Fans anxiously await start of another season

By Nick Phillips, RMHS iHigh.com correspondent

The time has come again. Summer is winding down and kids are preparing for school. This could only mean one thing….it’s high school football season!!

As a new Rocky Mount alum and a doe-eyed freshman starting college life at the University of North Carolina-Pembroke, I find this time or year right now to be especially hard.

As a featured writer on the Gryphons' NorthCarolina.iHigh.com website and an avid sports fan, I am trying to come to grips that Friday night’s endowment contest at the Rocky Mount Athletic Complex against East Forsyth will be the first football game that I have missed in almost four years.

What a run the Gryphons have had over these last few years! Head coach B.W. Holt, now in his sixth season at the helm, has ‘righted the ship’ and has the Gryphons back at the top of the 3-A totem pole.

The Gryphons are ranked as the pre-season No. 1 team on both the NCPreps.com Preseason 3-A Football Baker's Dozen and WRAL’s Tom Suiter’s Fabulous 15, and they are once again considered to make a deep run into the playoffs.

Could this be the year the Gryphs knock off Western Alamance or someone else to make it to the state championship after knocking on the door for years?

Several marquee matchups highlight this year’s schedule, including:

• Game 2 – A Thursday night contest at Wilson Hunt. These last few years have produced some memorable games with late-game heroics.


• Game 4 – The Gryphs travel to former Big East rival and 4-A powerhouse J.H. Rose. Last season, the Gryphons ended the Rampants’ 39-game winning streak. Fireworks are bound to fly again this year as two of the better teams in the state hook up for their annual war.


• Game 5 – Hertford County (NCPreps.com's’ 3-A preseason No. 6 team) comes into the RMAC in what has turned into a budding rivalry. Two seasons ago, the Gryphons beat the Bears twice, in the regular season and in the playoffs - at home and on the road. Another close game early last season has this gotten this contest circled on the schedule, and the ‘Battle of the Bands’ at halftime and throughout the game is another plus.


• Game 6 – Southern Wayne (Homecoming) suffered two losses to the Gryphs last season , including Holt’s 300th career victory and a third-round playoff contest. Don’t forget the homecoming festivities at halftime!


• Game 7 – Northern Nash. Nothing else needs to be said. Rivalry game - with the NEW 6’s new schedule placing this as the Gryphons' first conference test. If the Knights post a couple of non-conference wins, this game could have some meaning and could be interesting. Northern head coach Chad Smith makes his first regular-season trip back to the RMAC.


• Game 8 – A trip to SouthWest Edgecombe. All the contests against the Cougars have all been great since SWE joined the NEW 6 conference. The Cougars are also ranked by NCPreps.com - coming in at No .11. But will this be a fourth edition of "Monday Night Football" with SWE?


• Game ??? – One question that’s not been answered yet is what game the Gryphons’ baseball team will be honored and receive their NCHSAA 3-A state championship rings. Look at games with Hertford County, Southern Wayne and Northern Nash as good possibilities. (Editor's note: Nick will get one of these rings. I feel like a proud papa!)

Remember last year’s Nick Hahula last-second field goal to give the Gryphs a rain-soaked win at Fike? Hold on to your hats as all NEW 6 Conference games have that type of potential.

This reporter and fan cannot wait for his first game this season, but for now I’ll have to be content with UNC-Pembroke football, which includes Rocky Mount alum Brandon Arrington, and the first night game in UNC-P’s brief football history. (Editor's note: RM head coach B.W. Holt is also an alum of UNC-P - Pembroke State in his era!)

Virgil to start for the Hokies

I ran into Richard Virgil, father of former Gryphon football standout Stephan Virgil, recently and he told me that his son Stephan will be starting at cornerback for Virginia Tech this fall.

And guess who he'll start against - the East Carolina Pirates in Charlotte at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30. Kickoff is at noon.

The younger Virgil is now 5-11, 186 pounds as he enters his junior season.

Richard and Sandra, his mom, have their travel plans all set. These guys don't miss a game. In addition to their six trips to Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, the Virgils will hit the road to Charlotte, Chapel Hill (UNC), Lincoln, Ne. (Nebraska), Chesnut Hill, Mass. (Boston College), Tallahassee, Fl. (Florida State) and Miami (U of Miami).

