NFL to hold free football camp at Rocky Mount High

If you are a Twin County resident, a rising sixth through ninth grader and you want to learn all you can about the game of football, then Rocky Mount High's practice field will be the place for you next week.

For the second time this summer, RMHS will host an National Football League-sponsored camp - this time it will be a Junior Player Development football camp for younger kids who want to be introduced to the basics of the game. And like the previous camp, it is free to all comers - thanks to the NFL and the Carolina Panthers.

The camp will take place Monday through Thursday, July 14-17 (6-8:30 p.m.), while there will be a registration and equipment fitting this week - Thursday and Friday in RMHS' auxiliary gym from 5-7 p.m. All campers are required to bring a completed physical form, or a parent or guardian must sign a waiver form in lieu of the physical.

A nationally known football equipment company will provide campers with fitted helmets and shoulder pads for the duration of the camp.

With the diminishing number of middle school football programs across the country, JPD programs are rebuilding youth tackle football as an effective feeder system for high school programs. According to the NFLJPD website, the JPD programs ensure that all participants receive the full experience of instructional and developmental youth tackle football training in a readapted manner.

Coaches at the camp will stress the fundamentals and playing techniques of every position on the field as well as incorporate life skills into each practice. There will be continuous interaction with all campers while coaches try to impart a fun and entertaining curriculum to the participants.

For more information on the camp and all its activities, contact Rocky Mount head coach B.W. Holt during the day at 252-977-3164.

Pairings set for first-ever Rocky Mount Football Jamboree

Here are the pairings for the first-ever Rocky Mount Football Jamboree set for the Rocky Mount Athletic Complex on Friday, Aug. 15 starting at 4 p.m.

East team will scrimmage three times for 40 minutes each - playing from the 40-yard line out. There will be a five-minute break between each session. There is no structured competition. Each sessions' coaches may use whatever competition format they may want to use, i.e., 10 min. offense, 10 defense; 30 plays offense, 30 plays defense, etc.

The RMHS Booster Club is planning to make this a festive event - including selling barbecue chicken dinners during the evening.

Also, during the final session of the night, there will be a reunion of sorts. All four teams will have one person in common - Rocky Mount head coach B.W. Holt. Three of his former assistants will be coaching the other teams: Elbert Thomas at West Montgomery, Chad Smith at Northern Nash and Dickie Schock at Hillsborough Orange.

4:00 p.m.

West Montgomery vs. Northern Nash
South Central vs. Hillsborough Orange

4:45 p.m.

West Montgomery vs. Hillsborough Orange
South Central vs. Northern Nash

5:30 p.m.

Wilson Fike vs. Oxford Webb
Rocky Mount vs. Durham Riverside

6:15 p.m.

Wilson Fike vs. Durham Riverside
Rocky Mount vs. Oxford Webb

7:00 p.m.

South Central vs. Wilson Fike
Oxford Webb vs. Durham Riverside

7:45 p.m.

Hillsborough Orange vs. Northern Nash
West Montgomery vs. Rocky Mount

Farrow to become RMHS' new principal

- Leon Farrow

By now, I'm sure everyone knows that Leon Farrow will become the new principal at Rocky Mount High School starting July 1.

We know very little about Mr. Farrow, but here are some links down below to three sources so you can get an idea who he is.

We will dearly miss Judy Bradshaw, but we welcome Mr. Farrow to the Gryphon family and we hope he has a very productive career here!

West Craven principal leaving for post at Rocky Mount

West Craven's Leon Farrow is principal of the year

Leon Farrow bio

(New Bern Sun Journal photo)

Thomas tapped into Atkins HS Hall of Fame

WINSTON-SALEM - Former Edwards Middle School athletic director and coach Donald Thomas was recently inducted into the Atkins High School Hall of Fame during a formal ceremony and banquet held at the Benton Convention Center.

Thomas, a 1960 graduate of Atkins, played quarterback and cornerback for the Camels. As a senior and team captain, he was All-City, All-Western District and All-State. He also lettered in baseball, basketball and track.

Thomas went on to play football for N.C. Central University and has been inducted into NCCU's Sports Hall of Fame. He has also been honored with an induction into the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County High School Sports Hall of Fame.

Thomas, who holds a master's degree from Lynchburg College, retired from teaching in 2006.

Thomas' son Sean, who played football at Rocky Mount, is currently the head trainer at N.C. Central.

Nick selected as RMHS' new soccer coach

When Wilson Hunt joins the NEW 6 Conference the fall of 2009, Rocky Mount's new head soccer coach will have an inside track on that school's talent.

Why?

Because its former soccer coach is now the new head boys and girls soccer coach at RMHS.

