Northern Finally Clips Tarboro

Recent past when Tarboro has been a contender for state titles they have either manhandled Northern Nash or won all close battles.  Northern has shown with the exception of one quarter to have a stout defense.  Their offense has not supported the defense until tonight.

Northern defense again held tough and Tarboro had a struggle to move the ball on the Knights defense.  Tonight the offense did just enough to score three times while Northern defense held the Vikings to two scores and the Knights pull off their best win in the Randy Raper era beating Tarboro 19-12.  Both teams having played last Friday will be back in action this Friday.

The Rocky Mount Gryphons started their month and a half road trip by making a stop in Edenton NC in a beautiful riverside/sound side town that in their  history would have to be considered a football town much as Tarboro.  In other words they love their football in Chowan County.

The Aces showed me while standing on the sidelines last season in Rocky Mount to be well coached but were overwhelmed by the Gryphon size and speed.  So after three straight home games Edenton could be a place to spring an upset and they almost did.

Despite adversity the fourth quarter belonged to the Gryphons once again and they stand at 3-1 just like last season.  Their loss against Middle Creek once again like last year doesn't seem so bad the way Middle Creek has dominated other 4A schools this season.  Hertford County is much improved as is the Aces.  I don't care who you are and who you play when they slap you in the face how you react tells the Gryphon faithful this year's team has all kinds of possibilities again this year.

I don't know if falling behind 13 to zero when your recent history would be crossing the fifty yard line was a major offensive drive could be no more than here we go again.  Nash Central sent a message loud and clear to those Big East Conference members who have already mark a W in the win column on the calendar where Nash Central's name was placed.

Chris Lee has sent a message to his players that when you are down there is no reason to be out.  No longer will it be acceptable to pack it in at anytime just because things are not going our way.  The Bulldogs  were picked last in the Big East and their 3-1 start seems to set notice last is not going to happen.

Southern Nash has started the way every team would love to do.  4-0 and teams from the recent past like South Johnston  were left in the wake of the aircraft carrier Firebirds.  Depth on offense along with plenty of size  and to this point in the season the Firebirds haven't had any adversity to deal with steam rolling their way across the goal line.

They so far have scored 43 per game but you had better not miss that the Firebird defense has allowed just seven per game.  If you don't give up many points you don't have to score a whole lot to win.  Looks like the Firebirds are ready to see what a Thanksgiving football game feels like.

ECU Looking For Another Pillage

There history says that after a Big Four win the next week you can look for a downer for the Pirates but this week is another Power Five team that looks ripe for the taking.  The Pirates have Virginia Tech still to come and should they pop both the Gamecocks and Gobblers that would be three wins to be top 20 or better.

ECU 2-0 @ South Carolina 1-1:  Might be a good time to play the Gamecocks with a new coach in town and just losing their first conference game.  I like what I see in the Pirates so far as Coach Montgomery has brought energy to the program.  I am right on the edge on this one.  I think somehow or other South Carolina wins this one SC 28 ECU 26

ODU 1-1 @ N C State 1-1:  Looking into the Pack schedule this could be the last game all year in which they are favored.  Doeren and company had better win this one.  Pack 42 ODU 13

James Madison 2-0 @ North Carolina 1-1:  Do you realize that the Dukes have scored 80 in a game already this year.  They won't come close to that in Chapel Hill.  Carolina 38 JMU 13

Duke 1-1 @ Northwestern 0-2:  After Wake manhandled the Devils and Northwestern can't beat anybody I don't know how to call this game.  I bet that Duke plays like a team on a mission.  Duke 27 Northwestern 21

North Carolina Wesleyan 0-2. @ Shenandoah 2-0. Another tough loss for the Battling Bishops 30-23

Delaware 2-0 @ Wake Forest 1-1:  There is no team that improved more from week one than the Demon Deacons.  I have a hard time playing a team that their nickname is a hen especially a Blue Hen.  Have you ever seen a blue hen?  This will not be a runaway.  WF 26- Delaware 21

Last week the eastern part of North Carolina was in hysteria when N C State came to Greenville.  The other major D 1 player out west Appalachian State host their first ever Power Five team in Boone.  I doubt if you are heading northwest of Winston Salem the roads will be backed up for miles.