Another local Hokie may get to hit the field for the very first time this season.

Former Southern Nash defensive tackle Kwamaine Battle was redshirted last season with injuries to both his shoulders.

The 6-foot, 271-pound freshman will be in competition for playing time this season. He'll wear the number "93".

According to HokieSports.com, Battle is a promising young player and is expected to be in the battle for playing time.

2008 Rocky Mount Football Team Roster

No. /Player/ Ht./ Wt./ Pos./ Class

1 Josh Boulware 6-1 195 LB Sr.
2 Justin Barnes 6-2 175 QB Sr.
3 Keith Strickland 6-1 180 WR Sr.
4 Hiawatha Bunn 6-0 170 QB/DB Sr.
5 Marquavis Alston 5-10 175 RB Jr.
6 Jordan Ford 5-9 165 RB Jr.
7 Collins Cuthrell 6-0 170 QB Jr.
8 Marcus Jones 6-0 182 WR/S Jr.
9 Nick Harrison 6-2 215 DE/TE Sr.
15 Kendrick Boulware 6-0 172 FB Sr.
17 Hashem Hatu 5-9 155 CB Jr.
20 L’var Silver 5-9 185 FB Sr.
21 Damien Bynum 5-7 160 HB Jr.
22 Zack Williams 6-0 175 DB Sr.
24 Brian Goodwin 6-1 185 S/KR Sr.
28 Jermon Lynch 5-10 175 HB Sr.
33 Carter Varnell 5-9 178 FB/LB Jr.
34 Bradley Arrington 5-11 165 DB Sr.
36 Justin Atkinson 5-10 170 G Jr.
39 Jeffery Henderson 5-10 170 LB Jr.
40 Michael Lee 5-10 175 DL Jr.
41 Chris Pittman 6-1 195 LB Sr.
42 Dedrick Silver 5-10 172 SS Sr.
44 Nick Hahula 5-10 222 K/FB/LB/P Sr.
50 Whit Barnes 6-4 275 C Sr.
51 Darryl Cross 5-11 208 G Sr.
52 Aaron Barnes 5-11 190 LB Jr.
53 Brandon Dennis 6-3 242 G/DL Sr.
54 Greg Williams 6-2.5 282 G Sr.
55 John Wells 5-9 215 NG Sr.
56 Chris Driver 5-10 180 C/G Sr.
60 Robert Cannon 5-10 245 OG Jr.
61 Zebedee Battle 5-10 248 C Jr.
62 Torey Lee 5-11 255 OT Sr.
64 Jordan Knight 5-10 205 T Jr.
65 Corey Tabron 6-3 270 OT Jr.
66 Josh Thigpen 5-11 235 DT Sr.
70 Anthony Miller 5-10 175 DL Jr.
71 Arilius Murphy 5-9 265 OL Jr.
75 Jarron Battle 6-0 315 OT Sr.
77 Trevor Tucker 6-2 285 OT Jr.
80 Spencer Bell 6-0 175 TE Jr.
81 Antonio Willis 5-10 165 DB Jr.
82 Hakeem Parker 6-4 230 DE Sr.
83 Annis Mahmoud 6-1 160 WR Sr.
84 Phillip Wilkins 6-2 220 TE Sr.
86 Patrick Pittman 6-1 205 DE Jr.
88 Johvone Smith 6-2 210 DE/TE So.
90 Jermaine Fields 6-2.5 215 DE Sr.

COACHING/SUPPORT STAFF

Head Coach: B.W. Holt (sixth season)
Mascot: Gryphons
Principal: Leondus Farrow
Athletic Director: Michael Gainey
School Address: 308 S. Tillery Street, Rocky Mount, N.C. 27804
Assistant Coaches: Jason Battle, Jemonte Battle, Gerald Costen, Kent Cox, Alan Hess, Hank Jones, J.J. Jones, Chris Lee
Head Trainer: Bernie Capps
Student Trainers: Will Vaughan, Colin Ward
Student Managers: Tyler Ellis, Jerrell Hilliard, Jazzmen Taylor
Volunteer EMT: Mike Varnell
Team Chaplin: Johnny Williams
Equipment Crew: Erwin Dancy, Ron Driver, Don Johnson
Chain Gang: Dwayne Chambers, Bobby English, Percy Morris, Wyatt Phillips, Bernie Tyndall, Chris Tyndall
Film Crew: Grey Capps, Ken Capps
Radio Crew: Wes Bradshaw, Tony Doughtie – AM 1390 Sports
Statistics Crew: Charles Alston, Bob Hudgins, Lyn Joyner, David Pitt
Timekeeper: Donald Farmer
PA announcers: Wayne Wallace (varsity), Tony Doughtie (JV)