Andrew Nick has been hired by Rocky Mount replacing Patrick Sensiba, who left for a position in his native Tidewater Virginia.

"I believe Mr. Nick can continue building this program," said Rocky Mount athletic director Michael Gainey. "His records at Hunt High speaks for itself. I look forward to working with him.

"Losing Patrick and Michelle (Huffman, head softball coach) was a surprise," he added. "I wasn't aware that they were looking at the time. Things happen and we deal with them. Patrick's knowledge of the game will be missed. Michelle's knowledge and fire power will be missed. She came in a worked really hard to gain the trust of the players. She made some big accomplishments this season.

"I thank them both for a job well done and I wish them the best on their next journey."

Leggett undergoes surgery

Rocky Mount's all-time winningest pitcher has undergone shoulder surgery.

Jim Leggett, who helped the Gryphons to a state championship last month, underwent surgery last Friday at Pitt Memorial Hospital to repair a partially torn labrum in his right shoulder.

His father Quentin says Jim is doing well and is home. He injured his shoulder during his late-regular season performance against Northern Nash, and yet managed to finish out the season - including recording three wins in the postseason.

Jim, who left RMHS with 28 career pitching victories (28-7), will attend Belmont Abbey next season and will redshirt his first baseball season there. The Crusaders went 41-22 last season and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Div. II South Atlantic Regionals at Mount Olive College. Mount Olive, of course, went on to win the Div. II national championship.

Belmont Abbey is a member of Conference Carolinas along with Barton and Mount Olive.

RMHS faces football coaching changes ... again

For the second straight summer, head football coach B.W. Holt has a dilemma. He has four vacancies on his staff and roughly only a month to fill them.

No longer on the staff are Ed Hiatt, Curtis Rushing, Chris Moore and Donovan Jackson. So Holt has to find a defensive coordinator, a special teams coordinator, a linebacker coach and a defensive line coach, respectively.

The problem, Holt has been told that the only RMHS teaching openings are in social studies (two) and mathematics (two).

Yikes!

He says he not too worried and he thinks he will find coaches for these vacancies.

Good luck, coach!

Gryphs to face the Brothers Crudup

- Kevin Crudup

Rocky Mount High's 2008 football team will face not just one coaching Crudup, but two.

One will be new Nash Central High football coach Kevin Crudup. The Bunn native and Mars Hill graduate was named the Bulldogs' head man Friday at a press conference at the school.

But Crudup has a brother in the high school coaching ranks.

Cedric Crudup is the head coach at Northern Vance High in Henderson. Both Nash Central and Northern Vance are on the Gryphons' slate this fall - both road games for RMHS.

The Gryphons travel to Henderson on Friday, Sept. 5, and will hit the road crosstown to the Dawg Pound on Halloween, Friday, Oct. 31.

No doubt, Cedric will be giving pointers to Kevin on how to stop the Gryphons!

A look at 2008's team stats - RMHS Baseball

After taking a gander at the final team stats for the 2008 Rocky Mount baseball team, they were pretty astounding.

Take a look. They are all school records!

27 wins (27-6)

236 runs scored

.324 batting average

298 hits

195 RBI

919 at-bats

59 doubles

10 triples

71 stolen bases

Meeting of the Minds!

Rocky Mount head football coach B.W. Holt and Northern Nash head football coach Chad Smith discuss instructional plans during the NFL High School Player Development Camp held at Rocky Mount High last week. The camp was for kids going to the ninth through 12th grades.

RMHS will hold another NFL Player Development Camp July 14-17 - a junior version for the younger kids - from the sixth to ninth grade.

For more information on the Junior NFL Camp, you can reach Holt after June 30 weekdays at 252-977-3164.

(Photo/David Hahula)

A new Gryphon in the house!

Rocky Mount assistant football coach Chris Lee and his wife Lindsay welcomed new son, Christopher Winston, into the world on May 12.

Winston, as the family will call him, weighed 9 pounds, 7 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long. He has a sister, Hope, who is 2 1/2 years old.

Best wishes on your new arrival!

It's been a banner year for Chris. His JV football team completed an undefeated season at 10-0 and is riding a 21-game winning streak. He assisted the varsity football team to a 14-1 campaign and he led the RMHS JV girls basketball team to an 18-1 season. Its only loss was in the season-opener!

Congrats again to the Lee family!

Former Gryphon gets principal post in Wilson Co.

Congratulations to former Gryphon athlete and former RMHS teacher Eddie Doll.

Doll, who played football and baseball for the Gryphons, was named principal at Elm City Middle School in Elm City Monday evening at a meeting of the Wilson County School Board.

Doll, a N.C. State and ECU graduate, had served the last few years as an assistant principal at Hunt High School. He taught at RMHS prior to going to Wilson County.

