Rocky Mount Invitational Baseball Tournament kicks off April 5

For the first time since 1999, the Rocky Mount Invitational Baseball Tournament will have just six teams in its lineup. The 33rd edition of the event is set for Saturday, Monday and Tuesday, April 5, 7 and 8 at Gryphon Stadium.

As in 1999, schedule conflicts for schools due to an early Easter date and separated dates for spring breaks made it almost impossible to bring eight teams into the field.

Northern Nash, Wilson Hunt, Southern Nash and Rocky Mount all return from the 2007 field. Back in the lineup is Nash Central, which has participated in the Tarboro Classic the last few seasons.

New to the event is Fort Mill High School from Fort Mill, S.C. The Yellow Jackets won their conference last season and last year the school won S.C.'s version of the Wachovia Cup for overall sports excellence in the 4-A classification.

Since there is no single elimination round with six teams, a tournament champion will be crowned by the following means: if a team goes undefeated; should two or more teams tie for the best record, then the following tiebreakers will be used: fewest runs allowed; then head-to-head; then total runs scored.

Rocky Mount is the three-time defending champion and has won the event 11 times.

2008 SCHEDULE

Saturday, April 5

Game 1: Southern Nash vs. Nash Central, 1 p.m.
Game 2: Northern Nash vs. Fort Mill, S.C., 4 p.m.
Game 3: Rocky Mount vs. Wilson Hunt, 7 p.m.

Monday, April 7

Game 1: Rocky Mount vs. Fort Mill, S.C., 1 p.m.
Game 2: Southern Nash vs. Wilson Hunt, 4 p.m.
Game 3: Nash Central vs. Northern Nash, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, April 8

Game 1: Nash Central vs. Wilson Hunt, 1 p.m.
Game 2: Southern Nash vs. Fort Mill, S.C., 4 p.m.
Game 3: Rocky Mount vs. Northern Nash, 7 p.m.

Championship Qualifiers

Champion - One team goes undefeated
Tie-Breakers:
1. Fewest runs allowed
2. Head-to-Head
3. Runs scored

A 12-team All-Tournament Team will be voted on by the media
Individual Awards: MVP; Most Hits; Top Defensive Player

Past Rocky Mount Gryphons Easter/Invitational Baseball Tournament Champions

Here are the past champions of the Rocky Mount Gryphons Easter/Invitational Baseball Tournament. The event has been also called the Rocky Mount Breakfast Optimist Annual Tournament (1977-89, '91, '93, '95-'99) and the Wilson Breakfast Optimist Invitational Tournament (1990, '92, '94). Wilson's Optimists hosted the tourney in alternate years over a five-year period at Fleming Stadium.

PAST CHAMPIONS

2007 - Rocky Mount def. Southern Nash, 13-1
2006 - Rocky Mount def. Northern Nash, 6-2
2005 - Rocky Mount def. Northern Nash, 5-2
2004 - Wilson Hunt def. Washington, 5-3 (5 inn., rain-shortened)
2003 - Morrisville Green Hope def. Rocky Mount 6-1
2002 - Kernersville Glenn def. Durham Riverside, 7-3
2001 - Kernersville Glenn def. Wilson Fike, 4-1
2000 - Durham Jordan def. Rocky Mount, 8-6
1999 - round-robin w/6 teams - no champion
1998 - final day of tournament rained out (RMHS, Beddingfield made the finals)
1997 - Rocky Mount def. Durhan Jordan, 6-2
1996 - Rocky Mount def. Northern Nash, 8-5
1995 - Rocky Mount def. Wilson Beddingfield, 6-0
1994 - Rocky Mount def. Wilson Beddingfield, 7-2
1993 - Northern Nash def. Southern Nash, 6-5
1992 - Greene Central
1991 - Greene Central
1990 - Greene Central def. Roanoke Rapids, 8-2
1989 - Southern Nash
1988 - Rocky Mount
1987 - Roanoke Rapids
1986 - Southern Nash
1985 - Roanoke Rapids
1984 - Roanoke Rapids
1983 - Roanoke Rapids
1982 - Northern Nash
1981 - Rocky Mount
1980 - Rocky Mount
1979 - Rocky Mount
1978 - Sanderson
1977 - Garner

2008 NEW 6 Basketball Standings - Jan. 8

BOYS

School	Conf.	Pct.	Overall	Pct.
Wilson Fike	0-0	.000	11-2	.846
Nash Central	0-0	.000	9-3	.750
SW Edgecombe	0-0	.000	8-3	.727
Rocky Mount	0-0	.000	7-3	.700
Northern Nash	0-0	.000	6-6	.500
Southern Nash	0-0	.000	4-7	.364

GIRLS

School	Conf.	Pct.	Overall	Pct.
Rocky Mount	0-0	.000	9-1	.900
SW Edgecombe	0-0	.000	7-4	.636
Southern Nash	0-0	.000	7-4	.583
Northern Nash	0-0	.000	7-5	.600
Wilson Fike	0-0	.000	7-6	.538
Nash Central	0-0	.000	6-6	.500

Wilson Hot Stove League Banquet set for Jan. 21

If you are a fan of local baseball, then you can't miss out on this.

The 34th annual Wilson Hot Stove League banquet will be held Monday, Jan. 21, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Bill Ellis Convention Center.

Special guest for the event will be Josh Hamilton, who was recently traded from the Cincinnati Reds to the Texas Rangers, is a former Raleigh Athens Drive High School star. Hamilton was the No. 1 pick in the 1999 Major League Baseball draft by the Tampa Bay Rays.Hamilton will be receiving the Trot Nixon "Gamer" Award.

The 26-year-old Hamilton was one of baseball's best comeback stories last season, when he finally made it to the majors after years of alcohol and drug abuse nearly ended his career. He batted .292 in his first major league season with 19 homers and 47 RBIs in 298 at-bats.Other former major leaguers and guests will be announced later as their plans to attend are confirmed.

Tickets for the banquet, which includes a meal, are $20 each and can be obtained at Dick's Hot Dog Stand, EB Sports, the Wilson Tobs office or North Carolina Baseball Museum -- both located in Fleming Stadium.

All proceeds benefit the North Carolina Baseball Museum.

