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)

Rocky Mount vs. Nash Central - The Series

Nash Central's football team has never beaten Rocky Mount. But that could that change Friday night. We will have to see as the Gryphons travel to the Dawg Pound for their annual meeting with the Bulldogs.

Rocky Mount holds a 7-0 advantage over the Bulldogs in a series that has been close at times, but no cigar for Nash Central.

Here is how the two teams have fared the past seven seasons.

ROCKY MOUNT vs. NASH CENTRAL

2009 - RM wins, 25-13

2008 - RM wins, 35-7

2007 - RM wins, 17-0

2006 - RM wins, 47-0

2005 - RM wins, 21-6

2004 - RM wins, 30-20

2003 - RM wins, 42-14

McCullough to go into Louisburg College Sports Hall of Fame

Howard McCullough loved baseball so much that he made a successful career out of the sport.

And along the way, his contributions to Louisburg College baseball has led to him to become an honoree in the school's Athletic Hall of Fame. He will be inducted on Oct. 16.

McCullough, a long-time professional scout, was a diamond star at Rocky Mount High School before graduating in 1972. He decided to stay close to home to begin his college career at Louisburg College under Russ Frazier.

During his two years at LC, McCullough was a standout who claimed the school’s Moon Award in 1974 as the Most Outstanding Student-Athlete.

After receiving his associate’s degree from Louisburg, McCullough played two years at East Carolina where he was an All-Southern Conference pick in 1975.

Wanting to remain involved with the sport after graduating, McCullough planned well by earning a bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education and a master’s in Education from ECU.

McCullough spent four years in the Granville County Schools system as a teacher, coach and Athletic Director before he accepted assistant coaching position with the University of North Carolina — where he would stay from 1982-85.

McCullough then got involved with scouting, working as an area scout for the Boston Red Sox for 10 seasons.

Beginning in 1996, McCullough accepted a position with the Arizona Diamondbacks as an area scout and East Coast/Southeast Supervisor. McCullough was with the organization when the Diamondbacks won the World Series in 2001. Four years later, the Diamondbacks honored McCullough with their Scout of the Year Award. That same season, McCullough was tabbed as the Professional Baseball Representatives Scout of the Year.

Other superlatives that McCullough has received include Mid Atlantic Scouts Association Hall of Fame (2007), Goldklang/Topps Baseball Hall of Fame (2009) and the Raleigh Hot Stove League’s Willie Duke Lifetime Achievement Award (2010).

McCullough and his wife, Eva, reside in Greenville. Their son, Clayton, has followed in Howard’s baseball footsteps — he is currently a manager for the Class A Dunedin Blue Jays in the Florida State League.

- Geoff Neville

FRIDAY NIGHT PREVIEW: Monday Night Edition - J.H.Rose

Here is a capsulized look at the J.H. Rose Rampants, Rocky Mount's football opponent Monday evening!

J.H. ROSE

LOCATION: Greenville

HEAD COACH: Todd Lipe

CONFERENCE: Mideastern

CLASS: 4A

COLORS: Kelly Green/Columbia Blue

MASCOT: Rampants

2010 RECORD: 3-2

2009 RECORD: 5-6, 2-3

SERIES with ROCKY MOUNT: Tied at 23-23

OFF. FORM: Pro-I

DEF. FORM: 4-3

STRENGTHS: "We will be strong at QB, WR, DB, LB, and CB."
WEAKNESSES: "We have concerns at RB, DT and safety."

