A record six Gryphons make All-Big East boys soccer team

A record six Gryphons have been named to the 2010 Big East All-Conference boys soccer team. As you might guess, seniors (four) dominate this lineup for Rocky Mount.

The Gryphons, conference regular season champions, finished the season with a school record 22 wins (22-2-2) but fell in the third round of the NCHSAA 3-A playoffs.

A Rocky Mount player was selected Defensive Player of the Year - goalie Drew Gorham. Three Gryphons were named to the Region 3 All-region team, including Gorham.

All-Big East Boys Soccer Team

First Team


• Andrew Morales, Rocky Mount
• Matt Williams, Rocky Mount
• Drew Gorham, Rocky Mount
• Paul Lilley, Rocky Mount
• Mark Gray, Rocky Mount
• Robert Chambless, Rocky Mount
• Eric O’Brien, Wilson Hunt
• Will Jacobs, Wilson Hunt
• Linwood White, Wilson Hunt
• Raul Hernandez, Wilson Hunt
• Matthew Westbrook, Wilson Hunt
• Philip Packard, Wilson Fike
• Rob Brown, Wilson Fike
• Kyle Lewis, Wilson Fike
• Nick James, Wilson Fike
• Josh Barnes, Southern Nash
• Moises Gonzalez, Southern Nash
• Adam Hatchel, Southern Nash
• Isai Gonzales, Northern Nash
• Dylan Hendricks, Northern Nash
• Zach Connor, Nash Central
• Turner Votipka, Nash Central

Honorable Mention

• Lee McAvoy, Rocky Mount
• Jose Rojas, Wilson Hunt
• Keith Higgs, Wilson Fike
• Cody Joyner, Southern Nash
• Jeff Powell, Northern Nash
• Alex Whitehead, Nash Central

• Big East Conference Champion Coach: Drew Nick, Rocky Mount
• Big East Offensive Player of the Year: Eric O’Brien, Wilson Hunt
• Big East Defensive Player of the Year: Drew Gorham, Rocky Mount


All-Region Team

First Team

• Josh Barnes, Southern Nash
• Rob Brown, Wilson Fike
• Daniel Goff, Erwin Triton
• Isai Gonzales, Northern Nash
• Drew Gorham, Rocky Mount
• Will Jacobs, Wilson Hunt
• Kyle Lewis, Wilson Fike
• Andrew Morales, Rocky Mount
• Eric O’Brien, Wilson Hunt
• Philip Packard, Wilson Fike
• Logan Rash, Currituck
• Linwood White, Wilson Hunt
• Matt Williams, Rocky Mount

• Regional Coach of the Year: John Matthews, Southern Nash

Moss signs with North Carolina

Senior Benton Moss signs last week with UNC. (Photo/Ashley Moss)

 Rocky Mount senior pitcher Benton Moss has signed a national letter-of-intent to play baseball at the University of North Carolina. Moss signed on the dotted line last Thursday.

I am hoping he will not need the scholarship should he win the coveted Morehead-Cain Scholarship, for which he has been nominated. Former East Bladen standout and one-time Washington National Tyrell Godwin (UNC '01) was the last UNC baseball player to win the prestigious honor.

Moss, who is just six wins away from becoming Rocky Mount High School's all-time winningest pitcher, as a freshman (7-0 record) helped the Gryphons win a state title in 2008. He verbally committed to the Tar Heels the summer before his junior season after turning down offers from East Carolina, N.C. State and South Carolina.

He needs just five strikeouts to become the Gryphons' all-time leader (record held by Jeremy Ward of 216) and has compiled an eye-catching 23-2 career mark on the hill for the Gryphons.

Moss was also named last week to Baseball America's list of the top 100 high school baseball seniors in the country. He made the list at No. 85. To see the complete list, click here!

Goodwin suspended from UNC baseball squad

Former Rocky Mount High School standout and 2009 N.C. Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year Brian Goodwin has been suspended from the University of North Carolina baseball team (Photo/David Hahula)

 CHAPEL HILL - University of North Carolina sophomore outfielder Brian Goodwin has been suspended for the 2011 spring semester for violating University policy. He plans to return to North Carolina for the 2011-12 academic year.

Goodwin, a native of Rocky Mount, started all 60 games last year, batted .291 and was a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America. He led the Tar Heels last season in games started (60), RBI (63), triples (8) and walks (45).

This case is not related to the University and NCAA’s investigation into the North Carolina football program.

