ROCKY MOUNT GAME
Rose rules over Rocky MountBY MONICA CRAWFORD ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2014
Traditionally, homecoming games are preceded by a week full of costumes, hall decorations and school spirit, but this year the Rampant football team was able to experience the festivities of Spirit Week leading up to a regular home game instead of the homecoming game.
Rose’s homecoming game was scheduled to be played against the Rocky Mount Gryphons on Friday, Sept. 12, but due to inclement weather, the game was moved up to Thursday, Sept. 11 and changed to a regular home game. “Everyone was confused about whether it was homecoming or not,” senior Kevin Phillips said. “My fourth period teacher told us that the game was not homecoming anymore.” According to senior Josh Moore, the confusion surrounding the game did not affect the way the players went into the game. “I think it may have put more stress on the coaches but not the players,” Moore said. “We were ready for if we had to play Monday, Saturday or whenever else.” The game ended up being a big win for Rose, and they defeated Rocky Mount 57-29 despite the fact that Rocky Mount had previously given up only one touchdown so far this season. “No one thought we were going to win by that much,” Moore said. “People around us at school would be like, ‘Do you really think you’re going to win today?’ I knew we were going to win, though, because we have the best offense in the county.” The Rampants were only up 26-17 at the half, but during the third quarter, the Rampants increased their lead by twenty points and did not give up a single point. “I felt like we played good together as a team,” Phillips said. “We went in there, and we played hard.” According to Phillips, the momentum from the win against Rocky Mount will help carry the team through their upcoming games. “When you come off of a big win, it motivates you to play harder in every game that you go into,” Phillips said. The Rampants have an upcoming game against Kinston High School on Friday, Sept. 19, but they are also already preparing for the game against D.H. Conley on Sept. 26. All of the homecoming festivities that would have taken place at the Rocky Mount game have been rescheduled for the Conley game. “Well you know the Conley game is always going to be a big rival game, and we always want to win that game,” junior Rakym Chapman said. “Plus it’s a home game and our homecoming, so we’re preparing really hard for it.” The day of the homecoming game against Conley will be Spirit Day, and there will be a pep rally during school to help increase the hype already surrounding the game. “It’s going to be much more intense, and everyone is going to play harder,” Phillips said. “I think it’s going to be a really good game because Conley wants to win just as much as we do.” With an undefeated season so far and a big win against Rocky Mount under their belts, the Rampants are preparing to charge the Conley Vikings head on during the homecoming game. “We need to be physical, just straight up physical,” junior Dylan Best said. “We’re going to have an all out mentality, and I think it will be a really exciting game.” HTML Comment Box is loading comments...
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