2010 OUTLOOK: "We should be a little bit better than last year. Our coaching staff is intact. We have a good mix of size and skill." - Todd Lipe

2010 SCHEDULE

Aug. 20 - @ SOUTHERN DURHAM - Won, 21-13

Aug. 27 - D.H. CONLEY - Won,  46-6

Sep. 3 - @ SOUTH CENTRAL - Won, 40-13
Sep. 10 - @ DAVIE COUNTY - Lost, 41-27
Sep. 24 - SCOTLAND COUNTY - Lost, 45-26
Oct. 4 - ROCKY MOUNT
Oct. 8 - @ ASHLEY* 
Oct. 15 - LANEY* 
Oct. 22 - @ HOGGARD*

Oct. 29 - NEW HANOVER* 

Nov. 5 - NEW BERN*

* - conference games 

KEY SENIORS:

NIGEL RAINBOW (RB/LB, 5-8, 205); ANDREW HART (FB/DE, 6-0, 225) All-County, 59 tackles, four sacks in 2009; DANTRELL BLOUNT (WR/DB, 6-1, 180); TYLER DARDEN (RB, 6-0, 185); AUSTIN CHAING (QB/WR, 6-0, 175); A.J. FLORES (QB, 6-0, 185); GRAY WORDSWORTH (FB/LB, 5-11, 185) All-County, 95 tackles, two sacks in 2009.

NCWC claims first USA South football win at Ferrum; Homecoming this Saturday

FERRUM, Va. - North Carolina Wesleyan's football team began defense of its 2009 USA South title on Saturday with a 24-14 victory over Ferrum College on the road, spoiling the Panthers' Homecoming festivities.

Trailing 14-10 with just over seven minutes left in the game, Wesleyan turned back-to-back Panther fumbles into a pair of touchdowns to secure the come-from-behind win. The Bishops have now evened their overall season record at 2-2.

Ferrum took control early with a game-opening 77-yard drive that gave the Panthers a quick 7-0 lead. That opening drive, however, would produce the only points of the half as Ferrum took that same 7-0 advantage into the break.

In the third quarter, Wesleyan finally got on the board with a 46-yard scoring drive on the Bishops' second possession of the half. The touchdown came on a one-yard rush by Teron Bush, marking the eighth running play of the drive.

After James Carter forced and recovered the first of four Ferrum fumbles on the Panthers' next possession, the Bishops got a program-record 46-yard field goal by junior Kevin Quicker for a 10-7 lead with 2:17 left in the period. Unfortunately, that lead was shortlived as Ferrum quarterback Marcus Mayo found Justin Donnelly for a 59-yard TD completion to give the Panthers a 14-10 advantage, setting the stage for NCWC's fourth quarter comeback.

Ironically, the late back-to-back Ferrum fumbles were both recovered by NCWC's Sebastin Schulz at the FC 31-yardline. Jamal Smith took the first one in from 12 yards out for a 17-14 NCWC lead, while freshman QB Jordan Vann did the honors on the second with an 8-yard run. Any thoughts of a Ferrum comeback were put to rest shortly thereafter when yet another fumble gave the Bishops the ball back, enabling NCWC to run out the clock.

Vann completed 15-of-28 passes for 206 yards while rushing for 68 more, and the duo of Smith and Bush combined for 125 yards on the ground with the pair of TDs. Laqwan Brodie, Greg Edwards and Keenan Carter hauled in four receptions apiece. Defensively, freshman Tazmon Foster again paced the Bishops with 11 tackles, while Antonio Harris tallied nine takedowns and two sacks.

Wesleyan continues USA South play Saturday at home when the Bishops host Greensboro College in their 2010 Homecoming game. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. at the Northern Nash Football Complex.

Rocky Mount-J.H. Rose football game postponed

GREENVILLE - J.H. Rose has moved its varsity football game with Rocky Mount from Friday to Monday due to wet field conditions at Percy Daniels Field.

The game has been rescheduled to Monday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m.

The JV football game between the two schools has been postponed.

Rocky Mount vs. J.H. Rose - The Series

GREENVILLE - Rocky Mount and J.H. Rose will meet for the 47th time on the gridiron Friday (7:30 p.m.) at Percy Daniels Field.

And after all these years between the old foes, the series is tied at 23-23. Only Rocky Mount rival Wilson Fike has played the Gryphons/Blackbirds more times (54 meetings).

