Four Years. One hundred wins.
For many high school athletes that compete on the mat, 100 matches is sometimes hard to reach. One Hundred victories in a high school career are not attained by the average wrestler. One Hundred victories, more often than not, are not accumulated by very, very good wrestlers.
One Hundred wins.
That averages out to 25 Varsity wins a year for 4 years.
Senior Francisco Alfaro has been a steady winner at Rocky Mount. According to teammate Chandler Phillips, coach Jermaine Jones told the team that Francisco's victory against Nash Central in the Conference Dual Meet on December 13th was his 100th. With another month and a half of wrestling to go this season, it's anyone's guess as to what the final number will be when 'Cisco is finally done at Rocky Mount High.
NCMAT lists the state's 100 career win wrestlers, but nowhere on the list is there a Rocky Mount Gryphon. That list is updated only when someone sends in a name, so it does not mean that another Gryphon has not hit 100 before. Unfortunately this is not football, so a comprehensive record book we do not have. (Charles Alston)
One thing is for sure; at the end of this year the NCMAT 100 career win list will include one Gryphon: Francisco Alfaro.
Congratulations to Fransisco, and as a side note, we hope to have Gryphon wrestlers pictures in the near future.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Wrestling Backlog
Somewhere in the whirlwind of preparing for the Holidays, I did not post the results from the Gryphon's trip to Greenville last week. The wrestling team competed in the Milt Sherman Duels at Conley High School last Saturday.
Originally, this was the last competition Rocky Mount had on the schedule before the Christmas break. The Gryphons faced some tough competition in a gymnasium filled with some of the best 3A teams in the East. "There's a lot of competition here," Francisco Alfaro said at one point. "I mean a lot. This is like being at Regionals."
Rocky Mount came out with 2 wins in their 3 matches.
The Gryphons gave up 24 forfeit points to White Oak in their opening match and fell 30-45. Holding a 30-15 advantage at one point, the team lost a close decision at heavyweight before giving up 4 straight matches by forfeit.
Rocky Mount went up against host D H Conley in their second match and won handily, 48-21. Aside from the forfeits, the Gryphs only gave up 9 points on the mat.
In the evening's last match, the Gryphons out wrestled the Cardinals from Jacksonville High, winning 42-33. The match saw the Gryphs get out to a 30-0 lead by winning the first 5 matches by pin, only to see the Cardinals come back to tie it at 33-all. A Chandler Phillips win and Johnny Stewart pin in the last two matches clinched the win.
Stewart, Dedrick Silver, Daryl Cross and Guy Williamson won 3 matches each. Alfaro, Phillips and Justin Atkinson took 2 apiece, while Demonte Hill, Kinston Peters and J K Williamson each notched one.
Originally, this was the last competition Rocky Mount had on the schedule before the Christmas break. The Gryphons faced some tough competition in a gymnasium filled with some of the best 3A teams in the East. "There's a lot of competition here," Francisco Alfaro said at one point. "I mean a lot. This is like being at Regionals."
Rocky Mount came out with 2 wins in their 3 matches.
The Gryphons gave up 24 forfeit points to White Oak in their opening match and fell 30-45. Holding a 30-15 advantage at one point, the team lost a close decision at heavyweight before giving up 4 straight matches by forfeit.
Rocky Mount went up against host D H Conley in their second match and won handily, 48-21. Aside from the forfeits, the Gryphs only gave up 9 points on the mat.
In the evening's last match, the Gryphons out wrestled the Cardinals from Jacksonville High, winning 42-33. The match saw the Gryphs get out to a 30-0 lead by winning the first 5 matches by pin, only to see the Cardinals come back to tie it at 33-all. A Chandler Phillips win and Johnny Stewart pin in the last two matches clinched the win.
Stewart, Dedrick Silver, Daryl Cross and Guy Williamson won 3 matches each. Alfaro, Phillips and Justin Atkinson took 2 apiece, while Demonte Hill, Kinston Peters and J K Williamson each notched one.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Coach Jones Gets Early Christmas Present
Rocky Mount wrestlers gave coach Jermaine Jones an early Christmas present in Goldsboro Tuesday evening with not one, but two victories at Rosewood High School. The Gryphons slipped by Rosewood (ranked as the #5 1A team in the east) 34-33, then dominated Southwest Edgecombe 54-12.
Jones' team limped through November, going 3-4, but compiled an impressive December record of 11-2, including nine out of their last 10.
The Gryphons gave up their customary 103 and 119 pound matches, and were also without 112 pounder Ahmir Scott. Francisco Alfaro, Chandler Phillips, JK Williamson, Dedrick Silver, Daryl Cross and Guy Williamson each won both of their matches.
ROCKY MOUNT 34 - ROSEWOOD 33
JK Williamson started out a 4 match win streak from the onset, winning a 9-2 decision. Silver followed with a pin. Cross added 4 points for a major decision in the 189 match 14-2, and Guy Williamson followed with another pin.
The Eagles quickly closed the gap, winning a 9-6 decision at heavyweight and two forfeit wins at 103 and 112, leaving the Gryphons with a slim 19-15 lead.
Neither team sent out a wrestler at 119.
Demonte Hill notched 6 points for the Gryphs with a forfeit win at 125, followed by an Alfaro pin at 130.
Phillips put the match out of the Eagles' reach with a 5-1 decision at 135. They needed all those points, as the Gryphons gave up a forfeit at 140 and lost by pin in both the 145 and 152 pound matches, for the final, one point victory.
ROCKY MOUNT 54 - SOUTHWEST EDGECOMBE 12
If there is a team that gives up more forfeit points than the Gryphons, it's the Cougars. The match started with Gryphon forfeit wins at 171, 189 and 215 and an instant 18-0 lead. Ezekial Thorne notched a decision win 2-1 at heavyweight to increase the lead to 21-0.
Neither team sent out a wrestler for 103 or 119 matches, and SWE got six forfeit points at 112.