Rocky Mount 2010-11 Basketball Schedules

I have gotten several requests to run the Rocky Mount varsity boys/girls basketball schedules for the 2010-11 season, so here it is below.

A plus to the schedule - the Gryphons will not only host the annual Nash County Christmas Basketball Tournament (before Christmas for the first time in years and will be played over three days instead of two), but they will also entertain the Big East Conference for its cage tournament in mid-February.

Yes, it will be nice to stay home for once during the winter cage season!

ROCKY MOUNT 2010-11 VARSITY BOYS/GIRLS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
(Start times: Girls, 6 p.m.; Boys, 7:30 p.m.)

Nov. 23 - GREENVILLE ROSE
Nov. 26 - Triangle Tip-off Tournament, Knightdale HS; Girls 2 p.m./Boys 5 p.m.
Nov. 27 - Triangle Tip-off Tournament, Knightdale HS ; TBA
Nov. 30 - @ South Central
Dec. 1 - @ Wilson Beddingfield
Dec. 2 - @ SouthWest Edgecombe
Dec. 7 - WILSON BEDDINGFIELD
Dec. 8 - SOUTHWEST EDGECOMBE
Dec. 10 - SOUTH CENTRAL
Dec. 15 - @ Hertford County
Dec. 17 - @ Greenville Rose
Dec. 20 - NASH COUNTY CHRISTMAS TOURNAMENT @ RMHS
Dec. 21 - NASH COUNTY CHRISTMAS TOURNAMENT @ RMHS
Dec. 22 - NASH COUNTY CHRISTMAS TOURNAMENT @ RMHS

Jan. 5 - HERTFORD COUNTY

Jan. 7 - NASH CENTRAL*
Jan. 14 - WILSON HUNT*
Jan. 18 - @ Wilson Fike*
Jan. 21 - SOUTHERN NASH*

Jan. 25 - @ Northern Nash*

Jan. 28 - @ Nash Central*

Feb. 1 - @ Wilson Hunt*

Feb. 4 - WILSON FIKE*

Feb. 8 - @ Southern Nash*

Feb. 11 - NORTHERN NASH*

Feb. 14-18 - BIG EAST TOURNAMENT @ RMHS

* Big East Conference games

Gryphon cagers to play in Triangle Tip-off Tournament Thanksgiving weekend

KNIGHTDALE - Like last season, both of Rocky Mount's varsity basketball teams will play in the Triangle Tip-off Tournament at Knightdale High School next Friday and Saturday. HighSchoolOT.com is the title sponsor of the event.

Jamborees open Rocky Mount's cage season

Basketball will take centerstage in Rocky Mount athletics starting Thursday with the girls' team hitting the courts for a Jamboree beginning at 2 p.m.

Squads from Bertie, North Edgecombe, Northern Nash, Rocky Mount Prep and Southen Nash will be attending.

Saturday, it will be the boys' turn as several teams will join the Gryphons on the hardwood in a Jamboree in their two gyms beginning at 9 a.m.

The Gryphons will face such schools as Wilson Beddingfield, Bertie, Eastern Wayne, Goldsboro, Greenville Rose, Wilson Hunt, North Lenior and Rocky Mount Prep. 

Also of note, after scrimmages with South Central (girls, Sat., Nov. 13, away) and Westover (boys, Tues., Nov. 16, home), both RM varisty teams will open the regular season on Tuesday, Nov. 23 at home against Greenville Rose.

Girls' head coach Pam Gainey, who will start her 18th season at the helm, needs just five wins to reach the 300-career win plateau.

Can the Gryphon boys repeat as 3-A state champions? They are going to give it a run!

PAM GAINEY - girls basketball

2009-10 - 17-6, Big East champ, playoffs

2008-09 - 22-5, NEW 6 champ, tourney champ, playoffs
2007-08 - 23-2, NEW 6 champ, tourney champ, playoffs
2006-07 - 16-11, playoffs
2005-06 - 8-18, playoffs
2004-05 - 17-8, Big East champs, playoffs
2003-04 - 23-5, Big East champs, tourney champs, playoffs
2002-03 - 22-3, Big East champs, tourney champs, playoffs
2001-02 - 20-3, Big East champs, tourney champs, playoffs
2000-01 - 24-3, Big East champs, tourney champs, playoffs
1999-00 - 20-5, Big East champs, tourney champs, playoffs
1998-99 - 20-6, playoffs
1997-98 - 12-12, playoffs
1996-97 - 12-13, playoffs
1995-96 - 14-10, playoffs
1994-95 - 15-10, playoffs
1993-94 - 10-14