His father Wayne is a former RMHS principal and currently serves as the countywide athletic director for Nash-Rocky Mount Schools.

Donation for championship rings

Rocky Mount athletic director Michael Gainey (left) and Gryphon head baseball coach Pat Smith (center) accept a check for $2,000 from Donnie Tharrington of Don's Boby Shop that will go to defray the cost of championship rings for members of Rocky Mount's NCHSAA 3-A state champion baseball team.

The team was honored with a reception in the lobby of City Hall Monday before being honored by the City Council later in the evening.

(Contributed photo)

2008 NCHSAA 3-A Baseball State Champions - Rocky Mount Gryphons

Parents and friends, if you would like professional copies of these shots or any others from Game 3 of the NCHSAA 3-A State Championship series, contact David Hahula at dhahula@embarqmail.com.

Remember, click on the picture to enlarge it!

Bring the Wood - 2!

Here are more pictorial angles of Tom Jones' woodshed - in honor of the 2008 NCHSAA 3-A State Champions: The Rocky Mount Gryphons! The woodshed sat at the entrance to Five County Stadium to inspire the Gryphon players and supporters. (Photos/David Hahula)

Note: Click on any picture to enlarge!

Bring the Wood!

One of the great inspirations of Rocky Mount's quest for a 3-A state baseball title was this woodshed - built primarily by Rocky Mount alum and loyal Gryphon fan Tom Jones. You might say, he's got wood!

This shed, complimented by signatures by all the players above its front door, served as a rallying point for all the fans that turned out to support the Gryphons during its weekend stay at Five County Stadium in Zebulon.

Many had their picture taken while taking a seat inside.

Even football coach B.W. Holt took a load off in it on Friday, and lo and behold, RM baseball coach Pat Smith sat himself down in it minutes after the Gryphons broke a school 26-year title drought and the baseball program wiped away 28 years of hard-trying to get a title back to Gryphon Stadium.

There is no doubt that the Gryphons "brought the wood" this past weekend!

The five seniors: William Barringer, Chris Berry, Jim Leggett, Grant Johnson, Nick Phillips - each received a bat that adorned the front of the shed.

(Photo/Wes Bradshaw)

Rocky Mount Telegram Gryphon Slideshow

To get some glimpses of the action from Friday and Saturday's NCHSAA Games 1, 2 and 3 of 3-A state championship action with the Gryphons and East Rowan, click here to see a slideshow from the Rocky Mount Telegram!

Pictures taken by former Gryphon player Tom Jones will be forthcoming!

Leggett gets career win No. 28 as RM gets one game closer to a 3-A title

ZEBULON – A balanced Rocky Mount offensive attack banged out 10 hits and the Gryphons held off East Rowan 7-4 in the first game of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 3-A baseball championship series on Friday at Five County Stadium.

East Rowan jumped in front 2-0 in the bottom of the first, but Rocky Mount tied it in the second when a run scored on a double play and then Collins Cuthrell delivered a run-scoring single to tie the game.

The Gryphons took a 5-2 lead with three in the fourth, with Gabe Brown’s two-run single the key blow, but East battled back to slice it 5-4 on Zack Smith’s two-out, two-run double. Rocky Mount then added a pair of insurance runs in the sixth after a two-out error, a triple by William Barringer that scored a run and then an RBI single by Grant Johnson.

Chris Berry was the only Gryphon with two hits. Every RMHS starter collected at least one hit. The bottom of the Gryphons' lineup was very effective - with batters Nos. 7-9 going 3-for-9 with five RBI and two runs scored.

Senior righthander Jim Leggett (8-3) went the route on the mound for the winners, allowing just three hits and getting his 28th career victory, to extend his Rocky Mount school record, while Corbin Shive was charged with the loss (11-2).

Smith provided the offensive punch for East Rowan with two hits in three trips and three runs batted in. The Mustangs dropped to 28-4 overall while Rocky Mount improved to a school record 26-5.

Game two in the best-of-three series is set for Saturday morning at eleven o’clock as Rocky Mount seeks to close out the series and win its first NCHSAA baseball title since 1980. Game three, if necessary, would be played Saturday afternoon at 5 p.m.

NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

STATE 3-A BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES — GAME ONE

Five County Stadium, Zebulon

Rocky Mount 0 2 0 3 0 2 0 – 7 10 1

East Rowan 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 – 4 3 1

WP—Jim Leggett (8-3)

LP—Corbin Shive (11-2)

Leading hitters: Rocky Mount - Chris Berry 2-4, R; Ben Fish 1-2, R; Jim Leggett 1-2, R; Collins Cuthrell 1-3, 2 RBI, R; Gabe Brown 1-3, 2 RBI, R; Dillon Cockrell 1-3, RBI; Brian Goodwin 1-3; William Barringer 1-4, 3B, RBI, R; Grant Johnson 1-4. East Rowan - Zach Smith 2-3, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI; Ethan Fisher 1-3, 2B.