The Gryphons lost their only match on the mat by pin at 125, getting the Cougars as close as they would get at 21-12.
Kinston Peters got a pin to win at 130 and Alfaro was given a forfeit win at 135, as the Cougars bumped up their 135 pounder to face Phillips at 140 instead.
Phillips won by pin.
Damien Bynum drew a forfeit at 145 and Justin Atkinson won a close battle at 152, outlasting his opponent 13-10. JK Williamson closed out the scoring at 160 with another forfeit.
Jones will have his team practicing through the Holidays before returning to the mat on January 3 for the J A Holmes Invitational.
Here's hoping everyone's Christmas was as good as Jones'.
Jones' team limped through November, going 3-4, but compiled an impressive December record of 11-2, including nine out of their last 10.
The Gryphons gave up their customary 103 and 119 pound matches, and were also without 112 pounder Ahmir Scott. Francisco Alfaro, Chandler Phillips, JK Williamson, Dedrick Silver, Daryl Cross and Guy Williamson each won both of their matches.
ROCKY MOUNT 34 - ROSEWOOD 33
JK Williamson started out a 4 match win streak from the onset, winning a 9-2 decision. Silver followed with a pin. Cross added 4 points for a major decision in the 189 match 14-2, and Guy Williamson followed with another pin.
The Eagles quickly closed the gap, winning a 9-6 decision at heavyweight and two forfeit wins at 103 and 112, leaving the Gryphons with a slim 19-15 lead.
Neither team sent out a wrestler at 119.
Demonte Hill notched 6 points for the Gryphs with a forfeit win at 125, followed by an Alfaro pin at 130.
Phillips put the match out of the Eagles' reach with a 5-1 decision at 135. They needed all those points, as the Gryphons gave up a forfeit at 140 and lost by pin in both the 145 and 152 pound matches, for the final, one point victory.
ROCKY MOUNT 54 - SOUTHWEST EDGECOMBE 12
If there is a team that gives up more forfeit points than the Gryphons, it's the Cougars. The match started with Gryphon forfeit wins at 171, 189 and 215 and an instant 18-0 lead. Ezekial Thorne notched a decision win 2-1 at heavyweight to increase the lead to 21-0.
Neither team sent out a wrestler for 103 or 119 matches, and SWE got six forfeit points at 112.
The Gryphons lost their only match on the mat by pin at 125, getting the Cougars as close as they would get at 21-12.
Kinston Peters got a pin to win at 130 and Alfaro was given a forfeit win at 135, as the Cougars bumped up their 135 pounder to face Phillips at 140 instead.
Phillips won by pin.
Damien Bynum drew a forfeit at 145 and Justin Atkinson won a close battle at 152, outlasting his opponent 13-10. JK Williamson closed out the scoring at 160 with another forfeit.
Jones will have his team practicing through the Holidays before returning to the mat on January 3 for the J A Holmes Invitational.
Here's hoping everyone's Christmas was as good as Jones'.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Gryphons Surf Rapids
The Rocky Mount wrestlers, fresh off a dominating performance in conference duels on Saturday, traveled to Roanoke Rapids High School Monday night to meet the Yellow Jackets for the second time this season. The Gryphons won a back and forth battle in the first meeting at home, but they had little problem this time around, posting an impressive 49-24 victory.
The squad posted it's sixth consecutive team victory while improving their season record to 10-5.
RMHS gave away their (so far) customary two matches by forfeit (this time, the 112 & 125 contests) and lost only two others on the night (130 & 160). Neither team put a wrestler on the mat for the 103 weight class, and Dedrick Silver won the 189 pound match by forfeit.
Francisco Alfero dominated his 135 opponent with a 13-0 decision and Johnny Stewart went the distance in winning at 145 in a 13-7 decision.
The remaining Gryphon match wins seemed to be a competition between themselves to see who could record the quickest pin, as all six Rocky Mount pins were recorded before the end of the first period. Guy Williamson, wrestling up at Heavyweight, took the longest time for his pin in the night's first match. The referee's hand slapped the mat just ahead of the horn to end the first period.
Damien Bynum recorded his 152 pound match pin in 1:45, only to be bested by Ahmir Scott's time of 1:25 in the 119 pound match.
Chandler Phillips (140) out did Scott by getting his pin in 1:21. Daryl Cross recorded his pin in a mere 52 seconds at 189. The quickest pin belonged to J K Williamson in the 171 pound match. If you blinked, you missed the 44 seconds of work he put in on the night.
The Gryphons will be back on the practice mat until Saturday when they travel to D.H Conley High School in Greenville to compete in the Milt Sherman Duels starting at 9:30 A.M.
The team will face off against at least 4 other teams throughout the day. The tough slate of teams competing include Louisburg, who beat RM in their first meeting, State 4A Champions Cary High School, Conley, J.H. Rose (who also beat the Gryphs in the team's first match of the year) and others.
These Duels should be a good measuring stick of where the Gryphon team stands at about the halfway point of the season.
The squad posted it's sixth consecutive team victory while improving their season record to 10-5.
RMHS gave away their (so far) customary two matches by forfeit (this time, the 112 & 125 contests) and lost only two others on the night (130 & 160). Neither team put a wrestler on the mat for the 103 weight class, and Dedrick Silver won the 189 pound match by forfeit.
Francisco Alfero dominated his 135 opponent with a 13-0 decision and Johnny Stewart went the distance in winning at 145 in a 13-7 decision.
The remaining Gryphon match wins seemed to be a competition between themselves to see who could record the quickest pin, as all six Rocky Mount pins were recorded before the end of the first period. Guy Williamson, wrestling up at Heavyweight, took the longest time for his pin in the night's first match. The referee's hand slapped the mat just ahead of the horn to end the first period.
Damien Bynum recorded his 152 pound match pin in 1:45, only to be bested by Ahmir Scott's time of 1:25 in the 119 pound match.
