Nansemond-Suffolk Academy’s football team is now 2-5 after a loss on Saturday.

The Saints went on the road last Saturday afternoon and lost to Norfolk Academy 65-36.

The Saints came out of the gate hot, scoring two touchdowns to post a 14-7 lead after the first quarter. But NSA was blanked in the second quarter, and Norfolk Academy put up 28. The second quarter seemed to be the turning point for the Saints.

“I thought we started off early well,” NSA quarterback Robby Tew said. “But after the first quarter, it felt like we ran out of steam. We stayed the course and never gave up, though.”

“They flipped the field on us well,” Saints coach Mike Biehl said. “Every time we stopped them on their side of the field, they flipped and pinned us down multiple times inside the 10-yard line. We just didn’t respond well in those situations.”

Both teams were pretty equal regarding total offensive yardage. The Saints had 312 yards to the Bulldogs’ 284. NSA was led by Tew, who completed 14 of 24 passes for 178 yards and three touchdowns.

Ehron Knight provided a spark, as well, with receptions for 83 yards and two touchdowns. Shaun Faulk put up his usual production, running for 97 yards and a touchdown, while also catching four passes for 29 yards. Keshaun Moore and Erek Smith both added touchdowns for the Saints.

Defensively the Saints gave up 51 points between the second and third quarters, while also giving up 200-plus rushing yards again. It is the second time this year NSA has given up 65 points.

The Bulldogs were four of seven in third-down efficiency, while the Saints were three for 11. NSA did do a good job of only allowing 70 yards passing.

Saints players have a desire to improve.

“Continuing to improve as a group and as a whole is what we are focused on,” Biehl said. “We have to understand that you just can’t blink when things don’t go your way. We have to keep playing. We are getting better at that; we just have to sustain it.”

“We need to play like its 0-0 all game,” Smith said. “We have to keep the pressure on the other team to make plays.”

The Saints have an opportunity to get back on track this Friday as they return home for their homecoming weekend. They will play Greenbrier Christian at 7 p.m. Oct. 21.