Barnes gets offer from Wake Forest; two Gryphons get special Shrine Bowl combine invite

Rocky Mount offensive lineman Whit Barnes received a football scholarship offer from Wake Forest University this week. The rising senior also received a scholarship offer from Duke University a few weeks ago.

But there will be more schools to chose from for the hard-working lineman.

He and defensive secondary specialist-kick returner Brian Goodwin have been invited to a select Shrine Bowl football combine to be held Saturday at Burlington Williams High School. The top 130 or so players who attended earlier regional combines have been invited to this special combine to receive more scrutiny from N.C. Shrine Bowl head coach Gary Fowler (Clayton) and his staff.

Barnes will be attending the combine, but Goodwin has some more pressing issues Saturday - trying to win a state baseball championship in Zebulon.

The Championship Venue

FIVE COUNTY STADIUM, ZEBULON - site of the NCHSAA 3-A, 4-A State Baseball Championship Series

Name: Five County sits in Wake County and is in earshot of Nash, Johnston, Franklin and Wilson.
History: Five County opened on July 3, 1991. Dimensions: LF-330, CF-400, RF-330; Capacity: 6,500
Scoreboard: Made by Daktronics.
Videoboard: Made by Lighthouse

Rocky Mount's Championship Results

Here are the results of the all the state championship games Rocky Mount has played in since winning its first title in 1963. Thanks to Ernie Murray for the complete 1963 and 1965 series scores.

1963 - 4-A Series
Rocky Mount 2, Greensboro Page
Rocky Mount 11, Greensboro Page 6
(RM wins series 2-0)

1965 - 4-A Series
Garinger 4, Rocky Mount 3
Garinger 2, Rocky Mount 1
(RM loses series 0-2)

1967 - 4-A Series
Game 1: Rocky Mount 7, West Mecklenburg 5
Game 2: West Mecklenburg 2, Rocky Mount 1
Game 3: Rocky Mount 4, West Mecklenburg 1
(RM wins series 2-1)

1973 - 4-A Series
Game 1: North Mecklenburg 5, Rocky Mount 2
Game 2: Rocky Mount 6, North Mecklenburg 3
Game 3: Rocky Mount 4, North Mecklenburg 1
(RM wins series 2-1)

1980 - 4-A Series
Game 1: Rocky Mount 7, Greensboro Grimsley 2
Game 2: Rocky Mount 7, Greensboro Grimsley 2
(RM wins series 2-0)

2008 - 3-A Series
Game 1: Rocky Mount 7, East Rowan 4
Game 2: East Rowan 6, Rocky Mount 2
Game 3: Rocky Mount 8, East Rowan 6
(RM wins series 2-1)

Gryphons set to play Friday at Five County Stadium

NCHSAA CLASS 3-A

STATE BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

FIVE COUNTY STADIUM, ZEBULON

ROCKY MOUNT vs. EAST ROWAN

Game 1: Friday, May 30, 5 p.m.

Game 2: Saturday, May 31, 11 a.m.

Game 3: if necessary,

Saturday, May 31, 5 p.m.

Gryphons look good for No. 5

Rocky Mount senior pitcher Jim Leggett threw an astounding 61 pitchers in his complete-game, three-hit shutout of Wilson Fike Wednesday evening. (Photo/David Hahula)

(Note: Guys, here's Wilson Daily Times sports editor Paul Durham's blog entry after Rocky Mount's win over Fike Wednesday evening.)

By Paul Durham

Wilson Daily Times

WILSON - The season ended again in the fourth round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A baseball playoffs for Fike.

This time, it was NEW 6 Conference archrival Rocky Mount that sent the Golden Demons home. A year ago, Charles B. Aycock got past Fike on the way to the 3-A state title.

My money, if I had any, would be on Fike being ousted by another state champion.

I felt that going into Wednesday night's East Regional semifinal at Fike was the best matchup of remaining teams. Granted, I do plead a certain amount of ignorance about the West Regional semifinalists. But recent history has taught me the East might have the better baseball teams in the NCHSAA.

While I was thinking Fike had a championship-caliber team, I knew that Rocky Mount does for five reasons — pitching, pitching, pitching, pitching, pitching.

You see, as the NCHSAA playoffs turn into best-of-3 series at the regional and state championships, pitching depth becomes the single biggest factor in a team's success, in my humble opinion.