I had the pleasure of attending last year and I had a blast. I took the biggest Boston Red Sox fan in town (Wes Bradshaw - in terms of girth, but I am right behind him - in second) with me and he was blown away to meet Trot Nixon, even though Nixon became a Cleveland Indian just days before.

It was also the first time in a few years that I had been able to speak to in-person former N.C. Wesleyan and now UNC head baseball coach Mike Fox.

Get your tickets soon! There were nearly 1,000 people at last year's affair, which honored Goldsboro native and former Yankee manager Clyde King.

2008 RMHS varsity baseball schedule

- Senior Jim Leggett needs just six victories to become Rocky Mount's all-time leader in pitching wins (26). Donnie Bobbitt (Class of '86) has the record with 25 (25-6).


FEB. 19 - 3:30, Scrimmage @ South Johnston
FEB. 21 - 3:30, Scrimmage - BUNN
FEB. 25 - 4:00, J.H. ROSE
FEB. 28 - 5:00, @ South Granville
MAR. 1 - TBA. @ USA Baseball Complex, Cary vs. Jamestown Ragsdale
MAR. 4 - 4:30, WASHINGTON
MAR. 7 - 4:30, SOUTH GRANVILLE
MAR. 10 - 4:30, @ Washington
MAR. 13 - 4:30, ROANOKE RAPIDS
MAR. 15 - 1:00, @ D.H. Conley
MAR. 17 - 5:00, @ Roanoke Rapids
MAR. 26 - 7:00, NORTHERN NASH
MAR. 28 - 7:00, @ Southern Nash
APRIL 1 - 7:00, SOUTHWEST EDGECOMBE
APRIL 3 - 7:00, WILSON FIKE
APRIL 5 - TBA, RM EASTER TOURNAMENT
APRIL 7 - TBA, RM EASTER TOURNAMENT
APRIL 8 - TBA, RM EASTER TOURNAMENT
APRIL 12 - 1:00, @ J.H. Rose
APRIL 15 - 7:00, @ Nash Central
APRIL 17 - 7:00, @ Northern Nash
APRIL 22 - 7:00, SOUTHERN NASH
APRIL 24 - 7:00, @ SouthWest Edgecombe
APRIL 29 - 7:00, @ Wilson Fike
MAY 1 - 7:00, NASH CENTRAL
MAY 5 - 7:00, @ Bunn (Endowment)
MAY 9 - TBA, NCHSAA 1st Round - 3-A Playoffs


Junior center fielder Brian Goodwin, who has verbally committed to UNC, should be an offensive and defensive spark plug for the Gryphs.

NEW 6 sports schedules rotated

Rocky Mount High sports fans may not have noticed it but the sports schedules involving NEW 6 Conference games have been rotated.

Meaning, Rocky Mount won't start the league season with SouthWest Edgecombe and it won't end it with Northern Nash like it has the previous two years in the conference.

The old order for Rocky Mount was:

SW Edgecombe, Southern Nash, Nash Central, Wilson Fike, Northern Nash

The new order for RMHS, starting with the winter sports, is:

Northern Nash, Southern Nash, SW Edgecombe, Wilson Fike, Nash Central

The Gryphons will really experience the change next Friday (Jan. 11) when Northern Nash makes a return trip to RMHS' gym for their NEW 6 basketball openers.

Now, what will really feel funny is when the Knights come to Gryphon Stadium for their NEW 6 baseball opener on Wednesday, March 26 - at 7 p.m., no less.

How many of us can ever say say that you had to bundle up for a Rocky Mount-Northern Nash regular season baseball game?

There is a possibility that the league's football schedules could see some changes next fall, too.

Stay tuned!

Rocky Mount "Battles" its way to tournament titles

Montrell Battle and Dyonna Battle were the only Rocky Mount basketball players who had ice treatments Friday before hitting the court for their respective tournament championship game.

Seems like both took turns puttting Northern Nash on ice later that evening as the two claimed MVP honors at the Nash County Christmas Tournament at Rocky Mount High.

Montrell scored 42 points over the two-tournament and pulled down 13 rebounds. Dyonna had 34 points in her two games.

A closer look at the All-tournament team revealed some trends.

Southern Nash's Alyse Hall and Nash Central's Trey Sumler, both juniors, and Northern Nash senior Nikki Battle made the team for the third straight season.

Making their second straight appearance on the All-Tournament team were Rocky Mount's Tashawn Mabry and Nash Central's Jasmine Sessoms.

Here's a look at the last three Nash County Christmas Tournament All-Tournament teams:

2007

BOYS

Tim Brathwaite, Southern Nash
Trey Sumler, Nash Central
Octavius Lyons, Northern Nash
Toncellis Davis, Northern Nash
Tashawn Mabry, Rocky Mount
Montell Battle, Rocky Mount - MVP

GIRLS

Jasmine Sessoms, Nash Central
Alyse Hall, Southern Nash
Nikki Battle, Northern Nash
Danielle Edmondson, Northern Nash
Deaudra Brown, Rocky Mount
Dyonna Battle, Rocky Mount - MVP

2006

BOYS

Marcus Howard, Southern Nash

Brian Thomas, Northern Nash

Matthew Cooper, Rocky Mount

Tashawn Mabry, Rocky Mount

Trey Sumler, Nash Central - MVP

Michael Speight, Nash Central

GIRLS

Alyse Hall, Southern Nash

Stephanie Allen, Rocky Mount

Nikki Battle, Northern Nash

Doneka Whitehead, Northern Nash

Jasmine Sessoms, Nash Central

Janna Oxendine, Nash Central - MVP

2005

BOYS

Chastain Dickens, Rocky Mount - MVP

Tory Parker, Rocky Mount

Marcus Howard, Southern Nash

Trey Sumler, Nash Central

Steven Baker, Northern Nash

GIRLS

Kha'isha Thomas, Nash Central - MVP

Jelissa Ward, Nash Central

Nikki Battle, Northern Nash

Shay Holloway, Northern Nash

Alyse Hall, Southern Nash

What was the top sports story from the Twin Counties Area in 2007?

What's your answer?

I have compiled, what I think, are the top sports stories from the area for 2007.

In no particular order, they are:

1. SouthWest Edgecombe's girls basketball team reaches the NCHSAA 3-A state championship game.

2. North Edgecombe's boys basketball team reaches the NCHSAA 1-A state championship game.

3. Former Southern Nash star Gary Tharrington helps Appalachian State to a shocker for the ages - an upset win at Michigan.