Career - 295-134, .688 winning percentage (start of 18th season)

(Nine conference titles, seven conference tournament crowns, eight 20-win seasons, one sectional title, 16 straight playoff appearances)
)

MIKE GAINEY - boys basketball

2009-10 - 24-3, Big East champ, playoffs, sectional champs, 3-A state championship
2008-09 - 17-11, NEW 6 tourney champ, playoffs
2007-08 - 19-7, NEW 6 champs, tourney champs, playoffs
2006-07 - 14-14, playoffs
2005-06 - 16-12, NEW 6 champs, tourney champs, sectional champs
2004-05 - 17-9, playoffs
2003-04 - 22-7, playoffs
2002-03 - 25-2, Big East champs, tourney champs, sectional champs
2001-02 - 19-2, Big East champs, tourney champs, playoffs
2000-01 - 13-11, playoffs

1999-00 - 12-12, playoffs

1998-99 - 16-10, Big East tourney champs, playoffs

1997-98 - 17-6, playoffs

Career - 231-106, .685 winning percentage (start of 14th season)

(Five conference titles, six conference tournament crowns, three 20-win seasons, three sectional titles, one NCHSAA state title, made playoffs all 13 seasons)

Bell awarded Babe Ruth Baseball scholarship

TRENTON, N.J. – Spencer Bell, a 2010 International Baccalaureate graduate of Rocky Mount High School, has been selected to receive a scholarship from Babe Ruth League, Inc.

In 2001, Babe Ruth League, Inc. established a College Scholarship Program for players who participated in the Babe Ruth League Baseball and Softball divisions. Bell is one of 10 former Babe Ruth League players from across the United States to be awarded a scholarship in 2010.

Bell played in the Nash County, North Carolina, Babe Ruth League in 2005 and 2006. He was a starter on the 2006 Nash County 14-Year-Old Babe Ruth All-Star team which advanced to the championship game of the 2006 14-Year-Old Babe Ruth World Series held in Wilson. During the World Series, Bell was named as the Ron Tellefsen Player of the Game in Nash County’s game versus Roseburg, Ore.

Bell, the son of Joe and Amy Bell, is a freshman at N.C. State University where he is majoring in Zoology.

Congrats, Coach Loes!

Give the man credit. He knows his baseball!

In a recent Gryphon Grapevine poll of the Big East Conference's baseball coaches on how the World Series would turn out, Northern Nash head baseball coach Eddie Loesner was the only one of the six to pick the San Francisco Giants.

And he said in six!

Well, the Giants did him one better and did it in five games, 4-1.

His counterparts had Texas winning in six or seven games.

Said Loesner in a recent email, " (It's) good to be right every once in a while."

Rocky Mount vs. Northern Nash - The Series

As controversial as their 2009 matchup was, Northern Nash will be really psyched about making this year's trip to Rocky Mount.

The Gryphons have won seven meetings in a row and shutout the Knights four of their last six meetings. But with Collins Cuthell scoring a questionable touchdown with less than four seconds left in their 15-12 meeting at Death Valley last November, Northern's players and coaches have had this game in their sights since.

Will Rocky Mount's rule of the series end this season and put the Knights atop the Big East Conference? Will the Gryphons end their season on a high note?

Well, that's why they play the game - and we all will get to see it Friday starting at 7:30 p.m.

ROCKY MOUNT vs. NORTHERN NASH

RMHS leads 24-17

2009 - RM wins, 15-12
2008 - RM wins, 49-0
2007 - RM wins, 54-21
2006 - RM wins, 54-0
2005 - RM wins, 21-0
2004 - RM wins, 40-0
2003 - RM wins, 21-14
2002 - NN wins, 47-6
2001 - NN wins, 48-13
2000 - NN wins, 48-28
1999 - NN wins, 21-20
1998 - RM wins, 21-7
1997 - RM wins, 28-12
1996 - RM wins, 39-12
1995 - RM wins, 14-12
1994 - NN wins, 54-31
1993 - NN wins, 28-12
1992 - RM wins, 13-7, OT
1991 - NN wins 21-19
1990 - RM wins 35-7
1989 - NN wins 20-18
1988 - NN wins 21-6
1987 - NN wins 13-10, OT
1986 - NN wins 34-14
1985 - NN wins 14-12
1984 - RM wins 20-7
1983 - RM wins 21-14
1982 - NN wins 21-13
1981 - NN wins 21-16
1980 - RM wins 21-18
1979 - RM wins 21-14
1978 - RM wins 22-0
1977 - RM wins 23-6
1976 - NN wins 20-6
1975 - NN wins 18-6
1974 - RM wins 21-7
1973 - RM wins 28-16
1972 - RM wins 21-6
1971 - NN wins 14-8
1970 - RM wins 21-12
1969 - RM wins 20-0