There's no doubt a team can ride a couple of hot bats and obscure mediocre pitching through the single-elimination part of the playoffs. But in order to win four games in five or six days (as is the case with the regional semifinals and finals) and then play a best-of-3 in two days in the state finals, you'd better have more than one good pitcher.

Fike had two pretty good pitchers in senior Bentley Massey and sophomore William Prince. I have to believe that if Demons head coach Will Flowers called on them, either Tripp Sauls, Matthew Pittman, Jacob Davis or Mitchell Wheeler could have given a credible effort on the mound.

But that's a moot point now.

It's the Gryphons who are headed to Winterville on Friday night to play D.H. Conley, a 1-0 victor against South Central on Wednesday night.

And Rocky Mount has four solid arms with more than 30 innings pitched this season plus junior Nick Hahula who emerged at midseason as a hard-throwing option.Gryphons head coach Pat Smith can use Hahula, Benton Moss, Chris Berry or Dillon Cockrell in the first two games and still have ace Jim Leggett, Wednesday night's winner, for some innings Saturday.

If Rocky Mount makes it to the 3-A finals, its mound quintet will have seven days of rest.

That's why I'm taking the Gryphons to win the fifth state title in school history.

By the way, the starting shortstop on Rocky Mount's 1973 4-A state champion was none other than Phil Ford, who opted to play basketball in college.

Thunderstorms move many 4th round baseball playoff games to Wednesday

Rocky Mount's Jim Leggett dives back to third base after escaping a rundown in the Gryphons' 3-1 NCHSAA third-round playoff win over South Johnston Saturday evening. (Photo/David Hahula)

Here are the pairings for the NCHSAA baseball state regional semifinals (Round 4).

All games were set for Tuesday. However, a long line of thunderstorms crossed the state late Tuesday afternoon and evening - forcing many postponements to Wednesday (bold face).

4-A

EAST

Leesville Road (17-8) at Greenville Rose (23-3), ppd., Wed.
Wilmington Hoggard (20-4) at. Raleigh Sanderson (17-6), ppd., Wed.

WEST

North Davidson (23-3) at Charlotte Ardrey Kell (25-4), ppd., Wed.
Charlotte Providence 10, South Caldwell 4

3-A

EAST

South Central (12-14) at DH Conley (17-9), ppd., Wed., 7 p.m.
Rocky Mount (22-5) at Wilson Fike (21-4), ppd., Wed., 7 p.m.

WEST

East Rowan 5, Mooresville 4
South Point 1, Rutherfordton-Spindale Central 0

2-A

EAST

Whiteville 4, South Lenoir 3
Hillsborough Orange (21-3) at North Lenoir (21-1), ppd., Wed.

WEST

Ledford 11, Starmount 0
East Rutherford 9, Lenoir Hibriten 4

1-A

EAST

Princeton (16-10) at Williamston (18-7), ppd., Wed.
Hampstead Topsail 7, Heidi Trask 1

WEST

South Stokes 8, Bishop McGuinness 3
Cherryville 5, Polk County 4

Rocky Mount football moving to 1390 AM

- RMSH alum Wes Bradshaw

When ESPN Sports Radio 1490 AM decided earlier this spring to not broadcast Rocky Mount football games on the air, the biggest Rocky Mount sports fan in Rocky Mount just wouldn't stand for it.

Ummm, now I am pretty big, but this guy is even bigger - physically and in his love for Gryphon sports - in particular, Rocky Mount varsity football!

Wes Bradshaw (RMSH Class of 2000) has been part of many Gryphon football radio broadcasts with 1490 as a color commentator.

Due to 1490's indifference to perhaps showcase possibly one of Rocky Mount's best teams in recent memory, Bradshaw has taken things into his own hands.

He has worked out a deal for Gryphon football to be on the radio as Rocky Mount will be returning to its roots - WEED 1390 AM. The station carried Rocky Mount football, lastly with Steve Dickens and myself providing area fans all the Gryphon gridiron action.

But Hurricane Floyd did in the broadcast three games into the 1999 season as the station, then located off Sunset Ave. just past Sam's Club, was flooded and destroyed.

The station, now called 1390 .. The Word, is a soul gospel station now, but was extremely receptive to having Rocky Mount football back on the air.

And for you Rocky Mount football fans living on the outskirts of town, 1390 AM has a stronger signal at night than 1490 AM - so that will be a plus!

We'll have more details about the broadcast as summer progresses, but Bradshaw will need the help of all area businesses who have been past sponsors of Rocky Mount football on-the-air, and all those new clients who might want to get on board.

After all, the product is first-class. RMHS was 14-1 last season and is 57-10 over the last five seasons. With 18 starters coming back next season, hopes are high for the best season ever!

And you businesses out there, you can go along for the ride!

