East stuns Central in overtime

Clint Bland had a message for his team who had lost seven in a row coming in to the rivalry game...42-0.

That was the 2015 score of R-S Central's blowout at Central. Pounding that mentally all last week worked and the County Title is still up for grabs. East Rutherford (3-7, 1-6) did something to R-S Central that no other team has manage to accomplish this season...shut them out.

The Cavs Demetrius Mauney scored on the first play in overtime as he tip-toed into the right corner of the endzone facing the Cavs scoreboard.

Austin Roderick, who did a sensational job punting all night, hit the point after to go up 7-0. He actually hit from 35-yards after the excessive celebration penalty.

Central had a chance to tie or even take the lead. On second down, Mauney sacked R-S Central's Jayden Waddell for a 15-yard loss and a 20-yard pass to Spencer Norris got Central to the East 5. On fourth down, Waddell rolled right and was forced to pass due to pressure by Mauney. The pass fell incomplete and East celebrated a victory for the first time since August 26th.

Both defenses played unbelievably well. Cade Hamilton, Josh Wilson and Fonzbee Clyburn also stepped up when needed in that category. R-S Central's Ramon Rodriguez put on a sack clinic himself with three in the fourth quarter alone.

East Rutherford will now head to Chase to decide the County title this Friday, November 4th. Both teams rely on the run and the Chase defense has been more consistent this season. However, if the East defense plays as it did a week ago, we could be in for another low scoring affair. If Chase were to win, the title would come down to a point differential between the three teams.

R-S Central (5-5, 3-4) will host Burns this Friday November 4th.

Meanwhile, Thomas Jefferson's defense pitched a second consecutive shutout as they beat Pine Lake Prep 14-0. They have Highland Tech this Friday. Should the Gryphons win, they should be a top three team among the 1A West pod when the playoff brackets come out. They likely are nothing worse than a four at this point.

Chase (4-6, 2-5) needed a win and they got it in comeback fashion over East Burke on the road, 20-16. Chase, R-S Central and East Rutherford will all vie for a playoff spot this week. Should Central win, they would definitely be in.

The only volleyball team to make the postseason was R-S Central, who lost in a valiant effort on the road to West Stanly, 3-2.

NASCAR: A year ago, it was Jeff Gordon making history at Martinsville, this time, it was teammate Jimmie Johnson's turn. While it is not set in stone, the conversation of tying Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt's seven championships is very doable, as Johnson put himself in the final four of The Chase to the Championship on Sunday.

Despite some early contact with Denny Hamlin which sent him back to 25th, Johnson regained most of that when a number of lead lap cars were caught on pit road in the middle of green pit stops around the lap 360 mark when the caution flag fell. Johnson, who hadn't pitted yet restarted third. On lap 408, Johnson got even, bypassing Hamlin for the lead and completely denying Hamlin's bid at a crossover move in turn three on the next lap.

From there, Johnson sailed to victory, but it would have been interesting had the race gone to overtime. Brad Keselowski, who has never won at Martinsville was by far the fastest on track and catching Johnson, but needed more time to make a bid at the lead.

While Martinsville was sort of mellow this season, it's extremely hard to top what happened in last year's event.

Other story lines:

This likely was Jeff Gordon's last race. He was fourth and was the fastest car on track in the mid-point of the race, but finished sixth. Tony Stewart was good Friday and Saturday, but the car was never right on Sunday finishing a disappointing four laps down in 26th.