HEAD COACH: B.W. Holt
CAREER RECORD: 308-110-2
RECORD AT RMHS: 57-11
CONFERENCE: NEW 6 Athletic
CLASS: 3A
COLORS: Blue-Black/Gold
MASCOT: Gryphons
2007 RECORD: 14-1; 5-0
LETTERMEN RETURNING: 36
STARTERS RETURNING: Off: 8 – Def: 8
OFFENSIVE FORMATION: Wing T
DEFENSIVE FORMATION: 4-3
STRENGTHS: Experience. Good senior leaders.
WEAKNESSES: Depth on the offensive line and defensive front.
2008 OUTLOOK: "It could be a good year if we can develop the right chemistry."
2008 SCHEDULE
Aug. 22 --- EAST FORSYTH (E)
Aug. 28 --- @ Wilson Hunt
Sep. 5 --- @ Northern Vance
Sep. 12 ---- @ J.H. Rose
Sep. 19 --- HERTFORD COUNTY
Sep. 26 --- SOUTHERN WAYNE
Oct. 3 --- open
Oct. 10 ---- NORTHERN NASH*
Oct. 17 --- @ SouthWest Edgecombe*
Oct. 24 --- @ Southern Nash*
Oct. 31 --- @ Nash Central*
Nov. 7 ---- WILSON FIKE*
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS -
SENIORS:BRIAN GOODWIN (Athlete, 6-1, 182, 4.4) - All-Conference perfomer as a kick returner and a defensive back. Two-year starter. As a returner, he brought back two punts for touchdowns and two kickoffs for scores in 2007. Good hitter from his safety position (42 tackles, three pass deflections, two fumble recoveries and an interception). He may see some time at QB in 2008. Has baseball scholarship offer from UNC. College prospect.
NICK HAHULA (PK/FB/LB, 225, 4.75) - Could be one of the best kickers in the state. Rocky Mount's all-time kick scorer (180 pts.- 132 PATs, 16 FGs) and second in all-time points scored (216). All-Conference performer. Set school record for kicking points in a season in 2007 (73) and made a school-record seven field goals. Rushed for 679 yds. and scored six TDs from his fullback position. College prospect.
WHIT BARNES (OL, 6-4, 272, 5.15) - All-State and All-Conference performer. Two-year starter who can play center or tackle. Very smart player and a good leader. Led an offensive line that helped the team set a school record for rushing - 4,676 yds - ninth highest mark in N.C. history. College prospect.
TORY LEE (OL, 6-1, 255, 5.1) - Two-year starter at tackle. All-Conference performer. Very quick and smart. Will also play on the defensive side of the ball in 2008.
CHRIS PITTMAN (OLB, 6-1, 190, 4.7) - Racked up 120 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 2007. He also recovered three fumbles - returned one for a TD. Expected to be the leader of the defense in 2008. College prospect.
NICK HARRISON (DE, 6-3, 215, 4.75) - All-Conference performer. Led team in sacks with seven. Recorded 39 tackles and recovered a fumble. Very quick and strong, Can play at the next level. Started all 15 games as a junior. College prospect.
JARRON BATTLE (OL, 6-1, 315, 5.5) - Should be an anchor for the offensive line. Very strong - 600 squat, 325 bench..
GREG WILLIAMS (OL, 6-3, 265, 5.3) - Started all 15 games last season as a junior. A quick guard. Could be special.
KEITH STRICKLAND (SE, 6-1,172, 4.6) - All-Conference performer. Led team with 24 receptions for 501 yds. and two TDs. Great hands.
HIAWATHA BUNN (QB/DB, 6-1, 175, 4.5) - Started six games at QB in 2007 before an ankle injury sidelined him. Ran for 273 yds. and three TDs, passed for 189 yds. and two TDs. Ran in four 2-point conversions. Very good athlete. Could be a two-way player in 2008.
BRANDON DENNIS (OL/DL, 6-2, 232, 5.0) - Started all 15 games in 2007. Will play some defense in 2008. Very good athlete and very smart.
JOHN WELLS (NG, 5-9, 215, 4.9) - Tallied 52 tackles and five sacks last season. Started all 15 games in 2007.
JERMAINE FIELDS (DE, 6-2, 215, 4.75) - Amassed 82 tackles in 2007 and recorded 3.5 sacks. He also recovered three fumbles. Very quick and strong. Can play at the next level. Good speed. College prospect.
ZACK WILLIAMS (DB, 6-0, 175, 4.5) - Picked off two passes in 2007 and played in every game. Also had two pass deflections and nine tackles. Very quick. A good coverage man.
DEDRICK SILVER (OLB/SS, 5-10, 165, 4.7) - Very smart player and a good tackler. Had 72 tackles in 2007. He deflected three passes and had a sack and a fumble recovery.
JUNIORS:
MARQUAVIS ALSTON (HB, 5-10, 170, 4.5) - All-Conference performer. Led the team in rushing as a sophomore in 2007 with 189 carries for 1,576 yds. and 24 touchdowns.
JORDAN FORD (HB/DB, 5-8, 162, 4.5) - Spent time on the varsity and JVs in 2007. Carried the ball just 39 times on the varsity, but ran for 448 yards (11.5 yds. per carry) and three TDs.
AARON BARNES (LB, 6-1, 215, 4.9) - Could be very good. Started most of the games in 2007. Had 67 tackles and two sacks.
COLLINS CUTHRELL (QB, 6-0, 165) - Led JV team to a 10-0 season in 2007 and kept its winning streak alive at 22 straight wins. Passed for 1,056 yds. and 12 TDs. Ran for 116 yds. and three TDs. Could push other QBs for the starting job.
MARCUS JONES (SE/DB, 6-0, 170) - Very good athlete. Great hands. Led JVs with 27 catches for 485 yds. and five TDs. During the JV season, he had two interception returns for a TD, a fumble return for a TD and a punt return for a TD.
