is an automatic ride into the fourth round. Morehead scored at will against the Havelock Rams. The winner will match up with the top seed Eastern Alamance 13-0 or Southern Guilford 11-2. Looking back this century in the high school playoffs it seems as if we do well against so called east of Raleigh teams but that I - 85 corridor has bitten us just about every time. The next two games if the Gryphons survive this week both games will feature I-85 teams.
I hope you Gryphon fans realize that having their top two teams alive the Mid East just might be the best 3-A league in football this year. The Gryphons are the only Big East team left so that should tell you Morehead will be no patsie as that Mid State number three team.
So all eight local teams won opening night of the playoffs. Half lost in round two. Will half lose again in round three or for that matter will all four win their games or will they all lose???
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