4. Rocky Mount's football team posts a record 14 wins en route to the NCHSAA 3-A East finals.

5. N.C. Wesleyan's football team wins the USA South title, makes the NCAA D-III playoffs and wins a game - posting nine straight victories in the process!

6. Northern Nash's baseball team reaches the NCHSAA 3-A East finals series.

7. Rocky Mount's B.W. Holt records his 300th career football victory.

8. Former Southern Nash star Gary Tharrington is a defensive stalwart for Appalachian State in its NCAA FCA Championship Game win over Delaware.

9. Former Rocky Mount football standout Terrell Hudgins leads the nation in receptions per game and reception yards per game for Elon.

Down the right column of this page, you may vote for one these events as the top area story of 2007.

Cast your vote now! Voting ends Friday, Jan. 4!

AP selects West Charlotte's Thomas

The Associated Press has voted West Charlotte quarterback Darius Thomas as the N.C. High School Football Player of the Year for 2007.

Were you aware that only one Rocky Mount area player has won that award since its inception in 1983?

North Edgecombe's Milton Shaw did the trick in 1991.

And I was priviledged to hand him the AP plaque (in the shape of the state of N.C. ) that year during a halftime ceremony of a basketball game at North Edgecombe in January 1992. I was representing the then-called Rocky Mount Evening Telegram with the presentation.

Here is a list of all the fine athletes over the years who have won the award. See if you remember some of them:

2007--Darius Thomas, QB, West Charlotte
2006--Quan Warley, RB, Thomasville
2005--Quan Warley, RB, Thomasville
2004--Joe Cox, QB, Charlotte Independence
2003--Andre Brown, RB, Greenville Rose
2002--Chris Leak, QB, Charlotte Independence
2001--T.A. McLendon, RB, Albemarle
2000--Chris Leak, QB, Charlotte Independence
1999--Manny Deshauteurs, RB, Brevard
1998--Nick Maddox, RB, Kannapolis Brown
1997--Nick Maddox, RB, Kannapolis Brown
1996--Montrell Coley, RB, Goldsboro
1995--Marcus Reaves, RB, Fayetteville Byrd
1994--Terence Stokes, RB, Bunn
1993--Ernest Tinnin, QB, Burlington Cummings
1992--(tie) Antoine Ikard, RB, Maiden; Maurice Mebane, WR, Burlington Cummings
1991--Milton Shaw, RB, North Edgecombe
1990--Donnie Davis, QB, Burlington Cummings
1989--Mike Thomas, QB-P, Richmond County
1988--Chuckie Burnette, QB, Burlington Cummings
1987--Anthony Barbour, RB, Garner
1986--Robert Siler, RB, Siler City Jordan-Matthews
1985--Alvin Baker, RB, Claremont Bunker Hill
1984--Todd Ellis, QB, Greensboro Page
1983--Darryl McGill, RB, Southern Durham

Doughtie goes for No. 1000!

Tony Doughtie will host his 1,000th sports broadcast next week during the Nash County Christmas Tournament at Rocky Mount High School.

As host of WHIG-TV's Stretchlon Sports Show taped broadcast of the girls championship game on Friday, Dec. 28, Doughtie, who has been doing radio and TV sports programs in the Twin County area for several years, will reach his milestone performance.

His first on-air broadcast was on Aug. 30, 1971 doing color commentary of Ahoskie (now Hertford County) High school football games.

Congrats, Tony!

Hudgins selected to Walter Camp All-America Team

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Sophomore wide receiver Terrell Hudgins ( Rocky Mount, N.C./Rocky Mount) became just the second Elon University football player – and first offensive Phoenix player – to ever be named to a Walter Camp Football Foundation All-America team when the 2007 squad was announced Friday.

The team was selected by the head coaches and sports information directors of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision and certified by UHY Advisors, a New Haven-based accounting firm.

Dubbed a First Team All-Southern Conference athlete by both the league’s coaches and media last month, Hudgins was the lone sophomore to be chosen to the 27-player All-America squad. All other selections were either juniors or seniors. Former Elon linebacker and current Jacksonville Jaguar safety Chad Nkang – the only other Phoenix player tabbed to a Walter Camp team – earned the honor as a junior in 2005.

Behind Hudgins’ leadership, Elon finished the regular season ranked 21st in the FCS Coaches' poll and 23rd in The Sports Network's poll last month. Earlier this fall, the Phoenix ranked as high as 14th in the TSN poll and as high as 15th in the FCS poll.

Elon ended the 2007 regular season ranked second in the nation in passing offense, 14th in scoring offense, 16th in passing efficiency and 20th in total offense.Hudgins concluded the regular season leading the country in both receptions per game (10.6) and receiving yards per game (134.0) and ranked 11th in the nation in scoring with 9.8 points per outing.

A Second Team All-America selection by The Associated Press last year, Hudgins hauled in a program-record 16 receptions against both Liberty and Furman this fall. He also caught an Elon-record four touchdown passes against Liberty.

With 117 catches on the season, Hudgins came away with both a Phoenix and a SoCon single-season milestone in 2007. He also set new Elon single-season plateaus with 1,474 receiving yards and 18 touchdown receptions this season.

The Walter Payton Award finalist holds a SoCon single-season record with seven games of receiving for 100 or more yards. Hudgins earned SoCon Offensive Player of the Week status once and National Offensive Player of the Week recognition twice in 2007.

The receiving duo of Hudgins and senior Michael Mayers ( Virginia Beach , Va. /Landstown) established an NCAA single-season milestone for the most receptions (207) by two teammates as well as the SoCon single-season plateau for the most receiving yards (2,528) by two teammates this fall. The previous NCAA record was 189 receptions by Mississippi Valley State 's Jerry Rice and Joe Thomas in 1984.

A Holt is born

- B.W. Holt spends time holding grandaughter Maggie

Rocky Mount football coach B.W. Holt and his wife Barbara became grandparents Tuesday morning in Bowling Green, Ky. when their daughter-in-law Kim and their son Stu became newborn parents as Kim gave birth to a baby girl.

Margaret Claire Holt was born at 10:41 a.m. weighing 6 lbs., 12.5 oz and measuring 18 3/4 inches long. Mother and daughter are doing fine.

