Prospects For Friday Victories

Nash County will send five teams to the playoffs Friday night and a loss for any of the five ends football season.  We need to take a look at the prospects of any of the five playing week two.

Southern Lee 8-3 4-2 @ Rocky Mount 9-2 4-1:  Southern Lee finished tied for third but lost the tie breaker after Terry Sanford beat them last week.  Truly a passing team averaging 190 yards per game through the air.  They run it for only 85 yards per game.  Despite big number passing they have failed to complete half but those completed have averaged 15.8 per catch.

They have scored 323 points for an 29.4 points per game giving up 166 or 15 per in a pass happy league.  They have 33 sacks on the year with 12 picks while recovering 8 fumbles.

Rocky Mount second in the Big East and their two losses have come to teams with a combined 22-0 record.  The Gryphons average 267 yards rushing or 6.1 yards per carry.  They add another 84 yards passing.  The Gryphons average 34 points per contest while yielding 15.5.  So far this year Rocky Mount has fumbled 12 times and thrown 8 picks.

If you remember last year's playoffs first three games for Rocky Mount against pass happy teams.  Pass happy teams practice passing and their defense doesn't get pounded by the run.  Rocky Mount must pound the football and breakdown the pass effective Southern Lee.  Rocky Mount  must hold on to the ball in order to win and limit the big pass plays.

Nash Central 7-4 3-2 @ Eastern Alamance 9-2 6-2:  EA averages 239 yards per game rushing or 6.3 yards per attempt.  They add another 136 passing or 12.8 per reception.  They score 36.5 per game and begrudge 14 points on defense.

Nash Central runs the ball for 211 yards per game while adding through the air another 141.  Their pace of putting points on the board is 28.5 while allowing 21.5.  The  Bulldogs have had 23 turnovers on the year 11 fumbles and 12 interceptions.  They can't have any in this one.

Nash Central must put points on the board and the defense must get some stops to give the themselves any chance.  I guarantee you Eastern Alamance remembers the licking they got from Rocky Mount because they didn't respect the Gryphons.  You had better bet the coaches are pounding and into the EA players that Nash Central is capable of winning if they are not ready.

There is no need to feed you the stats of the Northern Nash  5-6 1-4 @ Southern Nash 11-0 6-0.  Let's talk facts.  28-11.  Take away two defensive touchdowns and the score 14-11.    Northern is more than capable of holding the Firebird offense and if the Firebirds think just because they got a home game this go around against the Knights this will be easy pickings.

I relate this game just like Eastern Alamance and Rocky Mount last year.  The team thinking about next week got plucked big time and if the Firebirds sleep walk in this one the season and undefeated team ends quick.

Rocky Mount Prep 3-8 @ Northside Pinetown 8-3:  RMP had not fared well against any team this season that you could classify as a good team.  It started with Kipp Pride. Who at the time thought they would finish 6-4.  It will be hard for the Jags to keep this one close.

Playoff time is for winners.  The teams that dig down when the end is in sight and finds away to play another day.  Let's go play some football.

The Computer Generation

The is no doubt that the last twenty years of my life I have received move information than I did my first forty.  I think I can expand that and say I have been inundated just the last year with more information than the last twenty.  A computer can aid greatly your life.  We have become a society that we have to put on Facebook where we went to eat or what time we are planning to go to bed.  Who Cares about all that.  We can not live unless we are using that computer.

Even in Chapel Hill the NCHSAA has come solely dependent on the computer that they are paralyzed if they have to make a change in what the computer rankings tell them.  There is no one in Chapel  Hill that can look at the pairings and say: "you know Southern Nash is the top seed in the east is a member of The Big East and they are matched up with Northern Nash an eight seed also from the Big East.  We can not let any conference members play each other in the first round."

I have no problem that those match ups start happening in the second round like what might happen if Rocky Mount can best Southern Lee they would play either Northern or Southern Nash.  But,  somebody in Chapel Hill needs to make an executive decision that we need to over ride the computer and move Northern Nash to a seven seed.  How easy could that be?  I have not cared to check all eight levels of the playoffs and I know this is not the only time two conference members are match up this Friday.

Our nation is becoming a robot society that we no longer have an ability to think for ourselves.  We have to check the computer before we decide  if is time to eat.  My belly lets me know that and my belly is telling me we need to get back to common sense in matters of creating a playoff format.

The Big East is sending five teams to the playoffs and two of them could be out by week of week two losing to another conference member.  This is the state playoffs not the Big East football tournament.

The Big East all season has had Friday night kickoffs at 7pm but all of the state playoffs start at 7:30. Please take note.