The Rampants ended a two-game Gryphon winning streak last year when Rose senior kicker Warren Harvey delivered a 50-yard field goal with two minutes left to give them a 16-13 win.

ROCKY MOUNT-ROSE SERIES

2009 - Rose win, 16-13
2008 - RM win, 36-0
2007 - RM win, 17-7
2006 - Rose win, 45-21
2005 - Rose win, 35-20
2004 - Rose win, 15-13 (Playoffs)
2004 - RM win, 42-33
2003 - Rose win, 49-28
2002 - Rose win, 35-15
2001 - Rose win, 28-21
2000 - Rose win, 30-14
1999 - Rose win, 23-6

1998 - RM win, 33-14

1997 - Rose win, 45-3

1996 - Rose win, 21-7
1995 - Rose win, 49-20

1994 - Rose win, 35-6

1993 - Rose win, 19-14

1992 - Rose win 42-16

1991 - Rose win, 29-6

1990 - RM win, 35-28

1989 - Rose win, 21-6

1988 - Rose win, 24-6

1987 - Rose win, 27-10

1986 - RM win, 10-7

1985 - RM win, 23-7
1984 - RM win, 21-0
1983 - RM win, 21-14
1982 - RM win, 13-7
1981 - RM win, 26-6
1980 - Rose win, 36-22
1979 - Rose win, 36-7 (Playoffs)

1979 - RM win, 21-14

1978 - RM win, 22-20

1977 - RM win, 17-7

1976 - RM win, 23-8

1975 - Rose win, 20-14

1974 - Rose win, 14-0

1973 - RM win, 32-9

1972 - RM win, 14-0

1971 - RM win, 21-7

1970 - RM win, 28-20

1969 - RM win, 28-20

1964 - RM win, 34-14

1963 - RM win, 35-0

1953 - RM win, 26-0

Picture poster pefect

This is a commemorative graphic of Terrell Hudgins, whose No. 19 jersey will be retired by Elon University Saturday before his family and close friends. His entire Gryphon family will be there in spirit to honor this special athlete.

At the college level, the only other Gryphons/Blackbirds I am aware of who have had their uniform number retired are UNC basketball great Phil Ford (No. 20) and former N. C. Wesleyan baseball star Greg Clark (No. 8). Three-sport Rocky Mount standout Danny Talbott, who played both baseball and football in Chapel Hill, has had his football number honored at UNC's Kenan Stadium.

A GRYPHON GLIMPSE - Ed Moore

Rocky Mount's first soccer coach Ed Moore

Most Rocky Mount High School soccer fans know that both the girls' and boys' programs have been consistent winners the past few years - winning conference titles and going deep into the state playoffs.

But it was not always that way. Just ask Ed Moore.

Moore was not only one my college classmates at N.C. Wesleyan, he was also the very first boys and girls soccer coach at RMHS. Moore, prior to graduation from NCWC, was a pretty good soccer player himself who had gotten his prep experience all over the nation as a Marine brat. He finished his high school career at Lejeune High before coming to Wesleyan.

He was recruited by former RMHS AD Walt Wiggins to get the two soccer programs off the ground.

And he did.

"I spent four great years at RMHS," said Moore recently. "(I) started coaching the boys in the fall of 1982, and the girls in the spring of 1983. Who knew it would be the beginning of a long career? That's where I developed a love for coaching! It's truly where my passion lies.

"I have fond memories of my time at RMHS, and I'm thrilled to hear that the programs have grown into something great," Moore said. "I'd love to hear where many of my former players are now.

"I imagine they are in their mid-forties. The time flies!"

Moore now lives in Texas and is still coaching, for the time being.

"I moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex in 1993," he added. "I started coaching a couple of boys' teams in the local select league. Now I coach a group of girls who are seniors. I plan to retire after this group graduates."