Miami 2-0 @ App ST 1-1:  Don't know whether Miami has beaten anybody yet to be scare of them yet.  The Mountain boys give it a ride but come up short.  Miami 26 App St 23

Florida St 2-0 @ Louisville 2-0:  The college football world will be rocked after Louisville beats FSU . The Cardinals 36 Noles 33

Vanderbilt 1-1 @ Georgia Tech 2-0:   Lionel Richey and the Commodores win this one 30-20

South Carolina St 0-2 @ Clemson 2-0:  Bad week to play the Tigers after last week's mess.  Clemson 65 SC ST 10

Boston College 1-1 at Virginia Tech:  Low scoring BC against Virginia Tech and their great defensive coach.  I think they gave up 45 to Tennessee.  BC can't score enough to win this VT 24 BC 13

Virginia 0-2 @ U Conn 1-1:  I don't see the Cavs going to Huskieville and winning U Conn 30 UVA 26

Pitt 2-0 at Oklahoma  St 1-1:  I think Pitt is the sleeper team of ACC but remember they beat Penn St last week and that is like ECU beating any Big Four school.  After being embarrassed last week Okla St rebounds but just barely.  38-35

Michigan State 1-0 at Notre Dame 2-0:  Michigan State took last week off to prepare.  Irish 30 Mich St 21

South Florida 1-1 @ Syracuse 1-1:  I have thought hard on this one.  Orange 36 S Florida 32

Right here in Rocky Mount the 19th annual Viking Down East Classic.  Morehouse College 2-0 against The Vikings of Elizabeth City State 0-2.  I think this will tell you everything you need to know about this one.  The Vikings gave up 83 points last week at Fordham.  Morehouse 36 ECSU 23.

Last week went 11-3 to go with 12-3 in the first week to be 23-6 so far on the season.

Events And Places

There are times in life that an event occurs that the magnitude of that event is astounding.  I can remember growing up in the fall of 1964 Lady Bird Johnson then the First Lady of the United States hopped on a train in Norfolk and made whistle stops in Ahoskie, and I think she even stopped or maybe the ride ended in Rocky Mount.

Regardless of your political views the First Lady coming to your town is event to remember.  I had an uncle who owned a furniture store on main street right beside the railroad track and upstairs where he had all his extra furniture there were windows that we could hang out as the train stopped on main street.  Having the secret service come and frisk you and check you out in order to be there was an event in itself.

I remember the first time I got off the subway in New York City and staring at the name New York Yankees across the front of Yankee Stadium having chill bumps from all the baseball history that I was about to stand on.

There are those special moments from getting to call state championship games knowing how important it was to the teams involved and the memories that would be created from what ever that was about to happen.

Saturday right here in Rocky Mount was another one of those special days.  In all of college sports there may never be a team as dominant in it's level as the team that came to our town Mount Union.  Their winning streaks, National Titles  there is no other school in any division that is any bigger then Mount Union.  Alabama, Notre Dame all have traditions for winning football programs but none compare to Mount Union's record. Yes they have more money  and scholarships to provide their players but nobody compares to Mount Union.  Recent history Mount Union has won 158 games and lost 7.

They have not lost a regular season football game since October 22nd 2005.  After  the win over the Bishops they have won 104 straight regular season games.  Astounding is the fact that their victory over the Battling Bishops was their 110th consecutive win on the road.  Twelve times they have won the division III playoffs and we all know just last season watching Rocky Mount win the state football title there are four DIII playoff games so winning just one is not easy.

This was the first time in the short history of Wesleyan football that they had ever played a number one team.  Oddly enough since the inception of football at NCW no other team has been number one at the end of the regular season other than Mount Union.