The parents plan to call their little girl "Maggie." Maggie has a stepsister in Payton, age 9.

Take a charter bus to Western Alamance Friday!

Arrangements have been made for a charter bus to go to the Rocky Mount-Western Alamance NCHSAA 3-A East final playoff football game in Elon.

A bus will leave at 4:30 p.m. from the Nash St. side of Rocky Mount High on Friday. The cost is $35, which includes the bus ride and a ticket to the game. Game time is at 7:30.

If you're interested in taking a more restful trip to the game, contact Rossie Tyler at 977-3085 or at 903-9565.

Gryphons get rushing record in playoff win

Rocky Mount just continues to set team records in the B.W. Holt era.

The 2007 Gryphon football team became the top rushing squad in school history during its 35-8 NCHSAA 3-A East semifinal playoff win over Southern Wayne Friday night.

The Gryphons rushed for 357 yards to push their season total to 4,209 yards - topping the previous record of 3,998 yards set in 2006. The amazing thing is that RMHS really doesn't possess a superstar rusher like fullback Demetric Marshall, who set the school's season and career records last season.

It's been a total team effort this year. Every back that has been given the ball this season seems to be running for his very life once he touches the ball. That type all-out effort, plus the blocking of a very solid offensive line, has made the difference.

Another record - 14 victories! No Rocky Mount team has ever won that many, let alone go 14-0.

RMHS also allowed no passing yards for the second time this season. Fike had no passing yardage in their NEW 6 meeting with Gryphons. It's the 11th time Rocky Mount has held a team zero passing yards, but that's not the school record.

Wilson Hunt had -4 yards passing in their meeting in 1990. The Warriors were 1-for-10 through the air in the game as the Gryphons prevailed 24-10.

The next team record on the line for RMHS is for total yards in a season - also set by the 2006 squad at 5,509. The 2007 gang has 5,038 yards so far, so that record is also in sight!

Rocky Mount Football 'Stat Watch'

• 1. Rocky Mount needs 147 yards rushing to set a new school record for team rushing in a season. The current record is 3,998 yards set last season. The 4,600 total yards tallied by RMHS is the fifth most in school history. The record is 5,509 set also in 2006
• 2. Junior kicker Nick Hahula set a RMHS record in its game vs. South Granville. His 10 kicking points (7 PATs, FG) was the most ever by a RMHS player. He topped the previous mark of 9 set three times by Hahula (all in 2006), once by Scott Peacock (2005) and once by Barrett Bodiford (1998).
• Hahula's 44-yard field goal vs. South Granville was the longest recorded FG in school history - but that is still under research.
• Hahula is also the No. 2 scorer in school history. His 207 points trails only the 228 scored by Demetric Marshall. Hahula has 126 PATs, 15 field goals and six touchdowns.
• Hahula has almost every kicking record in the book. But a few have eluded him - like the most field goals in a season. One more this season will tie him for that record (7). He needs also needs eight more PATs for the single season record in that category.
• 3. The 121 points Rocky Mount's opponents have scored is the lowest a RMHS team has allowed since 1985 when it gave up 93 points. The fewest ever - 1963 - 51 points, and that team won the state 4-A title.
• 4. Rocky Mount is currently riding a 14-game home winning streak. Its last loss at home was a 30-10 win by Western Alamance in the 3-A East finals - the final game of the 2005 season.
• 5. Rocky Mount is currently tied for its longest winning streak ever - 13 games. It also won 13 straight games from game #10 in 1963 to game #11 in 1964 without a loss. But RMHS also didn't lose a game over another 13-game period from game 1 in 1962 to game 2 in 1963, but it was tied 6-6 in game #5 1962 by Fayetteville High (now called Terry Sanford).
• 6. Rocky Mount has never won 14 games in a season. A win Friday would give it 14 victories.
• 7. RM vs. Wayne County Series: Rocky Mount vs. Goldsboro: RM leads 19-17-1; Rocky Mount vs. Eastern Wayne: RM leads 14-3; Rocky Mount vs. Southern Wayne: RM leads 1-0

NCWC football stuns top-seeded Presidents in OT, 35-34

NCWC Sports Information

WASHINGTON, Pa. - The North Carolina Wesleyan football team continued its impressive 2007 season on Saturday afternoon, knocking off top-seeded Washington & Jefferson by a 35-34 score in overtime in the first round of the NCAA Division III football playoffs at Cameron Stadium.

Senior kicker Brian Vaughn's point-after in the first overtime proved the be gamewinner. The Blue & Gold have now won nine straight games to move to 9-2 on the season.

The Presidents (10-1) had a chance to win the game in the extra session, but a fake extra-point attempt rush by sophomore kicker Chuck Grabner was stopped by NCWC senior Jezreel Davis.

Washington & Jefferson, which was making its eighth NCAA playoff appearance in the past nine years, grabbed a 7-0 lead at the 5:14 mark of the first quarter after junior quarterback Bobby Swallow drilled a 24-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Tom McCafferty.

NC Wesleyan fought back to tie the game early in the second quarter when junior running back Bryan Haywood capped a nine-play, 57-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown rush.

Swallow and McCafferty connected on a 13-yard touchdown pass with 42 seconds left in the first half, but Grabner’s extra-point attempt was blocked, making it a 13-7 W&J lead.

The Bishops assumed their first lead of the game, 14-13, just 12 seconds later when Haywood raced 87 yards down the NCWC sideline for a touchdown on the ensuing kickoff.

The run was the longest kickoff return in program history and the first-ever for a TD.
Wesleyan took the 14-13 lead into intermission, but it was short-lived as Swallow found

McCafferty for their third touchdown (19 yards) on the first possession of the third quarter. Swallow’s two-point conversion pass to junior wideout David Ravida made it a 21-14 game.

The Blue & Gold wasted little time in tying the contest as senior quarterback Cedric Townsend lofted a 40-yard scoring pass to sophomore wide receiver Orlando Webb on a third-and-long play just over three minutes later.

The score remained tied at 21-21 until the 14:26 mark of the third quarter when W&J junior running back Kevin Mathews bolted nine yards through the middle of the NCWC defense for a 28-21 President lead.

The Bishops answered quickly once again as Haywood’s 35-yard kickoff return helped set up his own 3-yard touchdown rush with 11:25 remaining in the game.