Chandler Phillips (140) out did Scott by getting his pin in 1:21. Daryl Cross recorded his pin in a mere 52 seconds at 189. The quickest pin belonged to J K Williamson in the 171 pound match. If you blinked, you missed the 44 seconds of work he put in on the night.
The Gryphons will be back on the practice mat until Saturday when they travel to D.H Conley High School in Greenville to compete in the Milt Sherman Duels starting at 9:30 A.M.
The team will face off against at least 4 other teams throughout the day. The tough slate of teams competing include Louisburg, who beat RM in their first meeting, State 4A Champions Cary High School, Conley, J.H. Rose (who also beat the Gryphs in the team's first match of the year) and others.
These Duels should be a good measuring stick of where the Gryphon team stands at about the halfway point of the season.
Monday, December 15, 2008
One Last Look at the Eastern Finals...
Charles Alston passed this link along this weekend, video of the Rocky Mount-West Craven 3-A Eastern Final's last four minutes.
Take a look if you'd like. And no, there isn't a conclusive shot showing if Nick Hahula's knee was down or if it was, indeed, a fumble. And let's not bring it to an argument.
http://s180.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/
Otis4411/wchs2008/finalscorept1.flv&fs=1&os=1&ap=1
-Copy this link to your browser to watch.
Take a look if you'd like. And no, there isn't a conclusive shot showing if Nick Hahula's knee was down or if it was, indeed, a fumble. And let's not bring it to an argument.
http://s180.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/
Otis4411/wchs2008/finalscorept1.flv&fs=1&os=1&ap=1
-Copy this link to your browser to watch.
Gryphons Sweep Conference Duals
Coach Jermaine Jones finally put an (almost) full line up on the mat Saturday, as Rocky Mount hosted the season's first NEW 6 Conference duel meet. The Gryphons won all 5 of their matches, putting them in the driver's seat for a second consecutive conference title.
Nash Central took 4 out of 5, while Northern Nash won 3 and Southern Nash took 2. Fike outlasted Southwest Edgecombe for their only victory.
Nash Central took 4 out of 5, while Northern Nash won 3 and Southern Nash took 2. Fike outlasted Southwest Edgecombe for their only victory.
Francisco Alfero, J K Williamson, Dedrick Silver and Daryl Cross each won 5 matches. Ahmir Scott, Chandler Phillips, Johnny Stewart and Guy Williamson notched 4 each. Justin Atkinson won 3, while Demonte Hill and Kinston Peters both won 2 matches. Grant Wilson also added a win for the Gryphons, as they recorded 23 pins on the day.
ROCKY MOUNT 57 - FIKE 15
The Gryphons made a statement in their first match of the day. Rocky Mount grapplers had 7 pins in what amounted to little more than a warm up for the long day ahead.
ROCKY MOUNT 45 - NORTHERN NASH 32
The Knights came to RMHS with a confident swagger. After all, they were unbeaten as a team (7-0) and had won the team side of the Pierce-Davis the weekend before. That tournament had included most of the NEW 6 teams (the Gryphons finished 7th) so naturally, Northern came in looking for a sweep of the conference.
Not so fast. The Gryphons wrestled their way to a dominating 45-20 lead. Jones decided to conserve some energy and forfeit the 215 and Heavyweight matches, making the final score appear closer than it actually was.
ROCKY MOUNT 36 - NASH CENTRAL 27
These two teams split their two regular season conference matches last year. Both were close, hard fought battles going down to the wire. Nobody expected things to be much different this year. Starting with a double forfeit at 103, a series of decision wins and losses, and pins for both teams, this match was what amounts to a dead heat after the first 9 matches.
Jones did what good coaches must do in strategic positions; pull the right strings and push the right buttons at the right time. Jones decided to forfeit the 171 pound match and bump up his remaining three wrestlers, putting the outcome of the match in the hands of three seniors.
Dedrick Silver (tech fall), Daryl Cross (pin) and Guy Williamson (tech fall) carried the Gryphons to victory by winning those last three matches.
ROCKY MOUNT 62 - SOUTHWEST EDGECOMBE 18
This was a good draw for the Gryphons at a good time. It gave them a 'breather' match after the hard fought NC win, and before an anticipated tough last match against Southern Nash. SWE won only one match on the mat. The Gryphs forfeited the first and last match, but in between they won 6 matches by pin.
ROCKY MOUNT 44 - SOUTHERN NASH 30
Firebird coach Eddie Coble juggled his line up, much the way Jones did for the Gryphons against Nash Central, trying to avoid a couple of wrestlers and take advantage of what he thought were better match ups for his team. Southern did not put a wrestler out to challenge Francisco Alfero or Chandler Phillips, hoping to take advantage of Rocky Mount's middleweights.
Not so fast. Johnny Stewart (9-6 dec.), Justin Atkinson (9-5 dec.) and J.K Williamson (11-1 dec.) each won and squashed any Firebird hopes of an upset. The Gryphons cruised out to a commanding 38-12 lead with only 4 matches remaining to seal the day's sweep of conference foes.
All six teams will meet again in January. Rocky Mount will have a big target on their backs. I'm thinking that's just the way Jones and his squad wanted it to be.
Lousburg Rolls Gryphons
Wednesday night the Gryphon wrestling team was welcoming back it's football players to the mat. The results weren't quite as they had planned, as Louisburg rolled through Rocky Mount's line up and defeated the Gryphs 18-51.
Dedrick Silver, Daryl Cross and Justin Atkinson had only two days of practice to get ready to compete, but hopes were high that they would help fill the holes in the line-up that have plagued the team up to this point. But once again, the Gryphons gave away 24 points in forfeits.
Chandler Phillips, who has been out of action since the Falcon Invitational at Aycock November 22, sat out yet another match. Robert Barnes, Ahmir Scott, Larry (?) and Demonte Hill were also absent from the line up, as the Gryphons did not send wrestlers to the mat to contest the first four weight classes (103, 112, 119, 125).
