The 2015 home opener for the Nansemond-Suffolk Academy football team on Friday was not the one Saints fans were hoping for.

NSA knew it was in for a challenge, though, against Bishop Ireton High School, which made it to the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division I state championship game last year.

The Cardinals lived up to the expectations by starting their season off with a 27-6 win against the Saints.

Nansemond-Suffolk’s run defense was stout against North Cross School on Aug. 29, but it gave up 220 yards to Bishop Ireton on Friday night. The visitors also racked up 188 yards through their passing game.

Starting off the scoring for the contest, Cardinals junior quarterback Walker Venable connected with junior running back Perris Jones for a 56-yard catch-and-run touchdown.

Later in the first quarter, Bishop Ireton senior kicker David Cooper hit a 45-yard field goal to make the score 10-0.

Jones scored a touchdown in the second quarter on a 68-yard touchdown run, then found the end zone again in the third quarter on a 22-yard scamper to make it 24-0.

Jones finished the game with 13 carries for 123 yards and two scores, plus four catches for 66 yards and a touchdown.

The Saints’ lone score came on a 30-yard touchdown run by senior running back Noah Giles. They were not able to pull off the two-point conversion.

Cooper concluded the scoring in the game with a 37-yard field goal.

Despite the loss, Giles still managed 110 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries.

Saints senior linebacker Cole Christiansen led the defense with nine tackles to go with one sack.

Nansemond-Suffolk (1-1) hosts Fredericksburg Christian School next Friday.