The Presidents’ ensuing drive stalled at the NCWC 46-yard line, but junior Zack Zebrasky’s punt was fumbled at the 27-yard line and recovered by W&J freshman Craig Sedunov. W&J drove to the NCW 2-yard line, but had to settle for a 22-yard Grabner field-goal attempt, which was blocked by junior Davon Collins with 4:35 left to play.

Townsend marched the Bishops into W&J territory, setting up a Vaughn 29-yard field-goal attempt with seven seconds left. Vaughn’s kick, however, missed wide left, and the teams headed to overtime.

Wesleyan had the first possession in the extra period, and Townsend scored on the fourth play of the drive from three yards out. Vaughn’s extra-point (pictured above) put the Bishops in front 35-28.
Swallow fired his fourth touchdown pass of the game on the Presidents’ fourth play, hitting Ravida on a 3-yard strike. W&J’s fake extra-point rush attempt was stopped, and the Bishops earned their first-ever NCAA playoff victory.

Townsend completed 19-of-29 passes for 221 yards and one touchdown, while also rushing for 97 yards on 23 attempts. Sophomore running back Teron Bush added 85 yards on 13 carries, while Haywood added 21 yards on the ground. Bush led NCWC receivers with six receptions for 36 yards.

The Bishop defense was led by senior linebacker Justin Augustin’s 11 tackles and two pass breakups.

Swallow finished with 265 passing yards (25-of-39 attempts) and four scores to finish the season with 46 touchdown passes. Mathews gained 103 yards on 24 carries, while McCafferty closed his career with a nine-catch, 147-yard receiving day.

Senior cornerback Doug Melton led the Presidents’ defense with 13 tackles and three pass breakups.

The Bishops outgained W&J by a 474-360 margin, including 253 yards on the ground. NC Wesleyan converted 12-of-17 third-down situations.

Wesleyan, the bracket’s No. 8 seed, advances to next Saturday’s second round game at fourth-seeded Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas. Game time is slated for 12:00 CST.

Congrats Battling Bishops!!

Hats off to Jack Ginn and the North Carolina Wesleyan Battling Bishops football team!

In only their fourth season, they will play in the NCAA Division III Football Championship playoffs beginning Saturday at Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, Pa - just south of Pittsburgh.

Below is a release from W&J's website:

WASHINGTON, Pa. -- Washington & Jefferson College was awarded a No. 1 seed for the NCAA Division III football playoffs and will host eighth-seeded North Carolina Wesleyan in a first-round matchup on Saturday at Cameron Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon.

The Presidents (10-0) completed the regular season undefeated for the ninth time in the 116-year history of the program. W&J is making its 19th appearance in the NCAA playoffs in the past 23 years and holds a 19-18 record in postseason play. Washington & Jefferson earned the Presidents’ Athletic Conference’s automatic bid after claiming its 22nd PAC title in history.

North Carolina Wesleyan (8-2) started the season with losses to NCAA playoff teams Wesley (34-31) and Widener (27-17), but has won eight consecutive games, including a 7-0 USA South Conference record. The Bishops became the first team in conference history to post an undefeated record in league play.

The Bishops have one of the nation’s most balanced offenses as they average 226.8 yards rushing and 226.2 yards passing per game (453.0 ypg). NC Wesleyan has turned the ball over 25 times, but the defense has forced 39 turnovers, including 22 interceptions which ranks third in Division III.

The NCW offense centers around senior quarterback Cedric Townsend (Kenansville, N.C./James Kenan), who ranks 35th in the nation in total offense (245.8 ypg). Townsend is a dual threat as he has completed 55 percent (138-251) of his passes for 1,980 yards and 20 touchdowns, while also rushing for 478 yards and 13 scores.

Senior linebacker Justin Augustin (Midway Park, N.C./White Oak) is the leader of the defense. He has collected 61 tackles, including 6.5 for a loss, and has forced and recovered three fumbles.

The Presidents are led by junior quarterback Bobby Swallow (Salem, Ohio/West Branch), who has led all NCAA divisions in pass efficiency (197.0) for the past seven weeks. Swallow set W&J’s single-season passing touchdown record with 42, while only tossing three interceptions. He has completed just under 70 percent (204-292) for 2,841 yards.

Junior linebacker David Gitlitz (Columbus, Ohio/Bexley) paces the defense with 94 tackles, including 14.5 for a loss.

Wesley (9-1) is the bracket’s No. 2 seed and will take on ODAC champion No. 7 Hampden-Sydney (8-2). Centennial Conference winner Muhlenberg (10-0) was awarded the No. 3 seed and hosts fifth-seeded Salisbury (9-1), while fourth-seeded Mary Hardin-Baylor (9-1) hosts No. 6 Trinity (Texas) in the final first-round game of the region.

The W&J-NCW winner will take on the winner of the Trinity-UMHB victor on Nov. 24th in the NCAA second round at the site of the highest remaining seed.

Rocky Mount posts first playoff shutout in 45 years

How historically significant was Rocky Mount's 28-0 playoff win over Union Pines last Friday night?

It was the first time in since 1962 that a Rocky Mount football team had posted a shutout in postseason play. Strange, you would have thought it would have happened at least once more since then, but it hasn't.

Here is a look back at all 38 playoff games Rocky Mount has played since September 1953 - the first month football was played with players attending the S. Tillery St. campus. Rocky Mount has a winning record in playoff action: 21-17:

2007: Rocky Mount 28, Union Pines 0

2006: Western Alamance 41, Rocky Mount 37

2006: Rocky Mount 32, Hertford County 16

2006: Rocky Mount 65, Gray's Creek 14

2005: Western Alamance 30, Rocky Mount 10

2005: Rocky Mount 21, Beddingfield 20

2005: Rocky Mount 21, SW Edgecombe 7

2005: Rocky Mount 35, Northern Vance 18

2004: JH Rose 15, Rocky Mount 13

2004: Rocky Mount 40, Middle Creek 7

2004: Rocky Mount 45, Cape Fear 20

2003: Jack Britt 24, Rocky Mount 17

2002: Wakefield 41, Rocky Mount 33

1997: Cary 9, Rocky Mount 7

1996: Richmond County 26, Rocky Mount 3

1990: EE Smith 24, Rocky Mount 14

1990: Rocky Mount 15, New Bern 3

1985: Terry Sanford 31, Rocky Mount 21

1981: Terry Sanford 27, Rocky Mount 7

1981: Rocky Mount 21, Seventy-First 6

1981: Rocky Mount 28, Enloe 13

1979: JH Rose 36, Rocky Mount 7

1979: Rocky Mount 28, Jacksonville 27

1979: Rocky Mount 35, Pine Forest 14

1977: East Mecklenburg 28, Rocky Mount 9

1977: Rocky Mount 25, Pine Forest 22

1977: Rocky Mount 20, Jacksonville 13

1977: Rocky Mount 14, Goldsboro 13 (OT)