Guy Williamson won by forfeit at 215 pounds, rounding out the non-match scoring.
The home grapplers managed only 3 wins in the nine contested bouts against a solid Louisburg squad. The Warriors were ranked #23 in the East, but #3 in 1A in the Takedown Report pre-season rankings. (The Gryphs earned a #17 overall preseason ranking).
Dedrick Silver had to work for 3 periods to put away his opponent at 171 for an 8-3 win in his first match of the year. J.K Williamson continued his impressive freshman campaign, notching Rocky Mount's only pin of the evening in the 160 pound match.
The night's most intriguing match was the first one on the mat at 130 pounds. Pitting two State Qualifiers, Francisco Alfero out wrestled Smiley Mueller to win 6-2.
I wrestled against Smiley's brother, Noel, last year. He just happens to be a fellow freshman at Pembroke & is on the Braves wrestling team. My dad and I talked to Smiley and his dad, who is the Louisburg coach, for a few minutes following the match. Smiley stopped by wondering about these two guys with the UNCP gear on. Turns out the kid is not only a good wrestler, but a nice guy, too.
The Rocky Mount team hopes to field it's most complete line up come Saturday. The NEW 6 Conference meet will be held at RMHS, starting at 10:00, where the Gryphons will wrestle each of the other 5 teams throughout the day. I hope to see you there.
Dedrick Silver, Daryl Cross and Justin Atkinson had only two days of practice to get ready to compete, but hopes were high that they would help fill the holes in the line-up that have plagued the team up to this point. But once again, the Gryphons gave away 24 points in forfeits.
Chandler Phillips, who has been out of action since the Falcon Invitational at Aycock November 22, sat out yet another match. Robert Barnes, Ahmir Scott, Larry (?) and Demonte Hill were also absent from the line up, as the Gryphons did not send wrestlers to the mat to contest the first four weight classes (103, 112, 119, 125).
Guy Williamson won by forfeit at 215 pounds, rounding out the non-match scoring.
The home grapplers managed only 3 wins in the nine contested bouts against a solid Louisburg squad. The Warriors were ranked #23 in the East, but #3 in 1A in the Takedown Report pre-season rankings. (The Gryphs earned a #17 overall preseason ranking).
Dedrick Silver had to work for 3 periods to put away his opponent at 171 for an 8-3 win in his first match of the year. J.K Williamson continued his impressive freshman campaign, notching Rocky Mount's only pin of the evening in the 160 pound match.
The night's most intriguing match was the first one on the mat at 130 pounds. Pitting two State Qualifiers, Francisco Alfero out wrestled Smiley Mueller to win 6-2.
I wrestled against Smiley's brother, Noel, last year. He just happens to be a fellow freshman at Pembroke & is on the Braves wrestling team. My dad and I talked to Smiley and his dad, who is the Louisburg coach, for a few minutes following the match. Smiley stopped by wondering about these two guys with the UNCP gear on. Turns out the kid is not only a good wrestler, but a nice guy, too.
The Rocky Mount team hopes to field it's most complete line up come Saturday. The NEW 6 Conference meet will be held at RMHS, starting at 10:00, where the Gryphons will wrestle each of the other 5 teams throughout the day. I hope to see you there.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Corrections
Earlier this week, I posted an article on the Gryphons wrestling team and several of its wrestlers being ranked.
I forgot to include in the article that these rankings were PRESEASON RANKINGS.
The Gryphons football-wrestlers saw their first action of the season last night, as they try to live up to their rankings.
It should also be noted that since the individual rankings were PRESEASON, several of the wrestlers, if not all, will be wrestling at different weight classes this season.
Updated rankings will come out soon with the wrestlers in the weight classes they are routinely wrestling at this season.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Gryphon wrestlers and their rankings.
THE GRYPHONS HOST THE FIRST NEW 6 CONFERENCE TEAM TOUNAMENT OF THE SEASON - SATURDAY BEGINNING AT 10 AM IN THE SCHOOL'S MAIN GYM.
I forgot to include in the article that these rankings were PRESEASON RANKINGS.
The Gryphons football-wrestlers saw their first action of the season last night, as they try to live up to their rankings.
It should also be noted that since the individual rankings were PRESEASON, several of the wrestlers, if not all, will be wrestling at different weight classes this season.
Updated rankings will come out soon with the wrestlers in the weight classes they are routinely wrestling at this season.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Gryphon wrestlers and their rankings.
THE GRYPHONS HOST THE FIRST NEW 6 CONFERENCE TEAM TOUNAMENT OF THE SEASON - SATURDAY BEGINNING AT 10 AM IN THE SCHOOL'S MAIN GYM.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Gryphon Wrestlers Ranked
With the season a little more than a month underway, the Rocky Mount Gryphon wrestling team and several of its wrestlers are ranked.
The Gryphon team is ranked #17 Overall in the East, which includes all 1A - 4A teams. In the 3-A rankings, the Gryphons are ranked #9 in the team catagory.
Individually, there are several Gryphons who are highly ranked.
At 112, junior Ahmir Scott is ranked #8 overall and #3 in the 3-A. 125-pounder, junior Chandler Phillips is #6 overall and the highest ranked 3-A wrestler in his weight class.
Rocky Mount 130-lb senior Francisco Alfero ranks #3 overall and #2 in the 3-A. At 160, fellow senior Dedrick Silver is ranked #3 overall and #2 3-A. 171-pound senior Daryl Cross is #7 overall and is #3 3-A. Finally, at 189, senior Guy Williamson is #5 overall and #3 in the 3-A rankings.
The Gryphons have experienced strong turnouts in their first few home matches this season. Please continue to support them, first this Wednesday against Lousburg, and then come out Saturday for the first NEW 6 Conference Tournament match-up of this season.