Contact Bradshaw at 452-3280 or email him at blackbirdxpress@yahoo.com if you're interested in commercial time on the broadcast or any other advertising issues.

I'm pretty glad Bradshaw, who will handle play-by-play duties on the broadcast, has decided to make this undertaking. I just can't imagine Rocky Mount football playing to dead air!

NOTE: RM football will be a part of a "Game of the Week" series on WZAX 99.3 FM, but only two to three select games.

Hudgins voted Male Athlete of the Year at Elon

ELON – Sophomore All-American football wide receiver Terrell Hudgins (Rocky Mount, N.C./Rocky Mount) came away with Stein H. Basnight Outstanding Male Athlete Award honors to top all accolades bestowed at the 34th Annual Elon University Athletics Awards Banquet Tuesday evening at Alumni Gymnasium.

The Stein H. Basnight Outstanding Athlete Award has been presented annually since 1958 in memory of the late Stein H. Basnight of Chapel Hill by his family to the most outstanding Phoenix male and female athletes of the year, as determined by the Elon Department of Athletics’ administrative staff. Jesse Basnight, Jr. and his wife, Janis Basnight, represented the Basnight family at the banquet.

Hudgins logged 10 Elon, Southern Conference or NCAA records while pacing the Elon football team to its best season in eight years last fall. The Walter Payton Award finalist led the Football Championship Subdivision in receptions and receiving yards per game on his way to earning not only First Team All-Southern Conference recognition, but First Team All-America accolades as well. Behind Hudgins’ performances, Elon finished the 2007 campaign ranked 23rd in the FCS in both The Sports Network and the coaches polls.

Nash County winners!

Former Nash County standouts Brian Allen (Southern Nash) and Zach Woodley (Northern Nash), now freshman members of the Pitt Community College baseball team, hold the championship plaque at the NJCAA Region X tournament in Burlington on May 11. The Bulldogs won the tournament with a 6-1 victory over Louisburg College.

(Photo - Courtesy of Terry Woodley)

Until this season, the last time Rocky Mount's baseball team ...

... won a playoff game was ...

May 8, 2001 - Rocky Mount 5, Hillsborough Orange 0

At Orange, Rocky Mount senior pitcher Carter Harrell threw a one-hitter and struck out a school-record 19 batters en route to the win. RMHS had eight hits and Orange helped the Gryphons' cause with three errors. Future UNC signee Paul Jenkins was 3-for-3.


... had a no-hitter in the postseason was ...

May 9, 2000 - Rocky Mount 2, New Hanover 0

After recording seven one-hitters in his career, Carter Harrell finally got his first and only no-no in this first-round 4-A playoff matchup. He struck out 10 and walked one that evening, while RMHS got six hits and one run each in the second and sixth (a Harrell RBI-double). Not a bad effort outing since that Wildcat lineup included dangerous hitters in twins Darryl and Trevor Lawhorn - both of whom eventually went on to play at East Carolina.


.... won a second-round playoff game was ...

May 11, 2000 - Rocky Mount 3, South Johnston 1 (8 innings)

At South Johnston in the 4-A playoffs, Paul Jenkins not only got the win (five-hitter, 9 Ks), but he hit a two-run home run over the right-center field fence to help give RMHS a 3-1 victory. The head coach of South Johnston that day - our very own Pat Smith!


... won at least 20 games in consecutive seasons was ...

1995 and 1996

RMHS was 23-3 in 1995 and 23-4 in 1996. The 1995 squad lost to New Hanover in the third round, while the 1996 team fell to Lee County in the 4-A East finals - no best-of-three back in those days!


... scored as many as nine runs in a postseason game was ...

May 15, 1998 - Rocky Mount 9, Hope Mills South View 3

These two teams played in Cumberland Co. Down 3-2 going into the seventh, the Gryphs struck for seven runs to blow the game open. The winning pitcher - Rocky Mount assistant coach Jason Battle - who hurled a three-hitter.


... played a scheduled doubleheader was ...

March 19, 1999 - RM 5, Douglas Byrd 0; RM 5, Douglas Byrd 0

With both games going five innings, Rocky Mount swept visiting Douglas Byrd. Jon-Charles Harrell, older brother of Carter, got the win in both games. He allowed two hits and struck out six in the opener, and gave up three hits and K'ed three in the nightcap. Jimmy Bullard helped him out with a home run in the first contest, while brother Carter blasted one in game 2. RMHS had seven hits in each game. This season, RMHS split two-seven innings games at Gryphon Stadium with South Granville .. a 4-0 win, and a 6-5 defeat.


... won four straight Rocky Mount Invitational Baseball Tournament titles was ...

