Rocky Mount High handles Hertford County behind strong defense

Rocky Mount High’s Deangelo Collins breaks away from the tackle of a Hertford County defender during the game Friday night at Rocky Mount High School.
©TELEGRAM PHOTO / ALLISON LEE ISLEY

Rocky Mount High’s K.K. Edwards stiff arms Hertford County’s Alex Maxbauer during the game Friday night at Rocky Mount High School.
©TELEGRAM PHOTO / ALLISON LEE ISLEY

Rocky Mount High’s TyRick Roberts, left, and Marcus Braswell tackle Hertford County’s Zion Riddick during the game Friday night at Rocky Mount High School.
©TELEGRAM PHOTO / ALLISON LEE ISLEY

Rocky Mount High’s Jalen Watson tries to break away from Hertford County’s Alex Maxbauer during the game Friday night at Rocky Mount High School.
©TELEGRAM PHOTO / ALLISON LEE ISLEY

Rocky Mount High’s Jalen Watson is tackled by a Hertford County defender during the game Friday night at Rocky Mount High School.
©TELEGRAM PHOTO / ALLISON LEE ISLEY

Rocky Mount High’s Detrell Revis tackles Hertford County’s Justin Sessoms during the game Friday night at Rocky Mount High School.
©TELEGRAM PHOTO / ALLISON LEE ISLEY

Rocky Mount High’s Charlie Williams III breaks away from Hertford County’s Da’andre Beverly during the game Friday night at Rocky Mount High School.
©TELEGRAM PHOTO / ALLISON LEE ISLEY

B.J. Sanders punched in two touchdowns, three other Gryphons added scores of their own, and the Rocky Mount High defense held visiting Hertford County to under 200 yards in a 35-14 victory on Thursday night.

Rocky Mount (2-1 overall) had a three-touchdown lead in the fourth quarter, but the Bears charged late. Justin Sessoms took a reverse play 12 yards to bring Hertford County within 14. The Gryphons preceded to stagger any progress the Bears made by putting together a six-minute drive that resulted in a Jalen Watson score.

The Rocky Mount High defense then clamped down by forcing the Bears into a three-and-out.

“I thought they presented some problems for us defensively, and they gave us some trouble when they did,” Rocky Mount High coach Jason Battle said. “They have a Division I wide receiver (Wake Forest commit Jaquarii Roberson) that made plays. But we played well.”

Sanders finished the game with 128 yards rushing. He bulled Rocky Mount to an early lead on the Gryphon’s fourth play from scrimmage by shifting his way to a 76-yard score 4 minutes into the game.

Battle called it the best showing by the offensive line so far. And Sanders said he put too much pressure on the unit to start the season.

“We only have five linemen, and they are on scout team, first O, and field goals,” Sanders said. “I am all on them, pushing them at practice, but B.J. isn’t even as tough as them because I’m not on scout.

“I had to let them know today that if they were tired, I was going to be tired because I would be here with them tonight every play.”

The teams faced a 30-minute weather delay during the second quarter. The stall was enough of a struggle but was worsened for the Gryphons. Hertford County had pushed its way into the Rocky Mount red zone, only 5 yards away from a score. Then lightning struck, and the teams were sent to the locker rooms.

The Gryphons held off the Bears one play, but Hertford County plowed in on the next for its first touchdown of the game.

“It was an odd situation,” Battle said. “. . . I am kind of gauging how long it is going to be before I actually start talking because you coach them up in that time, but then you might have to sit another 45 minutes to an hour.”

Next week, Rocky Mount High begins a stretch of five consecutive games on the road, a period comprised of Edenton Holmes, Greenville Rose, Hoke County, Nash Central and Wilson Hunt. Battle said the team is ready to break out its new white away uniforms.

Sanders and the team are excited to use these trips to usher in Big East Conference play and attempt to redeem the Gryphon’s 61-21 loss to Rose last season.

“We are ready to go away and do the same,” Sanders said. “Tonight, it was good, but it wasn’t how it should have been.”

By Ethan Joyce
Sports Writer for Rocky Mount Telegram

Thursday, September 1, 2016