Facilities crew: Quinton Lee, Jacob Parker

Tickets: Keith Barnes, Carol Taylor

Check out the WDT 2008 Football Tabloid

My good friends on the Wilson Daily Times sports staff (Paul Durham, Tom Ham, Michael Lindsay, Brad Howell) have made their 2008 High School Football Tabloid available online for the first time.

Their coverage area includes three teams in the NEW 6 3-A Conference: Wilson Fike, Southern Nash and SouthWest Edgecombe.

Check out this colorful and very informative section right here!

Goodwin has solid effort in Chicago

Perhaps asking for another MVP performance might have been too much to ask from Brian Goodwin.

But then again, perhaps not.

Goodwin, again, made his presence known on a national stage as he played in the Under Armour High School All-American Baseball Game Sunday afternoon at Chicago's Wrigley Field.

The 36 high school All-Americans flown into Chicago were split into two teams: Baseball Factory and Team One. As as starter in right field for Baseball Factory, he went 2-for-4, stole two bases and scored a run as his squad staved off a late Team One rally for a 5-4 win.

Goodwin went a combined 4-for-8, with three stolen bases, two runs scored and two RBI in his travels to Los Angeles and Chicago the past two weeks - plus two All-Star victories.

Not bad!

Now he'll trade in his bat and glove for a helmet and pads as he joins the Gryphons on the football field - where he'll electrify all of us even more with incredible kickoff and punt returns.

Expect him in the lineup by Game 3 of the season - a road contest at Northern Vance.

The Rocky Mount Gryphons Football Jamboree gets underway this afternoon!

Here are the pairings for the first-ever Rocky Mount Football Jamboree set for the Rocky Mount Athletic Complex on today 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

Goodwin, not Godwin, grabs another MVP award

Are there any more words you can say about Brian Goodwin?

I am running out of them. I have no idea what I may do next spring if this guy keeps getting better - perhaps invest in a thesaurus!

It's almost scary.

Goodwin continued his run on MVP awards Saturday with picking up one at the Aflac All-America High School Baseball All-Star Game at Los Angeles' Dodger Stadium. Goodwin, the MVP of the NCHSAA 3-A state baseball championship series for the Gryphons, delivered a two-run opposite -field double for his East squad that tied the game in the ninth at 2-all.

He then stole third and came home with the game-winning run on an error. The East won the game 4-2. Goodwin was 2-for-4, with two RBI and a stolen base.

In the post-game ceremonies, he was handed his MVP trophy by Al Johnson, vice president of marketing services for Aflac, who proudly called out the city "Rocky Mount, N.C." before giving Goodwin his award.

Why was he so boastful about the Rock City?

Perhaps because Johnson, who now lives in Columbus, Ga. - the corporate home Aflac, grew up just up N.C. 258 North less than an hour away from Rocky Mount in Northampton County and played sports at Northampton-East. He also was a football walk-on for Mack Brown when he was head coach at UNC.

I imagine the thought of having two northeastern N.C. boys standing in Los Angeles on the infield at Dodger Stadium on a glorious Saturday afternoon had to have brought some Tar Heel pride to his heart.

But his head wasn't in the same place when he called Brian "Godwin!"

Oh well, as long as they spell his name right on the trophy, right?

(Photo/David Hahula)

Don't forget to see Goodwin - 3 p.m on Fox Sports Net today!

Guys, don't forget to tune you TVs to Fox Sports Net at 3 p.m. today (Saturday) to catch the Gryphons' own Brian Goodwin playing in Dodger Stadium.

The rising senior will be starting in right field for the East squad in the Aflac All-America All-Star Baseball Game - being played at Noon, Pacific Standard Time, in Los Angeles' Dodger Stadium.