Like Rock stars two radio stations in Alliance Ohio cover the Purple Raiders and with WHIG's Wes Bradshaw and Edward Green doing internet coverage the pressbox at Bishop Stadium was full to capacity.  Everyone in the pressbox was guessing the attendance and the average guess was around 2600 which for a normal game this was a big crowd  but personally I was disappointed there were not more there.  There were about 500 Purple Raider fans in the house.

The good news is the greatest team in the history of Division Three football came to town and when they left the Battling Bishops were not embarrassed by the score.  They were soundly beaten but not run out of the stadium.  The Bishops got a taste of what winning football is all about.  There is no doubt Mount Union is the defending champions, number one D3 team in the country.  They showed us how to act as winners and just maybe some day North  Carolina Wesleyan will be the number one team.  They got a sampling of what it takes this past weekend.

Big Boy Football Comes To Town

North Carolina Wesleyan football hosted the number one team in division III football today and for 20 minutes there were visions that the 13th football season for the Battling  Bishops there  just might be  a greatest victory ever on the horizon.  Seven minutes in the second quarter the 12 time Nationals champs and the team that has played in the national championship eleven straight years swatted the aggravating Battling Bishops into what hit me.

Both teams traded punts into the second quarter until the Purple Raiders quarterback ran around the left end for six yards and finally the defending champs were on the board.  During the first quarter the Battling Bishops used a short passing game but once behind they started going for the home runs and with incomplete passes the clock is slow to move and  not much turf moves toward the goal line  and Wesleyan had a three and out and two plays later Mount Union with second team quarterback in the game puts six points on the board. Quickly it's 14 -0 the big MO now wearing purple the third score within seven minutes makes it 21-0.

The Bishops managed a field goal before half to prevent being shutout but trailed 21-3 at the half.  The 2015 3A state champion Rocky Mount Gryphons were honored at the half..

Just maybe the near 90 degree temperatures and 60% Humidity will catch up with Mount Union before the end since this is their opening game of the season but this is the number one team in the country and even though their faithful fans were using their programs as fans in the stands learning about Southern heat their team taught the Battling Bishops how to play as the top team in the country

By the end if the third quarter the score reached 35-3 with a dominating run game and the lead reach 42-3 before All American Malik Adams caught a Nathan Gardner toss in the end zone with 9:04 to play to give the Bishops some self respect and a 42-10 ball game.  Just for good measure Mount Union added a field goal to end the scoring at 45-10.

There is no doubt Mount Union is a class act from the way the guys covering the game in the press box to the way they played on the field and even their fans knowing how winners act.  There is no doubt the Battling Bishops got and education on what it is to be a winner.

Mount Union rushed  for 286 yards and passed for 309 for a total of 595 on 91 plays.  The Bishops had 244 passing and only 51 rushing on 77 plays.  To me as a fan in the stands the Bishops dropped the short passing game and went totally for all or nothing deep passes in the Middle of the second quarter and it was not until the fourth quarter when they needed to keep the ball away from the Purple Raiders or get run out of the house did they go back to the short passes.  Malik Adams once again hit the century mark in receiving catching 11 for 113 yards and a touchdown.

Turnovers Cause Comebacks

Nash Central had a interception and a fumble in the first half and both led to Southwest Edgecombe scores  a 13-0 lead in the first half.  A Huge score before the half gave the Cougars a 13-6 half time lead. The winless Cougars had a chance in the third quarter driving to the five yard line but the Bulldog defense held and with it momentum.

They proceeded to drive for a touchdown but missed the two point conversion to take the lead. The Cougars once again drive but the Bulldogs defense get the ball back and the new Nash Central Bulldogs strike on a long pass and a six yard run by Vernon Whitaker and the Bulldogs win with 38 seconds left to play.  Bulldogs 18 Cougars 13

The Bulldogs are now 3-1 while the Cougars fall to 0-4.

