Four Nansemond-Suffolk Academy football teams have now marched into history as state champions. Each of those teams had a different coach, and Lew Johnston was the latest, adding to the Saints’ rich history while wrapping up his coaching career with his first state title.

“To be able to go out on top, that’s a dream come true, so that makes it extra special,” Johnston said on Saturday, the day after his Saints defeated Atlantic Shores Christian School 38-18 for the championship.

He was excited to be able to make his dream come true at NSA.

“From the day I stepped in the door there to be interviewed, I knew it was a special place,” he said. “I knew it’s where the Lord wanted me to be. He led me there. But the people are just absolutely wonderful. They have welcomed me with open arms.”

Nansemond-Suffolk’s state champion football coaches from down through the years were pleased with what Johnston and the Saints accomplished on Friday night.

“Some of those kids were some of the kids that were around when we won our state championship,” said Kevin Allen, who coached NSA to the title in 2009. “I think that any time you get a state championship is always awesome.”

Allen helped his team topple Blue Ridge School in the title game.

“With him getting that state championship after all those years, I’m happy for him,” Allen added. “I think it’s a great school to receive that honor.”

Coach Terry Crigger led the Saints past Potomac School for the state title in 2000, and he was on hand for Friday night’s game.

“I’m ecstatic,” he said on Saturday. “This group of kids is really a super group of kids, and they worked hard for this, and they deserve it. It’s a job well done all the way around. At the game, they just came out and took charge, and there was never any doubt about it.”

He praised Johnston for teaching his players rightly along the way to victory.

“He has continued the program as it should have been,” Crigger said. “We have a winning tradition, and I think he’s just built on that, and taken it to another level. He’s done well.”

Coach Ron Killmon guided the Saints to their first state championship in 1991 when they defeated Fuqua School for the title, and he was excited to know the title-winning tradition continued on Friday night.

“I think it’s fantastic, and to do that for your coach that they all seem to love,” Killmon said of Johnston and his players. “What a great opportunity for Nansemond-Suffolk to find a guy with that much experience and a good man and a good coach, and they were able to lure him in there to finish up. And I’m very happy for him.”