Playoff Picks

With the first round of the NCHSAA playoffs starting, I decided to take the 3-A East bracket and pick all of the games leading to the Eastern Finals and also my pick to represent the East in the State Championship game. Check in each Thursday as I will pick the games for that Friday night.....here are my first round picks....


(10) Havelock (8-2) at (7) Washington (7-3) --------- HAVELOCK

(15) Bertie (5-5) at (2) West Craven (10-0) --------- WEST CRAVEN

(11) South Granville (7-3) at (6) SouthWest Edgecombe (8-2) ---------- SOUTHWEST

(14) Nash Central (5-5) at (3) Kinston (9-1) ---------- KINSTON

(9) Wilson Beddingfield (8-2) at (8) Oxford Webb (8-2) ---------- OXFORD WEBB

(16) Jacksonville (2-8) at (1) Rocky Mount (10-0) ---------- ROCKY MOUNT

(12) Hope Mills Gray¹s Creek (5-5) at (5) Eastern Alamance (9-1) -------- EASTERN ALAMANCE

(13) Eastern Wayne (5-5) at (4) Hertford (9-1) ---------- HERTFORD CO.


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I also like Wilson Fike (3-AA) and Tarboro (2-A) to win their respective games and move on to the next round.

- An Oxford Webb and Rocky Mount match-up could bring former RM coach John Hammett back to the Rocky Mount Athletic Complex.


- A SouthWest Edgecombe and Kinston match-up in round two could turn into a good game, at least it is looking that way. But don't forget about Nash Central, who I believe will give Kinston a good run in the first round Friday night.

- A Eastern Alamance vs Hertford County match-up in round two also seems to be a good game on paper, with both teams going into the playoffs with 9-1 records.

- Congratulations to the winner of this game, they will win a trip to the RMAC to take on Rocky Mount in round three.

One big question heading into the playoffs is whether Rocky Mount will continue its dominance and play at the level they are capable of, or will they come out and play at their opponents level?

The Gryphons have the opportunity to do something special these next few weeks, with its senior laden roster. These seniors have all seen the playoffs before, some two or three years of previous exposure gives them the experience they need to take this ride.

Let us sit back and enjoy watching them, because I can see the Gryphons putting on a show for us fans in the coming Friday nights.

I can say from my experience with the baseball team's run to the State Championship that the support of the fans was felt and greatly welcomed. Looking into the stands at Five County Stadium to see what appeared to be half the city, which I wouldn't doubt, was a great feeling. Let's do the same for the football team and allow them to look up into their home bleachers and see a packed house.

Please come out and support these guys, who are playing for themselves, their families, their community, and most importantly, their city, OUR city. Get out and support them. I assure you that you won't be disappointed.