Rocky Mount's trip to Edenton was an adventure as they put the ball on the ground three times stopping drives.  The Gryphons scored first on a 2 yard Jaylen Watson run but the Aces returned the
kickoff to the five yard line where they scored on third down to tie at 7.

McKenzy Wright scored from two yards out and the Gryphon defense held Edenton to a field goal and a 14-10 half time lead.  Edenton scored first in the third quarter to take a 17-14 lead and got the ball back but the play of the game came from Sherrod Green, remember his broken hand he makes a one handed interception at the Aces 46 and the Gryphons started holding on to the ball and put points on the board.

BJ Sanders scores late in the 3rd quarter to give the Gryphons the lead and once again the Gryphons control the clock for almost 7 minutes in the fourth quarter and Charlie Williams scores and Rocky Mount slips out of Edenton winning 28-17. It is the first loss of the season for the Aces while Rocky Mount improves to 3-1.

Northern Nash slugged it out with Laney and fought to a 0-0 first half.  Northern defense forced Laney on the first drive of the 3rd quarter to punt.  The snap went over the head of the punter who picked it up in the end zone and somehow or other managed to avoid being tackled in the end zone and reach the 11.  Northern's D stand tall and force a 4th and ten punt where Northern took over on the Laney 37.  The first play Decarlo Royster scampered 37 yards anD Northern  led 7-0.

The very next drive by Laney travels the field with the Aid of two personal fouls and Lanry ties it at the end of three quarters 7-7.

Laney blocks a Northern punt on the first play of the fourth quarter but the Knights defense held.  The Knights are doomed on an interception at the Northern 30.  Five plays Laney scores a 14-7 win.

Other scores
Southern Nash 49 South Johnston 0.  Looks like Firebirds the Big East team to beat.
North Edgecombe 44 SE Halifax 0
Tarboro 55 Franklinton14
Fike 15 Beddingfield 13
Northeastern 30 Hunt 27
Rocky Mount Academy wins on paper.  Lawrence Academy forfeits
Village Christian 47 Rocky Mount Prep 0

Two Huge Games In Area Saturday

The defending national champions of Division three football come to Rocky Mount Saturday and will pay a visit to NC Wesleyan.  Starting right down the road in Greenville NC State visits ECU in which 50,000 will be in the house.  Sure would be nice if more than 5,000 are at Bishop Stadium.

Mount Union 0-0 @ NC Wesleyan 0-1:  The Battling Bishops had several moments that they have potential during their loss.  I would expect one of the best efforts in the short history of Bishops football against Mount Union.  Perfect football and this one could be close.  Turnovers and it will not be close.  Mount Union 35 NC Wesleyan 27

NC State 1-0 @ ECU 1-0:  You know anytime Carolina, State, Duke or Wake visit Greenville the entire city goes looney.  This is tough one to pick since neither team played a power house last week. This game will be won by the team with the best quarterback playing only their second game.  Pack 27 Pirates 23.

Wake Forest 1-0 @  Duke 1-0:   Has anybody noticed that Wake can't score on the sisters of the poor.  The Dookies handle the Demon Deacs 46 -13

Tennessee 1-0 vs Virginia Tech 1-0 at Bristol International Raceway in Bristol Tennessee.  These teams trying to set college football attendance record.  150,000 people will watch two teams slug it out and then take ten hours to get out of the parking lot.   Tennessee 23 Virginia Tech 20

North Carolina 0-1 @ Illinois 1-0:  Is it possible the Tar Heels could start the season 0-2.  They will if they don't give the football to their running backs more than ten times.  I think Heels eek this one out 32-28.

Florida Atlantic 1-0 @ Miami 1-0:  This game Miami will not get 70 this week only 45. Hurricanes 45 Florida Atlantic 20

Charleston Southern 0-1 @ Florida State 1-0:  I think the Noles showed everyone they can score on anyone at any time.  Mississippi will give SEC teams fits this year.  I like the FSU quarterback.  FSU 58 Charleston Southern 16.