Five Teams Big East Are In

Hunt will be the only Big East football team staying home and if they have any basketball players they can join the basketball team come Monday.  Every other team still has that gleam in their eye of doing what Rocky Mount did last season and win the state championship.  You would think as much as the NCHSAA changes the system every year they would finally come up with some way or other to keep conference foes from meeting each other in the first round and of course they have done it again to the Big East.

Southern Nash 10-0 is seeded as the number one seed in the Mideast after West Craven gets the top seed in the east.  Southern Nash will play the eight seed in the east Northern Nash 5-5 after the two just clashed last Thursday night with Southern winning at Northern 28-11.  As the top seed Southern will host.

Nash Central 7-3 returns to the playoffs as the 5th seed in the east and they hit the road traveling to 4th seed in the Mideast Eastern Alamance 8-2  This is a tough opening round game for the Bulldogs but winnable.  This is also the same  Eastern Alamance Rocky Mount played the Eastern Finals last season.

Orange County 10-0 the second seed in the Mideast will host Fike 6-4 the seven seed in the east.  You must remember when you look at each teams overall record the NCHSAA only goes by a ten game schedule and if you played an approved endowment game can drop a loss from your record for playoff purposes.

Rocky Mount 9-1 is seeded 4th in the east and will host the 5th seed Southern Lee 8-2.  This bracket has floated back and forth all morning.  This is certainly a tougher game that it could have been the other way.  The winner draws Southern/Northern Nash winner and this is no guarantee it will be the Gryphons.

The 2A playoffs will feature maybe the hottest team in the area SouthWest Edgecombe the champs of the Eastern Plains 5-5 and seeded 4th in the east hosting South Granville 5th seed from Mideast. Rocky Mount open their season with South Granville so the Cougars should have some film on SG.

1AA finds Tarboro 9-1 as three seed in the east hosting six seed James Kenan 4-6.  I know everybody has questions what determines east and Mideast and that is a good question.

1A  playoffs will feature North Edgecombe 9-1 number two in the Mideast hosting Columbia 3-7 seven seed  in east.

Rocky Mount Prep 3-7 is in as they travel as a 7th seed in the Mideast to the 2nd seed in east Northside -Pinetown 7-3

Around 3pm Friday afternoon I received a call from a gentleman in charge of the Internet broadcasting of the Conference Carolina's volleyball tournament being played at Barton College Saturday and Sunday.  They asked if needed would I fill in and help get the semifinal doubleheader coverage on the air Saturday afternoon at 5 and 7:30.  This morning at 11:00 they finally decided they needed my help and I made it to Barton expecting yo do color commentary but instead did play by play of Erskine College defeat of Belmont Abbey and the nightcap was Barton defeating in five sets Kings College.

The Battling Bishops of North Carolina Wesleyan go out on a winning note on the arm of quarterback Nathan Gardner and the catch and running ability of Malik Adams three touchdown catches as the Bishops finish the season 5-4 after a 27-13 victory over Ferrum in Virginia.

One more note, John Carroll defeated Mt Union today 31-28 snapping a 112 game regular season winning streak..  Mt Union opened the season in Rocky Mount beating Wesleyan.

Predictions for the NFL.

SouthWest Edgecombe has beaten Washington 44-20 to win the top seed in the Eastern Plains.

I wonder if there will be a tie somewhere in the NFL or will there be a game when the refs let go a personal foul roughing the kicker or  stand over the ball until the pre snap clock runs out. How can a crew of officials be that awful and not get suspended?

Texans 5-3 @ Jacksonville 2-7:  Jacksonville is like the Browns they are going to beat somebody down the stretch and knock some playoff team for a loop.  Will it be the Texans   Houston 26 Jags 17

Broncos 6-3 @ Saints 4-4:  Here is a game that the Bronc's can't score but the Saints defense is porous.  The saints can score but the question is can a staggering Denver team hold them down enough to win on the road.  My answer is No.  New Orleans 30 Denver 21

Rams 3-5 @ Jets 3-6:  This is your average NFL game two teams that are average at best and one has to win or do they?  Might be a tie.  Jets 22 Rams 16

Falcons 6-3 @ Eagles 4-4:  The NFL season is so long that a team like the Eagles looked like Super Bowl Champs five weeks ago may not even make playoffs now.  The Panthers need Philly to win this one and I think they will 33-30

Chief's 6-2 @ Panthers 3-5:  Panthers defense seems to have started playing like last year's super bowl Run.  The offense is not how ever.  Chiefs 26 Panthers 23

Chicago 2-6 @ Tampa 3-5:  I like the way the Buc's have improved.  I doubt the Bears can win in the Sunshine State.  Tampa 27 Bears 22