The Gryphon team is ranked #17 Overall in the East, which includes all 1A - 4A teams. In the 3-A rankings, the Gryphons are ranked #9 in the team catagory.
Individually, there are several Gryphons who are highly ranked.
At 112, junior Ahmir Scott is ranked #8 overall and #3 in the 3-A. 125-pounder, junior Chandler Phillips is #6 overall and the highest ranked 3-A wrestler in his weight class.
Rocky Mount 130-lb senior Francisco Alfero ranks #3 overall and #2 in the 3-A. At 160, fellow senior Dedrick Silver is ranked #3 overall and #2 3-A. 171-pound senior Daryl Cross is #7 overall and is #3 3-A. Finally, at 189, senior Guy Williamson is #5 overall and #3 in the 3-A rankings.
The Gryphons have experienced strong turnouts in their first few home matches this season. Please continue to support them, first this Wednesday against Lousburg, and then come out Saturday for the first NEW 6 Conference Tournament match-up of this season.
Gryphon Wrestlers Compete in SWE's Pierce-Davis Tournament
The Gryphon wrestling team did a pretty good job holding its own on Saturday at SouthWest Edgecombe's annual Pierce-Davis Memorial Tournament.
Senior Francisco Alfero (135) and junior Ahmir Scott (112) both won their weight divisions, while senior Guy Williamson placed second at 215 pounds.
Grant Wilson (HWT), Johnny Stewart (145), JK williamson (160), and Kinston Peters (130) each won two matches apiece on the day.
despite not entering wrestlers at 103, 119, 125, 140, 171, or 189, the Gryphons team held their own in the team points. At one point, the Gryphons held the top spot in the team standings before eventually fading to seventh out of twelve teams. Not bad for only entering half a team.
Rocky Mount will host Lousberg on Wednesday at 7:00 pm. The team hopes to welcome back its football players, including seniors Dedrick Silver and Darryl Cross and Junior Justin Adkinson, along with injury-recovering junior Chandler Phillips in time for the first conference tournament next Saturday.
That NEW 6 Conference tournament will be held at Rocky Mount as all six conference foes will wrestle each other on the day.
Hope to see everyone on Wednesday and Saturday.
Senior Francisco Alfero (135) and junior Ahmir Scott (112) both won their weight divisions, while senior Guy Williamson placed second at 215 pounds.
Grant Wilson (HWT), Johnny Stewart (145), JK williamson (160), and Kinston Peters (130) each won two matches apiece on the day.
despite not entering wrestlers at 103, 119, 125, 140, 171, or 189, the Gryphons team held their own in the team points. At one point, the Gryphons held the top spot in the team standings before eventually fading to seventh out of twelve teams. Not bad for only entering half a team.
Rocky Mount will host Lousberg on Wednesday at 7:00 pm. The team hopes to welcome back its football players, including seniors Dedrick Silver and Darryl Cross and Junior Justin Adkinson, along with injury-recovering junior Chandler Phillips in time for the first conference tournament next Saturday.
That NEW 6 Conference tournament will be held at Rocky Mount as all six conference foes will wrestle each other on the day.
Hope to see everyone on Wednesday and Saturday.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Still Can't Believe It...
Now it's been almost two days since Rocky Mount's stunning last-minute defeat in Friday's 3-A Eastern Final. And the way the final few minutes played out could only be described as going from a fairy-tale feeling to a still shell-shocked finish.
The Gryphons came out on the night's opening drive and quarterback Collins Cuthrell threw an interception. That had Gryphon fans already feeling nervous after the lsat few seasons. The INT led to West Craven's Eric Highsmith's 18-yard touchdown pass from Brett Mooring and a 7-0 RM deficit.
But the Gryphons responded, with junior running back Marquavis Alston dashing sixty-four yards for a touchdown on the Gryphons first play. The PAT snap was low and Cuthrell was unable to handle it, as Nick Hahula tried to pick up the ball and run it in before being stopped short. Rocky Mount cut the lead to 7-6. (REMEMBER THIS PLAY.)
In the second quarter, Alston took a pass from Cuthrell forty-six yards for the touchdown and the Gryphon advantage. But because of the PAT miss, RM coach B.W. Holt decided to go for the 2-point conversion, which was again stopped by West Craven.
The Gryphons D-Block didn't allow the West Craven offense to get going the rest of the first half. The Gryphon offense scored with just over three minutes to play in the half on La'Var Silver's fourteen yard run. Hahula's extra point gave Rocky Mount a 19-7 advantage.
The West Craven offense got into the endzone just before the half on a Bobby Cox four yard touchdown catch, but the Gryphons held the 19-14 halftime lead.
The third quarter involved no scoring, but rather field position and defense. The Gryphons defense didn't allow a point, but the offense was not able to get anything going for themselves, either.
Going into the fourth quarter, the game was still 19-14. Both the Gryphons and the Eagles and both team's fans knew that it was going to come down to the final quarter for a shot at the State Championship.
Ball control and defenses continued to control the first part of the fourth quarter, with Rocky Mount running the ball to chew up the clock.
With around five minutes left in the game, with the Gryphons in the middle of being forced to punt, senior defensive end Jermaine Fields went to each of his defensive teammates and told them "Defense gonna have to win the game."
The Rocky Mount D-Block responded, as they had so many times theoughout the season and this game's second half. The Rocky Mount offense got the ball back after a West Craven three-and-out, as the Eagles again played field position.
When the Gryphon offense took the field, both the fans and the team sidelines began to buzz with anticipation. And the offense responded.
After being bottled up most of the second half, the Gryphon running attack marched down the field on West Craven.
Anticipation again built as Rocky Mount was faced with a third and long situation around midfield. Junior back Jordan Ford sweep around the left end secured the first down and had the Gryphon fans going crazy. On the sideline, it seemed as if the players were ready to release all of their built up emotions from the past few seasons.
