Williams wins ‘Gurus’ poll
Published 10:53 am Friday, January 13, 2012
The results are finally in.
The 2011 edition of the Gridiron Gurus is complete and a winner has been crowned.
That champion is none other than News-Herald Analyst and private school guru Mike Williams who correctly picked 108 games this season. He was 108-29-1.
That total narrowly edged out News-Herald Analyst and “Talkin’ Sports” host Gattis Hodges who was correct in 107 contests.
Only four gurus broke the 100-prediction mark with Roanoke-Chowan Publications Editor Cal Bryant and Sports Writer Gene Motley each correctly forecasting 105 games. They finished 105-42-1.
Next in was retired Bertie High School Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Ron Cooke who finished 98-49-1 this season. He edged out Senior News-Herald Sports Writer Billy Harrell who was 96-51-1.
News-Herald Multimedia Manager Patrick Bryant was next with a 93-54-1 mark as he edged out a pair of forecasters in News-Herald Managing Editor Thadd White and the Voice of the Falcons, Roanoke-Electric Cooperative Vice President Marshall Cherry. They were each 91-56-1.
Chowan University Deputy Athletic Director Meredith Long and WDLZ-FM Broadcaster Trent McGee were next with a final mark of 90-57-1. They edged out Gatesville Mayor and retired Gates County High School football coach Elton Winslow and Hertford County Baseball Coach Chris Towell, each who was 89-58-1 this season.
Next was Hertford County Commissioner Howard J. Hunter, who is the President of Hunter’s Funeral Home. He was 88-59-1.
The final spot went to News-Herald Sports Writer Willie McLawhorn, who inherited a losing record when former Publisher Michael Leonard left the newspaper. He rallied to close out the year 81-66-1.