1994, 1995, 1996, 1997

RM beat Beddingfied in 1994 finals (7-2) and the Bruins again (6-0) in 1995, then stopped Northern Nash 8-5 in 1996 and beat Durham Jordan 6-2 in 1997. The current RMHS four-title winning streak is as follows:

• 2008 - Rocky Mount def. Northern Nash, 6-5, to finish 3-0 in round-robin format
• 2007 - Rocky Mount def. Southern Nash, 13-1
• 2006 - Rocky Mount def. Northern Nash, 6-2
• 2005 - Rocky Mount def. Northern Nash, 5-2

Barnes gets football scholarship offer from Duke

- RMHS offensive lineman Whit Barnes

When Rocky Mount offensive lineman Whit Barnes opened his mail Thursday afternoon, he had to catch his breath.

He received a letter from the Duke University football staff offering him a scholarship to play college football for the Blue Devils - under new head coach David Cutcliffe. To say he and his parents, Russ and Martha Barnes, were on Cloud 9 would be an understatement. An opportunity to get a free college education from Duke is what they thought most of. Football took a back-burner - at least for a few moments.

The 6-foot-4, 270-pound rising senior, who sports a 4.1 GPA, was named to the NCPreps.com 3-A All-State team after helping the Gryphons to a 14-1 season last year. He assisted RMHS in setting a school record for rushing yardage and total offense in 2007.Several more offers may come in before Barnes decides to accept Duke's.

With 18 starters coming back this fall, many feel this might be the year for the senior-ladened Gryphons. Barnes and many of his senior teammates may get several offers each before the first Wednesday of February, national signing day, rolls around.

Jenkins out of the hospital

Just as I was about to do blog feature on former Rocky Mount athlete Oliver (O.J.) Jenkins, he suddenly makes news for the wrong reason.

A senior center fielder for N.C. Central in its first season playing at the Div. I level, Jenkins and his Eagle teammates were playing the second game of a doubleheader at Chowan University last Saturday (April 26) when Jenkins ran into a pole in the outfield fence trying to make a catch.

Jenkins' injury was so serious that he was rushed to Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville where he spent time in the Intensive Care Unit. He apparently injured a kidney, but luckily it never stopped functioning.

He was released by midweek from the hospital and is recuperating at home.

Before his injury, the former Juan Chesson Award winner at RMHS had started 31 of 32 games for the Eagles and led the team in at-bats (101), runs scored (20) and base-on-balls (15). He was an All-CIAA performer last year.

Jenkins has played football the last four seasons as a wide receiver and long snapper.

Highlights of Fike-Rocky Mount baseball game

To watch highlights of Rocky Mount's 9-8, 11-inning loss at Wilson Fike Tuesday evening, click here:

Wilson Daily News video - Rocky Mount vs. Wilson Fike

The Holt Connection continues

Former Rocky Mount assistant football coach Brent David is now the head football coach at Winston-Salem Carver.

He is the 15th gentleman to have coached under or played for Rocky Mount head football coach B.W. Holt to become a high school head football coach.

David was an assistant at RMHS for four seasons before leaving in 2007 an assistant position at Carver - nearer the hometown of him and his wife in High Point. The last three seasons here he was the defensive coordinator.

Here is the list of those 15 men:

Brent David - head coach , Winston-Salem Carver ...... asst. to Holt at Rocky Mount

Scott Cummings - head coach, Knoxville-West (Tn.) ..... asst. to Holt at Tennessee High (Tn.)

Greg Stubbs - head coach, Tennessee High (Tn.) ..... asst. to Holt at Tennessee High (Tn.)

Scott Johnson, head coach, Starmount ..... asst. to Holt at Starmount

Joe Hutchens, head coach, Starmount ..... asst. to Holt at Starmount

Joey Weatherman, head coach, Dixon .... played for Holt at Starmount

Monte Chipman, head coach, East Wilkes ..... played for Holt at Starmount

Elbert Thomas, head coach, West Montgomery ..... asst. to Holt at West Montgomery, played for Holt at Starmount

Steve Johnson, head coach, Cummings ...... played for Holt at Franklinton

Dickie Schock, head coach, Orange/Franklinton ..... played for Holt at Starmount, asst. at West Montgomery/Rocky Mount

Charlie Haire, head coach, Wilkes Central, West Montgomery ...... asst. to Holt at Starmount

Tim Pruitt, head coach , Watauga, West Wilkes, Cherryville ...... asst. to Holt at Starmount

Tommy Piper, head coach, Franklinton ..... played for Holt at Franklinton, asst. to Holt at Franklinton

Stu Holt, head coach, New Smyrna Beach (Fl.) ...... played for Holt at Starmount

Chad Smith, head coach, Northern Nash ...... asst. to Holt at West Montgomery, Rocky Mount

Former Gryphon teaching, coaching at Wilson Hunt

If you attended the Rocky Mount Invitational Baseball Tournament earlier this week and saw Wilson Hunt play, you might have seen a familiar face in the Warriors' dugout.