But the emotion turned south just plays later, as Hahula was ruled to have fumbled. Both Gryphon coaches and players on the field argued that his knees were down, but to no good.
The Rocky Mount defense, which was ready to celebrate moments earlier, was forced to try and hold the West Craven offense one more time.
But this time the Eagle offense would not be denied. After getting the ball back with around three minutes to play, West Craven drove what proved to be the dagger in the Gryphons heart as they got into the endzone with thirty-four seconds remaining. Stunned silence fell over the Rocky Mount players and fans as the two-point conversion was good, and gave West Craven the three point lead.
The Gryphons had one final chance as senior Brian Goodwin's kickoff return set up the offense just short of midfield. Two straight incompletions by Cuthrell and third down awaited Rocky Mount.
With under twenty seconds left and one timeout, Holt called a draw play to Ford, who sprinted 26 yards before he was brought down by the last defenders for West Craven and the Gryphons called timeout with four seconds to go.
On came Hahula, the senior who holds all the Gryphons kicking records, with a chance to send the game into overtime and partially make up for his fumble.
But Hahula's attempt barely got over the line of scrimmage, and the Eagles celebrated. Afterwards, Hahula laid on the ground with cramps in his kicking leg all the way down. He had cramped right before the kick, but the Gryphons were unable to call back-to-back timeouts and a delay of game penalty would have put them out of range for the try.
So again Rocky Mount was denied, and this may have been the hardest to accept. From feeling like the game was in hand to suffering from defeat minutes later, the Gryphons are only left wondering what could have been for another winter and spring before using the loss as modivation in the summer and throughout next season as the work to try and get back to this point.
The Gryphons came out on the night's opening drive and quarterback Collins Cuthrell threw an interception. That had Gryphon fans already feeling nervous after the lsat few seasons. The INT led to West Craven's Eric Highsmith's 18-yard touchdown pass from Brett Mooring and a 7-0 RM deficit.
But the Gryphons responded, with junior running back Marquavis Alston dashing sixty-four yards for a touchdown on the Gryphons first play. The PAT snap was low and Cuthrell was unable to handle it, as Nick Hahula tried to pick up the ball and run it in before being stopped short. Rocky Mount cut the lead to 7-6. (REMEMBER THIS PLAY.)
In the second quarter, Alston took a pass from Cuthrell forty-six yards for the touchdown and the Gryphon advantage. But because of the PAT miss, RM coach B.W. Holt decided to go for the 2-point conversion, which was again stopped by West Craven.
The Gryphons D-Block didn't allow the West Craven offense to get going the rest of the first half. The Gryphon offense scored with just over three minutes to play in the half on La'Var Silver's fourteen yard run. Hahula's extra point gave Rocky Mount a 19-7 advantage.
The West Craven offense got into the endzone just before the half on a Bobby Cox four yard touchdown catch, but the Gryphons held the 19-14 halftime lead.
The third quarter involved no scoring, but rather field position and defense. The Gryphons defense didn't allow a point, but the offense was not able to get anything going for themselves, either.
Going into the fourth quarter, the game was still 19-14. Both the Gryphons and the Eagles and both team's fans knew that it was going to come down to the final quarter for a shot at the State Championship.
Ball control and defenses continued to control the first part of the fourth quarter, with Rocky Mount running the ball to chew up the clock.
With around five minutes left in the game, with the Gryphons in the middle of being forced to punt, senior defensive end Jermaine Fields went to each of his defensive teammates and told them "Defense gonna have to win the game."
The Rocky Mount D-Block responded, as they had so many times theoughout the season and this game's second half. The Rocky Mount offense got the ball back after a West Craven three-and-out, as the Eagles again played field position.
When the Gryphon offense took the field, both the fans and the team sidelines began to buzz with anticipation. And the offense responded.
After being bottled up most of the second half, the Gryphon running attack marched down the field on West Craven.
Anticipation again built as Rocky Mount was faced with a third and long situation around midfield. Junior back Jordan Ford sweep around the left end secured the first down and had the Gryphon fans going crazy. On the sideline, it seemed as if the players were ready to release all of their built up emotions from the past few seasons.
But the emotion turned south just plays later, as Hahula was ruled to have fumbled. Both Gryphon coaches and players on the field argued that his knees were down, but to no good.
The Rocky Mount defense, which was ready to celebrate moments earlier, was forced to try and hold the West Craven offense one more time.
But this time the Eagle offense would not be denied. After getting the ball back with around three minutes to play, West Craven drove what proved to be the dagger in the Gryphons heart as they got into the endzone with thirty-four seconds remaining. Stunned silence fell over the Rocky Mount players and fans as the two-point conversion was good, and gave West Craven the three point lead.
The Gryphons had one final chance as senior Brian Goodwin's kickoff return set up the offense just short of midfield. Two straight incompletions by Cuthrell and third down awaited Rocky Mount.
With under twenty seconds left and one timeout, Holt called a draw play to Ford, who sprinted 26 yards before he was brought down by the last defenders for West Craven and the Gryphons called timeout with four seconds to go.
On came Hahula, the senior who holds all the Gryphons kicking records, with a chance to send the game into overtime and partially make up for his fumble.
But Hahula's attempt barely got over the line of scrimmage, and the Eagles celebrated. Afterwards, Hahula laid on the ground with cramps in his kicking leg all the way down. He had cramped right before the kick, but the Gryphons were unable to call back-to-back timeouts and a delay of game penalty would have put them out of range for the try.
So again Rocky Mount was denied, and this may have been the hardest to accept. From feeling like the game was in hand to suffering from defeat minutes later, the Gryphons are only left wondering what could have been for another winter and spring before using the loss as modivation in the summer and throughout next season as the work to try and get back to this point.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
A Final Look Towards the East Finals
Before tomorrow night's match-up for the 3-A Eastern Final between West Craven and Rocky Mount at the RMAC, let's take a look at some of the Rocky Mount records broken this season...
