Gryphons play well in scrimmages

Rocky Mount tangles with Roanoke Rapids last Wednesday in a practice session at Yellow Jackets'  Hoyle Field. (Photo/Roanoke Rapids News Herald)

Rocky Mount's football team finally got to hit someone else this past Wednesday and Friday.

The Gryphons traveled up I-95 to Roanoke Rapids to face the Yellow Jackets, champions of the Northern Carolina 2-A Conference last season and a 2-A playoff victim of Tarboro last season.

Rocky Mount outscored RoRap three to nothing.

At the Mellow Mushroom Pigskin Classic Friday evening at Wake Forest-Rolesville High's Trentini Stadium, RMHS squared off for an hour with Leesville Road. Both teams were missing starters. Big among the Gryphon MIAs was starting running back Rodquez Greene. A strained MCL was keeping him on the sidelines.

But the Gryphons played well on both sides of the ball as they prevailed two scores to none over a Pride team that went 9-3 last season.

Mason Hines' 1-yard plunge got RMHS its first score late in the first half. It culminated a nine-play, 60-yard drive. A two-point conversion pass failed.

In the second half, quarterback Michael Hines hit Damien Strickland on a 70-yard scoring pass. RM was successful on a two-point toss as well.

RMHS' defense played solidly all game long and allowed the Pride to cross midfield only once.

But the games will count for real Friday as the Gryphons will travel to Bunn to open the regular season. Game time is 7:30 p.m.