If you can't watch it live, pre-set your TIVOs or VCRs!

SWE's Cobb to coach East team at 2009 NCCA All-Star football game

By Calvin Adkins
Tarboro Daily Southerner

PINETOPS - SouthWest Edgecombe Coach Raymond Cobb will add another chapter to his legendary football status next summer.

Cobb was selected as the head coach for East in the 2009 North Carolina Coaches Association East-West All-Star Football Game that will be played on July 22 at Grimsley High School in Greensboro.

“It’s an honor to have the opportunity to be the head coach for the East-West All-Star game,” Cobb said. “It’s a credit to having good coaching staffs and great players at North Edgecombe and SouthWest Edgecombe.”

It will not be the first time that Cobb has coached in an All-Star game. He was an East assistant coach of the NCCA East-West All-Star squad in 1995 and in 2001, he was an N.C. assistant coach for the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas all-star game.Cobb legacy's was built at North Edgecombe, a 1-A division school less than 30 minutes away from SouthWest.

At North Edgecombe, he lead the Warriors to five state title games - including winning championships in 1994 and 1997.

After 16 years as the Warriors’ head coach, Cobb left and became head coach for SouthWest. In 20 seasons combined, he has guided his teams to the state playoffs each season and every season. When asked about his playoff streak, Cobb said, “I’ve been lucky.”

Cobb also feels lucky about the assistant coaches that were selected to coach with him. Including Cobb, three of the coaches are in the NEW 6 conference ties. Grover Battle of Northern Nash and Brian Foster of Southern Nash are Cobb’s current conference foes.

Cobb said he is also familiar with coach Kenneth Grantham of Greene Central, who started the program at Nash Central, and Ken Whitehurst of D.H. Conley, who was at one time at North Pitt. He has also had some dealing with Jimmy Williams of East Wake.“

One of the best news about being named to the head coaching position is the selection of the assistant coaches,” Cobb said. “I know all of them. It will be a fine group to work with.”

The next job for Cobb and his East team coaching staff is to select players for his team. Selection may start sometime in February.

But for right now, Cobb said, “I have to prepare SouthWest for this season.”

My notion: Northern Nash's Battle is the first-ever Rocky Mount area coach to be selected to work the East-West All-Star Games in two different sports.

In 2003, he was an assistant for the East girls basketball team. The East, with former Tarboro and N.C. State standout Marquetta Dickens aboard, won 78-72. Dickens was the game's MVP.

In case you're wondering, RMHS' B.W. Holt has served in the East-West All-Star Football Game. He was an assistant for the West in 1986 while at Starmount. His team fell to the East 16-0.

A look at the RMHS coaching staff

- RM assistant coach Jemonte Battle

B.W. Holt wanted four, but he was only able to get three.

Rocky Mount's sixth-year head football coach had four openings to fill on his staff. But as the practice season began last Friday, three new coaching faces were marching out orders on the Nash St. practice field.

And two of them should be familiar to longtime Gryphon fans. They'll join former players Gerald Costen (Class of '73), J.J. Jones (Class of '91) and Jason Battle (Class of '98) as members of the staff.

Jemonte Battle (Class of '00) has been brought aboard to coach the defensive backs and secondary. Battle knows that part of the field pretty well as he was a three-year starter and D-II All-America at Catawba. Battle also played defensive back in the Canadian Football League for two seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Battle, older brother of last year's Rocky Mount High Female Athlete of the Year Dyonna Battle, is fourth on the all-time RMHS career receiving list with 62. He had 772 career receiving yards to rank 11th on that list. He led the 1999 squad, which had its regular season reduced by three games by Hurricane Floyd, with 30 catches.

Battle will teach computer science at RMHS.

Although Hank Jones is well-known to RMHS baseball fans, he might not be that familiar to the football folks. Jones, a Rocky Mount High (1986) and N.C. Wesleyan grad, volunteer-assisted Pat Smith in coaching the Gryphons to a baseball state title.

Pehaps he can help Holt do the same thing on the gridiron.

Jones had his day in the sun for the football Gryphons. He threw for over 1,700 yards and 19 touchdowns during his time under center - including a four-touchdown pass performance against Tarboro to open his senior season. He led RM to a 9-2 record that year.