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

Elon to retire No. 19 jersey of Terrell Hudgins next weekend

By Elon Sports Information

ELON-- Former Elon Phoenix standout receiver Terrell Hudgins will be honored with the retirement of his jersey prior to Elon’s Oct. 2 game against the Samford Bulldogs announced the Elon Department of Athletics. The ceremony will take place on the field before the scheduled 1:30 p.m. Family Weekend kickoff.

“The retiring of a jersey is one of the highest honors that any athlete can be afforded,” said Director of Athletics Dave Blank. “Here at Elon, this recognition has never been taken lightly, as Terrell will be just the sixth student-athlete in any sport to have his jersey retired. “Terrell had an outstanding football career on the playing field and left an unforgettable impression on our football program, the school and this community. We could not be more excited or proud to announce the retirement of Terrell Hudgins’ No. 19 jersey.”

Hudgins, who will appear on Thursday night’s Elon Football Live radio show from The Fat Frogg in Elon, becomes the fourth football player in the history of the program to have his jersey retired. The others are running back Willie Tart, running back Bobby Hedrick and tight end Richard McGeorge.

“This is an honor that only three other players at Elon have ever had,” said Hudgins. “To have it done the season after I left means a lot to me and I am very grateful for all of the support I received at Elon. There are a lot of people who helped make this possible – my coaches, my teammates and the administration – and I thank them for everything they did to help me.”

Hudgins, a member of the Phoenix football team from 2005-09, graduated as the holder of 19 NCAA, Southern Conference or Elon records. He is the all-time NCAA Division I leader in career receiving yards (5,250), career receptions (395), career 100-yard receiving games (28) and career 1,000-yard receiving seasons (4). Four of the records broke by Hudgins during his illustrious career belonged to the legendary Jerry Rice, including the receiving yards mark which Hudgins surpassed at Western Carolina in 2009.

Hudgins twice led the nation in both receptions per game and receiving yards per game. As a sophomore in 2007, Hudgins averaged 10.6 catches per contest and 134.0 receiving yards per outing. He then averaged 10.3 grabs and 136.1 yards per game as he helped the Phoenix to a 9-3 campaign and the program’s first-ever FCS Playoff appearance in 2009.

In 2009, Hudgins finished second in the voting for the Walter Payton Award that is presented to the top player at the FCS level. He also earned Elon’s Stein H. Basnight Award as the top male athlete at the university in both 2007-08 and 2009-10.

During his four seasons in the maroon and gold, Hudgins collected first-team all-league honors from the SoCon's coaches three times and from the league's media all four years. He was named the SoCon Player of the Week on three occasions and the league's player of the month twice. Hudgins was a three-time first-team member of the Walter Camp Football Foundation All-America Team, a two-time AP All-American and a two-time first-team All-America pick by The Sports Network.

Stated Elon football coach Pete Lembo, “It was a pleasure to coach and mentor Terrell for four years. I hold him in the highest regard. He was a great wide receiver, but more importantly he is one of the most genuine and sincere people I have ever been around. He made, and continues to make, a tremendous, positive impact on the university community. Terrell is passionate about football and about Elon – and that was clear every time he stepped on the field. By the time he was a senior, he developed a strong work ethic in practice and became a vocal leader on our 2009 team. His contributions, both in terms of productivity on the field and leadership behind the scenes, were key ingredients to the revitalization of our football program and first-ever trip to the FCS playoffs last year."

To watch a video of Hudgins on his thoughts about his jersey being retired, click here!

Cobb has big play in upset of Iowa

Arizona senior Travis Cobb

"You sing a song, you win a Grammy" were the words of rock singer Don Henley on the 1990 Grammy Awards telecast. He won a Grammy for Best Male Rock Performance just minutes after he perfomed the song "End of the Innocence" live on stage.

I thought of that moment after senior Arizona receiver Travis Cobb's performance Saturday night. I wrote a blog post about his upcoming game just 48 hours before his team's contest with ninth-ranked Iowa, then he followed it up with a huge play on a national stage to help his squad pull off an upset win.