Mercer 0-1 @ Georgia Tech 1-0:  The Rambling Wreck will roll 43-13

Troy 1-0 @ Clemson1-0:  Clemson won at Auburn where Alabama has trouble.  Troy will make it respectable.  Clemson 38 Troy 21

Virginia 0-1 @ Oregon 1-0:  UVA lost to a very good Team in Ricmond.  They will lose again on the road to a team better than Richmond.  Oregon 45 VA 21

Nevada 0-1 @ Notre Dame 0-1: The Irish put 47 on the board against Texas.  How many will they get against the Wolfpack?  Notre Dame 52 Nevada 28

Louisville 1-0 @ Syracuse 1-0  tonight.  Louisville has a shot to finish in the top two of ACC and a win in Syracuse will do nothing to keep the Ville from not reaching the top two.  Louisville 36 Syracuse 18

Penn State 1-0 @ Pitt 1-0: Battling for the state rights  of Pennsylvania.  The Nitty Lions don't go to Pitt much.  For Pitt this is just like ECU hosting State or Carolina.  Pitt 26 Penn State 24

Boston College 1-0 @ Massachusetts 0-1.  The Minutemen gave Florida all they wanted and they roll doing the same against BC. Mass 21 BC 17

Last week went 12-3 during first weekend of college picks.

Time To See Progress

Some teams this is week four of the high school season for others the entire season may be played in the next week.  Teams need to start showing improvement or that fatal this is as good as we will be will set in.  Got some really good match ups again this week.  Let's begin with the two teams running a gauntlet starting Friday night.

Tarboro 2-0 at Franklinton 2-1:  Tarboro just might play the toughest schedule of any team in the state as once again they play a team classified as 2-A.  Those interested Franklinton joins Big East next season so this might be an opportunity to peek at this one.  Tarboro wins but it won't be a romp  Vikes 26 Franklinton 14

Northern Nash 1-1 at Laney 1-2:  They beat Rose which should be enough said about Laney.  Northern starts their three games in eight days on road at a 4A school.  This would swell pride in the Knight's kingdom if they could take this one.  It will be close.  Laney 24 Northern 21

Nash Central 2-1 at Southwest Edgecombe 0-3:  This is a big chance for the Bulldogs to get up to three wins in a season for the first time in three or four years.  It is possible.  I think the further the season goes the better the Cougars will get.  Bulldogs need to get them now.  Nash Central 36 SWE 26

South Johnston 1-2 at Southern Nash 3-0:  Don't be fooled by their record.  SJ has played quality competition so far and this week will not be any less.  I think the Firebirds are for real and a solid score here may solidify  my thinking.  SN 38- SJ 24

SE Halifax 1-0 at North Edgecombe 2-0:  Not sure it is a good thing after beating SWE that North Edgecombe has a week off.  Two weeks to gloat might bring on a poor effort this week.  I think there will be enough to get the Warriors through.  North Edgecombe 26 SEH 18

Lawrence Academy at RMA:  In order to be ready for the games down the road that might lead to conference titles the eagles need a solid win.  RMA 49 Lawrence 18

Village Christian Academy 1-1 at Rocky Mount Prep:  Here is a game and how do you predict the quality of either teams quality of schedule so far. VCA has played two other Christian Academy school while Prep has played about the same quality.  RMP wins their second this week 26-24

Northeast Carolina Prep 0-3 has the week off.

Rocky Mount 2-1 at Edenton Holmes  3-0:  Holmes off to a good start in fact been several years since they have been 3-0.  Look no further than Middle Creeks 30-10 win over Garner to show you that the Gryphons can score on anybody.  This game will be much like the Hertford County game in which I think the Gryphons control but will win by a closer score.  RM 35- Edenton 20

Got six guesses correct out of seven running my record so far this year to 19-6.