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Last year, it was Chase who carried Rutherford County into the second round of the playoff on the gridiron. This year, not one team could do so from “Small Town Friendly.” Thomas Jefferson, Chase and East Rutherford were all close to heading to another week of high school football though.
The biggest surprise may have been the Thomas Jefferson Gryphons. The Gryphons started out 6-0 this year, but fell in six straight games to end the season. Rosman, who TJCA defeated earlier in the year avenged that loss with a 26-14 win this past Friday.
Thomas Jefferson (6-6), who had a great year under the coaching of Jerry Cash just seemed tired out down the stretch. The Gryphons lead for the majority of the game, going up 14-6 at the start of the third quarter on an amazing 72-yard punt return from Efrim Borders. However, the Gryphons couldn’t stop Duran Scruggs who rushed for 174 yards in the second half alone enroute to 20 unanswered points. The sad part of what might have been comes to mind though. TJCA sat at the Rosman five-yardline with three minutes left in regulation and seemed bound to score. However, the third interception of the game pretty much ended their chance at a comeback. The Tigers’ Scruggs 30-yard run on a fourth down fake punt with just 90 seconds left to play was the heart breaker.
And Chase (5-7) narrowly lost 10-7 at Shelby last Friday. Chase has never beaten Shelby in 47 football clashes and stayed within a field goal for most of the night. Tyrell Boykins touchdown pass to Tario Young was the only offense Chase could get on the night as they end the season as well.
East Rutherford traveled west for a short ride for a matchup with Polk County. East led 7-0 in first half, but they were outscored 20-6 in the final 24 minutes of play as they ended the season with a 23-13 loss. Had East and Chase both won, they would have faced each other with East hosting.
Fear not all postseason games, Thomas Jefferson’s boys soccer team is still alive 1A play. The Gryphons defeated Highland Tech easily in a 5-1 decision. They had to face Elkin at home on Wednesday and with a win, would stay at home to meet rival Hendersonville or the Highlands.
Congrats to our neighbors in Chesnee, who fell runner-up in the volleyball state title to Bishop England They Bishops have won the title now 13 straight times and 23 in school history.
After a first round bye, Chesnee (9-1) will host a second round 2A playoff game against Jackson High (5-6) out of Kershaw, SC this Friday night.
The Chase for the Nextel Cup Championship looks like it’s down to Jimmie versus Brad.
Johnson has the edge this weekend again with Phoenix is up next, but I do expect Keselowski to run well too. Keselowski might just have an advantage at Homestead, thus making these last two weeks something the sports world has an eye on.
The weird part is that Keselowski could be leading the championship right now. A slip up at Charlotte and then a caution this past weekend, while Brad was leading allowed Johnson to take advantage of two scenarios as Johnson went onto the victory this past weekend.
Lastly, here is my top six NFL team rankings at the halfway mark of the season: 6) Packers 5) 49ers 4)Giants 3)Patriots 2) Texans 1) Falcons. On the outside Steelers, Ravens, Broncos, Bears, Seahawks, Vikings.