1976: Eastern Wayne 10, Rocky Mount 7

1973: Sanford Central 28, Rocky Mount 0

1973: Rocky Mount 9, EE Smith 7

1964: W-S Reynolds 14, Rocky Mount 6

1963: Rocky Mount 14, W-S Reynolds 13

1963: Rocky Mount 42, Greensboro Page 0

1962: Rocky Mount 20, W-S Reynolds 6

1962: Rocky Mount 21, Myers Park 6

1961: Garinger 21, Rocky Mount 0

1959: Garinger 13, Rocky Mount 6

Tyler has great day in loss

Jason Tyler continued to pile up the passing yards for West Hills Community College (Ca.) last Saturday, but his Falcons lost a heartbreaking 29-28 decision to College of the Sequoias last Friday.

The former Gryphon signal caller was 36 for 67 for 422 yards and three touchdowns, but it wasn't enough as West Hills' kicker missed a field goal in the final seconds that would given it the victory.

Tyler will conclude his freshman season as quarterback Saturday when West Hills hosts Delta College.

The Football Series: Rocky Mount vs. Northern Nash

These two old rivals have been facing each other in football since 1969. Friday, they will meet for the 39th time - this time at Death Valley. Rocky Mount holds the series lead at 21-17 and has won the last four meetings.

The Gryphons can tie a record in the series with a win Friday. RMHS can win for the fifth straight meeting - something Northern did from 1985 to 1989.

Rocky Mount has posted five shutouts in the series - including the last three contests. The Knights have never recorded one.

Strangely, no one in the series scored 30 points or more for the first 17 meetings until Northern did the trick with a 34-14 victory in 1986.

And in case you're wondering who has scored the most points in the series, Rocky Mount leads 763 points to Northern's 634.

Here's all the games. I will try to add a significant fact about some of the games!

• 2006 - RM won 54-0 - (NN only picked up three first downs in this one)
• 2005 - RM won 21-0 - (Kendrick Dean's fake handoff fooled NN on an 86-yd. KO)
• 2004 - RM won 40-0
• 2003 - RM won 21-14 - (Stephon Virgil's 90-yard punt return for a TD was big)
• 2002 - NN won 47-6 - (NN won this one going away - played at Nash Central)
• 2001 - NN won 48-13 - (RM led 13-0, but NN took over in the second period)
• 2000 - NN won 48-28 - (NN piles up 23 first downs en route to the victory)
• 1999 - NN won 21-20 - (NN racked up 455 total yds. in the win)
• 1998 - RM won 21-7 - (RM's Gary Cobb returned an INT for a TD)
• 1997 - RM won 28-12 - (Linwood Silver's 99-yd. KO return broke this one open)
• 1996 - RM won 39-12 - (RM's Roman Kelley tosses four TD passes)
• 1995 - RM won 14-12 - (RM recorded two safeties in this contest)
• 1994 - NN won 54-31 - (RM gave up a record 523 yards rushing to NN)
• 1993 - NN won 28-12
• 1992 - RM won 13-7 OT
• 1991 - NN won 21-19
• 1990 - RM won 35-7
• 1989 - NN won 20-18
• 1988 - NN won 21-6
• 1987 - NN won 13-10 OT
• 1986 - NN won 34-14 - (NN picked off six Tim Kilpatrick passes in this one)
• 1985 - NN won 14-12
• 1984 - RM won 20-7
• 1983 - RM won 21-14
• 1982 - NN won 21-13
• 1981 - NN won 21-16
• 1980 - RM won 21-18
• 1979 - RM won 21-14
• 1978 - RM won 22-0
• 1977 - RM won 23-6
• 1976 - NN won 20-6
• 1975 - NN won 18-6 - (Craig Smith led NN to a win - the coldest NN-RM game ever!)
• 1974 - RM won 21-7
• 1973 - RM won 28-16
• 1972 - RM won 21-6
• 1971 - NN won 14-8
• 1970 - RM won 21-12
• 1969 - RM won 20-0

Hahula moves up RMHS scoring list

Now that junior kicker Nick Hahula has added scoring touchdowns to his repertoire as a fullback in coach B.W. Holt's Wing-T offense, he is quickly moving up Rocky Mount's all-time football scoring list.

With his 10 points scored in last week's big NEW 6 Conference win over Wilson Fike (a 2-yard touchdown, a PAT, a 32-yard field goal - the game-winner), he has scored 181 points in his varsity career, which moved him past Linwood Silver into the No. 3 spot on the career scoring list.

He needs nine more points to jump past current Virginia Tech player Stephon Virgil into the No. 2 position on the list.

Hahula, who had never scored a varsity touchdown before this season, has seen the end zone five times to go with his 109 point-afters and 14 field goals.

Remember, he has another season to go, so he may blow away the current record - held by the school's all-time leading rusher, Demetric Marshall.

Rocky Mount's All-Time Football Scoring List

1. 228 pts., Demetric Marshall (38 TDs rushing), 2005-06

2. 188 pts., Stephan Virgil (14 TDs rushing, 10 TDs receiving, 2 TDs Int. returns, 3 TDs KO returns, 2 TDs punt returns), 2001-04

3. 181 pts., Nick Hahula (109 PATs, 14 FGs, 5 TDs rushing), 2005-07-G10

4. 180 pts., Linwood Silver (26 TDs rushing, 2 TDs receiving, 2 TDs punt returns), 1995-97

It's a boy!!

Congratulations to former Rocky Mount assistant coach - now Northern Nash head football coach Chad Smith and his wife Hannah for the birth of their second child, a son - Ashton Dean Smith.

He was born in the wee hours Friday morning weighing seven pounds, 10 ounces and measured 20 1/2 inches. Mother and son are doing well.