SERIES TRENDS:

1. Rocky Mount has won 14 times scoring 21 points or less. Northern has done it nine times.

2. Rocky Mount has shut out Northern Nash six times - four times in the last six seasons, but the Knights have never shut out the Gryphons.

3. Until Northern's first-quarter score in the 2007 tilt, the Knights went scoreless in the series for straight 14 quarters.

4. Both teams have won a contest in overtime.

5. Rocky Mount is the first team in the series to win seven consecutive games.

6. The two teams actually played a game at Nash Central. Yes, in NCHS' first season of existence (had only a JV team - 2002), RM played all its home games at Nash Central's Dawg Pound due to terrible field conditions at Rocky Mount. That was also the last year NN beat RM (47-6).

Big East baseball coaches weigh in on N.C.-tinged World Series

1999 Athens Drive graduate Josh Hamilton




2007 South Caldwell graduate Madison Bumgarner

 

Since this year's World Series has such a Tar Heel flavor (Texas Rangers centerfielder Josh Hamilton and San Francisco pitcher Madison Bumgarner), I decided to poll the six head baseball coaches of the Big East Conference on Wednesday to find out their pick for the Series' winner along with how many games it would take for the victor to come out on top.

The poll was taken before the start of Game 1.

Here is what they said:

Nash Central coach Jeff Mizelle -

"I like Texas in six. Josh Hamilton has come so far as a player and he will lead them to the title."

Northern Nash coach Eddie Loesner -

"The Giants in six. You won't see any crooked numbers in this Series. Giants will win the close ones."

Rocky Mount coach Kent Cox -

"Texas in seven. I think Texas has to many offensive weapons and is playing well as a team right now."

Southern Nash coach Jeff Flowers -

"Rangers in six."

Wilson Fike coach Will Flowers -

"I think it will be a great Series. The Yankees are my team and since the Rangers beat them, I will pull for the Rangers to win in six games."

Wilson Hunt coach Jon Smith -

"Texas in five. I believe Texas will win because they have great team chemistry, adequate pitching after Cliff Lee, and they have a good offense. Not to mention Molina should be able to give the Rangers' hitters a decent scouting report. Cody Ross will cool off and Texas will win it in five."

NCWC gets back on winning track with win at Maryville Saturday

MARYVILLE, TN - North Carolina Wesleyan's football team bounced back from last week's disappointing league loss to Christopher Newport with a 34-16 USA South road victory at Maryville College on Saturday, ruining the Scots' 2010 Homecoming. The win leaves the Blue & Gold with a 4-3 overall record and 3-1 mark in conference action.

Wesleyan struck first with a 12-play, 48-yard drive that saw junior Kevin Quicker boot home a 26-yard field goal to put the Battling Bishops up 3-0 with 12:17 left in the first quarter.

The Scots struck back at the 8:36 mark. Led by a 26-yard reception from Dustin Williams to Wesley Idlette, Darrell Tate finished things up with a 1-yard touchdown run. Andrew Noboa’s kick put Maryville up 7-3, and Noboa later pushed that lead to 10-3 with a 37-yard field goal with 1:12 remaining in the first.

Kevin Quicker followed up on Noboa’s job, connecting on a 22-yard field goal to bring the Bishops back to within four, 10-6, with 14:07 on the clock during the second quarter.

After a fumbled punt by Demetrius Christian on a Bishop punt later in the period, Wesleyan took over the ball on the Maryville 2-yard line. On the next play, Teron Bush found the end zone, putting Wesleyan up 13-10 with 6:38 remaining in the half. From there, the Bishops wouldn’t look back as NCWC found six more just minutes later. A 10-play, 76-yard drive ended with Jordan Vann finding Tyreck McFadden for 14 yards and a 20-10 advantage.

The Scots were able to grab a score just before the end of the half when Noboa recorded his second field goal of the evening. The Scots trailed at halftime, 20-13.