Jones was selected to play in the N.C.-S.C. Shrine Bowl that year, but a late injury prevented him from participating. He will be coaching the wide receivers and tight ends.

The lone out-of-stater to join Holt's staff is Alan Hess. A native of Tell City, Ind., Hess was a placekicker for the football team at NAIA-affliated Urbana University in Urbana, Ohio - northeast of Dayton. Hess will coach the Gryphons' special teams and offensive line.

He will teach social studies and history.

Here is the complete staff:

B.W. Holt - Head Coach, offensive line
Jason Battle – quarterbacks coach, receivers
Chris Lee – Head JV Coach, running backs
Kent Cox – Co-defensive coordinator, asst. JV Coach, outside linebackers
J.J. Jones – Co-defensive coordinator, inside linebackers
Gerald Costen – defensive front (noseguard, ends, tackles)
Jemonte Battle – defensive backs, secondary
Hank Jones - wide receivers, tight end
Alan Hess – special teams, offensive line

The AM 1390 Radio Team

Here's your AM 1390 Sports radio team for 2008! (click on picture to enlarge)

Posing with the new banner that will be displayed at each football game this season, (from l-r) are Grant Johnson, Wes Bradshaw, Tony Doughtie and me (Charles Alston).

Grant, hot off his first base duties on the state champion Gryphon baseball team, will provide research and assist Bradshaw while he toils away his daylight hours as a freshman at East Carolina. Bradshaw will handle the play-by-play duties and Doughtie will be the broadcast's color analyst. I will provide statistics and historical insight to the broadcast.

I expect this team to be a winner this season, just like the product we so often get on the field.

(Photo/David Hahula)

Johnson leaves the Gryphon nest!

Britt Johnson has left the fold.

Johnson, part of one of Rocky Mount athletics' first families (Don, Wanda, Britt, Will and Grant have overall been active with Gryphon athletics for the last 12 years), won't be wearing any navy blue and gold the coming school year.

No more stomping on the Gryphon sidelines for him.

The 2007 East Carolina graduate and former Pirate football walk-on is now in the real world - you know - job, bills, taxes, etc.

Johnson has accepted a teaching position at Nash Central High School. He will teach physical education and coach JV baseball and assist in varsity football (special teams and wide receivers).

There is no doubt, the Bulldogs' center will have little trouble getting the ball back to the punter after Johnson's tutelage. Britt nearly knocked me out with a sampling of his long snapping abilities last fall.

And they don't call him "Baseball Britt" for nothing. When his teams hit the field, no matter where he is, winning will be the goal. The boy hates to lose.

Good luck in your new endeavor, Britt ... at least until the Gryphons invade the Dawg Pound on Oct. 31!

Happy Birthday, Coach!

To answer the question, from the Beatles' 1967 song,

"Will you still need me,
Will you still feed me,
When I'm sixty-four?"

- the answer is a big affirmative!

Rocky Mount head football coach B.W. Holt turned 64 years young on Tuesday.

Happy Birthday Coach! We wish you many, many more! We will keep on feeding you and we certainly need you!

2008 NEW 6 Conference Football Master Schedule

(Scrimmages are subject to changes. Schools are allowed up to seven hours of scrimmage time. More scrimmages will be added to the schedule as announced. All regular season games are at 7:30 p.m.)

Tuesday, Aug. 12

South Johnston @ Northern Nash

North Lenoir @ Wilson Fike (Scrimmage)

Seventy First @ Rocky Mount (practice-scrimmage)


Thursday, Aug. 14

South Johnston @ Rocky Mount (practice-scrimmage)

Friday, Aug. 15

Rocky Mount, Wilson Fike, Northern Nash @ RM Football Jamboree, 4 p.m. (Scrimmage)
SW Edgecombe @ Tarboro Jamboree (Scrimmage), 6 p.m.
Nash Central @ Wakefield (Scrimmage) - moved to Sat.
Southern Nash @ North Johnston (Scrimmage) , ppd.


Thursday, Aug. 21

Havelock @ SW Edgecombe (Scrimmage)

Louisburg @ Southern Nash (Scrimmage), 6 p.m.