Chad, along with their first-born Hunter, will no doubt be molding these boys into fine offensive linemen one day - just like their dad use to be!

Hahula's FG keeps Gryphons unbeaten

Rocky Mount junior kicker Nick Hahula bangs through a 32-yard field goal with 1.1 seconds left in the game to beat Wilson Fike 16-13 on a wet and muddy Buddy Bedgood Stadium field Friday night. The victory assured the Gryphons (10-0, 4-0) of no less than a tie for the NEW 6 Conference championship.

Sophomore back Marquavis Alston led all rushers with 120 yards on 21 carries.

For the first time in 55 years of Rocky Mount football, it has recorded four straight seasons of 10 victories or more.

For the record, Gryphon teams have now gotten a share or won outright four conference titles this fall.

Photo/Wilson Daily Times' Scott Jones

RMHS vs. 2007 Opponents

Here are the football series records for Rocky Mount versus all 11 of its 2007 season opponents.

Wilson Fike has been on RMHS' schedule the most times. They will meet for the 54th time Friday night at Buddy Bedgood Stadium.

Vs. Northampton-East: RM leads 1-0

Vs. Wilson Hunt: RM leads 15-10 (RM has won last six meetings)

Vs. Northern Vance: RM leads 3-1

Vs. J.H. Rose: RM tied 22-22

Vs. Hertford County: RM leads 4-0

Vs. Southern Wayne: RM leads 1-0

Vs. SW Edgecombe: RM leads 9-1

Vs. Southern Nash: RM leads 15-4

Vs. Nash Central: RM leads 5-0

REMAINING SCHEDULE

Vs. Wilson Fike: RM leads 28-23-2 (RM has won last five meetings)

Vs. Northern Nash: RM leads 21-17 (RM has won last four meetings. Neither team has ever won more than four games in-a-row in the series)

ECU schedules N.C. Wesleyan ... again!

Die-hard N.C. Wesleyan sports fans might just remember this date: Nov. 27, 1989.

That Monday evening, the Battling Bishops men's basketball team took on East Carolina University at Minges Coliseum and came away with a shocking 70-69 victory .... a little Div. III school knocking off a Div. I institution.

As if we weren't high enough after winning a Div. III baseball national championship five months earlier.

Former Northern Nash star forward Marvin Macklin put the Bishops on his back and guided them to the most unlikeliest of victories.

I was there, as were about 60-70 other Wesleyan fans who trekked over to Greenville in hopes of seeing an upset - and we got it. As a Wesleyan alum, I can't remember anything, at the time, being more joyous. We were beside ourselves!

The look on Don Scalf's face, the man who started the men's hoop program at NCWC, was priceless. One for the ages, most Wesleyan fans would say. That team, coached by Bill Chambers, went on to post a 20-6 record.

Well, NCWC has found itself on East Carolina's schedule once again.

The two programs will hook up for the first time since 1991 on Tues., Nov. 20 at a now-bigger Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum. The Pirates lead their series 3-1.

I'm ready for another upset!

It could be time for the Gryphons to win the Wachovia Cup!

Rocky Mount High is having one of its best fall varsity sports seasons ever. And that's the kind of start you have to have if the Gryphons are to claim the Wachovia Cup for overall sports excellence in the NEW 6 Conference. They've come so close to winning it the last two years - only to bow out to Wilson Fike in the final days of the spring sports season.

Already, RMHS' girls volleyball team, boys soccer team and girls tennis team have won their respective NEW 6 Conference titles.

The varsity football team, under B.W. Holt, is well on its way to a second league title in three years. The boys cross country team finished second in the league at last week's conference championship, while the girls cross country team placed fourth.

Though JV sports don't count in the Cup standings, how about a shout-out for the RMHS JV football team, coached by Chris Lee and Kent Cox. The Baby Gryphs are 8-0 on the season and have won an amazing 19 straight games - dating back to Wilson Fike game in 2005.

RMHS' volleyball team has made the third round of the state playoffs which will give the school statewide Wachovia Cup points. The boys soccer team will start its state playoff run next week.

The 'FATS' will converge in Greenville this week!

Unknown to most area prep sports fans, there has been more going on between old rivals Rocky Mount and Greenville Rose the past few years than just games on the football, soccer and baseball fields and the basketball courts.

There are underground fan factions representing both schools - and we call ourselves the Rose High Fats and the Rocky Mount High Fats - two fans-based groups who love their beloved high school teams and follow them everywhere. And when it comes to sports trivia about these respective schools, nobody has it on these two groups!.

We decided last month that the two factions were going to have a face-off to see who knows the most about our respective sports teams (records, little-know facts, etc.)!

A special competition between these rival groups will take place this week at an undisclosed eatery in Greenville (if we told you where, we'd have to kill ya!).

We will let you know which team wins - the Rampants or the Gryphons!

And may the best bunch of FATS win!

RMHS players honor Holt for milestone win

Who better to honor Rocky Mount head coach B.W. Holt for his 300th career victory than the guys who got him to that milestone, his current Gryphon players.

They recently presented him with a large framed jersey specially printed with the 300th victory, the historic date and score and it was signed by every varsity player. Holt came to Rocky Mount with 251 wins and RMHS' players got him his last 49.

Photo/David Hahula

How the top football teams in the state fared Friday

Here are the results from Friday's games among the Associated Press' Top 10 teams in each classification:

4A
1. Charlotte Independence (7-1) beat Charlotte Providence 43-7.
2. Richmond County (8-0) beat Fayetteville Byrd 45-12.
3. Wilmington Hoggard (7-0) beat Wilmington Ashley 41-21.
4. Garner (8-0) did not play.
T5. Scotland County (8-0) beat Fayetteville Seventy-First 27-3.
T5. West Charlotte (7-1) did not play.
7. Matthews Butler (6-2) lost to East Mecklenburg 22-21.
8. Greensboro Grimsley (7-1) lost to Greensboro Page 24-23.
9. Hope Mills South View (9-0) beat Fayetteville Pine Forest 33-0.
10. Wake Forest-Rolesville (8-0) beat Raleigh Wakefield 17-0.