Wesleyan again found a score off a Scot turnover to open the third quarter. Senior Antonio Harris stepped in front of Willams’ pass, returning it 72 yards to hang points on the board. Just 1:33 into the second half, the Bishops held a 27-13 advantage.

Williams led the Scots down the field on their next drive, setting up Naboa's third field goal of the evening for a 27-16 tally with 8:14 left in the third, but the Battling Bishops answered with the game's last score when Vann connected with Laqwan Bodie from 11 yards out just before the end of the quarter. Quicker’s PAT provided the 34-16 final score as neither offense would get on board over the final 15:00.

Vann finished 24-of-34 for 271 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and senior Teron Bush hauled in seven catches for 124 yards. Defensively, Harris finished with 11 tackles, the interception for a TD and sack, while James Carter added ten takedowns.

Wesleyan returns home next Saturday when the Bishops host USA South foe Methodist University. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m. at the Northern Nash Football Complex.

Big East Boys Soccer Tournament Pairings - Inclement weather pushes event back

The 2010 Big East Boys Soccer Tournament was scheduled to get underway Monday at Northern Nash.

But heavy rains washed out Monday's play and moved the start of the tournament to Tuesday. Even more rain Tuesday morning cancelled first round play that evening.

Now, the event will run Wednesday through Friday.

Here are the pairings for the event:

BIG EAST BOYS SOCCER TOURNAMENT

@ Northern Nash

Wednesday

No. 3 seed Wilson Fike vs. No. 6 Nash Central, 5 p.m.

No. 4 seed Southern Nash vs. No. 5 seed Northern Nash, 7 p.m.

No. 1 seed Rocky Mount, No. 2 seed Wilson Hunt byes

Thursday

No. 1 seed Rocky Mount vs. Southern Nash/Northern Nash, 5 p.m.
No. 2 seed Wilson Hunt vs. Wilson Fike/Nash Central winner, 7 p.m.

Friday

Championship, 7 p.m.

More rain is in the forecast for Wednesday, so more schedule changes may be in store.

Gryphons end, continue streaks

Home sweet home!

The students, fans and alumni (four class reunion groups included) that attended Rocky Mount's Homecoming win over Wilson Fike Friday had to know that perhaps a little home cooking might help the Gryphons end their four-game losing streak.

And after five weeks away from the friendly confines of the Rocky Mount Athletic Complex, it did with a 14-7 victory. But if they had lost, it would have fed the longest losing streak (five) by the Gryphons since 1993 when they dropped six games in a row en route to a 3-7 campaign.

That season, the Gryphons dropped consecutive contests to Tarboro, Southern Nash, Wilson Fike, East Wake, Greenville Rose and Northeastern.

Also winning on Homecoming night has become old hat for the Gryphons. They have won their Homecoming game the last seven years. 

One had to also wonder if a conference win was ever going to come Rocky Mount's way after its 0-2 start this season. Since one finally came to past, they won't have to worry about tying the 1966 Rocky Mount team for fewest conference wins - none. In fact, the 1966 squad didn't win any games - the only time since the school opened in 1953 that has happened.

Scoring has been a Gryphon issue this season. But it may come as surprise to many that Rocky Mount scored two touchdowns in the second half for the first time since their season-opening triumph at Bertie. And weren't they important. Rodquez Greene's 26-yard run for a score late in the fourth quarter got them the win.

The Fike victory also kept another streak alive. It was the eighth straight time the Gryphons had beaten the Golden Demons, Rocky Mount's oldest rival (first faced each other in 1958). Not since 2001 has Fike won in the series - one RMHS now leads 30-21-2.

Even though its streak of regular season winning slates has ended at eight, a three-game winning streak to end the season might just put the Gryphons in the playoffs.

Of course, Southern Nash and Northern Nash will have a lot to say about that!

Gryphon makes Hall of Fame

Rocky Mount High School graduate Howard McCullough ('72) was inducted last Saturday into the Louisburg College Athletic Hall of Fame. McCullough played baseball for the Hurricanes in the 1970s, and was a star catcher for Jerry Carter during his Gryphon playing days. He currently lives in Greenville and is a scout for Major League Baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks. In the above photo, McCullough gives his acceptance speech. (Photo/Geoff Neville)

New No. 1 Tarboro to host SW Edgecombe Friday

It took the end of the nation's longest current high school football winning streak for it to happen, but a Twin Counties' football team has reached the No. 1 spot in the weekly Associated Press poll.