Vikings 5-3 @ Redskins 4-3:  Just three weeks ago the Vikings were the best team in football, now trying to get over a three game losing streak.  Redskins at home 30-23

Packers 4-4 @ Titans 4-5:  Packers are capable when Aaron Rogers is playing best in football quarterbacking.  One problem for the Packers is their defense is not super Bowl ready.  Titans 33 Packers 28

Dolphins 4-4 @ Chargers 4-5:  Looks like the LA Chargers are soon to be by 2019 now that San Diego voted down new stadium.  Will it affect the Chargers?  Dolphins are winless on the road and Philip Rivers is still under center in the city by the ocean.  Chargers 36 Miami 30

49er's 1-7 @ Cardinals 3-4:  San Fran is playing like the whole team is on one knee while the games are going on.  Cardinals D needs to start asserting it'selve  to keep Cards in playoff hunt.  Cards 30 9'ers 20

Seahawks 5-2 @ Patriots 7-1:  Hawks defense capable of stopping Brady and company.  W#ould not hurt to have a set of officials on the Hawks side.  Hawks 23 Pats 21

Bengals 3-4 @ Giants 5-3:  The Bengals have never played this year to the level of last season.  I don't see it starting now despite Eli being on the other side. Giants 23 Bengals 17

Just Enough

The Rocky Mount Gryphons finished up the 2016 football season  at Hunt in the makeup game that was delayed by Hurricane Matthew and it was Home Coming for the Warriors faithful.  Coach Jason Battle rested those with nagging injuries so far this season when the Gryphons are not focused they make the games more interesting than need be.

The Gryphons have four turn overs on the night two fumbles and two pass interceptions  three of the Turnovers in the first but still managed to hold Hunt scoreless and lead 3-0 at the half and win going away 17-0.

The first half Rocky Mount could not execute the handoffs fumbling three time but lost only one.  A change at quarterback did not improve anything as two intercepts  were thrown on three attempts to snuff out any scoring drives. The only points came off the foot of kicker Chase Miller who's 32 yard field goal hit the crossbar and bounced over for the only Gryphon first half points.

The second half the Gryphons stuck to the ground game scoring at 7:05 of the third on a 12 yard DeAngelo Collins run around left end. The final score of the night came in the fourth quarter when quarterback Shabios Lynch faked a handoff toward the left and kept it himself to score from three yards

Rocky Mount got the best running they had in several weeks as DeAngelo Collins 10-94, BJ Sanders 14-99 and Charlie Williams 6-74 lead for Gryphons attack getting 304  on the night.  The Gryphon defense held the Warriors to 39 rushes 54 yards.  They held the Warriors to 5-14 passing 60 yards with Detrell Revis picking off two interceptions.

Rocky Mount waits for the playoff seeding which come out Saturday afternoon. They finish 9-2 4-1 in the big East as Hunt finishes 3-8 0-6.  I doubt they make the playoffs.

Southern Nash finished off a perfect regular season beating Northern Nash 28-11

Nash Central won the only game that could effect the conference seeding as they beat Fike and secured 3th place winning at Fike 48-20

Tarboro had no trouble with Rocky Mount Prep 54-0

North Edgecombe 76 Riverside 54 that's the second place game behind Tarboro

Congrats to Reid Johnston of Rocky Mount Academy he signed a baseball letter of intent to play at NC State.  He will join Legion and travel league teammate David Harrison on the Wolfpack.

College Football's Stretch Run

November has run around and high schools begin the playoffs while colleges hit the front stretch heading  to the finish line lining up front bowl games.  Last week had one of the best weeks of the season picking nine of ten right to run my college pick totals for the year to 71-24.

The final game of the season for the Battling Bishops happens in Ferrum Virginia.  Ferrum is 6-3 4-2 in the league.  The Bishops 4-4 3-2 winning season is on the line since they lost the one game to the hurricane.  This could be a close one but the home team wins Ferrum 34 NCW 28

SMU 4-5 @ ECU 3-6:  The last month has been a tough one for the Pirates and the Mustangs come to town not much better off than the Pirates.  There is still a chance for a 500 season but the Pirates need to win out and a win against the horses helps.  ECU 31 SMU 27

NC State 4-5 1-4 @ Syracuse 4-5 2-3:  State is just good enough to lose.  Pack gave a good effort against FSU but nothing in the credit column only more debits.  This will hard one to win considering  the way the Pack's  last month has gone the Orange 28  Pack 24

North Carolina 7-2 5-1 @ Duke 3-6  0-5:  The Tar Heels will be hard to slow down but this is the Thursday night national TV game so I am sure the Devils will give a supreme effort to no avail.  Tar Herls 42 Duke 24