Friday, Aug. 22 (Regular season starts)

East Forsyth @ Rocky Mount
DH Conley @ Wilson Fike
Nash Central @ Tarboro
Northern Nash @ Beddingfield
Southern Nash, SW Edgecombe - open


Thursday, Aug. 28

Rocky Mount @ Wilson Hunt


Friday, Aug. 29

Southern Nash @ Bunn
Nash Central @ Smithfield-Selma
SW Edgecombe @ West Craven
DH Conley @ Northern Nash
Wilson Fike - open


Thursday, Sept. 5

Wilson Hunt @ Wilson Fike
Tarboro @ Northern Nash
Warren County @ Southern Nash
Beddingfield @ Nash Central
SW Edgecombe @ North Edgecombe


Friday, Sept. 12

Northern Nash @ Hertford County
Wilson Fike @ Eastern Wayne
Southern Nash @ Beddingfield
Rocky Mount @ JH Rose
Farmville Central @ SW Edgecombe
Wilson Hunt @ Nash Central


Friday, Sept. 19

Northern Nash @ Bertie
CB Aycock @ Wilson Fike
Hertford County @ Rocky Mount
Wilson Hunt @ Southern Nash
Nash Central @ Washington
SW Edgecombe @ Southern Vance


Friday, Sept. 26

Tarboro @ SW Edgecombe
North Johnston @ Southern Nash
Southern Wayne @ Rocky Mount (Homecoming)
Wilson Fike @ Wilson Hunt
Bunn @ Nash Central
Southern Vance @ Northern Nash

Thursday, Oct. 2

Rocky Mount @ Northern Vance, 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 3

Wilson Fike @ Beddingfield
Northern Nash, Southern Nash, Nash Central, SW Edgecombe - open


Friday, Oct. 10 (NEW 6 Conference action starts)

Northern Nash @ Rocky Mount
Wilson Fike @ SW Edgecombe
Southern Nash @ Nash Central


Friday, Oct. 17

Rocky Mount @ SW Edgecombe
Nash Central @ Wilson Fike
Southern Nash @ Northern Nash


Friday, Oct. 24

Rocky Mount @ Southern Nash
Northern Nash @ Wilson Fike
Nash Central @ SW Edgecombe


Friday, Oct. 31

Rocky Mount @ Nash Central
Wilson Fike @ Southern Nash
SW Edgecombe @ Northern Nash


Friday, Nov. 7

Wilson Fike @ Rocky Mount
SW Edgecombe @ Southern Nash
Nash Central @ Northern Nash

Cary knocks out RM; goes on to win Jr. Legion title

KINSTON - Rocky Mount's Post 58 Junior American Legion baseball team had the same fate as Rocky Mount's varsity football team last season.

It lost to the team that went on to win the state title.

While Western Alamance got into the Gryphons' way, the Cary Jr. Legion team did the same to the Post 58 squad.

Post 58, the East's No. 2 seed thanks to a loss to Cary in district play, fell to Cary again 3-2 Saturday - a game it had to win to stay alive. Post 58, after falling to Cherryville 7-6 Thursday, beat Kinston 14-8 Friday to make it to Saturday's action.

Then Sunday at historic Grainger Stadium, Cary, the East's No. 1 seed, blanked Cherryville 7-0 in the early game and topped Mooresville 5-2 later in the afternoon for the 2008 N.C. Junior American Legion state championship.

Post 58 consisted of players from the Gryphons' varsity and junior varsity teams, and was coached by varsity assistant and former Gryphon Hank Jones.

These hands are record-setting!

These are the hands of Elon redshirt junior wide receiver Terrell Hudgins. The record-setting former Rocky Mount quarterback was in Spartanburg, S.C. earlier this week at the Southern Conference Football Rouser. Appalachian State was the coaches' preseason pick to win the title, while Elon got one first place vote and placed second in the voting.

Hudgins, who led all of the NCAA Division Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in receptions per game (10.6) and receiving yards per game (134.0) last year, was a First Team All-SoCon performer following his sophomore season. A five-time All-American last season, Hudgins set program records for single-game receptions (16 twice), single-game touchdown receptions (four), single-season receiving yards (1,474) and single-season touchdowns receptions (18). He also set school and league marks for single-season receptions (117) and a SoCon record for single-season games with at least 100 yards receiving (seven).