It's defending 2-A state champion Tarboro. The Vikings, who have been in the Top five all season, were voted to the No. 1 spot after defending 2-AA state champion and previous No. 1 Reidsville saw its nation-leading 55-game winning streak end last Friday with a 28-7 loss at home to Burlington Cummings. A few weeks ago, then No. 3 Tarboro leap frogged SouthWest Edgecombe in the polls when the Cougars were upset by Kinston. The Reidsville loss made the Vikings No.1.

Now can the Vikes, who got to that spot despite close calls with Northern Nash and Greene Central, keep that spot with No. 6 and all-time rival SouthWest coming to town this Friday night? 

If you thought getting into last year's clash at SWE was tough, can you imagine the traffic jams at Howard Ave. and U.S. 64 Alt. Friday afternoon? I can't emphasize it enough - get there real early and tailgate! Tarboro leads their all-time series 22-11.

With Rocky Mount coming home for the first time in five weeks with its Homecoming date with its longest all-time rival Wilson Fike, I just wish I could be in two places at one time just once this Friday.

Associated Press 2-A Football Poll - released Tuesday for Week 10

1. Tarboro (10) (8-0) 125 2
2. Lincolnton (1) (8-0) 114 3

3. Thomasville (2) (8-0) 106 4

4. Boonville Starmount (8-0) 78 5

5. Newton-Conover (8-0) 63 7

6. SouthWest Edgecombe (8-1) 59 6

7. Reidsville (7-1) 47 1

8. South Iredell (8-0) 40 9

9. Burlington Cummings (8-1) 37 NR

10. Polk County (7-1) 16 10

RMHS winter sports season just around the corner

The winter sports season at Rocky Mount High School will begin on Nov. 1. All potential winter sports (boys/girls swimming, boys/girls basketball, wrestling, indoor track) athletes must have an updated physical to try out.

Here is a list of tryout dates:

Swimming - Tryouts will be held at the RM Swim Centrer from 5:30-7 p.m.

Girls Basketball - Tryouts will be held in the main gym at 3 p.m.

Boys Basketball - Tryouts will be held in the main gym at 5 p.m.

Wrestling - Tryouts in the Wrestling Room at 6 p.m.

Indoor Track - Tryouts at the football practice field on Nov. 15 at 3 p.m.

Athletic physical forms are available in the RMHS Athletic Office in the student commons. Please see Athletic Director Mike Gainey for a form. Again, the results of a physical exam must be completed on this form to participate.

GRYPHON FAN PRODUCTS: Gainey has several Rocky Mount fan items for sale in his office.

Here are some of those items:

· Season sports passes - $100, adults; $40 (RMHS) students

· RMHS letterman jackets - $160

· 2010 Boys Basketball State Champions T-shirts - $10

· Select Booster Club items.

· 2010 Boys Basketball State Championship watches - $50 (in limited supply)

Rocky Mount vs. Wilson Hunt - The Series

Rocky Mount travels to Wilson Hunt Friday night for a chance to even its Big East Conference football record. Hunt (6-1, 1-0) is the defending conference champion.

RMHS leads the series with the Warriors 16-11. Hunt broke a seven-game losing streak to the Gryphons last season with its 28-14 victory. The Warriors will be going for consecutive wins over Rocky Mount for the first time since 2001.

ROCKY MOUNT vs. WILSON HUNT (RM leads 16-11)

2009 - Hunt wins, 28-14

2008 - RM wins, 44-6

2007 - RM wins, 28-21

2006 - RM wins, 21-7
2005 - RM wins, 31-7
2004 - RM wins, 46-14
2003 - RM wins, 27-19
2002 - RM wins, 7-0
2001 - Hunt wins, 24-0
2000 - Hunt wins, 29-22 OT
1999 - Hunt wins 24-0
1998 - Hunt wins, 14-7
1997 - Hunt wins, 23-21
1996-1993 - no contests
1992 - Hunt wins, 48-16
1991 - Hunt wins, 28-21
1990 - RM wins, 28-14

1989 - RM wins, 14-0

1988 - RM wins, 22-12

1987 - RM wins, 31-17

1986 - Hunt wins, 37-7

1985 - RM wins, 25-6

1984 - Hunt wins, 14-7

1983 - RM wins, 7-0

1982 - RM wins, 26-7

1981 - RM wins, 30-6

1980 - RM wins, 38-0
1979 - Hunt wins, 9-7

Follow RMHS' new campus construction via webcam



Construction progresses on Rocky Mount High School's new campus on Bethlehem Rd. The 64-acre site should be completed by July 2012. (Photo/David Hahula)



You can follow progress on the construction of Rocky Mount High School's new campus (Bethlehem Rd.) online via a webcam.

