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By Matthew Hatfield

Contributing writer

Nansemond-Suffolk Academy wins shoot-out

Coach Mike Biehl of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy had a pretty good idea his team’s tilt at Fredericksburg Christian would be a high-scoring, entertaining battle.  Little did he or anyone know though that it would produce a combined 1,024 total yards, 92 points and 42 first downs.

When it was all said and done, NSA prevailed by a count of 49-43, bringing the Saints record to 6-2 overall.

Gabe Wansart completed 21 of 40 passes for 445 yards and six touchdowns to go with 67 yards rushing and a score on 11 carries. Six different players caught a pass, including Parker Greene, who had seven receptions for 189 yards and a score. Fellow junior Caden Bradford added four catches for 97 yards and a touchdown. Freshman tailback Tres Williams had 68 yards on the ground on nine attempts to go with five receptions for 39 yards and two scores.

Even though Fredericksburg Christian threw for 347 yards and five touchdowns, the Eagles were held to 83 yards rushing.

Trailing 14-7 after one quarter of play, NSA rallied before half-time with 21 points in the second period. That gave them a 28-24 lead at intermission. Fredericksburg Christian outscored them 13-7 in the third quarter to grab a 37-35 advantage.

But in the fourth quarter, NSA went back in front and would get the eventual game-winner on a 15-yard scoring strike from Wansart to Bradford, followed by a successful PAT from Henry Ross, who was 7 of 7 on extra point tries.

King’s Fork rolls past Lakeland

For the fourth time in 2022, the King’s Fork Bulldogs topped the 50-point plateau.  They cruised to a 58-0 win over Lakeland, improving to 8-1 overall.

Defense created scoring opportunities for the offense as Kaletri Boyd made three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Also coming up with a pick-six was linebacker and fellow senior Latavion Wynn, who leads the team in total tackles (66), tackles for loss (13) and sacks (eight) so far this season.

“Our defense played really well with four interceptions, including two we returned for touchdowns. We were also able to get some younger guys valuable playing time and experience,” said Bulldogs coach Anthony Joffrion.

Quarterback Cameron Butler completed 15 of 20 passes for 215 yards and three touchdowns.  Sophomore running back JaVon Ford also found the end zone, upping his season rushing totals to 1,044 yards and 11 TDs.

Next up for the Bulldogs is a regular season finale with Nansemond River (6-3) in a contest that will technically be called a road game, even though it is at King’s Fork because the Warriors are still getting their artificial turf installed. The game has major significance because King’s Fork is trying to leap ahead of Warwick (9-1) for the No. 1 seed for the upcoming Region 4A playoffs.

“Warwick is very close with us in power points, so this is a very important game.  It’s going to be weird that we’re the away team and playing at home,” admitted Joffrion, glad to see how his team has responded from the 52-21 loss to Oscar Smith back on Oct. 14.

“We’re doing a good job getting back on track since that Smith game.  That loss humbled us in a good way.”

Nansemond River moves to 6-3

A 37-2 win over Grassfield pushed the Nansemond River Warriors to 6-3 on the season, guaranteeing a winning record for the season and putting them on track for a first round playoff game in Region 5B somewhere in the city of Suffolk.

Alkendric Overton had a 19-yard rushing touchdown to go with two passing scores. One of the aerial touchdown strikes went for 37 yards to Isaiah Stalling Mullens and the other measured 22 yards to Jayden Bradley.  Overton, who was nine of 15 for 154 yards passing, went above 1,000 yards passing for the season.

Bradley also had a 35-yard pick-six and Alex Rodriguez found the end zone on a two-yard run. Nasir Holland made three receptions for 65 yards to key the receiving effort.

Dallas Slaughter connected on another field goal, this one from 30 yards out. It was his sixth of the season.