Following his sophomore season, Hudgins had piled up 2,501 receiving yards, second in school history. He was also a finalist for the 2007 Walter Payton Award.

Another former Gryphon may be on the team with him - 2007's leading tackler for the Gryphons, Emmanuel Davis. Davis will be attending Elon on an ROTC scholarship, but will be a walk-on with the Phoenix.

To watch a video of Hudgins talking about Elon and the Phoenix's chances at a title, click here.

(Photo/Tommy Fleming)

Updated NC Jr. Legion Baseball State Championship Scoreboard

Wednesday’s result

Game 1: Rowan County (West No. 2) 11, West Brunswick (East No. 3) 9

Thursday' resutls

Game 2: Cherryville (West No. 3) 7, Rocky Mount (East No. 2) 6
Game 3: Cary (East No. 1) 2, Pineville (West No. 4) 1 — 9 innings
Game 4: Mooresville (West No. 1) 4, Kinston 1

Friday

Game 5: 4:30 p.m. (LCC) — West Brunswick vs. Pineville (LOSER ELIMINATED)
Game 6: Rocky Mount 15, Kinston 8 (Kinston eliminated)

Game 7: 4:30 p.m. (Grainger) — Rowan County def. Cary
Game 8: 7:30 p.m. (Grainger) — Cherryville vs. Mooresville

Saturday

Game 9: 12:30 p.m. (LCC) — Rocky Mount vs. Cary (LOSER ELIMINATED)
Game 10: 4 p.m. (LCC) — Winner Game 5 vs. Loser Game 8 (LOSER ELIMINATED)
Game 11: 12:30 p.m. (Grainger) — Roawn County vs. Winner Game 8
Game 12: 4 p.m. (Grainger) — Winner Game 9 vs. Loser Game 11 (LOSER ELIMINATED)
Game 13: 7 p.m. (Grainger) — Winner Game 10 vs. Winner Game 11 (If Game 10 winner loses, it’s eliminated)

Notes: pairing for Games 12 and 13 will not match previous opponents against each other unless absolutely necessary (national representative has further instructions). … If three teams remain after Game 13, the winner of Game 11 automatically draws the bye in Game 14

Sunday

Game 14: 1 p.m. (Grainger) Winner Game 12 vs. Winner Game 13 (Champions; unless one of the team’s first losses)
Game 15: 4 p.m. (Grainger) Winner Game 14 vs. Loser G

Rocky Mount Post 58 Jr. Legion team in state tournament

KINSTON - Rocky Mount Post 58 Junior American Legion baseball team has qualified for the state tournament which is being played at both historic Grainger Stadium and Lenoir Community College starting Wednesday.

The double-elimination event will see Rocky Mount, seeded No. 2 in the East in the eight-team field, facing Cherryville, the West No. 3 seed, at 12:30 a.m. at Lenoir Community College.

Rocky Mount Post 58 is coached by Hank Jones, who assisted Pat Smith in guiding the Rocky Mount Gryphons to a 3-A state title on May 31.

Here is Wednesday's complete schedule:

9:30 p.m. (LCC) — Cary (East No. 1) vs. Pineville (West No. 4)

12:30 a.m. (LCC) — Rocky Mount (East No. 2) vs. Cherryville (West No. 3)

4:30 p.m. (Grainger) — Rowan County (West No. 2) vs. SW Shallotte (East No. 3)

7:30 p.m. (Grainger) — Mooresville (West No. 1) vs. Kinston (Host)

NFLJPD camp underway at RMHS

Rocky Mount head coach B.W. Holt (click on picture to enlarge) talks to the kids who turned out this week for the first-ever NFL Junior Player Development Camp to be held at Rocky Mount. RMHS is entertaining about 100 campers, from rising sixth graders to rising ninth graders, on the fundamentals of football. The campers are attending the camp free of charge - thanks to the NFL and the Carolina Panthers.

The campers will have a nice goody bag to take home once the camp ends on Thursday. The NFL provided each camper with an equipment bag, a football and a jersey.

The NFL also provided helmets and shoulder pads for each participant.

(Photo/David Hahula)

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