Rivalry Week on the Diamond in Rutherford County

   There’s nothing like rivalry week.

   Last week, four games (two softball and two baseball) included Chase, R-S Central and East Rutherford in county matches.

   The game of the week certainly had to be R-S Central at East Rutherford baseball.

   R-S Central gains an 8-4 lead against the Cavs on a Randy Whitener grand slam. Although, it was Whitener’s birthday as well, East Rutherford scored eight unanswered runs to beat Central 12-8. The contest also saw six overall homers with each team clobbering three apiece.

   The result is no surprise. Last season, R-S Central took a 6-5 lead at East on a Jordan Rumfelt three-run homer. But the Cavs, who only lost once at home a year ago were simply not going to be denied.

   In a game that saw 20 runs as well, East grabbed a 13-7 win that night.

   On the softball field, the Lady Hilltoppers grabbed an early 2-0 lead, East ties it back at two-all after three innings and then everything went Lady Cavs way from that point forward. East picks up six runs in the fourth, three more in the fifth and two in the sixth to win, 13-3.

   Chase also swept the Hilltoppers last week. It took Chase softball an exhausting 11 innings to beat R-S Central, 4-2, in what easily could be named the game of the week in Rutherford County. Then the Trojans baseball team outlasted Central on the diamond as well.

Despite the NFL being in lockout mode for the moment, the NFL Draft will go on as scheduled starting tonight (Thursday).

   Of course, we all want to know who goes No.1. However, that corresponds even closer to home since the Carolina Panthers get to make the first choice.

   With last year’s dismal 2-14 record, the Panthers definitely need some help.

   There is one thing to keep in mind. The Panthers are already a young group. Everybody is younger than 33 on the roster except for placekicker, John Kasay. Just five guys are above the age of 30.

   So, who will Carolina pick? There are a number of options to go for here.

   Defensively, they can’t go wrong with Auburn’s Nick Fairley. Fairley (defensive tackle), is a beast for offensive lines to contain. Although, Carolina’s offense was the worst in the league last year, they might go with Georgia wide receiver, A.J. Green. Talk also abounds Auburn quarterback, Cam Newton as a potential first choice.

   Don’t be surprise if they look for an outside linebacker and a offensive lineman in the draft, but not as a No.1 pick.

   There is still a slight chance that Carolina could make a trade for the top spot, but I doubt it at this point.

   No doubt, General Manager Marty Hurney and the Panthers new Head Coach Ron Rivera will have some tough choices to make this weekend.