Wake Forest 6-3  3-2 @ Louisville 8-1 5-1:  Wake Forest has a habit of making people play ugly.  This one will probably be ugly Louisville 42 Wake Forest 17

Miami 5-4 2-3 @ Virginia  2-7 1-4:  Miami got back on the winning ways last week and Virginia continues to find winning hard.  This will not be a run a way but the Canes win.  Hurricanes 38 Hoos 21

Florida State  6-3 2-3 @ Boston College  4-5 1-5:  The Noles are not the dominant Noles of the past.  They had a struggle with the Pack and see no reason FSU is fired up for this one either.  FSU 26 BC 17

Georgia Tech 5-4 2-4 @ Virginia Tech 7-2 5-1:  The Gobblers are winning but not by much.  Georgia Tech is a load for everybody and despite their wins not very impressed with the way they are winning.  I feel an upset GT 26 VT 24

Pitt 5-4 2-3 @ Clemson 9-0 6-0:  Pitt lost some luster last week getting crushed at Miami. Could be worse in Death Valley.  Clem 54 Pitt 27

Army 5-4 @ Notre Dame 3-6:  The Irish lost to the Navy last week and this week it's the Army.  Army not quite as good as Navy so the Irish will pick up win number 4.  Notre Dame 34 Army 20

I'm doing NFL picks Saturday this week and there is a Thursday night game Browns 0-9 @ Ravens 4-4.  I don't think the Browns go winless this year.  They are going to beat somebody so will it be this week?  Ravens 26 Browns 20

Wrap It Up Thursday

Normally Thursday is high school football prediction day but it is moved up a day this week with the action switching to Thursday to wrap up the 2016 high school football season six days late.  Games are finishing on Thursday due to schools being  out Friday for Veterans Day. Had bad week going 4-4 dropping my season score to 66-24.  Maybe I'll do better this week.

Rocky Mount Prep 3-7 0-4 @ Tarboro 8-2 4-4:  This is a classic example of why I am against seeding teams in the playoffs base on overall record.  Are you going to try to tell me with two losses to Both Southern and Northern Nash three A schools Tarboro is not a top five 1A school in North Carolina?  The clock will run in the second half if coach Craddock wants it.  49-0 Vikings.

Here we go again with a seedings game.  SouthWest Edgecombe 4-6 3-1 @ Washington 3-7 3-1 play for the Eastern Plains championship.  If you look at their overall record both are borderline even making the playoffs.  Washington started out with losses to Havelock one loss. DH Conley averaging 60 points per game in 3A/4A league in league games.  SWE just as tough of non conference slate.  One will win the conference while the other will probably play the number one seed in the east in round one.  Washington 33 SWE 28

Riverside 8-2 3-1 @ North Edgecombe 8-1 3-1.  Hurricane Matthew did the Warriors no favors forcing North Edgecombe to play three games in eight days the third game being Tarboro and a week later Riverside.  Let's compare, a Riverside lost  to Tarboro 52-7 and North Edgecombe 48-6.  This is a tossup.  I have to give North Edgecombe the edge playing at home and their game with Tarboro the third game of eight days.  Warriors 26 Riverside 24

Rocky Mount 8-2 3-2 @ Hunt 3-7 0-4:  Been a long year for Hunt and a long two weeks for the Rocky Mount offense.  Good news for the Gryphons is that Hunt's defense is not quite to the Firebirds and Knights level but almost.  Hunt has struggled all year on offense which the Gryphon D should handle.  It is important the Gryphons find some  flow on offense.  Rocky Mount 26 Hunt 6

Southern Nash 10-0 4-0 @ Northern Nash 5-5 1-3:  The first seed wrapped up but not the outright Big East championship so the Firebirds have plenty to play for.  Can Northern muster enough offense and the defense only allow 14 or less and make this a dogfight?  For this one to be an upset the Firebirds will need to put it on the ground several times.  The Knights defense is capable of causing that to happen. Southern 21 Northern 7

The biggest game of the night has no ramifications of championships but who is third best in Big East. Nash Central 6-4 2-2 @ Fike 5-5 2-2.  Both have taken different paths and are both standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona. I doubt the victor gets a home first round game but the loser could fall to that dreaded 25th seed area which will be close to getting a conference champ in the first round.  If we just look at how both fared against both Southern and Rocky Mount Nash Central stacks up better.  Bulldogs 35 Golden Demons 31

A ball players dream will come true today for David Harrison Pitcher for the Rocky Mount Gryphons.  1:30 this afternoon in the gym at Rocky Mount High School David will sign his letter of intent to play baseball at North Carolina State.