3A
1. Western Alamance (9-0) beat Yanceyville Yancey 42-12.
2. Rocky Mount (8-0) beat Southern Nash 37-7.
3. Belmont South Point (8-0) beat Gastonia Forestview 35-16.
4. SouthWest Edgecombe (5-2) lost to Nash Central 35-32.
5. Anson County (7-2) lost to Concord 38-27.
6. Kernersville Glenn (7-1) lost to Winston-Salem Carver 17-7.
T7. North Gaston (7-1) beat Shelby Crest 30-10.
T7 Charlotte Catholic (7-2) beat Charlotte Garinger 35-0.
T9. Hickory (7-0) did not play.
T9 Asheville Roberson (7-1) beat Enka 36-7.

2A
1. Reidsville (8-0) beat Eastern Guilford 67-10.
2. Shelby (7-1) beat Kings Mountain 41-14.
3. Jacksonville Northside (8-0) beat East Duplin 34-28.
4. South Columbus (8-0) beat Pender County 42-14.
5. Mt. Pleasant (8-0) beat North Stanly 42-8.
6. Southern Vance (7-1) beat Roanoke Rapids 43-15.
7. Southwest Onslow (7-1) beat South Lenoir 27-7.
8. West Davidson (7-1) beat Thomasville Ledford 21-14.
9. Pittsboro Northwood (7-1) beat Burlington Cummings 42-28.
10. Burlington Cummings (4-4) lost to Pittsboro Northwood 42-28.

1A
1. Thomasville (8-0) beat Siler City Jordan-Matthews 29-22.
2. Warsaw Kenan (8-0) beat Dunn Midway 37-14.
3. Mt. Airy (8-0) beat Kernersville McGuinness 38-0.
4. Plymouth (8-0) beat Williamston 52-13.
5. North Duplin (7-0) beat Princeton 33-13.
6. Ayden-Grifton (7-1) beat Seven Springs Spring Creek 64-7.
7. Siler City Jordan-Matthews (5-2-1) lost to Thomasville 29-22.
8. Polk County (8-1) beat Avery County 26-6.
9. Wallace-Rose Hill (6-2) beat Salemburg Lakewood 14-7.
10. West Montgomery (6-2) beat North Moore 56-0

RMHS-SouthWest Edgecombe Highlights - WNCT-TV9

Thanks to WNCT-TV9's and Touchdown Friday's Brian Bailey, here are highlights from Monday night's NEW 6 Conference football battle between the Cougars and the Gryphons - played before almost 5,000 fans at the Rocky Mount Athletic Complex.

The Gryphons, thanks to a key defensive play by Brian Goodwin and Jacobi Jenkins in the final two minutes, prevailed 15-12.

Rocky Mount now leads the series between the two schools 9-1 with RMHS holding a 6-0 edge at home.

SW Edgecombe vs. Rocky Mount - The Series

FYI, here is the all-time football series between SouthWest Edgecombe and Rocky Mount.

Rocky Mount leads the series 8-1, and is 5-0 at home vs. SWE. The two teams will play in their NEW 6 Conference opener at the RMAC Friday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Ironically, in their previous NEW 6 regular season meetings, the two have not played on a Friday night. Both contests were played the following Monday after the scheduled games were postponed due to inclement weather.

Their lone recent Friday hookup was in the 2006 playoffs when all fans had to worry about was cold weather. The Gryphons advanced to the third round after a 21-7 victory over the Cougars:

ROCKY MOUNT vs. SOUTHWEST EDGECOMBE

1987: Rocky Mount 21, SW Edgecombe 18
1988: Rocky Mount 28, SW Edgecombe 0 (First-ever game played at the RMAC)
1989: Rocky Mount 40, SW Edgecombe 7
1990: Rocky Mount 15, SW Edgecombe 12
1991: Rocky Mount 24, SW Edgecombe 21
1992: Rocky Mount 12, SW Edgecombe 8
2005: Rocky Mount 24, SW Edgecombe 7
2005: Rocky Mount 21, SW Edgecombe 7 (3-A playoffs, 2nd round)
2006: SW Edgecombe 21, Rocky Mount 16

Tyler leads West Hills to its second win

COALINGA, Calif. - Former Rocky Mount Gryphon quarterback Jason Tyler had perhaps his best overall performance of the season as the freshman threw for three touchdowns and ran in two more in helping West Hills Community College defeat non-conference opponent Modesto Junior College 45-28 last Saturday afternoon.

Tyler, who started for the Gryphons for two seasons, completed 25 of 40 passes for 392 yards and four scores. He ran in two more - both 1-yard touchdowns. He had 19 yards on seven carries.

His touchdown tosses covered 57, 18 and 29 yards for the now 2-3 Falcons. West Hills piled up 491 total yards.

"This team has improved each and every week," said Tyler to the Coalinga Record, the weekly newspaper that covers West Hills. "We knew we were supposed to beat Modesto. The important thing is that we improve also. We have two weeks to prepare for Fresno City. To our team that translates into two more weeks of developing into a championship team."

Rocky Mount Telegram features Holt

The Rocky Mount Telegram sports department honored Rocky Mount
head football coach B.W. Holt in Monday's sports section with a beautiful pictorial page commemorating his 300th career coaching victory - a 49-7 win over Southern Wayne on Sept. 28.

To check it out, click here!

Gryphs stay put at No. 2; SWE falls into tie at No. 4

Here is the latest Associated Press 3-A high school football poll. Rocky Mount stayed planted in the No. 2 spot, but mysteriously, the SouthWest Edgecombe Cougars, the Gryphons' next opponent (Oct. 5), dropped to a tie for fourth despite their 28-14 win over Tarboro last Friday.

Belmont South Point, a 31-0 winner over East Gaston Friday, leap-frogged the Cougars and left them in a tie for No. 4 with Asheville's T.C. Roberson.

Here is the complete 3-A poll:

Class 3-A

W-L Pts LW

1. Western Alamance (12) 6-0 147 1
2. Rocky Mount (3) 6-0 138 2
3. Belmont South Point 5-0 94 4
T4. Asheville Roberson 5-0 88 5
T4. SW Edgecombe 5-0 88 3
6. Anson County 5-1 51 7
7. Charlotte Catholic 4-2 49 6
8. West Rowan 5-0 38 10
9. North Gaston 4-1 36 8
10. Northeast Guilford 4-1 22 9

Others receiving votes: Kernersville Glenn 20, Hickory 14, Eastern Alamance 10, Kannapolis Brown 9, Greensboro Dudley 8, Wilson Hunt 7, Hertford County 6.