The former Gryphon (Class of 2005), who had little success on the gridiron as a receiver and much more on the diamond (batted .294, scored 20 runs as a second baseman his senior season) in his prep days, returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown - part of the Wildcats' 34-27 late triumph over the Hawkeys before the homefolks in Tuscon. It was the only matchup Saturday of two ranked teams.

He closed the evening with 148 yards in returns, caught a pass for four yards and had two carries for seven yards.

It looks like the now 14th-ranked Wildcats, a 10-spot jump from last week, will likely compete with Oregon, Stanford and USC for the Pac-10 title.

And speaking of Stanford, another Gryphon alum had to watch some carnage from the sidelines in Palo Alto a little later that evening.

Wake Forest redshirt freshman Whit Barnes, currently a third-string offensive lineman there, had to watch Andrew Luck and the Cardinal demolish the Deacons 68-24.

Follow the Gryphons on WZAX Jammin 99.3 FM tonight!

PINETOPS - If you can't make it to the football game pitting Rocky Mount and SouthWest Edgecombe Friday evening, then listen to it online or, if you're in the area, on the radio.

WZAX Jammin 99.3 FM will be carrying this game as part of its "Game of the Week" series. Two more Gryphon football games will be carried later this season.

Paul Andre and Bob Maloney will bring you all the action.

So tune in at 99.3 FM beginning at 7 p.m., or listen online by clicking right here!

Another coach about to join Holt and the boys

Former Rocky Mount head football coach B.W. Holt paid a visit to the Gryphons' sideline last Friday night against Hertford County at the Rocky Mount Athletic Complex. Holt saw his former squad win 21-20.  (Photo/David Hahula)

If Providence Day (3-0) should upset Charlotte Catholic (4-0) Thursday evening, one more North Carolina high school head football coach will join the coveted 300-career victory club.

Bruce Hardin will join a gathering of seven head football coaches, including former Rocky Mount head coach B.W. Holt, should his Providence Day team beat another club member in Charlotte Catholic's Jim Oddo and his Cougar squad on the road.

Hardin got a great majority of his wins while coaching at Kannapolis Brown.

Also close to the mark is Murphy's David Gentry. He needs just three more wins to reach that coveted milestone.

Here are those seven current members with their total victories going into this football season:

N.C.'s Winningest High School Football Coaches

1. Bob Paroli (387 at six schools, including Douglas Byrd and Fayetteville 71st)
2. Jack Holley (380 at three schools, including Wallace-Rose Hill)
3. Tom Brown (352 at Bunker Hill and Maiden)
4. B.W. Holt (321 at six schools, including Starmount, Rocky Mount)
T5. Jim Oddo (305 at Charlotte Catholic)
T5. Daryl Allen (305 at Ahoskie/Hertford County)
7. Babe Howell (301 at Sylva-Webster/Smoky Mountain, Avery County).

A GRYPHON GLIMPSE - Arizona senior Travis Cobb

This is the first of a series of posts following past Gryphon athletes who are still performing on the college stage.

Today were are looking at former Rocky Mount baseball and football player Travis Cobb. He is a senior wide receiver/kick returner for the University of Arizona Wildcats football team.

The Wildcats have gotten out to a 2-0 start (huge wins over Toledo and the Citadel) and are ranked 24th in the lastest Associated Press poll.

Through two games, Cobb (6-1, 180) has caught five receptions for 45 yards, and run twice for 20 yards. He has returned three kickoffs for 79 yards, with a 39-yarder for his season high.

But he and his Wildcat teammates will face their biggest challenge so far this season when they entertain No. 11-ranked Iowa in Tuscon Saturday evening.


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

Rocky Mount vs. SouthWest Edgecombe - The Series

FYI, here is the all-time football series between SouthWest Edgecombe and Rocky Mount.