Junior running back Marquavis Alston now holds the school record for career touchdowns with 40. He has 975 yards on the season, just 15 yards from recording RM's first back-to back 1,000 yard seasons. Alston has 16 touchdowns this season.
Senior wide receiver Keith Strickland has 48 catches for 1,129 yards and 9 TD's this season - breaking Mike Mason's single-season Gryphon receiving record. Strickland also broke the Twin Counties single-season receiving record.
Senior do-it-all Nick Hahula now has the school record for consecutive PAT's - 33 in a row. Hahula also has the school record for field goals in a season with 8. He broke his own record for total kicking points in a single season, currently with 95 points, and is second all-time in the state in scoring. Hahula has also added 555 rushing yards and 12 TD's this season.
Junior quarterback Collins Cuthrell, in his first season as starter, has passed for 1,418 yards and 12 TD's with only 4 INT's. He has also rushed for 3 TD's this season.
This years' squad broke the 5,000 yard mark for the fourth straight season. The 2007 team has the school record – 5,558. The current squad has 5,328 yards.
On defense, senior Chris Pittman leads the team with 91 tackles. Fellow senior Nick Harrison has a team-leading 7 sacks for the year, and Harrison and senior Josh Boulware each have 3 fumble recoveries on the season.
Senior Hiawatha Bunn, who is expected to play Friday night, has 5 INT's and 5 pass deflections on the year, both team leads.
See everyone at the Rocky Mount Athletic Complex tomorrow night - 7:30 pm - East Finals.
Junior running back Marquavis Alston now holds the school record for career touchdowns with 40. He has 975 yards on the season, just 15 yards from recording RM's first back-to back 1,000 yard seasons. Alston has 16 touchdowns this season.
Senior wide receiver Keith Strickland has 48 catches for 1,129 yards and 9 TD's this season - breaking Mike Mason's single-season Gryphon receiving record. Strickland also broke the Twin Counties single-season receiving record.
Senior do-it-all Nick Hahula now has the school record for consecutive PAT's - 33 in a row. Hahula also has the school record for field goals in a season with 8. He broke his own record for total kicking points in a single season, currently with 95 points, and is second all-time in the state in scoring. Hahula has also added 555 rushing yards and 12 TD's this season.
Junior quarterback Collins Cuthrell, in his first season as starter, has passed for 1,418 yards and 12 TD's with only 4 INT's. He has also rushed for 3 TD's this season.
This years' squad broke the 5,000 yard mark for the fourth straight season. The 2007 team has the school record – 5,558. The current squad has 5,328 yards.
On defense, senior Chris Pittman leads the team with 91 tackles. Fellow senior Nick Harrison has a team-leading 7 sacks for the year, and Harrison and senior Josh Boulware each have 3 fumble recoveries on the season.
Senior Hiawatha Bunn, who is expected to play Friday night, has 5 INT's and 5 pass deflections on the year, both team leads.
See everyone at the Rocky Mount Athletic Complex tomorrow night - 7:30 pm - East Finals.
Gryphons outlast RRHS
In a Match that lasted less than an hour, with no single match going the entire 3 periods, the Gryphons defeated Roanoke Rapids 42-35 Wednesday night in the Rocky Mount auxiliary gym.
Once again, the Gryphons handed their opponents 18 easy points by forfeiting a few matches.
This week, the Gryphs gave up six points in each the 103, 125 and 189 pound divisions. Neither team sent out a wrestler at 112.
The match started at 145 pounds, where RR claimed a major decision, 24-8, and a quick 5-0 lead. Competing this week at 152 pounds, Johnny Stewart continued his good start to the season with another home-mat pin in the first period to inch the Gryphons ahead 6-5. The Yellow Jackets answered with their own first period pin at 160 to regain the lead.
J K Williamson made quick work of his opponent at 172 in the evening's quickest pin, to regain the lead for his team. The forfeit at 189 put the Gryphs back down 12-17.
Senior Guy Williamson pushed the Gryphons ahead to stay with another Rocky Mount first period pin in the 215 pound match and Grant Wilson pinned his Heavyweight opponent in the second period to extend the lead to 24-17.
Rocky Mount gave six points back at 103, and neither team sent out a wrestler at 112, and the Gryphs held on to a slim 24-23 advantage.
Ahmir Scott got the team's fourth first period pin, wrestling up a weight class at 119 pounds, but after forfeiting the 125 pound match, Rocky Mount was still only up by a single point with 3 matches to go, 30-29.
The Hornet supporters seemed to be thinking about going home as winners, judging by their boisterous cheers at this point.
Fast improving Demonte Hill walked out onto the mat for his 130 pound match with his Gryphon teammates urging him on. Things were once again tight for the Gryphons on the scoreboard, but Demonte wrestled tough and eventually recorded a second period pin to put his team up 36-29.
Roanoke Rapids could still taste victory, though, as their side of the gym exploded when they pulled to within 36-35 after getting a second period pin at 135.
Francisco Alfero took the wind out of the RR crowd quickly in the evening's last match, dominating his opponent for a period and a half. Alfero didn't give up a point before winning by pin and posting the final number for the Gryphons.
As a side note, although I have not met or talked to the Edwards Middle School wrestling coach, kudos to him for bringing members of his squad to watch the 'big boys' do their thing. There have been several members of the Edwards wrestling team at each one of the home matches this year. Good to see a coach putting in that extra time with his kids. Great to see the kids taking that much interest. Those are the boys that will be center mat in a year or two with that "RM" on their chest.
I'd also like to add that I'm sure the team appreciates all the support they have been getting for their home matches so far this year. I can tell you, all that support helps during your time out there on the mat.
The wrestling team will compete at Southwest Edgecombe High School all day Saturday in the Pierce-Davis Memorial Tournament. They will return to the Home Mat next Wednesday against Louisburg at 7:00.