Adam Weaver, who played collegiately at UNC and Elon, is now an assistant baseball coach at Hunt. Weaver, who teaches math at Hunt, knows his way around Gryphon Stadium. He was a four-year starter for the Gryphons from 1999 to 2002.

Weaver, whose dad Danny coached him at Rocky Mount, was voted to the Rocky Mount Telegram's Top 50 Greatest Twin Counties Athletes list a few years ago. A shortstop with tremendous range and arm strength, Weaver set the school record for career hits with 121 (also tops in the Twin Counties) - including 27 doubles. He closed his career with a .366 batting average.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that one his kids, senior catcher Chris Lamm, won the Hits Award for the tournament.

Weaver could also steal bases. He was 60-for-66 in his career as a base thief. And on the odd occasion when his dad told him to go to the mound, he got the job done there, too. He had a 5-0 as a pitcher.

But his ability on the football field was really underrated. He started the 2000 season as quarterback for the Gryphons and passed for 1,127 yards and eight touchdowns. His late touchdown run at New Bern that season gave the Gryphs a huge Big East upset win. He was also the team's second-leading rusher.

He decided that he'd concentrate solely on baseball his senior year.

His Hunt squad lost 4-2 to Rocky Mount in the tournament opener Monday. But a bit of a payback was on his mind.

He was heard to say later that day that Rocky Mount had better watch out for Hunt should they meet again come playoff time.

Looks like he's fully entrenched as a Warrior now, doesn't it!

2007 RMHS Football Highlights

If you have a desire to see some highlights of the Gryphons' fine 14-1 football season, then click on any of the links below to see some clips of games from the 2007 campaign. These are all from WRAL's Football Friday Show with Rocky Mount native Tom Suiter.

2007 Football Friday Videos

Wilson Hunt vs. Rocky Mount
Northern Vance vs. Rocky Mount
Greenville Rose vs. Rocky Mount
Rocky Mount vs. Southern Wayne
Southern Nash vs. Rocky Mount
Nash Central vs. Rocky Mount
Rocky Mount vs. Wilson Fike
Rocky Mount vs. Northern Nash
Union Pines vs. Rocky Mount
South Granville vs. Rocky Mount
Southern Wayne vs. Rocky Mount
Tom Suiter's Extra Effort Award: Manuel Davis
Rocky Mount vs. Western Alamance

Former Gryphon picks Appalachian State

Former Rocky Mount pitcher Ryan Waldrep will apparently play college baseball at Appalachian State.

Waldrep, a lefty who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs around 200 pounds, made a verbal commitment to the school this week according to the ImpactBaseball.com website.

Waldrep, who left Rocky Mount after a stellar sophomore season, has spent the last two years playing both basketball and baseball at South Brunswick in Southport.

In 2006, Waldrep was the NEW 6 Baseball Player of the Year - going 4-2 and setting a school record for the lowest ERA in school history - 0.15 - the fourth lowest in N.C. state history.

Here is an excerpt from a column by the Wilmington Star-News sports writer Chuck Carree about Waldrep's draft chances come June:

At 6-foot-5, 205, Waldrep intrigues me because I know little about him, except he played high school basketball and he is left-handed.

"I don't know if he is one everybody is on,'' said one scout, who described him as a sleeper.

Waldrep pitches comfortably at 86-87 mph and tops out at 88 mph.

"He is a guy I would at least like to keep an eye on,'' the scout said. "I only saw him briefly. He is a big kid. His arm worked OK and his throwing angles are good. He might be throwing harder than that in a couple of years.''

Waldrep is leaning toward signing with either Appalachian State or Elon after deciding not to pursue college basketball. He has qualified academically with more than 1,200 on the SAT and a 3.5 grade-point average.

Last week, Elon saw him pitch against Hoggard, when he threw three innings and struck out eight and allowed one unearned run. He says only two players made contact for outs. The run he allowed reached on a passed ball.

"He's got potential,'' said South Brunswick coach Lee Shelton. "I don't think he has fully been tapped out.''

Waldrep said his curve has improved since he received pointers last summer at Appalachian State's camp, where he said they clocked his fastball at 90 mph. He also throws changeups down in the strike zone to keep hitters off balance.

To solidify his future draft status, he hopes to add several miles per hour to his fastball.

"I have to learn to focus a little bit better too,'' he said.

While I have never seen Waldrep pitch, my guess is he will benefit from three years of college. The same can be said of virtually every high school senior.

2008 Rocky Mount Football Preview Capsules

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.