Rocky Mount leads the series 10-2. The two teams will play Friday evening in Pinetops. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

ROCKY MOUNT vs. SOUTHWEST EDGECOMBE


1987: Rocky Mount 21, SW Edgecombe 18
1988: Rocky Mount 28, SW Edgecombe 0 (First-ever game played at RMAC)
1989: Rocky Mount 40, SW Edgecombe 7
1990: Rocky Mount 15, SW Edgecombe 12
1991: Rocky Mount 24, SW Edgecombe 21
1992: Rocky Mount 12, SW Edgecombe 8
2005: Rocky Mount 24, SW Edgecombe 7
2005: Rocky Mount 21, SW Edgecombe 7 (3-A playoffs, 2nd round)
2006: SW Edgecombe 21, Rocky Mount 16
2007: Rocky Mount 15, SW Edgecombe 12
2008: Rocky Mount 7, SW Edgecombe 0
2009: SW Edgecombe 28, Rocky Mount 14

Get Rocky Mount-SouthWest Edgecombe football tickets in advance

Get your tickets in advance for $6!

If you don't want to wait in line to buy tickets at the gate at Friday night's Rocky Mount at SouthWest Edgecombe varsity football game, then get them in advance!



Rocky Mount will sell advance tickets to the game both Wednesday and Thursday during school hours at the athletic office in the Rocky Mount High student commons. Tickets are $6 each.

See athletic director Mike Gainey.

Other items available for sale in the athletic office include:

• Athletic Season passes - $100.00

• Letterman Jackets - $160.00

• State Basketball Champions T-shirts - $10.00

• Assorted Booster Club items

• State Basketball Championship watches - $50 (limited supply)



FRIDAY NIGHT PREVIEW: Hertford Co. vs. Rocky Mount

Here is a capsulized look at the Hertford County Bears, Rocky Mount's football opponent Friday evening!

HERTFORD COUNTY

LOCATION: Ahoskie
HEAD COACH: Scott Privott (second season)
CONFERENCE: Northeastern Coastal
CLASS: 3A
COLORS: Navy/Gold/White
MASCOT: Bears
2010 RECORD: 3-0, 0-0
2009 RECORD: 13-1; 6-0
SERIES with ROCKY MOUNT: RM leads 5-1
LETTERMEN RET: 25
OFF. STARTERS: 3
DEF. STARTERS: 4
OFF. FORM: Spread
DEF. FORM: 4-3

STRENGTHS: "We have a very strong junior class. We will be extremely good on the offensive and defensive lines."

WEAKNESSES: "Our skill people will be very young."

2010 OUTLOOK: "We hope to contend for a conference championship."

2010 SCHEDULE

Aug. 20 - GATES COUNTY (E) (won 21-20)
Aug. 27 - BERTIE (won 25-12)
Sep. 3 - NASH CENTRAL (won 21-20)
Sep. 10 @ Rocky Mount
Sep. 17 - TERRY SANFORD
Sep. 24 - NORTHEASTERN*
Oct. 1 - @ Edenton Holmes*
Oct. 8 - @ Currituck*
Oct. 15 - PASQUOTANK*
Oct. 22 - open
Oct. 29 - FIRST FLIGHT*
Nov. 5 - @ Bertie*

*Northeastern/Coastal 3-A/2-A Conference games

UNUSUAL STAT: Hertford Co. has allowed over 231 yds. per game, but only has gathered 206 yards per game itself.

KEY SENIORS:

DONTEZ TYLER (DE, 6-4, 225) He had 5 fumble recoveries returning one for a score in 2009. College prospect.

D'ISAAC JORDAN (DE, 6-1, 220) He had 5 fumble recoveries returning one for a score. College prospect.

PETEY BOONE (QB, 6-2, 180) - 9-22-2 178 yds, 4 TDs; 197 yards rushing on 34 carries 3 TD's

BRANDON WARREN (K/P, 6-3, 220) College prospect.

JUSTIN WATSON (WR/S, 6-1, 170) College prospect.

TIM LASSITER (DT, 6-0, 270).

KEY JUNIORS:

BLADEN GATLING (OT, 6-5, 300).

KENDALL SCOTT (OG, 6-0, 260).