 

To access the web cam, click here.

Be aware that in order to view images from the webcam, you will need to install Silverlight, Microsoft's multimedia framework. (similar to Adobe Flash)

A Sliverlight button will appear after clicking the above link. Click the silverlight button and follow the installation instructions. You may need to restart your browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox,....) in order for webcam application to run.

The zoom slider on the left side of the screen allows you to zoom in/out. The playback controls on the left side provide a time-lapse view of the construction site.

Enjoy. It won't be long before the dream of every Gryphon alum will be coming true!

A GRYPHON GLIMPSE - Roman Kelley

Roman Kelley
(Photo/WECT.com)

Like father, like son.

Well, it didn't quite start out that way for former Rocky Mount quarterback Roman Kelley.

Kelley, a 1997 RMHS graduate, played football for Ray Durham as a two-year starting QB for the Gryphons. After a career that made Kelley the eighth-leading signal caller in yardage (2,110) and the No. 4 QB on the touchdown passing list (27), he went into the business field after graduating from N.C. State.

He was headed in a different career direction than dad George, who spent many years on the Rocky Mount sidelines before becoming head coach of the Gryphons. The elder Kelley was Rocky Mount's head coach for 10 seasons.

But a request from a friend changed everything.

That friend asked him to come out and help volunteer coach the team at South Granville. That experience did the trick. The coaching bug finally bit him.

After going back to school to get certified to teach, Kelley joined the coaching staff at South Granville. He also later served as the athletic director there.

That led to an assistant position at Topsail. He then went on to South Brunswick as an assistant. Two seasons ago, then-SB coach Gordon Waters left for a job in South Carolina and Kelley was selected as his replacement.

This season, his squad is experiencing great success. In fact, they were undefeated (7-0) going to last Friday's game with also undefeated South Columbus at home.

But a weird thing happened late in the contest. With less than four minutes left on the clock after the Cougars narrowed their deficit to 34-21 with a touchdown, the power went out. RM football fans may remember a similar occurance a few years ago at Southern Nash.

Nothing could be done with the power and school officials continued the game Monday afternoon at South Brunswick. The Cougars were forced to start the resumption with an onside kick, but they failed to recover the ball. South Columbus went on to win 40-21.

But that aside, the Cougars, after a 5-5 campaign last season, are 7-1 and looking good to make it deep into the 3-A state playoffs.

"I put in the Pro-I on offense and the 5-0 on defense and it looks just like the ole' Gryphons," said the 31-year-old second-year head coach. "We are 7-1 right now averaging 40-plus points on offense and have a very stingy defense. I couldn't be more pleased with how things are going. Of course, we have a long way to go and three tough games left in the Waccamaw (Conference). But it has been a lot of fun!"

(A Gryphon Glimpse is a regular series of posts featuring former Rocky Mount High School athletes or coaches.)

Big East Volleyball Tourney set to start Monday; RMHS is No. 1 seed

Rocky Mount won the 2010 Big East Conference regular season volleyball title and will be the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament that starts Monday at Wilson Hunt.

The Gryphons ran the table in the regular season at 10-0 and are 17-3 overall entering postseason play.

Here are the pairings for the event:

2010 BIG EAST 3-A CONFERENCE VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

@ Hunt High School, Wilson

MON - Quarterfinals


5 p.m. - No. 3 Northern Nash (7-10) vs. No. 6 Southern Nash (1-17)
7 p.m. - No. 4 Nash Central (9-12) vs. No. 5 Wilson Fike (12-7)
No. 1 Rocky Mount (17-3), No. 2 Wilson Hunt (13-4) byes

TUES - Semifinals


5 p.m. - No. 1 Rocky Mount vs. No. 4/5 winner (Nash Central) - Rocky Mount wins
7 p.m. - No. 2 Wilson Hunt vs. No. 3/6 winner (Northern Nash) Wilson Hunt wins


THURS - Championship
 
7 p.m. - Rocky  Mount (18-3) vs. Wilson Hunt (14-4)