Rocky Mount grabs a season-opening win

Rocky Mount’s Rajah McCowan and Charlie Williams III celebrate Williams’ touchdown during the game on Friday evening at Rocky Mount High School. Rocky Mount won the game 48-0.
©TELEGRAM PHOTO / ALLISON LEE ISLEY

Rocky Mount’s Charlie Williams III breaks away from South Granville’s Justin Bullock during the game on Friday evening at Rocky Mount High School. Rocky Mount won the game 48-0.
©TELEGRAM PHOTO / ALLISON LEE ISLEY

Rocky Mount’s defense takes down South Granville’s Chris Towler during the game on Friday evening at Rocky Mount High School. Rocky Mount won the game 48-0.
©TELEGRAM PHOTO / ALLISON LEE ISLEY

Rocky Mount’s Detrell Revis breaks away from South Granville’s Sean Deuger during the game on Friday evening at Rocky Mount High School. Rocky Mount won the game 48-0.
©TELEGRAM PHOTO / ALLISON LEE ISLEY

Rocky Mount’s BJ Sanders breaks away from South Granville’s Sean Deuger during the game on Friday evening at Rocky Mount High School. Rocky Mount won the game 48-0.
©TELEGRAM PHOTO / ALLISON LEE ISLEY

Rocky Mount’s Mckenzy Wright breaks away from South Granville’s Spencer Allen Jr. during the game on Friday evening at Rocky Mount High School. Rocky Mount won the game 48-0.
©TELEGRAM PHOTO / ALLISON LEE ISLEY

Rocky Mount’s Jalen Watson break away from South Granville’s Spencer Allen Jr. for a touchdown during the game on Friday evening at Rocky Mount High School. Rocky Mount won the game 48-0.
©TELEGRAM PHOTO / ALLISON LEE ISLEY

Rocky Mount’s BJ Sanders stiff arms South Granville’s Sean Deuger during the game on Friday evening at Rocky Mount High School. Rocky Mount won the game 48-0.
©TELEGRAM PHOTO / ALLISON LEE ISLEY

On paper, Rocky Mount High football had a dominant Friday night.

A 48-0 victory over 2-A South Granville featured six touchdowns and more than 300 all-purpose yards from the Gryphons’ running back corps. The Rocky Mount defense allowed only three first downs the entire game. And the Gryphons chipped in three touchdowns before 10 minutes of total game play.

But to the coaches and players, it is nothing to celebrate.

“We won, but it wasn’t enough,” senior running back BJ Sanders said. “It is not a win we are going to get next week (against 4-A Apex Middle Creek) if we play the same.”

The Gryphons latched on to the lead early. After winning the coin toss and deferring to receive to start the second half, the Vikings started on their 20-yard line. But two plays in, Rocky Mount forced a fumble and sailed on the football. Seventeen yards from the end zone, Mckenzy Wright hit K.K. Edwards for an 11-yard gain. Then Jalen Watson waltzed in for the Gryphons first score of the season.

Rocky Mount converted again two minutes later after a high snap on a South Granville punt was recovered by the Gryphons on the Vikings’ 3-yard line.

“We have to pride ourselves in putting ourselves in position to score touchdowns, or scoring non-offensive touchdowns,” Rocky Mount coach Jason Battle said. “I felt that both of those fumbles set us up early, they were almost non-offensive because we were right on top (of the goal line.)

“We’ve got to do that and be able to create opportunities like that defensively.”

Running backs Deangelo Collins and Jalen Watson each claimed two touchdowns in the game. Sanders added one later, and Charlie Williams grabbed another on a 44-yard pass play from Wright.

Sanders feels like his position group is growing, but the players’ success will depend on their offensive line. With three new starters there, the Gryphons are still learning the assignments.

“I’ve been talking the the O-line and stretching with the O-line,” Sanders said. “The O-line doesn’t have a leader beside (David) Keck, but he is at center, and he can’t always tell a guard or center what to do.”

The Gryphons were without star linebacker Sherrod Greene, who is still recovering from his broken hand sustained in the offseason. Battle said the South Carolina commit dealt with the lack of playing time well until game day arrived.

“He was doing very well until today (Friday),” Battle said. “It dawned on him today that it was game day and he was not playing.

“But he is a tough young man, and he is just trying to make sure he is in good condition so he is ready to step in and help us out.”

Rocky Mount 48

South Granville 0

South Granville 0 0 0 0 – 0

Rocky Mount 21 14 7 6 – 48

First Quarter

RM — Jalen Watson 6 run (Chase Miller kick), 11:32.

RM — Deangelo Collins 3 run (Miller kick), 9:11.

RM — Collins 5 run (Miller kick), 2:46.

Second Quarter

RM — Watson 18 run (Miller kick), 5:48.