Once again, the Gryphons handed their opponents 18 easy points by forfeiting a few matches.
This week, the Gryphs gave up six points in each the 103, 125 and 189 pound divisions. Neither team sent out a wrestler at 112.
The match started at 145 pounds, where RR claimed a major decision, 24-8, and a quick 5-0 lead. Competing this week at 152 pounds, Johnny Stewart continued his good start to the season with another home-mat pin in the first period to inch the Gryphons ahead 6-5. The Yellow Jackets answered with their own first period pin at 160 to regain the lead.
J K Williamson made quick work of his opponent at 172 in the evening's quickest pin, to regain the lead for his team. The forfeit at 189 put the Gryphs back down 12-17.
Senior Guy Williamson pushed the Gryphons ahead to stay with another Rocky Mount first period pin in the 215 pound match and Grant Wilson pinned his Heavyweight opponent in the second period to extend the lead to 24-17.
Rocky Mount gave six points back at 103, and neither team sent out a wrestler at 112, and the Gryphs held on to a slim 24-23 advantage.
Ahmir Scott got the team's fourth first period pin, wrestling up a weight class at 119 pounds, but after forfeiting the 125 pound match, Rocky Mount was still only up by a single point with 3 matches to go, 30-29.
The Hornet supporters seemed to be thinking about going home as winners, judging by their boisterous cheers at this point.
Fast improving Demonte Hill walked out onto the mat for his 130 pound match with his Gryphon teammates urging him on. Things were once again tight for the Gryphons on the scoreboard, but Demonte wrestled tough and eventually recorded a second period pin to put his team up 36-29.
Roanoke Rapids could still taste victory, though, as their side of the gym exploded when they pulled to within 36-35 after getting a second period pin at 135.
Francisco Alfero took the wind out of the RR crowd quickly in the evening's last match, dominating his opponent for a period and a half. Alfero didn't give up a point before winning by pin and posting the final number for the Gryphons.
As a side note, although I have not met or talked to the Edwards Middle School wrestling coach, kudos to him for bringing members of his squad to watch the 'big boys' do their thing. There have been several members of the Edwards wrestling team at each one of the home matches this year. Good to see a coach putting in that extra time with his kids. Great to see the kids taking that much interest. Those are the boys that will be center mat in a year or two with that "RM" on their chest.
I'd also like to add that I'm sure the team appreciates all the support they have been getting for their home matches so far this year. I can tell you, all that support helps during your time out there on the mat.
The wrestling team will compete at Southwest Edgecombe High School all day Saturday in the Pierce-Davis Memorial Tournament. They will return to the Home Mat next Wednesday against Louisburg at 7:00.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Finals picks...
I will be the first to admit that I let my feelings get in the way of my picks last week, going with SouthWest Edgecombe to move on past West Craven. The thought of a Rocky Mount - SouthWest rematch was too much to look past.
So here is how the picks came out:
SouthWest Edgecombe X ------- West Craven
Rocky Mount
And in 2-A, Tarboro again advanced, getting past Goldsboro at home.
This week's Eastern Finals have West Craven traveling to the RMAC to take on the Gryphons, Friday night at 7:30. This week, I will also go ahead and pick who I like in the 3-A West Finals, so I can have the State Champonship match-up picked.
(2) West Craven at (1) Rocky Mount - East Finals - ROCKY MOUNT
(2) South Point at (1) West Rowan - West Finals - WEST ROWAN
- I'm not certain, but I'm pretty sure South Point also made it to the baseball West Finals this spring before losing to East Rowan.
I read on Tony Doughtie's blog that Rocky Mount could possibly become an unbeatable beast to the teams of Rowan county if we go on to face and beat West Rowan. That would feel great after being on the wrong side of Alamance county up until a few days ago.
Of course I will pick the Twin Counties to win and pick Tarboro, hosting the 2-A East Finals. How would it be to have two area teams playing in their State Championship games?
Also, I read and cannot stress enough the importance of having the stands filled on Friday night. Last week was pretty good, but someone will have to prove that the crowd was not due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Everyone get out there and support the Gryphons, they don't call it home field advantage for nothing.
Tickets are on sale early all week, as well as at the gate. No excuses for not being at the RMAC Friday night. The last few years have seen large groups of Gryphon followers travel with the teams in the playoffs and Western Alamance. Withthe boys playing in our own backyard, everyone should be there. What better do you have to do?
So here is how the picks came out:
SouthWest Edgecombe X ------- West Craven
Rocky Mount
And in 2-A, Tarboro again advanced, getting past Goldsboro at home.
This week's Eastern Finals have West Craven traveling to the RMAC to take on the Gryphons, Friday night at 7:30. This week, I will also go ahead and pick who I like in the 3-A West Finals, so I can have the State Champonship match-up picked.
(2) West Craven at (1) Rocky Mount - East Finals - ROCKY MOUNT
(2) South Point at (1) West Rowan - West Finals - WEST ROWAN
- I'm not certain, but I'm pretty sure South Point also made it to the baseball West Finals this spring before losing to East Rowan.
I read on Tony Doughtie's blog that Rocky Mount could possibly become an unbeatable beast to the teams of Rowan county if we go on to face and beat West Rowan. That would feel great after being on the wrong side of Alamance county up until a few days ago.
Of course I will pick the Twin Counties to win and pick Tarboro, hosting the 2-A East Finals. How would it be to have two area teams playing in their State Championship games?
Also, I read and cannot stress enough the importance of having the stands filled on Friday night. Last week was pretty good, but someone will have to prove that the crowd was not due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Everyone get out there and support the Gryphons, they don't call it home field advantage for nothing.
Tickets are on sale early all week, as well as at the gate. No excuses for not being at the RMAC Friday night. The last few years have seen large groups of Gryphon followers travel with the teams in the playoffs and Western Alamance. Withthe boys playing in our own backyard, everyone should be there. What better do you have to do?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
